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Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Try Not to Breathe

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Try Not to Breathe crop

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard. Depression is a difficult subject to tackle but Jennifer R. Hubbard has written an achingly realistic story of the dark emotions that cloud of many of us. Having experienced depression myself I could easily relate to Ryan and appreciate the loneliness and apartness he feels.

I liked that the story begins after he is discharged from hospital, as this is where the majority of stories end. It was his thoughts, that he had every reason to be happy, but wasn’t, that resonated loudly for me as its truth was so close to my own. Depression is not about having a terrible life, but being sad despite a good life.

It is books like this that will help to remove the stigma regarding depression.

Recommended age: 13+4 Star

Title: Try Not to Breathe
Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard
Publication Date: 19 January 2012Try Not to Breathe
Publisher: Viking Books
Source: Purchased

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Learning to live is more than just choosing not to die, as sixteen-year-old Ryan discovers in the year following his suicide attempt. Despite his mother’s anxious hovering and the rumors at school, he’s trying to forget the darkness from which he has escaped. But it doesn’t help that he’s still hiding guilty secrets, or that he longs for a girl who may not return his feelings.

Then he befriends Nicki, who is using psychics to seek contact with her dead father. This unlikely friendship thaws Ryan to the point where he can face the worst in himself. He and Nicki confide in one another the things they never thought they’d tell anyone—but their confessions are trickier than they seem, and the fallout tests the bounds of friendship and forgiveness.    — Extract from Goodreads.com

5 Comments

  1. I don’t think I’ve read a lto of books that tackled depression realistically and sensitively, so I’d love to give this one a try. I used to feel very depressed myself once upon a time, so I have a feeling I will relate just as you did!

    Faye at The Social Potato

  2. I love seeing mental illness more in the spotlight and making the stigma go away!
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

  3. Jenn is a fabulous writer and person. This is already on my TBR list.

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