Book Review #35: Hold Still

Title: Hold Still.
Author: Nina LaCour.
Format: Paperback.
Series: Nope.
Publisher: Speak.
Published Date: October 2010.

Summary:

"An arresting story about starting over after a friend's suicide, froma breakthrough new voice in YA fiction
dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can't.
Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend's suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn't die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid's descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid - and Caitlin herself"

Cover: 3.5/5

The cover of my copy of Hold Still, just confuses me. Why does the girl look like she's moving, if the book is called "Hold Still"? Maybe, if she were in the process of letting go, it would make more sense. I would really prefer the hardback instead. I feel that it fits the story a lot better!

Characters-

Favorite:

My favorite character would have to be Dylan, hands down, no question about it. She just seems like someone you could trust, depend and lean on when you need her; she knows exactly what to say or not to say to make you feel better.

Throughout the story, Dylan and Caitlin become good friends, even though they had a rough start. Maybe just because they have something in common, just maybe, something that Caitlin has no idea about!(:

Least Favorite:

In Hold Still, I don't think I have a least favorite character. In general I like them all, but there were a couple of little things that would bother and irritate me.

Starting with Caitlin! I feel that if you lose someone, it would get a little annoying if loved ones, friends or just anybody kept asking if I'm okay, if I'm managing and blah blah blah! I would be happy, when I finally passed someone that wouldn't ask me those questions, that wouldn't look at me and I would know right away what their thinking.

But when Caitlin's photography teacher, didn't approach her about it, she was so angry and felt like she was being ignored. Why? Wouldn't you be happy that for once, someone isn't talking about your best friends death?

Story Line: 5/5

Hold Still, actually doesn't start until after Caitlin's best friend passes away, this whole story isn't about a girl who wants to commit suicide. It's about another, learning to deal with her best friends passing, and learning how to move on, without forgetting Ingrid.

The book is actually divide into seasons (summer, fall, winter, spring, and summer again), it takes you on Caitlin's journey, learning to live without someone who was so close to her, making new friends, and finding her first love.

Have you ever had those times where you just want to watch a sad movie? One that you've probably seen fifty times already, like Titanic, Dear John, or The Notebook? Crying at scenes that you've cried at some many times before! This is one of those books!

If you need something sad, something that will make you change the way you think, I would definitely recommend Hold Still! I really enjoyed this book, even though I wasn't so excited about it at the beginning, it really changed my mind!