How to Disappear by Bruna Gomes (Release date: June 2021)

 You want a new book to read. You want something different, but aren't sure exactly what. So you search and browse. Everything sounds the same. And then, you stumble upon a title the peaks your interest: How to Disappear by Bruna Gomes. You read the description and wonder if you could actually read a book written in second person point of view. You have never done this before so, you give it a try.

Yes. How to Disappear is written in second person, just like the paragraph above. This is a point of view that is rarely used, in part because it is very difficult to create a sustainable story arc, but also because it is so intimate to the reader. Imagine reading an entire novel where you are told what you think feel and experience. A different part of the reading brain is activated and the connection to the story is very different. It's far from "normal".

The book opens by immersing the reader immediately into the main character's life, which is a total disaster (of her own making). But remember, it's now your life due to the point of view. I'm not going to lie. It's a little uncomfortable, but the story is good enough to keep it from getting too awkward. It also escalates quickly and continues to do so steadily throughout the novel. Many of the turning points are perfectly timed--I'd be just about to give up reading and then a twist was thrown in. Naturally, I couldn't stop reading. I had to find out what happened next.

While I struggled to embrace the reality of some scenes, I think the uniqueness of the point of view helped. I stopped a few times and imagined what this story would be like if written in first or third person. It was then I realized it would be a totally different story. This is how it was meant to be written. So, again, I kept reading.

The ending of the book felt a little anti-climactic. I didn't feel a huge build up to the resolution and the ending didn't entirely make sense to me. Yet, somehow, it was still satisfying. It closed the loop, bringing the story full circle. Interestingly, a lot of questions were left unanswered. I suspect in some ways that may have been a gift from the author, freeing the reader to imagine more on their own after the written word ended. And to me, that's what reading is all about. 

So, if you are looking for an interesting and mind bending read, I recommend How to Disappear by Bruna Gomes. It could be a nice change for a beach or poolside read or could lead to great discussion at a book club. It's also not purely young adult, either. I think many adults could relate to the concept of  escaping your own "mediocre life". Lean in. Enjoy the ride.

The Tragedy of Dane Riley by Kat Spears (Release date June 2021)

The Tragedy of Dane Riley by Kat Spears is a young adult novel about a senior in high school, Dane Riley, who allegedly struggles with mental health. But see, the thing is, he is grieving his father's death the only way he knows how...and it makes others uncomfortable. Is he mentally ill or is he sad? This book is a  great exploration of labeling and stigma without every using those words.

The first scene is at Dane's house, but the story begins to take shape with Dane's first appointment with his new psychiatrist. The scene is appropriately awkward. At first it felt a little contrived, Dane's disdain is expected and difficulty relating to a parent is a common theme. But the way the scenes unfold, through both Dane's inner dialogue and external interactions, add a unique element that kept me interested. The details are consistent enough to bring you right into the room, feel the room, yet don't overwhelm the senses. It actually transported me right back to my first appointment with a psychiatrist. Something I hadn't thought about in a long time. Maybe that's why I perceived it as awkward. I know my visits always were.

Next, the story unfolds with a lot of Dane's internal dialogue. At times, I wondered if it was ever going to end, but then, intimate bits of information would be shared or an interaction would occur that pulled it all together. The author dropped little nuggets of information that built into the rest of the story. I felt like I was getting to know a real human, not a made up character.

When Ophelia arrives, my first thought was that this was just going to be another version of boy-falls-for-girl-who-fixes-his-life. But by the time we meet her, it's pretty obvious this isn't a romance novel. It only makes sense that she's important to him, so instantly she became important to me. I liked her, but then again, how can one not? She definitely has more dimension than many characters in today's novels. She's a strong female. One that I can relate to easily.

Meeting Dane's friends provided a refreshing change, both in the story and in reality. Often, teen boy relationships are only about toxic masculinity, but these guys are more than a stereotype. Dane's interactions with them demonstrate he is also more than superficial. I mean, we kind of know this already, but the fact that he doesn't change really drives home his depth. 

The rest of the novel progresses in much a similar way. We hear a lot of Dane's inner thoughts. Many of them are insightful or funny or heartbreaking, but all of them are worth reading. He contemplates suicide, which for many may be very hard to read. But, again, he is real about it in a way few people are. We get to see Dane make choices and how his choices affect how others perceive him and how that affects him. 

For me, the ending came too soon. I devoured the entire novel in two sittings. I enjoyed almost every word, every scene, every twist and turn. Like any great book, I didn't want it to end. Yet, at the same time, the ending was so satisfying. It was set up beautifully from the start. Not every question was answered ---which I LOVE--but everything that needed to be solved was.

The thing that really moved me about this book, is how Dane's mental health was always a question to everyone BUT Dane. I have lost. I have grieved. I get his frustration. So many people think there should be a timeline or a predictable way one should respond to the loss of a loved one. But grief is not predictable. There's nothing wrong with grieving in your own way, on your own timeline. Yes, he made a few choices that could be questioned, but god damn it, he's a freaking teenager. I think our society loses sight of that too. Grief and adolescence are two misunderstood NORMAL conditions. Thank you, Kat Spears for opening up the discussion with your book. I hope it catches fire the way it should.