“The Rest of Us Just Live Here” by Patrick Ness – A Surprisingly Real Read…

With the Christmas deals, Amazon had an offer of 3 books for £10 so I bought quite a lot, due to the reading spree that I’m on right now. When I bought this book, “The Rest of Us Just Live Here”, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. And I didn’t expect to finish it so fast, considering it’s not as short as the other books I’ve been reading. But I devoured it. It was everything I like in a book – Young Adult fun teen life; fantasy and a story with a purpose.

What was the story’s purpose? Why am I telling you about it? Because it touched on mental illness and growth.

What it taught me:

It’s OK to have gone through something awful and scary, because with good people supporting you, you can rise above it.
Be who you are.
You’re never the least-wanted person in a group; stop thinking low of yourself because you’re almost always wrong!
You don’t have to be “the chosen one” or the big hero to have an extraordinary life full of love and fun.
Do what you want and do what you love.
Work hard and fight for what you want.
Just try it…and see what happens in “the way of exploration”.
Mental health issues DON’T define you.
It doesn’t matter how weird or unique your talents are – use them, love them and own them!
Always speak about how you feel, even if you cry or if your voice shakes when you do it.
Keep a goal in mind, no matter how big or small, and strive for it.
Parents are complicated, but deep down they always love us.
Family doesn’t have to be blood relatives.
Get help when you need it, be that medication, therapy, friends or family – whatever you need to live your life.

Read more. Learn more. Seek Peace.