Hold Still in Penguin's Point of View Books

Oct 25, 2010 Audrey rated it really liked it

full review can be found on my blog, holes In My brain

Hold Still is a new spin on an old topic, Caitlin’s best friend Ingrid had committed suicide, leaving Caitlin to tackle life all by herself. There is a lot of common themes of loss, grief and love but I felt that the way LaCour set the book apart from the rest was in the execution.

If forced to choose the single thing I loved the most about the novel, I would have to ponder the premise. The photography and symbolism. The relationships and the full review can be found on my blog, holes In My brain

Hold Still is a new spin on an old topic, Caitlin’s best friend Ingrid had committed suicide, leaving Caitlin to tackle life all by herself. There is a lot of common themes of loss, grief and love but I felt that the way LaCour set the book apart from the rest was in the execution.

If forced to choose the single thing I loved the most about the novel, I would have to ponder the premise. The photography and symbolism. The relationships and the heartbreak; the grief, the characters, the writing. But without a doubt my final answer would be the voice. I absolutely adored it; Caitlin’s voice shines with honesty and a longing ache for her best friend, there is the tired and heavy feeling behind her story as if she was simply too.. sad. There was so much authenticity in the writing that I could easily believe Caitlin was telling me, and only me, the story, forming an intimate connection that can’t be faked. I could even feel the gradual change of her voice as she forges new connections and eventually learns to move on, learn, love, and hope. It was simply beautiful.

At the beginning, I craved Ingrid’s journal entries; I was really into the mystery behind her persona but gradually I wanted more of Caitlin’s story and the way she really evolves and matures through a tragedy. I thought overall the entries were a truly wonderful idea that added just a pinch of spice to change up the story at intervals, and the writing in the entries was so heartfelt and, well, perfect. Here's a quote from her journal:

I never laughed as hard as I laughed with you but now not even the laughing feels good.

A thing I didn’t really feel was Caitlin’s romantic relationship, it felt forced and off, despite the way LaCour tried to smoothly navigate it. However, that might have been just a small nitpick amongst a huge wave of love for the book. I definitely liked the balance of the angst and heartbreak, and the hope. Ingrid's diary never overshadowed the story that needed to be told.

Basically, this novel rocked. The voice and the character dimensions is spot on, and it is very reminiscent of a number of my favourite novels. It’s a novel with themes that can change the way you think, love, and feel; and I can’t ask for anything else.

Recommended for: Lovers of YA Contemporary fiction! Readers looking for novels with beautiful themes and great, well rounded and realistic characters. Remincent of 13 Reasons Why and Speak, if you're curious.

9/10 ...more

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Sep 17, 2011 April rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own, ya

I get genre cravings. You see sometimes I get weary of a genre that I read too much in – like right those moment I’m a bit burned out on middle grade science fiction/fantasy-so weary that I want a palate cleanser and can think about nothing EXCEPT the palate cleanser. Lately Young Adult Contemporary is the cleanser of choice. Hold Still by Nina LaCour was just what the doctor ordered. I read this on Thanksgiving after getting weary of books about intrepid pre-teens.

Read the rest of my review her ...more

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Jan 26, 2010 Book Sp(l)ot rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library, favorites, mental-health

After her best friend Ingrid commits suicide, Caitlin isn't sure how life can go on. Refusing to go to therapy and feeling alone in the world now, Hold Still follows Caitlin as she begins trudging her way through the world.

After finding Ingrid's journal, a tale not only of Ingrid's descent but also something that might just help Caitilin, meeting someone who could be a new friend, and discovering that she can talk to people--that they're also grieving Ingrid's death (maybe not in the same way, b After her best friend Ingrid commits suicide, Caitlin isn't sure how life can go on. Refusing to go to therapy and feeling alone in the world now, Hold Still follows Caitlin as she begins trudging her way through the world.

After finding Ingrid's journal, a tale not only of Ingrid's descent but also something that might just help Caitilin, meeting someone who could be a new friend, and discovering that she can talk to people--that they're also grieving Ingrid's death (maybe not in the same way, but in some way), Caitlin beings to heal.

Hold Still is a beautifully written book told using a narrative that follows Caitilin through her struggle to recover and find a new life and with journal entries (sometimes in the form of letters) and drawings from Ingrid. From the very first page I felt a connection to Caitlin and the pain she was in. A part of this might have been that I read this very soon (within a month or so) of a friend of mine dying, but I also believe it was a testament to Nina LaCour's strong talent. My friend did not die from suicide but I was still very much able to understand what Caitlin was going through and her need for a 'why.' I can only imagine that understanding/connection would be even stronger for someone who has lost someone to suicide.

That the reader can identify with both Ingrid and Caitlin's pain in Hold Still and understand where both characters are coming from says a lot about what a strongly written book it is--and how painful it can be to read. LaCour's book really shows the lasting pain felt by those that are 'left behind' when someone takes their own life. It's told over the course of about a year so it's not a quick fix, nor does it leave the characters hanging, it truly moves Caitlin through the process of her best friend suddenly dying and also gradually lets the reader know why/how Ingrid was so depressed that she did commit suicide.

(I didn't review this sooner because I really wanted to include this quote--it's from pg. 185 so if you want to skip it you can--but I think it's both beautiful and shows Ingrid's depression: "...But now not even the laughing feels good." I think the quote (and the rest of the sentence/few around it, really encapsulate Ingrid's pain so, so well that you can truly feel it right there. [I had to get the book from the library and then find the quote--and I was a slowpoke.:])

It's a book that support/counseling groups should, I believe, consider using because there's not one bit of it that seems to blame anyone for anything. It's not flowery by any means and it's not an after school special but it's real and it's painful and it's true.

I sincerely hope Nina LaCour writes another book because this one was gorgeous (and not just aesthetically).

10/10 ...more

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May 09, 2010 Kelly Hager rated it really liked it

The book opens in summer. Caitlin's best friend Ingrid has just committed suicide. Over the course of the year (the book goes from summer to summer), she has to come to terms with the loss (and the guilt for not seeing something was seriously wrong). To make matters worse (but also better), she finds that Ingrid left her journal under her (Caitlin's) bed. And as the months go by, she starts to make new friends (which brings the guilt back).

Really good, really sad book. (But it's not depressing ...more

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Apr 05, 2010 Nely rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library

Caitlin is beginning her junior year in high school - but she's definitely suffering from much more than beginning-of-the-year jitters. Everything is different for Caitlin this year - her best friend Ingrid is no longer there - she committed suicide and now Caitlin is left reeling from the aftershock and trying to come to terms with the loss of her closest friend.

Not only is Caitlin suffering emotionally, but everyone around her is also affected by her unexpected death. Ms. Delani, the photograp Caitlin is beginning her junior year in high school - but she's definitely suffering from much more than beginning-of-the-year jitters. Everything is different for Caitlin this year - her best friend Ingrid is no longer there - she committed suicide and now Caitlin is left reeling from the aftershock and trying to come to terms with the loss of her closest friend.

Not only is Caitlin suffering emotionally, but everyone around her is also affected by her unexpected death. Ms. Delani, the photography teacher, seems to be giving Caitlin the cold shoulder and being overly critical of her work. The kids at school are walking on eggshells around her. Even her parents are concerned over the way she's acting (she's been spending long periods of time in her car parked out front of her house).

Then she finds Ingrid's journal. A journal that Ingrid carried with her at all times of the day and that Caitlin's sure will have all the answers as to why her friend would resort to suicide. Caitlin makes a pact to read one entry a day in the hopes of finding answers... but instead she finds so much more.

I've been wanting to read this book for a while now, but I've been holding off because I knew this story was going to have me on an emotional roller coaster. I must admit that I am pretty impressed with the way Ms. LaCour was able to capture Caitlin's grief in a way where she makes it YOUR grief. From the moment you open to its first page until you read it's last sentence, you are on a journey with Caitlin - a journey to find a way of coping and living without someone you love. It's a journey that is heartbreaking, emotional, thoughtful, even painful ... one that will bring tears to your eyes, but will also leave you feeling hopeful and lighthearted.

This story is beautifully executed - it captures all aspects of adolesence and brings them into perspective. The characters were captivating. The story was emotional, raw, powerful. It definitely resonated with me and will not be quickly forgotten. ...more

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Nov 13, 2010 Yan rated it liked it

Ingrid deals with the sudden suicide of her best friend Caitlin and how it might not be all sudden once she finds Caitlin’s journal.

Hold Still I was told was like amazing and so saddening. I think I’m just a clinical heartless bastard. I did not cry, I did not get teary-eyed or weepy, I did not sniffle or anything else associated with tragic news.

Hold Still is a good tale of the aftermaths of a suicide and how far the ripple effect reached. Yet I had trouble understanding wonderfulness that of w ...more

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Dec 13, 2009 Jenny rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, contemporary, 2009

Before reading the book I knew it was going to be a sad book that would make me cry and it did just that.

From the very first page with Caitlin finding out about Ingrid’s death the story drew me in. You get to see Caitlin’s grieving and her journey to pull herself out of the dark place she was in after Ingrid’s death.

You get to know so much more of Ingrid through her journal entries. Not only do you find out Caitlin’s reaction but you can see what Ingrid was going through and feel her pain as we ...more

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Apr 20, 2009 Lauren rated it really liked it

Shelves: own

Hold Still was a beautiful and refreshing read about love, loosing, and learning how to move on while still keeping a piece of the lost with you always.

At first, Catlin was not my favorite character ever, because of her constant mooping about Ingrid's death. Sure, I understood why she would be sad, since I would be the same way if I lost one of my best friends. Though, I felt that at a couple of times it got out of hand. Luckily, as Hold Still continued, I began to enjoy reading about Catlin an ...more

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