Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard
Publisher: Viking
Release Date: January 19 2012
Pages: 233
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Also known for: The secret year
Rating: 4
Try not to breathe is essentially about a young man named Ryan who is fresh out of a mental institution after attempting to kill himself. He has to live with a stigma over his head and finds that his life is no longer his own to control. He finds little ways of defying this like his trips to the waterfall but he is no longer a regular teenager. One day he meets Nicki, who seems fascinated by his past and wants to get to know him better. Bit by bit his past his revealed, showing the readers that sometimes actions and feelings cannot be explained so simply. Depression simply happens and there does not necessarily have to be a reason why.
I thought that this was a very necessary book. I, myself have worked in a mental institution and people with depression do not have to have a tragic background, abusive parents, etc. They could come from the most normal and loving families. I thought that this book represented this very well. I also liked her positive outlook on this story. Yes, life does get better. It may not get easier but hopefully the good days will more than make up for the dark ones.
This was a short but offered a real glimpse into the aftermath of a suicide attempt and also the effect depression has on the family unit. Ryan's isolation really illustrated the misconceptions that many teens have about mental health, which was great. Overall, a very pleasing book.
Also seen on goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/306283583
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