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heathercottledillon's review against another edition
4.0
In "Hold Still," Caitlin has recently lost her best friend, Ingrid, to suicide, and she has no idea how to move forward. Then she finds Ingrid's journal and slowly starts to work her way through it, learning how to grieve as she goes. I think the author does a great job of creating a realistic story about what it might be like to love someone who commits suicide, and I felt connected and emotionally invested in the characters from the start. My only complaint is that I wish more of Ingrid's actual journal was included. There are a few handwritten pages and some drawings, but they only left me wanting more.
justvlul's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
xiati's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
“The sun stopped shining for me is all. The whole story is: I am sad. I am sad all the time and the sadness is so heavy that I can’t get away from it. Not ever.”
A beautiful book about grief, about mourning, but also about mental health, depression, suicide. Things got quite close for me (way too close) and at times I just needed to take a small breather before I continued. But then I soldiered on, because it was wonderfully written. I love that it takes place over a year and that we see how Caitlin moves through various stages of grief and pain. How she learns to find new friends, how she finds something she is passionate about, and she learns more about her friend as she reads her journal. Every day a journal entry.
Caitlin was a fabulous character and Nina LaCour has written her well. I loved that she loves both carpentry (and she makes something amazing) and photography. I loved reading about her times with Ingrid. About their friendship. All the things they did.
Caitlin’s bond with her parents is fragile, but I love that her parents are both there for her and also give her plenty of space, but well within some boundaries which I could understand. Caitlin goes through some dark times in this book.
There is also some romance but it never felt too much or that it didn’t fit. It fitted in perfect with Caitlin’s healing. Plus, I just loved the romance as the characters have great chemistry. Though I do hope that the boy learns about shirts and what not to wear.
A beautiful book about grief, about mourning, but also about mental health, depression, suicide. Things got quite close for me (way too close) and at times I just needed to take a small breather before I continued. But then I soldiered on, because it was wonderfully written. I love that it takes place over a year and that we see how Caitlin moves through various stages of grief and pain. How she learns to find new friends, how she finds something she is passionate about, and she learns more about her friend as she reads her journal. Every day a journal entry.
Caitlin was a fabulous character and Nina LaCour has written her well. I loved that she loves both carpentry (and she makes something amazing) and photography. I loved reading about her times with Ingrid. About their friendship. All the things they did.
Caitlin’s bond with her parents is fragile, but I love that her parents are both there for her and also give her plenty of space, but well within some boundaries which I could understand. Caitlin goes through some dark times in this book.
There is also some romance but it never felt too much or that it didn’t fit. It fitted in perfect with Caitlin’s healing. Plus, I just loved the romance as the characters have great chemistry. Though I do hope that the boy learns about shirts and what not to wear.
carenlou's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness
luci_08's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rosiereviewsreads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lexereads's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I could tell this was an earlier creation from Lacour, it was missing the smooth story telling that’s she does so well. The ending of the book is really what saved this from a DNF