The award-winning first novel from the bestselling author of We Are Okay. For fans of 13 Reasons Why. In the wake of her best friend Ingrid's suicide, Caitlin is left alone, struggling to find hope and answers. When she finds the journal Ingrid left behind for her, she begins a journey of understanding and broadening her horizons that leads her to new friendships and first love. Nina LaCour brings the changing seasons of Caitlin's first year without Ingrid to life with emotion, honesty, and captivating writing.
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"August 2010 - I'm not sure there are words to express just how much this book changed me. If there are words, they are too personal to share. This wasn't just a book to me, it was a lifeline I wasn't aware I was in need of, a way of understanding things I hadn't quite considered before. I started this book with a much different approach than I came out with, but I say that in the best way possible. Most reviews go on to tell you about the book, but you can read that for yourself. These reviews are ways for me to remember just how moved I was by individual novels. Hold Still easily worked its way to my list of favorites, and it didn't have to work very hard at all. I feel as if I should go on forever, but at the same time, I know nothing I say will give this book justice. You may read this book after reading this review and think, what the hell was that girl talking about, and that's okay; not every novel hits home to every individual. For you, this may be just another novel on your list of read books, but for me, this will leave a lasting imprint for many years to come - and I can guarantee I'll be reading this book over and over through the years.Read again 1/24/2013 - It's been a while since I read it last and yet, it still made the same strong impact on me. Such a great book. Certainly on my list of top 10."
— Ashlee (5 out of 5 stars)
" This book will resonate in my heart for a while. Caitlin's pain is real, raw, and believable. You feel her roller-coaster ride as if you were in the seat next to her. Brilliant. "
— Christalyn, 2/11/2014" I really enjoyed this book because it showed you how the main character dealt with loss. "
— Rhiannon, 2/7/2014" This book shook a lot of nerves because it was right around when I experienced something similar to what happened in the book. The descriptions in this book make you feel like you know exactly what happened. I wanted more information about what had happened. But by the end of the book I had all the information I needed. Great book! "
— Beth, 1/18/2014" A heartbreaking story of a friendship that ends with a tragic suicide. This book captures the sadness of teenage depression with beautiful lyrical writing "
— Mary, 1/16/2014" The best book for teens. Totally relatabe. Must Read!!! "
— Hammadah, 9/11/2013" This book was incredible. The writing was spectacular and the story was really profound--it was an all around fantastic book. "
— Odelia, 9/5/2013" Really good book about dealing with a suicide of a loved one. "
— Lindsay, 8/11/2013" Caitlin is dealing with the aftermath of a friend's suicide. It has rocked her to her core. She is barely making it through her own life when she discovers her friend's journal hiding under her bed. "
— Angela, 4/10/2013" This book really made me think about how depression not only effects the individual struggling with it. But the friends and family of Ingrid who suffered greatly from losing her. "
— Brenna, 4/8/2013" Great balance between real life and a positive outlook on bereavement. Realistic but redeeming. Treats depression with respect. Loved it. "
— Kristin, 9/1/2012" Nina LaCour's novel Hold Still differs from other tragic teenage stories about suicide in that her focus is not on the demise of the character but in the relating of her resilience and ability to recover from the depths of despair. A beautiful and touching YA cross over novel. "
— Maureen, 6/26/2012" Love this book about a girl surviving the year after her friend commits suicide. "
— Laura, 12/11/2011" I bought this book on a whim after reading the amazing reviews. I consumed it or maybe it consumed me. It was an easy read but it lead me on an emotional journey. I laughed, I cried. It touched me in a way that a good book always does. "
— Karisa, 10/5/2011" Not the most well-written book, but it's magical and powerful. It's simple, but everything in it is beautiful. "
— Alexa, 8/2/2011" It was a pretty dry book. The ending was good though. "
— Emma, 5/18/2011" it was sweet and really sad but in a good way! "
— Jewels, 5/17/2011" Caitlyn really evolved from who she was in the beginning of this novel. Its relatabe to anyone who lost someone really close to you, i was able to relate to it seeing how it was suicide that took her friend. At some parts it was very graphic, but it was such an amazing way to be told. "
— Corrine, 5/12/2011" AMAZING!!! but sad. READ READ READ. I BEG of you. <br/> -Blue "
— Blue, 5/8/2011" It was a great novel to read. I would recommend it to everyone, to those who are looking for sad, loss centered novels, and for those just looking for a novel with substance. It was amazingly written, and im looking forward to reading for novels by nina lacour. "
— Krystien, 5/7/2011" wonderful prose and form, a good YA read "
— Mary, 5/6/2011" Really sad. But I liked it. "
— Tammy, 4/29/2011" Great book...it's about loss of a friend and how she overcomes it, really good.. a little slow in the beginning though. "
— Waverley, 4/22/2011" Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I finished this during study hall today at school and I nearly cried. I'm glad that at the end, everything wasn't hunky dory and okay. That she was still progressing, if you know what I mean. "
— Cheyenne, 4/22/2011" I read this book in one sitting. While the beginning was a little slow (only reason I didn't give five stars), the roller coaster of emotion from about a third of the way through on makes it more than worth the time...and the tears you're sure to shed. "
— Angie, 4/19/2011Nina LaCour is the Michael L. Printz award-winning and nationally bestselling author of Watch Over Me, We Are Okay, Hold Still, and Everything Leads to You. She hosts the podcast Keeping a Notebook and teaches for Hamline University’s MFA degree program in writing for children and young adults. She is a former indie bookseller and high school English teacher.
Emma Galvin won the 2011 Audie Award for best fiction narration, was a finalist for the Audie Award in 2012, and won six AudioFile Earphones Awards for her narrations. A graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, her film appearances include My Suicidal Sweetheart, A Perfect Fit, and The Big Bad Swim. She has performed in several regional theater productions, including Love Punky, The Power of Birds, and The Realm.