2013 book 11

Brenna Yovanoff's Paper Valentine
Guys, wow, this book was really really really good, the kind of book you can easily devour in one sitting, because the narrative voice is so likable and engaging, and because the story is ABSOLUTELY NUTS. Sort of. Here's what's going on in Hannah's life: she's being haunted by her best friend, who died of anorexia the year before (literally being haunted, Lillian's ghost hangs out with her); she's suddenly weirdly interested in a delinquent boy at school; and oh yeah, a young local girl has just been murdered. All of these pieces come together in a really amazing way. I should say the mystery element is a teensy bit weak, but a) this is ages 12 and up, and b) I'm not sure it's intended as a mystery per se, being more of a general teenage-girl-coming-to-terms-with-things kind of book where there happens to also be a murder mystery. But yes, I loved the writing here and was totally sucked in and loved everything about this book (especially Hannah and her sister). A.