2017 Reading Challenge discussion

I love how truthful this book is in shedding light on how some people cope with mental illness. It avoids over-dramatizing and glamorizing anxiety and depression, which I’ve noticed many books tend to do. There is a lot of humor, but it still communicates how serious these issues are.

Craig's relationships with the other characters seem a bit rushed at times. As with most YA fiction, (view spoiler)[I assumed that a cheesy romantic subplot was ahead, which it was. But it was bearable and actually kind of cute. I don't say things like this often. (hide spoiler)]

Following Craig through his roller coaster of a week in a psychiatric hospital is ultimately a unique and mostly uplifting experience. Ned Vizzini was a great writer. I am glad that he lives on, in a sense, through his books.