Mental Health: Books: Beautiful

Now, if you're looking for a book that will uplift and edify your soul, I'm warning you, this is not the one for you. In fact, it's rather depressing, especially near the end, with the slightest glimpse of hope. And that's just the way I like it. "Beautiful" by Amy Reed has become one of the staple novels that I keep coming back to. And I assume most other teens out there will be able to relate to the happenings in this book. Cassie, the main character, is in the seventh grade. She's just moved, and is at a new school. However, with new friends comes new experiences, leading into a downward spiral of sex, drugs, violence, abuse, and depression, not to mention all the family issues you could ever possibly need. The way the book was written, I felt truly connected to Cassia and how she was feeling at every moment, the way it feels to be on drugs, detached. It was fascinating for sure. I greedily finished the book within an hour and a half or perhaps two. Although it's not going to have you cured of any mental health issues, by any means, it does give you a taste of a life that could be, once was, is, your own life, or somebody else's that you feel like you know inside and out. The ending is gloomy but gives a teeny bit of hope for Cassie, and I couldn't have been more satisfied. Five stars all around! ☆☆☆☆☆