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Christy's Reviews > The Other Side
The Other Side
by
by
Christy's review
bookshelves: 2019-five-stars, 2019-ya-challenge, 2020-audio, 2020-ya-challenge, 2023-audio, 2023-ya-middle-grade
Jun 23, 2019
bookshelves: 2019-five-stars, 2019-ya-challenge, 2020-audio, 2020-ya-challenge, 2023-audio, 2023-ya-middle-grade
Read 3 times. Last read February 18, 2023 to February 19, 2023.
5 stars
I've read every book of Kim Holden's and what I love about her stories is they're always different and special. Her writing is truly a gift and the way she can tell a story is like no other. The Other Side is an important read. It's heart-wrenching, focuses on difficult topics, and is a book that needs to be read.
This book focuses on 17 year old Toby. It's written in the present day, but we also get a lot of scenes from 2 years back when Toby's life changed drastically. Toby's pain was real and raw and I felt it deep down. I ached for this boy. I don't want to go too far into his story because I think it will be much more impactful if you read it without knowing much.
I feel like this book tackled the deep depression/mental health topic very well. It's a hard thing to read about and I'm certain it's hard to write about, but it's something that needs to be talked about more and you could tell Kim knew how this felt and conveyed it in Toby's words and feelings.
I loved seeing the other side of Toby. I wasn't sure what direction that was going in, but it was so well done. My heart was so happy and I shed a few happy tears. Honestly, that last 25% was just a sob fest for me. Some tears were happy, some were sad, but it felt cathartic.
This story is profound. It's emotional, heavy, and breathtaking. It's not an easy read, but I hope people pick it up and get something out of it like I did. I loved the connections the characters had, the way they held each other up and the love that was there. Thank you Kim Holden for this book, and for sharing this story with the world. You are loved and you are important. Hugs.
“People aren’t perfect. It’s not about loving them when it’s easy and convenient; it’s about loving them even more when it’s hard.”
I've read every book of Kim Holden's and what I love about her stories is they're always different and special. Her writing is truly a gift and the way she can tell a story is like no other. The Other Side is an important read. It's heart-wrenching, focuses on difficult topics, and is a book that needs to be read.
This book focuses on 17 year old Toby. It's written in the present day, but we also get a lot of scenes from 2 years back when Toby's life changed drastically. Toby's pain was real and raw and I felt it deep down. I ached for this boy. I don't want to go too far into his story because I think it will be much more impactful if you read it without knowing much.
I feel like this book tackled the deep depression/mental health topic very well. It's a hard thing to read about and I'm certain it's hard to write about, but it's something that needs to be talked about more and you could tell Kim knew how this felt and conveyed it in Toby's words and feelings.
Sadness is melancholy. Depression is a black hole of despair. I always imagine it’s like drowning. There are short bursts of fresh air, like Alice, but the past, the hopelessness, the guilt, and self-loathing is a pair of lead shoes that always pull me back under.
I loved seeing the other side of Toby. I wasn't sure what direction that was going in, but it was so well done. My heart was so happy and I shed a few happy tears. Honestly, that last 25% was just a sob fest for me. Some tears were happy, some were sad, but it felt cathartic.
This story is profound. It's emotional, heavy, and breathtaking. It's not an easy read, but I hope people pick it up and get something out of it like I did. I loved the connections the characters had, the way they held each other up and the love that was there. Thank you Kim Holden for this book, and for sharing this story with the world. You are loved and you are important. Hugs.
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Reading Progress
May 23, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 23, 2019
– Shelved
June 23, 2019
–
Started Reading
June 25, 2019
– Shelved as:
2019-five-stars
June 25, 2019
– Shelved as:
2019-ya-challenge
June 25, 2019
–
Finished Reading
May 3, 2020
– Shelved as:
2020-audio
May 3, 2020
– Shelved as:
2020-ya-challenge
May 4, 2020
–
Started Reading
May 5, 2020
–
Finished Reading
February 18, 2023
–
Started Reading
February 18, 2023
– Shelved as:
2023-audio
February 18, 2023
– Shelved as:
2023-ya-middle-grade
February 19, 2023
–
Finished Reading
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✰ Liz ✰
(new)
Jun 24, 2019 05:13AM
Good luck! ❤️
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Liz wrote: "Good luck! ❤️"Thanks, honey! xo
Gurrlll... this book is Bright Side level inspirational, but with far less tears. Although, there is a spot at the end of the book that had me get emotional when I saw Kim and talked about it with her this weekend.Enjoy this book!
Kathy wrote: "Gurrlll... this book is Bright Side level inspirational, but with far less tears. Although, there is a spot at the end of the book that had me get emotional when I saw Kim and talked about it with ..."Thanks, Kathy! So far I am <3
Great review Christy!💖😉
Kat wrote: "Great review Christy!💖😉"Thanks, Kat! <3
Carol wrote: "Wonderful review."Thank you, Carol :)
Wonderful review, Christy! I want to read this book, too. I hope I will love it as much...
Dilek VT wrote: "Wonderful review, Christy! I want to read this book, too. I hope I will love it as much..."Thanks, Dilek. I hope you do too. It's a great read <3
I felt like this book was really slow I returned it on my KU and then I saw your review and got it back. It's getting better.
Great review! You said it so perfectly.
