The Truth about Lilly Barnesby Kimberly Russell Published June 5th 2012
Buy it from Amazon (3.44$) or Barnes and Noble (0.99$)
“Today is the day it is going to happen. I’m not melancholy or nervous. I just want to get it over with more than anything. Today is the day that I, Lilly Barnes, die.”
Lilly Barnes doesn't want to live anymore. She is prepared to leave her life, family, and more importantly, her best friend Buddy behind for good. But, why? What could be so horrible that it makes a young girl want to end her life? Find out in The Truth about Lilly Barnes.
In my first novel, Between Balloons the protagonists mother suddenly passes away and she is left to pick up the pieces. It was my first book and honestly, I thought my husband might be the only person who would read it. Thankfully, I was wrong. I started receiving emails from people telling me that a loved one passed away and that they really connected with the book. It touched my heart immensely. I felt their loss and I told them so.
So, with my second novel, The Truth about Lilly Barnes I almost had to prepare myself for emails I might receive. The story goes that Lilly is an extremely unhappy person and she decides to end her life. Through backstories and therapy sessions you find out why she is so unhappy, and along the journey you meet other troubled young adults as well. Without divulging too much about myself, I will admit that some of the concepts of the novel are not completely foreign to me. Meaning, like a lot of teens, I had not so great a time in high school.
I spent a lot sleepless nights worrying about emails or messages that might pop up from readers telling me that they related to Lilly. This scared me. I was so worried I would say the wrong thing or not be able to comfort them. Not long after the book came out it happened. A girl emailed me saying that the she went through the same things as one of the characters in the book and she thanked me for writing the novel. Any fear that I had washed away quickly. I emailed her back and told her I was here for her if she ever needed to talk.
This brings me to a really long drowned out way of telling you why I wrote this post. I’m here for you if you ever need to talk. I don’t care what the subject is, I just don’t want anyone to feel like they are alone. Because you’re not. If it helps talking to a stranger, let me be that person. I wish I could have talked to someone when I was a teen. I don’t care what part of the world you are in – I mean this lovely blog is created out of Poland and I’m in Texas! My email address will always be available. (kimberlymrusselll@gmail.com) You can also email on Goodreads. I guess, I just want everyone to know that they are not alone. I think it’s so important.
5/5 STARS + 2012-favourite list.
Lily wants to die. That’s the only thing I could be sure at the beginning. Why? Maybe because of her alcoholic mother? It doesn’t matter. She just takes all the pills she can see and drinks a cup of wood polisher. "At least when I die they can say I had lemony fresh breath."
…But she gets saved of course. Asked in the hospital if she’d do it again, she says “yes”.
Why?
Lily is one of my favorite heroines in books. Ever. Also, she is so easy to relate to! I know, not everyone tried to commit a suicide. I hope you didn’t, but I was suicidal for years. I can say that this book is true, simply true. All those emotions that go through Lily and people she meets are real.
At the treatment, she gets to know an anorectic girl and I liked her even more than Lily, even though she was just a small character in the whole book (which had only 95 pages). I’m still struggling with my eating disorder (I know. I’m pretty messed up person) and Headley was so believable too. Even the fact of cheating when they were trying to control her weight.
This book is about serious topics, but it’s still so easy to read. It’s written as Lily’s diary and we can easily see how she handles everything that happens to her, but a few chapters are from her best friend’s point of view. It makes you realize how different people see the same thing and it’s really important in the issue books.
I was so full of emotions that I forgot I started reading this book to find out the truth about Lily’s problems. Then it just happened. And I was so shocked that I almost fell of the chair.
After reading the story I’m wondering why aren’t all bloggers hyper about Kimberly. She is definitely a perfect writer. I’m sad it was so short, and I wish I could read it forever. It is a must-read for everyone. For real.
Everyone should read it and Kimberly is giving about 2 ebooks for my lucky blog readers. I'm not telling you to follow me or anything. This one is too perfect for entries like that.
Just leave a comment.
Having a chance to say it.... If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here.
Also...
xoxo,
disincentive
Well, looks like a great book. My friend always tells me that she wants to suicide but I tell her not to. It's something horrible to end the life God gave you....
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it would be a very intense and emotional book to read. After losing both of my parents to cancer over the years, I fought depression and it was really hard. I have 3 beautiful children and a very understanding husband that helped me though it. I am thankful everyday for them. This definitely sounds like a book that needs to be read by Everyone. I loved your review. Sorry to ramble. :)
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
This book sounds good! But I am a crier when it comes to books. I am a new follower http://goandreadnow.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHi Dominika,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the message. You have a great blog. I'm a new follower. My site is http://homeiswherethebookis.blogspot.com/.I would love for you to check it out!
Kristen
It look like a great book. I like books that tackle hard subjects in a way that make you want to read about it.
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower
www.musings-of-a-bookworm.org
Sounds like a very interesting book. I have added it to my to read list. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
ReplyDeletei have a nephew who his parents recently found out he cut himself. i do not understand that. i am so afraid of dying that it seriously makes me sad that some people are afraid of living. I don't know if you can understand it unless you have been there. i need to read this book now. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI can relate to her. I mean, I was suicidal in high school too, and a few times when I was in college. But it's a phase I hope that passes.
ReplyDeleteI loved the review. I to have had suicidal thoughts but I never once actually did it. After my fiancée was murdered a week before our wedding I didn't want to be without him. But I thought what about my nephews nieces and parents my sisters and brother, how can I even think about making them go through all the pain and sadness if they lost me. Just be happy and stay positive think about your family and everyone who loves you, before you even think about doing anything drastic.
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone should read this book. It makes u understand and learn even more about depression. It's really shocking how someone wants to die so much. On Tumblr I talk to people who want to die. I want to be the one to who they can come to talk whenever they feel bad. I can't work as a psychologist or anything 'cause I take things often so personally even in the work I wouldn't be able to do that. I just want to help people anywhere. Even those who aren't professionals, can really do a lot!
ReplyDeleteI suffer of depression. I like to read books where a person is in a similar situation with me. It can make a depressive person think about dying again. It can really shock if someone else wants to die. Maybe then after reading a book like this you maybe not want to die anymore?
I've always wanted to read this kind of book. This is actually the kind of book I've been looking for a long
time! I'm far from a bookworm so it's a miracle to find me a book which I'd really like to read.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway. This book sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend actually committed suicide, and I'm still wracked with guilt to this day. He had contemplated suicide many a time before I knew him, and I always told him that if he ever felt that way to call me so that I can remind him of all the good things in his life and the people who love him. At the time it happened, we were living in different provinces and it had been quite a few months since we had seen each other. We talked often by long-distance phone. He did call me a few days before he did it, and I did sense there was something different but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. He was feeling nostalgic and we reminisced, and we talked about seeing each other again soon because he was planning to fly out. I was a little preoccupied with something that was going on in my own life, and I should have paid more attention to the tone of the conversation. That was my last one with him. I found out several days later that he had committed suicide.
ReplyDeleteSo sad when someone feels that death is the only solution. The people they leave behind never get over it.
This subject is really close to my heart, and it is extremely difficult to talk about.
This looks like a great book and topic to read about.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love your review! I read the author's first book, Between Balloons, and now I can't wait to read this one! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteNew follower :)
~Joie @ Joie de Lire
http://joie-joiedelire.blogspot.com/
The problem with suicide is that although your pain stops, you cause pain for those who love you instead. That's why a lot of people who would like to escape don't commit suicide. It's like breaking your childs leg to heal your own. This is the only argument I have that helps people to stay strong and not commit suicide x
ReplyDeleteThis is now on my tbr list. It sounds like a really good book. I bet I will be crying! I am much more emotional when it comes to books than IRL.
ReplyDeleteLooks like its bound to be a good book on an important topic. I can't wait to get my hands on it. Its been added to my To Read list.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very good book. Very emotional! My mom committed suicide so this would be a hard, hard read...
ReplyDeleteWow! Would love to read this one.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds powerful, and she sounds like a great mc. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteBrandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Such a great topic for a book. There are so many teens that struggle each day with suicidal thoughts. The knowledge they are not alone is a first step in helping. I am grateful to Disincentive for sharing some parts of her life with me, a reader. Thank you for the review and making this important topic part of your blog.
ReplyDeleteEve A. James