Review: Saving June by Hannah Harrington

GoodReads


When her older sister commits suicide and her divorcing parents decide to divide the ashes, Harper Scott takes her sister's urn to the one place June always wanted to go: California. On the road with her best friend, plus an intriguing guy with a mysterious connection to June, Harper discovers truths about her sister, herself and life.


Review



Saving June is a book about life after death for those still living.  Hannah Harrington has taken a very dark and harrowing subject of teenage depression and suicide and created characters that are both strong enough to handle it and yet have enough weaknesses that they need each other the cope.  Oh how I wish I could curl up into these pages and live there forever.  Seriously I just feel head first into this book and loved all the pages: even the blank one at the back.  I first heard about this book some time ago now but at the MIRA UK blogger event this year I was given a proof copy and had a quick look inside and there is a track playlist for the mix CDs referenced in the book.  BEST THING EVER.  I love musical references in a book and the fact that we have a play by play included makes my heart sing


One of my favourite reads of 2011 was Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson and if you loved that book even a teeny bit as much as me then Saving June the next read for you.  Full of heart and classic rock it goes on a journey of the heart and mind that I'd love to make everyday.  I've even made my own playlist on my computer with the tracks from the "Say My Name" and Saving June mix CDs.


Usually in my reviews I like to just talk generally about characters (who were so complex and wonderfully composed by Hannah) or themes in the book that really touched me but there is one moment in Saving June that I literally lived in for a few pages.  I was in love with the book already but when I reached the moment that Jake, Laney and Harper go to the Robot Suicide Squad gig I knew that Saving June had locked a place on my special books shelf.  It got inside my head and having been that shorter girl in the mosh pit myself I can tell you I was thrown back into those sweaty and violent crowds while I read the pages.  Hannah Harrignton hits the nail on the head so many times that I am in awe quite frankly.


Music, like words, have the power to change lives and minds and Saving June gives you faith that even in a world of pop tactic love songs there is still room for words and sounds with heart.  



Rating: 9/10


Published by MIRA Ink and is available here and bookshops in June