Anna Shinoda

Clare, seventeen, has always stood up for her eldest brother, Luke, despite his many jail stints but when her mother takes Clare's hard-earned savings to post bail for Luke, Clare begins to understand truths about her brother and her family.

Learning Not to Drown

“Anna Shinoda’s deeply informed story is not to be missed.” —Dr. Drew Pinsky, Celebrity Rehab and Teen Mom Family secrets cut to the bone in this mesmerizing debut novel about a teen whose drug-addicted brother is the prodigal son one time too many. There is a pecking order to every family. Seventeen-year-old Clare is the overprotected baby; Peter is the typical, rebellious middle child; and Luke is the can’t-do-wrong favorite. In their eyes, they are a normal, happy family. But sometimes it’s the people who are closest to us who are the hardest to see. Clare loves her older brother, Luke—it’s not his fault that he’s always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Life as Luke’s sister hasn’t been easy—their community hasn’t been nearly as forgiving of his transgressions as she and her parents are—but he’s done his time and is on his way home again, and she has to believe this time will be different. But when the truths behind his arrests begin to surface, everything Clare’s always known is shaken to its core. Clare has to decide if sticking up for herself and her future means selfishly turning her back on family…or if it’s the only way to keep herself from drowning along with them.

Amanda

2.5? 

Content warning for descriptions on sexual assault , substance abuse and dead animals. 

I didn’t really like the writing style, and honestly not much happens.. the father in this book collects dead animals for job and there is quiet a few descriptions of this that made me quiet uncomfortable.

Cat Imb

Wow. Just wow. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. It was beautifully written and thought out. As soon as I found time to read, I could not put it down. It's a definite must read. It's a book that will stay with me for a long time. To this moment(30 minutes after finishing it), I am speechless. This book will keep me thinking for awhile

Learning Not to Drown

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