This is also one of those rare books where not a single sentence is wasted, where the gorgeous language itself is enough to keep you reading. It’s the most realistic portrayal of not only anorexia/bulimia, but of pure, self-hating, suicidal depression that I’ve ever encountered.īy immersing the reader inside Stevie’s perspective, alternating the present day treatment center narrative with memories of what led her down this road in the first place, Meg Haston shows how eating disorders are about so much more than food, and adds a mystery element that builds suspense throughout. Paperweight is not a light-hearted contemporary.

In fact, in the beginning, she refuses to believe that she needs help-in her mind, the only solution to the pain she’s shoved away inside is for her to die. When her dad checks her into an eating disorder treatment center, the anniversary is 27 days away, so Stevie knows she won’t make it through the full treatment. Trigger Warnings: disordered eating, severe depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughtsġ7-year-old Stevie is convinced that the only way she can atone for past mistakes is by killing herself on the anniversary of her brother’s death. Agency: Alloy Entertainment.Note: this is a backlist review from my previous blog. As Stevie slowly comes to trust her therapist and care about the roommate she initially dismissed as chubby, readers will instead look for her to give up the illusion of control and find a way to accept the weight of her past and face the idea of a future. Haston (the How to Rock series) expertly renders Stevie’s scorn and suspicion, and it’s tempting to root for her badass defiance-except that it will kill her. When her father finally sends her to rehab, a furious Stevie takes comfort in the red bracelet that marks her non-compliance. Then Josh dies in an accident that Stevie believes is her fault. Seventeen-year-old Stevie has been restricting her eating since her mother deserted the family Stevie’s father is in no shape to challenge her, and though her brother, Josh, tries to reach out, Stevie ignores him. Books about teenagers with eating disorders are numerous (as are teens with eating disorders) Haston’s contribution to the genre stands out for the complexity of its characters and for small, telling details that demonstrate just how difficult recovery can be.

Paperweight by meg haston