Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

As a rule, I don't read much fiction if it isn't fantasy/sci-fi, for the simple reason that it bores me.

I love Madeleine L'Engle.  But her stories about normal people?  Don't interest me.

So I don't know why I picked up this book.  Or continued reading it.

But I didn't dislike it.

Catalyst is a strong, well-written book about grief.  Grief in different forms, and at different times.  The process of grief, and how different a form it takes with different people.

It's a sad book.  But it's a good book -- there is hope at the end.  The hope that you can face your grief, live through it, and go on to do something with your life.

I also loved the fact that it showed people of different beliefs working together.  In a world of cliques and religious factions, it's a breath of fresh air to read about people who help each other out no matter their skin tone, IQ level, salary, religious affiliations, or their inherited facial features.

It's not a cheesy-feel good story, either.  There's real heartbreak, anger, and imperfect people.  But the reminder that grief shared is halved and that life goes on is a great one.


What books have you read that reminded you of a truth you'd forgotten?  Are there books that have remained in your memory a long time because of their message?  What were they?