Crash Into Me

Pure brilliance. Crash into Me by Albert Borris is an unforgettable book. Borris' experience working with teens is apparent as he weaves together the complicated stories of four teens on the verge of committing suicide who decided to go on a road trip visiting celebrity suicide memorials before killing themselves at the end of the trip.

Last night as I was reading and about mid-way through the book I thought I would just read to the end of the chapter. Then as I skimmed to see how much longer I had to go it hit me that the book did not have any chapters. This was a stylistic decision that worked well. There were divisions where the text was broken up but no official chapters.

The style of the book built the tension nicely. I noticed Ellen Hopkins' quote on the back of the book saying, "But will their cross-country odyssey push them all the way over? Only the final page turn will tell in Albert Borris's finely crafted tale of friendship forged from a desperate need of connection." I was set up for the emotional roller coaster the book would take me on, watching the four teens sift through their emotions and form bonds with each other throughout the book. I was hoping for a happy ending, but knowing this might be one of the books that could end either way. Even the front cover is ominous. I always loved the cover, but then when I was part way into the book I thought about how their eyes were shut and that it could be foreshadowing that they do die at the end or finally find peace. Many different aspects in style and plot made for a suspenseful book.