I've put off not just reading this book, but buying it all together. I wasn't sure whether the theme of the book would really appeal to me, but when I received the Marmite of the book-lovers world, a Kindle, for Christmas, I bought this book. And like so many other books I've read for the site, I'm so glad I did. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what I thought of Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira.
Laurel's English teacher sets her class an assignment: write a letter to a dead person. Laurel gives it a shot, and then finds herself writing to tons and never turning the assignment in to her English teacher, Mrs Buster. Instead, she unravels her tale to around 10 dead people, including Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Judy Garland and so many other people.
I usually like giving you a brief introduction to the books, but I can't say much about this book without giving it away! I am going to say read it to find out, but also just read it because it's the most incredible book!
Each chapter is written as a letter to another person, which reminds me of Every Day by David Levithan and then doesn't in the same sense. Really, it's another one of those books that is just special in it's own unique way. It's a lot more than a bunch of letters though. Each letter tells a story, but it's several stories that all combine. Really, just go read it.
I have no negatives. This book does make you go slightly down at points, because it reaches into you and pulls about at your emotions, so if you like happy-go-lucky books, a lot of this might not be for you. But if you can handle some tear-jerking bits in books, then this book should be on your 'to-read' list.
The idea of having someone start off in a school assignment and then just find that she gets comfort in that, just opening up about herself, is such a great idea. Sure, stuff like this has been done before and if you want to go, 'Well, Ava's just stolen her idea, she's no good, she's just an idea-thief,' try arguing with me on how Ava puts her own spin on it and see how that one works out for you. Congratulations, Ava Dellaira.
Honestly, I'd love to see this adapted into a movie. I think it's perfect for it and I'm surprised some production company hasn't already snapped it up. But if you do, credit would be nice. Just saying…
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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