Learning Not to Drown

Anna Shinodas 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 cant-do-wrong favorite. In their eyes, they are a normal, happy family. But sometimes its the people who are closest to us who are the hardest to see.

Clare loves her older brother, Lukeits not his fault that hes always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Life as Lukes sister hasnt been easytheir community hasnt been nearly as forgiving of his transgressions as she and her parents arebut hes 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 Clares 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 familyor if its the only way to keep herself from drowning along with them. See more