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  • How It Feels to Float

  • By: Helena Fox
  • Narrated by: Candice Moll
  • Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (20 ratings)
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How It Feels to Float cover art

How It Feels to Float

By: Helena Fox
Narrated by: Candice Moll
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Summary

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best of the Year

"Profoundly moving . . . Will take your breath away."—Kathleen Glasgow, author of Girl in Pieces

A stunningly gorgeous and deeply hopeful portrayal of living with mental illness and grief, from an exceptional new voice.

Biz knows how to float. She has her people, her posse, her mom and the twins. She has Grace. And she has her dad, who tells her about the little kid she was, and who shouldn't be here but is. So Biz doesn't tell anyone anything. Not about her dark, runaway thoughts, not about kissing Grace or noticing Jasper, the new boy. And she doesn't tell anyone about her dad. Because her dad died when she was seven. And Biz knows how to float, right there on the surface—normal okay regular fine.

But after what happens on the beach—first in the ocean, and then in the sand—the tethers that hold Biz steady come undone. Dad disappears and, with him, all comfort. It might be easier, better, sweeter to float all the way away? Or maybe stay a little longer, find her father, bring him back to her. Or maybe—maybe maybe maybe—there's a third way Biz just can't see yet.

Debut author Helena Fox tells a story about love and grief, about inter-generational mental illness, and how living with it is both a bridge to someone loved and lost and, also, a chasm. She explores the hard and beautiful places loss can take us, and honors those who hold us tightly when the current wants to tug us out to sea.

"Give this to all [your] friends immediately."—Cosmopolitan.com

"I haven't been so dazzled by a YA in ages."—Jandy Nelson, author of I'll Give You the Sun (via SLJ)

"Mesmerizing and timely."—Bustle

"Nothing short of exquisite."—PopSugar

"Immensely satisfying"Girls' Life

* "Lyrical and profoundly affecting."—Kirkus (starred review)

* "Masterful...Just beautiful."—Booklist (starred review)

* "Intimate...Unexpected."—PW (starred review)

* "Fox writes with superb understanding and tenderness."BCCB (starred review)

* "Frank [and] beautifully crafted."—BookPage (starred review)

"Deeply moving...A story of hope."—Common Sense Media

"This book will explode you into atoms."—Margo Lanagan, author of Tender Morsels

"Helena Fox's novel delivers. Read it."—Cath Crowley, author of Words in Deep Blue

"This is not a book; it is a work of art."—Kerry Kletter, author of The First Time She Drowned

"Perfect...Readers will be deeply moved."—Books+Publishing

©2019 Helena Fox (P)2019 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“I haven’t been so dazzled by a YA in ages. . . . Biz’s voice is wild and rollicking, lyrical and hilarious, utterly authentic . . . There isn’t a false note.”—Jandy Nelson, author of I’ll Give You the Sun (via School Library Journal)

"[How It Feels to Float] explores intergenerational mental illness in a way that is nothing short of exquisite."—PopSugar

"A profoundly moving story about grief, loss, and love that will take your breath away. Helena Fox is a writer to be reckoned with."—Kathleen Glasgow, author of Girl in Pieces

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stunningly written

beautiful prose. Read powerfully. describes depression and dissociation perfectly. makes a poem of the pain

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Definitely recommend this book!

Loved it, couldn't put it down. The story was beautifully crafted and i felt like i could empathise with the characters and often relate to them. It was also read very well as it reflected the emotions of the characters really well. I totally recommend this book!

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I couldn't stop listening

I haven't had a book be this captivating for some time! I wish it never had an end so I could keep going.

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