The Astonishing Color of After

Audio was incredible - if you read this I think it's really great to be able to hear the narrator pronounce and speak Mandarin the way Leigh hears it and her family speaks it. Also, I feel like this is the rare YA book that doesn't feel very YA in the way it's written. Before I started, I read a review that said something to the effect of - make sure you're in a good headspace when you read this, because it deals heavily with depression and suicide. I absolutely agree with this assessment. It also deals with family secrets, and learning about one's own culture when not given the opportunity to learn about it organically, and grieving both. With a touch of magical realism that, surprisingly, I did not hate! (Mainly because it is treated as something that is very important in the way Leigh's mind is working, and her questioning her own sanity but not being able to stop seeking her mother's spirit.)

I loved the exploration of Taiwan and family for the parts of the book that were set there. I'm thankful that I had recently read The Ghost Bride, which gave me a better understanding of some of the traditions that were talked about in this book. The book jumps around in time a lot, and I came to appreciate that. I didn't need it to wrap up as tidily as it did, but I guess YA ... I still really, really liked it. I liked spending time with Leigh and her friends, especially Caro, and how art played such a big role in how they all interacted with each other. It was really different, and really beautiful.