I realize not everyone shares my opinion that heartbreaking novels are the best stories to read. I like to read to escape most of the time. Heck, Romance novels outsell everything else on the market, so A LOT of people want to escape into reading.

But you gotta shake and break on occasion. Pick up a book that moves you differently. Nothing does that like tragedy. So, if you want to check out a book that will leave you strung out and exhausted, may I offer the best book in that category that I’ve read since the completely heart-shattering REMAINS OF THE DAY by Kazuo Ishiguro: Chris Whitaker’s ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK.

If a book is deemed good by how long it stays with you, then I can’t tell you yet how terrific COLORS truly is, because I’m still thinking about it a month—and four books—later. 

The protagonist is equally sympathetic as Ishiguro’s butler, and if you’re human, there’s no way you can stop yourself from pulling for the guy. I don’t want to give away any spoilers because I’m the kind of person who won’t even read a dust jacket for fear of ruining the first 50 pages of a novel. 

The book defies classification. It’s a coming-of-age, suspenseful, crime story with romance. But mostly, it’s this: propulsive and unputdownable and despite running over 600 pages, you’re going to wish there were more. 

NOTE: This is my first post in a while, so hopefully I’ve hit the right buttons. Bear with me.