Here for the last day of May, is my May update for the Debut a Month Challenge, where I read and review a debut novel each month of the year. For May I read The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk.
TOSP is the story of Alina, a teenage girl who is struggling to adjust to life after an injury shattered her leg and her chances of being a professional ballerina. At the urging of her best friend, she joins the school musical, and finds it offers more than she ever expected.
Ultimately TOSP is a book about growth and healing, and recognizing the imperfections in the things we love. It’s about art and ambition and how we prioritize them against the relationships around us.
That last part is something that, even as a writer and not a dancer, was intricately relatable. I think anyone that has an art form they’re passionate about creating in, whether it’s a musician or writer or painter, will find a meaningful connection with this book.
If you want to know how much I liked this book, know this: I read it in one sitting. That’s right. I finally read a book in one sitting, and it was this one, and that should give you an idea of how hard I found this book to put down.
Not just that, but there were several times as I was reading that I felt myself tear up at the sheer emotions this book was bringing out of me.
TOSP is a truly lyrical book, destined to tug on your heartstrings. 10/10 would recommend to anyone.
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