A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland - OPTIONAL

Sutherland, Krystal  A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares, 349 pages.  G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2017. $18. Content: Language: R (111 swears; 35 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

Esther Solar’s family has debilitating fears that rule their lives, so in an attempt to escape her greatest fear, Esther makes a list of 50 smaller fears.  One night, an old friend named Jonah bumps into Esther and picks her pockets, and along with $55 dollars he finds her list.  Jonah decides he is going to help Esther conquer her fears, one fear a week.  

I adore this book.  The characters are quirky and heart-warming and I was laughing and crying throughout.  This is fantastic writing with poetic passages.  The content moves this from essential to optional because of the amount of swears and other crass words.  Also covered are heavy topics such as: suicide, abuse, some murder scenes and Vietnam war violence.  

HS – OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.