How to make friends with the dark

by Kathleen Glasgow

After a single phone call, the life of 16-year-old Tiger is dramatically her mother has passed away. This loss leaves a significant void in her previously peaceful life. Glasgow masterfully portrays the experience of losing a loved one and coping with the ensuing darkness.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

About the author

Kathleen Glasgow is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of Girl in Pieces, The Glass Girl, You'd Be Home Now, How to Make Friends With the Dark, and The Agathas series (with Liz Lawson). Visit her on TikTok (@kathleenglasgow), Instagram (misskathleenglasgow) or her website (www.kathleenglasgowbooks.com).

Reviews

[Ls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zielig boek! Ik moest aan het begin echt ff inkomen en vond de schrijfstijl niet heel erg fijn. Verder vond ik het wel een leuk boek! 3,5 ster!

[Jessica Nason · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️

This was one of those reads that completely pulled me in, even while I was struggling with it.

I genuinely couldn’t stop reading, it has that addictive quality where you need to know what happens next. At the same time, this one just didn’t fully work for me. It was incredibly heavy and honestly pretty depressing throughout. I understand that’s the point, and I did appreciate how it showed the different ways people cope with grief and trauma. There’s something very real and important in that.

But parts of the story felt like they dragged on a bit too long, and the emotional weight never really let up, which made it harder to stay connected. I usually love Kathleen Glasgow’s books, but this one just wasn’t it for me.

Overall, it’s a powerful and raw story that I can see resonating with a lot of readers, especially those who may see themselves in it, but it didn’t quite hit the way I hoped it would.

[Mila Aardema]

The amount of time and dedication I read this book was worthwhile. In the book How To Make Friends With The Dark by Kathleen Glasgow, a young adult realistic fiction novel, the main character Grace Tolliver, also called “Tiger,” will have to navigate life with obstacles like the foster care system, and overwhelming grief. The book paints a picture of what intense grief and loss feels like. After the sudden death of Tiger's mother, she tries to overcome this, but ultimately the novel shows how Tiger is forced to grow up quickly. My favorite part is when Tiger begins to realize that even though her life has changed forever, she can still find support, and slowly move forward. What I will most remember isn't just the plot, but how the book makes you grieve for Tiger. Additionally the title speaks for itself as “How to make friends with the dark” is deeply symbolic. It shows how to live with pain instead of trying to run away or escape it. Although before reading this book I recommend mentally preparing yourself, as it can almost be too sad of a book. Overall I'm glad I read this as it was a way to see what other people around my age have to go through.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen Please Never Stop Writing. This perfectly captures tigers life in foster care, and a not so “typical” teenagers life. I really would love a part 2, and find out tigers life after finding her sister and Father. I would love to see how she goes on either life, and how she “heals” even though she will never be able to heal without her mother.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was heartbreaking but enjoyable. A lot of books I’ve read have no structure and end up being overcomplicated but this book was easy to understand and I think the author portrayed Tiger’s heartbreak and grief in a way that made you want to cry. Opinions vary but this is how I felt about the book!

[nats_bookstack · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something about the way @misskathleenglasgow writes that just stays with you. It’s always raw, and always heavy without sugarcoating life’s realities. Yet, it still finds threads of hope in the darkest places in the end.

While I couldn’t personality relate to the main characters experiences, it did bring into perspective the possible impacts on my own children. The story brings many gaps to light not only within the system, but with our own level of ability to demonstrate compassion.

While my next read won’t be The Glass Girl, I have a feeling that one may hit home a little differently.

Here’s to loving stories that aren’t afraid to tell the truth—even when it hurts. 🖤

3.75 ⭐️

[Viivii · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm just at the start of the book so don't bite my ass off. So far it has been nice but it's also boring.
I wanted to read this to the end and maybe I will someday but its clearly not today. This just lacks the key to the story. 😀

[Dana McLaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sad story but incredible book. Loved it 💙

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kocham książki Kathleen Glasgow. Koniec kropka. 😭❤️

[Katalin De Clercq · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5

[Ida Strand-Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kjempe fin bok, selv om den er veldig trist så er den fin som lærer hvordan man skal leve videre uten den du elsker mest

[Emma Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad, I had to try not to cry in class lol

[Celina · Rating 2 out of 5]

kinda boring

[Khawla Radhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

sad but really nice book 100% recommend