What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I read a vivid, emotionally gripping book back between 2000-2003. I imagine it published mid 90’s early 2000’s. About a girl who self harm’s / cuts and near the end of the book attempts suicide (locks herself in bathroom when others out) and ends up in therapy where she writes letters.

Talks about her school experiences / dramas. Talks about her home life - where mother hides the kitchen knives. Also noted that mother stands up to eat as mother thinks it’s better for her figure.

I thought the title maybe had the word Blue in it. Or the cover was blue &/or water?

Have tried so many searches and many hours lost. Please help if this sounds familiar.

Cut?

Crosses?

The Luckiest Girl in the World?

Rainbowheart wrote: "Cut?

Crosses?

The Luckiest Girl in the World?"

I just read Cut over the last two days - sadly, not the book I remember. I don’t think it’s the other two either from reading plot summaries, but I will thoroughly investigate. Thank you for your suggestions!

The Game?

Borderlands?

Who Owns Kelly Paddik?

Rainbowheart wrote: "The Game?

Borderlands?

Who Owns Kelly Paddik?"

Thank you for the further recommendations. Will check them out too. Just finished the luckiest girl in the world - and sadly not the book I remember!

No problem, I hope we can track it down for you!

Not an exact match, but some of this sounds like Prozac Nation.

Daisy wrote: "Not an exact match, but some of this sounds like Prozac Nation."

Thank you for the recommendation. I’m about 30% through this one. It is a great story - unfortunately not quite right 😭. I’m pretty sure it was quite short - I read it in a day or two.

Surviving Sam?

Right Where It Hurts?

Amy, was there a specific traumatic event that led to the self-harm?

Location?

I copied a few details to the topic header. (We can remove the spoiler ending when your book is found.) Feel free to edit it.

Kris wrote: "Amy, was there a specific traumatic event that led to the self-harm?

Location?

I copied a few details to the topic header. (We can remove the spoiler ending when your book is found.) Feel free to..."


Thanks for your reply! I’ve been trying to remember- but I can’t recall any triggering event. It was like the story climax was her suicide attempt and then a short section ( maybe even epilogue) in treatment where she writes letters.
I feel like main locations were home and school. Build up could also have been diet/body image related. I read this book in New Zealand.

I have just finished Surviving Sam and it definitely had similar vibes to what I remember, but story line not quite right. I am awaiting ‘Right where it hurts’ at the library.

Note: Right Where It Hurts by David Hill (author from New Zealand) - Rainbowheart's suggestion

Kris wrote: "Note: Right Where It Hurts by David Hill (author from New Zealand) - Rainbowheart's suggestion"

Thank you yes! I have it on reserve at the library and will read it when it arrives.

Blue, maybe?

Jade wrote: "Blue, maybe?"

Oh my!! Yes yes I think this is it! Everything seems to line up. Thank you so so so much. This has been haunting me for years and google has been so un helpful.
I will read it soon and confirm.

Solved! Thank you everyone for your help. The book I remember is called Blue by Sue Mayfield and it has a blue cover. 🙈
Tags: Blue, bullying, teen mental health, cutting, suicide, self harm.

Great news, glad it's solved!

Blue was also pubbed as Drowning Anna in the US.