Life, Loss, and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde

What an absolutely amazing book!

Catherine Ryan Hyde must have had great fun writing this one, sharing her longterm interest in astrophotography (I LOVE the cover!) and her exceptional research skills (and possibly personal experience?).

With Ru only being 13 years old and having lived a rather sheltered life where everyone focused on how "freakishly smart" she was, she had done very few things girls her age would have done - making friends, finding hobbies, etc.

When she's sent off to collage she befriends Gabriel (17 years old), who just like her has trouble making friends. they develop a solid sibling-like bond. Gabriel doesn't seem bothered by her intelligence but instead focuses on being her support, on teaching her about "normal" life.

To escape being forced to live with her Aunt, Ru convinces Gabriel that they should take off on a road trip. Together they try to tick off as many items as possible from Ru's bucket list, including to see the Aurelia Borealis and Atlantic puffins in the wild.

The bond between Ru and Gabriel is very well portrayed and so is the emotional and intellectual journey that Ru experiences - from just being freakishly smart, to being a young girl with interests and ambitions, and an understanding of the world outside the text books.

Getting hold of a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde is always a treat, both for the soul and the brain - and I often learn something new from her stories too.

Life, Loss, and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde is currently scheduled to be published 14 May 2024.

#LifeLossandPuffins #NetGalley

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