Review: The Coolest Way to Kill Yourself by Nicholas Tanek

The Coolest Way to Kill Yourself

by Nicholas Tanek

Okay. So no one actually kills themselves in this book.

The Coolest Way to Kill Yourself pulls you into the early 90's New York City rave scene, in all its chaotic, psychedelic glory. The narrator grabs you by your wrist and drags you behind two teenage lovers from New Jersey as they tumble through a whirlwind of reckless hedonism that eventually spirals into a dark, devastating world of drug addiction and heartbreak.

As a teenager, Lynn cried, "No one is ever going to write something for me." Nearly two decades later, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Nicholas did just that. The gesture came too late for our unlikely heroine, but his heart was in the right place. A broken heart... but a true love. Reunited after years apart, Lynn and Nicholas embraced their love and sexuality, and embraced each other, despite troubled pasts, despite illness, despite all of their imperfections and mistakes. They shared the kind of honest and shameless connection that few have had the honor of knowing, and most would never understand.

"We're not hurting anyone. We're just living life without caring what anyone thinks about us."

"It's the coolest way to kill ourselves," Lynn said.

So turn the page, and pull the trigger.

Review 

Every once in awhile you come across a book that leaves a lasting impression. You think about it weeks after reading it, and can't help but tell people about it.  It's a book that affects you in so many ways, that it joins the list of the best books you have ever read.  The Coolest Way to Kill Yourself by Nicholas Tanek is one of these books.

From the get-go you are pulled into Nicholas and Lynn's story. As you read and see their story unfold from teenage love to breakups, bad marriages, abuse, drugs and second chances, you know you're reading something special.  The second chance between Lynn and Nicholas, is one of my favorite parts. They get to be themselves. The truth and brutal honestly of this love story is stellar. It's what you take away from it that resonates long after you finish it. When it comes to love in it's truest from, it doesn't matter what your past and imperfections are. When you truly love someone, you can look past that and love them no matter what.

Nicholas Tanek is a superb writer. He makes you feel like he's talking to you directly as he tells his and Lynn's story. You can see them dancing at raves and hear all the music. As the reader you'll laugh and cry, as well as feel every emotion from love, heartbreak, anger, sadness, and hope. Even though you know what's going to happen in the end, it still doesn't prepare you. The Coolest Way to Kill Yourself is a brilliant, beautiful, and captivating story that you will not want to miss.

Rating:
5-Big Stars