The Place Between Breaths

Grace works at a genetic research lab while dealing with personal trauma from her past. Her father heads the facility's schizophrenia research program, driven by the disappearance of Grace's mother years ago. The narrative moves between different time periods and perspectives as Grace grapples with her family history and current reality. Her work at the lab intersects with her growing concerns about her own mental health and identity. The story explores heredity, mental illness, and the bonds between parents and children. Through Grace's experiences, the novel examines how we understand truth and perception while navigating family legacies and personal fears.

Readers note this book is a complex, non-linear narrative about mental illness that can be challenging to follow. Many express confusion about the timeline and reality vs. hallucination. Readers appreciated: - Raw, authentic portrayal of schizophrenia - Poetic, stream-of-consciousness writing style - Short length that can be read in one sitting - Representation of Korean-American characters Common criticisms: - Disorienting structure makes plot hard to track - Characters feel underdeveloped - Ending leaves too many questions unanswered - Some found it too abstract and experimental Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (30+ ratings) "The fractured narrative perfectly mirrors the protagonist's mental state," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. However, another noted: "I wanted to love this book but found myself lost and frustrated trying to piece together what was happening."

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🌟 Author An Na won the prestigious Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature for her debut novel, "A Step from Heaven" 🧬 The book delves into schizophrenia research, reflecting real scientific efforts to identify genetic markers for mental illness 📚 An Na worked as a middle school English and history teacher before becoming a full-time writer 🌏 The novel incorporates themes of Korean-American identity and cultural expectations, drawing from An Na's own experiences as a Korean-American 🎓 The author received her MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College, where she later served as a faculty member in their Writing for Children & Young Adults program