How It Feels to Float

By: Helena Fox

Narrated by: Candice Moll

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best of the Year

"Profoundly moving . . . Will take your breath away."—Kathleen Glasgow, author of Girl in Pieces

A stunningly gorgeous and deeply hopeful portrayal of living with mental illness and grief, from an exceptional new voice.

Biz knows how to float. She has her people, her posse, her mom and the twins. She has Grace. And she has her dad, who tells her about the little kid she was, and who shouldn't be here but is. So Biz doesn't tell anyone anything. Not about her dark, runaway thoughts, not about kissing Grace or noticing Jasper, the new boy. And she doesn't tell anyone about her dad. Because her dad died when she was seven. And Biz knows how to float, right there on the surface—normal okay regular fine.

But after what happens on the beach—first in the ocean, and then in the sand—the tethers that hold Biz steady come undone. Dad disappears and, with him, all comfort. It might be easier, better, sweeter to float all the way away? Or maybe stay a little longer, find her father, bring him back to her. Or maybe—maybe maybe maybe—there's a third way Biz just can't see yet.

Debut author Helena Fox tells a story about love and grief, about inter-generational mental illness, and how living with it is both a bridge to someone loved and lost and, also, a chasm. She explores the hard and beautiful places loss can take us, and honors those who hold us tightly when the current wants to tug us out to sea.

"Give this to all [your] friends immediately."—Cosmopolitan.com

"I haven't been so dazzled by a YA in ages."—Jandy Nelson, author of I'll Give You the Sun (via SLJ)

"Mesmerizing and timely."—Bustle

"Nothing short of exquisite."—PopSugar

"Immensely satisfying"—Girls' Life

* "Lyrical and profoundly affecting."—Kirkus (starred review)

* "Masterful...Just beautiful."—Booklist (starred review)

* "Intimate...Unexpected."—PW (starred review)

* "Fox writes with superb understanding and tenderness."—BCCB (starred review)

* "Frank [and] beautifully crafted."—BookPage (starred review)

"Deeply moving...A story of hope."—Common Sense Media

"This book will explode you into atoms."—Margo Lanagan, author of Tender Morsels

"Helena Fox's novel delivers. Read it."—Cath Crowley, author of Words in Deep Blue

"This is not a book; it is a work of art."—Kerry Kletter, author of The First Time She Drowned

"Perfect...Readers will be deeply moved."—Books+Publishing

©2019 Helena Fox (P)2019 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“I haven’t been so dazzled by a YA in ages. . . . Biz’s voice is wild and rollicking, lyrical and hilarious, utterly authentic . . . There isn’t a false note.”—Jandy Nelson, author of I’ll Give You the Sun (via School Library Journal)

"[How It Feels to Float] explores intergenerational mental illness in a way that is nothing short of exquisite."—PopSugar

"A profoundly moving story about grief, loss, and love that will take your breath away. Helena Fox is a writer to be reckoned with."—Kathleen Glasgow, author of Girl in Pieces

Moving, Revealing & Touchingly Beautiful

This is a wonderful story. The main character is such a beautiful complex tapestry of personality, vulnerability and wonder for her world. Her voice is subtle, tender and brave. She is trying to make sense of her life narrative in the midst of a parallel family story being lived and written; in the midst of being a teenage girl; in the midst of ever changing friendship, school and community.
There is revelation, tenderness, heartbreak and learning how to live. Find your people. Find a way to live and treasure life with those who love each other.

Wonderful narration!!! Splendid work.

Not my favorite

I listened to this book based off a recommendation not knowing anything whatsoever about it. I didn’t care for the rhythm of the book. It was as if a teenager wrote it for other teenagers.
My boyfriend had schizophrenia so I thought it would be a good read but I didn’t care for it.

Good but Confusing

I did my best to follow along, trying to understand what was going on and I did for a majority but there was so much towards the end it got so so confused what was going on cause there was no describing but just thoughts, tons of random thoughts. I get its the point but I wish I also was able to have some understanding so it would hit deeper. Also the narrator was fine, but it was super annoying when she got SO LOUD I had to turn the volume down.

Not the Best

Struggled to finish. Didn't like the narrator. Very Repetitive and the story moves slow.

Intense Story

I have to admit I found this story a struggle to listen to at times. I felt the main character's disconnect with reality to be distracting, but obviously this was the point.

Beautifully written and very relatable

As someone who has struggled with mental illness for most of my life, this was honestly a tough read, but SO worth it. I loved the author's writing style, and the narrator did a wonderful job! Both the narrator and the author kept me engaged and wanting more. I fell in love with the characters throughout this book... I would definitely recommend it! 10/10

Perfect!

I Loved it! Wonderfully written and performed! The acknowledgment at the end was amazing. I am obsessed with this book!

Absolutely amazing book

Loved it . Keep me engaged and not wanting to put the book down!!.

Sad

This was an interesting story. It was very depressing and I felt some of the storyline was not tied together at the end.

Amazing

The author captured Biz’s illness beautifully. Mental illness is more common than one might think. I don’t even have proper words to describe how tragically amazing this book is. Read it!


You all matter. You are all loved.