The Glass Girl

By: Kathleen Glasgow

Narrated by: Gail Shalan

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the critically acclaimed author of Girl in Pieces comes a raw, heart-wrenching novel about a teenager facing down her struggles with alcohol—and the journey she must take to heal.

“A must-read.”—Laura Nowlin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of If He Had Been with Me

“Everyone needs this book.”—Sloan Harlow, New York Times bestselling author of Everything We Never Said

Everyone in fifteen-year-old Bella’s life needs something from her. Her mom needs her to help around the house, her dad needs her to not make waves, her ex needs her to not be so much. The only person who never needed anything from her was her grandmother—and now she’s dead.

There’s only one thing that dulls the pressure: alcohol. Vodka, beer, peppermint schnapps—alcohol smooths the sharp edges of Bella’s life. And what’s the big deal? Everyone drinks. Besides, Bella can stop whenever she wants. But after she gets blackout drunk at a Thanksgiving party and wakes up in the hospital, it’s time to face reality. And for Bella, reality means rehab.

Gorgeously written and deeply compassionate, Kathleen Glasgow’s The Glass Girl is a candid exploration of the forces pushing young women toward addiction—and what it really takes to help them get better.

©2024 Kathleen Glasgow (P)2024 Listening Library

Critic reviews

★ “Glasgow’s gift for writing is in full force here … Glasgow already has a strong following and will surely attract more with this addition to her body of work. Consider purchasing multiple copies.”—Booklist, starred review

★ "Combining The Bell Jar with Euphoria, this heart wrenching read offers a resonant and compassionate look at teenage substance reliance."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "This compelling novel leaves it up to Bella alone to admit she needs help and is an education—and a warning—about the depths of addiction."—School Library Journal, starred review

The pain and beauty this story holds

This book breaks your heart and heals it so many times but that is part of the beauty. Kathleen Glassglow is amazing!!

So good!

I really loved this! The only thing is the ending left me wanting to know more.

Flawed but important

4.5 STARS

Kathleen Glasgow once again has her finger on the pulse of teenage girl angst with THE GLASS GIRL, the story of a young girl’s journey through alcoholism and precarious recovery.
Like many substance abusers, Bella begins her downward spiral as an attempt to self-medicate her anxiety. She’s dealing with warring divorced parents, her mother won’t stop criticizing her dad and he minimizes Bella’s drinking while drinking every night. She loves her little sister Ricki, despite the seven-year-old’s high-maintenance behavior issues. Bella’s best friend Amber has had enough, even before a video of Bella flaunting her breasts goes viral. Rehab isn’t easy, filled with as many downs as ups.

The rehab experience is one readers have seen in nearly every book and movie on psych hospitals and rehabs. Strong denial, bonding, someone dies or almost dies leading to incite and acceptance of issues. If not for this lack of originality I’d have rated up to five stars.

At times THE GLASS GIRL feels like a stream of consciousness anxiety attack and although the rehab recognizes Bella’s anxiety disorder, she’s never evaluated by a psychiatrist so non-narcotic, non-addictive medication is to regulate her brain chemistry is never on the table, which might have made Bella’s recovery journey a lot easier. When brain chemistry causes nearly constant fight, flight or freeze reactions, achieve anything is nearly impossible or sustainable.

Though flawed, THE GLASS GIRL is an important book and should be stocked in every library and counselor’s office.

The narration was insufferable

Great story, definitely very triggering. The narration of the story was so over-the-top it definitely ruined the whole story.

Everything

I liked it all! Her books are so good you dream away in love, hate, guilt, happiness

A great one as always

I truly love Kathleen’s approach to opening the conversation about addiction and mental illness. I absolutely love the author’s note to be honest

Every stereotype possible about addiction and teens

This was just way over the top for me. While some of it resonated with me deeply, the other parts were just incredibly overly dramatic. I preordered this book so I could read it right away. In the end, it was just meh.