Kasher in the Rye

This book about the descent of a very young man into delinquency and addiction (and his eventual recovery) in just about any other hands could've been maudlin, sappy, trite or overly-sentimental. But Kasher's skill shows itself in being honest and articulate while being able to joke about the tragic events described.

That doesn't mean he's making light of anything or glorifying in the problems. But it does seem to allow him some distance from the horror so he can talk about it.

This is a heartbreaking work, eye-opening, educational, incredibly relatable, occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. Great, great book.