Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert
Review by Lauren
source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Danny has been an artist for as long as he can remember and it seems his path is set, with a scholarship to RISD and his family’s blessing to pursue the career he’s always dreamed of. Still, contemplating a future without his best friend, Harry Wong, by his side makes Danny feel a panic he can barely put into words. Harry and Danny’s lives are deeply intertwined and as they approach the one-year anniversary of a tragedy that shook their friend group to its core, Danny can’t stop asking himself if Harry is truly in love with his girlfriend, Regina Chan.
When Danny digs deeper into his parents’ past, he uncovers a secret that disturbs the foundations of his family history and the carefully constructed facade his parents have maintained begins to crumble. With everything he loves in danger of being stripped away, Danny must face the ghosts of the past in order to build a future that belongs to him.
Review: Damn, this book was beautiful. This is the first book I’ve read by Kelly Loy Gilbert but it most certainly will not be the last. Books like Picture Us in the Light is the reason that some of my most favorite books are YA contemporaries. I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads and every single one is richly deserved.
I love that this book is full of diverse characters. It follows artist Danny Cheng who loves his family and his friends, but he’s also very much excited to move away to college and become better at his craft. It’s his senior year of high school, but secrets are slowly being unraveled. The biggest plot point involves the secrets that Danny’s parents are obviously hiding. Danny doesn’t always treat them nicely, but at the same time, it’s realistic. It makes sense for him to be upset when he doesn’t know the full story. However, I also loved that we’re in Danny’s head, so we can see that while he might be mad or do/say things he shouldn’t, he realizes this and he does feel guilty about some of his reactions. Danny felt like a real person. He wasn’t perfect, but he’s also a good person overall.
Picture Us In the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert is one of my new favorite books - just beautifully written. #bookbloggers Click To TweetThe secondary characters were just as wonderfully rendered. You really get to know everyone, including Danny’s parents who are desperately trying their best, to Danny’s best friends Harry and Regina. It’s obvious as the book goes on that Danny has feelings for Harry. I don’t think the word gay is ever mentioned though; it’s just something that Danny feels, and I kind of loved that. There was so much turmoil in Danny’s life already, that it was nice that his feelings for Harry weren’t something he was worried about – apart from Harry and Regina dating and Danny wondering if they are even happy together; apart from Harry being Danny’s best friend and he doesn’t want to lose that.
Throughout the book, there is another story shared here and there that is hard to explain without giving away spoilers, but it will make sense when you read the book. I thought this was a fantastic addition that really helped explain some aspects of the book. Honestly, this book is just such a great novel. Forget that it’s technically YA, if you worry about that kind of thing, and just read the book. Please. I think many of you will fall in love.
Wow, new favorite! That’s an amazing thing, when you find a new favorite story that you want to cherish forever. I’m not super into YA contemporary but I’ve read some fairly good ones in the past year. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one!!!
Have a wonderful week. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
This sounds really good!
This sounds wonderful. I am always looking for new authors to read. The category doesn’t much matter to me.
I’ll have to mark this for future read! Thanks for sharing!
I love good YA fiction, this one definitely sounds like one I’d like to give a read, I’m really curious about the story within the story! You’ve perked my interest! This is going on my to read list!
Sounds like a page turner and something I would totally enjoy reading. Cup of tea and a good book.
Ooh, I love when books have big secrets to reveal. Sounds like an awesome read.
This sounds like a great read! I will definitely look for it.
wait, awesome parents in an YA novel? Oh that always makes me so happy, going to add this to my gR TBR keeping an eye out for it
Sometimes YA books can really surprise you. Sounds like a good one!
I love when I discover a new author and then I fall so hard that I want to devour the rest of their books. I hope you love the rest of their books, when you end up picking them up! Wonderful review, Lauren!
Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog
This sounds like an impactful read. I am curious as to what the parents are hiding.
This sounds lovely! I’m so happy you shared your thoughts! Now I know to add it on Goodreads. A new favorite? I can’t wait to see for myself! Secrets, beautiful secondary characters… it sounds wonderful.
Do You Dog-ear?
This sounds like a great read! Currently my daughter has us completely consumed by Fancy Nancy!
This sounds amazing! So emotional and heartfelt. To say a book is a new favorite is no small thing. I’ll definitely be checking this one out.
Ooooh is looks so so good! Thanks so much for the review, Lauren. I haven’t read young adult fiction in some time but this definitely sounds like a book of love to sink my teeth into <3 all my love to you, and hope you are having a great week!
PS: loved that the stars you have are richly deserved by the author 🙂
I will for sure be downloading this!
I’ve never heard of this book or the author, but it’s awesome that you enjoyed it so much. I’m going to give this a try, for sure!
Goodness this sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing.
This sounds wonderful! I hadn’t heard of it before but am adding it to my TBR right now!
This sounds lovely, and I adore that his feelings are present in regard to Harry, but that its ok.
Discovering new favourite books is THE BEST. I wish every book could be a new favourite.
Oh I don’t know this one!! Sounds great and glad ou loved it!!
This sounds great – when someone says they have a new favourite book then I know they love it!
Oh wow, this book sounds beautiful. It’s definitely on the more lowkey-drama, realistic side of contemporary, which I don’t read enough of! The main character sounds like someone I can relate with. ♥
I have this one on birthday book wish list.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I was really excited to see this book on Hoopla. I had wanted to read it, but Disney NEVER approves my requests. I have been hearing so many wonderful things, and this book sounds like it’s filled with characters for me to love.
A new favorite?! YA lit really is one of my most favorite places to find new faves 🙂
Ahhh! I have wayyyy too many books on my to-read list but clearly, this is gonna have to be added on there too! 😛
You already know that I totally loved this book, too. I agree with you about all of this!
I have seen this book around and was so curious! I’m happy to hear it’s this good. I’m always in for beautiful writing and diverse characters!