grav_ity | Book #30: Purity, by Jackson Pearce

Maybe it’s because I so infrequently read contemporary books, or maybe it’s because I tend to read them really fast but, OMG, PURITY. I did not see you coming. I did not see you coming, and then I had a fit of hysterics in my, thankfully not-usual, Starbucks. You were just absolutely beautiful and real and stomach punchy.

I know comparisons aren't always the best way to start these things off, but I have to say this book reminded me a tiny, tiny bit of Lauren Myracle's SHINE. This is not because the books were in any way similar (because...they are kind of really, really not), but they were both so REAL that they made my SOUL HURT. I love that.

Okay, so the actual story is that 10-year-old Shelby promised her dying mother three things, and since that day, her entire life and all of her relationships have been shaped by that promise. Shelby takes her vow very seriously, even though, as a teen, she is starting to run into complications when Promise 1 (love and listen to her father) butts heads with Promise 3 (live without restraint). Specifically, her father is planning the annual Princess Ball, which will this year end with all the daughters promising the fathers that they will lead pure lives...and Shelby isn't sure she wants to make that promise, because if she does, she will have to keep it.

I'll admit straight up to being creeped out by the whole Purity movement. It's gross and ridiculous, and completely glosses over the part where BOYS ARE ALSO PART OF THE EQUATION. And the books deals with that. Shelby has a lot of really hard conversations (or at least she TRIES to), and she also wrestles with her faith. Everyone keeps giving her the "easy" answer. "Trust God, God has a plan", but God also took her mother, and no one ever takes the time to really hash that out.

Part of what makes this book so wonderful is the mix between humour, awkward, honesty and frankness. There were a couple of times I actually had to set it down and breathe. I can't even say all the things I want to, because it would spoil the effect for when you read the book. Suffice to say, there were some FABULOUS friendships in this book, and the cake tasting scene nearly killed me.

I wasn't really sure what to expect with PURITY. I mean, I was pretty sure I'd love it, because I love Jackson Pearce's books, and I know from following her Twitter that we have a similar outlook on this issue. I was prepared to like this book quite a bit. I was not prepared to read it cover to cover in Starbucks, cry and laugh a lot in public, and find it suddenly in the running for my favourite book of 2012. It is an amazing surprise.

I don't often say this, but PURITY is the kind of book that SHOULD get read in high schools. The kind of book that says "Hi, I know you're scared, but you're doing okay". The kind of book that shows you how not to be a jerk.

There is SO MUCH I want to say. But it would be spoilery, so I'll stop.

10/10 for being absolutely fantastic. And for the cake topper joke. ;)