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3.5 

The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried

By Shaun David Hutchinson
The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried by Shaun David Hutchinson digital book - Fable

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Publisher Description

A Hypable Most Anticipated Queer YA Book of 2019
A Book Riot YA Book to Add to Your Winter TBR and Most Anticipated 2019 LGBTQ Read
A BookBub Best Teen Book Coming Out in 2019
A YALSA 2020 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
“A fearless and brutal look at friendships...you will laugh, rage, and mourn its loss when it’s over.” —Justina Ireland, New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation
“Simultaneously hilarious and moving, weird and wonderful.” —Jeff Zentner, Morris Award–winning author of The Serpent King

Six Feet Under meets Pushing Daisies in this quirky, heartfelt story about two teens who are granted extra time to resolve what was left unfinished after one of them suddenly dies.

A good friend will bury your body, a best friend will dig you back up.

Dino doesn’t mind spending time with the dead. His parents own a funeral home, and death is literally the family business. He’s just not used to them talking back. Until Dino’s ex-best friend July dies suddenly—and then comes back to life. Except not exactly. Somehow July is not quite alive, and not quite dead.

As Dino and July attempt to figure out what’s happening, they must also confront why and how their friendship ended so badly, and what they have left to understand about themselves, each other, and all those grand mysteries of life.

Critically acclaimed author Shaun Hutchinson delivers another wholly unique novel blending the real and surreal while reminding all of us what it is to love someone through and around our faults.

458 Reviews

3.5
“Loved this, July was annoying as hell though.”
Loudly Crying Face“Going into this read, I wasn’t expecting to love it the way that I did. It was very funny, but also reflective and emotional. It makes you think about how little time we have on this earth and what we would do if given a second chance to have conversations and experiences with loved ones past and present. It also provides insight on how to move on and forgive to let go. I really enjoyed getting to know July and Dino and although they were flawed characters, it was very sad when it came time for them to say goodbye to one another.”
Loudly Crying Face“This book is one of the most beautiful I have ever read. The discussions of grief helped me feel like I wasn’t alone in my own. I think about this book constantly.”

About Shaun David Hutchinson

Shaun David Hutchinson is the author of numerous books for young adults, including The Past and Other Things That Should Stay BuriedThe Apocalypse of Elena MendozaAt the Edge of the Universe, and We Are the Ants. He also edited the anthologies Violent Ends and Feral Youth and wrote the memoir Brave Face, which chronicles his struggles with depression and coming out during his teenage years. He lives in Seattle, where he enjoys drinking coffee, yelling at the TV, and eating cake. Visit him at ShaunDavidHutchinson.com or on Twitter @ShaunieDarko.

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