Anna B. Moore's Don't Pity the Desperate explores addiction, identity, and recovery, through the eyes of Myra, a teenager who is sent to rehab for an alcohol addiction. The book portrays Myra's struggles, and the author does use some dark humor, but it mostly fell flat. I love a good character-driven story, but I felt like a lot was left out and the story was rushed. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I would’ve loved it if the author went more in depth with the counselor and the friends Myra made in rehab. The last couple chapters felt like I was reading Christian fiction. I’m not sure if that was the point, but I wouldn’t have chosen the book if it was.

"Don't Pity the Desperate" is a unique look into the reality of addiction and recovery. The multitude of perspectives really helped push this story into something that is extremely thought provoking. I continue to cheer every character on throughout their long and difficult journey into recovery.

I ended up not finishing, but I think the writing and story is well told (so far). I wish we could read the first little bit before requesting, because sometimes books aren't quite what we're expecting and readers would be able to tell that right away. Anyways, I found this a little too harsh/sad/tragic right now - it starts with someone's life falling apart and just all the horrible things that can happen are. I was expecting a character study with some more relatable moments, so this was just not for me. I think it could be a great read for someone who can better relate or who has loved someone with addiction problems or lived that life though.

I am still thinking about Myra, and where she might be and how she got herself there. I think that is one way to tell if a book is "good" - the characters stay with me. I really hope Myra is doing well.
I believe there are truths in this story that compare then - when I happened to grow up - to now - when my teenage daughters have grown up.
Cell phones always in our hands versus finding that desperately needed quarter for the payphone.
A parent feeling crazy with fear from not knowing where their daughter is versus constant tracking on Life360.
It is the similarities between then and now that are the heartbreak... do adolescents ever stop longing for acceptance and questioning all the things Myra questions, and has social media and the constant access to the whole world through our phones only made it worse?
It is hard to ever see or understand someone else's perspective and the characters are all coming from their own life experiences. The only who we really get to know is Myra, but we can understand some of the behaviors or choice of the others. I wanted to know more about some of them and felt like the story could have been bigger or more in some ways...
This story carries a version of recovery with AA and higher power(s) and understanding the why behind choices, and it is only one perspective, but it is an eye-opening story for both those who are familiar with 12-steps and those who might not understand at all.
The simultaneous hope and worry for a character in a book and what happens in their future is a gift and a burden. I felt this before about Demon Copperhead, so I think Myra is in good company and I really do wish her well.