It's Not Nothing

This is a stunning debut from Courtney. It explores elements of trauma, anxiety, depression and addiction really deeply and honestly. I felt for Rosemary as a person and wanted to see her overcome her past, process her feelings and understand herself, thereby overcoming the addiction that plagues he......more

I had no idea that going to a reading for one of my favorite authors the other night would put me in front of the last copy of this book at that bookstore, now one of my most favorite books. Ever. This morning before leaving my house I happened to read the back cover synopsis, thought, “holy shit, I......more

Rosemary, Courtney Denelle’s main character in this first novel, is acerbic, intelligent, bitter, deprecating, self-destructive, and painfully self-aware of how far she’s fallen. She is her own worst enemy - and her only saviour. Denelle’s use of stream of consciousness to tell the story makes it in......more

I feel like there's so much I want to say about this book. But, unlike its author, I'm not sure how to say it. What is this book? A thousand anecdote that sum up to a cohesive and powerful whole. It is heartbreaking and hilarious. Often at the same time. It is a story of neglect and abuse and how th......more

Only 166 pages but a heavy book. Not quite 4 stars 3.75. The story is about a woman named Rosemary who grew up in an abusive family. As a young adult she struggles with suicidal ideation, addiction, and homelessness. The author does a good job of conveying the isolation Rosemary feels toward a world......more