"Love Letters to the Dead" is the story of Laurel, a freshmen in high school and reeling from the recent death of her sister, May. What makes this novel particularly unique is that it is told in the form of letters written to deceased celebrities, poets, and explorers, ranging from Kurt Cobain to Amelia Earhart. In her letters, Laurel pours her heart out to the dead and writes about her experiences as a freshman in high school slowly breaking out from social isolation, all while dealing with the death of her sister and the lingering guilt she feels. She becomes friends with two girls, who welcome Laurel into their social circle and show her a more "fun," different side of high school, complete with drinking and smoking. Despite newfound acceptance, Laurel hasn't told anyone that her sister is dead, although she still deeply loves and admires May. At the beginning of the book, Laurel is a bit lost, not sure of who she is, but aware that she doesn't like it. She instead begins imitating her sister, from wearing May's clothes to acting how May would act. It was a little unsettling to read, to see Laurel shed her personality in favor of one she deems is better than her own, but this is all part of her journey towards viewing May as a perfect girl placed high on a pedestal, to someone who may have been just as lost and confused and scared as Laurel is. 
 My favorite thing about this book is that all the characters felt incredibly real and well-rounded. They all had highs and lows, fears and anxieties, and the way Laurel presents them is so incredibly honest. Nothing is hidden in her letters, except for the truth behind May's death. 
 I've seen that the reviews for this are mixed; you either like it or thought it was extremely dumb and pointless. The main problem seemed to be that Laurel seemed passive and didn't deal with her grief in a head-on type of way, but I think that was perfect for the book. Laurel's way of dealing with her grief was to try to push it away, forget that it ever even happened. The point of her writing letters to dead people is simply to have someone to talk to. Along the way, she realizes she needs to deal with her grief, and begins to address it, as well as face some painful truths about her sister. I for one really enjoyed it, although it was a little strange that the main character and I share a name. The story was also very well-rounded, and the love between Laurel and Sky was more about two people trying to find themselves again, which I enjoyed. While Laurel was clearly the main character, the side characters had their own archs and things to work through as well, rather than being present to enhance Laurel's story. I thought the story arch was well-rounded and well-resolved in the end, and I would definitely recommend it to someone else.