The Voice In My Head

The Voice in My Head by Dana L. Davis

Inkyard Press

978133500849, 320 pages

Summary:

Indigo and Violet are sisters. Twins, with a bond that’s so essential to both of them that when Violet is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Indigo can’t imagine what it would be like to live without her. She decides she’s going to kill herself the night before her sister is scheduled to end her own life using medication. She wants to die with dignity, but Indigo can’t abide it.

When Indigo slips and falls instead of leaping from the building that’s supposed to kill her she wakes up with a noticeable breaks, bruises and a voice in her head. God. And God, tells her her sister can live, if only she can convince her and the family to postpone the euthanasia and make it to The Wave, a national park.

At it’s heart, “The Voice In My Head” is a classic road-trip novel. The family packs into a handicap accessible van with the their pastor and head from Seattle to the Southwest. Hijinks ensue. It’s heatbreaking at times and unbelievably funny at others. There is a strong, deep and undeniable Christian throughline, which I dig. There are lots of things we talk about in books, but God isn’t one of them. Death, sometimes. Extreme violence, sure.

I can’t say you won’t be able to predict what’s coming because you will, but that doesn’t make it any less impactful.

This book is perfect for:

People who love road novels

People who love books featuring sick kids

People who like “clean” novels (not to say that other books are dirty)

If you like this then try:

If you’ve read Jodi Piccoult’s The Other Sister then you’ll love it. If you haven’t then definitely pick it up after you’ve finished this one. Also, anyone who liked any of John Green’s sick-kid lit will be into this one too.

Soundtrack:

Joan Osborne’s “Relish” is the background music for this book. I think the entire album is perfect for long drives and the smash hit “What If God Was One Of Us” is apropos.