I was already in the middle of a book, and had a long list of ones to read, when my sister—a BHS graduate—thrust a book in my face. “You should this give a try,” she blurted.

The book was called The Opposite of Loneliness, by Marina Keegan. After a long wait, I have finally finished this unique and gripping book.

Five days after her Graduation from Yale, Keegan got into a car accident that unfortunately put an abrupt end to her all-too-short life. Her family put together a collection of short stories and essays she had written, in order to keep her stories alive. Keegan was already a very accomplished writer before her untimely death—but even after, her writing doesn’t fade. If anything, people have become more aware of her writing because of this book.

The book starts out with one essay by Keegan, which happened to give this book its title: “The Opposite of Loneliness.” After that, the book shifts into fiction. For half the book, the reader is immersed in short stories, ranging from those about family to those about being stuck in a submarine.

The last half features nonfiction. Featured here are essays written throughout Keegan’s life, especially during her college years. Although each piece is so different from the next, they all fit so well together. The fiction stories read like they parts of a novel, and I would forget that they were only short stories as I read them. Even the nonfiction stories were intriguing, as Keegan’s use of language and style of writing has the ability to make anything sound interesting.

Anyone who enjoys short stories, thoughtful themes, and gripping adventure should consider reading The Opposite of Loneliness. It’s a quick read with fascinating stories and real-life experiences. Everyone can find something they might enjoy in this book.