A difficult book to rate given the circumstances. Opening with remarks by Marina Keegan's former professor I do think even Marina Keegan may have side eyed the publication of her journal entries and short essays. 

Were the stories good? Superficially yes, but they aren't much different than you'd find in a college creative writing class. That isn't necessarily a bad thing because Marina Keegan was twenty-one years old when she passed away. Would this have been published had her life not been tragically cut short? Absolutely not. 

The story I enjoyed the most was The Emerald City. I found connection there as a former Army wife to a now retired Army Veteran who spent more than his fair share in Iraq. The back and forth of emails for formatting told the story in short vignettes that kept it brief but moving. 

If you're bored and need an easy read this will be up your alley, but don't expect hard punching stories. 

Thank you Scribner Books for the gifted copy.