If I were to describe Picture Us in the Light in one word it might be “complex.” Or maybe “squishy.” “Beautiful.”

Human.

I have a bad (?) habit of not fully reading synopsis before picking up a book. Really, I don’t need to when it comes to Kelly and her books. Conviction is easily one of the books you’ll ever read so there was exactly zero chance I wouldn’t love this.

I sit here, a week after finishing, unable to read anything else. Danny’s story isn’t just the story of a child of immigrants, of an artist, of a Silicon Valley youth trying to get into our incredibly competitive college system, of someone who is grieving, of secrets, of family, of friendship, of love, of heartbreak. Danny’s story is the story of how complex, squishy, and beautiful our human lives are.

Kelly drops us right into the action- Danny’s college acceptance into his dream school with his dream major. It’s such a beautiful moment, where Danny and his parents recognize their sacrifices and choices (on so many levels) have made it possible for him. We meet Henry, his best friend, and his group of friends. We look into their environment - the small-town feel of Cupertino (home of Apple and safe streets). We sense his world crumbling and his resilience.

In this story, so much happens but honestly it’s all about Danny and you going through the emotions and experiences he’s having. You’re going to experience every emotion Danny has, which are across the entire spectrum. There are shifts in the timeline that reflect situations leading up to the present and help shape Danny and his community. Kelly works her writing magic and brings it all together, leaving us readers in a puddle.