We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(6) Tree Line
Please Ignore Vera Dietz is not a book for the faint of heart. The writing style may be pretty easy to follow (though Vera likes to slip in some difficult vocabulary words that she learned in class), but the subject matter definitely counts as difficult. After all, we're dealing with death, drugs, addiction, perverted pedophiles who proposition children for used underwear and photos, and domestic violence—and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Hang on for the ride, because it's going to be a rough one.