Waiting On is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

August 13, 2013
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
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Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |  The Book Depository

In addition to the P-38, there are four gifts, one for each of my friends. I want to say good-bye to them properly. I want to give them each something to remember me by. To let them know I really cared about them and I’m sorry I couldn’t be more than I was—that I couldn’t stick around—and that what’s going to happen today isn’t their fault.

Today is Leonard Peacock’s birthday. It is also the day he hides a gun in his backpack. Because today is the day he will kill his former best friend, and then himself, with his grandfather’s P-38 pistol.

But first he must say good-bye to the four people who matter most to him: his Humphrey Bogart-obsessed next-door neighbor, Walt; his classmate Baback, a violin virtuoso; Lauren, the Christian homeschooler he has a crush on; and Herr Silverman, who teaches the high school’s class on the Holocaust. Speaking to each in turn, Leonard slowly reveals his secrets as the hours tick by and the moment of truth approaches.

In this riveting book, acclaimed author Matthew Quick unflinchingly examines the impossible choices that must be made—and the light in us all that never goes out.

Why I’m waiting?

Two THREE things pulled me to this book —

1. The title of this book. Leonard Peacock is such an odd name, but it works for me.
2. The cover! (I know I always say the cover attracts me, but it’s true!) I saw two covers of it and fell in love. I could not resist not showing everyone this. Look at the two covers. The typeface (font) is sooo pretty. The second cover is what made me fall in love with it because it’s extremely powerful. As kids, we would shoot finger pistols, but as teenagers/adults, damn. If you read the synopsis, you know.
3. The synopsis. Holy shit, guys. That is one hell of a synopsis. I’m always apprehensive when I read books that feature teenagers killing/shooting people, but this book is so much more than that. I am completely fascinated by his relationship with those four people who matters to him. 

I want this book right now.

What books are you waiting on?