Underwater by CHS Graduate Marisa Reichardt is Garnering Praise

Mark your calendars for January 14, 2016 when Coronado High School graduate Marisa Reichardt will be signing copies of her debut book Underwater at Bay Books at 5:00 pm.  Reichardt, who graduated in 1989, has written a highly acclaimed novel for young adults.  Her mother, Marilyn Meek Matherne, who graduated from Coronado High School in 1963, still lives in Coronado in the house where Reichardt was raised.

Underwater captures readers’ attention from the very first page as it follows the internal struggles of a high school student named Morgan, who is trying to overcome an extremely intense tragedy, which unfortunately is based on all-too-real modern day news stories across the country.  Morgan, who can no longer will herself to even step foot out of her front door, immediately makes for a compelling protagonist.  Readers will feel connected to her as she tries to find a balance between wanting to hide in the safety of her home forever, while at the same time wanting to give her support system, including her mother, younger brother, and therapist, hope that she is improving.

When Evan, a fellow high school junior who has just moved to California from Hawaii, moves in next door, Morgan finds herself even more perplexed.  Could his friendship be the impetus for pulling her back to the land of the living?

Reichardt’s book is so captivating, and readers will find themselves emotionally connected to all of the characters, who are also trying to make sense of the tragedy themselves.  The theme of the story, forgiveness, is seen in multiple forms as the characters learn how to move forward together.  While they cannot change the past or undo others’ actions, they lean on each other to help Morgan come to grips with the events of that fateful day that changed her from a free-spirited young woman, who loved to be outdoors, to a hermit, who no longer recognizes herself physically or emotionally.

While the story is geared toward young adults, adults of any age will also find the story engaging as they discover just how hard it is to put down.  Readers will appreciate how patient the supporting characters are as they guide Morgan without pushing her. Underwater readers will find themselves searching for clues as to why Morgan’s reaction to the tragic events is different than some of her peers’ reactions.  Reichardt’s writing emphasizes that there is no such thing as the proper way to react or grieve, and that each person needs to find his or her own path to dealing with the past.  The author wants readers to know that “while the premise of Underwater might sound dark and difficult, there is a lot of hope in this story.”

Reichardt, who was born in San Diego and moved to Coronado in seventh grade, explains that her inspiration for Underwater was that she “really wanted to write a story about a high school girl with a debilitating anxiety.”  While the story itself does not take place in Coronado, Reichardt says that her “SoCal upbringing is evident” in the book.

Were any of her teachers in Coronado responsible for encouraging Reichardt to become a writer?  Reichardt says, “I have one hundred percent always wanted to be a writer.  I had some very wonderful relationships with my English teachers at Coronado High School.  In particular, Ms. Bobbie Booth, Mrs. Dianne Pierreuse, and Dr. Margaret Wright were very supportive of my writing.  I am not sure I would’ve taken my writing as seriously as I did if it hadn’t been for them encouraging me to do so.  They all have a very special place in my heart and memories.”

After graduating from high school, Reichardt studied literature and creative writing at UCSD.  “I went on to the MPW program at USC where I focused on screenwriting.  I didn’t love screenwriting as much as I loved writing fiction, but it took me a while to realize that,” she says.

Why did Reichardt decide to gear her writing toward young adults?  “I think it felt natural for me. Most everything I’ve ever written has involved young adult protagonists. I’ve always been drawn to coming of age stories because there is something about the teen years that is so raw and honest. The bottom line is I like the challenge of writing for young adults. They are smart and savvy and will see through something that doesn’t feel authentic so you have to bring your A-game if you want to write for them.”

Reichardt is very much looking forward to the book signing this Thursday. “For me, it feels so important to celebrate this realized dream of publishing a book in the town where I grew up.  My family and so many of my friends still live locally, and most of them have been inspirational and supportive through my journey to publication. I worked long and hard to get here so to be able to celebrate with them is really special.”

Additional information about the well-deserved praise the literary world is bestowing upon Marisa Reichardt’s debut novel include the following:

• An Indies Introduce New Voices title for winter/spring 2016 by the American Booksellers Association
• An Indie Next Top 10 pick (#6) for Winter 2015/16 by the American Booksellers Association
• A starred review from Publisher’s Weekly
• A Winter 2016 Unputdownable Pick by Bookish
• Top 17 Most Anticipated Novel Publishing in January by Epic Reads
• Top 20 Most Anticipated January Release by B&N Teen Blog

UPDATE January 14, 2016:  It was a packed house at Bay Books for Marisa’s hometown book signing.