Abused: Surviving Sexual Assault and a Toxic Gymnastics Culture by Rachel Haines

Rachel Haines is a survivor. This is her story as an elite gymnast and the abuse her and other gymnast endure and endured (sexually).

This book chronicles her life as a gymnast from the time she first entered the gym until her last event. She discusses the toxic culture and need to be thin, perfect and continue on despite the pain the body is under in order to get that next title.

Haines focuses on the gymnastic side of things, the competitions and the meets and while interesting enough it didn't fully hold my attention, mainly because I didn't know the main difference all of them.

She also focus's on her spinal injury and what she did to push through the pain and continue on.

I feel as though something was missing and left unsaid. I felt as though I was being told her story  by someone else rather then reading her story told by her.

If It Bleeds Book by Stephen King

This collection of Novella's will leave you aching for more! The characters are vivid, the stories stay with you long after you've finished reading. It's nearly hypnotic.

If It Bleeds is a collection of four short stories. All vastly different from one another and enjoyable. A collection you won't want to miss out on.


Mr. Harrigan's Phone: Craig introduces his old neighbor to the iPhone and technology. A sweet relationship between youth and old age develops along with a love for technology with an underling fear of it.

Life of Chuck: This is a story about Chuck told in reverse chronological order. It's an interesting way of telling a story adding to the creepy factor.

If It Bleeds: Is a continuation of Bill Hodges (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch) and The Outsider.  It starts off strong, the middle is a bit bumpy and the end left me unsatisfied but I am not a huge fan of this story line to begin with so take my feelings on this with a grain of salt.

Rat: This story gave me goosebumps (I am afraid of rats). It has aspects of The Shinning, The Stand and Dream Catcher all in one. It's about a writer who has difficulties getting his words and thoughts on paper and having his books come to fruition. He seeks solitude in a cabin and respite from the real world to write but things go array.

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Ask Again, Yes is about two families who live side by side. They are The Gleesons and The Stanhopes.

Both fathers are cops and the children have formed a friendship. Kate and Peter have a strong bond but one night tragedy strikes and Peter is thrust into a different world - a world far from Kate.

The trauma from the tragedy changes everyone's lives and the majority of the book focuses on this. 

I liked the book but I didn't love it. I had a difficult time connecting with characters but that didn't mean I didn't have empathy for them. I felt very frustrated with some of their actions and things seemed a bit too coincidental for my liking. The ending leaves way too many questions but I can understand why it's become a popular read as it is well written and tackles a variety of subjects. 

Open Book by Jessica Simpson

Whew! Where do, I even start? I keep pushing this review back, mainly because ... I don't like Jessica Simpson. Hell, I didn't even know who she was until she married, Nick Lachey.

When they first came into our homes via the idiot box, I thought she was sweet, naïve and wholesome. I never quite bought her ditzy bit, only because I've sadly seen women do the bit in an effort to be "cute" and "needy".

She was a bit preachy in her, I stayed a virgin until I got married (later on she rotates beds and men like they were a new commodity) and I am the good Christian girl. I was hoping this book would redeem her and make me a fan again alas it did not.

She is an "open book" but she always kind has been, so her opening her life up to us - isn't anything new but she does share some tidbits that were surprising however you don't need to read the book to find out because they have already been released to the media such as her sexual abuse, alcoholism, promiscuity, drug abuse, plastic surgery and her struggles with weight.

She tosses every single man in her life (with the exception of her husband, to a degree) under the bus, and plays the victim card. She's clingy with men and rather than take accountability she blames them over and over again.

Her relationship with Nick Lachy accounts for about a very small portion of the book. Jessica seems to think she'd be who she is today without Nick and that's far from the truth. Her relationship with Nick and her marriage is what made her a house hold name.

Jessica is still the spoiled brat that Nick married. I was hoping to see different side of her but she lacks self awareness and maturity. She talks about being "free" but she isn't. She is incredibly dependent on her family and husband.

She encourages women of all sizes by words but not actions. She spends a lot of time trying to be body positive for other women but her actions of diet pills, constant plastic surgery and the need to be thinner contradict her.  

I wouldn't recommend purchasing the book but I would suggest checking it out at the library of borrowing a copy if your interested in reading it.