UnSlut: A Diary and a Memoir by Emily Lindin

I was driving to work and listening to NPR (I'm not "old", I just love NPR) and I heard the story of Emily Lindin's, book, "Unslut". I was intrigued and it spoke to me. Not because I went through what she did, quite the opposite actually. 

I was intrigued because I remember girls in school be labeled "slut" and never quite grasping why or understanding why it was happening to them. I knew and was friends with some of the girls who were given this unfortunate label. I remember the confusion and heartache. One friend was labeled a "slut" because her bra strap broke in class! Another friend was called a slut because of a blue dress she wore to school one day, which wasn't any worst then any other dress anyone wore. She was just tall, slim and had a figure that could carry it. It came down simply to jealousy. Another girl was labeled a slut because a mutual friend found out she was taking birth control to regulate her periods. She was a virgin and hadn't even kissed a boy and she was a "slut" based on something medical. 

I recall a handful of friends in tears over a label, perhaps a label we didn't even understand. What is a slut exactly? I had to google it, did you? I wanted a true definition. A slut is a woman who has many casual partners or a woman with a low standard of cleanliness.  I knew the first definition but what constitutes too many casual partners and who sets those standards? 

In an ideal world the slut shamming would stop but in the real world it just isn't going to happen any time soon.

Lindin's diary is in so many ways full of innocence and self discovery. It offers perhaps one of the most true looks into the life of being young. 
 

Read it, share it and pass it along to a teen.

Grade: A

Mockingjay Feb 25, 2014 by Suzanne Collins

The first time I read, "Mockingjay" I wasn't impressed and didn't care much for it. To be honest, I almost didn't re-read the series because of this final book. It wasn't because I hated it, but because I was disappointed in the way things transpired however this has changed dramatically.

When I first read it, I remember being rather bored and forcing myself to get through many of the chapters and build up. This time I found myself enjoying the character development and the build up to the final moment.

The first time I  read the ending, I hated it.... If you haven't read it, I advise you to close this out because I'm about to give a spoiler.

I felt it was totally cliched that Katniss ended up with Peta. In fact, I had wanted her to end up with some unknown character. I never felt that Peta or Gale were a match for her. I know realized that Peta was the best choice for her, they could related to one another on levels that no one else could and what they had been trough tied them to one another. I believe that being with Gale would have been a disaster for both of them. They would both have spent their entire lives blaming Gale for the demise of Prim since it was his idea behind the technology that resulted in her death.

I  still stand by my belief that them having children wasn't true to their characters. I also wish that, Collins had tied up a few things, such as what had become of some beloved characters. It was still a bit to sickly sweet for me but I enjoyed it and can now say that this trilogy was worth the read.

Grade: A +

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire, remains my favorite book in the trilogy. It's quite funny that this is the case because I tend to find the second book in a trilogy trite, long and boring. This one still remains the most entertaining of the three.

The introduction of new characters adds much "fire" to an already intriguing series. When, I first read Catching Fire, I didn't care much for Finnick and I despised Johanna. Now, I like them! I also found myself feeling very sympathetic towards, Haymitch. I suddenly had a much deeper understanding of these characters and how their battles in the previous Hunger Games had shaped them into who they are.

The cast of characters is large but Collin manages to bring them each to life and make you feel emotions associated with each. There is a lot of drama, love, romance, violence and suspense. I also love the level of defiance and the way each side plays on another.

Grade: A+

The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 1) by Suzanne Collins

It was time to dust off an old favorite and re-read it. I will be re-reading the entire trilogy. I think, I will have a different perspective reading them weeks apart rather than years!

I still LOVE, The Hunger Games and it's slew of characters. I  fell in love with characters that I previously had little to no feelings for.  I noticed things I had either long forgotten or somehow missed the first time I read this book.

The creativity behind such things as tracker jackers,  mocking jays and wolf mutations is  brilliant and adds to the belief of this taking place in the future. I initially hated, hated the love triangle but I've grown to appreciate it and understand it on a different level.

Basically -- I enjoyed re-reading this book -- it was like reconnecting with an old friend. If you haven't read this series yet, do so and if you have re-read it! You'll be happy you did.

Grade: A+

The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King

I am not a huge fan of short stories but I simply could not put down this book.

I love the creativity and the quick character development, King puts into his characters. There are about 20 stories in this anthology and some are creepy to the max! There is a wide range to stories that show case his talent and some stories leave you wanting more!

Some stories made me laugh, maybe it's because I find humor in all things and in particular supernatural horror. There is something in this collection for everyone, you might dismiss one story but the love the next!

This is a perfect book for King lovers or those just finding his works.

Grade: A

Summer Secrets by Jane Green

“For as long as I can remember, I have always had the feeling of not quite fitting in, not being the same as everyone else.” ― Jane Green, Summer Secrets 

Drama, Drama and more Drama! This is one delectable read you will devour. Jane Green not only knows how write, she knows how to entertain and draw you in like moths to a fire.

Cat is a recovering alcoholic and this book centers on the ramifications of the deeds she did while under the influence of alcohol and how sometimes the past will come back at bite ya!

The book is told in both flashback and real time. Green captures what it is like to be around an alcoholic and the struggles of those recovering. Some characters are far-fetched but others are easy to relate to.

A perfect lazy day read and one to share and pass along to friend and family.

Grade: A

Happily Ever After: Companion to the Selection Series by Kierra Cass

"You've made me better. And I want to be better for you. I want to be better with you."  Kierra Cass

I love the Selection Series and this collection of stories is a wonderful bonus. Cass, gives readers a deeper analysis of characters adding to the fun. The characters are seen in a different light, events that are important but don't take place in the books are given life. I love seeing a different side of characters and learning more about characters that are in "just" supporting roles.


The contents of Happily Ever After are as follows:
(Taken from Kiera Cass )

• The Prince (with the two bonus chapters), Maxon’s novella
• The Guard, Aspen’s novella
• The Queen, Amberly’s novella
• The Favorite, Marlee’s novella
• Three scenes from Celeste’s POV
• Lucy’s scene (bonus scene from The One)
• The bonus epilogue
• Where are they now?
• A map
• Various illustrations

This is a swoon worth book and a fast read.

Grade: A

Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers

"Even if hard times, we should seek to purse happiness. - Randy Susan Meyers, Accidents of Marriage

Accidents of Marriage is an excellent read. The writing and character development had me cheering for both sides.

Ben and Maddy are a "typical" couple. They have a lovely home, three children and busy careers but it is all about to unravel. Ben and Maddy are in a car accident that has left, Maddy seriously injured. 

Ben needs to pick up the pieces while, Maddy heals but he isn't really great with emotions and his anger once again gets the best of him. Young, Emma had to take an adult role and care for her siblings. Her view points in the book are the most heartbreaking and real. Sometimes, the best storytellers in a book are the youth simply because they give away more.

Maddy's recovery process is painful at best.  Meyers does an excellent job and putting the reader in Maddy's body and mind. The reader takes each metaphoric and literal step with her.

Ben, is a hot mess and you want him to change, to step up to the plate, to be better, to achieve it but sometimes our best isn't good enough.

This story is told in three points of views, Maddy, Ben's and Emma's. They each have an interesting tale to tell and you will find yourself completely immersed int he life of this one family. 

Grade: B+

Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain

Molly and her husband are in the process of adopting a child. Life seems safe and perfect but, Molly's hidden past causes some unseen issues for her.

The story alternates between the past and present giving the reader insight into who, Molly is and how our past and childhoods can define who we are and the path it leads us to as adults. Molly's childhood can best be described as unconventional and the worst summer of her life, at age 14 might be her undoing.

It just might destroy everything she's built up. This is an excellent read with characters that you can easily identify with however ...... the ending is fairly predictable and trite but worthy of your time,

Grade: A-

Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget by Sarah Hepola

Sarah Hepola is an alcoholic and this is her story.

Her drinking cause her to lose time, friends, family, love, jobs and self respect.

Sarah often woke up with no memory of what she had done, been or where she was.
Her life had spiraled out of control and she has has used this book as a platform to
chronicle what she can remember. Her memories are difficult to read and you can't help but cheer her on when turns her life right side up.

This is an excellent book to read if you or someone you know is an alcoholic. Many, members of my family have a "drinking" problem, they don't see it. I can't say that reading this book has helped quell the anger or frustration I feel when dealing with them or hearing about their issues but it gives me a slight belief in hope. Hope that one day they will take the path to recovery.

Grade: A

Room by Emma Donoghue

This is a great book. The story is intriguing and keeps you on edge. It's an A+ story but the manner it is told in brings it down to a B and that is being generous.

The story is told through the "words" of a 5 year old. It's almost a struggle to figure out what he is saying and it takes quite some time to get the "language" down but once you do -- it's worth it.

I don't want to give much away --- but I will say that this little boy and his ma live together in seclusion, in a tiny room.  Jack was born in that room and knows nothing else but his Ma and the space they share. It is his "world"' but his Ma dreams of different one, the one she use to know.
She makes life as bearable as possible and fun for young Jack.

I really trudged through the first part of the story, not because it wasn't interesting (it was) but because of how it was told and then .. I just flew through the last half and I suspect you will too.

Grade: B