Forever by Judy Blume

 I remember this book being touted as controversial. This would normally arouse my interest but somewhere along the way I forgot about it or would put off reading it and pick something else up.

The book is a simple read that deals with young love, relationships, discovering ones and others bodies and sex. Our main characters are Kath and Michael. The are seventeen years old when they met at a party. They form a relationship and the feelings and confusion surrounding relationships and sex is explored. The book also talks about birth control and STIs. There is no slut shaming or shame regarding sex. I don't find this book controversial at all and think it's a great  book for teens to read so that they can recognize  a lot of what they feel is normal. 

Are You There God is it me Margaret? By Judy Blume

It's been decades since I've read this book. Time has played with my memory because I didn't remember most of it but I still found myself enjoying the read and wondering if today's teens read it. 

Margaret our main character is almost 12 years old. Her family has just moved from NY to NJ. She quickly makes friends with a group of girls who from a secret club in which they can talk about boys, growing up and their changing bodies. 

Margaret also explores religion. Her parents don't practice and she is trying to find her place and relationship with G*d since her friends and family practice different religions. The religion aspect doesn't push religion which is a huge relief. 

I was never in a hurry or anxious to get my period or wear a bra so I found the group of girls in this book who were so anxious to for it to happen to them rather interesting. 

This book isn't about religion so if you are a crazy religious nut pass on this book or it will trigger you. The is a coming of age book and the things that come with it such as curiosity about the human body and trying to understand the changes and feelings that go with it. 

Family of Liars by E. Lockhart

Family of Liars in the Prequel to We Were Liars. I strongly recommend that you read We Were Liars first or the book will be spoiled for you. 

Family of Liars is about the previous Sinclair generation. It takes place during the 1980s when they are teenagers.  We learn how their past shaped the future generations. We learn about the Sinclair sisters and get a better understanding of who they are as people. 

There are lots of secrets and lots of drama. This is a super fast, entertaining read.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

 We Were Liars is a well crafted novel.  I went into it blind like so many people suggested. I had no idea what was going on, what was going to happen or what the book was about! I don't want to give anything away but I will say that there are a lot of secrets, the narrator is unreliable and you won't see the twist!

I am still digesting the read.  I was most definitely surprised by this book and can't wait to dig my nails into the second installment. 

This is a book about friendship, secrets, love and family.  

Confess by Colleen Hoover

 Auburn runs across a help wanted sign in the window of an artist shop. Owen, the owner and artists convinces her to take the job. It's just supposed to be a job for a few hours but electricity is in the air and Owen and Auburn find themselves attracted to one another.

The both have secrets and those secrets may or may not break them. Owen and Auburn as as different as night and day but they have sparks. I dare not give anymore away in fear of spoiling the story. I will just say that I enjoyed this book and read it in under 24 hours. It's a super fast read. 

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Elsewhere is a book I like to revisit for time to time. I pulled it out every few years and find that I each time I enjoy it more than the previous year. I used to embarrassed that I like this little book so much but I no longer am.

Elsewhere is were you end up after death. Liz is only 15 years old when she finds herself on a ship on the way to Elsewhere. She arrives to Elsewhere to be greeted by her grandmother. In Elsewhere one ages backwards until it's time to be released. 

Liz has a bit of trouble adjusting to life in Elsewhere. She is angry (understandably) and spends a lot of time on the observation decks looking at her family and friends back home. Eventually she stops going to the decks and finds a way to live. 

I love the relationships, Liz builds and even her teen angst. My most favorite moments are the animals in Elsewhere . The lead to many emotional moments.  This book is a perfect little gem and a memorable read. 

A Father's Dream: My Family's Journey in Music by Abraham Quintanilla

 I have never been a huge fan of Abraham Quintanilla. I always found him to be egotistical as a result of that I didn't purchase this book. I borrowed it. In fact, I never would have read this book if it hadn't been for the podcast Anything for Selena in which he grants Maria Garcia an interview. 

A Father's Dream: My Family's Journey in Music is gives Selena fans a look into some private family moments and a look into the love a father had for this daughter. The memories of Selena flow off the pages with love and tenderness. The funny moments give shine to a star who is gone. The trial portion provides information I wasn't aware of  making me angry. The family grief fills the pages and those passages make the book seem physically heavier. 

The last portion of the book is filled with memories from Selena's siblings and mother. Abraham hardly mentions Chris Perez once again proving that he has no love or respect for Chris. The man his daughter loved. Moments through the book paint him in an ugly light which wasn't surprising to me at all. There is way too much religious content for my liking. 

I dislike him more after reading this but I also respect the love he has for Selena. He expresses his grief and shares it with Selena fans. If you are interested in this book check it out from the library or borrow if from a friend. It's not worth the $26.44 price. 

The Family Next Door by John Glatt

 I've listened to several podcast episodes on the Turpin Siblings and watched Youtube videos but the book filled in a lot of gaps and questions, I had. 

The book is well written and well documented. It really goes into depth. This is the story of the Turpin siblings and the horror's they endured at the hands of their people who were supposed to protect and love them. 

The 13 siblings lived in unhealthy, deplorable conditions and had very little to eat. Their parents Louise and David abused them, only let them bathe once a year or on special occasions, they deprived them on an education, food and sunlight. They were forced to sleep during daylight hours and be up at night. This went on for years until one night, Jordan Turpin a teen girl escaped and called 911. 

This is a difficult book to read. It gives details of what the Turpin children went through. It discusses the trial. Be prepared to experience a lot of emotions. The book has quite a bit of repetitive portions but it is worth the read. 

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

 I wanted to love, The Four Winds. I would have settled for liking it and I tried. I really really did. I pushed myself to finish it because the start was strong and I hoped to recapture that energy but it never happened.

The Four Winds takes place in Texas in the 1930s. Stocks crash, winds blow dust all over creating the Dust bowl, the stock market crashes, life is hell. People abandon farms and head out west to find jobs and to find a way to live.

The story centers around one family and a woman named Elsa. The first quarter of the book is great and then it falls apart and become dreary, repetitive and with the exception of moments boring. This just wasn't the book for me despite it being well researched. 

Into Every Generation a Slayer Is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts by Mr. Evan Ross Katz

 

I am a huge BTVS fan. I have been looking forward to reading this book. Katz discusses the series by going through each season. He interviews cast and crew members and gets their insights and views on BTVS. Katz even convers the controversy surrounding Joss Whedon and allegations of sexual abuse and mistreatment. 

The book is also part memoir as Katz gives his own narrative. The book is engaging enough but I felt as though something was missing but it could just be me missing BTVS. It's a good read for any Buffy fan. 

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks

 Marissa and Mathew Bishop are the quintessential golden couple until Marissa reveals her infidelity. In an effort to save their marriage they seek the help of Avery Chambers. Avery Chambers is a controversial therapist  who lost her license due to the way she practices therapy.

 Avery implements her 10-session method and while the couple works on their sessions, Avery investigates them herself. She follows them, snoops on them, looks at their social media and digs into their lives. 

The story is told in alternating perspectives from the point of view of Avery and Marissa. There is a lot to unwrap and a lot going on. Marissa has a secret she hasn't revealed and this secret could break the already fragile constrains of a cracked relationship. 

Each character has a unique voice and it has loads of twist and turns making for an interesting and exciting read.