Wintergirls - review

Review:

 

Wow. This book is relentless, intense, and depressing...

That being said, it also seems realistic. It chronicles Lia's descent into anorexia and self-harm. Her best friend was bulemic and has died at the beginning of the book. She tried to call Lia multiple times on the night she died, but Lia didn't answer. The guilt Lia feels contributes to her decline. She has been in and out of treatment and knows how to fool the system. Her mother, father, and stepfather don't know how to reach her or what to do to help her anymore. How do you help someone who is determined to hurt themselves?

 

This book is a difficult read and not for the faint of heart. I didn't enjoy it at all, but I did learn from it and I do see the value in it. Thus my 3 star review. Anderson describes what Lia looks like and what she does to her body in graphic detail. So, beware.

 

I think this could be a good book for teens or their parents to read. Teens may see themselves and see hope or realize what could happen to them. Adults can see the pressures that today's teens face on a daily basis. I think books about these issues are important when they show the whole situation in a realistic light. Anderson does an amazing job of getting inside Lia's head and showing us her thought process.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1614582/wintergirls-review

Reading progress update: I've listened 416 out of 784 minutes.

 

 

I'm reading (listening) to this book for The Dead Will Walk space. I'm really enjoying it. Several people recommended it, but I kept putting off reading it.

Thank you Halloween Bingo!

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1610266/reading-progress-update-i-ve-listened-416-out-of-784-minutes

Bingo Call: 10/23

Reblogged from: Moonlight Reader

 

The dead will walk: basically, zombies

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1610263/bingo-call-10-23

This One Summer

Review:

 

Rose and Windy have been coming to the same beach every summer for years. Rose is a bit older and is starting to change into a young woman while Windy is still a girl. They have a sisterly relationship and enjoy their summers together. Rose is experiencing family strife and trying to figure out who she is as a young woman. Windy is still happy-go-lucky. 

 

This graphic novel is based in summer fun, but there are a lot of serious issues going on here. Rose's parents are dealing with infertility and loss. The young man who works at the local store may have gotten his girlfriend pregnant. The older kids curse and talk about sex. This is not a story for younger readers. I think the appropriate age depends on your individual beliefs, but I would say high school.

 

I found the hyperness of Windy a bit irritating and I didn't love the book. But I can see that it is well-written and will appeal to many teens and young adults. I read this book for my Young Adult literature class. :)

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1608696/this-one-summer

Andromeda Strain - audiobook

Review:

 

 

Wow. What can I say about this book? It was soooo boring. So much scientific jargon, military times and reports, stuff that I think I could have glossed over if I was doing the reading. But, listening to the audiobook, the narrator reads every word and I can't really skip over them. I will admit I lost focus from time to time. I really tried, but I just couldn't do it.

 

I've seen many positive reviews about this book and I purchased it on sale. I was really looking forward to a creepy, deadly, alien organism invasion story. In the end, I'm not really sure how the story ended. It was sort of a letdown. I am planning to watch the movie and see if taking all the superfluous stuff out helps.

 

Anyway, it was fairly short and I was anxious to finish it, so there's that. I read this for the Aliens square because the organism was alien in origin (at least I think it was).

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1608693/andromeda-strain-audiobook