Monday, February 28, 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Book Review

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Macy's summer stretches before her, carefully planned and outlined. She will spend her days sitting at the library information desk. She will spend her evenings studying for the SATs. Spare time will be used to help her obsessive mother prepare for the big opening of the townhouse section of her luxury development. But Macy's plans don't anticipate a surprising and chaotic job with Wish Catering, a motley crew of new friends, or ... Wes. Tattooed, artistic, anything-but-expected Wes. He doesn't fit Macy's life at all--so why does she feel so comfortable with him? So ... happy? What is it about him that makes her let down her guard and finally talk about how much she misses her father, who died before her eyes the year before? Sarah Dessen delivers a page-turning novel that carries readers on a roller coaster of denial, grief, comfort, and love as we watch a broken but resilient girl pick up the pieces of her life and fit them back together.--http://www.sarahdessen.com/the-truth-about-forever

This is a wonderful book for summer because it is light and happy. Dessen explores the idea of being perfect. What does perfect really mean after all? Is being perfect actually attainable? Macy, the main character, learns that letting go can sometimes give you the most happiness. It's ok to think and act out of the box every now and then. She learns that the death of a loved one is hard, but that you can move on and be happy even after they are gone. The character of Wes is unforgettable in this book. He is a genuine person and a likeable character. Don't miss this book by Sarah Dessen!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Book Review

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia’s mother is busy saving other people’s lives. Her father is away on business. Her stepmother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia’s head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way – thin, thinner, thinnest – maybe she’ll disappear altogether.--http://madwomanintheforest.com/youngadult-wintergirls/

This is a must read for fans of Laurie Halse Anderson. Much like her book, Speak, this book is a powerful page turner. Subjects like anorexia and bulimia are tough to write and about and to read, but Anderson does a marvelous job of writing this book. The reader is really able to tap into the life of a girl with an eating disorder. The obsessive calorie counting and weighing show how traumatic eating disorders can be. The void left by Cassie's death brings Lia to the forefront of her own emotions. Will she choose to live or to die despite what she has witnessed with Cassie?