Looking For Alaska

John Green. 

Read in December. 

I stayed up until 1AM to finish this book. I love how John Green writes, making the characters so real. 

Before, it's a story of teenagers being teenagers. Trying to figure out life and friendships and love and how to handle disappointment. There's a lot of smoking (gross) and drinking to cope, relax, and fit in. I liked the honesty he friends had with each other. Supportive friends are so important to growing up. However, being able to tell yor friends they're wrong is important, too. 

After, it's a few teenagers trying to figure out why. WHY? I caught on pretty quickly to what happened, but it was interesting to read how the others handled all the stress and guilt. The stripper scene was very fitting, and I'm not one who's ok with strippers. In fact, I cringed when I read the word, thinking the book might take a turn I wouldn't enjoy. The reason behind it and the "brief"ness of it didn't bother me though. 

I hope I didn't give too much away for those who haven't read it. I think a younger audience would enjoy it a little more, but I did enjoy it quite a bit. As a mother of two little boys, it's not easy to get me to willingly stay up until 1AM. 

Looking for Alaska https://www.amazon.com/dp/0142402516/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_lFdOub1YDXQJ4

The Julian Chapter.

R. J. Palacio

Read in December. 

A great addition to Wonder.

I enjoyed reading from Julian's perspective. He was afraid of Auggie, and reading his background helped me to understand him a little more. His mother always made excuses for him, so he didn't have to own up to his actions. I loved Grandmère's Story and Julian's reaction to it. We all make mistakes, in the end he acknowledged his and made it as right as he could.

(I don't feel the need for a lengthy review, as I've already reviewed Wonder and all the background is there. I don't think anyone would read The Julian Chapter without first reading Wonder.)

Wonder.

R.J. Palacio. 

Read in November. 

Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing this book discussion with me! I'm very honored to be "hanging" with you. 

I'm so glad this was chosen as one of Bon's Book Club books. When I first heard about Wonder, I knew I wanted to read it. My coworker had to read it for school, and recommended it. That was over a year ago. I'd been meaning to read it, but didn't have time with the other books I was reading for book clubs and my own stack I had personally chosen. Or so I thought. It took me two days to read Wonder. The chapters are short, the print isn't tiny, and it gets you sucked in from the beginning instead of taking a while to build up the characters like most books do. I loved the simpleness of it and how it tugged my emotions. I really felt like I was hanging out with some kids who were telling me their story. One of my favorite parts was when August's sister's boyfriend stood up for August's friend, Jack, when a couple of boys teased him for being friends with a "deformed freak". Wonder is a great book, for children and adults, about what it's like to be a child and a friend, how how hard it is to be teased and judged based on your appearance, and sticking up for others. This kid, Auggie, made me laugh and cry. He reminded me to look past the appearance and into the person, and to be hopeful that others will do the same for me.  

My children will read Wonder when they're a bit older. I bought it for the book exchange my family does among the kids for Christmas, Ty is in 6th grade. I've recommended it to other mothers and single women. A story that reminds us to be caring is one everyone should read. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0375869026/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417557384&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

Toddler Are A**holes. It's Not Your Fault.

Sopha King Tyerd. 

Read in December. 

This self-published book is not my favorite, to say the least. I didn't like it, let's just dive right into why I feel this way. 

She talks about abandoning toddlers quite a bit. Once could have been ignored for the sake of sick humor, but the amount of times she says it is unnerving. 

I know the title has "assholes" in it, but I assumed it was just a way to draw readers in. I did not expect the constant referring to toddlers as assholes, fuckers, cockblockers, motherfuckers, bastards, etc. 

comments such as "you sometimes wish you had a time machine and a condom." and "the dad is wishing he'd masturbated in the shower instead of conceiving this crazy mofo." disgusted me. 

It was over-the-top humor. Some of it was funny, and I laughed out loud a couple of times. I enjoyed #7 on the toddler preparedness kit, "smartphone with a good data plan: The Internet is your portal to the rest of the world. The people online are your only friends." But, even with the funny parts, I would not recommend it. 

Every day.

David Levithan. 

Read in November. 

I enjoyed reading every day. A book about one person who wakes up in a different body every day. A is not a boy or a girl. A is both and neither. The first chapter is a boy's body. A falls in love with his girlfriend, Rhiannon. Then come the challenges. 

How do you have a relationship with someone who doesn't know you are you?

How do they get used to loving someone who never looks the same?

Could it mess up the life of the person who's body A's in for the day?

There's also the challenge of Rhiannon being a straight girl - since A can have a girl's or boy's body for the day. It's hard for A to understand because A just sees people as people. Which is beautiful, but physical attraction is important, too. I think it's fine that Rhiannon felt a little awkward holding hands romantically with a girl. Wouldn't a homosexual feel awkward if someone of the opposite sex tried to hold hands romantically with them, because that's not what they're attracted to? The day A was a fat boy was awkward, also. Neither of them was attracted to that body, but A was more understanding about it. I loved that, besides those two points, physical appearance didn't play a large role in how A viewed people. Personality and how they treated others prevailed. I enjoyed the perspective and acceptance from A about people and the lives they lead. 

I could have done without the "6 additional chapters". They didn't fit into the story. It should have ended when it ended, it didn't need more. I liked the end, and I thought it was really caring of A. 

I recommend every day. It was thought provoking and a great story. 

http://www.amazon.com/Every-Day-David-Levithan/dp/0307931897#

The Postmistress.

By Sarah Blake. Read in November. 

Set during the beginning of World War 2, The Postmistress tells the stories of three young women. 

Iris - looking for love and keeping order, this postmaster always does her job with pride. However, at the beginning of the story, we are told maybe she didn't do what she was supposed to do. Just one time. 

Emma - a shy woman who feels so insignificant, except to her husband. 

Frankie - a reporter in the midst of all the bombing, searching for something and finding too much. 

These three women are brought to life in a mix of fact and fiction. Sarah does a fantastic thing, making me feel so much in a single paragraph. Over and over. Life and death, how fast one changes to the other, and the impact it leaves on others. 

I love how real, how honest, this novel is. How sometimes I just cried and cried over the tragedy that's important to remember. I love how the battlefield wasn't the main focus, but the lives it affected. 

I recommend The Postmistress to everyone. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0425238695/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_3FMBub00B1304

Modelland

Tyra Banks. Fiction

Read in October. 

Tookie knows she won't be selected to attend Modelland - with ther too big forehead. Her whole family knows it will be her sister. But on The Day Of Discovery, Tookie is chosen along with three other less than perfect girls. 

Every girl, teen, and woman should read this book. Tyra is so imaginative. She has created a fantastic world that's so mysterious, but you want to go there. Maybe not the Diabolical Divide, but I'd definitely like to check out Modelland. 

Tookie's parents are terrible. I can't even describe my disdain toward them. Using their children instead of loving them. 

The memory room was really cool. I love how Tookie and her friends used it to get closer to each other. 

It's hard to not give anything away, but there's a twist at the end that just rocks!

Bravo is so sweet. I love the love story between Bravo and Tookie. It's innocent and awesome. Not too much, which I'm thankful for with the main characters being fifteen years old. 

The body image issues these girls face are real and hit so close to home. I hurt when they hurt, but I also felt really great about myself when I finished reading. 

I insist every female reads Modelland! I bet you'll love it. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/038574059X?pc_redir=1413200732&robot_redir=1

FOUR

Veronica Roth. 

Read in September. 

FOUR is divided into FOUR stories. 

The Transfer gives is a lot of background on Tobias' relationship with his father and faction. We find out he's ignored within his faction, and are shown an encounter with a factionless man who "knew" Evelyn. His father is a butt munch. He treats Tobias like an inconvenience and a regret. No child deserves to feel that way. (Child abuse really gets me steamed, especially since having children. I look at my two little boys, and I'm so grateful for them. I can't imagine the hate some people have toward kids.) Tobias faces the choice of a life he knows and is predictable, or a faction totally mysterious to him. "You're the one who has to live with your choice." I love when he chooses Dauntless, and when he questions himself about making a place for himself there, then deciding he has to because that's what he chose. 

The Initiate takes us through Four's training.  Thanks to Amar, one of my favorite characters, Four doesn't have to worry about being associated with his father or former faction. We see how much he doesn't like to hurt people, how he'd rather work on making himself a better person without beating others down. We see him finally make friends and have people care about him. We watch him show others he won't be treated as incapable. We also get more of Eric. Brutal Eric, who is determined to intimidate everyone. Eric, who is the reason Amar "dies"! I can't stand Eric. 

In The Son, we see how Four makes his place in Dauntless, his reaction to finding out his mother is alive, and his realization that a dangerous conspiracy is going on. 

The Traitor takes us forward two years, when Tris transfers to Dauntless. I really enjoyed reading how they fell in love through his point of view. I enjoyed reading everything from his point of view. If you loved the Divergent Trilogy, you'll love FOUR. I do, and I definitely recommend all of them!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0062345214?pc_redir=1413365541&robot_redir=1#

Happy, Happy, Happy

Phil Robertson with Mark Schlabach. 

Read August and September. 

An autobiography. The cover says "My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander". Happy, Happy, Happy is Phil's first book. His second, UnPhiltered, is also available. I've been listening to UnPhiltered on audiobook in my car. 

The breakdown of the book is constructed using "rules for living happy happy happy" as the chapters. My favorites are 1:simplify your life, 3:learn to cook, 4:don't try to figure out women, 6:put the bottle down, 12:learn to forgive, and 14:read the Bible. I also really enjoyed the afterword: letters from the family. I really enjoyed reading Happy, Happy, Happy. Everything with the Robertson family is wholesome. It reminds me of my own family. The crazy dorky things they do are things my husband would do or has done. I liked reading about Phil's past and all he's overcome. He was vulnerable and real and relatable. It was an inspiring book, and I recommend it. 

Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander https://www.amazon.com/dp/1476726094/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_DgUoub0R2ANRR

Upstream

Upstream. Melissa Lion. 

Read in August. 

Upstream is a short work of fiction about a girl with a secret, from Alaska. Her name is Marty. The story is about her learning to live with heartbreak. Her boyfriend, Steven, is no longer in the picture; and she breaks into his old house to sleep in his old room several times before the house is sold. Marty is not a relatable character for me because I've never experienced heartbreak with a secret, but she was very likeable. She truly cared about her family and her boss. Marty struggles with the decision to go to college and escape the pain, or stay and be close to her mom and sisters. Upstream is a well written book. It's engaging and thought-provoking. I felt like I could be friends with Marty, but it wasn't quit there. The other characters were also likeable. Her sister Dottie with her fun spirit, and her boss Katherine who is an understanding friend as well. I enjoyed reading Upstream. My favorite part is when Marty finally explains what happened to Steven. Everything makes sense, all the secrecy and sadness. A friend of mine hesitantly recommended this to me. She holds it close to her heart and was afraid I wouldn't like it. I do like it, but I don't think I can honestly recommend it. For me, it was too forgettable. 

Upstream https://www.amazon.com/dp/0375839542/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_qjzoub04DTWB5

Bossypants. Tina Fey

July. 

It's interesting to read how a person is shaped and the experiences of someone you actually know of. Some of it was funny, some of it bored me. The mother part was definitely my favorite part. It's not that she's a bad writer, it's that I've never seen 30 rock or SNL so I didn't care about that stuff. I prefer fiction. I want to get lost in something. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Stephen Chbosky

June's voted selection for sept mom book club. 

I was turned off by how "simple" the main character was. He had a nice personality but was such a pushover. 

How did he make it all the way to high school and never even hear of masturbation? I found out about that when I got my first period. My mom gave me the what's happening to my body book for girls. I asked my husband, who said he learned about it about 6th grade. 

And he didn't know that girl was being raped? What? Why didn't he say anything. It makes more sense at the end when you find out that he went through a traumatic experience, but through the whole book I was pissed off at him for not sticking up for that girl. 

My sister read it in two hours and said "they made him sound so stupid in the book. He was really normal in the movie."

The famous line "we accept the love we think we deserve" is very thought provoking and I love it. 

Overall I could take it or leave it. Ot didn't do much for me and I wouldn't read it again. But then, I didn't go to public high school (I homeschooled through high school to complete a year sooner) and I never did drugs even though I had a friend who tried to offer it to me on several occasions- so maybe I just don't understand. A lot of people really like this book, but it wasn't for me. 

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane. Neil Gaiman.

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane. Neil Gaiman. 

Voted selection for September mom's book club. 

I thought this book wouldn't be my style. I decided to try the excerpt, and it hooked me. The poor boy! I am so sad that no one showed up for his 7th birthday party. I about cried. Not too far in, I had this thought..

"What? The dude killed his kitten then himself. This poor kid!"

Oh the pulling of the worm had my stomach twisted. Yuck!!

My response to this book- I loved it!!!!!

I thought it was his dad's funeral, but I might have gotten that from a review I read before I started the book. 

I liked that he didn't have a name, it felt more like the story of someone I already knew, and therefor didn't need a name. 

The imagination in this book is so fantastic. I'm very glad I ended up reading it. I will definitely be suggesting it to others, and I'm thankful for who suggested it for our May book!

That's My Son

I loved this book. It was written for single moms. I am not a single mom, you do not have to be a single mom to get a lot of helpful information on boys, although I think this would be a fantastic gift for a single mother. (Any single moms out there-you have my respect. It's not easy raising kids.) The author said it how it is. It's a relatively short book, full of wisdom. There were really only two things I didn't care for:

•the chapter on sex annoyed me a little. My husband and I have talked about men and sex, and some of it contradicted what my husband told me. While men definitely have different character strengths than women, there isn't a "one size fits all" man. However, there are also a lot of great points made in this chapter. Sex should be seen as something special and I appreciate how he presents it. 

•there is a sentence that says something along the lines of - if a girl doesn't have a father around she will find love in the backseat of a car. - I'm from a broken home. The only man I've had sex with is my husband of six years. We have two amazing little boys and are very secure in our relationship. While I can see where he's going with this, it has never made sense to me to put it that way. Girls with fathers around have sex before marriage also. 

It probably sounds like the whole book is about sex by the way I've written so far, but it's not. Sex is only one chapter. Chapter four to be exact. This book talks about respect and other character traits a man should have and how to help your son develop these traits. I'm very thankful for this book, it's helped me understand my boys more. I'm so proud of the men they're becoming. 

Allegiant

Spoilers! (This is a book discussion more than a book review.) Veronica changes her writing style in Allegiant. It's now told from the point of view of Tris and Tobias. If I hadn't read spoilers, I might have found this annoying, but it's necessary and I liked hearing from Tobias' point of view. He's even more attractive when you can see what he's thinking and feeling. 

They have to pretend they've broken up because his mom doesn't like his girl. Evelyn wants control. No factions. Control by force. There is a group calling themselves the Allegiant, who want to continue with the original purpose of the city. Factions and sending the divergent out. Tobias takes tris on a "date" and it's so sweet. Tris and Tobias save Caleb, the brother who betrayed her family. And they all escape. Outside the fence. They are found by a group of people, including two thought to be dead, and trust them because they have a picture of Tris' mom in their world. The leader gives Tris a tablet with her moms journal where we learn some interesting things about her. The fringe turns out to be an informative place for how the government lies to everyone. Genetic damage is the big issue in this book. Divergent are genetically pure. Tobias is not really divergent. Genetically damaged want to be treated equally. Totally understandable. I love how equality is a factor in this book. Too many people judge. I'm sick of it. 

The first attempt goes wrong. Tobias was not given all of the information, and as a result helps with an attack that puts Uriah in a coma he will not wake up from. Later they formulate a better plan that ultimately works. Tris miraculously survives the death serum, only to get shot and killed. It ends with heartache as well as healing. Tobias' mom chooses him over power. The government is given a memory serum so genetics are not a dividing factor anymore. And everyone grieves over the losses of loved ones. I cried. I felt slightly betrayed. I loved it and hated it. Veronica, you ruined my life. ;)

Insurgent

Spoilers! (This is a book discussion more than a book review.) I really liked insurgent. I love trilogies, I love seeing the characters grow. 

Tris is struggling with the fact that she killed Will, and who can blame her? She shot one of her best friends! I would struggle with that guilt for the rest of my life. I know a lot of people say she just needs to get over it, I disagree. That would make her less realistic. Life hurts sometimes. 

I want some bread from Amity. That's all I have to say about that. :)

I feel for Tobias. His parental situation is hard. I can understand. When your parent leaves you it hurts. You want to forgive them, you want to love them, you want to tell yourself it will all be ok. But they left you. And it's not easily forgiven. You don't want to be hurt again. It's hard to trust. I didn't trust her. 

I felt relieved when Tris told Christina and Tobias that she shot Will. It's so much easier to deal with emotions when close ones are there for you. 

Marlene! Uriah! :.....(

Jeanine. Oh boy oh boy. I hate her even more in this book and ... I can't hold back any longer... Caleb! What the heck, Caleb?! I trusted you!

Peter, thank you for saving Tris. I did not see that coming, ok kind of, but not really. I figured somehow she'd be saved but I didn't expect it to be by Peter.

The fight against herself was intriguing to me. We all fight ourselves on a daily basis. I love how that played into the book. Which part of ourself do we choose to win? 

Evelyn is the enemy at the end of insurgent. It makes me sad that Tobias can't count on his parents. 

I love that it ended with the video clip. I admit that as soon as I finished  insurgent, I picked up Allegiant. I really wanted to know more, to see what they found out and how they handled it all. And I'm glad I did. 

Lift by Kelly Corrigan

This book is a blessing. It's a quick read. It's emotional. I cried a lot, I was happy, sad, happy. This book is a letter from a mother to her children. I've also been recording memories for my little guys, and it's nice to see a "completed" one. I use "" because there is more to come, but this is where she chose to end the letter. 

I'm very grateful for having read this special book and I recommend it to every mother or child. So basically everyone. Happy reading. 

March Book Club - Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth. 

This is the first book I've read of this years book club selections. Honestly, I forgot it was a book club book. Someone recommended it to me last year, but it sounded lame. I got another recommendation; and my SIL asked if I'd read it because she was getting recommendations for it, but also thought it sounded lame. Well I was out picking up my wedding ring (I needed it sized a bit bigger for post baby fingers) and Aiden had to go to the bathroom. So I pulled into Barnes and noble. They had one set left on a display and I grabbed it before anyone else could. I get like that sometimes. I read the first eight chapters in one sitting from an online excerpt, and the rest two days ago. I loved it. I loved getting lost in it. The action and budding romance. I love Four, I just do. If I detailed how much I like his character it would take way more time than I have at the moment. ;) I like Tris but felt like she was slow to catch onto things. (Like her mothers past, it was pretty darn obvious). I appreciated that it was easy reading. It's a little harder to get into more complex books at this point in my life. Having a 2 1/2 year old boy and a six month old boy takes up a lot of energy. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore my children. I love them. I love to play with them. But sometimes I want my own time to do what I love. And I love to read. Lucky (kind of) for me, I got a cold. So two days ago Aiden was fine playing by himself in the living room with pbs kids on for when he wanted an occasional break; and Carter was fine being held and playing independently in his jumper or on the floor when not napping. So I spent most of the day on the couch. Resting my body and reading Divergent. It's true that both being home and working have their challenges. At work I always missed Aiden. So much. I wanted to be the one to teach him everything and watch him grow. I love that I have that opportunity now. The hard part about being home is usually not getting a break. I've had to interrupt writing this a few times to tend to the boys. So now that this has turned into a mom post...shall we get back on track? I felt conflicting emotions about Al's death. It seemed like he was a really good guy who was just acting on hurt emotions. Although definitely in the wrong way. Then another emotions based act, and he's gone. Pardon my language but Peter can just go...you know. I really want to use bad language here because he's such a...you know. Oh and Will! Poor Will! 

I recommend Divergent for a quick read and am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy. 

Fifty Shades Trilogy

I had my second child in September. A little boy named Carter Jacob. I still have the three books from bons book club of last year to get to, but at the time I was expecting to be returning to my day job, so I wanted to read the fifty shade trilogy before returning. It's not something I wanted to read at work. I ended up staying home, and I got a job working some evenings when my husband is here. I am, however, very glad I read them. I had gotten several recommendations for them, oddly enough, most of them were coworkers. But I was very hesitant because I heard they were trashy. Parts of them are a bit intense, but overall I enjoyed them. It has a good story line and I loved getting to know the characters. I really enjoyed the parts that went into Christian's childhood. And I loved when his mom found out about the pedo. I definitely recommend the trilogy if you can keep an open mind in the beginning. 

Book Club September - The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Well, it's march and I am giving up this book. It really ticks me off and I've tried to pick it up over and over, only to put it down again. I hate that her parents were so proud that they wouldn't even ask for help for their children's sake! Sticking your children in the back of a moving van for 14 hours? What the poop? And even worse yet, one if those children was a newborn who cries and cries. One nearly fell out on the interstate. It disgusted me. Anyway, I don't want to write about this book anymore. I'm a determined person. This is only the second book I've ever started that I haven't finished, and that part of me might pick it up again in a year and try to finish it. But I doubt it. I definitely do not recommend this book.