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