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.