It's the my favorite post of the month again!
Here's what I read in May :
Stolen by Lucy Christopher- I saw this book on Steph's list previously and immediately I put it on my list. I am so very glad that I did too! This book was amazing. Seriously. The topic is an uncomfortable one to be sure and it gave me a whole new perspective on Stockholm Syndrome. I felt very confused by the end as to just what I felt about Ty. I wanted to hate him...I hated him for a good portion of the book...but by the end....I'm just not sure. The scenery was so well described and made me feel completely isolated right along side Gem. I felt her utter despair and eventual acceptance. This book really made me think and has also made me absolutely sure that I won't let go of my daughter's hand until she is approximately 35.
Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall- I cannot remember whose list I saw this one on but it was another tough topic. I knew very little about the FDLS and belief system that Elissa Wall belonged to but I felt through her writing I got to know a lot more. It was very strange to think that people go along with these beliefs in the modern age but since the belief to distrust the outside world begins at such a young age and is constantly reinforced I can understand a bit better. I was uncomfortable and really pissed off through most of this book but it was still a good read and a change of pace for me. Can't say I will go looking for more books like this one but it was still worth reading.
That Night by Chevy Stevens- I wanted to like this book a lot. I really wanted to like it as much as I liked Dark Places which this one was grouped with...however...I just didn't. Toni (whose name I forgot and had to look up) was just unlikeable and the fact that no matter where she went she was the subject of constant bullying seemed ridiculous to me...she just wasn't that interesting. Honestly her story was so drug out that I completely forgot that we were supposed to be concerned about her sister's death. Just overly flashback heavy and stretched out for more pages than it needed to be.
Fat Girl Walking by Brittany Gibbons- I have read Brittany's blog for a long time now and I knew I would be picking up her book the moment that it came out. I did and read it in less than 12 hours. I could honestly write a full blog post about this book and most likely I will but for this post I will keep it short. Brittany is hilarious, relatable, and open to the point that I feel we are best girlfriends that have known one another since we were children. This book strikes a cord for me personally as I have struggled with body image for most of my life but really Brittany's story relates to every woman who has ever stood in front of a mirror and picked herself apart. For any woman that has ever felt less than. Loved it. Loved it.
I can't wait to read what you all read this past month! Be sure to join the linkup and share!
I thought Stolen was such a fantastic book. I was actually found myself getting so angry Gemma. I had to tell myself "wait a minute...she's a teenage girl in an extremely traumatic situation." I have a different book about FDLS featuring a different group of victims. I haven't read it yet. I keep feeling like I need to be in the right frame of mind for it.
ReplyDeleteI loved Stolen!!! I also enjoyed That Night but I read it right after a major personal issue and it provided the escape I needed. I think, had I read it at a different time, I wouldn't have liked it as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteLike Erin, I have a different FLDS book on my list (it's probably the same one) but I added this because Warren Jeffs is crazy and her perspective on growing up in his cult should be quite interesting.
I felt the same at the end of Stolen. I thought Ty was AWFUL but then at the end I really wasn't sure.
ReplyDeleteI just picked up Fat Girl Walking from the library! I also have Stolen and That Night on hold. Good recommendations!
ReplyDeleteI think Stolen would freak me out too much to read it, despite how much everyone seems to praise it. I do think I might have to add Gibbons's book to my to-read list though.
ReplyDeleteI read Stolen when it first came out and enjoyed it. I agree, I felt confused at the end too. The author did a great job with the Stockholm syndrome... even the readers felt it :)
ReplyDeleteSarah
Midwest Darling
Stolen is on my list to read, heard such great things about it. Adding Fat Girl Walking, sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteBoth Stolen books sound good!
ReplyDeleteLots to add to my list. Especially Stolen. Great list girlie!
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