Book of the Month (December + January) - Hush Hush

*****Note!*****
This books counts as two months because it was over 300 pages.

When you see the cover with a boy falling from the sky, what do you think? How about when it changes to the girl, in the rain looking backwards? Obviously, you can assume from the first picture, that this book has an element of fantasy, and from the the next, you can see that there is probably going to be mystery or thrill. That's exactly (at the least) what you get from this book. Let me explain....fallen angels are not something that you hear about every day, like vampires or werewolves are. Fallen angels you say? hmm....im sure a few questions just popped into your head. Well let me help, answer those questions, or maybe create a few more.

If you are looking for a perfect balance of all different genres, and elements that a good book has, then this is the perfect pick for you! I raved to my class, about Becca Fitzpatricks Hush Hush , I will tell you why.

Nora, a typical shy sophomore, who excels in all her AP classes, is stuck in Bio for the next year with a sucky gym teacher as the instructor. This could seem torturous, but Nora's best friend Vee is in the class as well. Vee is an overweight sophomore, who unlike Nora, is not afraid to speak her mind. Class seems like everything Nora thought it would be until a mysterious senior enters the class a few days later. His dark ragged appearance, makes all the girls go goo-goo for him. His name is Patch, and he is gorgeous. :) And of coarse, he goes for Nora. Stereotypical right? He finds what makes her uncomfortable, and uses it against her. Not in a creeper way or anything, but just enough to keep her wondering about him. So that she feels intrigued with him and pulled towards him. Patch has that certain seductive element, that anyone could not resist. Nora, thinks that all there is to Patch is his charm, and looks, and ability to be a super-amazing pool player, and win infinite amounts of cash. But he has a dark past, that more know than Nora thinks. But the people who do know, are not the most obvious of people. And how do those people know? Are they like Patch? Are there other kinds of creatures like his kind? Maybe there are kinds or people, that not even Patch knows about...

After I read this book I was in complete awe. I was shocked of a few things. One, how the whole story played out (character wise). Second, how unpredictable the book was! Usually fictional novels are extremely predictable, and although well written, they have somewhat similar story-lines. Hush Hush however, is not like the others. Like I mentioned before, fallen angel isnt in everyones vocab! How about Niempph? I did a little research online, hoing to find out about a movie for the epic novel, but sadly found nothing official. Howevrer, I did discover that the saga has a huge fan base, with tons of fan made trailers with almost a million views each! This keeps me hopeful! I would be sad if they did not make it into a movie, but would uderstand because it is similar to Twiight in some aspects. I hae even found some videos of peoples picks for casting decsions, and I must say I agree 90%. Here are some links below!
I hope that this blog will help you decide what book you will pull off the shelf next!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDlRedIwSyo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HhTdO-zb20&feature=related

Six Word Memiors

Love Wins. Believe. Faith. The End

Nov. Book of the Month - Cut

This quick read tells of Callie, a girl with a dark secret. Her secret, although is uncovered when people discover that she has been cutting herself, and send her to a home for help. This home is not an ordinary home, however. It is a home for ill girls, mentally and physically. Named Sea Pines, the girls call it Sick Minds.

In Sick Minds, all the girls have group therapy, as well as one-on-one therapy every day. Most talk about their problems, and causes and events leading up to their time at Sea Pines. But Callie, does not. She decided to keep all of her feelings to herself. The girls try to make her feel welcome and comfortable, but they all know that they have problems, and most know how to deal with them.

This book, although tough at times, focuses on real things happening to teenage girls everyday. this book exposes the inside living of basically a mental institution! So many wonder what it is like, and if you are this would be a great book to read.

This book, although raw, is also very refreshing. As you read the book, you will find yourself understanding Callie and wanting her and all the girls in Sick Minds to get better. As a series misfortunate events happens at the home, the girls find themselfs helping EACHOTHER to reach out and help them to get better.

Patrica McCormick, has done a fantastic job on this short read. She spent three years writing and reaserching information, so that this book was 100% accurate. You can obviously tell that a lot of thought, and time has been put into this book. The non-predictable "Cut" is a must read.

"A Boy Called It" - Book of the Month

    Dave Pelzer, an air force pilot, Ten Outstanding Young American winner, and Olympic torch bearer tells the story of a young boy of whom was abused his whole childhood. The boy; himself.

    David lived in a typical American home. Father, a heroic firefighter, mother a loving caring housewife, and two brothers. Typical American home until that's is, Davids father would go away. He would not know where he would go, or when he would return. All he knew was that when his father was gone, he was in trouble.
    When being read a brief summary of this book, I anxiously wanted to grab it. The story, although deeply depressing, was something new to me. A whole new genre, topic, point of view for me. I found myself re-reading several passages, because I was in such disbelief of the severe punishments his mother put him through. The hardest and most questioning part of this book was that, out of his then four siblings, Dave was the only one his mother beat. Then she would flaunt that the other brothers did not get beat by telling them how much she loved them and how they were good boys.
    ***SPOILER ALERT***
    The book, written in classic form, went into complete detail with each encounter Dave and his mother came upon. In one encounter, his mother forced him to lay on a stove top, like she had read in a magazine. While I was reading this, I could not help but become angry, and question the mother actions and thoughts.
    This book, although very difficult is a very quick, and captivating read. I finished the book in about a day, reading it in five minute increments! The best thing about this book if that, although it has more pieces to the puzzle in the series, you can finish reading this memoir and not be disappointed! This memoir is heart throbbing, and yet an essence of the story is raw, and fresh.  I would recommend this book to anyone as it seems appropriate for all ages.