Friday, August 2, 2013

Well Deserved Friday

I have to say, this week has been kicking my ass. My boss has been on vacation all week and it's been a lot more stressful that it usually is when she's gone. So it's an understatement to say that I'm glad the weekend is here.

Today I have two books to share with you. One that was pretty good, and one that was fan-freaking-tastic. For real.


First up, the book that was pretty good.

Saving Max by Antoinette van Heughten

Attorney Danielle Parkman knows her teenage son Max's behavior has been getting worse - using drugs and lashing out. But she can't accept the diagnosis she receives at a top notch adolescent psychiatric facility that her son is deeply disturbed. Dangerous.

Until she finds Max, unconscious and bloodied, beside a patient that has been brutally stabbed to death.

Trapped in a world of doubt and fear, barred from contacting Max, Danielle clings to the belief that her son is innocent. But has she, too, lost touch with reality? Is her son really a killer?

This is a book I've bypassed on my sister's bookshelf a few times, but I finally decided to pick it up.

It's one of those books that you pick up knowing that something big is going to happen, and you find yourself kind of sitting on the edge of your seat because you always know it's just around the corner. 
For the most part, I didn't find anything wrong with it, however there are some character relationships that don't make sense to me. (spoiler alert!) Such as the main character, Danielle, having a one night stand with a man, and then finding out he's her attorney, and that one night has just meant so much to him he's willing to risk his reputation for her. I really could have done without that part.

Overall, it had good plot twists and suspense, but I think the ending was pretty cheesy.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars. The good parts of the book make it easy to overlook the less desirable characteristics.

Now, on to the REAL winner.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen doesn't want anything to do with the tapes Hannah Baker made. Hannah is dead. Her secrets should be buried with her.

Then Hannah's voice tells Clay that his name is on her tapes - and that he is, in some way, responsible for her death.

All through the night, Clay keeps listening. He follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his small town...
...and what he discovers changes his life forever.

This book has been on my list to read for a long time, but I hadn't been able to find it for a good enough price (aka cheap as dirt) to buy it. But then my luck changed! I found it at our CEO's garage sale for $3 and I snatched it up like it was a gold nugget!

HOLY. BALLS. I could not put this book down. I think that it's a book that everybody should read. I think it should be required reading in high school... shoot, even middle school.

Suicide is such a huge problem, and people think that there is always some major thing going on that causes it. But this book shows that it can be a whole combination of different events. Events that, on their own, don't seem like they would be that big of a deal. But when they stack up on someones mind and their heart, it can really bring things crashing down.

Hannah Baker, the girl in the tapes, essentially called out all the people who helped make her life a living hell, and pushed her towards the decision to take her life.

I couldn't imagine being one of those people. Hearing the voice of a girl telling you that YOU are partially to blame for their death.

I read this book in two days, and I promise that if you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. Pass it on.

With that said, I'm off to face the day and keep my eye on the prize: the clock striking 5 and a nice cold cocktail in my hand.




3 comments:

Angela Tolsma said...

Hello found you through Book Club Friday.
I love Thirteen Reasons Why and I agree having it as a required reading would be a great idea. Jay Asher has some really good books out there

Allison said...

I also liked Thirteen Reasons Why, really makes you think about the impact you have on other people.

Janie said...

Both of the books were kinda ehs for me. I like 13 Reasons Why more than Saving Max (easily), but it was hard for me to connect and empathize with these characters.