The Chosen One

I received this book for Christmas, having asked for it thinking it was an adult novel. Alas, I was wrong and it's actually written for teens. Luckily, I have never been one to shy away from a good teen novel (obviously).

This was an extremely well-written book about a young girl living inside an FLDS-like fundamentalist Mormon cult. It was truthful, heartbreaking and didn't shy away from the darker issues at all - something I think that should be applauded in books for teens.

My only complaint on this book is that it was short - I wish it had been a lot longer as it was hard to let go at the end. There should be more books like this for both adults and kids - I would love to read a book like this written for adults as well - the issues are complicated and I think they could be explored in a bit more of a complex way in an adult novel.

5 bookmobiles out of 5 - one of the best books I've read in a while.

So Sexy So Soon

I picked this up thinking it was more of a study on the over-sexualization of children in western society, but it is in fact a parenting book. Not being a parent myself, I think that I skimmed a lot of it, so I can only speak to the gist.

While the case studies read like total bullshit, the overall backbone of it was basically not assigning shame to sex but teaching what is appropriate and answering questions truthfully. To be honest, I think I got about the same from a well written SAVAGE LOVE article on sex-positive parenting as I did from this entire book, but I guess everyone can't be as clear and concise as Dan Savage.

3 trampy 12-year-olds out of 5.

Middlesex

This was a book club selection - I've already discussed this at length there, so let's just go with it was good, a bit random in places but overall completely epic in the nature of a good Greek tragedy.

4 teeny weenies out of 5.

Columbine

Alright, technically it's now January 2010 (although the posting will say sometime in November), and I am way behind in this blog. I will do what I can to remember each book, although I am pretty sure I am forgetting something between Columbine and the next one, but we'll hobble along anyway.

So, Columbine. This was a fantastically well researched book about the circumstances surrounding the shootings, the writings, lifestyles and personalities of the boys involved, and the aftermath.

I think it's a particularly poignant topic for me, as I was a year younger than the shooters and in high school myself when this happened. I remember where I was exactly when I heard about the shootings and how we reacted to it in our school. Additionally, there was a copycat shooting at a small town south of the city a few weeks later where a boy my age was killed. A scholarship was set up in his name, and I received university money from it later on, as did many of my friends. Anyway, long story short, it was an important event in my personal history.

I think one of the most interesting things that this book addressed was the media's interpretation of what happened, and how that effected what we all thought reading about it internationally. Finding out there was no real "trenchcoat mafia", the boys weren't all that marginalized, etc. was very interesting.

I have to admit, I had a lot of nightmares the week I read this. However, it was interesting, well researched and I was talking about it for days afterwards. 4.5 disenfranchised, trenchcoat wearing youth out of 5.

Are these my Basoomas I See Before Me?

Ah Georgia Nicolson. We meet again for the last time. You may be a book written for children, but that didn't stop me from laughing out loud and enjoying myself considerably while reading your last installment. We've had a tumultuous relationship - you've gotten tiresome in the past with your silly language and constant ignorance considering Dave The Laugh. However, I have stuck by you, and I am going to admit - I'll miss you.

Thanks for the mammaries! 4.5 nunga-nungas out of 5.

White Stone Day

I am not going to give this stupid book too much more of my time. Maybe it was the fact that I kept falling asleep during the first few chapters, but I found it a rambling, confusing and ultimately unsatisfying volume, one that I only finished out of spite and obligation.

A rambling tale about a roguish reporter in Victorian London, the main plot revolves around (I think) trying to bring a child molester, pornographer and murderer to justice within the upper classes. There is also a subplot revolving around the hero's dead brother, another couple of kids, and Oxford.

Confusing, rambling and ultimately unsatisfying. I will give it 2 glass photography negatives out of 5 out of charity, as I was totally out of it for the first few chapters.

Huge

This book (yes, it's for young folk) had such potential. Who doesn't love a good story about fat camp? First there was the MTV special, aptly titled "Fat Camp", then, we got a second taste with "Fat Camp 2". Finally, the world gave us "Huge".

I love a good camp story. I especially love a good fat camp story. Who doesn't? Camp has such an in-the-now flavour, it is perfect for teen romances, drama, and everything you come to expect from a good book for young 'ins.

Unfortunately, "Huge" didn't live up to it's potential. It was cheesy and seemed unfinished by the end. I think that, had 13 year old Alana read it as opposed to 27 year old Alana, there would be a different verdict. However, as I am an adult (albeit one who reads teen fiction on a semi-regular basis), I have to rate it 2.5 perfectly portioned grilled salmon fillets out of 5.