Super Short Reviews (10)

Have you entered my Reading Road Trip giveaway yet?

Welcome to my Super Short Reviews feature. With my life being the chaotic, hectic mess it is, I'm finding it difficult to keep up with my reviews. Hence, the Super Short Review, which is basically what it says--a couple lines about some of my recent reads. All links will lead to Goodreads.

Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti: Read for 2012 Standalone Challenge. This was a powerful novel about bullying. I have to admit, I love love love Susane as a person, and I've found her other novels to be entertaining, but this one really hit home for me and is hands down my favorite by her. This is a strong novel about bullying and neglect and it will leave you feeling hopeless and hopeful, which is a feat to pull off in one novel. I got a finished copy at BEA.

Skinny by Donna Cooner: Read for 2012 Debut Author Challenge and 2012 Standalone Challenge. This debut novel is a moving account of 15 year old Ever, who weighs over 300 pounds. She's tormented not only by her peers but by the ever-present voice in her head that Ever not-so-affectionately names Skinny. After many humiliating moments, and one in particular, Ever makes the decision to pursue gastric bypass surgery. Donna Cooner has had gastric bypass surgery, so Ever's experiences ring true. The delight Ever feels the first time she goes clothes shopping post-surgery was so realistic that I teared up a little. A wonderful debut. Skinny will be released October 12 from Scholastic. I received an ARC at BEA.

Zoe Letting Go by Nora Price: Read for 2012 Debut Author Challenge and 2012 Standalone Challenge. Zoe's mother drops her off at Twin Birch for reasons Zoe cannot understand. Twin Birch is not a hospital or a rehab, and the methodology is something that hasn't really been seen before. The other girls are obviously suffering from anorexia, but, as Zoe explains in letters to her best friend Elise, that can't possibly apply to her. I found the ending of the novel predictable but I really enjoy reading about the Twin Birch experience, and I hope that the author used a real-life example of a facility--in other words, that places like this really exist for those who need them. I borrowed this book from the library.

Enjoy your reading!
Christi