"Where We Belong" by Emily Giffin

For some reason, I seem to struggle with reviews for adult fiction.  For whatever reason, there is more pressure when writing about a book that wasn't written for youth.  But here I go.

Emily Giffin`'s Where We Belong was an excellent read.  I never know quite what to expect with her books (I've loved everything she's written- that I've read- except for Baby Proof.  I wasn't reviewing books when I read that one, but I basically spent the majority of the novel waiting for the plot to start.  It wasn't until I was almost through with it that I gave up on the idea of there being a story line I really cared about.  *runs as Giffin's fans throw things at me*. So where I'm going with this, I'm always anxious to read her books, but always wary) but thought that this was one of her stronger books (again, out of what I have read).  Marian has a nearly perfect life.  She is producing a hit tv show and has a steady relationship that she is clearly hoping is heading towards marriage.  Her life is fairly drama free until 18-year old Kirby shows up at her door (*spoiler warning* unless you figured out Marian's secret mentioned on the book jacket.  I sure didn't)  wanting to know if Marian is the mother that gave her up for adoption. 

I truely picked this book up because Giffin's name was on the cover.  I had no idea what the story was about and really didn't see it taking the turn it did.  It's a story about finding out who your family is and who you are because of them.  Kirby's goal is to find out about the life she never had.  Marian's trying to reconnect with her daughter and fit Kirby into the life that she's made for herself.  Together they strive to be each others family while trying to not lose ties with the ones they already consider family.  I was a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and by the strength of the subject matter.  I am used to Giffin's work being heavily romance based it was a joy to see her write about another topic (and to do a good job with it).  I enjoyed this book quite a bit and heavily recommend it!



Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Tilt" by Ellen Hopkins

This is likely a very biased review as it is no secret whats-so-ever that I am totally in love with just about everything Ellen Hopkins writes.  But I'm going to review it anyway.

Tilit is the companion to Triangles.  It follows Mikayla (Holly's daughter) and her relationship (and sometimes lack-thereof) with Dylan and the complications brought on by an unplanned pregnancy, Shane (Marissa's son) and his relationship with Alex who is HIV-positive, and Harley (Andrea's daughter) and her desire to have a relationship with just about anyone that will have her. This book takes place during the same time as the events in Triangles.  Told from the perspective of the teens, we get to see why they do the things they do and how they react to their parents actions.  Though you don't need to read one to read the other, I do recommend the two novels one right after the other.  I didn't and my memory of the first book was a little fuzzy.  Something else that I liked about this book was that I could see it being perfect for a mother-daughter book discussion.  I like that we see the adult and the teen perspective and think it would be really interesting to discuss these books with someone (sadly I haven't caused a total Hopkins-craze in my community...yet...).  As always, the poetry in this novel is superb.  Something that caught my eye as I was reading was that each characters section always ended on the same side of the novel and was followed by a poem from the perspective of a (mostly) minor character.  The kind of planning it must have taken to always have the right number of papers per character astounds me.  Hopkins has got to be the most brilliant writer of my generation and I look forward to all of her future work.

Happy Reading! 
-Melly 

"2 Days" by L. B. Tillit

*Spoiler Alert* 

L. B. Tillit's book was lacking direction.  From the cover I assumed it was yet another teen pregnancy book.  Well, it is but it also isn't.  The novel starts with Neema being kicked out of her home when her mother doesn't believe that her sleazy boyfriend did something to Neema (the first page starts out kinda vague, we never fully find out what he did or tried to do to Neema).  She grabs some essentials and moves in with her boyfriend and his family.  Of course she forgets to take her birth control pills for 2 Days, hence the title.  She goes about her life as normal; going to school, working on the weekends, hanging out with Nate, but soon finds herself without anywhere to stay as Nate's parents get tired of her crashing on their couch without contributing to any of the bills.  From there she decides to stay with an aunt.  And soon after realizes that she is pregnant.  In the midst of this, she and Nate break up, her mom finally comes around and dumps her boyfriend, and Neema finds inspiration in Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. 

Ok, so I may have spoiled some of the book (sorry) but it just didn't feel like there was a whole lot of meat to this story.  Though it had the workings of a good plot, it felt like there was too much going on and not enough focus on any of the storylines.  It seemed like it floated from one story to the next without any real conflict.  Neema handled her pregnancy very easily and didn't seem to have to struggle in her situation.  She seemed to happily go along even though Nate wanted nothing to do with her or the baby.  She never seemed too worried about how she would afford to by diapers and other essentials or if she was really fit to raise someone.  It came across as though she was playing house.  She has a bit of redemption at the end of the book when she takes her daughter to a party and comes to the realization that this is not the environment for a baby, but it just didn't feel like enough.  In a way this book felt like it was a first draft and needed some guidance with some trimming of plot (and some elaboration with what was left).  I wanted to like this book.  I guess I wouldn't say I disliked it, but there is certainly room for improvement. 

"Hooked" by Catherine Greenman

I was anxiously awaiting the release of the novel Hooked by Catherine Greenman.  However, it left a lot to be desired.  It is a book about a pregnant teens that doesn’t focus solely on the focus.  Many of the reviews I have read complained about this, but I liked that aspect.  I feel that while a pregnancy is a huge part of someone’s life, it doesn’t define every aspect of their life.  When Thea gets pregnant of course her entire life changes, but she doesn’t let that stop her life.  She falls into motherhood with a new passion: crocheting.  With that passion comes a goal to crochet her first bikini. 

I wasn’t disappointed by this story, but more with the way it was told.  The novel was longer than it needed to be and felt a little unfocused.  I wanted a little bit more from the characters, who were interested, but still a little one dimensional.  I did enjoy the concept and felt that it was told from the heart.  I still recommend this book, realizing that I may not have been the intended audience and that other readers may gain quite a bit from this read.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"After" by Amy Efaw

This seems to be the year that I read powerful and shocking novels.  After by Amy Efaw fits that criteria in every way possible.  The novel opens with Devon lying on her living room couch.  She tells her mother that she is sick and needs to stay home, but the reader knows better.  That morning, Devon gave birth to a baby, placed her in a trash bag and discarded her in the trash can behind the apartment.  Very quickly the police arrive on her doorstep and discover what Devon has done.  She is immediately taken into custody.  As the novel progresses we see Devon through the juvenile justice system and onto court.  Though the novel takes place in a little over a week, it is difficult to grasp that so much happens in so little time.

This is likely the most impactful book I have read so far this year.  Efaw’s writing pulls on your heartstrings and does the impossible- makes the reader feel sympathetic for a character that has committed the worst crime imaginable.  When I started this book I instantly felt anger towards Devon (what else could be expected) but as the story progressed, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her and wonder if maybe there was more to her story than she had every realized or excepted.  As often happens, I had a hard time putting this book down and I believe that other readers will feel the same.




Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Tell Me a Secret" by Holly Cupala

This book surprised me in more ways than one.  I am horribly guilty of picking up books (or not picking them up) soley based on the cover.  I guess the cover of Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala caught my attraction.  And I am glad it did.


Rand's sister died five years ago and her family has yet to fully heal from the trauma.  Rand continuously finds herself in Xanda's shadow.  It is clear that Rand's mother is desperately trying to avoid making the same mistakes with her younger daughter but by doing so, she is pushing Rand further and further away.  When Rand finally takes a pregnancy test and her worst fears are confirmed, the relationship with her mother worsens- it is now or never, she must make decisions that will change her life forever.


I have read multiple books involving teenage pregnancy (The Lit Report by Sarah N. Harvey and Dancing Naked by Shelley Hrdlitschka are both highly recommended by me) and they usually follow a similar storyline.  Girl finds out she's pregnant, girl makes decision to have the baby (usually), and then figures out if she will keep the baby or give it up for adoption.  Tell Me a Secret has those same elements, but with a drastic twist.  I don't want to reveal the twist, but it will likely shock readers and have them desperately wanting to know what happens next.  This is yet another book that will stick with the reader for quite some time even after they have finished reading it.  


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Happy Reading!
-Melly