Book of the Month! (#6)

  

Title: The Jungle 

Author: Upton Sinclair 

Release Date: April 1st 2013 (first published 1905)

Published By: See Sharp Press

Page Amount: 335 pages, Paperback, The Uncensored Original Edition 

GoodReads Blurbs:

1-For nearly a century, the original version of Upton Sinclair's classic novel has remained almost entirely unknown. When it was published in serial form in 1905, it was a full third longer than the censored, commercial edition published in book form the following year. That expurgated commercial edition edited out much of the ethnic flavor of the original, as well as some of the goriest descriptions of the meat-packing industry and much of Sinclair's most pointed social and political commentary. The text of this new edition is as it appeared in the original uncensored edition of 1905. It contains the full 36 chapters as originally published, rather than the 31 of the expurgated edition. A new foreword describes the discovery in the 1980s of the original edition and its subsequent suppression, and a new introduction places the novel in historical context by explaining the pattern of censorship in the shorter commercial edition.  

2-Upton Sinclair’s muckraking masterpiece The Jungle centers on Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant working in Chicago’s infamous Packingtown. Instead of finding the American Dream, Rudkus and his family inhabit a brutal, soul-crushing urban jungle dominated by greedy bosses, pitiless con-men, and corrupt politicians.While Sinclair’s main target was the industry’s appalling labor conditions, the reading public was most outraged by the disgusting filth and contamination in American food that his novel exposed. As a result, President Theodore Roosevelt demanded an official investigation, which quickly led to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug laws. For a work of fiction to have such an impact outside its literary context is extremely rare. (At the time of The Jungle’s publication in 1906, the only novel to have led to social change on a similar scale in America was Uncle Tom’s Cabin.)

Today, The Jungle remains a relevant portrait of capitalism at its worst and an impassioned account of the human spirit facing nearly insurmountable challenges.

My Semi-Quick Review: 

I read this book in my eleventh grade English class.  It was very, very graphic but in this book I appreciated that because it had to be graphic to really get its point across. This was also the first time that I had really seen a lot of social commentary in a book, and done very well. On top of that, this book had a huge impact on the meat packing industry and there was change that came about because of it. It was one of those times that I was really aware of how a book could bring about change on a large scale and I was once again amazed by the potential power of literature. 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Book of the Month! (#5)

 

Title: Define "Normal"

Author: Julie Anne Peters

Release Date: May 7th 2003 (first published April 2000)

Published By: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Page Amount: 196 pages, Paperback

GoodReads Blurb:

Antonia is eager to participate in the new peer counseling program at school—until she learns the person she's supposed to counsel is Jasmine Luther. "Jazz" is anything but Antonia's peer. She's a punker, a druggie, a gang hanger. As their peer counseling sessions progress, Antonia and Jazz discover they have more in common than they could ever have imagined. Can a "normal" person like Antonia trust a psycho freaky whacked-out punker like Jazz? Does she dare?

My Semi-Quick Review:

I read this book in my 8th grade English class. That was about ten years ago now so the details have blurred for me. Therefore, this review may actually be quick.

Even though I don't remember many details, this book has stuck with me since I read it in 8th grade. The message of the book, that is. Which, to me, was that there is no such thing as "normal". Just because someone is different from you doesn't mean that they are not normal. Another message to me was that most everyone can be helped if they need it; they just have to try. 

However, the main message to me was this "normal" business. What is normal? Like the book says, define "normal". Go ahead, define it for me right now. Give it a go in the comments if you like. For people there is no one normal. Do you know what I mean? This is something that I myself have also had to deal with but in a different way than the characters in this book. Coming to terms with the fact that there is not one "normal" was something I had to do a bit earlier in life than most people. I think it is important that we realize this and be accepting of one another. In this day and age, you would think that we would be. But there is still racism and sexism and discrimination in the world. This stuff doesn't just go on in schools. It is all over the "real world" as well. It's all over the news. Just look around. And listen to the things that are being said. 

I know that this is a middle grade book, but in my opinion many people of all ages need to read this. Just maybe, then they will realize that there is no definition of "normal". 4 stars. 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Book of the Month! (#4)

Book of the Month is a feature that I started on Girl With a Pen and a Dream where I highlight a different book every month. The last three have all been very serious, dark issue books. This month I think I'm going to do something different. The book of the month is:

Title: Taste the Heat (Love and Games #1)
Author: Rachel Harris
Release Date: July 8th, 2013
Published By: Entangled Bliss
Page Amount: 191 pages, e-book

GoodReads Blurb:
One sexy fire captain. One Cajun chef, One combustible kitchen…

When chef Colby Robicheaux returned home to New Orleans to save her family restaurant, the last person she expected to reconnect with was her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. As tempting as a sugar-coated beignet, Jason is one dish she doesn't want to taste. Colby is counting down the days till she can leave the place where her distrust of love and commitment originated and go back to Vegas.

Fire captain Jason Landry isn't looking for love, either. He knows he should focus on finding the perfect mother for his daughter, but when he first sees Colby, all grown up and gorgeous, he can’t help but be drawn to her. And when she suggests a no-strings-attached fling, Jason doesn't want to say no.

As their relationship grows more intense, Colby finds that Jason isn't as easy to leave behind as she thought. Could turning up the heat on something real be worth the possibility of getting burned?

My Semi-Quick Review: 
Taste the Heat is getting a lot of page time on my blog lately, huh? The last three Book of the Month posts have all had to do with very serious books and I wanted to switch it up. Besides, you don't want all serous all the time, right?

That being said, the characters in this book do have their own issues. It isn't just a bunch of happy, love-struck people all of the time. And that is what I like in romance, for there to be real issues. This is a feel good read though, most definitely. 

I also loved the characters in this book. They were just so real and lovable. I loved seeing them interact. This was a wonderful read. I would whole-heartedly recommend this to any romance fan or even if you aren't usually a fan of romance I think that this is definitely worth it to read! 

<3 Amanda Leigh 

Book of the Month! (#3)

 

Title: I don't want to be crazy

Author: Samantha Schutz

Release Date: August 1st 2007 (first published July 1st 2006)

Published By: Scholastic

Page Amount: 288 pages, Paperback

GoodReads Blurb:

A harrowing, remarkable poetry memoir about one girl's struggle with anxiety disorder.

This is a true story of growing up, breaking down, and coming to grips with a psychological disorder. When Samantha Schutz first left home for college, she was excited by the possibilities -- freedom from parents, freedom from a boyfriend who was reckless with her affections, freedom from the person she was supposed to be. At first, she reveled in the independence. . . but as pressures increased, she began to suffer anxiety attacks that would leave her mentally shaken and physically incapacitated. Thus began a hard road of discovery and coping, powerfully rendered in this poetry memoir.

My Semi-Quick Review:

I read this book a little over two years ago in my junior year of college. I was in the midst of reading this when I had an incident in the library one day where my friend had to drive me home. Upon reading this book I came across the list of the symptoms of a panic attack and realized that this was what had happened to me that day. (I believe it was Halloween 2011). I hadn't had a panic attack since I was seventeen and got on a plane (I'm terrified of flying). A couple of weeks later the same thong happened. Et cetera. 

This book is what made me realize that I had problems with anxiety. So this probably contributes to why it is one of my favorites. However, it also written in verse and I love that form of story telling. Moreover, this is a memoir written in verse. That must have been very difficult to do. Writing a memoir written in prose form is hard enough, but verse? That is impressive. 

I also found the pure, raw honesty of this book wonderful. Samantha is not afraid to reveal exactly what she struggled with with anxiety disorder. And she helped many people in the process. The verse is also so simple that it is beautiful. This will forever stay one of my favorite books. 5 stars! 

Resources For People Struggling With Anxiety:

The National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America: http://www.adaa.org/ 

http://teenshealth.org/teen/

http://panicdisorder.about.com/

(This list is from I don't want to be crazy by Samantha Schutz).  

Book of the Month! (#2)

Book of the Month is a feature I decided to start on my blog. Each month I will spotlight a different book. I will try to do this the first week of each month. This month the book of the month is. . . 

 

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

GoodReads Blurb:

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

My Semi-Quick Opinion:

I read this book two years ago now. I remember I read it during the months of May and June. This book deals with a very serious issue: suicide. I haven't seen this issue dealt with too often in Young Adult.  But I think it really should be. Many teens commit suicide or consider committing suicide. 

Obviously this book has some very heavy content. I like that is told in dual narratives. You get to see Clay's perspective as he listens to these tapes. Listens to the reasons why this girl decided to kill herself and his thoughts. You also see Hannah's perspective. You see this perspective when Clay hits play on the cassette tapes. 

You get frustrated with Hannah. You simultaneously feel sympathetic and frustrated. (At least I did). Sympathetic because she felt it had to come to killing herself and frustrated because you feel that she could have done something more. Reached out more maybe. (I'm also thinking of a specific scene here). 

Even thought the synopsis says it will deeply affect teen readers I think it would deeply affect any reader. And even thought the content is heavy I think that anyone should give this book a chance. (But perhaps you should be at least 12 or 13). Overall, phenomenal book. And I think you should most definitely read this.

<3 Amanda Leigh

Book of the Month! (#1)

You would think I would start out Book of the Month with one of my favorite books, but I couldn't decide between them. So we will have a different book this month. And that is. . .

Speak by Laurie Halse Handerson

GoodReads Blurb:

Since the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found that it's been getting harder and harder for her to speak out loud: "My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It's like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis." What could have caused Melinda to suddenly fall mute? Could it be due to the fact that no one at school is speaking to her because she called the cops and got everyone busted at the seniors' big end-of-summer party? Or maybe it's because her parents' only form of communication is Post-It notes written on their way out the door to their nine-to-whenever jobs. While Melinda is bothered by these things, deep down she knows the real reason why she's been struck mute: Andy Evans. He's a senior at Melinda's high school, and Melinda hasn't been able to speak clearly since the Incident with him at the senior party last August.

Laurie Halse Anderson's first novel is a stunning and sympathetic tribute to the teenage outcast. After reading Speak, it will be hard for any teen to look at the class scapegoat again without a measure of compassion and understanding for that person--who may be screaming beneath the silence. (Ages 13 and older) --Jennifer Hubert

My Semi-Quick Opinion:

In 10th grade on a trip to Barnes and Noble I was standing in the aisles and not one book was drawing me in. So I turned the girl next to me (who was about my age) and asked her if she had any recommendations. She immediately took the book Speak off of the shelf and handed it o me. Something along the lines of "This book is amazing." crossed her lips. So I decided to buy it. I read it soon after that and that girl was right. It was amazing. It was real and raw and beautiful and poignant. I consider this book a must read. If you haven't read it already, I highly suggest you do. But be prepared for some heavy content. And again, it's advised that you do not read this if you are 13 or younger. But if you are older than 13, definitely go out and read this as soon as you possibly can!

<3 Amanda Leigh