4 books to share…

So, I have been catching up on lots of books from me TBR list.  But there are 2 that I have read in the last couple of weeks that I knew nothing about previously and really surprised me with how much I enjoyed them.

1. The Life We Bury – Allen Eskens

This is the story of a college student named Joe trying to complete a journalism assignment for a writing class. When the task leads him to aged and ailing Carl Iverson, a Vietnam vet and a convicted murderer, Joe’s entire life takes on a new shape.

My Goodreads review: “The Life We Bury completely took me by surprise. I found it on a fellow bloggers TBR list and thought it sounded interesting. And when I stumbled across it in a used book store I just knew I had to give it a go. I’m so glad I did. Eskens made me love Joe from page one. He is an honest character who has flaws and struggles through life. But he is so capable without coming across as superman. He feels fear and excitement and disappointment. But he can also throw a punch and stand up for himself. I was surprised and pleased with the companion story that follows the main plot line. Joe’s brother and mother add a deeper dynamic to both the novel and Joe himself. Great read!”

(rated R for mature situations and topics; language)

2. The Magician’s Lie – Greer Macallister

This piece of historical fiction tells the story of the Amazing Arden and is presented from varying POVs. The “present day” portion of the story (1905) takes place over the course of one night and is interspersed with flashbacks to how Ada becomes Arden and ends up telling her story to an officer of the law after being arrested as a suspect in a murder.

My Goodreads review (short but sweet): “Yes. Read this. You want to believe but have no idea what to believe.”

(rated PG-13: for sexuality and intensity)

 

3-4: The last 2 books are similar in topic and subject matter:

Speak: Laurie Halse Anderson

After being sexually assaulted by a high school boy at a summer party, Melinda finds herself plagued by fear, guilt and shame. How can she possibly share this with anyone? With absent parents and friends who abandon her – she finds herself unwilling to speak at all. She becomes the victim of bullying and whispered insults.

Goodreads review: “If you are a teenager, read this. Male or female. If you are a teacher – read it and then teach it. If you are a parent, read it and don’t be Melinda’s parents. Powerful, relevant, thought-provoking, painful, real, educational, redemptive…shall I continue? ”

(rated PG-13: for subject matter)

 

 

Thirteen Reasons Why: Jay Asher

Clay wakes up to find a package filled with cassette tapes. As he begins to listen, he finds that they are recorded by Hannah Baker, a girl from his school who recently committed suicide. The set of 13 tapes are her reasons for wanting to end her life. The novel gives haunting insight into the mind of a troubled teenage girl who feels like the moments of life are too much to bear.

(rated PG-13/R: for subject matter and adult situations)

(this audiobook is very well done)

 

If you are a teacher, this summer would be a wonderful time to pick up these two books. Speak is well-written and insightful. Any group of students would benefit from a read like this. Whether it is to give a view of bullying or the effects of sexual assault. The author provides her own thoughts at the end of the novel as well as her experiences with young people who have sent her messages with questions or their own stories of events like this.

Thirteen Reasons Why may not be appropriate for a classroom setting, but it is completely appropriate for insight and recommendation. Events that may seem small to an adult can make or break a teenager. Asher describes the signs and symptoms of depression that Hannah begins to express. She feels lost, alone, and invisible. How many people pass through our doors or beside us feeling the same way. Let’s not be the teacher/adult/friend who fails to hear the silent cries for help that are screaming for rescue.

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Check out the song “I’m Not Waving I’m Drowning” by song writer Ryan Long:

 

“I’m not waving I’m drowning

What do you care about me

I’m starting to doubt

That I will ever be anything but alone

I fall on my knees and I’m begging you please

Take all my pain and give me some peace”

 

“I’m Not Waving I’m Drowning” is a relevant song to anyone who is lost in that lonely dark place and feels the desperateness of grasping at empty air in an attempt to claw back into the light. Long’s music speaks to the need we all have to fulfill a longing in our hearts that we can’t quite seem to fill.

Take a look at his website ryanlong.com for more information!