The Fact of a Body

August 29, 2018 youwanttoreadthistrustmeLeave a comment

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Title: The Fact of a Body

Author: Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich

Page Count: 352

Series: N/A

Publishing Date/Publisher: 3 May 2018, Pan

Format: Print, paperback

Review: This is a hard book to read but also so worthwhile. It’s not hard because of the author or anything like that; it’s hard because it’s based on the murder of a little boy and the author’s own past abuse. Marzano-Lesnevich weaves the two traumatic pasts masterfully, never focusing too much on one at a time. She details the reasons behind why she thinks Ricky Langley, pedophile and murderer, did what he did, while also coming to terms with what was done to her and the mess that leaves behind. She discusses her family and their reactions to what happened in their own home, their legal professions that led her into the same field, and the horrible loss they went through at a young age.

While reading the lead up to her own story, I knew what was about to happen to her and a surge of emotions came out. I almost couldn’t deal with it. Marzano-Lesnevich’s writing is so unique and engaging that I felt her anger and horror so acutely. I think it is important that I felt these things for her because this sort of thing happens so often and it’s horrific and disgusting and we need to do better to protect our children. Her telling her story and about the PTSD that came afterwards is incredibly brave, and we need to acknowledge this and try to stop it from happening again.

The same goes for Ricky Langley’s story. From the circumstances of his birth to his subsequent imprisonment, it is important to understand what led to his crimes.

This book is a very compelling, interesting tale of two separate people with commonalities woven into their lives. Marzano-Lesnevich’s debut work is intense, yet worth the read.

Reader: Kymberly

Rating:

The Kiss Quotient

August 23, 2018January 16, 2019 youwanttoreadthistrustme2 Comments

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Title: The Kiss Quotient

Author: Helen Hoang

Page Count: 336

Series: N/A

Publishing Date/Publisher: June 5, 2018 by Berkley

Format: Paperback

Review: Fifty Shades of Wow…this book was everything I hyped it up in my head to be and more. I love a good romance, and I have read many, but it is rare to come across a book that really makes my heart pitter patter. Not only that, but it has a very diverse set of lovers. The heroine, Stella, has Asperger’s Syndrome (a high functioning form of autism) and the hero, Michael, is biracial (Vietnamese/Caucasian).

I was never a particularly big fan of the Julia Roberts/Richard Gere film Pretty Woman, but this gender bent retelling was both believable and heartwarming. It’s a slow build romance, and even though the outcome seems inevitable, it is still tremendously gratifying to see it come to fruition.

What I particularly enjoy about the book is how the author develops the character of Stella. The author is herself autistic, and the authenticity of her experiences really shines through Stella’s inner dialogue. Stella is both quirky and lovable, and at times the pain and frustration she feels is so raw, you feel it to your very core. You can’t help but root for her and her budding romance with the sensitive, yet studly male escort with a heart of gold.

As a side note, I grew up near the city where the story takes place, so it was very interesting as a reader to experience familiar places in a new and fun way.

Reader: Bekah

Rating:

Fantasy · Fiction · Young Adult

Passenger

May 29, 2017August 29, 2018 youwanttoreadthistrustmeLeave a comment

passenger

Title: Passenger

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Page Count: 496

Series: Passenger, Book 1

Publishing Date/Publisher: January 5, 2016 by Disney-Hyperion

Format: Paperback

Review: Passenger by Alexandra Bracken was a thoroughly entertaining read. I can quite honestly say I loved every minute of it. The plot is engaging and unique, and the mystery has a way of keeping you guessing well into the second and final book (which I am still reading, review to follow). Without giving anything critical away, the book revolves around Etta, a girl from the 21st century, and Nicholas, a sailor from the 18th. They are tasked with a mission for a man who wants to control time travel, which leads to interesting aspects that have rarely (in my experience) been dealt with in issues concerning time travel. Nicholas is black, which means that he is always acutely aware of the colour of his skin and the attitudes towards it in various times. It was not an awareness I was expecting from a book written by a white author and it was incredibly refreshing. Bracken has a way of writing that invokes confusion at times, but only when necessary. She writes the jumbled thoughts of her characters in a way that puts you there with them, figuring everything out and feeling all of their emotions. It was a captivating read.

Reader: Kymberly

Rating: