Perfect Fifths

Perfect Fifths: A Novel by Megan McCafferty


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
*sigh*...I wish I could have given this book a higher rating. I've always thought that McCafferty's Jessica Darling books were touching, honest, heartfelt and extremely fun to read. Sadly, Ms. McCafferty (who has so much talent as a YA author and created probably the most realistic and believable characters since Judy Blume) completely phoned this one in. 'Perfect Fifths' was rushed, forced and eventually a huge let down for any reader who has been following the trials and tribulations of Jessica and Marcus over the years. There was some clever and funny dialogue, reminiscent of her earlier books, an attempt to recapture the nature of her fabulous characters, but overall the ending fell flat.


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Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines

Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I found this book at my mom's house in SF (my aunt left it there) and I probably wouldn't have it read it otherwise. I had nothing else to take with me on the 5 hour airplane back to NYC. I liked this enough to buy David Sheff's book 'Beautiful Boy' which I'll read when I finish Joyce Carol Oates. I appreciate Nic's honesty and his bravery in holding nothing back. I don't tend to like 'memoirs' about drug addiction and rehab, and Sheff is just so young to be writing about his experiences. I was hoping he would write more about his childhood experiences of living in a 'grown up world' and I was hoping he would write more about how his drug addiction and early rehab experiences destroyed his family. This is probably discussed in 'Beautiful Boy' (which I no doubt should have read first).


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The Same Stuff As Stars

The Same Stuff as Stars by Katherine Paterson

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I bought this book at the airport in Jordan because it was, literally, the only decent thing for sale in English. It's not as striking as 'The Great Gilly Hopkins' or as intricate as 'Bridge to Terebithia' but it had some touching moments. It's a YA book that I would recommend more for middle schoolers than for adults who enjoy YA.


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Twilight

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I confess, this book was extremely addicting. Does Stephanie Meyer somehow infuse crack in the printing process. I wanted to scoff at the book and use it as proof that young adult literature is no longer 'readable'. But I found myself completely ensconced in the romance between Edward and Bella. I love that the novel remains 'steamy' while keeping a firm PG rating. I was very much drawn in by the members of Edward's family and now (even though it is somewhat embarrassing to admit), I plan to read the rest of the series.


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Coraline

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
More of a short story than a full length young adult novel, I was completely swept away by 'Coraline' (in the hour it took me to read it). Coraline is a strong, independent young lady -- a positive role model for any child. The story itself is almost like Danielewski's 'House of Leaves' toned down for a young audience. It's not as stunning as a Grimm Fairy Tale, or as complex as Harry Potter, but I think that children (and adults alike) will take something away as a result of reading Coraline. Some of Gaiman's literary images are stunningly creepy, particularly the 'other' theater that plays on and on and on and the neighbors are eternally young -- an image that would be well suited to a Lynch film. I'm eager to see what Henry Selick does with the film.


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Red

Red: The Next Generation of American Writers -- Teenage Girls--On What Fires Up Their Lives Today
by Amy Goldwasser
3 out of 5 Stars
Overall this was definitely a worthwhile read. It was so refreshing to read writings by 13-18 year olds that didn't contain terminology such as 'lol' 'bff' or 'lmafo'. Thank God...American girls can express their thoughts and feelings without reverting to live journal slang or whatnot. If I was on a college applications committee I would be impressed by some of the honesty and candour of these girls. I thought some of the essays - particularly the one written about a rehab wilderness program in Utah -- were better than others.

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

Author - Joanna Greenberg
3 out of 5 Stars
This was an interesting read. Fascinating to see how schizophrenia was treated with therapy and hydrotherapy alone before the ammino acids were found useful. I always enjoy a book about mental hospitals. It reminded me a bit of Girl, Interrupted.

Restless Virgins: Love, Sex and Survival at a New England Prep School

Authors - Abigail Jones and Marissa Miley
3 out of 5 Stars
I'm constantly fascinated by how much (and yet at the same time how little) has changed since I was in high school in the early 90s. Sure, people had sex in high school but it almost always occured when people were in monogomous relationships. Of course we went to parties and experimented with alcohol and drugs. But random sex encounters were rare and were looked down on as something that occured between people who didn't respect themselves.

From what I understand, the stories in this book are not exclusive to Milton Academy. In schools nation wide girls as young as 12 are using sex as a means to 'have a boyfriend' and they mistakenly think that by having sex the guys will love and respect them. So what has changed since the early 90s? I think Candace Bushnell and Sex and the City had a bigger impact on America's youth than people realize. Young girls looked up to Carrie and Samantha, adult women who held prestigious jobs, were well educated and financially well off. Women who sterotypically had sex like men and were able to own their sexuality without the repercussions of losing respect or degrading themselves. But they were adults.

Girls in high school are not yet emotionally ready to have sex with no consequences. Giving blow jobs to five lacross guys at one time in order to be 'liked'? It breaks my heart. And I have no solutions to the problem.

I thought this book was an eye opening read. Definitely something I would encourage teenage girls to read and have conversations about. Knowledge is power.