Believe Like a Child by Paige Dearth (review)

Believe Like a Child
5/5 Stars

I read this for review on Netgalley

This review contains possible light spoilers,also this is a very violent book. More on that is at the end of this review.

First I want to say I enjoyed this one more than her first book I read.
I have been reading her books out of order,but the order doesn't matter. This story revolves around Alessa. A child who was raped by her uncle starting at age seven,it went on for years. She finally got away.
This was not really a happier story than 'When Smiles Fade', but it did have a happier story as it progressed. I feel she got more help than Emma. (Alessa and Emma's story lines overlap very slightly). I don't want to give away too much of her story. Again, I did wish more people tried to help Alessa,and once she escaped her "home" she did find help,and I understand the fear she had.
The ending was happy,and sad at the same time. I am currently reading the final book Paige has out right now,and I have a feeling it will also be a quick read. These are quick reads for me as well at the real-life memoirs I believe because I want to see them get the help,and out of the mess of their lives. It is also nice to read about the people who do help the children in need.

Like in my previous review tread with ease with this book. Although I didn't think it was as violent as 'When Smiles Fade' it still was a harsh read. If you have a weak stomach,or do not like violence. Remember although this is a fictional story, the violence portrayed in these novels can and is very real to some people.

When Smiles Face by Paige Dearth (Review)

When Smiles Fade by Paige Dearth
3.5 Stars
Dates Read: Feb 12-Feb14

I read this for a review on NetGalley



This review contains possible light spoilers,also this is a very violent book. More on that is at the end of this review.

I liked this story,and I didn't like this story. I normally read the true memoirs of child abuse,and not the fiction of it. This started out really well. I was scared for the girls (Emma and Gracie) The abuse started right away in the book. The abuse by the hand of their father happened for no reason or for the smallest things set him off.
'When Smiles Fade' had me glued,but after the girls left I felt it went downhill. Emma the main protagonist I feel made a lot of bad choices. The abuse may of been part of the cause,but I kept wondering why didn't she go to the authorities? I thought she was putting herself and her sister in the same situations she was in when she was a child. Sure she grew up with it,but she didn't really do much to change. A character in the book tried to help them,but tragic struck. I just was wondering why teachers never noticed or other neighbors? In the memoirs I read teachers surly noticed. I understand the author was a victim of child abuse herself, and she did a wonderful job with the fiction story,and I will read the others. I guess I just feel torn between feelings for the characters. I feel sad, but I also feel angry at them. The end left me wondering. I don't want to give too much away,but to me it felt like just Emma getting revenge on everyone. I know she wanted justice,but surely their could of been another way.

Let me say this book is not for everyone. It is very violent and disturbing. Although it is a work of fiction, I know abuse like this can be very real.So please tread with caution. If you have a weak stomach,or violence is not for you then you will want to pass on this book.

Alex: The Life of a Child by Frank Deford (review)

Alex: The Life of a Child by Frank Deford
5/5 Stars Dates read: 2/8/15- 2/10/15

I'm reading this for review from Netgalley.

The title caught my eye right away. I remember when I was younger reading a book with a similar title, and really thinking about it I think this is the same book I had read, but lost. I hadn't recognized the cover. I figured a new publication,and still trying to reach out to readers. I also remember reading about a young girl named Alex with Cystic Fibrosis. But it doesn't matter if it is the same book, or maybe more stories about her life.I enjoyed the book even though it was sad.
This tells the story of the life of Alexandra Deford. She was a young girl who battled with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) I think what had caught my attention to this story to begin with was not really the fact that I might of read it before or that we share the first same name, but the fact she has a rare genetic disorder as do I. I don't have CF, nor do I personally know anyone who does. I do however have NF. Neurofibromatosis. I have type 1. But I'm not about to go into a story on my life. Lets focus on Ms.Deford's.
All throughout the book I wanted to laugh, I wanted to cry. At times I wanted to feel her pain, and take it away. I could tell from the way her father wrote she was one of the sweetest persons you'd want to meet. She cared about people, and she lived life to the fullest. On her short time on earth she probably learned and taught more people in those 8 years, than some people do in a full lifetime.
Although I don't know the struggles of CF, NF does have it's own struggles, I'm not saying mine are worse. My mom,and brothers also have NF. One of my brothers was hospitalized for a while off and on for years. So I guess that's how I relate to the boring,long waits at the hospital. I hope Alex found comfort. Although not mentioned in the book I wonder if they got help from the Ronald McDonald House. I know they helped us through our journey.
I know this review is between about her life, and my life even though we don't share the same condition. I just feel I can relate to her in a way,and feel the need to share it. I think Alex Deford's story can help anyone struggling with any disorder. She had so much hope and laughter.
I would like to know more about her life,maybe even more about CF.

The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen (review)

The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jaaskelainen
3/5 Stars
Dates read approx Jan. 26th - Feb. 1st

First I got this as a surprise from St. Martians Press -Thomas Dunne  for review.

   I haven't read a lot of Scandinavian fiction,but I do have a bit of it on my shelves..mostly in my to-read pile so I'm not too familiar with them, but do enjoy what I've read.    I did enjoy this book, and with one the cover having a review relating it to 'Twin Peaks' I was excited to dig into this,but at times I did find it hard to pick up.

 A special group of writers,weird things happening to books and a game that makes you spill secrets. Ella is a new tenth member of the society and she starts digging in places where she shouldn't be. The book is filled with magic and mystery.  

Some contents of the book were hard for me to read, when it went into way too much detail. I also thought it had some language in some  unnecessary places. That being said this is for more mature readers.

The Program and The Treatment both by Suzanne Young (review)

The Program and The Treatment by Suzanne Young
I gave them both a 4/5 star rating..I did like The Program more though.
I read them right after each other dates roughly Jan 8th-Jan 13 2015

There is possible spoilers in this. I try to keep all light. Some may be in the main synopsis of the book(s),but putting this out just as a warning. Just in case. Mainly spoilers in The Treatment section of this review.



I first want to touch on how pretty the covers are. I did borrow these from the library...like I do most books..at least to begin with with limited space in my apartment. But anyways The covers are pretty. Now I didn't get to see beneath the dust jackets very well, but I did and they're not boring under there like a lot of books are. As I try to do with most of my reviews with posting a picture of the cover I'll post pic's with the dust jacket. I wont post without because I feel that would be too much, plus it gives you all an opportunity to look for yourselves...not google cheating..haha just kidding. 

Well, I can never get the pictures to cooperate. I'm still
kind of new to the formatting of all this,but isn't it
important that I get my reviews out more?
Feedback would be nice.

OK now, about The Program.
Suicide is a worldwide epidemic.
The only treatment is The Program. If you're feeling depressed or even
look like you might be down, the handles will take you away. The Program is not like any therapist you may have been to. Your memory will be erased and life you know it gone. Sloane and James are best friends, a couple. They'll do anything to be with each other and save each other,but can they save themselves from The Program?
This was a very quick read. It was very fast paced for me. It did have a little romance which I'm not to big on,well accept when I read "Fifty Shades of Grey"...but trust me this is not that!!!!
Once you enter The Program you want out. But there is no escape. I got this feeling almost like The Program was going to come after me too. I really felt for the characters, and was praying Sloane and James would find each other again.

Which leads me to .......

The Treatment.

The Treatment, is a pill. There is only one left. ONE. It will bring back all memories,but it's a risk. Would you take it? If it meant remembering who you were before The Program?
Sloane and James are now on the run. After being released from The Program and their memories erased they have no choice. They hold a key that could save them,but only one of them. But do they dare take the risk with The Treatment?

I liked this sequel,but I don't think it was as good as The Program. Some of the characters I didn't like,but you'll get that will all books,movies,etc. Throughout this book it felt like a high speed chase. Always on the run and wondering who to trust. At times I felt like I couldn't trust anyone,but having to take risks. Yet you still end up back in The Program. I was scared Sloane wasn't going to make it out a second time,but was screaming she would. I couldn't read fast enough. I was reading when I could at work......  ;) The ending was a fairly happy ending. I think things worked out good,but even so I don't think anyone could ever fully recover from The Program.......or The Treatment

Doll Bones by Holly Black (review)

Doll Bones by Holly Black
4/5 Stars
Read: Jan 10th 2015

Dolls. Innocent toys right? Wrong. Dolls are creepy to begin with. Take a look at Annabelle or Robert the Doll. I'll let you do the googling on them yourself. Sure we played with them as kids and so do the kids in this story,but not all dolls are so innocent. Like the two examples I gave above. The three kids in this story Zach,Poppy and Alice are friends. Zach's dad wants him to grow up more and stop playing with dolls (action figures) but when a story comes up about an old doll they call "the queen" about a girl haunting the doll,they decide they need to put her soul to rest.
This is an amazing adventure story that will have you at the edge of your seat. I was turning page after page wondering what would happen on their journey. I kept looking back at the cover,and the drawing of the doll just staring at me. It was haunting. Not saying it would of been creepy if she blinked...cause uh yea that would be creepy too. But anyways, READ THIS BOOK. It wont take long it's another one I found as a middle-grade novel,but it's worth it!!!

Wonder (review)

Wonder by RJ Palacio
4/5 Stars
Dates read: Jan 6-10

Wonder was a very quick read. I actually read most of it in a day. Sometimes my goodreads 'read' dates are a little off from me forgetting to update my statuses...oops. Well back to the review.
 Wonder is about a boy named August "Auggie" Pullman. Auggie isn't "normal" he has deformities that make him a bit insecure. He's a nice boy and just wants to be normal and fit in with everyone else. Throughout the book, Auggie faces lots of challenges,but he gets through. You'll laugh and cry.
 This is a middle-grade novel, but I think anyone who has been picked on,struggled to fit in, or just wants to read a good story no matter what the age I think would enjoy reading "Wonder"