The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult

Man am I lazy about Book Review this year. I still want to do them, I just never want to actually do them.

I actually thought I was out of new books to read when I noticed this on my shelf and thought "I haven't read that". It was convenient too, since I saw a Lifetime movie of this book is coming on this weekend.

The Tenth Circle is typical Jodi Picoult, but it doesn't make the book any less readable. In fact, I couldn't put it down. Trixie Stone is the typical teenager, doing the typical teenage things: lying to her parents, having sex and lying to cover up having sex. Sadly, her parents aren't bad parents, per se, they are just like every other parent on the planet-they don't know how to bring up and address the uncomfortable subject.

Trixie comes home, cries rape, the rapist denies it (of course), the rapist ends up dead and Trixie's parents end up chasing her across the country.

I think it was a great book. I think that older parents (I am neither old, nor a parent) will read this and get a real awakening as to what kids these days are doing. It ain't pretty. It's a scary world out there and I would venture to say that High School can be the most horrible and damaging experience of children's lives. This book is one example as to how that goes.

It's captivating, intriguing and you can't put it down-that always is a make for a good story.

A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs

Sigh. Nothing on this planet can compare to the happiness of a new book by your favorite author. Nothing.

It's been well documented here that Augusten Burroughs is my favorite author. Meeting him a couple of years ago was one of the best moments of my life. I have be anxiously awaiting his latest memoir A Wolf at the Table.

This book is much different than his others stories, meaning they aren't infused with the humor Burroughs can see in any situation. And rightly so. There is nothing funny about his father. This doesn't mean, however, that if you are a fan of wit that you should steer clear.

The story is heartbreaking. Anyone who has longed for a parent's love, approval or attention will understand. In the end, all we want is someone to hold us and accept us. Unfortunately, Augusten never, ever got that from his father. Some people never do.

I am so deeply appreciative of his ability to dig so deeply into himself and share pieces of his soul in a way we can all relate to. I saw flashes of my self in young Augusten as he desperately sought ways to make his father love him, see him, touch him. I felt grateful that I never knew the terror he felt growing up.

I think everyone should read this book. Unfortunately for me, I am going to miss him when he comes to Seattle, but if you get a chance, catch him when he comes to your town. It will be an experience you will never forget.

Candy Girl by Diablo Coady

So, I will preface this post by saying that I LOVED the movie Juno. I mean, I saw it in the theater 3 times. That's a lot at today's prices.

This is why I was excited to read Candy Girl by Diablo Cody.

I shouldn't have been. I think she should stick to writing screenplays.

This book was childishly written and quite boring. I could tell she was trying hard for the shock factor, but, at least for me, there was nothing shocking there. I wasn't engaged. I wasn't furiously turning the page to get to the end. I actually forced myself to finish it.

Needless to say, I was quite disappointed. If you liked Juno, don't waste your time on this. Wait for her next movie.

the post-birthday world by Lionel Shriver

Wow, so it's been almost a year since I posted about any books I've read. It's not that I haven't read any, it's just that I was having a hard time actually writing about them.

In any case, I am back and the first book I am writing about is the post-birthday world by Lionel Shriver. You may remember that I wrote about her last year. This review will be just as favorable as that one.

Anyone who has seen the movie Sliding Doors will find the premise familiar. Irina has a moment-a moment to kiss her boyfriend's friend and a moment to resist. Afterward, the story continues in alternating chapters as to what her life becomes as she travels the paths of each choice.

One of the most clever and enjoyable things about the books is the way Shriver uses dialogue, events and scenes to subtly illustrate the differences in Irina's life. For example, in one chapter Irina may say certain things about a subject and in the next, her partner may say the same things while she takes the opposing view.

The lesson is an old one (the grass isn't always greener . . .), but one that often bears repeating. In one life, Irina is in a passionless, boring relationship. Steady and reliable, but lacking in any sort of excitement. In the other, life is full of passion and romance, yet tempered with constant fighting and losing one's self.

One of the best parts of the book is that the reader can never conclude which life turned out better. They were each just different in their own way. It's great lesson for those of us who may feel stifled by our everyday existence. Everything is a trade-off and maybe the grass is greener, but the blades cut deeply.