The Book of David

We all know how much I love these published journals. Basically, this one is about this football player who just so happens to have a crush on the new boy at school....instead of his cheerleader girlfriend. He majorly starts crushing on him and can't stop thinking about him. So he stays up and writes all this down in his little journal for school. Every entry ends up being about Jonathan. Jon and David become inseparable, knocking his "best" friend Tyler out of the picture. David doesn't want to be gay, but he has always known he is. Jon has shown him what that means and more importantly who he really is. Being gay is not an easy thing to be in today's society and this journal displays that perfectly.  David and Jon's secret relationship gets put on the internet and begins to make their lives crumble... I always read the last chapter first, but don't worry. I won't ruin that part for you. Definitely a book that everyone needs to read. See things from a different perspective, you might be surprised.

If you or someone you know is discovering their sexuality, there are people that will help you and support you in every way possible. Check out these websites for more information:
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
www.trevorspace.org/
www.glsen.org

Feel free to reach out to me, I'm here for all of you.

Looking for the rest of the series?
Calling Maggie May
Letting Ana Go
Lucy in the Sky
Breaking Bailey

Go Ask Alice

 

Looking for books that feature this series?

Unmask Alice

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

 

Everyone, please watch these two videos. I understand that my blog is about books, but this is another matter that is incredibly close to my heart. Spread the word, pony up, lets do this thing!

I have donated my hair 5 times (3 times to Locks of Love and 2 times to Beautiful Lengths) since I was in second grade. Please help all these women and men out.

I love that people are willing to make a difference in the world. Are you one of them?

 

Visit these links for more:

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

or

 Locks of Love



The Serial Killer Whisperer

Tony Ciaglia suffered a traumatic brain injury as a child and began feeling like a complete outsider. The only people he could really relate with were gruesome serial killers. He began researching some of the most famous killers around. He found "murderabila" website where a purchased a letter that was supposedly handwritten by killer, Ted Bundy. This sparked his interest in learning more about them. Before too long, he had a list of killers he would begin writing to in prison. His very "best friend" was cannibalistic killer, Arthur Shawcross. We read the letters between Tony and Arthur and in a way we see a different side of the killer. However, we also see the gruesome killer inside of him. A few of Tony's other best friends were killers David Gore and Joe Metheny. All of these killers have found someone to confide in and call a friend and Tony is proud to be that guy. Throughout the book we see that Tony is struggling to understand that he is not like his killer friends. It takes him awhile to get over that, but it eventually works out on his behalf. Tony starts working the cold cases that these murderers are supposedly a part of. He uses the letters to help bring the victims families some kind of relief and the answers they have been looking for.
To learn more about Tony visit his website: http://www.tonyciaglia.com/#!
Maybe you'll see him at a book signing near you!

Obviously, you all know I love a good murder story, especially the ones that actually happen. Don't take this the wrong way, I am studying criminal justice and find the inner workings of these killers minds quite interesting. Just wanted to clear that up right away!

The Autobiography of Jack the Ripper

We all know who Jack the Ripper is. But we don't know the man behind him. In this so called "autobiography" James Carnac gives us his confession. Could this possibly be the man behind this infamous killer? I honestly think he could be. He has extensive knowledge of the murders, the whereabouts in London, and wrote this entire manuscript almost 40 years later. In the beginning, we find out that his father had an in-house medical practice, which gave Mr. Carnac most of his medical knowledge. We also find out that his father killed not only himself, but also his mother. The scalpel used was the same one Jack the Ripper used on his victims. In 1888 there was no such thing as "Criminal Profiling" as there is today. Mr. Carnac gives us a motive as to why he killed. He liked knives and blood. These two things fascinated him, which made him want to kill. He killed 5 innocent girls (prostitutes) in the streets of London. The ending of the book is a tad bit interesting and there are quite a few questions left unanswered. The conspiracies behind this confessional are also quite interesting. So, if there are any Ripperature fanatics reading this, feel free to give me your input!

Looking for other books on Jack the Ripper?
Stalking Jack the Ripper

The Program

Could you imagine what it would be like to completely restart your life? Do you want fresh memories that may or may not be lies? Do you want to know about your past? Do you want fragments of memories that eat at your heart? No one wants this; especially not Sloane and James. Suicide has become an ever-growing epidemic in teens. At school, they start with a small questionnaire to see if the student is depressed. There are handlers all around the school, in classes, in the hallways, even in the cafeteria. These handlers watch their every move. If flagged by a handler, you get sent to The Program. The Program was designed to cure the infected ones. When they arrive, they fight. Obviously. They know the Program is going to take their memories. Everything they have ever known will be erased from their minds. The Program recreates their lives so that there is no longer despair and loneliness. After leaving The Program, they start their entire lives over. Well, the lovebirds, James and Sloane, get taken into The Program. James goes first and Sloane just knows she's going to be next. But she knows she can't forget James. We follow Sloane through her treatment and her fighting. We watch after she gets out. We even see what fate is like. Could two hearts actually be linked together? Read The Program to find out! Trust me, April 2014 cannot come soon enough. I want to pick up the next one right now!!

Anthologies:

Behind the Song

Insurgent

Insurgent, one choice can destroy you. The leader of Erudite, Jeanie, is trying to capture all of the Divergent. The war continuously gets worse, faction against faction. We also meet the factionless. Tris wants to be the hero. She is no longer afraid of death. She has come to despise the majority of the people working with them. But she has a few close friends she can trust. Honestly, I thought this focused more on Tris and Tobias's relationship more than the action. Don't get me wrong, it is still completely jam-packed with action. The only thing is, Tris and Tobias view things a little differently. Of course, in the end it all works out. In this book, we get introduced to every faction there is. Tris finally realizes the need for all of the factions. They have to rely on each other to live, or obviously everything is chaos. I wish I could talk about Insurgent as much as I talked about Divergent, but I didn't like this one as much. Towards the end, it picks back up and leaves a cliffhanger. The next book in this series, Allegiant, comes out in October. Be ready for my review on that one, I cannot wait to pick it up!

Looking for the rest of the series?

Divergent (Divergent #1)

Allegiant (Divergent #3)

Four (Divergent #4)

Looking for other books by Veronica Roth?

Carve the Mark (CTM #1)

 The Fates Divide (CTM #2)

The End and Other Beginnings

Chosen Ones

Here is the first trailer for Insurgent!

Staying Strong

Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year is Demi's way of trying to help. She gives us insight into her struggling and what it was like overcoming self-harm along with addiction. Start each day with a quote to get through the day. Know that nothing can harm you, but yourself and the thoughts you're having. Demi Lovato wholeheartedly put her entire soul into this book. She wants young girls to have a role model. In all honesty, this is a feel good kind of book. Almost everyone can relate to the things she's saying. Whether you've been bullied or not bullied, you need to read this book. We as people need to stop the hatred and violence going on in the world. We may not be able to do this one by one, but it's a start. Demi wants all of you to know that she is there for you, as do I. If anyone ever needs a shoulder to cry on, or someone to confide in, I will be here for you. Feel free to reach out to me, I'll be there for you 100% of the time.