Ravenous: A Food Lover's Journey from Obsession to Freedom, by Dayna Macy

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What should I eat? How much should I eat? What does it mean to be nourished? How can I, a food lover and lifelong overeater, learn to be satisfied? These are the questions Dayna Macy asks in her debut memoir, "Ravenous."

Like the author, I have struggled with obsessive eating my whole life and wondered "why?"

I am grateful that the author doesn't have any "secret" at the end of the book. I find that refreshingly honest in a genre where authors like to wrap things up with a pretty bow at the end; real life is rarely like that. Other reviewers were disappointed that there was no "secret" and gave the book a lower rating for it. Macy, however, made it very clear that there IS NO SECRET. She knows she's not the first person to figure this out, and she does not claim to be the first to discover journaling and portion control.

There were several passages that really spoke to me and helped me reframe how I think about food and what I put in to my body. I will be doing further reading on Ayurvedic practice, as Macy's description of the healing properties have really intrigued me.

A Child Called "It" (Dave Pelzer #1), by Dave Pelzer

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This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it."

Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.


Good lord. For such a harrowing topic, you would think that you'd feel some sort of emotion when reading this book. Everything is written with a clinical slant: "mom did this and then this. then the next day, mom..." over and over again, throughout the entire book. It's supposed to be from the point of view of an abused child, but the voice is way too adult and therefore comes across too business-like.

I don't really understand the point of this book. It's a recap of all sorts of horrible abuse, but that's about it. No understanding as to what made is mother turn into an abuser, nor why his father ignored the situation.

It's a shame that this was so poorly written. It could have been very compelling.

Tamar: A Novel of Espionage, Passion, and Betrayal, by Mal Peet

 


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When her grandfather dies, Tamar inherits a box containing a series of clues and coded messages. Out of the past, another Tamar emerges, a man involved in the terrifying world of resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied Holland half a century before. His story is one of passionate love, jealousy, and tragedy set against the daily fear and casual horror of the Second World War -- and unraveling it is about to transform Tamar’s life forever.

From acclaimed British sensation Mal Peet comes a masterful story of adventure, love, secrets, and betrayal in time of war, both past and present.
 


I purchased this book as part of the Kindle Daily Deal and wasn't quite sure what to expect. I'm really glad I decided to buy it, though.

The book starts in the middle of the story, where we learn how the protagonist got her name. From there, the story alternates between the mid-1940s to 1995. It alternates between multiple POVs, which I think really makes the book stand out.

Like most wartime historical fiction novels, this was not always an uplifting read. It's hard to read about people doing atrocious things to other people. The closer you get to the end of the war--and therefore the book--the more uncomfortable the situations. I felt very nervous for the characters and was very upset with how some of the scenes turned out.

At times, I felt like it was very obvious how the story would play out, but Peet kept me guessing and questioning my assumptions until the end.

Definitely a worthwhile read.

Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood #6), by J.R. Ward

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Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body, but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love....


Another amazing read in Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. This one focused less on the romance between Phury and Cormia and more on what was going on around them, with the Brotherhood as a whole. A lot happens in this book in regards to the war between the vampires and the lessers. I liked the change of pace, since the Romance genre isn't really my thing. 

Flirtin' With the Monster: Your Favorite Authors on Ellen Hopkins' Crank and Glass

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Flirtin' with the Monster pulls back the curtain on Ellen Hopkins' smart and daring books Crank and Glass and explores their appeal and originality through a compilation of serious yet fascinating essays. 

In addition to fan essays, Flirtin' with the Monster takes a deeper look at the issues behind Ellen Hopkins' bestselling novels by allowing the real teenage girl who inspired the meth-addicted main character to contribute an essay.  

Reading this collection of essays after reading the Crank trilogy was a disappointment. Ellen Hopkins' writing is powerful, and I expected these essays to speak to that power (and therefore be strong themselves). Instead, I noticed grammatical errors and "fluffy" writing from a judge.

I did enjoy reading "Kristina's" and her family's essays. They provided an additional insight into Kristina's addiction and how her family coped. And is still coping. 

Glass (Crank #2), by Ellen Hopkins

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Crank. Glass. Ice. Crystal. Whatever you call it, it's all the same: a monster. And once it's got hold of you, this monster will never let you go. 

Kristina thinks she can control it. Now with a baby to care for, she's determined to be the one deciding when and how much, the one calling the shots. But the monster is too strong, and before she knows it, Kristina is back in its grips. She needs the monster to keep going, to face the pressures of day-to-day life. She needs it to feel alive.

Once again the monster takes over Kristina's life and she will do anything for it, including giving up the one person who gives her the unconditional love she craves -- her baby.

The sequel to Crank, this is the continuing story of Kristina and her descent back to hell. Told in verse, it's a harrowing and disturbing look at addiction and the damage that it inflicts.



Another amazing book in the Crank trilogy. Ellen Hopkins is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Her books are quick -- yet powerful -- reads.

It's hard to relate to and root for a character like Kristina: she's rude, shallow, and abandons her baby. The way Hopkins weaves the story, however, makes you feel for her and hope that she turns her life around. My heart broke as Kristina made bad decision after bad decision. She knew what she was doing was wrong and was powerless in the face of her addiction.

This book hits close to home: I'm terrified of what my children will have to face when they're teenagers.

Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #4), by J.R. Ward

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Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers.



I probably shouldn't be reading this series back-to-back-to-back; they are all starting to blend together. Thankfully, I am completely in love with the world that J.R. Ward has created.

I have never been a fan of the romance genre, and some of the passages border on the absurd. Seriously, how is it that all male protagonists have huge penises? It also drives me crazy when an author -- especially a WOMAN -- gets the details of losing one's virginity completely wrong. There is no "barrier" halfway inside the vaginal canal. The hymen is on the OUTSIDE of the vagina. GAH. How hard is it to Google such a simple fact of human anatomy?

With the exception of the romance ridiculousness, I have yet to come across another paranormal series that has captured my attention like this.