Review: Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler

Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers (May 26, 2015) Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary 

Mina is top of her class, girlfriend to the most ambitious guy in school, able to reason and study her way through anything. But when she finds herself pregnant—despite having never had sex—her orderly world collapses. Almost nobody believes Mina’s claims of virginity. Her father assumes that her boyfriend is responsible; her boyfriend thinks she must have cheated on him. As news of Mina’s story spreads, there are those who brand her a liar. There are those who brand her a heretic. And there are those who believe that miracles are possible—and that Mina’s unborn child could be the greatest miracle of all. 

Review 

What is wrong with the world that we can no longer believe in miracles? Why must we know the answers to everything or understand the purpose for everything? Why can’t we just sit back and gaze in wonder and in awe? How have we forgotten that life is one giant miracle made up of miracles? Are we really that cynical?

Well I have to admit, I’m just as cynical and desensitized as anyone else. I believe life is miraculous, yet at the same time, I somehow believe miracles do not occur. At least not divine miracles, such as a teenager getting pregnant and she hasn’t even had sex yet. But that is exactly what happened to Mina Dietrich. 

Mina was your typical over-achiever. She made straight A’s, dated the king of perfection, Nate, and was a responsible and reliable worker at a diner. She also loves spending time with friend and family, as well as said boyfriend. She is all around, perfection in human form. So it should only be fitting that she carry the world’s next savior. At least some being in the universe thought so. 

Thus on a Friday night, the official beginning of summer, in walks this old lady, Iris, and she tells Mina she has been chosen. However, Mina can’t handle Iris’ words and makes her escape before she can hear what Iris has chosen her for. But she doesn’t care. She just wants to get away. 

Now summer is in full swing, but Mina, not so much. For starters, she’s tired all the time, has headaches, her breasts hurt, nausea and vomiting; not to mention her back is killing her. Sound familiar doesn’t it? Not to Mina it doesn’t. And it isn’t until she confides in her two best friends, Hannah and Izzy, that the word pregnant gets thrown around. Yet it isn’t until she actually takes some pregnancy tests, that its confirmed, Mina is pregnant. 

The first question on her friends’ minds is when did she have sex with her boyfriend, Nate? But the question on Mina’s mind is how. She has never had sex with Nate, or with anyone for that matter. And yet here she is, with child. Then she remembers Iris. Thus she tells Hannah and Izzy of the old woman who came into the diner and told Mina she has been chosen. 

They listen in shock and both are skeptical, however, Hannah is hopeful that there is some sort of explanation and wants a second opinion before drawing a full conclusion. Izzy, not so much. She does think Mina is telling the truth, and thus terminates their friendship because she cannot handful Mina and this outrageous lie. But this isn’t the worse of it. She still has to tell her family as well as her boyfriend. At least Hannah is still here, unsure, but still here. 

As to be expected, Nate dump her and her father isn’t speaking to her. Her mother and sister are on her side. And Hannah hasn’t forsaken her. But there is also Jesse, the new busboy at the diner.  Apparently Iris tells him to look after Mina, and Mina couldn’t  be more grateful. But she isn’t out of the woods yet. 

Someone has revealed her secret and not only does the whole school, but there is also a website called, “The Virgin Mina.” Now word of her situation, her miracle, is spreading throughout the whole town as well as the entire world. And the response is not kind. 

Overall, majority are calling Mina a liar and that she should just fess up to having sex out of wedlock. Why some are even saying that Jesse is the father, what with how close the two seem to be. Others are a little more melodramatic, condemning Mina’s soul to hell and asking her to repent before it’s too late. Even worse, they are harassing her and her family, calling at all hours with these hateful messages and demanding that she give the baby up for adoption once it’s born and stop spreading her black magic and deviltry. On the other side of this are followers, people who believe she is this generation’s Madonna and will bless them. However, Mina is not sure she can deal with the hate and the pressure. Why is she the one to carry this miracle and will she be able to deliver this baby safely into this chaotic world?

Immaculate shows us the ugly truth about today’s society. That we are so hard boiled there is no soft center, no room for believing in miracles. This novel shows us that we have lost our ability to see wonder in our world. Yet Immaculate also teaches us that when faced with adversity, we are stronger than we know. And that if we just keep the faith, in ourselves, we can power through anything. 

Reviewed by Camia Rhodes

Review: A Winding Road by Paulette Johnson

Paperback: 108 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (February 26, 2014) | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary

Brian Duncan, a twelve- year- old boy, dreams of coming to America. On his arrival in New York, his expectations are dashed by his experiences and that of his family. He becomes despondent, depressed, and homesick and dreads going to school. Brian, in this vulnerable state, is befriended by a kid who introduces him to street-wise activities which could have serious consequences. During one of these 'errands', an unsuspecting Brian becomes part of a police investigation, resulting in his parents threatening to send him back to his home country. He is scared to lose his freedom on the one hand, and his family on the other. He chooses to stay in school, and work hard at improving his grades if he is to achieve the American Dream. He makes new friends, studies hard, and throws his energy into playing basketball. However, when his family falls on hard times, Brian thinks that he can be of some financial assistance by returning temporarily to that way of life that got him in trouble in the first place. The consequences of that decision are devastating. He is finally convinced after his traumatic experience that to go down that winding road can not only be dangerous but also deadly. (less)

Review

I cannot imagine growing up as a teenager today. In a society where young kids are going through so much in terms of social pressures dealing with their peers, A Winding Road, gives such a relevant perspective that I think many can identify with especially dealing with bullying and being different. This story, geared more towards the preteen genre, introduces us to Brian Duncan who not only dealt with the perils of not fitting in but also having to acclimate himself to a new culture in new country.

Prior to coming to the United States, Brian not only was a dreamer but had this picture perfect image of the US, always wanting to go there. When an opportunity came for the Duncan family to come to the US, everything he dreamt it would be was coming before his eyes. Coming to the US and living the American Dream was everything he ever wanted. As soon as soon as he got settled, the reality of it turned into a nightmare when life took an unintended direction he never expected or intended. Trying to fit in, he finds out the hard way learning how some decisions can have dire consequences. As he faces this new journey, we see he face a long road that gives him a new appreciation and perspective on his life.

The book overall I thought was a nice story that had a very good perspective that could be relatable to kids his age, especially those emigrating to this country. What is special about this book is how many people take for granted the life we have here but to someone who isn’t a native citizen, we get a perspective through this young character that seems innocent and open to the possibility of how great this country is. There are many lessons that this teaches that open the young reader to the understanding right and wrong, social acceptability, friendship, morality, hope and familial influences. For what the book was about, it would’ve been great to have a deeper connection with the character that could draw you closer. Many things happen to him in the book, so a better understanding of how he was feeling and the why’s of what happened would’ve had made this soar over the top. Despite that, it was a nice read that the younger reader could learn from. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Review: 99 Days by Katie Cotugno

384 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (April 21, 2015) Amazon | Barnes

Summary

Day 1 Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college and be done.

Day 4 A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12 Gabe got me to come to this, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.

Eighty-seven days of summer to go, and history is repeating itself. The last thing I want is to come between the Donnelly brothers again . . . but the truth is, the Donnellys stole my heart a long time ago.

Review

We are all human and we all make mistakes. Yet somehow we seem to think some mistakes outweigh others. That sleeping with someone who isn’t your boyfriend makes you a bad person. And no one understands that better than Molly Barlow.

To call her the town slut seems a bit harsh. Slut implies that she is sleeping with everyone. Molly currently isn’t sleeping with anyone, she just slept with her ex-boyfriend’s brother once upon a time ago. And her mother’s new best seller just happens to be the story of that mistake from once upon a time ago. To make matters worse, Molly has had to come home the summer before college and must now endure the hell of her small town for the next 99 days. Thus begins the countdown.

Day one, her house has been egged and she knows this is the handy work of Julia, the Donnelly brothers’ sister and former best friend. Not wanting to stir the pot, Molly decides to hide in her room watching anything she can find on Netflix. But after a few days, she decides to go for a run. Since leaving home to go to Bristol, the high school she escaped to, she has gained a few pounds.

While on her run, she jogs by the old lodge where she used to work and somehow lands herself a job. The last thing she should be doing is working at a place where most of the town works and visits; but she likes the new manager Penn, and her two children, Fabian and Desi, and Molly figures she could use the money and the distraction.

Also while on her run, she stops by her favorite coffee shop to see Imogen, her other best friend who actually stood by her when the scandal took place. But the reception she receives now isn’t all that welcoming. While she isn’t cold and callus like Julia, she is distant and polite, as if Molly were a new acquaintance and not an old friend.

And there is one more thing: Tess. Who is Tess? Oh, just some girl who moved to town a year ago, new to the scandal; works at the lodge with Molly, best friends with Imogen now, and is Patrick’s girlfriend. But she befriends Molly, despite the town’s warning not to and Molly is grateful to have another ally on her team.

Speaking of allies, there is Gabe. Apparently he isn’t getting the stigma of town slut but he says he isn’t faultless in this whole matter. Yet the town is acting like he is some perfect angel who can do no wrong. And he kind of is. When Molly and Patrick were having problems about her considering going Bristol for their track program, Gabe was the one who sat and listened, while Patrick got angry and eventually broke up with her. That was when she made the mistake. But now he is paying her some attention and she can’t help but eat it up. Only question is, does she dare try for something with Gabe?

Well she does dare. Only, Patrick catches her in the act upon his early and unexpected (to her at least) return home for the summer. And for the time being, that puts the breaks on her and Gabe. Yet once again, she is making poor decisions and going out with Gabe until she becomes his girlfriend. However, she and Patrick do decide to call a truce. Yet how long can they keep this up?

For a while actually but it becomes evidently clear that Patrick does not like Molly with Gabe and Molly may not be as comfortable with the idea of Patrick and Tess. Yet when Patrick breaks up with Tess and invites Molly over late one night, she makes the same mistake again. Only instead of cheating on Patrick, she is cheating on Gabe; clearly NOT having learned her lesson. And now she and Patrick are fooling around behind Gabe’s back. How did she get here? And how will she get out of this mess? Or will she just let this thing run its course and clear out at the end of the summer, as if nothing happened?

99 days seems like a long time when you are trying to wait out a grueling situation. But you would be surprised how quickly things go from bad to worse. 99 Days shows us how hard it is to live with and own up to the mistakes we’ve made. That no amount of apologizing will ever fix the problem, however, time can heal all wounds. 99 Days also teaches us that you can’t keep apologizing and expect to be forgiven for repeated mistakes. If time can heal all wounds, we should take the time to think about our actions and amend our behavior. Most importantly, 99 Days teaches us that there are two sides to ever story, and it’s not fair for one person to shoulder all the blame. That we are all human, and we all make mistakes.

Reviewed by Camia Rhodes

Review: Thrive by Arianna Huffington

354 pages
Publisher: Harmony (March 25, 2014) | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary

In Thrive, Arianna Huffington makes an impassioned and compelling case for the need to redefine what it means to be successful in today’s world.
 
Arianna Huffington’s personal wake-up call came in the form of a broken cheekbone and a nasty gash over her eye — the result of a fall brought on by exhaustion and lack of sleep. As the cofounder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group — one of the fastest growing media companies in the world — celebrated as one of the world’s most influential women, and gracing the covers of magazines, she was, by any traditional measure, extraordinarily successful. Yet as she found herself going from brain MRI to CAT scan to echocardiogram, to find out if there was any underlying medical problem beyond exhaustion, she wondered is this really what success feels like?
 
As more and more people are coming to realize, there is far more to living a truly successful life than just earning a bigger salary and capturing a corner office. Our relentless pursuit of the two traditional metrics of success — money and power — has led to an epidemic of burnout and stress-related illnesses, and an erosion in the quality of our relationships, family life, and, ironically, our careers. In being connected to the world 24/7, we’re losing our connection to what truly matters. Our current definition of success is, as Thrive shows, literally killing us. We need a new way forward.
 
In a commencement address Arianna gave at Smith College in the spring of 2013, she likened our drive for money and power to two legs of a three-legged stool. They may hold us up temporarily, but sooner or later we’re going to topple over. We need a third leg — a third metric for defining success — to truly thrive. That third metric, she writes in Thrive, includes our well-being, our ability to draw on our intuition and inner wisdom, our sense of wonder, and our capacity for compassion and giving. As Arianna points out, our eulogies celebrate our lives very differently from the way society defines success. They don’t commemorate our long hours in the office, our promotions, or our sterling PowerPoint presentations as we relentlessly raced to climb up the career ladder. They are not about our resumes — they are about cherished memories, shared adventures, small kindnesses and acts of generosity, lifelong passions, and the things that made us laugh.
 
In this deeply personal book, Arianna talks candidly about her own challenges with managing time and prioritizing the demands of a career and raising two daughters — of juggling business deadlines and family crises, a harried dance that led to her collapse and to her “aha moment.” Drawing on the latest groundbreaking research and scientific findings in the fields of psychology, sports, sleep, and physiology that show the profound and transformative effects of meditation, mindfulness, unplugging, and giving, Arianna shows us the way to a revolution in our culture, our thinking, our workplace, and our lives.

Review

It takes a certain sort of drive that enables those who push themselves past the limits to achieve success. You’ll know when your body steers you to that aha moment of enough is enough? Even if you’re lucky and it isn’t dire, it’s destined to happen, that one event that occurs that becomes the catalyst of self-evaluation. Once it does, life forces you to take a step back and reevaluate does the end justify the means. 

Ariana Huffington, one of the world’s most influential women, knows a thing or two about being successful. Inspired by an accident in her personal life, she had one of those moments that forced her reevaluate her daily regimen of pushing herself past exhaustion to achieve desired results. Thrive, such a great title for this book, really gives you a new perspective on working towards obtaining success and redefining your life. 

Drawing from her personal experiences, such an inspiring book, and especially for women who are trying to balance a professional life and personal one, you will be able to connect with shared experiences. The book drawn upon from her gained wisdom and professional experience, dove right into defining “what is a good life” and what defines success. 

Such though provoking commentary, blending personal stories and experiences, insightful academic research and information drawn from numerous fields, it really makes you want to strive for a more fulfilling life. I thought her incorporation of a third metric beyond money and power really opened up what I think many people at the top of their game are missing these days. That third metric is based upon four pillars that really bring depth and value to your success: which include your well-being, wisdom, wonder and giving.

Many people need to look beyond the power, money and the accolades of having that much wealth can bring because if one day something happens to you or it gets taken away, unless you are grounded with your life, it may have dire consequences. Thrive is such a refreshing before and after takeaway if you open yourself up to unplugging to be more in tuned with your immediate life, taking care of yourself, looking deep within yourself and being compassionate towards others, your success will be more impactful.

Overall, I thought this was a wonderful book that you will gain much insight and hopefully takeaway some great ideas that are shared from her experience that could make your life a little easier on that journey to creating your own personal success. The book is definitely well researched with a great appendix in the back that offers some great information that will definitely be useful. I’d definitely recommend you adding this one onto the list and to quote something that she said that I found so empowering, “Onward, upward, inward!” 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Review: The Status of All Things by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Washington Square Press (June 2, 2015) | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary

What would you do if you could literally rewrite your fate—on Facebook? This heartwarming and hilarious new novel from the authors of Your Perfect Life follows a woman who discovers she can change her life through online status updates.

Kate is a thirty-five-year-old woman who is obsessed with social media. So when her fiancé, Max, breaks things off at their rehearsal dinner—to be with Kate’s close friend and coworker, no less—she goes straight to Facebook to share it with the world. But something’s changed. Suddenly, Kate’s real life starts to mirror whatever she writes in her Facebook status. With all the power at her fingertips, and heartbroken and confused over why Max left her, Kate goes back in time to rewrite their history.

Kate’s two best friends, Jules and Liam, are the only ones who know the truth. In order to convince them she’s really time traveled, Kate offers to use her Facebook status to help improve their lives. But her attempts to help them don’t go exactly as planned, and every effort to get Max back seems to only backfire, causing Kate to wonder if it’s really possible to change her fate.

In The Status of All Things, Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke combine the humor and heart of Sarah Pekkanen and Jennifer Weiner while exploring the pitfalls of posting your entire life on the Internet. They raise the questions: What if you could create your picture-perfect life? Would you be happy? Would you still be you? For anyone who’s ever attempted—or failed—to be their perfect self online, this is a story of wisdom and wit that will leave you with new appreciation for the true status of your life.

Review

Note to self…two things I learned from The Status of All Things. One, never bring your boyfriend around your single girlfriend who you think is the ONE. Two, no matter how painful life can get, you can’t change yesterday, only tomorrow. We beat ourselves up with whatta coulda shoulda but, as much as I hate this cliché, it is what is. With that said, before I rave and send these ladies the most fabulous praise for this delicious book, I will just dive right into what I have to say.

First, let’s talk about Kate. Kate is the sort of gal many of you ladies can relate to. She is in her mid-thirties glued to her phone. She is constantly on Facebook measuring and comparing her life to the post status of the people on her time line. She’s got a great job, amazing friends and are just about to marry the man of her dreams but then here goes one of the moments that if I could reach in the book a slap someone, it would be right now. On the night before she is to get married, she gets some news that any woman doesn’t want to hear. Let me introduce you to Courtney.

Meet the single friend. They have been through a lot together. They are besties at work and have a pretty good friendship, so she thought. Well, when you start to notice subtle changes, pay attention because guess who shouldn’t have come to dinner. Of course you want your new guy to be cool with your friends but who lets their single girlfriend hang with their boyfriend? Um, not I because guess what can happen? They will have a fabulous time without you. Hence, the big red flag that was flying that Kate blindly saw. I guess love is blind with planning the wedding and all. So, this would be a great introduction to Max. 

Oh, Max. Prince Charming, I think not. Yeah, he is gorgeous and has a lot going for him but who cares. Supposedly, he was the one but obviously not for her. So, the time has come for the big day. Everyone is excited and looking forward to everything but do you know what this guy does at the rehearsal dinner? Calls it off. Um, really? He had only three hundred something days to figure that out but he had to do it right then? Oh, it gets better. Not only does he call it off but says it’s to be with Courtney. Don’t worry, he gets his and some. Well deserved, awesome reaction in the book, by the way. 

Well, this is when the book really gets interesting. All down in the dumps, not knowing which way is up or down, where else to go but to Facebook, right? Wrong! At least she has two great friends, Liam and Jules, that she has in her life that make this experience a little less painful to go through. Why is it when people go on Facebook, there is all this thought into posting a status update? Well, perhaps she should’ve went with her first post because what she finally decided to post falls under the umbrella to be careful what you wish for. I guess there is a genie on Facebook because she wished she could do the past month over and that’s exactly what she got. If you have the power to rewrite your life would you do? Sometimes, as much as we try to change things, maybe some things are meant to happen for a reason. 

What happens after that was a fun trip that made this book completely awesome. The fact that this book is a duo combination and how brilliant and effortlessly the combination just produced such flawless dialogue and characters made the book so engaging. Loved that the characters weren’t perfect which made them more relatable and you could have that connected reader experience. The book will definitely grab you in the beginning and you will not want to put this down. It’s light, witty, has elements of fantasy taking the reader through a fun novel to jump start your summer. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers (May 5, 2015) | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary

Sydney has always felt invisible. She’s grown accustomed to her brother, Peyton, being the focus of the family’s attention and, lately, concern. Peyton is handsome and charismatic, but seems bent on self-destruction. Now, after a drunk-driving accident that crippled a boy, Peyton’s serving some serious jail time, and Sydney is on her own, questioning her place in the family and the world.

Then she meets the Chatham family. Drawn into their warm, chaotic circle, Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance for the first time. There’s effervescent Layla, who constantly falls for the wrong guy, Rosie, who’s had her own fall from grace, and Mrs. Chatham, who even though ailing is the heart of the family. But it’s with older brother Mac—quiet, watchful, and protective—that Sydney finally feels seen, really seen at last.

Saint Anything is Sarah Dessen’s deepest and most psychologically probing novel yet, telling an engrossing story of a girl discovering friendship, love, and herself.

Review

Sometimes being invisible isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You think you’d get away with murder, but when your can-do-no-wrong brother hits someone in a drunk-driving accident, you’re lucky if you get away with missing curfew by a minute; if you ever choose to go anywhere. For Sydney Stanford, this is the story of her life.

Peyton, the perfect older sibling, isn’t so perfect. Since early high school, it has been one arrest after another, a rehab or two, and tons of drinking and drugs that his mother yells at him for, yet makes excuses to everyone else. Yet Peyton’s bad decisions have finally caught up with him. Not only has he hit someone, but he has left them partially paralyzed. And this time, he is going to jail.

Well, if you do the crime, you do the time. So why does it feel like Sydney is the one who is serving the sentence; sentenced to a life of loneliness, sadness and mostly, silence. Most days, if not all, Sydney spends her time watching television, alone on her sofa. Meanwhile, her father constantly works, going out of town on business, doing anything to avoid the fact that his son is in jail; whereas her mother is throwing herself into project after project, “to help Peyton adjust to prison life.” Thus leaving Sydney to feel guilt, regret and sorrow for the boy Peyton hit, as well as something else towards her brother, something she dare not say out loud.

Unable to deal with the scandal at her prep school, Perkins Day, Sydney decides to transfer to the public school, Jackson High. There she is enveloped by a ray of sunshine named Layla, and Layla's ex, Eric and Layla's brother, Mac, as well as Irv. Finally, she has a place that feels like home, instead of having to go home to a lonely house. Sydney has found herself a real family, who will look out for her and be concerned about her well being. However, life deals her a dose of reality, reminding her that Peyton is gone and she must suffer the consequences for his actions.

One of the punishments that Sydney must endure is Ames, Peyton’s friend from rehab. On the surface, Ames seems like a nice guy and the family loves him, but in her gut, Sydney knows something isn’t right. And Layla felt it too, the day Peyton was sentenced at the courthouse, before she even knew who Sydney was. But Ames is too friendly, always trying to find ways to be close to Sydney or touch her. It gives her the creeps, yet the worst part is that she can’t tell her parents. Ames is like their shepherd, herding them through the fields of Peyton being in prison. And with no evidence of foul play, she must keep silent.

Another pain from Peyton’s sentencing is her mother’s visits to the prison. Typically it is just her mother visiting the prison. One, because Peyton does not want Sydney there and two, Sydney does not wish to go. However, things have changed. Somehow, her mother has convinced Peyton to want Sydney there. Either that or Ames, and now her mother is forcing Sydney to go, claiming that Peyton has it hard and needs all the support he can get. Sydney can only imagine how hard David, the boy Peyton hit, has it. And thus the return of that niggling feeling towards her brother, the one that she just can’t quite describe.

But the worst part of this is the silence. Not just the emptiness Sydney receives when she comes home, but the fact that she can’t release all these things she is feeling. Her unease around Ames, her dislike of visiting Peyton in prison, as well as the dislike she feels toward her brother. Why she is even silenced in her feelings toward Mac, Layla’s brother, for fear of Yoko-ing (Yoko Ohno) the new family she has found.

Forced to hide her thoughts, Sydney keeps quiet and endures internally, hoping that the universe or an angel or someone will ease her strife and makes things better. Yet sometimes, you have to speak up. Sometimes, you have to be your own savior, or rather your own saint. That maybe by standing up for yourself and conveying your own thoughts, she will not only make her life better, but better someone else’s life as well. Thus will Sydney ever tell her parents how she feels, express her growing affections for Mac to him or Layla, and will she finally admit to herself the guilt and anger she has been carrying for her brother’s mistake? Or will she slowly let the silence eat away at her sanity?

Saint Anything is an excellent page turner that teaches us that what we need is someone, anyone, looking out for us, even if that someone is ourselves.  Saint Anything also teaches us that we should not be afraid of our feelings or be afraid to express those feelings. That the only way for someone to understand us is to express who we are and how we feel. Not everyone is a mind reader. Above all, Saint Anything taught me personally, and hopefully it will teach you, that family are the people you grow with, not just the people you’re born with.

Reviewed by Camia Rhodes