Author: Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Publisher: Random House Children's
Publish Date: August 28, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 224
Sethie Weiss is hungry, a mean, angry kind of hunger that feels like a piece of glass in her belly. She’s managed to get down to 111 pounds and knows that with a little more hard work—a few more meals skipped, a few more snacks vomited away—she can force the number on the scale even lower. She will work on her body the same way she worked to get her perfect grades, to finish her college applications early, to get her first kiss from Shaw, the boy she loves, the boy who isn’t quite her boyfriend.Sethie will not allow herself one slip, not one bad day, not one break in concentration. Her body is there for her to work on when everything and everyone else—her best friend, her schoolwork, and Shaw—are gone.
There is something brutally honest about issue-based YA contemps that really hook me; and I say that with complete and utter sincerity. Many of you know why books regarding eating disorders are so very important to me, and for those that don't, let's just say it's personal. While books like The Stone Girl might be difficult to stomach, triggering, or just plain hard to read, I think they are equally important. I am really looking forward to finding some hidden truth in this one. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?
Eating disorder books are so hard to read, but feel oddly comforting as well - as long as they're well done. I imagine I'll pick this up.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting pick Melissa, I don't normally go for issus based YA contemps, but when I do, I normally can't get them out of my head for ages afterwards. This looks like a book that I may need to check out!
ReplyDeleteMy wow
I love issue-based contemps bc if they're done well, the stick with you! I hope you give this one a shot, too :)
ReplyDeleteThe covermodel looks a little dead, doesn't she? I don't think I'll read this, though. I'm suffering from EDs and books like this.. most of the times they either trigger me into starving or they piss me off because they are superficial. *le sigh*
ReplyDeleteI'm glad many people seem to be more aware of the problems of our society and the youth nowadays. : ) Patricia // My WOW
I'm with Jasprit in that issue based contemps aren't really my go to genre, but whenever I do pick one up I end up really enjoying it and craving more. This one sounds like it will be particularly good, and will give us a really good look inside Sethie's head:)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good book, but kind of depressing. I'm like the other two people (Jenny and Jasprit), I kind of avoid these except on rare occasion, but I, too, enjoy them when I read them. I'm really glad that these issues are being talked about, though. Dialogue is important to helping put a stop to these problems. Anyway, great pick.
ReplyDeleteMy WoW
You know me though haha the darker, the better ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you do give this one a shot...I'm rather excited for it!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of a book I tried to read once. But I can't remember the name. Cool pick.
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of book I probably wouldn't normally pick up, but it sounds like one that'd definitely suck me in hoping for a positive ending to Sethie's story. It's interesting... we all have things that we do to give us the illusion of having control, even when the rest of our lives might be spiraling crazily. Sometimes it's good to be reminded that there can be beauty in chaos. Great pick!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my WoW, and I'm looking forward to meeting you at the Reader Author Get Together with Jenny! :)
sounds so dark and haunting.
ReplyDeleteStop by my WOW post?? I have a few picks this week!http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/
I've seen this book popping up on blog recently and I'm curious to hear what you think of it! It sounds tough, raw, and honest.
ReplyDeleteHere’s my
WoW post! ~ Jen @ A
Book and a Latte
Estelle & I are both super pumped (that sounds terrible, considering the content) about this book too. She's going to begin reading it soon, I think! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a contemporary book fan, but when I read them...this is my type. I sure hope others pick it up, too! :)
ReplyDeletethanks, juju! was it wintergirls, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI hear you (as terrible as it is). I have this up next for me, and I just can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI am really just getting into Contemporary YA and I don't necessarily gravitate to issues based YA, but I am trying to read more of them. I am very sensible when it comes to reading about eating disorders or body image issues. It's hard for me but this certainly looks like a really powerful book and very real. I like that. Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog :)
ReplyDeleteNew follower and I love the whole theme of your blog, btw. I geek out for water and swimming LOL. :)
I just got this from Netgalley, it sounds fabulous. Great pick!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, this does sound like a book worth waiting
ReplyDeletefor!
Thanks for sharing,
Dani (GFC follower)
http://paulettespapers.com/
I'm not a huge contemporary fan [although I have been reading more this year!], but I think I'm going to be adding this one to my TBR. It sounds very deep, and sometimes, that's just what I need.
ReplyDelete-Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life
Sounds really deep and dark and right up your alley. I'm not sure if it's for me but it does sound good!
ReplyDeleteAh, Melissa - you and your issue books! It's almost comforting in a weird way, to know you well enough by now to know a "Melissa book" when I see one. I certainly WOULD pick this as a Melissa book. I saw this one on goodreads not too long ago and out of the people who have already read it, the reviews are mixed. I see in your comments you are reading it soon, so I'm interested in seeing what you have to say. I'm hosting a contemporary month in June (GULP) so I'm really paying attention to everyone and their contemp picks lately so I can gather my own!
ReplyDeleteAhhh yay for a contemporary month! I'll definitely have to check this feature of yours out. I hope I like this book though bc it has the potential to be great!
ReplyDelete