Annette's Book Spot: drugs

Showing posts with label drugs. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Book Review: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver book cover and review

I have really enjoyed every Kingsolver book I've read, but Demon Copperhead just didn't do it for me. And to be perfectly honest, I skipped part of it.

From the blurb: Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. Relayed in his own unsparing voice, Demon braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses.

Kingsolver writes well. Her text is interesting. But this book was such a downer. For the first 1/3, I slogged through and then was so happy that things were looking up for Demon. But there was a lot of book to go, so as I continued, at about 60% I realized things were going to get depressing again. I went to the reviews. There are many stunningly glowing reviews. Maybe because this is supposed to be a modern retelling of David Copperfield. (I've never read it.) But when I looked at the more harsh reviews, I realized many people felt the way I did. People who were Kingsolver fans. But I did see that the book's ending was worth reading. So I skipped ahead and read the last few chapters.

I was able to glean pretty much what had happened in the part that I skipped. And, as I suspected, it was horrifying. The book is TOO LONG. It just goes on and on. Same stuff over and over. Same complaints. Same hardships. Lots of substance-abuse-related deaths.

Demon Copperhead wasn't for me. Maybe if you are prepped and in the right frame of mind, you will love it, as many others did.

Published by Harper, October 18, 2022
eARC obtained from Edelweiss+
370/560 pages

Rating: 3/5

Friday, December 27, 2019

Book Review: Cross Justice by James Patterson

Cross Justice by James Patterson book cover and review

I'm just a sucker for Alex Cross books. I haven't read them all, but once in awhile, I have to pick one up. This time it was Cross Justice.

Alex Cross has returned to his home town, where he hasn't visited since he was a child. His wife, kids, and grandmother are along. This isn't strictly a social visit--Alex's cousin has been accused of a heinous murder. It is hard to believe his cousin is innocent, given hard evidence against him. But Alex begins to do some investigating.

The small town is skanky. No one seems to be honest...everyone is out for themselves. Or is there a deeply hidden secret that needs to be exposed? It seems Alex will never be able to connect the dirty drug-dealing secrets to the murder of which his cousin is being accused.

Alex gets some unexpected help from out of left-field. I didn't really like the shocker ending. I understand Alex Cross books seem to go over the top a bit (in all directions). Everything is always too good to be true. But this reveal was even a bit much for me.

However, the novels are always quick and easy reads. And I can't help picturing Morgan Freeman as Alex when I read them.

If you enjoy these books, then of course Cross Justice is worthwhile. If you haven't experienced the Alex Cross, then be sure to start at the beginning with Along Came a Spider. The early books with the nursery rhyme titles are the best.

Published by Little, Brown (2015)
eBook obtained from the library
448 pages

Rating: 4/5

Monday, March 25, 2019

Book Review: Fake Plastic Girl, by Zara Lisbon

Fake Plastic Girl by Zara Lisbon, book cover and review

Fake Plastic Girl really isn't my type of book, and I'm not sure why the description appealed to me, but I flew through it and was not disappointed.

Justine is mostly an average teen, although some emotional issues are alluded to. Her psychologist mother and artist father are getting a divorce. Her mother leaves Justine with her aunt over the summer, but Justine bribes her aunt and ends up going home to stay by herself.

A new neighbor has move in across the street, and it is Eva-Kate Kelly, an ex-child star. Eva-Kate pulls Justine into her circle, and a wild summer begins, full of drinking, partying, and drugs. It all ends in tragedy, which is foreshadowed at the beginning of the book.

First, some issues. It is really far-fetched that Justine doesn't get caught by her parents or her aunt. Really? No one is checking on her, given her history? Actually, it is pretty far-fetched that her mother would even leave her to begin with. Although, her problems are left very vague. We know she spent time at Bellevue, and she's on medication. We don't really get a clear picture of what Justine's issues are. Also, everything Justine is doing is all over social media and no adults find out? But without suspending our disbelief, there is no story. And teens, who are much more the target audience than I am, usually have an easier time of doing so.

There is tragedy at the end, and then that is it. Except for the assurance that the story will continue in March, 2020. I hate cliffhangers like this. 'Nuff said.

But, in Fake Plastic Girl's favor, the story moves very quickly and is easy to read. Great for starstruck reluctant readers. I think younger, mature teens (who can handle the drug and alcohol references) would be the target audience.

Published by Henry Holt & Co. (BYR), March 26, 2019
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
288 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

Monday, September 3, 2018

Book Review: Sadie by Courtney Summers @courtney_s ‏

Sadie by Courtney Summers book cover and review

Sadie is most definitely not a happy book. But it is a good one.

It has been up to Sadie to take care of her sister, Mattie, since her mother is a drug addict and has abandoned her daughters.

Mattie is found brutally murdered, well, I guess it was brutally because we don't get those details. Sadie's only support is her neighbor, May Beth, who has been a surrogate grandmother doing the best she can to help the girls.

The case of Mattie's murder goes cold, and Sadie decides to take matters into her own hands to hunt down the murderer. After months, Sadie's car has been found, but nothing else.

Wes McCray hosts a podcast about small, forgotten towns and overhears Sadie's story. He reluctantly begins to investigate and can't help but be drawn in.

Sadie is told from Sadie's perspective as she searches for the man she knows killed Mattie alternating with McCray's podcasts as he follows Sadie's trail.

The way the story is told is unique and interesting. We slowly get the details of Sadie's and Mattie's past lives and what led up to the horrible ending. I found it difficult to put down and would think about it while I wasn't reading. And don't expect a happy ending. It is very realistic.

Sadie has been given four starred reviews with good reason. As far as teen contemporaries go, this one is edgy and compelling. There would be much to discuss if Sadie were used as a classroom read (although there is some language that might prevent this in some schools.) Don't let your teens miss out on Sadie.

Published by Wednesday Books, September 4, 2018
eARC obtained from Edelweiss and NetGalley
320 pages

Rating: 5/5

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Audio Book Review: Love May Fail, by Matthew Quick @MatthewQuick21

I loved Love May Fail. It's the right combination of characters and plot that kept me invested in the story.

Each section in Love May Fail is narrated by a different person. They each tell a different part of the story, and it works well. Portia is recovering from a rough breakup with her husband. She goes back to visit her mother, who is an extreme hoarder (among other problems) and finds out that her favorite high school English teacher has run into some hard times. Portia ends up wanting to help him get back on his feet.

She also meets Chuck Bass who lives with his sister and her son, Tommy. All of these characters end up playing a huge part in the story, and they each take turns telling their part. There are several coincidences -- almost too many to believe -- but I fell for it. I guess it makes you believe in fate.

I don't want to say too much more about how things play out. The discovery of the story is part of the fun. Quick is a good writer, as most of you probably know, and Love My Fail is a wonderful ride.

The audio narrators are each excellent and add to the atmosphere created by the text. I actually checked this one out from the library, and when it was automatically checked in, I still had 1.5 hours to go! I couldn't check it out again (there was a wait) so I read the rest of the book. I would recommend either version.

Love May Fail is an adult book but would be suitable for mature teens.

Published by Harper, 2015
Audiobook (and eBook) obtained from the library
416 pages

Rating: 5/5

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Book Review: Illusionarium by Heather Dixon

Illusionarium by Heather Dixon book cover and review

I was very entertained while reading Illusionarium. However, it doesn't have the "wow" factor to stick with me.

We're in an alternate universe. Jonathan is working with his dad and intends to become a doctor, as is his father. They live on a floating city very far north, so it's very stormy and cold. Everything is covered in ice.

There's a plague in one of the big cities, and the king comes to pick up Jonathan and his father to take them to his lab to find a cure. The queen has this disease, which only women contract and it always kills them in six days.

There's this chemical called fantillium that when breathed in, if you are an illusionarium you can create hallucinations and modify reality so that everyone with you sees what you create. They are supposed to work with a mad scientist that Jonathan's father has worked with before, and she is convinced that it is necessary to use fantillium to find the cure. Jonathan's father thinks she is mad and won't have anything to do with her. Jonathan, however, is more open to this approach, since he is an illusionarium.

There is an alternate universe they travel to and the cure exists there, but Jonathan must pay a huge price to get it. He's put in danger and there are many tense moments. I think the fact that this was all so fantastical made the tension just not that believable. It's kind of like a fairy tale -- you know that everything is going to turn out OK, so you don't get too tense.

The characters are distinct. The evil characters are plenty evil. The "zombies" are totally scary. The side effects of fantillium are interesting and horrid! For fans of steampunk, there are those elements too. The writing is easy and I read Illusionarium very quickly.

For lovers of a fantasy adventure that includes steampunk, Illusionarium might be appealing. For me, it was entertaining, but it's not a book that will leave a lasting impression.

Published by Greenwillow, May 19, 2015
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
368 pages

Rating: 3/5

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Book Review: Bleed Like Me by C. Desir

Bleed Like Me, while well written, is just to painful to read. You have two teens who are totally dysfunctional and in a relationship that you must watch spiraling downhill faster than you can imagine.

Gannon comes from a family who adopted 3 brothers from Guatemala 5 years ago. Since then, her parents have been so wrapped up in these troubled youths that Gannon, their oldest and only biological child, has become invisible. The stress of her life has caused her to be a cutter.

Brooks is in foster care, and has spent time in juvenile detention. He's involved with some drug dealers too.

When these two meet sparks fly and nothing is going to keep them from disaster. And, as a reader, you must just sit back and watch it happen.

Gannon's parents are awful. They have no idea how to handle these three troubled boys, and don't seem to get any help, and are too stupid to see what has happened to their daughter.

Maybe my perspective as a parent made this one more difficult. I was so frustrated and uncomfortable reading Bleed Like Me. I just wanted to jump in the book and shake almost every character.

Even the ending, which gives a little hope, didn't do enough to erase the stress I felt while reading this book.

The writing and characterizations are great -- otherwise I wouldn't have felt the emotion that I did. I just don't enjoy putting myself through a novel like this. But that's a personal thing. And it is, thankfully, a pretty short novel.

Published by Simon Pulse, October 7, 2014
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
288 pages (qualifies for my Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge!)

Rating: 3/5

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Book Review: DJ Rising, by Love Maia

While I felt DJ Rising might be a bit unrealistic, it was an interesting, heartwarming story.

Marley has a hard life. His mother is a heroin addict, so Marley must earn enough to support both himself and his mother. Totally on his own. He' attending a prestigious high school on scholarship, and all the rich kids at the school know he's not one of them. But he has a strong desire to go to college, and he works hard and gets straight As.

But, the most important thing to Marley is music. His dad, who was killed in a car accident, got him started DJing, and Marley's band instructor has helped him hone his skills. It's all Marley dreams of -- being a DJ at a popular club.

Marley gets some opportunities to DJ, and meets some people who help him. He also makes some progress in the romance department. Things might be looking up at home too. For a while, Marley sees all his dreams coming true.

Marley really has it together. Almost too much together. He has some great friends, but really not much of a support system, and at the beginning of DJ Rising he's working and studying, and cleaning and cooking and it all seems a bit too easy.

There are a lot of descriptions of being a DJ. The songs he plays and how he mixes them together. Also, how he tries to create his own music. All the parts about his passion for music and DJing got really repetitive.

My favorite part of DJ Rising is the last 25%. The tension builds. Marley meets some real obstacles and he overcomes them successfully. Parts of this resolution are a bit lucky, but it still made me feel good.

Teens who love music would definitely be drawn to DJ Rising. It's a story about how working hard and sticking with your dreams can all pay off--a message that's important to today's teens.

Published by Little, Brown BFYR, 2012
Purchased eBook
304 pages (qualifies for my Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge!)

Rating: 3.5/5

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Book Review: The Impossible Knife of Memory, by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Impossible Knife of Memory is a heartbreaking book about a condition that is probably more common than we would like to believe.

Hayley doesn't remember ever attending a normal school She's been traveling across country in her dad's truck, and he's been homeschooling her since he got home from the war. Her dad decides she needs to go to a regular school to prepare for college, so they move into Hayley's grandmother's house and Hayley attends high school. Hayley doesn't remember living here when she was younger. It turns out, Hayley has blocked out much of her tumultuous childhood.

Hayley's father is suffering from severe post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He can't hold down a job, he drinks a lot, and he spends a lot of time locked in his room. Hayley tries to lead a normal life, but it's an impossible situation for a teen.

Hayley begins a romantic involvement with Finn. It turns out Finn has his own family problems that are slowly revealed. And the relationship develops very slowly and is a bumpy road. No insta-love here! Hayley's best friend's parents end up splitting up during the story. So, really every character in this book lives in a dysfunctional family. It really drags you down.

What Hayley and her father go through during the course of the book is mind-blowing. The sensible person inside me wants to say, "Get him to counselling!" But, it's just not that easy. From now on, I'm going to be hesitant to thank our military personnel for their service, in case they are suffering from PTSD and this might be a trigger as it is for Hayley's father.

And while the resolution is hopeful, we never really figure out why Hayley has blocked out her childhood and why she has so many fears. For example, what was the deal at the mall? I didn't understand her reaction. I felt like we know a lot about Hayley's father at the end, but I still had a lot of questions about Hayley.

The best part of The Impossible Knife of Memory is Hayley's relationship with Finn. They are both intelligent, and their banter as they try to one-up each other is priceless.

I didn't really fall in love with The Impossible Knife of Memory like I thought I would after reading so many rave reviews. But I really liked this book and will highly recommend it to my teen contemporary fans.

Published by Viking Juvenile, January 7, 2014
Copy obtained from the library
391 pages

Rating: 4/5