Annette's Book Spot: pregnancy

Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Book Review: The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood book cover and review

I've been wanting to read The Handmaid's Tale for so long. I finally picked it up and am so glad that I did.

The Handmaid's Tale deserves all the hype. Not only is it a compelling look at a very twisted future society, but it is also well written with vivid descriptions and sophisticated use of language. And it isn't bloated like most popular young adult dystopian stories seem to be.

I won't say much about the plot since I think most people know. The basic premise is the population is decreasing because most women can't have babies. So if you can, you become a Handmaid, which basically means you are assigned to some man so that you can become impregnated. While handmaids are revered and protected, they are very oppressed.

Do educators use this book in the classroom? I just think there is so much to discuss here. I don't know of any classrooms that read this.

I'm looking forward to watching the series now, although I'm sure I'll be disappointed. And I need to read the second book, The Testaments. If you are at all interested in dystopian stories, don't miss this one.

Published by McClelland and Stewart, 1985
eBook obtained from the library
320 pages

Rating: 5/5

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Book Review: The Memory Jar, by Elissa Janine Hoole

The Memory Jar by Elissa Janine Hoole book cover and review

For those who love a book filled with drama, The Memory Jar should fit the bill.

The Memory Jar starts out shortly after a serious snow mobile accident in which Scott suffered a traumatic brain injury and is in a coma. The story is told mostly from the perspective of Taylor, his girlfriend, who was also injured and can't remember any details of the accident.

We get a "then" and "now" perspective. "Then" being the accident and the events leading up to it. And the "now" is dealing with the consequences, trying to remember, and making some serious decisions.

In a nutshell: Taylor is pregnant, she told Scott and he didn't respond as she had hoped, she decides to break up with him, and then he asks her to marry him. The accident happens right after this.

The details are slowly revealed, and there are additional nuances and people that add to the story. In particular, Scott's brother, Taylor's best friend, and someone named Kendall who I won't say anything more about are important characters.

The Memory Jar is a very quick read, but even so, I felt it to be very slow moving and a bit repetitive. This is certainly a very dramatic and stressful situation, and Hoole does a good job depicting this aspect, but when you look back on the story it just seems like not much happened and what did happen was fairly predictable.

However, teens who can't get enough of these stories of angst will certainly be attracted to The Memory Jar. While it's not a story that will stick with me, I would recommend it to reluctant readers.

Published by Flux, April 8, 2016
ARC obtained from School Library Connection
321 pages

Rating: 3/5

Monday, October 7, 2013

Book Review: How to Love, by Katie Cotugno @katiecotugno

I am not usually a big fan of typical teen romance books, but How To Love is so much more. I adored this book.

How to Love is told from the first person POV of Reena. But we still get two perspectives: Before and After. "Before" is Reena falling in love with Sawyer, a bad boy who she's known since she was a little girl because their families own a restaurant together. "After" is when Sawyer reappears after apparently disappearing for several years without a word to anyone.

A lot has happened in those years, but the biggest thing is that Reena has had Sawyer's baby. She's lost her dream to go to college and become a travel writer. She's pretty much lost her father because he can't forgive Reena for getting pregnant at the age of 16.

So you can imagine there are some uneasy moments when Sawyer reappears.

The characterizations are exceptional. I didn't like Sawyer. He has problems, and he's not very nice to Reena sometimes. But I don't think we're supposed to like him. I really got angry with Reena too. She simply overlooks Sawyer's problems and lets him walk all over her. But she's SIXTEEN years old, and the guy she's had a crush on forever is finally paying attention to her. I think her behavior is fairly typical for a very young teen in this situation.

The emotional growth and maturity these characters experience during the "After" is also a dream to read. They struggle. A lot. And they should. All of the family issues and some pretty big issues from the past need to be dealt with before these two can move on. Everything isn't perfect at the end of How to Love, but it's getting better, and there's lots of hope.

I guess the only aspect I can say I had problems with is Hannah, the baby. She's just too easy, and Reena seems to be too good at being a teen mother. There's always someone to leave her with; she always goes to bed when she's supposed to. She accepts Sawyer (and pretty much any stranger) too easily -- kind of a dream baby. This is a minor issue though and didn't really affect How to Love at all.

Teen contemporary fans should not overlook How to Love. Sarah Dessen fans will love this. I can't wait to start handing it to them.

Published by Balzer + Bray, October 1, 2013
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
400 pages

Rating: 5/5

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Book Review: The Pregnancy Project, by Gaby Rodriguez

I don't read much non-fiction, but I enjoyed The Pregnancy Project. It's a real story about one of today's brave teenagers -- and it is told well.

Gaby is the daughter of a single parent -- she's the youngest of seven children and from a relatively poor family who has always struggled. Gaby's mother gave birth to her first child at the age of 15, and several of Gaby's siblings followed the same path -- becoming a parent during their teens.

Gaby is intelligent and wanted more from her life. She worked hard and wanted to go to college. It seemed like her family was rooting for her as the last "hope" to redeem them.

Gaby always wanted to make a difference in the world. For her senior project, she wanted to study stereotypes and how they can have a huge effect on a teen's life. So, she chooses to fake being pregnant and see how her friends, teachers, and family respond. She had a friend help by collecting quotes that she heard behind Gaby's back. It was a well thought out project that Gaby worked very hard at. And, it was much more difficult that she ever imagined.

However, when it was over, it had a much bigger impact that she ever thought possible too. It became a nationwide news story, culminating with a Lifetime movie and this book.

The Pregnancy Project is clearly written. Gaby tells her story in a very straightforward manor, interjecting her strong beliefs in a heartfelt way. She does some preaching, but it isn't bothersome -- she is entitled to it! The Pregnancy Project is just over 200 pages, so there really isn't time to get bored. It moves very quickly and is always interesting.

The Pregnancy Project can be recommended to any teen girl -- even pre-teens will find this accessible. It carries a message beyond just "don't get pregnant." The message is about supporting and not stereotyping those teens that do get pregnant (or even those teens who have other issues that create stereotypes.)

I think The Pregnancy Project should be on the shelves of every high school library.

Published by Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2012
Copy obtained from the library
216 pages (qualifies for my Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge!)

Rating: 4/5

Monday, April 15, 2013

Book Review: Starting Now, by Debbie Macomber

Starting Now is a new addition to the Blossom Street Novels and if you enjoy that series, this one will also warm your heart. If you haven't experienced Macomber's books, she can really wrap you up in her characters. You should give her a try -- it's not necessary to read this series in order.

That's what these books are -- heartwarming. I couldn't read books like Starting Now every day, but they are wonderful change of pace for me.

Libby is a divorced, hard-working attorney that has sacrificed almost everything to make partner in her firm. She is very surprised when instead of being made partner, she is laid off. Her boss admonishes her to take some time and get a life. It takes Libby a while, but she does change her life tremendously.

Part of that change is taking up knitting again, which brings her to A Good Yarn, the shop on Blossom Street. The shop doesn't play a huge part in Starting Now, but it's there in the background, as always.

Libby's path to happiness isn't straight, by any means. Every time she thinks things are going her way, something happens to throw her off the path, but eventually she gets there -- after all, that's what these books are all about -- you feel SO GOOD when they end.

I find some of the dialog to be overly dramatic. I feel like I'm reading a soap opera, and I guess I really am. But, I go into these books knowing that, so it's not really a criticism in my case. Also, the inner dialogs get really repetitive. These aren't direct quotes, but things like "Libby had always wanted to please her mother," and "She was so attracted to Phillip, even though they both had been burned by relationships before." These types of sentiments are repeated on almost EVERY page. Worded differently, but OK, I get it!

Macomber does have a way of attaching me to her main character and dragging me along through every emotion and trial they experience. She's very good at describing feelings (maybe too much, though.)

I'm not embarrassed to say I really enjoy these books -- in moderation. Everyone likes to melt at the end of a romantic book, right? You should try it, if you don't think that's true. Starting Now is a very clean read and appropriate for older teens who might be looking for some adult romance books.

Published by Ballentine, April 2, 2013
ARC obtained from LibraryThing Early Reviewers
338 pages

Rating: 3/5

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Book Review: Another Piece of My Heart, by Jane Green @JaneGreen

Another Piece of My Heart confronts several aspects of family drama -- step parenting, rebellious teens, infertility, adoption -- in a heartwarming, realistic, if somewhat predictable way.

Andi and Ethan have finally found their soul mates in each other -- however, Ethan came with two teen age children and an ex-wife. Andi, at 37 years old, tries very hard to be the perfect step mom, and for the youngest, Sophia, everything is working. But for Emily, nothing does. She's got her father wrapped around her finger; he always comes to her rescue, and Andi is seriously considering giving up the man of her dreams because she can't deal with his child.

Andi has always wanted to have her own children, but the onset of early menopause has made this dream very unlikely, and adds more stress to the relationship.

Emily is hanging out with a different crowd, drinking, smoking pot, and presumably having sex. When Emily turns up pregnant, well, you can imagine the complications.

I really enjoyed some of the minor characters. Ethan's ex, Brooke, who is an alcoholic, adds another element of complication. The gay neighbors and Andi's girlfriend Deanna are interesting enough to be memorable. The plot never lags. The description above only scratches the surface (over half of Another Piece of My Heart occurs after the baby is born.)

I would never hesitate to read a Jane Green novel. She writes with such authenticity -- her characters ring true and really make you want to reach out to them. Another Piece of My Heart is a "happy ending" book, which always spells predictability, but who cares? I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience.

Although Another Piece of My Heart is an adult book, there's nothing to keep teens from enjoying this novel, which does focus on a teen who becomes pregnant and works hard to turn her life around.

Published by St. Martin's Press, March 13, 2012
Copy won from Jennifer at Crazy-For-Books
386 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Book Review: Forbidden Mind, by Kimberly Kinrade

Forbidden Mind is a gripping story of teens in a seemingly inescapable, but dire situation.

Sam reads minds. She's been raised in a special school for kids with paranormal gifts, and she has never met any of her family. After they are trained, these teens are rented out, usually to very rich clients, to do tasks for which they are suited. Usually for Sam, this involves spying (and of course reading minds.)

When the teens are 18, they are allowed to leave the school and pursue their own paths, attend college, and live a normal life. Sam will be 18 in a few weeks. When she returns from her last assignment, she sees something she shouldn't. A boy, strapped to a gurney, being brought to the school clinic. He cries out for help (in her mind.) This is unusual, because all of the students at the school are brought there when they are very young.

Soon Sam realizes she can communicate telepathically with Drake, the boy on the gurney. He has been brought to the school against his will, and is being drugged to keep him from using his powers -- super strength. And he can also read minds, like Sam. Together they discover that all is not as it seems at the school, and they are determined to do something about it, but how?

This is a short book that never quits. It has a scary premise, and the teens are very resourceful and creative in their attempts to discover the truth and escape. My only complaint is with the ending. The book ended at a good "stopping point" but that's all it was. A chapter ending. It felt very abrupt, and I would have liked a denouement.

I enjoyed the ride. It's an interesting premise, well-told. I'm beginning to become attached to the main characters, but that's one of the problems I have with shorter stories--I need more time. Even the villains could have been more villainous, if given more pages. I'd be interested in reading more about Sam and Drake, I just think there could have been more about them in this installment.

Published by CreateSpace, 2011
eBook obtained from the author, for review
132 pages (I did read this in a day, but it's really so short that I'm not going to count it towards my Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge.)

Rating: 3.5/5

Monday, October 10, 2011

Book Review: How to Save a Life, by Sara Zarr

How to Save a Life is a compelling contemporary that tackles two issues -- grieving the loss of a parent and dealing with teenage pregnancy -- with incredible insight. This review may be a bit longer than my usual, because I have a lot to say about this book.

Our first main character, Jill, is mourning the death of her father less than a year ago. She was very close to her father, and hasn't been able to bond with her mother since his death, has lost her friends and boyfriend, and believes that something is wrong with her.

To complicate matters, Jill's mother has decided to adopt a baby. She's found a teen mother who has requested an open adoption--no lawyers or paperwork of any kind. When this teen, Mandy, comes to live with Jill and her mother for the last term of her pregnancy, Jill has a hard time dealing with it.

Let's take Jill first. No one has told her that the grief process is a personal thing and that everyone grieves differently. Her friends and loved ones keep wanting her to talk about it. She's just not ready, and therefore has alienated everyone.I can't really quote the book since it's an ARC, but Jill's inner self-talk is fascinating and spot-on. After much struggle, she finally realizes that she will never be the person she was when her father was alive. She realizes that she must create a new Jill that can find happiness in this new situation. The road to this realization is painful; there is no epiphany. I think I liked this aspect of the story even more than the pregnancy issue. But without Mandy, Jill would not have healed in the way she did.

Mandy's issue, of course, is her doubts about giving away her baby. Once again, the inner dialog that Zarr writes for this character is astoundingly realistic. She talks and talks to herself to get through this day by day.

The characterizations are what make this book special. Zarr has written teen characters that are so realistic you want to jump in the book and give your advice to help these kids through this difficult time. The slow-building friendship between Jill and Mandy as they begin to connect their very different worlds was handled with precision and delicacy. The secondary characters, Jill's boyfriend and her new friend Ravi, are essential to the resolution for both of these girls.

The only down side of the book is a somewhat far-fetched premise -- Jill's mom wanting so badly to adopt such a short time after her husband's death. I also thought the ending was---hmmm--how do I want to say this---let's just call it "unlikely." I don't want to give away anything -- not even whether this ends tragically or happily (so be careful what other reviews you read.) I'm telling you that these issues are totally forgivable. Don't let this stop you from getting to know these characters.

This book is emotional. It makes you hurt -- for all of these characters. It makes you want to cry out and help them somehow. The writing is nothing short of spectacular. Teen girls who like contemporary issues books will adore this book. I can't wait to recommend it to them.

P.S. I really got a chuckle out of the book store that Jill worked at. It's called "Margins." Get it? Borders = Margins!

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers, October 18, 2011
Review ARC obtained from NetGalley
352 pages (qualifies for my 350 Page Book Challenge!)

Rating: 4.5/5