Random Reads

Obsession: to preoccupy the mind excessively.  These novels may include instances of preoccupation, brainwashing, stalking, or constantly thinking of another person.  Some of these books deal with infatuation that may escalate into violence or enlightenment or even being obsessed with religion.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

  Many authors tackle anorexia/bulimia and I've read them all.  When I began reading Wintergirls, I was expecting the same story, different perspective.  I thought it might be good since Laurie Halse Anderson is such a brilliant novelist.  I was totally unprepared for the raw emotion this novel provokes.  It is deeply disturbing and the author captures the essence of the disease so realistic that readers will be disturbed for a long time.  Lia suffers from anorexia and her best friend Cassie had bulimia.  Cassie's body was found dead in a hotel room.  Lia suffers guilt because Cassie called her cell phone 33 times.  Lia never returned the call because they were estranged.  The novel follows Cassie's guilt and her disease as they both slowly try to kill her. 

Lia's character is so obsessed with food that she knows exactly how many calories each item of food has and when she meets new people she guesses their body mass index.  Whatever she weighs, she wants to weigh less.  Her goal of 85 lbs. is so disturbing that readers will wonder how she even functions while being so obsessed with not eating.  Readers will surely be haunted for a long time. 

Paper Towns by John Green

  Weeks before graduation, Quentin's next door neighbor and fellow classmate Margo Roth Spiegelman awakens him for an all night revenge spree.  Quentin and Margo were childhood friends until she became ultra cool and mingled with a much cooler crowd.  Quentin still loved and admired her from afar.  During the all nighter, they reconnect (not physically) as friends on a very deep level.  Quentin arrives at school the next day and discovers that Margo is absent.  He later learns that she ran away again.  Margo has been known to run away in the past and leaves clues to her whereabouts.  Quentin is convinced that she may have killed herself and is determined to find her.  He enlists his best friends and they take a hilarious road trip to find her.  This is a great read.  It is funny, suspenseful, and the characters are unforgettable.  For a similar read that is truly amazing, check out As Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway!

Peak by Roland Smith

  Peak Marcello is completely obsessed with climbing things.  Climbing runs in his family, it's in his genes.  He is fourteen years old when he gets busted for scaling a skyscraper in New York City.  Climbing is in his genes because his father is the famous Joshua Wood who owns his own expedition company.  In order to avoid jail time, Peak is sent to live with his father in Thailiand where they begin a climb on Mount Everest.  This high adventure novel will directly appeal to fans of climbing or readers who want an inside look at the climbing culture.

Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst

  This novel has one of the most intriguing storylines I have ever encountered.  Paul's wife Lexy has fallen from the tree in their backyard and is killed.  The only witness is their dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, Lorelei who obviously cannot speak to inform Paul if Lexy's death was accidental or suicidal.  This question plagues Paul as he begins to teach Lorelei how to speak.  Already a professor of linguistics, Paul begins his research with Lorelei in order to discover the mystery surrounding Lexy's death.  The novel alternates chapters between present day and Paul and Lexy's past relationship.  I simply could not put this novel down and wondered how it would all end.  Would Paul find the answers he sought and get closure or would sink lower into depression.  I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for something quite out of the ordinary.

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

     Ellen Hopkins tells this story in verse about a girl named Pattyn (after the famous general) from ages 16-17.  Her family is mormon, members of the Church of Latter Day Saints.  The first portion of the novel portrays Pattyn's family life.  She describes the woman's role in the Mormon family as being a servant and for producing as many babies as possible.  Pattyn has six younger sisters that she is continually babysitting and taking care of.  Her father is an alcoholic and physically abusive towards his wife, Pattyn's sister, and eventually Pattyn herself.  She begins to question her faith and the Mormon values.  Pattyn begins acting out and finds herself in a spot of trouble.  Her father banishes her to rural Nevada to live with her Aunt Jeanette for the summer.  Instead of finding punishment, Pattyn finds unconditional love from her Aunt J.  She meets Ethan, the love of her life, who promises her forever love.  The ending climaxes and left this reader literally stunned.  People of all ages and all religions will enjoy reading Pattyn's story. 

Plastic Fantastic by Simon Cheshire

     Dominic is a fifteen year old obsessed with the band Plastic, especially the lead singer Lisa Voyd.  Dominic and his friends Tanya and Tim are equally passionate in their fixation with the band.  Dominic's other friend, Emma, has opinions of her own and thinks his obsession with Plastic is a waste of time.  At a shopping mall hosting a Plastic event, Dominic gets stuck in a malfunctioning elevator with Lisa Voyd.  He believes it is a dream come true until he comes to know the person behind the star.  In reality, Lisa believes that Dominic's dedication and infatutation with Plastic is pointless and her life of power and prestige is actually very lonely and unhappy.  During their brief time together, Dominic discovers some things about himself as Lisa makes some life altering decisions. The setting of the novel is England and readers will easily identify with Dominic's infatuation with the band.  The author captures both sides of his intended message but this reader thought he needed to dig just a little farther.

 

    Elinor is a member of the cult known as True Cause.  Its founder, Howard, selects brides when they turn sixteen.  Elinor will be sixteen soon and looks forward to being Howard's next wife.  Elinor is a dedicated member of the cult until she meets an Outsider named Jamie while trying to recruit him.  They strike a casual friendship and Elinor begins to question the cult's true mission and wonders what the Outside is actually like.  This novel depicts the ritualistic lifestyle of membership in a cult and the culture of life on the inside.  Fans of Leaving Fishers by Margaret Peterson Haddix or I Am Not Esther by Fleur Beale will enjoy this read.

 

     Emily is employed at the Cyber Taste Cafe where she works with her best friend Morgan.  Daniel is a frequent patron who is interested in dating Emily.  She shares his feelings and they strike up a relationship that begins with casual dating.  Michael is another patron who is a computer nerd who lands a job at the Cafe as a technician.  Michael becomes obsessed with Emily and he fancies that they are in love.  His obsession escalates from intense to dangerous as he begins stalking Emily and terrorizes her with a barrage of e-mails, letters, and frequent sightings.  The climatic ending ends in a dramatic display of Michael's intense love for Emily.  Earlier, Emily turns to her friends and parents in hopes of resolving the situation.  The author's attempt at presenting a case of a high schooler being stalked by a crazed boy is believable and suspenseful. 

     Andi is 15 years old and very lonely in this 1970's novel.  She walks to and from school everyday so she does not have to endure her classmates' taunting while riding the bus. While on her walks, she befriends a cow named Bessie who is basically her only friend. While walking home from school one day, she notices a VW bug with a man driving.  They pass each other for a couple of days before the driver, Frank, offers her a ride.  Frank is thirtyish and begins an inappropriate relationship with Andi. She spends her days thinking about Frank and counting the hours until she can see him.  It is quite evident to the reader that Frank is only using Andi for sex and taking advantage of her.  This novel depicts how a 15 year old misfit with low self esteem can be taken advantage of.  Frank is somewhat of a mystery and is dark and moody.  He finally convinces Andi to have sex when she turns 16 as long as she doesn't tell anyone.  Supporting characters include Andi's parents and her older brother who constantly drops out of college.  Eventually, Andi grows up and gathers some confidence and self respect.

 

     Lori is a sexually troubled teen who runs away from home to follow a rock star.  In a restaurant, she watches television to see Eric Poole being released from a juvenile dention facility.  Eric served three years for murdering his mother and stepfather.  Lori remembers meeting him three years earlier and in which he was especially kind and tender towards her.  Lori deviates from her original road trip to meet up with Eric.  A third character is Jake Proctor, who believes that Eric is guilty of murdering three previous women.  Eric believes Lori witnessed one of the murders.  Their road trip turns dangerous when Eric tries to murder Lori.  He fails and Lori still refuses to leave him.  The surprise ending leaves the reader in shock at the the ironic twist of fate.  I think this is Robert Cormier's finest novel!