What books mean to me:
The reason you don’t see many teenage readers these days is because most teenagers are using things such as music, friends, or partying to help them cope with the difficulties of High School. What they don’t realize is that reading books is another outlet that could help, not only to adjust their emotional states, but also to help them in school.
Growing up in a rough neighborhood with my single teenage mom was hard. I found that when I was down, scared, or just wanted to get away, I could pick up a book and disappear into that world, even if only for a little while.
After losing my grandpa to suicide, I was very lost and hurt, and I remember my grandma handing me a book shortly after. The last thing I wanted to do at this time was read. When I finally read the back cover, I was really upset because the book was about suicide. The best about my grandma though is that she always seems to know what I need before I do.
So I picked the book up and read for hours on end that day. I’m not going to lie, this book is brutally honest. I cried many times as I read it, but, in the end, the book related to my situation and actually made me feel better. I got to read about a subject that most people are afraid to talk about. I found my understanding and an end to the turmoil I was feeling by reading this book.
I firmly believe books can change a point of view and mend a broken heart. I think that words can be louder than actions sometimes.
Month: October 2014
Flash Fiction
“Lissa, wake up.” Lissa opened her eyes slowly as she took in her surroundings. Then she bolted up startled from her couch and looked up at her best friend. Today was the day. “Are you ready,” asked Lissa excitedly. Today was Friday the 13th, the night they planned to spend the night at old man Boris’s haunted barn. “I was born ready,” said her best friend from Kindergarden, Drew. The thing is they had been waiting forever to spend the night at the old haunted barn, down in the edge of town and now that old man Boris had died they finally could have their chance. She couldn’t believe that she had fallen asleep! Later they were going to go get their friends Lauren and Tyler and were going to have the best sleepover ever, in the bone chillingly creepy barn. Honestly Lissa was scared, there were old stories about Boris’s wife hanging herself in the barn and rumors that old man Boris now haunted it, but they probably weren’t true, right..?
As Lissa, Drew, Lauren and Tyler we’re walking up to the house they started to feel something strange, a kind of tingling feeling down their spines. As they approached the barn they saw that it was enveloped in fog with a huge full moon hanging in the distance. Lauren started to wonder if this was a good idea, no one in their group had told anyone where they were going. If something happened no one would find them. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Lauren asked. No one answered. They all just kept slowly kept creeping towards the barn. Finally they were in front of the red musty door. Tyler reached out to open the door when it slowly swung open on its uneven rusty hinges. The group froze. Finally Lauren hesitated forward. As their eyes slowly adjusted they started to make out the things around them. In the middle of the room there was an old rope hanging from the highest beam..it couldn’t be. There were old chairs and stacks of hay, there was also something in the corner she couldn’t quite make out. Not something but someone? …Mr. Boris? Lauren slowly walked closer to the person in the corner when suddenly Mr. Boris popped out of his chair and lunged, yellow nails reaching out to grab them…
The four teenagers were never seen again.
Mysterious disappearances are still happening to this day.
List of books
Top 20 books:
Divergent- by Veronica Roth
Taking Chances- by Molly McAdams
The Selection Series- by Kiera Cass
The Mortal Instruments Series- by Cassandra Clare
The Fault in Our Stars- by John Green
Shut Out- by Kody Keplinger
Always You- by Kristy Moseley
Catching Jordan- by Miranda Kenneally
Matched Trilogy- by Ally Condie
Thirteen Reasons Why- by Jay Asher
I found you- by Jane Clark
Maze Runner- by James Dashner
If I Stay- by Gayle Forman
Where she went- by Gayle Forman
Looking For Alaska- by John Green
Perfect Chemistry- by Simone Elkeles
The Raven Boys- by Maggie Stiefvater
Trust me I’m Lying- by Mary Elizabeth Summer
Death Sworn- by Leah Cypess
Far from you- by Tess Sharpe
Book Review
13 Reasons Why:
With his flawed but truthful book, “13 Reasons Why”, Jay Asher tells the reality of living in a cruel world. A teenage girl wanting only to fit in is harshly betrayed by her peers that she had hoped to call “friends.” This story is unique because it is written in first person, by a boy named Clay, who is trying to figure out why a girl named Hannah would take her life. What Clay learns about what happened to Hannah changes him forever. He realizes that Hannah is already gone and that there isn’t going to be a happy ending to her story.
The “Thirteen Reasons” are the thirteen people that led Hannah to commit suicide. The Popular girl and even the nice guy who doesn’t intervene ultimately play a role in her decision. Bullying, gossip, parental neglect, and even sexual assault are touched on as we, like Clay, try to unravel the “tight and emotional ball” of peer cruelty that led a bright, happy young woman like Hannah to suicide.
ryleestout 