Yesterday's book club met at Skylight Books, which is a supercool independent bookstore. We ate delicious brownies and discussed Albatross by Josie Bloss.
Albatross is a twisted story about a love triangle, but more so, about how someone can get in your head and convince you that you're worth less than you are. We book clubbers agreed that the message was an important one, especially for teens. Josie Bloss does an amazing job of subtly creating the most uncomfortable moments where as a reader, you're cheering for the MC, Tess, to walk away, but knowing that honestly, as painful as it is, she won't. And that most other kids wouldn't either.
It's through a skillfully crafted series of those moments and warnings from that little voice in her head that she's finally done.
Tess's parents were so well drawn. That's a really hard thing to do as YA writer because the focus is on the teen and parents are so...secondary in the teenage world. The mother in this book was thoughtful, smart, realistic and believable. And I really admired how Bloss wrote the father. She did an excellent job of showing how Tess's history with her father created an opportunity for another abuser to slide right in and manipulate her. He was realistic and cutting but it never hammered us over the head. A perfect blend of subtly and cruelty.
The combination of a great read and meeting smart, fun readers made book club totally awesome.
So, what are you reading?
xoxo,
Suzanne
I'm reading an old book. The Cat Ate My Gymsuit.
ReplyDeleteSounds like one for my TBR pile. I am reading Dead Until Dark, the first in the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) by Charlaine Harris. Though, the YA book RECKLESS is sitting on my TBR pile in top position, calling to me.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Wolf Hall last night. Now I've got three on the go:
ReplyDelete-The Weeds that String the Hangman's Bag
-Uncle Tom's Cabin
-Sh*t My Dad Says
I'm reading NYC time out mag and my son's first grade homework every night. No time for novels really...
ReplyDeleteI've been reading and posting about banned books these last weeks: Feed, Julie of the Wolves, Thirteen Reasons Why, Twisted, Looking for Alaska. I don't think I'm done, either.
ReplyDeleteBut I do have some fun reads waiting for me, too--Paranormalcy and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks.
I have a relationship abuse story plan for the near future (I have another project I want to work on first), so I'll definitely have to check this one out.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading YOU WISH. Very different story. :D
I have a friend who had a troubled relationship with her father and ended up marrying a man who belittled her and isolated her from her friends and family. This book sounds like it has a similar theme. Thankfully she finally did realize he was no good for her and is now remarried with kids with a man who is so wonderful to her.
ReplyDeleteCurrently reading beginnings of a lot of books in prep for a YA conf put on by Anderson's bookstore.
ReplyDelete-Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
-Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
-The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
-Stairclimber by Kenneth Oppel
Enjoying all four so far, though they are all quite different from each other.
I'm reading Barefoot right now, but this looks really good.
ReplyDeleteI have so many books to read. I want to read CINDERS next and then CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER.
ReplyDelete