Book Review-By Time Time You Read This I'll Be Dead

BY TIME TIME YOU READ THIS I'LL BE DEAD
By Julie Anne Peters
2010
200 Pages

From Inside Cover:
Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair, and after a string of botched suicide attempts, she's determined to get her death right. She starts visiting a Web site for "completer"-www.through-the-light.com.
On the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, revealing a history of bullying that goes back to kindergarten. When she's not on the Web, Daelyn's at her private girls' school, where she's known as the freak who doesn't talk.
Then, a boy named Santana begins to sit with her after school while she's waiting for her parents to pick her up. Even though she made it clear that she wants to be left alone, Santana won't give up. It's too late for Daelyn to be letting people in her life....isn't it?
My Thoughts:
The cover and the title are what grabbed my attention and made me want to read Daelyn's story.
This book made me want to scream out loud in anger and frustration. This is what bullying does! It tears someone down piece by piece and destroys who they are on the inside and out. My heart ached as Daelyn recounts tale after tale the acts of bullying that start when she first starts school and continues to present day. Daelyn is a girl who is desperately trying to disconnect from everyone and everything so her feelings and emotions can no longer hurt her.
By the Time You Read This I'll be Dead is an honest book that pulls no punches as Daelyn searches for ways to end her life and tells of previous failed attempts. There were times I felt sick to my stomach-the facts are brutal.
I loved the character of Santana. He brings a ray of hope into the story as he reaches out to Daelyn. He has his own troubled history but longs to connect to another person.
As I read Daelyn's story I found myself hoping and praying that she wouldn't give up and find just one reason to not give up and keep on living.
Would I recommend this book to a friend?
Yes. But I would caution them of the graphic details of suicide. Libraries should have this book. The bullying situations that happen to Daelyn are not unique or unusual. They happen and we need to talk about it with our youth. Their actions good or bad can affect the life of someone in a positive or negative way.
Where did I get this book?
I bought it used on Amazon.com and plan to donate it as a prize for the Freedom Hop Giveaway.

REVIEW: Fall For Anything

FALL FOR ANYTHING
By Courtney Summers
Summary taken from Barnes and Noble:
When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?
My thoughts:
Why?
That is the big question that the ones left behind are left to try to answer.
So many are touched by the tragedy of suicide.
It's a tough topic that is handled well by Courtney Summers.
What I loved about this book:
Courtney Summer had created an amazing character with Eddie. She is so easy to relate to-her anger, sadness, and confusion felt so real at times it was painful to read. The rawness of Eddie's grief goes right to the heart and stays there from beginning to end. I've read quite a few mixed reviews on this book and have come to the conclusion that either you will love it or hate it. I'm not sure there is an in between.
What I didn't care for:
I think that the summary and information about Fall For Anything sets the reader up to expect a BIG twist in the story. Based on the twists and turns of other books I have read by Courtney Summers I think I was expecting the story to take a way more darker tone when the character of Culler is introduced to the story.
Although it's a great story I found myself disappointed by the BIG finish-I won't spoil anything here for people who haven't read the book. Aside from that I thought Fall For Anything was a great story.
Would I recommend this story to friends:
Absolutely! But I would warn them that there is some harsh language. And some intense moments that deal with grief.
Probably what I loved the most about this story is that we-the readers get to see Eddie as well as her mom progress through the stages of grief. We see Eddie grow, find hope and maybe peace.
Sometimes there are no answers in suicide and all we are left with are the whys. I would recommend this story to anyone-teen or adult who has dealt with suicide on any level.
Where I got it:
I bought this book at Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a heavy, moody, sad little book. The story of Charlie is only 213 pages long and is told by way of letters from him to someone he addresses as Dear Friend. It's Charlie's freshman year of high school, he's different, lonely and confused by every day high school happenings. His letters are heartbreaking and honest as he tries his best to navigate life at school and home. We slowly move with Charlie through the school year as he makes a few friends, has his first crush and deals with the death of a loved one. As the story unfolds we learn more of Charlie's history which offers somewhat of an explanation of his thoughts and feelings.

Charlie is a character that will stay with me for a long time.

Although I felt the story leading up to a big ending I wasn't prepared for the crash landing.

I was under the impression that this was a book for young adults and was puzzled as to way our public library had it in the adult section. I now think that it's exactly where it belongs. The subject matter deals with sex, homosexuality, drugs, death and suicide. Very heavy subject matter. I would caution any parent to preview this book before letting your child read it.

I think it's a great book but a reader should be old enough to handle the emotions that come with it.