The Boy From the Basement

The Boy From the Basement
by
Susan Shaw
4/5 Stars

From the Publisher: For Charlie, the basement is home. He's being punished. He doesn't mean to leave - Father wouldn't allow it - but when Charlie is accidentally thrust outside, he awakens to the alien surroundings of a world to which he's never been exposed. Though haunted by hallucinations and fear of the basement and his father's rage, Charlie embarks on a journey toward recovery that blossoms when he finally finds unconditional love.

This book as marketed as young adult - although the subject matter may be a little too sensitive for some.

In the novel, we see the world through Charlie's eyes - those of a severely neglected and abused young boy. We travel with him as he realizes he has missed out on the simple joys of life - rain, sunshine, and love. Charlie must confront his fears along the way, but he is guided by new friends, a loving foster mother, and a strong zest for life.

If you are looking for an attention-grabber for your older teen, this may just be it!

Wordless Wednesday

Thanks to Lezlie for sending this to me!

We Have a Winner!

The winner of Suicide Notes is - robin_titan!

Thanks to everyone who entered, and be sure to check out my new giveaway!

Giveaway!

This week's giveaway is - my ARC of Something Wickedly Weird - The Icy Hand.

Read my review, and sign up by leaving a comment. I will pick the winner on September 20th.

Good Luck!

Firefighter Saves Cat with Mouth-to-Mouth

I am not a fan of cats, but I am a fan of firefighters. I'm sure this cat and her owner are too!

Giveaway!

Wells, it's time to clean out my bookshelves. In the next few weeks, I will be giving away some of my ARCs. The first to go is - Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford.

I enjoyed this YA novel - you can find my review here.

Please leave a comment here if you are interested. I will randomly choose a winner on Saturday, September 13.

Rookie the Golden Retriever

The Burn Journals

The Burn Journals
by
Brent Runyon
4.5/5 Stars

From the Publisher: In 1991, fourteen-year old Brent Runyon came home from school, doused his bathrobe in gasoline, put it on, and lit a match.

He suffered third-degree burns over 85 percent of his body and spent the next year recovering in hospitals and rehab facilities. During that year of physical recovery, Runyon began to question what he'd done, undertaking the complicated journey from near-death back to high school, and from suicide back to the emotional mainstream of life.

There were times that this book was difficult to read, simply because I have a fifteen-year old son. The teenage years are tough - I've been there. But, I hate to think that anyone could feel as hopeless as Brent Runyon did on that February afternoon.

After the debrieding treatments, skin grafts, and surgeries, Runyon begins healing emotionally. When he is asked why he attempted suicide, he answers honestly, "I don't remember anything about myself back then." It's heartbreaking to think that those feelings that drove him to hurt himself were so transitory.

Eventually Runyon makes it through rehab, the treatment center, and to high school. Once there, his friends welcome him with open arms. At this point, any thoughts of suicide seem far away. However, Runyon points out that the depression that haunted him as a fourteen-year old does return. As an adult, he realizes that he must ask for help. He is now in therapy, taking medication, and living a productive life.

Runyon's voice come through very clearly in this memoir - one of the main reason I enjoyed this book so much. His style is clear, honest, and no-nonsense. He tackles the difficult topics of self-worth, sexual activity, pain, and uncertainty - all without playing the victim.

I would highly recommend this book for older teens. The lessons Runyon has to teach are vital - and often not discussed.

Saturday Silliness

Be sure to check out my latest post at Saturday Silliness - My Son, The Non-Reader.

Teaser Tuesdays

The rules are:

1. Get the book you are currently reading.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

____________________________________

Today's teaser is from The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon page 17:

"I fall down. I'm going to die."