your heart will break.

Apparently disturbing books are my thing now a days. I have another that will make you throw up in your mouth a little. "The Chosen One" by Carol Lynch Williams is based on a thirteen year old girl who lives on an isolated polygamist compound.

I just recently got into the HBO show "Big Love" and there are a lot of the same ideas in this book. A terrible "Prophet" brainwashing the minds of these adults and children. The citizens of this community not being allowed to read books outside of the Bible because the more they know about the outside world, the more they will know of what they're missing. Young girls being married off to gross old men. Ugh, It makes me sick to think about.

Kyra is our main character, she is thirteen and was just told by the Prophet that God told him she should be married to her SIXTY YEAR OLD UNCLE. Really? God was just hanging out in Heaven and thought, "hey I'll stick a uncle and his niece together and tell them to make babies," GREAT IDEA. It baffles my mind. But anyways, she is in love with Joshua, a sixteen year old boy who also lives on the compound. Joshua tries to tell the Prophet that he would like to pick Kyra to be his wife, and they both get the shit kicked out of them. Her father won't protect her because he thinks God will punish him if he does. WHAT THE EFF?

There is sooooo much more that I am not saying, because I don't want to spoil it. It is heart breaking. I wouldn't recommend reading it at the gym like I did, I was crying my eye balls out on the elliptical machine, looking like a fool. Just a little advice from me to you.

*** for a chance to win a copy of this book, e-mail your name, address and this book title to jenileerose@yahoo.com!

from hate to hope.

"Freaks and Revelations," you can just imagine what this book could be about. You will be shocked. It's a tad disturbing, but in a train wreck kind of way, you will not be able to turn away. This is a based on a true life story of two very different boys, experiencing two very different lives, and how the moment they meet, changes everything. Jason is gay, Doug is a Neo Nazi, their lives are chaotic and unhappy, so they find joy in the only ways they know how. From doing as many drugs as possible to forget how much life sucks, to living on the streets of San Fransisco being a "working boy."

In the majority of this book these characters are kept separate, author Davida Wills Hurwin tells Jason and Doug's (inspired by the real lives of Matthew Boger and Timothy Zaal, who have shared their story on The Oprah Winfrey Show) life stories from childhood to adulthood and it takes almost all of the book to bring them into each others lives. Their true life stories are incredible, dirty, and sad. It is so unbelievably real and raw you cannot help but get emotionally involved yourself.

This book will show you how hate can ruin lives, especially the lives of children and teenagers. Five stars, seriously.

man's memoir.

As a complete and utter feminist, I never pay much attention to memoir's written by men. I mean, I don't have a whole lot in common with a man, and honestly I have yet to find them very interesting, that is, until I read "The Opposite Field" by Jesse Katz.

What an incredible life Katz has led. This story centers on his relationship with his son, through baseball games taking place in La Loma Park, but it is so much more than that. Katz leaps back and forth through times and places, so you need to be paying attention here friends. I definitely recommend this to you males out there, but let me tell you something ladies, you will LOVE it as well. Pinky swear.

****** for a chance to win a copy of this book e-mail your name, address and this book title to jenileerose@yahoo.com!

memoir.

There have been many books written about growing up black in a white community. None of them compare to the true life story of Jennifer Baszile in her memoir "The Black Girl Next Door." Growing up the minority in the 70's and 80's was extremely difficult for all African Americans, especially this author.

Baszile's parents pushed her and her sister to believe in and to live the American dream. America is not one color, or one dream. It is whatever you make of it. Her story made me stop and think about my own life, so carefree and easy. Would I have been as strong as she had been? This incredible woman became the first black female History professor at Yale.

This story is not solely based on the challenges of being one of the few black children in an all white school, it is based on her life as that child living under the roof with strict parents, always pushing her. It's candid and inspiring.

romantic novel.

Elizabeth Noble's latest novel, "The Girl Next Door" is charming. You will find something in common with one of the diverse characters living in this Upper East Side New York City apartment. Noble created a well told story that touches on many of problems we have interacting with each other, especially those closest to us. The story line flows nicely even though there are many different characters involved.

Reading and watching these characters evolve through their experiences (filled with surprises) was exciting and kept me interested. "The Girl Next Door" is lovely and relatable with some friendship and romance mixed in.

FAN FICTION.

"Dracula The Un-Dead" by Dacre Stoker & Ian Holt...either you love or you don't, there is no in between. Let's be smart about this people, do you like Dracula? Did you enjoy the original by Bram Stoker? You can decide whether you like it or not before you even pick up a copy.

Now on to my opinion. I liked it. It was really well written and entertaining. These authors take the original characters, (as well as bring in some new ones) and tweak them in the best possible way. It is a bit predictable, but I mean, how can it not be?

Do not be fooled, this is NOT meant to be the sequel to the original. Keep an open mind and just sit back and enjoy the fast pace and creativity of this book!

bowie biography.

If you are a fan of David Bowie, naturally, you will adore this biography by Marc Spitz. His book is dedicated to the life and mostly the MUSIC of this style icon and music legend.

Those if you who are not familiar with Bowie, this book is perfect for you. Spitz focuses on the life of this celebrity and how his music influenced so many other musicians. Those of you who have read other biographies on David Bowie's life, this one surpasses most. There are over one hundred original interviews with those who knew him best. You hardcore fans will find a lot of new ideas and information as well.

Personally, I would have enjoyed more pictures, but thats just my style. The written work in this biography is great!

sweet and romantic.

Norah Roberts' latest book, "Bed of Roses" (book two in the Bride Quartet) is filled with wonderful characters that you will no doubt fall in love with. They will take you out of your own life for a while, and let you live vicariously through them.

This is the love story of Emma and Jack. Emma works as the florist for Vows, the wedding planning business she is a part of with her three childhood friends. Jack is a close family friend, and architect, and he's known Emma for a significant number of years. Their relationship is a question of: should friends become lovers or not?

Lovers or friends? Hmm, pick up a copy and you shall find out which road they take.

losing my leg, finding myself and training for life.

Sarah Reinersten's memoir "In a Single Bound" is a beautiful and honest story of how growing up different can make you a stronger person.

Sarah was born with a proximal femoral focal deficiency in her left leg which is a shortened leg bone that will never grow. She had her leg amputated so that she could get a prosthetic and become more mobile on her own. Through her journey she has become an amazing woman, defying the odds. She has Competed in Ironman World Competitions, marathons triathlons. Her can do spirit is contagious and her story is really amazing.

This will inspire anyone, disabled or not, to be the best that they can be, and to never let anything get in their way.

diary of a wimpy kid.

I have heard nothing but great things about this Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, so I thought I would check out Jeff Kinney's most recent book, "Dog Days." This is the type of of book that will be around forever.

It's summer vacation, weather's great, and the kids are having fun outside but our main character Greg is inside playing video games because he is an "indoor person" and refuses to go outside, not unlike a lot of kids these days. Of course his Mom has her own agenda on how to get him to participate in other activities. Written in Greg's handwriting makes this book extra cute.

The series is completely relatable and designed for the in between aged kids who have a hard time finding enjoyable books to read. Kinney combines lessons AND humor.

pleasant valley book one.

Amish romance? I know what you're thinking, really? REALLY? Do not judge a book by it's cover my friends, even if it has a hardcore Amish looking chick on it. "Leah's Choice" by Marta Perry is a very enjoyable read.

Perry gives us a look inside the lives of the Amish and answers a lot of our unspoken questions. It is not super predictable, Leah (our cover model and main character) has a choice to make between two men and two lifestyles. The road that she chooses will change her life forever. Perry keeps you wondering until the very end.

Kick back and get lost in this easy read, you will love it.