This book spans nearly a dozen years in the lives of two sisters. We watch them learn to cope and survive in an abusive and neglectful household.
On the negative side, the storytelling is much different than I'm used to. It caused me quite a few issues in the beginning until I caught on. The switching of tense is a big distraction for me. I had to imagine that my Aunt Bess (who is fictional) was telling me the story. 'You remember Uncle Henry? He went to the rodeo the other day! Oh! Here he is now! You know, some day, he's going to be a rock star!' Once you get in the correct mindset for the storytelling, it no longer becomes an issue. There are also a few parts where it feels like I 'called her out' on her own story. 'The girls climbed out of the window. Daddy nailed it shut and they couldn't open it. The girls climbed out of the window.' Um....'Oh yeah...Daddy had to open the window back up. That's how the girls climbed out of the window again.' As long as you start the book with this storytelling set in mind, you shouldn't have any issues.
On the plus side, this book had quite a lot going for it. The characters are brilliantly built and we get in-depth perspective into their minds. There are a couple of areas that are shocking and unexpected. While reading, you constantly want to know what's going to happen next. There's no guessing. I had a difficult time putting it down. Once I got a handle on the correct way to read the story, it went really quickly. It also left on just the right note. I am anxious to read the next in the series when it's released, but I'm also left feeling satisfied.
Though this is technically a fictional book, readers of True Crime will enjoy it. There are some great horrific scenes for you horror lovers out there.
Personal note: If the words 'perfectly browned to perfection' annoy you, skip this one and move on to the next in your stack.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Friday, January 26, 2018
Let's get personal...
It's been a really long time since I've posted. Thankfully, I keep a binder with my passwords, or I wouldn't be posting now. I've missed it :)
I have autoimmune disease. I've known this since I was six. However, with aging comes complications. My immune system has decided that it needs to attack my major organs. After more than a year, I think we're finally on the right track of treatment. My doctors and hospitals and pharmacists have been amazingly patient and compassionate throughout. My family and friends have all pitched in to take care of the things I haven't been able to, as well as continuing to be patient with me. I haven't been available to anyone. Not only has my brain not been functioning at full capacity, but I have a special needs child. He has trisomy 7q11.2. If you don't know anything about it, that makes you even with the rest of the world. It's a constant learning experience. Because of my illness, we've had to switch over to a home schooling situation. He's actually thriving! But! This means that what little energy I've had each day has been devoted to him. I've missed funerals, births, birthdays, some holidays. I've missed friend time and family time and even just catching up time. I'm looking forward to fixing all of this in the future. I still have a long road ahead of me, but within two months I should be back to my old, cheerful, bookish self.
What does this mean for Litter? Honestly, I have no idea. I've missed the book world crazy much. There have been long stints where I haven't been able to read. There have been times when I was able to read, but not able to remember what I read. I haven't written a review in ages. Oh...I write them in my mind, but they never make it to paper or electronic device. It's so ingrained in me that I can't help it. I digress! I've learned a lot the past year, about myself and the world, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you.
One of the most important things I've learned is that I can't do everything I want to do. One of my dearest books in the library is a copy of Robert Frost poems that was given to me by my dear friend, spoken word artist and poet J.K. Blaylock. I'm sure you all know about the two roads that were diverged in a yellow wood. My way of thinking has always differed from that. Why are there only two roads? How come I can only go down one? Do I get to climb trees? Can't I run back and forth from path to path? Can't I hook someone up with a mini-cam and send them down the other path so I can experience them both at the same time? Now I know there are only two roads because we have such limited time. There simply isn't enough daylight to travel down both roads or climb the trees or rush from path to path or even forge your own path but keep sight of another path. It's so very short. What's my point? I can't possibly cover everything in the book world that I want to. I am human and frail. Don't get me wrong...I'm still a rock star super hero...but I'm human. Some days I'll be able to plow through books and reviews and share lots of great information. Other days I won't even be able to turn on my computer.
Where this leaves us is that I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I know there will be no more deadlines for me. Deadlines will kill you. Quickly. There will be no more scheduled items. If you have a scheduled event, do me a huge favor and message me the day before. If I'm available and up to it, I'll happily help with marketing. If I'm not, I won't. I cannot let the stress of deadlines and dates on a calendar take over my life again. If you want a review, great! I can't wait to get back to it! Please, message me and let's discuss it. If you have a clear deadline for it, I probably won't be able to do it. Life is just too chaotic at the moment.
As usual, this turned out to be quite a rambly post. I just started my new dose of medicine and the urge to get on here and post was absolutely overwhelming. That means I feel a bit more like me! I'm not sure when I'll be back again. We'll see how it goes. In the meantime, I'm still here. I'm still alive. I'm still fighting. I still love all you wonderful book people and I appreciate the hell out of everyone that has stood by me and been patient with me throughout all of this.
I have autoimmune disease. I've known this since I was six. However, with aging comes complications. My immune system has decided that it needs to attack my major organs. After more than a year, I think we're finally on the right track of treatment. My doctors and hospitals and pharmacists have been amazingly patient and compassionate throughout. My family and friends have all pitched in to take care of the things I haven't been able to, as well as continuing to be patient with me. I haven't been available to anyone. Not only has my brain not been functioning at full capacity, but I have a special needs child. He has trisomy 7q11.2. If you don't know anything about it, that makes you even with the rest of the world. It's a constant learning experience. Because of my illness, we've had to switch over to a home schooling situation. He's actually thriving! But! This means that what little energy I've had each day has been devoted to him. I've missed funerals, births, birthdays, some holidays. I've missed friend time and family time and even just catching up time. I'm looking forward to fixing all of this in the future. I still have a long road ahead of me, but within two months I should be back to my old, cheerful, bookish self.
What does this mean for Litter? Honestly, I have no idea. I've missed the book world crazy much. There have been long stints where I haven't been able to read. There have been times when I was able to read, but not able to remember what I read. I haven't written a review in ages. Oh...I write them in my mind, but they never make it to paper or electronic device. It's so ingrained in me that I can't help it. I digress! I've learned a lot the past year, about myself and the world, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you.
One of the most important things I've learned is that I can't do everything I want to do. One of my dearest books in the library is a copy of Robert Frost poems that was given to me by my dear friend, spoken word artist and poet J.K. Blaylock. I'm sure you all know about the two roads that were diverged in a yellow wood. My way of thinking has always differed from that. Why are there only two roads? How come I can only go down one? Do I get to climb trees? Can't I run back and forth from path to path? Can't I hook someone up with a mini-cam and send them down the other path so I can experience them both at the same time? Now I know there are only two roads because we have such limited time. There simply isn't enough daylight to travel down both roads or climb the trees or rush from path to path or even forge your own path but keep sight of another path. It's so very short. What's my point? I can't possibly cover everything in the book world that I want to. I am human and frail. Don't get me wrong...I'm still a rock star super hero...but I'm human. Some days I'll be able to plow through books and reviews and share lots of great information. Other days I won't even be able to turn on my computer.
Where this leaves us is that I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I know there will be no more deadlines for me. Deadlines will kill you. Quickly. There will be no more scheduled items. If you have a scheduled event, do me a huge favor and message me the day before. If I'm available and up to it, I'll happily help with marketing. If I'm not, I won't. I cannot let the stress of deadlines and dates on a calendar take over my life again. If you want a review, great! I can't wait to get back to it! Please, message me and let's discuss it. If you have a clear deadline for it, I probably won't be able to do it. Life is just too chaotic at the moment.
As usual, this turned out to be quite a rambly post. I just started my new dose of medicine and the urge to get on here and post was absolutely overwhelming. That means I feel a bit more like me! I'm not sure when I'll be back again. We'll see how it goes. In the meantime, I'm still here. I'm still alive. I'm still fighting. I still love all you wonderful book people and I appreciate the hell out of everyone that has stood by me and been patient with me throughout all of this.
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