Review : All Things New

All Things New by Lauren Miller

Genre: Contemporary, Mental Health, Anxiety, Mental Illness, Young Adult

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Purchase Link : Amazon | BN | Kobo

Pages: 328

Published August 1st 2017 by Three Saints Press

Jessa has always felt broken inside, but she’s gotten very good at hiding it. No one at school knows about the panic attacks, the therapy that didn't help, the meds that haven’t worked. But when a severe accident leaves her with a brain injury and visible scars, Jessa’s efforts to convince the world that she’s okay finally crumble—now she looks as shattered as she feels. 

Fleeing from her old life in Los Angeles, Jessa moves to Colorado to live with her dad, where she meets Marshall, a boy whose kindness and generous heart slowly draw Jessa out of her walled-off shell and into the broken, beautiful, real world—a place where souls get hurt just as badly as bodies, and we all need each other to heal.

ALL THINGS NEW is a love story about perception and truth, physical and emotional pain, and the messy, complicated people we are behind the masks we put on for the world, perfect for fans of ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. 

Jessa has been dealing with anxiety attacks on her own with her boyfriend until he wasn't there any more. When an accident leaves her with a brain injury and scars her father makes an offer for her to come live with him. It seems she didn't come out unscathed from the accident not only does she have scars but seems to be having hallucinations with those around her seeing them broken and scarred.  Now shes in a new school meeting new people making and a new love interest and still got to learn to get past what happens to her.

Not sure if I ended that description right but I think I'm going to stick to it. After reading this book its beyond me why it took me so long to actually pick it up because now that I've finished reading this I found it to be interesting, unique, unexpected and enjoyable. TBH I think it was the cover that drew me in and after reading the description I was curious how it was going to be. The description sounded generic like plenty books that I've read before but turned out there was clear differences that make this book stand out. It's not the greatest book (don't want to over hype the book) but it was pretty good it hooked me and pretty much wouldn't let me go to the end. There was interesting moments and I loved that this book didn't feel rushed. I loved seeing the progression of Jessa learning and changing over the course of the book and that it wasn't some insta love thing that solved every issue she has (hate when books do that) I loved seeing that slow change and seeing her improve. Overall this book was pretty good and I really enjoyed it.

Review : Words on Bathroom Walls

Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Mental Illness, Mental Health,

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Purchase Link : Amazon | BN | Kobo

Pages: 305

Published July 4th 2017 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Fans of More Happy Than Not, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and It’s Kind of a Funny Story will cheer for Adam as he struggles with schizophrenia in this brilliantly honest and unexpectedly funny debut.

Adam has just been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He sees and hears people who aren’t there: Rebecca, a beautiful girl who understands him; the Mob Boss, who harasses him; and Jason, the naked guy who’s unfailingly polite. It should be easy to separate the real from the not real, but Adam can't.

Still, there’s hope. As Adam starts fresh at a new school, he begins a drug trial that helps him ignore his visions. Suddenly everything seems possible, even love. When he meets Maya, a fiercely intelligent girl, he desperately wants to be the great guy that she thinks he is. But then the miracle drug begins to fail, and Adam will do anything to keep Maya from discovering his secret. 

Adam has schizophrenia and learning to cope with of seeing people who aren't there with a trial drug. He's in a new school and can actually start over with people who don't know him which is nice enough. At this school Adam meets Maya and he wants to be a better person and hide his schizophrenia. It was working until cdhis meds stop working and things start to slowly go down.

"It's funny how sometimes your own hallucinations can hurt you without touching you or saying anything you didn't already know."

After reading the description of the book and hearing that it would appeal to those who are fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Which is my favorite book) along with a few others I knew this book was right for me. I just found myself so hooked to Adam as a character, this is my second time reading about a character with schizophrenia and I loved the different take in this book. Adam was a realistic type of guy who says what he thinks but then again, I can remember a few points there he pretty much was able to get that courage being that he wasn't telling anyone but writing it. I loved that he was self aware of what was going on and seeing how he dealt with what he was seeing. I thought it was interesting that little touch of what med he was taking and seeing it progressively get higher and how we was in certain states in how he was able to deal with certain moments of his schizophrenia. But I think the real eye opener for me was how people were treating him. Treating him as if he was a dangerous creature that shouldn't be around others which was tough and sad to see. It was a realistic and sad truth that many people think of this mental health issue is something to be afraid of. It just seems so strange to me. I got family members with different mental health issues so seeing something out of the norm is something that normal for me so seeing someone with a different issue, isn't intimidating or scary. So for a person to be scared or worried about a person with a different mental health such as schizophrenia is so strange to me. I would rather made it a learning opportunity and learn about the mental illness, rather then be afraid.

"Is it strange watching your world crumble around you, knowing there's nothing you can do about it? I imagine it's strange."

Back to the review, any who this book was a pretty enjoyable contemporary read and I enjoyed this. I think if you read Made You Up by Francesca Zappia you would be interested in this book as well with the POV of a character with schizophrenia. Or in general if you read and loved this book you might enjoy Made You Up as well. Overall Highly recommend you lovely readers to check out this book, I didn't think I would love this book as much as I did.

Review: My Sister Rosa

My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier

Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary, Mental Illness, Suspense, Siblings,

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Published: November 15th 2016 by Soho Teen 

Pages: 320

Purchase link: Amazon | B&N

What if the most terrifying person you know is your ten-year-old sister?

Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he’s also certain that she’s a diagnosable psychopath—clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently Rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he’s the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the violence she’s capable of. 

Their parents, whose business takes the family from place to place, brush off the warning signs as Rosa’s “acting out.” Now that they have moved again—from Bangkok to New York City—their new hometown provides far too many opportunities for Rosa to play her increasingly complex and disturbing games. Alone, Che must balance his desire to protect Rosa from the world with the desperate need to protect the world from her.

Che has known for a while that his sister is well, a psychopath. No one seems to believe him when he says that there is something truly wrong with her because looks can bee deceiving and shes a trouble maker with a angels smile. Long ago he made a promise his parents that he would protect the world from Rosa, but that is no longer the case. It seems now that he should protect the world from her.

I loved this book, it was everything I thought it would be and more. I loved how creepy his little sister makes me glad for the little sister I have that's also ten. I loved how after everything Rosa loved her brother and trusted him well enough that she would divulge in her every creepy little ideas. Everything was so well though out with Rosa she was too smart for her own good. I loved how amazing well written this book was, I was hooked from the very start. When it came to that ending, I can see a lot of readers having a issue about it but honestly I loved it. I mean it tells you straight on how it ends but I couldn't help but think there was different ways it could've gone. I'm not sure quite sure if I'm saying it right. I feel like that ending was open enough for me to make my own opinions on what was going on. I would love to describe in depth more of what I loved about this book but that's hard to do without spoiling the book. I was accidently spoiled with the book when I dropped it and opened it on the wrong page and was horrified that I read a spoiler and won't do the same to you. I thought that their family dynamic was interesting, and getting to know the brief history of the parents surprised me.

Overall Loved this book it was a fantastic book that kept me on the edge of my seat and I highly recommend you lovely readers to check out this book.

Review : Girl In Pieces

Girl In Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mental Health, Mental Illness

Purchase link: Amazon | B&N

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Pages: 416

Expected publication: August 30th 2016 by Delacorte Press

Charlotte Davis is in pieces. At seventeen she’s already lost more than most people lose in a lifetime. But she’s learned how to forget. The thick glass of a mason jar cuts deep, and the pain washes away the sorrow until there is nothing but calm. You don’t have to think about your father and the river. Your best friend, who is gone forever. Or your mother, who has nothing left to give you.

Every new scar hardens Charlie’s heart just a little more, yet it still hurts so much. It hurts enough to not care anymore, which is sometimes what has to happen before you can find your way back from the edge.

This was a pretty tough book to read. Seeing everything that this character was going through it was hard not to care for her. At some point I wanted to yell at her some of at some of her life choices. She seems to find herself with the wrong type of people who can make things worse rather then better for her. Shes young and still learning and needed someone to be there. Someone responsible who can help guide her in the right direction. It was hard seeing her the way she started and seeing her get better but once she got out then things started to go down more and it was just though to read. It was hard seeing her trying to improve herself and things just get shot down an nothing seemed to go her way. When it came to that ending I loved how real it was. Things just didn't suddently turn out perfect and her life is all great. Overall I really loved this book and found it hard to put down. It was dark, emotional and I really found myself hooked from the very start. I recommend you lovely readers to check it out.

Blitz : The Silver Lining Playbook

The Silver Lining Playbook by Matthew Quick

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Movies, Drama, Realistic Fiction

Pages: 289

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Purchase Link:

Published October 16th 2012 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Meet Pat. Pat has a theory: his life is a movie produced by God. And his God-given mission is to become physically fit and emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure a happy ending for him -- the return of his estranged wife Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent time in a mental health facility.) The problem is, Pat's now home, and everything feels off. No one will talk to him about Nikki; his beloved Philadelphia Eagles keep losing; he's being pursued by the deeply odd Tiffany; his new therapist seems to recommend adultery as a form of therapy. Plus, he's being hunted by Kenny G!

In this enchanting novel, Matthew Quick takes us inside Pat's mind, showing us the world from his distorted yet endearing perspective. As the award-winning novelist Justin Cronin put it: "Tender, soulful, hilarious, and true, The Silver Linings Playbook is a wonderful debut."

I enjoyed reading this, when I tried watching the movie after just couldn't. I had watched the movie before not knowing about the books existence. I enjoyed the movie before reading. But after... can't say the same, kept cringing at the differences and would'nt continue watching the movie. I did like the book it was enjoyable and I liked getting to know in depth of what was going on with him and what was going on in his minds through the downfall and through its days where things were going good.

I was originally reading this book for the #booktubeathon read & watch a book to movie and I chose Pride & Prejudice as my choice. After so long of not reading it this challenge gave me that push I needed. I loved that book and I loved this book but I did not enjoy that movie. I'll end up watching Pride and Prejudice as my read & watch the book movie challenge.

Now tell me lovely readers are you following along with this challenge? What books have you read. Are things going as you'd hoped. What book to movie challenge did you pick leave your comments below!

Review | Mental Health : Wintergirls

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary,Mental Illness, Mental Health, Death, Psychology,

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Pages: 278

Published : March 19, 2009 by Speak

Purchase link: Amazon | B&N

The New York Times bestselling story of a friendship frozen between life and death 

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in fragile bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the thinnest. But then Cassie suffers the ultimate loss-her life-and Lia is left behind, haunted by her friend's memory and racked with guilt for not being able to help save her. In her most powerfully moving novel since Speak, award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia's struggle, her painful path to recovery, and her desperate attempts to hold on to the most important thing of all: hope. 

I'm almost very sure that this book should come with a trigger warning. I can honestly say it was tough to read at times seeing the main character go deeper into her illness, see her tear herself apart mentally and physical. Seeing how she was affecting her family and such. This book was interesting and heartbreaking and I enjoyed the book.

Review : Challenger Deep

Challenger Deep By Neal Shusterman

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness, Mental Health, Psychology, Fantasy,

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Purchase Link: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | BAM

Pages: 308

Published April 21st 2015 by HarperCollins

Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.
Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.
Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images.
Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.
Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.
Caden Bosch is torn.
A captivating and powerful novel that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by one of today's most admired writers for teens. 

Another great book that did romanticize the illness. This book left me confused and amazed by what was going on through his mind. I haven't come across a character was was quiet this deep in his illness was it was surprised what he though was going on, I'm actually surprised that the parents didn't get him help sooner because the way he was acting I think his parents should've at least had him checked out before things progressed as it did.Overall a really great and interesting book.

Review : Identical

Identical By Ellen Hopkins

Genre: Young Adult, Poetry, Fiction, Contemporary, Abuse, Mental Illness, Romance

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Purchase Link: Amazon

Synopsis:

Do twins begin in the womb?
Or in a better place?

Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical down to the dimple. As daughters of a district-court judge father and a politician mother, they are an all-American family -- on the surface. Behind the facade each sister has her own dark secret, and that's where their differences begin.

For Kaeleigh, she's the misplaced focus of Daddy's love, intended for a mother whose presence on the campaign trail means absence at home. All that Raeanne sees is Daddy playing a game of favorites -- and she is losing. If she has to lose, she will do it on her own terms, so she chooses drugs, alcohol, and sex.
Secrets like the ones the twins are harboring are not meant to be kept -- from each other or anyone else. Pretty soon it's obvious that neither sister can handle it alone, and one sister must step up to save the other, but the question is -- who?

Review:

Just...wow... 

Consider my mind blown.

Basicly this book is about twins, they have what seems to be the perfect family. Father a well-known judge and mother running for a place in congress. But what's behind closed doors is darker, both twins are very much alike with the looks but the secrets each one hold can be very destructive. As things seems to get worse someone has to finally take a stand or things will eventually fall apart.

This book was completely a show moving train wreck and I can honestly say that it was hard to read... Like I'm having a hard time writing this review thinking of all that went on. It's actually disturbing and heart breaking, but an overall really good book. When I first started this book I knew it was about twins and not much else didn't care to find out the rest. This isn't the first book that I've read by the author Ellen Hopkins. It was writing in a poetic style that seems to be all over the place that was kinda the appeal of this book that I figure this would be a quick light read and it turned out to be anything but. This isn't for the faint of heart and is definitely a trigger warning with sexual abuse. When it came to that ending I was blown away and hoped for a different ending but I'll take what I can get about it. Just wow, great book.

Review : All the Bright Places

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Genre: Young Adult, Mental Illness, Death, Suicide, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Romance,
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Pages: 388
Published January 6th 2015 by Knopf 
Purchase Link: Amazon | Kindle

Synopsis:

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!
 
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

Review:

"What a terrible feeling to love someone and not be able to help them."

Finch is trying to find himself by trying on different personas to figured out which on is the real him. Which one makes him feel like his true self but as times goes on he sinks the deeper into depression. Violet is going through some survivors guilt after the death of her sister in a car crash.

Two very different people, Violet & Finch, find themselves on the ledge of the school and as Finch talks them both off the ledge. From then on there's the connection between the two, as well as a school project, that leads them to wander different place and learn more about each other and themselves.

"The problem with people is that they forget that most of the time it's the small things that count."

Wow, that ending truly I wasn't expecting it. If you have read this book please write your comments below. Trust me when I say this book will pull on some heart strings and really get you to think about mental illness and depression and suicide in a different way... I just can't get over how it ended. I think there were bits and pieces in seeing Finch change and it was hard to see how that ending would've made sense, this is basing it off of his point of view. In the beginning I think it would've make sense how the ending turned out but I thought things were getting better for him. As for Violets point of view I should've expected how it turned out there were little signs on him sinking and not really coming out of that funk. I loved that Finch was able to help Violet and change. I just overall really loved this book. I was able to get this from the library, but I feel like this is one of those books that I can read a couple more times and not get tired so I'll be sure to head to the store and buy a copy of this book it's worth it. Highly Recommend!

"The thing I realize is, that it's not what you take, it's what you leave."

Review : I was Here

I was Here by Gayle Forman

Genre: Mystery, Depression, Mental Illness, Death, Teen, New Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Romance.
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Purchase Link : Amazon
Pages: 270

Synopsis:

Cody and Meg were inseparable.
Two peas in a pod.
Until . . . they weren’t anymore.

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, who broke Meg’s heart. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

I Was Here is Gayle Forman at her finest, a taut, emotional, and ultimately redemptive story about redefining the meaning of family and finding a way to move forward even in the face of unspeakable loss. 

So heres what I thought:

Cody's best friend committed suicide and made sure no one would find out until she wanted it so. It was sent through an email. Cody had no clue her friend was suicidal, she didn't know how her friend managed to get a chemical like the one she used. In fact, she didn't know much about her best friend up until recently when she had lost touch with her when her friend left college. Packing up what was left of her best friends,Meg's, life she comes up to come evidence that leads her to think that leads her to want to search more into her friends life.

I this was a journey of Cody's grief learning about her best friend things she never knew. Not knowing what she was facing she headed on to finding out why her Meg did what she did. This book was sad and depressing at times but hopeful that Meg finds the answer she was looking for. I disliked her mother up until the end. I loved that Meg's family was able to give Cody the normalness of a family she wanted. I loved the Meg was able to get a bit away from her life to meet new people, go on a journey for herself and for Meg to come across secrets. I loved the mystery and I loved the relationship she had with Nick. I loved that what was going on between the two wasn't overpowering the book with romance, although there was just little bits of it to show what was going on with the two. This book was very morbid at some times.

Overall a great story, I really loved it.