It’s day 1 of my blog-a-day December! Also: HOLY CRAP IT’S DECEMBER. And M’s birthday is on the 6th and I haven’t gotten him anything yet 
and Christmas is just around the corner. Happily, I am not knitting things for my family this year and that’s a HUGE relief. I just didn’t have the time or motivation, honestly. Pretty much everyone is getting gift cards this year, I’m not-so-sorry to say.
Anyway, I am still behind on my book reviews so here’s another catch up post 
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Inside Scientology by Janet Reitman
Oh boy, where to start? If you’re at all familiar with me, then you know that I am staunchly anti-Scientology. I think it’s not a religion–it’s a cult–and people who get involved with it are basically brainwashed.
So, suffice it to say that I went into this with the opinion that Scientology is a crock, and the book only served to reinforce that opinion. It’s really appalling how much of a ripoff the “church” of Scientology is. I put that word in quotes because it’s much less of a church and way more of a money-making scam. L. Ron Hubbard was a swindler and science fiction author–not a prophet. Stay far, far away from this so-called religion, but do read this book. It’s certainly eye-opening, especially if you’re not familiar with all the history of the movement. I found myself continually facepalming because it’s so ludicrous that people actually believe (and throw thousands of dollars at) this bunk.
(P.S. If any random spam commenters try to leave me some crazy-ass pro-Scientology comments, don’t waste your time because you will be deleted, mofos.)
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Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
Ok, so…I was working at the library by myself one day, skimming the shelves, when I came across Forbidden. I read the inside flap copy and literally went, “WHAT?!” when I discovered that this book is about incest. I went to Goodreads to see what the reviews were like and was surprised to see it has such a high rating. I thought, all right–I’m in. I checked the book out that day.
It’s really easy to read, which is kind of shocking considering the subject matter. It’s obviously a taboo, controversial topic to write about, but Suzuma has a truly lovely way with words. As for the characters, I found the majority of them likable, for the most part. That being said, I don’t think it would have been possible for me to finish this if I had a brother (which I don’t). Honestly, I think the story would have grossed me out in that case. Overall, it’s a very good book but I would caution anyone who’s got a younger reader. This is shelved in the Young Adult section and it’s marked for 16 and up on the inside flap, which sounds about right to me. But personally I was stunned at some of the scenes because they are written in a decidedly adult manner. Pretty graphic, in my opinion. At times, I had to keep reminding myself that this is technically a YA book.
As with many YA novels, the conclusion felt rushed to me, but the writing was very good and made up for the somewhat hurried ending.
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Fear by R.L. Stine (Editor)
Meh, these stories were just okay. It’s not very accurate to call them horror stories, though some are suspenseful (as suspenseful as a YA novel can be). The rest really belong in the science fiction genre. I only enjoyed a couple of the stories–the others were quite mediocre and not creepy at all.
Also, the amount of typos and/or grammar issues annoyed me greatly. This book needs a decent copy editor. It really irks me when I read a book and it’s filled with errors! I can’t take the book very seriously when no one’s bothered to run spell check prior to going to press, for crying out loud. I know that’s a nit pick and doesn’t have much to do with the quality of the writing, but it’s very distracting for me as a reader.
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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Hmm, I have mixed feelings. I liked Jackson’s short story “The Lottery,” so I had high hopes for this book. While I enjoy her writing style (and her knack for shocking endings), the pace of Hill House was a little too slow for my liking. There were moments when the story became slightly scary, but Jackson didn’t go the extra step and take me into ‘I’m afraid to go to sleep now’ territory.
In fact, for me, I got halfway through the book before it even started getting creepy. There was a lot of back story and character set up to deal with. Lastly, I think the supporting characters could have been used a little better (other than simply to wind up at that fateful ending). I don’t know, I just felt that the book was unsatisfying. It was like I kept waiting for something to happen, but it just…didn’t. Sure, the ending was shocking, but it’s almost like it was an afterthought to the slow pace of the overall narrative.
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Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Ah, at least I can end this post on a positive note! Delirium is a pretty good book with a really awesome ending. Unlike many other readers, this is the first book by Oliver that I’ve read–I haven’t read Before I Fall yet. She writes beautifully–her narrative is often poetic, but at times I felt that her characters ramble on a little too much. The story is told through Lena’s point of view and so much takes place within her own internal monologue. I feel that the book could have been edited down somewhat while still retaining the essence of the story. But I appreciate that Lena is a decently fleshed-out character–she has a best friend (other than her love interest) and they have a great dynamic together. However, I got a little weary of Lena’s “I’m so plain, I’m nothing special,” Bella Swan-esque lamentations. Lena isn’t quite as bad, but she got a little annoying for me at times.
Despite that, I adore the central message of the book: that love is the chiefest of all things in this world–in this life–and no one can ever take that from you. There is truly something admirable about that kind of story. I look forward to reading the sequel.
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Phew! I’m still not up to date, geez. Remind me not to procrastinate ever again!
