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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Review/Teen Tuesday #3: Wintergirls





"Who wants to recover? It took me years to get that tiny. I wasn't sick; I was strong." 

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson is a very chilling read. Lia, protagonist, is an anorexic young adult. Her obsession with her weight began at a very young age with her best friend of nine years, Cassie. Lia's preferred method for staying thin is restriction while Cassie is bulimic. The story kicks into high gear when the duo stop being friends after Lia blacks out while driving them to take the SAT's. They both are admitted for their illnesses, but when Lia emerges from treatment Cassie has proclaimed that Lia is the root of all of her problems and no longer wants to be friends. Lia eventually learns to live without Cassie, but her world is once again rocked when Cassie is found dead in a seedy motel room. Lia, simultaneously, is  haunted by Cassie's ghost and is pushing herself toward an all time weight loss goal. Lia has to decide whether to let Cassie's ghost drag her down or if she's finally ready to live like a "real girl."

Overall, I was impressed with the research Anderson did into the world of eating disorders including the websites devoted to thinness and "thinspiraton." I was however disappointed with the lack of a romantic interest in the novel. I think romance and the attraction to the opposite/same sex is a dominate part of adolescence and the fact that Lia doesn't have a romantic interest and the one guy she does talk to she labels ugly is an oversight. Especially since Elijah, Lia's non love interest, essentially saves her life by abandoning her and telling her to face her demons. I would have enjoyed some reconciliation between them in the future, maybe he should have come to visit her at the hospital...
"I am angry that I starved my brain and that I sat shivering in my bed at night instead of dancing or reading poetry or eating ice cream or kissing a boy..." 
In respect to the young adult audience and the sensitive topic, I think this book is a must read for young adults and for a select few adults. I would recommend this read to adults who are familiar with  Anderson's other books, Speak and The Impossible Knife of Memory, and possibly fans of Thirteen Reasons Why.


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Monday, December 15, 2014

Bookish Scarves


If you are lucky enough to be in a place with cold weather this holiday season, bundle up with these bookish scarves imprinted with pages from your favorite classic novels. 
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Friday, December 12, 2014

12 DOC: Day 12: Top 12 Books Of The Year

The editors have made their decisions and the top 100 books of 2014 have been chosen. The top 12 from that list are below. 


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Thursday, December 11, 2014

12 DOC: Day 11: 12 Kindle Covers Under $10

Want to jazz up your Kindle Paperwhite without breaking the bank? If so, check out these cool Kindle cases for under $10. 
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12 
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014

12 DOC: Day 10: 9 Christmas Themed Books

In the mood for some Christmas cheer? If so, check out these winter wonderland reads. 
1   2    3   4   5   6   7   8   9
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Tuesday, December 9, 2014

12 DOC: Day 9: Top 10 Free Ebooks

Everyone likes free things. Today enjoy the top 10 free ebooks available through Amazon. 

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Monday, December 8, 2014

12 DOC: Day 8: Tea Party

My favorite companion for a good book is a tasty cup of tea. Below are some great gifts for the bookish tea lover in your life. 
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Saturday, December 6, 2014

12 DOC: Day 6: Healthy Reading Snacks

Let's be honest we all love to snack while we are reading. Let's start our New Year's Resolutions early and start snacking healthier. 

1. Hummus Dippers

How’s this for an unconventional use of a travel coffee mug? Put 2 tablespoons of your favorite hummus in the bottom of the container, stick a handful of vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, and snow peas are a great mix) vertically in the hummus, screw on the top, and throw in a purse or gym bag for an easy, on-the-go, super-healthy snack.

2. Caramel Creme Mousse and Apple

1 Jell-O Caramel Creme Mousse Temptations + 1/2 large apple, sliced for dippingThis duo has about one-fifth the calories of a caramel apple, and mousse that was "amazing" and "fabulous" to boot.Lara Robby/Studio D -Good Housekeeping

3. Apple Rings Five Ways

This is an ingeniously simple idea, using one of the few fresh, unprocessed foods that can be found all year round and easily picked up on the go.The Art of Eating Well by Hemsley and Hemsley (Ebury)

4. Grape-and-Cheese Sticks 

Dice a half-inch thick slice of cheddar cheese into squares (you should end up with about 6 small pieces) and rinse 6 grapes. On 6 toothpicks, stack the grape and cheese, and enjoy! Just 1 ounce of sharp cheddar offers 8 grams of protein, and the contrast with sweet grapes is super sophisticated (and delicious).

5. Nut Butter Boat 

Any vehicle for nut butter is perfection in our book. Try loading a few celery sticks with 1 tablespoon of any nut butter (almond, cashew, walnut) topped with a few whole almonds or raisins. If you’re not a fan of celery, try scooping out the middle of an apple and filling it with your nut butter of choice.
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Friday, December 5, 2014

12 DOC: Day 5: Bookish Destinations




Not sure what to do with your holiday off time? Check out these book related destinations.
1 The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo         2  Lord Of The Rings        3 Harry Potter       
4 Twilight       5 Romeo And Juliet

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Thursday, December 4, 2014

12 DOC: Day 4: Reading Spaces

Refresh your reading corner this weekend with these fun Etsy decorations.

Click on the pictures below to go to the Etsy stores. 
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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

12 DOC: Day 3: Door Decorations

Deck your halls or maybe just your front door with these festive wreaths and door decorations.
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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

12 DOC: Day 2: Leisure Activities



Enjoy your time off from work or school with these awesome books turned into movies. 

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Monday, December 1, 2014

12 DOC: Day 1: Gifts For The Bookish



Christmas Gifts For Book Lovers
The best part of Christmas is gift giving. This list should inspire you in your gift search for all your bookish friends! 


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