Sex if You're Scared of the Truth Don't Read This - Mary Roberts

Book: Sex if You’re Scared of the Truth Don’t Read This!

Author: U.S. Marine Carl Sommer

Publisher: Advance Publishing - published in 2009

Reviewed by: Mary Roberts 

 - 5 out of 5 stars 

       Carl Sommer addresses in this book a teenage audience. He uses statistics as well as testimonies to get across the idea that sex before marriage is not a healthy lifestyle choice. He discusses the emotional and physical damage that “casual sex” can inflict on an adolescent’s body. Sommer promotes the reader to look at their own life and experiences to see the benefits of abstinence. He also uses stories from his own life to highlight the benefits of waiting until marriage. The book is written with very easy to understand language. It is also written with a sense of seriousness and bluntness. This made the book seem more like a discussion than a lecture and made it a more enjoyable read.

            Personally I completely agree with the author’s ideals. His thesis statement throughout the book is that sex before marriage is both emotionally and physically unhealthy. One of the first things he discusses are STDs and “safe sex” both of these topics are often either accepted or just completely ignored. He states that “19 million people are infected each year with some kind of STD.” (pg. 37).  This is a striking statistic that he uses to successfully combat the mindset that an STD can’t happen to you. He discusses the ABC’s of “safe sex”: abstinence, be faithful, use a condom (pg. 36). He also discusses the flaws inthe rules. Another major point he brings up is the mixed signals teens receive in their education. “Many health providers mention abstinence as being 100% effective  for the prevention of STDs and pregnancies, but then go into great detail about how to have safe sex” (pg. 37). This is a valid point that really brought up the question what are we really being taught to do? Sommer later combats the ideas of pornography. He explains that the images are unhealthy for the function of both men and women. For men he argues that it gives them a view of women as objects. It also increases their chances of violent behavior. According to Sommer “In a study of convicted child molesters 77% of those who molested boys and 87% of those who molested girls admitted to habitual use of pornography”( pg. 62). Sommer covers many of the emotional reasons not to have Sex. One major effect he covers is depression. “When compared to teens who are not sexually active, teenage boys and girls who are sexually active are significantly less likely to be happy and more likely to be depressed.”(pg. 65). This is important because the damage done emotionally by have premarital sex can be just as devastating as the diseases one can gain. Sommer does a great job of bringing up the different scenarios that surround the ideas of premarital sex. He creates fake dialogues of people being pressured into intimacy. He also gets testimonies of people who have stood up against this idea of casual sex, such as Miss America winner Erika Harold who was determined to share her view of abstinence in her platform, and Miriam Grossman M.D. who wrote an over under an alias informing the public of the emotional trauma caused by premarital sex. In this novel Sommer informs the reader about the risks they’re facing when they say yes before marriage, while still giving them hope that abstinence is possible. Even for those who have already failed. This book was a quick and very insightful read that I completely recommend to anyone who wants to find out the truth about sex.

Nightshade -- Alexandra Lopez

 

Nightshade

by Andrea Cremer

Reveiwed by Alexandra Lopez

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she would be mated to the alpha wolf, Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice.

I loved the lore they used for werewolves; however I was too keen on our Heroine Calla. She was clichéd, falling for a human at one of the worst times. She falls for a human she saved, which was a big no-no. But overall I loved the side characters; they seemed better developed than Calla. Maybe because I’m not too fond of romance, but it didn’t seem believable. From what I tool was that Calla loved him. She said it was meant to be. The romance was forced and the book would have done better without it.

 I liked Ren better than Shay. Ren was a jerk, but he knew what was important. His views were twisted, but he had conviction and that’s what I liked most about him. He was just boring; there was nothing interesting about him. Then now that I think about it, maybe that’s why she loved him. Shay was different, he was human after all. He was normal, something Calla would never be, or at least experience. Still, Shay was boring, nothing would change that.

Reconstructing Amelia -- Reviewed by Stephanie Best

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
Reviewed by Stephanie Best

Fifteen year old, Amelia, and her mother, Kate, were all each other had. Amelia shared everything with Kate. That is, until the day she was “tapped” by the Magpies, an exclusive club only the select few were admitted into. Reluctantly, Amelia agrees to join, and her life is changed forever. Within weeks, she is found dead. According to the police, she jumped off her school’s roof committing suicide. In her clouded grief, Kate accepts this, until one day getting an anonymous text saying that Amelia didn't jump. Kate begins to realize that perhaps this text isn't just a cruel joke. Through the process Kate find out shocking things about her daughter and the people she knew. But with everyone telling Kate different stories, and continually gaining more questions than answers, will she be able to find out what really happened to Amelia?

I rated Reconstructing Amelia four stars because I thought the story was interesting, and I enjoyed trying to figure out how it was going to end as the story went along. I did not, however, like the fact that the story changed between characters, as well as time periods. More than once I was confused and would have to go back and figure out when it was happening. I do think that multiple views help give dramatic irony for the readers, but I thought sometimes it could add to the confusion. Overall I enjoyed the book. The genre is quite common so I think anyone that enjoys murder mysteries would enjoy this book.

Empty-- Reviewed by Alexandra Lopez

Empty

By Suzanne Weyn

Reviewed by Alexandra Lopez

In the distant furture the fossil fuels are running out. No gas. No oil. Which means no driving. No heat. Supermarkets are empty. Malls have shut down. Life has just become more local than we ever knew it could be.

Nobody expected the end to come this fast. And in the small town of Spring Valley, decisions that once seemed easy are quickly becoming matters of life and death. Three young teens Tom, Nicki, and Leila are three young teens whose lives are very different from each others and their view points different. Will the they survive this madness? Will the world survive? Or will we resort to war, to take what little oil is left?

Empty is basically the world running out of oil. And it shows exactly how we are depend at of oil. For electricity, generators that require oil to run, which effect a lot house hold appliances. Then because oil is limited, the government raised the prices. In the story just the description of other teens, kids and even adults, t has taken a toll on them. They seem dirtier, angrier, and even more worried. Things I also enjoyed is that the world around them affected them. The country was on the verge with Venezuela, new treaty's with country that had valuable resources, oil being cut off from us and many other things that took a toll on everybody.

However even if oil was gone, life didn't end, yes it would be difficult, most of them had luxuries that would be missed, but the world wasn't dead. There is hope, life will go on. Overall this was a really good book and a big reminder that the oil will not be there forever, and we should look for alternatives before things get any worse.

Kiss Me Kill Me -- Reviewed by Stephanie Best

Kiss Me Kill  Me by Lauren Henderson
Reviewed by Stephanie Best     
       
     All teenager Scarlet wanted was two things: breasts and a kiss from her crush Dan McAndrew. She got what she wished for, but at a price. One day while waiting for a ride home after gymnastics practice with her two best friends Luce and Alison, Scarlet was signaled over to the popular group by Nadia, inviting Scarlet to her party that weekend. Betraying her friends, Scarlet agreed. Unknowingly, the action would come back to bite her in the back. At the party, she is falling head over heels with the popular Dan McAndrew, and it seems that he is falling for her as well. They quickly hit it off, and before she knows it, he is kissing her. Lost in the moment, she didn’t realize that he starts chocking. Minutes later, he was dead, and everyone thinks she did it. Now she at a new school, where she hopes she can finally forget what happened only a few months ago. But will her past come back to haunt her? And how did Dan McAndrew really die?    
       
     Kiss Me Kill Me was a pretty good book. I felt like I could relate to her to some extent. She reminded me a lot of myself in middle school, trying desperately to fit in with the popular crowd, resulting in abandoning friends for a period of time. I found her personality to be much like mine. I thought the story was well written and I enjoyed the plot. If other readers have liked Rosebush by Michele Jaffe, then I recommend this book.

Three Black Swans -- Stephanie Best

Three Black Swans by Caroline B. Cooney
Reviewed by Stephanie Best

On one ordinary day in Connecticut, sophomore Missy is out doing chores for her mother. Yet while she was at the dry cleaners, she hears the most extraordinary thing. She hears about how identical twins might not look identical for many years because one twin may take up more room in the womb and receive more nutrition. This gives Missy an idea. She convinces her cousin Claire to act as if the two are long lost twin sisters that were separate at birth and appear on Missy’s school’s morning newscast. Missy hopes to create a hoax and fool everyone and explain at the end of the day what had happened. However, things quickly spiral out of control. With a few hours, the sixty seconds of video is uploaded to YouTube, and quickly becomes popular. The two girls begin to doubt that their resemblances are merely family resemblances. Yet, without knowing so, the two girls could perhaps be more than twins; they could possibly be triplets. In New York, Genevieve finds the video and is shocked to see two girls who look exactly like her. Whose parents are the real parents? Are any of the girl’s parents their biological parents? Will they ever find out the truth?

                I thought Three Black Swans was a very good book. I thought the story line was very unique and interesting. I was confused with what was going on at parts towards the beginning but it ultimately made sense. I found the scientific aspect to be quite interesting as well. I have not personally read other books like Three Black Swans, but I highly recommend this book.

Forever--Alexandra Lopez

Author: Judy Blume
Reveiwed by Alexnadra Lopez

Katherine is a teenage girl that is halfway finished with high school. Just like some teenager, she is in a relationship. Her boyfriend is Michael. Their relationship is unique, sincere, intense, and fun all at the same time. Although they haven't been together all that long, they know it's serious. A whole world opens up as young passion and sexuality bloom.

But it's senior year of high school, and there are big changes ahead. Michael and Katherine are destined for another big "first", a decision. Is this true love, or puppy love?

To be honest I didn't think I like it. I am not a big fan of romance novels, but this was more about a teen falling in love. The book showed not all relationships are forever. However Katherine learned this lesson the hard way, but who can blame her? Spoiler; we will never know if Michael slept with anyone while the two were separated for summer.  It's more than likely he said those things to hurt her. However this story is pretty dated, you can find little details that show its true age. For example Katherine's mother tells her she is only allowed fifteen minutes on the phone to talk to her friends. That wasn't all, there was also several things, like a fondue party, kids didn't date, they are going out.  I give this book a rating of 4 stars. It wasn't disappointing at all, I recommend checking it out.

Along for the Ride - Reviewed by Stephanie Best

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Reviewed by Stephanie Best

            Auden, a young woman in her summer before college, has missed out on a lot of normal experiences. She missed out on friends, prom, and even riding a bike. On an impulse decision, she decides to spend the summer with her dad, his new wife, and her new baby sister, Thisbe. One day, she decides to get at her stepmother’s boutique, and a whole new world opened up to her: friends, a social life, and a mysterious guy. Through her new friends, she meets Eli, a loner who, like Auden, stays up all hours of the night. Together, in the late night hours, they begin on a “quest” for Auden to experience many things she had missed out on as a child. Their attraction to each other starts growing. Are either of them ready to take that ride? Will others get hurt along the way? And how will her relationship with her father pan out?

                A few weeks ago, I read Dreamland by Sarah Dessen, and I did not particularly enjoy it. However, I have read a few of her other books that I did like so I decided to give this book a chance. I’m glad I did. Of her books, Along for the Ride is one of my favorite books so far by Sarah Dessen. I thought it was a cute story. The only problem I had with the story was the resolution. It seemed uneventful to me. However, I still really enjoyed the story and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a young adult romance with a happy ending and to anyone who enjoys many of Sarah Dessen’s other works.

Paper Towns--Alexandra Lopez

Author: John Green
Reveiwed by: Alexandra Lopez 

Quentin Jacobsen, most of the book referred to as Q, believes everybody gets one miracle. His just happens to be living next door to the girl of his dreams, Margo Roth Spiegelman. Margo and Quentin go way back. Even when they were nine years old, Q thought she was the most perfect female on the face of the planet, and they played together.  After they found a dead man in the park, Margo appeared outside his window at night to tell him she investigated the dead man. However time goes on, they are older, in high school. They both have gone their separate ways, until one day, miss popular, Margo shows up in Q’s room asking for help. Will Q help Margo with her insane plane to get revenge on her ex?  Will Q be able to tell Margo how he truly feels?

The book was something else. It starts right off with our main character Q to encounter a dead body. This will latter affect his relationship with Margo. I enjoyed that later on they separated, went their separate ways. Whether it has to do with the dead body they found as a child or not. However I think that was probably be of the few realistic parts.  Everyone grows older, and high school you meet new people.  I also wish Q would have just told Margo straight off the bat, he loved her. Maybe Margo wouldn't felt the need for revenge.

Between the Lines -- Reviewed by Stephanie Best

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer
Reviewed by Stephanie Best

Delilah, a high school girl who feels very out of place, one day happens upon a children’s fairy tale called Between the Lines. She instantly becomes obsessed with the book, and the main character, Oliver. Inside the story, a whole other world exists. When the book is closed, the characters have different lives. Rapscullio, the evil-doer, is actually a nice guy, and Oliver, who is supposed to be in love with the beautiful Serephima, couldn’t want any less to do with her. The people inside the story can see the reader, but the reader, can see them. That was, until Delilah came around. Having fallen in love with Oliver, one day Delilah wishes out loud to Oliver that he was real. Usually when the characters are doing something while the book is closed, the story sets itself right when the book is being opened. However, things begin to change. What starts with a chess board in the sand, quickly becomes contact between Oliver and Delilah that turns into a growing friendship, resulting in trying to find Oliver a way out of the book.

                Between the Lines was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. At first, I was really confused when it was explaining how inside the fairy tale work, but I quickly realized how much of an amazing idea it was. I loved how in depth the story inside the story was. I loved how each and every character was different when the fairy tale was closed and I loved how the story went into detail about so many of the fairy tale’s characters. Anyone who has read Beastly, A Kiss in Time, or Cloaked, by Alex Flinn would like this novel because these stories are very similar in concept. I would completely recommend this.