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) This is my second time reading this book, and this time around was just as good as the first. (It helps that it has been years since I read it, so I don’t remember a lot.) The book follows the author through rehabilitation from his severe addictions. It begins with him flying on a plane with his front teeth missing, and no knowledge of how he got there.
He has to deal with root canal surgery with no anesthesia as well as cravings and constant sickness from how much damage his drug and alcohol use has done to his body. He is told that he has destroyed his body so much, at the age of only 23, that he would surely die the next time he drinks or uses. It is only the support system at the rehabilitation center and his own strong will that pulls him through.
This book is dramatic and suspenseful, with a slight romantic twist as well. It’s a great read.
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) I love a book that can make me laugh. And when it can relate a new, unusual perspective with wit and satire – even better! Benincasa accomplishes this beautifully.
She explores her difficulties growing up, especially in relation to her mental illness and agoraphobia. She makes light of what are some pretty dark circumstances. She discusses her journey through her education, and what ultimately landed her in a career of standup comedy. This book will definitely have you crying from laughter more than a few times.
( ) Tourette syndrome is a rare but very scary genetic disorder. OCD is similarly scary, and difficult to treat. Cory Friedman is diagnosed with both at a very young age.
He visits a variety of doctors, all of whom experiment with his medications to an unbearable point. Cory works hard in school, but falls behind because of absences due to his disorder. This book follows his journey through the maze of his medical difficulties and his struggle to grow up as normally as possible. It’s intriguing and thought-provoking, to say the least.
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) Once I got past the annoyance of sounding out words to understand what the main character was saying, there was a real nice, though unrealistic plot line. The book is told from the point of view of someone with a way below average intelligence. It is effective.
The main character is Bunny. His grandpa dies and leaves “tasks” behind for each of his relatives. Bunny’s is to get a tattoo. Unfortunately, his tattoo order gets mixed up and he is given the tattoo of a local gang.
Soon after he gets this tattoo, he is mistaken for a member of the gang. He gets in with the “crew” and follows them on thier criminal endeavors. Soon, after a near murder, he gets caught up himself and spends time in jail. It’s weird how a little mistake and change one’s life so drastically.
I enjoyed the twisted nature of this story.
( ) Imagine accidentally causing someone’s death, and the guilt that would leave you with. Sam, the main character of this novel, doesn’t have to imagine - it happened to her. She eats a peanut butter sandiwch right before making out with a boy who’s allergic to peanuts. This is thought to be what causes his sudden death. She is blamed by everyone in the community and the media, but punishes herself most.
She was the greatest swimmer at her school, and was on track to setting a national freestyle swim record, as well as getting a scholarship to Berkeley. However, once this tragedy happens, she doesn’t allow herself to swim anymore. She feels like because Alex, the boy she kissed, no longer gets to play baseball or strive for scholarships, she shouldn’t be allowed to swim anymore either.
Only with the help and support of family and friends is she able to pull through. It’s an okay story that sucks the reader in right away.
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) A gambling addiction may appear to some people to be less serious than other addictions as it has no consequences to ones’ physical health. However, the financial burden it places on the diseased and their families is substantial, and just as serious. The urges to gamble are just as torturous to ones mind and body as urges to drink or use drugs can be.
Lee tells of the journey into his addiction and his lowest points. He then delves into his recovery and his moments of relapse. He describes the help Gamblers Anonymous has provided for him, and how it can help others. He also throws in some statistics and facts about addicts to help support his claims.
It brings good insight into the struggle of compulsive gamblers. I liked learning about how Lee’s difficulties when he was young as well as his genetic predisposition led him into developing his disease. It’s a good read, but not a great read.
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) Shopping addiction is rampant in the United States today, as consumerism is pushed on the population. Cardella chronicles her struggle with compulsive shopping and her accumulated debt problems in Spent.
Though she once managed her money quite well, Cardella soon begins a habit of purchasing that became unhealthy. She starts having trouble paying her bills, and has multiple credit cards maxed out due to her shopping ventures. She jumps from relationship to relationship with men, often with a buying power boosting the romance. Cardella eventually gets to the point where she’s lying about Christmas presents to her family and borrowing money from friends.
In her desperation, Cardella manages some soul searching and signs up with a credit counseling agency. Her shopping obsession starts to fade, and she begins her journey into a different, more wholesome, uncluttered lifestyle. It’s a good look into addiction, and more specifically how we can let consumerism overpower us.
