(29)Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Pieces of Us

Publication Date: March 8, 2012
Pages: 336


One of the reasons why I blog is because when I find books I like I want to help the Author get His/Her name out there.  Word of mouth is a sure fire way to get sales for books and I have been told that I have a REALLY big mouth.  As you know (or maybe not) a lot of what I read and blog about I get complimentary from publishers and sometimes Author's themselves.  So I start every book with the intention of liking it and using my blog to help the Author with recognition.  One thing you can count on is that I am always honest and I know that while a certain book may not be my cup of tea, it may be JUST the kind of book you are looking for.

That seems to be the case with Pieces of Us.  I have seen other reviews on Goodreads and it seems as if this book is one of those polarizing books that people either loved or hated.  Honestly, I hated it.  It haunts me - but not in a good way. It makes me want to lock my Step-Daughter in her room until she is 25 to protect her from the pervy boys like Alex, Chris, and Ethan.

That piqued your interest didn't it?  Well Pieces of Us is the story of four kids from two different families. There is Katie and her sister Julie who live in New Jersey and Alex and his younger brother Kyle, who live in Philly.  Their family history is connected through their Grandparent's friendship that goes all the way back to THEIR childhood in Russia.  Every Summer the kids go to the Catskills to spend the Summer with the grandparents.   The Summers are a form of escape for all four of the kids.  Katie gets to forget that she was essentially raped and that her reputation has been trashed and her life has been ruined by those who raped her.  Alex gets to forget about his Father's suicide and all of the "skanks" he has slept with passing the time until he can get back to Katie.  Julie and Kyle just get to enjoy the last days of their childhood before going into High School.    As the Summer goes on parts of "home" start creeping in and things at the lake will never be the same again.

I don't think I have ever read a more deplorable character than Alex.  That kind of depravity just should not exist in a teenage boy.  And I am not so sure that kind of depravity should be available for teens to read.  I am no prude, yet I feel the overwhelming urge to take a shower after reading this book.   As I was reading further and further into this book I tried to find a reason that it would be good for teens to read - a lesson that would make all of the "yuck" worth the read - and the only thing I could come up with was it would be a lesson for keeping your pants zipped and your legs crossed.

If you have teens asking to read this book, I would strongly urge you to read it yourself  first to decide if your child can handle what happens in this story. If your pre-teen asks you to buy them this book, I strongly urge you to say no.  It is just not worth it.  Like I said earlier many loved this book, I was just not one of them.
Sara Lucinda Bell said...

This book was actually on my list but now I think I'll take it off.
I published my first book last month and I have been wanting to ask you to review it since I've been following your reviews for... what, two years now? But I'm so afraid it will end in a post like this! I have been terrified this whole time about what the reviews will say, but nobody really knows about it because of that.
I think I need to just suck it up and get it reviewed... soon.
=]

Charlotte's Web of Books said...

Aww -- Sarah. I didn't want to come across too harsh with this review. Which is why I posted the link to the Goodreads reviews. There were a LOT of people who loved this book, I just was not one of them.

Reading is such a personal thing. What strikes a chord with me, may be the same thing that you find boring. And what I might find offensive you might find normal.

What is your book about?

Sara Lucinda Bell said...

Well I didn't mean to imply that this was a mean review or anything, just that it didn't say "OH MY GOSH BEST BOOK EVER!" which is what all reviews of my book would say in a perfect world.
I absolutely agree with you. For example, I am just not at all a Twilight fan but I always tell people that doesn't mean anything since I'm clearly in the minority. It doesn't make it bad or mean someone else has no taste for liking it, just means it isn't for me.
My book is a post-apocalyptic novel about the end of the world. You can read the synopsis here, but it doesn't go into too much more detail. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13450580-the-end

Sara Lucinda Bell said...

I decided it's now or never, so I just sent you a coupon for a free e-book copy! =0
I hope you like it! You'll have to "buy" it before the 15th, but you can read it any time once you take care of the transaction.

Charlotte's Web of Books said...

Sara, THANK YOU!!! I just downloaded it and will move it to my nook. It sounds like the kind of book I would love to read.

Sara Lucinda Bell said...

Thanks! That alone calms my crazy nerves. =]

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