Deception by Leigh Nichols

This awesome books came to me via giveaway hosted by the The Unprofessional Critic. If you haven't checked out the blog, it's awesome. And it was also the first giveaway that I actually won.

The book is Deception by Lee Nichols. It centers around a teen named Emma whose parents disappear. She is whisked off to another school by a family friend and starts to see dead people. She learns that she is a ghost keeper and finds herself being menaced by a evil force.

I liked the book. It's fun, mostly fast paced, and not too predictable. There are too many books that I end up figuring out the ending long before getting there. I have learned to appreciate books that I can't figure out.

I especially liked Emma's relationship with some of the ghosts. Usually ghosts are portrayed as menacing or saints that can do no wrong. These ghosts are given a more human perspective. Having Emma develop a familial bond with the house ghosts was sweet.

I wasn't too thrilled with the romantic subplot. I understand that it's a young adult novel and romance is required. However, a lot of the scenes were unnecessary and slowed the plot down some.

Still, all in all, great book. I actually look forward to reading the rest of the series in the near future.

Blogroll: A book that changed your life

It would have to be Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel. No I am not bipolar nor have I ever taken Prozac but I have been in Miss Wurtzel's shoes. I was the girl who would one minute be smiling and the next in tears. I had the pessimistic who gives a shit we are all going to die anyway mentality. I cut myself before cutting became the disturbingly "trendy" thing to do nowadays. I would drink and party to excess often causing a scene or becoming a nuisance.

I was a prisoner of my own emotions and I hated every minute of it. And I thought I was a freak, there was no one who acted the way I did. Then I read Prozac Nation and nearly cried reading it. Elizabeth was a lot like I was and it alienated her friends and family and made her life Hell.

As she worked her way to some sort of recovery, I began taking stock of my life. Writing became less a hobby to me and more an outlet to my emotions. I learned how to maturely deal with my anger and not to self-medicate myself with booze. I have a steady mature relationship with a man I love. I am making friends and not alienating them with unnecessary drama or tantrums.

When I felt alone, I felt there was no hope for me but after reading Prozac Nation and realized that I wasn't alone. I had hope which I think saved my life.