Review: The Symptoms of My Insanity by Mindy Raff

The Symptoms of my Insanity
Author:  Mindy Raff
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, Peguin
Hardcover: 384 pages
Genre: Contemporary YA
Summary (from Amazon):

It's kind of crazy how you can pay so much attention to yourself and still not see a thing.

Izzy is a hypochondriac with enormous boobs that won't stop growing, a mother with a rare disease who's hiding something, a best friend who appears to have undergone a personality transplant, and a date with an out-of-her-league athlete who just spilled Gatorade all over her. Yes, Izzy Skymen has a hectic life. But what Izzy doesn't realize is that these are only minor symptoms of life's insanity. When she discovers that the people she trusts most are withholding from her the biggest secrets, things are about to get epic -- or is it epidemic?

Purchase Here: The Symptoms of My Insanity 


Review:
Sometimes I always fall for a book based on it's cover. And I know it's not just me. I'm sure every avid reader does it, too. First it's the cover. Next is the blurb. Then it's the blurb. And for The Symptoms of My Insanity is funny, and that's the main reason why I got this book (and also including the title and blurb/summary). But this book was somewhat humorous, and some issues I had with this book that I couldn't really get over.

The best things about this book is that Mindy Raff does awkward, funny moments that teens can surely connect to such as trying to get a new bra fitted by unknown people and their hands groping and squeezing and measuring your upper chest; the discomfort of your body, and getting your hair stuck in someone's glasses, or extending an awkward moment between people.

This book felt half-serious and half-funny but couldn't decide which one to be. The book that Mindy tried to attempt to speak out about follows the seriousness of cancer, sexual harassment, and friendship  while trying to add some humor to the darker subjects it....doesn't work as well as I thought it would.

For example, Izzy's hypochondria: because of her mother's super dark secret- cancer - Izzy spends time researching and ends up becoming addicted to an online diagnosis website. There she becomes paranoid that every little sneeze, sniffle or stomachache means ultimate disaster. A problem with that is that after it's been put on the spotlight from Izzy's friends and family, there is no mention of it ever in the story. It's just suddenly gone. Poof. Without warning. Having sudden realization of a problem doesn't automatically make it go away.

Izzy's Mom. I think I should feels sorry for Izzy's mom because of her illness, but...I really don't. I simply can't sympothize for the mother especially when she's constantly looking down at Izzy and destroying her self-esteem. Izzy's self-consciousness about her body comes from her mother who continues to pick at everything. Like this, Izzy's mom uses the Yiddish word of nafka which means the term of a "loose woman" and sometimes Izzy's mom will make that comment to her daughter because either her clothes are too loose and baggy and gets frustrated and mean if she wears clothes that are too tight. But when Izzy finally tells her mom straight about this bullying her mom has been pushing on her, it felt a little forced and rushed and not all much resolved, sne it only did happen only a few pages before the actually story ended.

The one that was upsetting  and shouldn't really have been included was the sexual harassment. Izzy ends up in a good-turned-bad position fairly quickly with a boy that she liked, named Blake, against her will. It was known that they have harassed two other girls, her friends, and Izzy doesn't nothing to report him about what he did.  But instead, she just ignores him and eventually a viral photo of her gets around which gains the name BoobGirl...and now Izzy wants it to stop. So, with her doing nothing about it, Blake is trying to come around Izzy to apologize to her explaining to her that he didn't mean it, and that he didn't want to do what he did and only because it was a bet/prank, and that he's sorry, blah blah. I almost for bad for Blake. Almost. But, I would give Izzy some props for finally confessing but that didn't end well....

The friendship between Izzy and Jenna wasn't really handled well. Jenna and Izzy are best friends, but it appeared that they didn't really care for each other at all. Jenna decides to blow off Izzy because of what happened in the summer. Izzy had a good reason so I couldn't really blame her. Though once Izzy realizes what Jenna issues were, she doesn't really supports Jenna.


Conclusion:
I promise that this review may sound like a rant, but it's not.  Despite these issues in the book, there are good things about it, too. I do hope that Raff continue to make more books. The humor is done well, but could have been a bit more and for the dark subjects could have shown a little bit more promise. TSoMI does try to do too much and ends up not quite that satisfying as I thought it would be. Though I didn't particularly like the book, I am open to reading some of her other future books.

Rating 3.9/5

Book Mailbox #12

The Symptoms of my Insanity
By: Mindy Raf
Summary:
Its kind of crazy how you can pay so much attention to yourself and still not see a thing.
Izzy us a hypochondriac with enormous boobs that won't stop growing, a nither with a rare disease who's hiding something, a best friend who appears to have undergone a personality transplant, and a date with an out-of-her league athlete who just spilled Gatorade all her over. Yes. Izzy Skymen has a hetic life. But what Izzy doesn't realize is that these are only minor symptoms of life's insanity. When she discovers that the people she trusts most are withholding from her the biggest secrets, things are about to get epic- or is it epidemic?
A laugh-out-loud, bittersweet debut full of wit, wisdom, heart, and one hilarious, unforgettable heroine.

Review: Beautiful Decay by Sylvia Lewis

Author: Sylvia Lewis
Release date: April 9 2013
Publisher: Running Press Teens
Genre: YA Paranormal Contemp Romance
Softcover: 303 pages
Summary (from book)

A Budding Touch of Flower....

Things have a way of falling apart around Ellie Miller. Literally. With a touch that rots, she keeps everyone at a distance- for others' safety as much as her own comfort.

When newcomer Nate MacPherson makes it his mission to get close to Ellie, she does her best to steer close. But as Nate reveals an unusual ability of his own, Ellie recognizes a kindred spirit who could accept her for who she is.... if she let's him.

As family secrets unravel, Ellie will have to discover the beauty within her reach in order to save the ones she loves.

Review:

Beautiful Decay is an amazing book. Ellie has an usual gift; everything she touches will eventually rot and turn to mold. Because of this, she has to wear gloves and has to change them frequently, especially when it starts to grow in the gloves.
Ellie's mom is afraid of her daughter. Whatever Ellie touches she will scrub and bleach clean it down-- her OCD. And her father--her father is never home.

Highschool is hell for Ellie, the students and teachers knows of Ellie's "condition" and tries to avoid her at all costs but in the distance will call her "Typhoid Mary".

Ellie's only friend is her online, Long Distant Best Friend, Mackenzie.

Nate MacPhereson is a new student and is immediately into Ellie and he knows about her "condition". How? Well, its because he can do something shockingly similar to her own.He tries to get close to Ellie but all she does is push him away, but in the end will start to fall for him. Like any other student, Nate has his own big and bad secrets.

When secrets are revealed about Nate, followed by an accident, Ellie and Mackenzie will try their best to save Nate and defeat the danger that follows.

What I like
*Cover:  it's abstract and unique from other YA covers. The cover shows a tree and flowers with brown/yellow/and green colors all around. It gives off an earthy feel and it connects well to the story

*The unique powers of Ellie and Nate:  in the novel, Nate tells Ellie of what her powers could possible be. That she is a Vivomancer. Which is the power in which someone can manipulate life and then Nate is a necromancer; a person that can manipulate death. Their powers work well together in the story. Forces that work together but are complete opposite. Though, Ellie and Nate's power together are sort of similar to Juliette's in Shatter Me by Tahreh Mafi but in so many ways different.

*Mackenzie:  Ellie's only friend in the novel and they met online. Of course, Mackenzie is that friend who is supportive, funny, smart and overall a good friend even if she is 3-something states away. Oh, just you readers wait for some great surprises about her. :)
  

*Nate's Mom:  she's a zombie. I'm serious. And no, she's not the ugly Walking Dead kind of zombie. Let's put it this way: she's a zombie with a conscious mind. Okay, its not as bad as it sounds. But, she's not a bad zombie! Don't believe me? Okay. But trust me, she's not as bad--that's only if she's super hungry and ate all the bloody raw meat. Nate's mom acts human despite her gray skin, crave for bloody meat...and is dead. But she's like a normal mother in many ways. She still cares for her son and even Ellie. You'll see.

What I didn't like:
* The instant-love/connection between Nate and Ellie. But of course, it happens.

* Ellie's mom: she's a bleach-cleaning OCD maniac. She avoids any kind of contact and conversation with Ellie but anytime she does, Mom seems as if she wants to run away from Ellie with every sinking second she speaks to her daughter. Its good that Ellie's mom is present in her life, but she's so distant and afraid of her daughter because of her ability. Hey mom, instead of being afraid of your daughter and being distant, why not try being there for your daughter and try as if you care??

*Ellie's Dad:  he's just never home. That's all.

*Ellie's teachers/schoolmates: its the same with Ellie's mom. They're all afraid of Ellie because of her ability. Well...I guess Ellie has a good reason to stay away from people and vice versa because if someone has a..."condition" that could get us sick and turn everything to rotting mold...I would want to stay away too...especially if its harmful. But thank you Mackenzie for being there for Ellie! And Nate!

What I wondered/thought/was confused about:
* Grandma:  Ellie's mom has told Ellie to never answer the phone if her Grandmother called. Why?

Improvements:
* I wanted Ellie to use her ability again Amber-- the popular, blond-haired blah-blah-think-she's-so-important-and-better-than-everyone-girl. Yep. But she never did. Ellie just scared the poop out of Amber. Good. Wait...was that her name?

Conclusion:
Beautiful Decay is an amazing, compelling, wonderfully written book. Ellie is a reliable, sometimes whiny (sometimes) but strong and likeable girl. Sylvia Lewis did an amazing job just for a debut novel and with the open-ending at the end of the novel, I do hope there is a sequel. It seem as if there should be!

4.6/5 Score for Beautiful Decay

Book Mailbox #11

Today, I received in the mail 4 new books!
Beautiful Decay by Sylvia Lewis
The Collector by Victoria Scott
Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
Real by Katy Evans

Book Mailbox #10

purchased: A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison

I am so so so sooooo late on reading these books. i should start at the beginning of the series. right?  i know i should. but i ordered this book from a bookstore today after school.
i love adult urban fantasy. my favorite UF author is Jeaniene Frost who is the author of the Night Huntress Series. Shes amazing..as well as her books. you should check her out. though. if youre still into the vampires- definietly check her out. she doesnt disappoint. :)

Book Mailbox #9

For Review:

White Lines by Jennifer Banash
Release Date: April 4th, 2013
Summary (from book):

Club Kid Royalty seventeen year old Cat is living ever teenager's dream: guarding the velvet rope at some of the hottest club in New York City. The night with its crazy, frenetic  high-inducing energy- the music, the people and those seductive white lines that can ease all the pain- is when Cat truly lives.

The daytime is something else entirely. Having spent years suffering her mother's emotional and physical abuse, and abandoned by her father, Cat is terrified and alone; she shrinks from human touch and even the words "I love you" send her into a tailspin. Until someone comes along who makes her want to finally live her life instead of run from it.

Bot poignant and raw, White Lines is a gripping and powerful not-to-be missed coming-of-age tale.