Blink Once - Cylin Busby

Blink Once by Cylin Busby

 

First book of March!!!
Woohoo!
I can't believe I managed to read two books in one week.

We had a snow day Wednesday, so I took advantage of that downtime to knock one off the pile.
I realllllllyyyyyy enjoyed this book.
This was one I pulled myself.
My book choosing strategy is probably not politically correct, I look at the spines, and when the spine design and font grab my attention, I pull the book and read the jacket. I base all my personal selections based on jacket summaries.

I don't read reviews that say "Great story, another fantastic blahhh blahhh blahhh" -New York Times.
What does that even mean?????
I wanna know what the dang book is about.

So back to this story, it's another mind efff like The Raft by S. A. Bodeen.
And I didn't even realize it!!! I was so disappointed in my self.

I have this tendency to pick out books about amputees, paralysis, coma and cancer patients. I'm such a sucker for a heart warming story. And I'm way past sold if it's a love story.
And this one just happened to be a paralyzed coma patient, I know right?? Such a sucker.

Short synopsis:

West wakes up from a dirt bike accident to a pretty dark haired girl named Olivia telling him he is paralyzed. With her help, he figures out how to communicate with her and his surroundings. During his stay, he falls in love with Olivia. Before he transfers hospitals to have surgery, he promises to come back for her. And here comes the mind eff, but I can't give anymore away. Because anything else I say will give away what happens, and I can't have that.
You must read this book.
It's an amazing show of love, dedication, healing, strength, trust and perseverance.

This book and West are so easy to fall in love with. I highly recommend it, and I think it's a fantastic motivational book, you know RahRahRah! you can overcome any obstacle, but in an endearing way.

Credit:
Amazon - in case you're into buying
Cylin Busby - author website

Read on.
Jessica.

Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls - Mary Downing Hahn

 

Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahn

I finished this a few days ago, and have been formulating a 'review' in my head since then.

 

This book is insanely intense and very close to home.

Mary Downing Hahn was born and raised in Maryland, within two hours of where I was.

Every place she talks about in the book is something I recognize. That in of itself is kindaaaaa freaky if you ask me.

Darrell actually asked me to read this for him to get feedback for his summer reading program.

When I saw him last, I was only a portion of the way through, but we already had tons to discuss.

This book is based on a series of true events that Downing Hahn experienced and then added some fiction into.

 

I started reading at night and got freaked out by the first chapter, I thought it was going to be a horror/ghost novel, but it's not. As I kept reading I noticed the Maryland references, mainly Ocean City. I actually flipped the book upside down and shook it. Like that would explain why OC was in the book I was reading. :)

 

Short synopsis:

 

July 1956, two girls were killed in a park in broad daylight while walking to school on their last day for the year. Nora, the main character and one of three narrators deals with the deaths, (the two girls were good friends with her best friend) her wavering faith, and coming of age as a good girl.

The second narrator is Buddy, who is accused of killing the girls, his chapters are not as prevalent and are angst filled. The last narrator is the actual killer. And he's creepy as hell. I did not enjoy reading his chapters. I think I would've preferred to not know his opinion, but it does add a lot to the story, it fills in a lot of gaps. That being said, it is not a clean ending by any means.

 

This would have been an easy read had I not been so busy with school and being sick. Although it would've been quicker and easier, it would not have been any less intense.

This is one that gave me chills more than a few times.

I want everyone in Maryland to read this, mainly because it is so rare for us Marylanders to read a book that takes place in our own state.

 

Darrell and I did some research on the actual murders, and even found a few articles from the Baltimore Sun.

In her author's note Downing Hahn explains her connection to the murders, but reading the actual articles, was bone chilling.

What she wrote in the book, actually happened.

 

I keep thinking of more I want to say.....

This book uses these deaths to deal with very real religious issues, thing's that I think kids are still going through today. I think that there are a great number of girls especially that will read this in the next ten or so years and figure out that it's okay to question, to wonder, and to stray, because ultimately, it's your life, not your parents, and you must deal with your own feelings and beliefs.

 

Credit:

Amazon - in case you're into buying

Mary Downing Hahn - author website, that is very outdated

 

Read on.

Jessica.