Beth F
Sandy
bermudaonion (Kathy)
Stephanie
Trisha
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
“Wintergirls” is the heart-breaking story of Lia, an 18-year old girl who is anorexic and has been hospitalized twice for her problem. Until her hospitalizations, Lia shared everything – including eating disorders – with her bulimic best friend Cassie. After Lia was hospitalized, Cassie began to ignore her. Until, that is, the night Cassie called Lia’s cell phone 33 times before being found dead alone in a motel room.
Laurie Halse Anderson seems to specialize in young adult books on difficult topics, and “Wintergirls” is no exception. Lia is both dealing with Cassie’s death and her own illness. The hospitalizations have not solved the root of her problem and she is continuing to do whatever she can to get more and more weight off, to eat less and less, without her father and stepmother finding out.
This book was definitely disturbing, mostly because you as the reader are so deep inside Lia’s very disturbed mind. You watch as you censor her own thoughts in an attempt to convince herself that she is not hungry and doesn’t need to eat. This story is grim, yet hopeful. It is incredibly painful being inside Lia’s mind, reading the names she hears about herself inside her head, but there is the promise of the possibility of redemption. I think this is an important book for teenage girls and for those who deal with teenage girls, to understand how eating disorders grow and the effect they have on lives. Anderson did her research and consulted with mental health professionals so that her book would ring true. You will be engrossed by this book.
Buy this book on Amazon.
Download this audiobook from Audible.
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I absolutely loved this book. It disturbed me a lot but in a way I needed to be disturbed, I learned so much about how the mind works when you are affected by a reading disorder.
Pam’s last blog post..Wintergirls
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I have heard so many good things about this book. It’s been on my wishlist since I saw it at Lenore’s.
Darlene’s last blog post..Book Review: The Traitor’s Wife by Susan Higginbotham
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I won this from Lenore and can’t wait to read it. Great review!
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I’ve heard nothing but good reviews about Wintergirls. I planned on reading it during the Read-a-thon, but I’m afraid that it might be too powerful.
Jenn’s last blog post..A Must Have Item for Any Book Lover!
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I thought this book was so intense! My review is going up next week!
Julie P.’s last blog post..Guest Review: First Family
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This book sounds so powerful. I’m a little hesitant but I’m pretty sure I want to read it!
S. Krishna’s last blog post..First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria – Eve Brown-Waite
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I’ve read several reviews of this book and even though I doubt I would let my daughter read it, I might!
Sandy’s last blog post..Two Lovely Awards
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I had no idea this book dealt with eating disorders. These kinds of topics are sort of hard to read about, but at the same time nearly impossible to put aside.
Ti’s last blog post..Book Review Policy
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I LITERALLY just finished this one and it was absolutely amazing. Another home run for Anderson, huh? Great review!!!
Chris’s last blog post..Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
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This is a wonderful review, Jen. Books like this are important and I’m glad to know that this one is out there. This one is definitely going to be on my TBR list.
Literate Housewife’s last blog post..Magic, Religion, and Science Since 1400
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I hope to read this at some point!
Amy @ My Friend Amy’s last blog post..Let’s Discuss the Book After
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Great review. I have a hold at the library for the audio version. I think I’m 3rd on the list.
Beth F’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday (April 15)
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