From the author's website:When “Perfect” Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter’s High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher’s pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?
Parker doesn’t want to talk about it. She’d just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her counselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there’s a nice guy falling in love with her and he’s making her feel things again when she’d really rather not be feeling anything at all.
Nobody would have guessed she’s turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.
Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.
I have no idea how to express my feelings about this book. It's powerful, emotional, important, and really spoke to me.
The book takes place a good time after some sort of upsetting event has occurred. Everyone has gotten over it to the best they could except for Parker and that's because she finds herself guilty for some reason and no one else knows about it.
When reading this book you literally see Parker fighting with her memories. Everyday things bring up the memories of that night and we only get a little taste before they are pushed back out of her mind. Because of the way this is written you can't put the book down and also can't pinpoint what this upsetting event is. You can guess, but you are probably wrong.
I was so wrapped up in this book that in the end when that night is fully explained and I found out just what has happened, I sat up and said out loud, "Oh My God" for me that moment of understanding Parker was very powerful. Everything came full circle and I found myself identifying (to a less severe degree) with her feelings of guilt and loss of control.
This book is amazing. Just read it, immediately. I could talk about the tons of other things I liked, like Parker's sassy Veronica Mars-like attitude, the great secondary characters etc. but I rather you read the book and fall in love with it just the way I did!
5/5 Stars
ARC provided by LibraryThing Early Reviewer's Program
Cracked Up to Be will be released on December 23rd!
What's the last book you really identified with?
Great review! I've sort of kept my distance from the book because it really doesn't sound like one I would like. I'm a little confused now because you make me think maybe I would like it.
ReplyDeleteAmee- I know just how you feel! I tend to say away from books that sound like they could be sad, but I really liked this book!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! I want to read this book so bad.
ReplyDeleteBoy am I reading good things about this one. It looks like it's going on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteLooks real good. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen you said powerful, emotional, and important, it made me think of Speak. Everytime I hear something about this, I immediately think Speak (which is a good thing). I am so glad that this year has been full of books with substance, that the readers can relate to, and that are important stories to hear. Don't get me wrong...I love the light, fun reads just as much, but YA readers need heavy material as well.
ReplyDeleteWill be purchasing this one December 23!
This book sounds awesome. I need it in my life.
ReplyDeleteAnd the last book I really connected with...i'm not sure. first thought was Looking for Alaska..
-lauren
AHHHH I WANT DECEMEBER 23 TO COME ALREADY.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know. I like the sound of this though!
ReplyDeleteI love that you loved this, because, as you know, it's on my pile. I didn't read your review (I don't like to read them so close to starting a book) but I read the first paragraph and the 5/5 stars. If you think of it, remind me to link to your review when I post mine in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds powerful. I'll be on the lookout for it.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI always think of Looking for Alaska. I could explain this, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Just what happened to Colin in the middle, happened to me.
I also really felt connected to Before I Die... thought I shouldn't have.
Sounds like similar to my life now. I'd explain but you would think I am crazy... everyone does.
ReplyDeleteHi Alea:
ReplyDeleteI read this book too and felt the same way! I second your review and think this book is going to be a big hit because it's powerful!
Daisy
This book didn't seem too fantastic, but your review has convinced me--I really want to read it now!
ReplyDeleteawesome review! I'm so glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Alea! AAAAAAH only making me want to read it more. No fear, it awaits me in the US...!
ReplyDeleteSteph
I hadn't heard about this one, but I'm adding it to my TBR list right now! Great review!
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds GOOD. Thanks for a great review!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I'll put it on my list of must reads.
ReplyDeleteYou make me feel as if I should just get it right away :)
ReplyDeleteI am waiting for it come to a store near me :)
Great review. I've been waiting for this one to come out since I read about on Sharon Loves Books and Cats blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you all liked my review! I hope you enjoy the book when you read it! It's coming out in 2 days!!! Can't wait to hear what you all think!
ReplyDeleteAnd to everyone that read and enjoyed it, wow, wasn't it something!
Sarahbear9789 and "Confuzzled" Shannon- I think it's important that we can find things like this that we can connect to. When I was reading the end of this book I almost started crying because I totally understood Parker and it all made sense with the snap of her fingers.
Shalonda- I have Speak to read, I've put it into one of my challenges to make sure I read it. The movie made me sob!
ReplyDelete