Tag: psychology

REVIEW: The Plus One by Mazey Eddings

REVIEW: The Plus One by Mazey Eddings

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Chris was just the latest in what felt like a lifetime of men who leave. Indira catching him with another woman was just the tip of the heart-wrenching iceberg. Leaving Chris meant losing her home as well as her boyfriend, so she packed her things to go stay with her brother Collin and his fiancé, Jeremy.

She hadn’t figured Jude into the equation.

Indira and Collin’s best friend have NEVER gotten along. Every conversation was abrasive – like trying to pet a cat against the direction of its fur. And this time is more of the same as they both hang out in Collin and Jeremy’s guest rooms until the wedding. In fact, both Indira and Jude are more fragile than they ever were before, making this living situation more tense than usual.

But when Jude steps into an awkward moment between Indira and Chris, pretending he and Indira are a couple, they realize a fake relationship could help them both out. Indira gets a buffer in her interactions with Chris who is a groomsman in this wedding, and Jude gets a buffer from the loud crowds and pre-wedding shenanigans that leave him feeling a breath away from shattering. But it’s not long before their fake relationship starts feeling alarmingly real.

Review

I picked this up because I love fake relationship stories. And this one is especially good. Most of the peer group knows the truth, so the reader isn’t subjected to early angst – just later angst when the friends start to wonder how “fake” things really are. There are some hilarious moments mixed in to offset the tropey angst. And romance readers who like some steam in their stories will find a lot here to enjoy.

While I enjoyed the characters, and all the trope-y-ness, what really sold me on this was the psychology of the story. Both characters are working through past trauma and trying to find their way to something healthy on the other side. Their personal work and some of the therapy scenes were quite profound and super well-done.

I had no issues jumping into this Brush with Love series on book 3. I can see where the series connections are with the characters, but this story stands solidly on its own. In fact, I don’t anticipate going back to read the other two books. This one was the right story and characters for me.  (Language, sex, PTSD)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen

REVIEW: Harley Quinn: Reckoning by Rachael Allen

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Between Harley’s own experiences of abuse and misogyny and what happens to her friend, Bernice, at a frat party, Harley’s decided she’s not going to take it any more.

Her retaliation against Bernice’s attacker catches some attention, and other girls come forward wanting to punish some of the more egregious examples of sexism and abuse on campus. Together they become The Reckoning.

But when members of The Reckoning are targeted, including Bernice, who has become something more than just a friend, Harley is desperate to find out what is happening to the people who have become like family to her and protect them.

Review

Harley is not a character in the DC Universe I’ve read a lot about. I have mostly a passing familiarity with her. But I have enjoyed this DC Icons series for years, so of course I picked up the latest addition.

The author does an amazing job with teasing out Harley’s darkness while still keeping her endearing. You are rooting for her – to triumph over her family and living situation, to get to pursue her dreams. But at the same time you cringe at revenge (real or imagined) taken too far. I found myself torn between the visceral desire to see the misogynists and abusers brought low and the line between right and wrong in the eyes of the law. There’s a lot said here about what it’s like for women in STEM for readers to consider as well.

All of the things I know about Harley from previous encounters – her brilliance, her fascination with the Joker, her own penchant for violence, her sexuality, her interest in psychology – are all tucked into this story. Again, the author does this in such a natural way while still telling her own story. It’s really well done. My only complaint is that I feel the timeline could have been more clear. The book starts in one place, then jumps back in time, and then jumps a couple more times. Hopefully this will be more clear in the final published version of the story.

I didn’t realize until the end that this is launching a trilogy of books. I have my fingers crossed about the next subject after a teaser in the book. I’m not sure if “trilogy” means they will all focus on Harley, or if it is more of a Sirens trilogy – but I’m here for it no matter what. HQ fans and DC fans should be sure to pick this one up. (Some language, reference to sexual assault/child abuse and neglect/emotional abuse, grief and loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Blind Spots by Kimberly Nix Berens, PhD

REVIEW: Blind Spots by Kimberly Nix Berens, PhD

Posted on by Jaymie

[I won a free copy of this book in a contest by the publisher.]

Summary

The author’s assertions include:

  • In America, proficiency declines over the course of learning, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress
  • Students are promoted due to age or time spent, or they are introduced to new concepts without mastering the earlier, prerequisite skills. This puts them further and further behind.
  • Some “interventions” are actually detrimental. When students practice those skills over and over, they become habits that interfere with effective learning.
  • Even the kids at the “top” are failing to reach advanced levels in subject areas. Over 75% of college freshmen need remedial classes in reading, writing, and math.
  • What is often a lack of opportunity to master basic skills is instead labeled a “disability” or given a medical diagnosis. Then the child is medicated and programmed accordingly.

The author instead comes to the world of education and learning as a behavioral scientist. She focuses on observation, skills practice, and reinforcement.

Review

The author is highly critical of the American schooling “establishment” which can be off-putting for someone who has worked in education. While I agreed with some of her assertions about unrealistic expectations of kindergarten and first grade students, about behavior modification over medication/diagnosis in some cases, etc., the delivery was a little too antagonistic for me.

One positive to the author’s criticism of every system from teacher training to social promotions is a sense that every student could succeed if only we gave them the right sort of environment and instruction. And I do love that philosophy.

Out of the 190 pages of content, not including appendices, 130 or so are focused on the “problems” of the system. I see the need to establish a strong case for the ways the current system is broken. But I would have enjoyed more emphasis on solutions. The author gives a lot of page space to her own learning program, but not much that the general reader could apply to their situation. I also would have loved more anecdotes and stories of kids and families who saw change and improvement.

The author makes a good case for a shift in instructional methods, but as both a former educator (Teacher/Librarian) and as a parent, this left me feeling pretty powerless. The case is strongly made that the “establishment” will do its thing regardless of research and data. What’s the average parent supposed to do to help their kids? There’s not even enough practical examples here for a parent to adapt to a homeschooling environment. If anything, this could be an interesting discussion starter. But I’m afraid the antagonistic, accusatory tone will keep educational professionals – from teachers to administration to the “establishment – from getting into ways to make a difference for real kids in real need.

Rating: ♥♥½*

*♥♥½ = Mostly solid to solid – some issues, but I was able to finish.

REVIEW: Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales

REVIEW: Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Darcy Phillips has a secret identity. She’s the one who doles out relationship advice through locker eighty-nine. And she has gone unnoticed for a couple years now. Until Alexander Brougham discovers her secret. In exchange for keeping quiet, Alexander wants Darcy to help him get his ex-girlfriend back.

As Darcy works to get past Alexander’s arrogant attitude to help him out, she’s also working on her own relationship issues. Her crush on her best friend, Brooke, has been going on awhile, but she can’t tell if Brooke might be interested, too. They are both in the Queer and Questioning Club at school. Brooke identifies as lesbian while Darcy identifies as bisexual. So, the potential is there. In fact, Darcy has already used her secret power of locker eighty-nine to keep Brooke from pursuing another relationship. Darcy just needs to figure out how to approach the subject.

But if Alexander spills the secret of locker eighty-nine and Brooke finds out it’s Darcy giving advice, Darcy’s entire world could blow up in her face.

Review

I enjoyed this new story from the author of Only Mostly Devastated (♥♥♥♥½). I liked Darcy and the thoughtful relationship advice she gives. The story was stressful, though. The reader knows almost from the start that there are secrets and lies to be revealed. I felt braced through so much of the book, waiting for everything to fall apart.

My favorite parts were the pieces around the Q&Q Club and Alexander dealing with his parents. Darcy has an interaction with the club about being bisexual and wondering if she’s “queer enough” if she’s in a relationship with a guy that alone was worth the reading experience. I thought it was so well done – this piece would make this a great book for discussion in a book group or classroom conversation, or in a real life queer club discussion. This piece of the book is something I have continued to think about since I first read it.

I also appreciated Darcy’s insightfulness – and the novel’s when Darcy missed things – about Alexander’s parents and the impact of their relationship on him. There are some beautiful moments at the end where Alexander gets some of his emotional needs met that I loved. Readers in the market for a teen romance that centers queer characters and queer voices should be sure to pick this one up. (Language, LGBTQ+, drug/alcohol use)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

REVIEW: The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Freeform in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Kira was five, Cady found her, alone, in a forest. Wild. Feral. Cady took her in, fostered her, adopted her, and raised her with her own son, Jude. Jude, Kira, and their best friend, Free, call themselves the Miscreants. Always together, always ready to find or stir up trouble.

Together, Cady and the teens raise and train search and rescue dogs. Padawan is their young star, a gifted golden retriever. Silver is the older German Shepherd who is an emotional anchor for Kira when the trauma of her past threatens to pull her under. NATO and the Duchess are the bloodhounds. And Saskia is the temperamental husky whose own traumas make her a perfect partner for Kira. They understand each other in a special way.

Cady’s estranged father calls her in for a search and rescue in her home town. A 9-year-old girl has gone missing in the mountains. Cady, the teens and the dogs join the search process. And while Kira is determined to do for the girl what she herself needed at one time, she is not ready for what the case will stir up for her – and for her whole family.

Review

This was excellent! Classic Jennifer Lynn Barnes awesomeness. I was laughing on the first page, and in love with Jude by page 2. He’s a lot like the character Asher from The Fixer series – another character I adored. You can read my review of her other series here and here. From there, I quickly connected with Kira and the dogs, and I had to see how the story would play out.

You can see Barnes’ background in psychology with the development of Kira. Her reactions to childhood trauma and the emotional repercussions now felt completely on target. I felt like Kira had done some extensive work on her trauma issues even while there is obviously more work to be done.  And the writing of the dogs was terrific. I loved Silver and Saskia’s interactions with Kira especially.

If this had just been a psychological piece about Kira, I’d have been enthralled and happy to keep reading. But this is also a mystery/suspense story involving Cady’s family history, the missing girl, and some stunning and twisty developments. Outstanding!

This book is a perfect example of why Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a must read-author for me. She always delivers! This book is the full package – rich, fascinating characters; an engrossing plot; lots of snark and humor; and a story you don’t want to put down. I highly recommend this book to fans of suspense books, dog stories, and the author’s other books. (Trigger Warning – hints of abuse stories throughout could be triggering for some readers, although I thought the descriptions were pretty subtle for general readers.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++

REVIEW: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A fascinating look at racial identity development. Looks at a multitude of races – Black, White, Asian, Native American, Hispanic and Biracial identity.  There’s also discussion of the racial identity of Black children adopted by White parents. Examines the need for same race peer groups and mentors as well as looking at race at each age and developmental stage. This is a thorough examination of racial identity formation.

 

Review

The title of this book first caught my attention several years ago. As an elementary school teacher, I noticed this phenomenon with our older students but not usually the younger ones, and I did wonder what that was about. I wish I had read this book at the time because it would have enlightened me and changed my attitude about my observations.

This was fascinating and challenging reading. I loved the psychological aspect of this discussion of race. I had set a goal to read a book about race this year. This one was a perfect fit for me with the psychological pieces and the educational angle.

I think this is a great resource for a lot of people – teachers, school administrators, parents, professionals who work with kids, and anyone interested in improved relationships between people of different races.

The developmental pieces – how kids process race as preschoolers versus adolescents – are fascinating. And the book challenges the idea that it’s best to not mention race to kids so they won’t notice it. They already notice it! Our silence doesn’t help them process their observations in a healthy, and accepting way.

This book challenged me. It challenged my assumptions. I read things and felt myself start to get defensive. I was reading things slowly enough, though, that I noticed it and could stop and check myself and look at what preconceived notions were being challenged. This is not a book to be read quickly if you are reading it to learn and to grow in your own racial identity and in your understanding of the racial identity development of others. It’s also a very dense book. I don’t know that you could read it quickly and get much out of it. This is a book to be studied rather that a quick cover-to-cover kind of read.

I highly recommend this. This would be a terrific resource for teachers to read and discuss together. It would also be a great summer read for teachers doing professional development. There’s an extensive resource list and notes in the back matter that offer more information and other resources to investigate.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Bad Blood by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The Naturals series finale. It’s hard to summarize the final book in a series and not give something away from a previous book. Suffice it to say that Cassie and the Naturals are back, still using their “gifts” to pursue serial killers. Each of the Naturals are dealing with their own baggage in this one while it careens towards an ending that wraps up the one case that ties all of the books in this series together.

Naturals series finale

Review

I love this series because it is a perfect book for teens and young adults (and adults) who enjoy a great mystery and suspense story. And I am crazy about great mysteries!

I love the psychological aspects to the main characters and their cases. The characters are fascinating – deep, nuanced and flawed. They have evolved over the series into an interesting family of sorts. And each book in the series has given back story to Cassie and the other Naturals bit by bit, rounding out their history and explaining some of their “gifts.”

This book is darker than the first three. This was necessary for the story that’s being told in this one. I wish I had re-read the earlier books before starting this one so all the parts and characters were fresh in my mind. I think it would have added some depth to the story when past moments came up that I haven’t read in a long time. [If you aren’t familiar with this series, you HAVE to start with book one, The Naturals.]

While I would love to read more stories with these characters, the series arc was wrapped up well. Some great twists in this one keep me going back through the story in my mind.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥ ½