Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) by L.C. Rosen

Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) by L.C. Rosen - 342 pages

Jack is being bullied into toning down his sexuality by an anonymous blackmailer.  It seems that someone has focused on Jack and wants to become his boyfriend.

I had earmarked this book to read based on its reviews.  I wanted to make sure it was appropriate for the teen area.  After reading it, I determined that it is definitely a book for older teens as it is a little graphic at times.  Still, I think the bullying theme is an excellent story for older teens to read.

The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins

The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins, 590 pages

In this latest book written entirely in prose by Ellen Hopkins, there is so much going on with the main character, Ariel Pearson.  Not only is she just trying to be a normal teenager trying to fit in at school and on the basketball team, but Ariel and her Dad, Mark, have been on the move her whole life.  Now they are living in a place Ariel can finally fit in.  She has her best friends Monica and Syrah. Ariel finds herself falling not only for her friend Monica, but also falling for her Dad's girlfriend's nephew Gabe.  But, when an accident happens to a fellow student that throws Gabe and Ariel in the middle of rewards and publicity of being heroes, Ariel's life takes a tumble.  What she thought was her life with her Dad after her mother left her as a small child turns out to be something much more when her mother comes back into her life and tells her the real truth of who she is.  Not only does Ariel finds herself dealing with changing relationships, she finds out her real birthday is September 11th.  This book is very long, but well into the middle the reader is trying to guess the tie in between the back and forth narrations of Ariel and Maya McCabe.  Read and find out!

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub, 368 pages

Friends and former college bandmates Elizabeth and Andrew and Zoe have watched one another marry, buy real estate, and start businesses and families, all while trying to hold on to the identities of their youth. But nothing ages them like having to suddenly pass the torch (of sexuality, independence, and the ineffable alchemy of cool) to their own offspring.

Back in the band's heyday, Elizabeth put on a snarl over her Midwestern smile, Andrew let his unwashed hair grow past his chin, and Zoe was the lesbian all the straight women wanted to sleep with. Now nearing fifty, they all live within shouting distance in the same neighborhood deep in gentrified Brooklyn, and the trappings of the adult world seem to have arrived with ease. But the summer that their children reach maturity (and start sleeping together), the fabric of the adult lives suddenly begins to unravel, and the secrets and revelations that are finally let loose—about themselves, and about the famous fourth band member who soared and fell without them—can never be reclaimed.

Straub packs wisdom and insight and humor together in a satisfying book about neighbors and nosiness, ambition and pleasure, the excitement of youth, the shock of middle age, and the fact that our passions—be they food, or friendship, or music—never go away, they just evolve and grow along with us.

**Interesting from a sociological perspective but this was a book I thought numerous times about giving up on. I hate quitting a book midway.

Napoleon's Privates - Tony Perrottet

Napoleon's Privates: 2,500 Years of History Unzipped - Tony Perrottet - 256 pages

So, I saw this on the shelf while I was out putting some things away, and it caught my eye.  Don't pretend you're not curious, too!

This one's basically a collection of anecdotes about sexual exploits and devious historical figures through history.  Featured, as the title suggests, is Napoleon, with anchor chapters ranging from evidence that suggests cryptorchidism all the way to his autopsy and the removal and safekeeping of his...canape?  Many other historical figures make appearances along the way, including Hitler, Cleopatra, and JFK, and some other interesting topics are touched on, such as the history of the castrato, the Victorian era's issues with sexuality in general, and for some reason I'm still not sure of, the wholly unsalacious birth of the restaurant.

Unfortunately, this book suffers from a terrible lack of organization (chronological order would have made sense, but it seems to jump around all over the place).  For as much exhaustive research as went on behind the scenes of the final product, I really wanted the chapters to be...longer.  Many of the chapters are only a page or two in total, even with the footnotes.  But it's a fun, gossipy, inclusive read overall.  If you're looking for something that delves more into the historical impact of sexuality, try Sex with Kings, but this is a great introduction into those parts of our collective past that are often overlooked in a classroom setting.

Beautiful You by Chuck Palahniuk

Beautiful You by Chuck Palahniuk ---224 pages

If you've ever read any of his books, you know he's "edgy" to say the least. This one is no exception & probably the most extreme (so far). The main character, C. Linus Maxwell, after years of intensive research, has invented a line of, shall we say, women's personal care items that are marketed in a way to make women feel empowered. However, we soon learn he is an evil genius & has a master plan to use the popular products to control women & in turn control world markets. Its a hilarious & disturbing book, certainly not for everyone. 

The Purity Myth by Jessica Valenti, 272 pp.

The Purity Myth is a dissection of the American view of virginity and sexual purity, along with an analysis of how abstinence-only sex education is hurting American teens by spreading dangerous misinformation about sexual health and pregnancy. Truly excellent research and arguments.

Hexed by Michelle Krys

Hexed by Michelle Krys, 384 agonizing pages

The books description had me excited about reading the story. A witch that doesn't now she's a witch with a mom that is murdered for her Witch Bible and now Indigo has to do everything in her power to obtain that bible or lose everything. However, it ended up being a very dumb, horrible waste of time. The characters are the kind you love to hate. The main heroine is suppose to be in the top three of her class, but she's as dumb as a box of rocks. The love triangle is ridiculous as well.  Too much time is spent wallowing at teen parties and other silliness that drags the story on.

Charmed Destinies: Mercedes Lackey, Rachel Lee and Catherine Asaro

Charmed Destinies - 3 stories in 1,  384 pages

Counting Crows by Mercedes Lackey is a story about a young woman who is wedded to a border Lord to protect the king's claim on the land and to keep the young woman's father safe from a neighboring dark wizard. After being "Glove Fasted" to a husband she's never met, Gwynn heads to her new home escorted by rough soldiers accompanied only by her half-sibling Robin. She is determined to love her husband and be a good wife. When she meets him, however, she finds him to be a true terror and faces beating after beating at his hands. But, she is not without resource. Gwynn is also a sorceress and the way she deals with her abusive husband will leave you smiling.


Drusilla's Dream by Rachel Lee is a funny tale of two modern day office workers. Their desire for each other meets up in a fantasy world reality. As each begins to spin their own tale in their fantastical worlds, they are interrupted at key points by every day life like the janitor mopping the floor or the computer having an error. You'll find yourself chuckling at their creative imaginations that play out like dreams. In the end, will they finally confess their mutual attraction and live the fairytale?

Moonglow by Catherine Asara was by far my favorite tale in this book. Iris is a powerful young mage who thinks her power is quite limited. Jarid is a young prince who watched his parents die before his eyes before he lost his hearing, sight and voice, and was raised by one of the murderer's as a son. Each has hurts that they bury deep inside leaving them crippled to their true power. When Iris accidentally discovers that Prince Jarid is still alive, the kingdom works fast to set the new King on the throne. Because Iris is the strongest female mage in the land, she becomes Jarid's wife before he can see/hear/speak with her. Yet they can reach each other through their emotions and in that comes great healing. This a warm fuzzy story that will leave you sighing with contentment.

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James, 532 pages
(2nd book in Fifty Shades trilogy)

Wow. I seriously don't know what possessed me to read the second book after the first "eye rolling, lip biting, smoldering look, etc." Fifty Shades irritated me so much. Okay, so I was hoping that Anastasia would finally learn some self respect and Christian would learn how to treat her -- and I was challenged to read the whole series before making a judgement call. Nope. Once again we are led through a flimsy storyline that is very disappointing. I can sum the book up pretty shortly -  Anastasia and Christian resume their "romance". Christian buys the company where Anastasia works and fires her boss (who seriously got what he deserved and was a redeeming quality in the book). One of Christian's old "flames" is actually quite crazy and stalks Anastasia. Elena (aka Mrs. Robinson) gets her just desserts. And, yep, Christian declares his love for Anastasia and asks her to be his wife. The only part of the book that was interesting was Christian's background -- why he is the way he is. Granted your past, no matter how troubling, does not negate/excuse how badly you treat people in the future ... but there you go. All in all, I'm glad I'm done with the second and flat out refuse to read the third.

Bonk, by Mary Roach

Bonk, by Mary Roach, 319 pages

The subtitle to this book is "The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex," and that about sums it up.  The author discusses the science of sex and sexuality, and reveals that scientists really still don't know alot about the human body and intercourse.  It's an interesting read (or listen, in my case), and not written in a salacious or titillating manner.