Young Adult Book Review: Who Am I Without Him? Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives. By Sharon G. Flake

Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories about Girls and the Boys in Their Lives
Sharon G. Flake
Published: 2004
Hyperion Book CH
ISBN 13- 978-1423103837
Rating: 4 stars

Are you a guy that always wondering what a female is thinking about you? Well this book gives you incite on the mind of a young teenage girl in her years were one minute a guy can be your man or your worst enemy. Sharon Flake compiles a group of short stories that test the relationships between teenage boys and girls.  It’s stories about girls who couldn't go out with boys, boys who liked girls but hid it from others, teachers who did realistic things such as, having a fiancé', girls who weren't treated right and wanted better, and many more.


Even though this book was written many years ago, the issues that are discussed in this book are still relevant to teen girls today. Many have walked in the shoes of these featured ladies. In 2005, this novel was an honoree of the Coretta Scott King Award,

Reviewed by Patrice Smith

If you enjoyed this book….

Here are some others that you would like to read

1. First Part Last by Angela Johnson 
2. Tears of the Tiger by Sharon Draper 
3. Romiette and Julio by Sharon M. Draper & Adam Lowenbein

Adult Book Review: Let Joy Arise by Ashea Goldson

 

Let Joy Arise

Ashea Goldson

Paperback

Published: 1st edition (June 26, 2012)

Kensington Urban Christian;

ISBN13- 978-1601627278

Rating: 5 stars

Never let anything in your past affect what God has for your future.

Taylor Carter has not always been a Christian all her life. Before Taylor found God she was in a very serious car accident that killed the married man that she was involved with and also took away her ability to walk. After all that was said and done with this life altering event, Taylor still was able to see her way through.

Fast forward to the present; Taylor is now the owner of Push It Fitness center and married to Keith Bryant. Of course like many say, you cannot be a child of God and not have trials. The wife of the man that was killed in the accident that she was involved in is back to get Taylor. She has a serious case of a woman scorned syndrome. Added to the chaos, Taylor has to deal with the house guest from hell named Paul who is the good friend of Keith, and may hold the key to a painful past that he has hidden from his wife.

Will Taylor and Keith’s marriage survive all trials and tribulations? Will Taylor continue to support her husband once his secret past comes to light?

For a reviewer that is not a fan of Christian fiction I will say that I thoroughly enjoy this book. It was just enough religion to know that is Christian fiction but enough that it is not thrown in the reader’s face. The characters in this novel are those that the reader can relate to, from the wild roommate to the holy sister-in-law. For this to be a debut novel she knocks this one out the ballpark. Yes, I do see the best is yet to come.

Rating 5 stars.

Reviewed by Patrice Smith