We are still on the topic of April being sexual assault awareness month and I wanted to pick these books up and share with you my journey through them. I got most of my list from The Teen Librarian Toolbox's list of books about Consent, Sex and our teens.
These are the books from my shelves dealing with this month's awareness topic: Sexual Assault and Consent.
I have read a few from the list over the years and you can find the links here:
And these are the ones on my shelves that I want to get read for the month:
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
What happens next by Colleen Clayton
What we saw by Aaron Hatlzer
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
A Deep Dark Secret by Kimberla Lawson Roby
A Natural History of Rape by Randy Thornhill and Craig T. Palmer ** This wasn't recommended but I recently picked it up at the local library book sale right before the month started and thought this is perfect.**
That's it, those are the books on my radar for this topic and these are the ones I own, there are plenty more out there and if you have read any please feel free to share in the comments down below and we can talk about them. Thanks so much for stopping by and
Hi my loves, today isn't just going to be about books, nope today is going to be a serious discussion we should be having, with our friends, partners, family and mostly importantly our children.
It's been a while since I've had one of these discussion and recommendation posts; so excuse me if I ramble. This is going to be my attempt at collecting all the resources I use and like to share when it comes to the important discussion of consent. Here's why it matters ( Taken ffrom SAAM's website)
In the United States April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it.
Since 2001, NSVRC supports SAAM organizers with resources, tools, and training. You can ask us questions about sexual violence, prevention, or planning a campaign.
Now we all should be discerning for ourselves our ideas about consent and what that means, discussing it, reasearching, learning new thoughts and ideas while also honoring the *good*ideas we have. One of the ways in which we can teach about life and the things that affects it is through books (I mean we all know that, it's why we love reading)
Recommendations for Books:
My favourite resource for book recommendations dealing with Sex, Consent and Sexual Assault is The Teen Librarian Toolbox. This blog is so informative, well organized and has clear cut labels and wonderful discussions of how to talk to teens about sex, and consent, as well as always sharing great book recommendations.
My favorite fiction books dealing with consent that I have read in the last few years are: ( Ihave reviews linked on each book)
Non Fiction Books: These I haven't read, but they are on the TBR Pile they come highly recommend by just about everybody who has read them and especially by Book Riot (who have several lists with these books on the,)
Missola by Jon Krakauer
Surviving the Silence, Black Women's Stories of Rape by Charlotte Baker
A few years ago the concept of consent as being discussed all over Youtube and book tube and I as so proud to see some of my favorites taking the time to talk about consent and push the envelope on discussing what was acceptable and what wasn't I'm sure if you look you can find a ton of videos about it. But here are my fave videos about what consent is and what it isn't.
One of my favorite Youtubers is a young man who is hopefully going to continue shining for the next few years Nathan Zed *who was 17 at the times of this video* always has something good to say from the time he called Nash Grier out (to be honest I still don't know who Nash is and I'm not invested enough after seeing the reaction videos to him to find out) Nash Grier Rant to his video calling out youtubers who were accused of being rapist and their bad behaviors.
If you type in Consent in the Youtube search bar the following lists come up, I can't vouch for all the videos but a few of them are really good.
I recently sobbed my way through the Netflix original Audrie & Daisy. This made me furious, it made me so sad and so damn tired. We are failing our kids so badly in every way when these stories come out and then no one is punished. We need change and we need justice.
You can read survivor's stories on campus like the Breaking Out Campaign run by students on the Duke University campus.
I'm sure there are tons of others we can discuss, these are just a few of the ones that I know of. And that's it, share in the comments down below if you have any recommendations for books about consent that you think I should be reading and I'll see you tomorrow.
Regine’s blog about living with Leukemia gained a huge following, and eventually became the basis for book. She writes openly about emotional and physical aspects of her 15-month struggle to recover, and explains how her disease impacts her life. In the course of her illness, Regine has photography exhibits, goes to concerts, enjoys her friends and family, and advocates for registering as a blood and bone marrow donor. She was a typical teenager with an amazing will to live; and the lessons she learned have relevance for all of us. She died at home on December 3, 2009 with her family and cat by her side. Originally published in Norway, the book was selected by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture for a translation grant and became a bestseller there.
Bring tissues. I'm just warning you now. I didn't get far into the book before the water works started and they only abated for little bit. As a person in the medical field, I would flinch each time she described her meds (because I knew the side effects of most of them, those I didn't I found myself looking up) or her procedures (the bone marrow biopsy is pretty gruesome when you consider what's involved and how it all works).
I don't say this to discourage you. I would recommend that everyone read this. As a healthcare professional I have some knowledge of the things she's talking about, however knowing the knowledge clinically and reading her personal accounts?? Not the same, I mean it was a beautiful but brutal battle As I was reading I kept remembering Hazel Grace's mom saying that is she lost her daughter she would no longer be a mom(John Green's The Fault In Our Stars), and that just struck me so hard. Especially when reading her mothers words at the end. while she's still a mom, she's a mom of one instead of two, and her sister Elise isn't a younger sister anymore, she's now an only child. That's gotta hurt. Regine talks about that, how in the end of all of this she gets to leave and those left behind suffer for it.
Reading Regine's words, looking at her photos, seeing how much she and her family accomplished and how well she took it (granted she had her moments of wondering if why her, but ummm everyone wonders that) even the comments they shared from others also helped to put her posts in perspective. I hate to say I enjoyed reading the book since the subject is such a brutal one, but I did, I loved reading Regine's words, seeing her pictures, & knowing even though she didn't get to see it all that she's made a difference even with the limited time she had.
I know walking away from this that we all have a chance to do better and accomplish more each day. I know I'm grateful that my disease isn't as horrible as it could be ( I have Lupus). Reading Regine's story helped me to clarify somethings, and want to get even more motivated to do more. Regine made many memories in her short time here, she loved her family fiercely, her friends dearly and her passions even more.
Regine's mom did a wonderful job putting the book together, finding the right songs, and showcasing the right comments. Although I didn't know her, or of her blog, reading this has made me think I do. The book has it all, the entries from Regine, a few comments, a few recipes, family photos, entries from her friends and also clinical information for those who won't know what the disease is, the process, prognosis, or the diagnostic procedures. It manages to balance being a good biography with a clinical background without being boring or too morose.
I highly recommend this one. If you loved Hazel Grace from John Green's The Fault In Our Stars then your going to love Regine.
Regine's original site is still up you can find it here. I included the google translated version but if you speak Norwegian you can find it in the original language.
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.
The fault dear Brutus, is not in our stars/
but in ourselves ~Shakespeare
If I could go higher in stars I and make it really count I totally would as it is this is a Five Heartbreaking Stars book. This was the first book this year that I actually shed tears to. And one of the few books in my collection where I didn't care where I was, I just let the emotions come. I went into this book not knowing anything about it because I refuse to read reviews before hand, but I just knew everybody was in love with it and I didn't know why.
I got this book at BEA 2012 when he was in charge with Chris Colfer for the Author Breakfast. I knew my sister almost had a stroke when she heard and demanded that we go, I had no idea who John was or anything about nerdfighters, I had moved on from YA and didn't even visit so none of the authors were people I knew other than Lois Lowry (because really who doesn't know her??). I didn't get around to reading the book until 2013 when I pulled it from my TBR jar, and man listen ok, I wasn't prepared. I was unable. No one warned me. And that made it even more amazing & funny
OH, my God. I've seen him at parties. The things I would do to that boy. I mean, not now that I know you're interested in him. But, oh, sweet holy Lord, I would ride that one-legged pony all the way around the corral" pg94
As a chronic disease sufferer this book hit right at my heart. And I totally love it. Some of my own sentiments about the cleansing power of death was expressed here and I just ...it's just so amazing. Gus's letter at the end just made me cry so hard..Just so many feelings. Oh Gawds the feels. I can't explain to you how truly amazing this book was. You just have to read it.
The quotes the books mentioned, just the shear amount of awesome from Gus & that letter!!! I'm now a huge fan of his work and even have signed up for his vlogbrothers youtube channel. I'm going to go on reading his writing and hope it's all as good as this one. I already own an autographed copy of "An Abundance of Katherines" I can't wait to read it. Mr Green, Thank You for an amazing story that touched so many of my feelings a chronically ill woman. Thank you for not just making this a "great cancer battle story" but an amazing story.
By now you know the movie is coming out at in June (6 in US, 20th in UK) and for weeks I refused to watch the movie trailer because I just knew I would cry.
OMG it looks amazing and I hope it truly sticks to the book, but since John raves about it all the time, I think it does. I'm going to see it, and I'm bringing tissues. Are you going??
I didn't do a more detailed review because I think going in without preconceived notions is the way to go. It's an amazing book, bring tissues and make sure to slot away a few hours to read it, because it's such a fast engaging read. Read an Excerpt
I'll be blogging more about the young woman who inspired the book and the movie. As well as how to support her organization. I also be blogging about Cancer All Week For Cancer Awareness Week. 3/31 to 4/6. There will also be giveaways so check back!!
