Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford

Just read this book over the weekend! Boy does it pack a punch! So much to think about. Human interactions are fascinating to me. There are so many ways to interpret relationships, feelings, self-image, perceptions, etc. I am naive about the workings of the world. I always believe that others operate the same way I do...open, honest, rule-follower, worry wort, guilty, peace-maker, dedicated, reliable, unselfish, etc. I don't know why I am always suprised to discover that most are just out to survive at all costs. "It's all about me, so deal with it!" is not just a Happy Bunny phrase. I am reminded of all this in Suicide Notes. What leads young people to attempt to take their lives is eye-opening. The things that so many students face is incredible. Although this book is short, it packs a powerful swift kick straight to the heart. It will make you think about yourself, your family, your friends, and how you treat others at all levels. A suble warning: there are a few swear words used completely within context and not just thrown in. Some sexual content, but nothing graphic. Straight-forward out of the mouth of kids.

My 2010 Book List

After by Amy Efaw - Teen Mom, Baby in Trash
all the broken pieces by Ann E. Berg - Vietnam
Atherton (1): The House of Power by Patrick Carman
Atherton (2): Rivers of Fire by Patrick Carman
Atherton (3): The Dark Planet by Patrick Carman
Blood Price/Blood Trail by Tanya Huff - Vamps, Wers, Private I's!
Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne - Arrive with Bruno at a fence. Fences like this exist all over the world.
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder-dealing with boyfriend's death
Chasing Fire by Suzanne Collins
Click: One Novel, Ten Authors
Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson
Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Eternal Smile By Gene Luen Yang & Derek Kirk Kim - 3 Graphic Short Stories
Ford County by John Grisham - Short stories
Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - the unconsecrated will never relent!
Fort County by John Grisham - Short Stories
Gardener by S.A. Bodeen - Genetically engineered, self-sustaining life-forms
Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner - one Grump's search for the Happiest Places in the World
Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - murder, love, crazy families, financial intrigue set in Sweden
Grayson by Lynne Cox - Ocean Swimmer Saves Baby Whale
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - Fallen Angels, Nephilim, Book of Enoch
I.Q. Book One by Roland Smith
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Karma Club by Jessica Brody - In relationships, what goes around comes around!
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld - Steampunk World War I
Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor - There is a certain kind of girl goblins crave...
Lucky Breaks by Susan Patron
My one hundred adventures by Polly Horvath
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - Any and Every Teen Topic!
Pop by Gordon Korman - NFL, HS Football, Alzheimers
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Pure by Terra Elan McVoy - Purity Rings, Promises, Frienships, Forgiveness, Faith
Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick - Irag War
Slob by Ellen Potter - Overweight Boy's Struggles
Story of the Other Wise Men by Henry van Dyke
Strange Happenings by Avi - Short Stories
The Gardener by S. A. Bodeen - genetically engineered, self-sustaining life forms
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - Dealing with sibling death
The Wave by Todd Strasser - the power of Nazism reinacted in a real high school classroom in 1969
Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech - Angels, Orphans
What Jamie Saw by Carolyn Coman - Child Abuse
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead - Time Travel, Epilepsy
Willow by Julia Hoban - Cutting

Thoughts from The Sky is Everywhere

I love it when I discover meaningful quotes to guide me...
Here is a keeper courtesy of Jandy Nelson.

"I've never once thought about the interpretative, the storytelling aspect of life, of my life. I always felt like I was in a story, yes, but not like I was the author of it, or like I had any say in its telling whatsover. You can tell your story any way you damn well please. It's your solo." (page 185)