The Corpse Washer By Sinan Antoon

Have you ever questioned all of your choices you have made in your life? Let alone have the one person you look up to feel betrayed on the ideas of what you want for you life?

The Corpse Washer by Sinan Antoon is a story of just that. Jawad was born into a traditional family in Baghdad. His father was the town's corpse washer, in which it was expected for Jawad to take over the family profession. However, Jawad had different ideas for his future. With the help of an art teacher, Jawad found his passion in life and decided to take a path less traveled in his culture and town.

But the culture and life that Jawad had struggled against to fight for his own path and passion was soon road blocked by war. The story in which Antoon portrays for the reader is one done beautifully for the reader. The struggles that Jawad faces with the concept of war, family, culture, love and self, intertwine into a coming of age story that lets the reader into the lives of Iraqi civilians.

This book allowed me to start asking more questions about the Muslim faith as there is a general concept in America that those of Muslim faith are all terrorist this book shows the truth on this concept. I have never felt fear of the Muslim faith, misunderstanding yes, but fear no; after 9/11 the panic and misguidance of the Muslim faith became very prevalent in the mainstream media, this book shows that there are truly two sides to this faith that allows the reader to start asking questions.

Overall I found this book hard to finish mainly because I had a hard time understanding the concepts of a few things, but I think the pictures it portrayed into an ill-guided stereotype are worth the struggle.

A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer

I know it's Valentine's Day, where you should show love for those who mean the world to you. But sometimes there isn't love in those you see as family or your significant other. Sometimes our visions are bluffed on so many levels that we can't determine where bond and survival should be separated.
Abuse comes in all forms; psychological, physical, sexual.

We are taught as children not to talk to strangers, tell someone if someone touches you, etc. But what do you do when the person you would go to for these things is the person who is also doing the harm? Who do you tell? How do you get help? How do you survive?

In A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer, these questions are the very ones that Dave must face at a very young age. The abuse inflicted by his mother is profound and disgusting on so many levels that I won't even begin to quote them. But this is one of the many reasons someone should read this book as well. The survival instinct in Dave at such a young age is tantalizing, the strength he holds within himself for survival is breathtaking.

This story is not one of love and devotion, but of survival and perseverance in the darkest of situations. Through it love prevails in the heart of Dave. The fear Dave faces hinders his heart as he fights for his survival. Dave's love for his brothers, even his mother, conflict with his emotions and instincts for survival leaving him to question the very existence of himself many times.

This page-turner is short but well worth the read. If I could find the nerve and emotional capacity I would re-read this over again. When picking this book be prepared to harbor ill feelings towards humanity during your course of reading this novel.

Brains A Zombie Memoir by Robin Becker

My first zombie book, seemed pretty fitting these days with how my brain seems to be exploding with ideas and opportunities being given to me.The title was pretty much the only reason I decided to pick this book up at the library. I'm not one for guts and gore, mostly because I get sick at the sight of blood. Brains a Zombie memoir, by Robin Becker, started out as an easy read. With only 191 pages soared through the first half easily, however somewhere towards the middle of the book the language in the book took on a more difficult to understand. The story was easy and complex based on the nature of the context and situation that the characters face.

The idea of zombies walking the earth is something that has become of great popularity within the media; from film to tv shows to books, the idea of living a half life or an undead life can be terrifying. The concept of what it would be like to live this way can't be documented properly, after all there have been no cases in the medical field to follow on such a topic, therefore zombies are based on a theory. A terrifying concept of being trapped in your decaying body kind of theory.

This book took on a different idea of becoming a zombie. Can you become a zombie and still have the thought process, conscience and fight like a human? I can't really answer any of these questions, nor do I really ever want to know if there is a zombie apocalypse. 

My Grandma's a Ninja by Todd Tarpley

I had the privilege of reading this book before it hit stores, through Net Galley, the release date is March 1, 2015. I loved the title when I first saw it, My Grandma's a Ninja, just made me laugh. I had pictures of crazy adventures, you know ninja stuff.

The illustrations are amazing. They reminded me of my childhood with old Nickelodeon TV shows. The story itself felt as if Ethan was talking to the reader. I was expecting a little bit more of a lesson when he asked his Grandma not to be a ninja, but I have a feeling the ending is leading into another book.

I feel a little luke warm with this book because while it's great illustrations, the story is kind of meh for me. I found it to be lacking movement and understanding on why Ethan felt his bad luck was that of his Grandma's. An explanation, emotion, something altogether was missing for me.