Books: Pieces of Me & For Alison: The Murder of a Young Journalist and The Fight for Gun Safety
Today we are recommending Pieces of Me by Kate McLaughlin. Throughout her life, Dylan has been missing time. When she wakes up in a place she doesn't recognize with people that seem to recognize her even though she doesn't recognize them, she finds out she has been missing for three days, and ends up being diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder. She has to learn to deal with all the people in her head while at the same time dealing with memories resurfacing from the trauma that caused her disorder in the first place. All the while she is trying not to scare away Connor, the cute boy whose apartment she woke up.
This is a really interesting book about a topic that not many of us know a lot about except for what see in the movies which often is quite exaggerated. The author really does a great job of putting herself in Dylan's shoes as well as those of some of Dylan's alternate personalities and making us understand what they are going through
Although it is mentioned that Dylan had trouble making friends because of her disorder, she has a great support system of people who care about her and not just those people who are a part of her. They include her mother, her brother, and her best friend Izzy as well as Connor. They all seem a bit too good to be true at times particularly Connor who is unbelievably perfect. Surely, we would all love to have a significant other like the always-understanding Connor. He is definitely a book character because no one like him could possibly exist.
People like Dylan do exist, however, and although the author does not suffer from the disorder herself, she does a great job of making the character sympathetic and giving the reader an idea of what it might be like for someone like Dylan. Realistically. she does not offer any easy answers either. The ending is hopeful and satisfactory although not necessarily a complete resolution.
Today we are recommending For Alison by Andy Parker with Ben R. Williams. This is the heartbreaking story of a talented young TV journalist who along with her co-worker was gunned down on live TV. It is a beautiful portrait of a rising star whose life was cut all too short as well as an examination of the political climate that allows such tragedies to continue to occur and prohibits any real action from being taken to prevent them. No matter which side of the issue you are on, this book will stir you up, but nevertheless, this is a story that needs to be told.
And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.
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