If anyone is looking for a good book to read this summer, I would highly recommend Beautiful Boy by David Sheff. I just finished the book on the way to work and on numerous occasions, I have welled up with tears. It is a very powerful story and the book was hard to put down.
For some odd reason, I have always enjoyed reading stories about addicts or people with emotional problems. A Million Little Pieces by James Frey was one of those books (although I do remember commenting that he had quite a fantastic memory while being so high). Do I like to read these books because they are the written version of reality tv? Is it because I can feel better about myself knowing that I haven’t had to go through any of these experiences? I’m not sure.
I am lucky enough to not have anyone close to me with an addiction. My grandmother was an alcoholic, but she died before I was old enough to really even recognize or understand that she was sick. Supposedly my cousin is also an alcoholic, but I haven’t seen him in over 10 years so I have no clue if that rumor is true (although he is supposedly coming to the wedding- I guess I could find out then). I am very lucky in this regard.
Even in college, I somehow knew that I was not able to become addicted to alcohol. After particular hard nights of drinking I never said “I will never drink again” like some friends did- I knew better that of course I would drink again. However, my body would not physically allow me to drink heavily the next night. Plus now that I am older I have become quite the wuss with alcohol. Although it wrecks havoc on my whole losing-weight goal, I love the fruity drinks where I can’t taste the alcohol. I rarely do shots (although that would be a way to cut down on calories).
And I guess the information on drugs given to us in middle school was enough to scare me, because I stayed away from drugs in college (not to mention the fact that I was drug tested for my sport once I qualified for Nationals). In fact, I was impervious to it. Recently someone that was in the same fraternity as my ex-boyfriend in college told me of all of the people that did cocaine in the house (not my friend and not my ex). I never had any idea, despite the ridiculous amount of time I spent there. Weird (and scary at the same time).
The book did get me thinking of how hard it would be to have a child go through such an addiction. I am curious to read the book by the son, Tweak, to find out his version of the events….
Any good books you have read lately? I am on a reading kick and need suggestions! :-)
3 comments:
I was never one for alcohol nor drugs. They were not my thing. I don't like beer so I was not a big college drinker. Fruty drinks is my vice now as is wine. I was never interested in smoking anything. It just never appealed to me.
I just finished Jennifer Waner's book "Little Earthquakes" and that was a fun read. I am currenly reading "All He Ever Wanted" by Anita Shreve and so far it is interesting.
The thing I like about books like the ones you described are the story of people overcoming obstacles and difficulties in their lives. I'm definitely a sucker for the same kinds of books. Maybe they make me more grateful for my life and maybe it's so I learn something should I ever be in the position to need to overcome challenges. Who knows, but they are most definitely interesting reads.
I just saw that book yesterday at the library. I liked Million Little Pieces, but I didn't like that he said it was all non-fiction, when it wasn't.
I recently finished The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb, which was fantastic. Fiction, but had lots of true stuff about Columbine.
I'm currently reading Three Cups of Tea. So far I like it and it is very inspiring.
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