Impulse By Ellen Hopkins

Goodreads Summary:

Sometimes you don't wake up. But if you happen to, you know things will never be the same.
Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act -- suicide.

Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade.

Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills.

And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself.

In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun -- and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life -- but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place.

My Thoughts:
Wow.
No seriously, wow. This book was intense and beautifully written. I have to say I could be bias. The formatting for this book was more like reading a book of continuing poetry. Which worked amazingly well for these characters. The development wasn't through setting a stage with specific details but rather with specific feelings and minor details. I formed my own ideas about the characters rather than being told about them. These kids all tried to kill themselves, they couldn't have been more different in the outside world, but in their treatment center they have a real connection. This is definitely a dark and twisty book and I wouldn't suggest just anyone picking this one up and reading it. I had some flash backs of bad times while reading about Vanessa and Conner in particular. Tony reminded me of so many men I knew while in high school it was shocking to me.

I recommend this book to those who have read Ellen Hopkins in the past or those open to dark and twisty stories. I would again warn against reading this book if you have the emotional trigger of suicide.

While writing this review I was listening to Slim Cessna's Auto Club. If you are interested, Slim Cessna will be in SLC on the 20th at the Urban Lounge. I also hear if you are in the Seattle area Slim Cessna will be joined by Michael Ray and the Plastic Sheets at the Crocodile on the 23rd. I fully recommend checking out both of these bands.

Getting back into the swing of things...

I have been reading loads and posting almost nothing. I would like to think I will get caught up on reviews but I just don't think I have it in me. I will say this, I have the strong love for Jen Lancaster. I finished her novel while on vaca in Seattle and it was pretty good. Obviously, as a fan I am bias toward her memoirs but I hope she continues with fiction.

In terms of an update I have graduated from SLCC with three AS degrees. Yep, that is what happens when you change your major a bunch, you unintentionally over achieve. I went out of town with the husband and the puppy to visit my long time bestie in Colorado. Good times were had and more importantly very chill times were had. I just got back from trip number two for the summer. I hung out with my older brother in Seattle and ate far too much sea food (oh god the shrimp eyes were looking at me!). I will say that no matter what I do in Seattle, or rather, how little I do in Seattle I always come home refreshed. I think I finally feel like myself again after the intense semester I finished over two months ago. The Great Wheel of Seattle was pretty cool, for those of you not in the know, the Great Wheel is a Ferris Wheel not too far from Pike's Place Market. I am terrified of heights, but only once did I come close to losing my shit while ridiculously high in the air.

I have jumped through most of the hoops that are required for me to start at the University of Utah this Fall. I have two years there and I will finally have my BS degree in Political Science. I am hoping to do a couple of internships, which at 30 years old kind of makes me a little sick. However, doing said internships should help my process of going to grad school. Yay for higher education.

I am currently reading some Ellen Hopkins (Perfect), Rachel Maddow (Drift), and David Nicholls (One Day). I am a little slow reading this year and I may have to adjust my book goal. I have spent way too much time watching My Drunk Kitchen on YouTube. I kind of love Hannah Hart.I hope to god I don't cook like her when I am drunk.

While writing this blog I was listening to a couple of my favorite TLC songs. Ya know, I really don't want no scrubs.