Review -- Dancing with Ana

Dancing with Ana

by Nicole Barker

Golden Road Press, 2009

170 pages

Thanks to author Nicole Barker for sending me a copy of this book.

Summary: Beth becomes obsessed over her weight in a way of controlling her feelings over her parent's divorce. As her friends watch her slowly waste away, they try to help her overcome her obsession with the help of the boy she loves.

Review: A compelling read, Dancing with Ana takes on the issues of body image, anorexia, cutting, and underage drinking in a sparse 170 pages. Nicole Barker does a fantastic job writing a novel that flows with interesting characters and the problems they face individually and as a group. I especially loved the subplot with Beth's friend, Rachel, a girl whose pain is hidden inside as she grapples with a disturbing home life and finds hope as she falls in love with a local surfer boy. A novel that should promote discussion amongst teens and their parents, Dancing with Ana is a great read. Rating: **** out of 5.

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Currently Reading:
Julie and Julia by Julie Powell (discussion is Sunday, August 30th -- all are invited!)

Destined for an Early Grave by Jeanniene Frost (good, but so far not my favorite of the series)

Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker (almost finished, review this week)
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Want to play along? Go to J.Kaye's Book Blog and join the fun!

Saturday Stuff -- 8/22

Good morning! This has been a slow reading week for me. I am currently reading 3 books (Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker, Destined for an Early Grave by Jeanienne Frost, and Julie and Julia by Julie Powell) but I can not seem to finish anything!

I reviewed No One You Know by Michelle Richmond this week. This was my library book club's selection and our meeting was Monday. We even spoke to the author herself. She was wonderful and gave us a lot of information about how she wrote the book. My mom absolutely loved this book and we both recommend anyone who enjoys a character driven mystery to check it out.

In other news, Barney's Online Book Club's discussion of Julie and Julia by Julie Powell is next Sunday (August 30th). This should be a fantastic discussion and I invite anyone who has read the book to join us next Sunday. The more the merrier!

Also, this week the BBAW nominations were announced and I was very lucky to be nominated for 4 awards (Best New Blog, Most Concise Blog, Best Literary Fiction Blog, and Best Book Club Blog). Thanks so much to the bloggers who nominated me. I am thrilled!

Okay, so I am off to try and finish a book and enjoy my Saturday. I hope you have a great day as well!

It's Monday! What are you reading? -- 8/17

This meme is hosted by J. Kaye over at J.Kaye's Book Blog.


Currently Reading:
Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker (just started, getting some good blog buzz)
Julie and Julia by Julie Powell -- Barney's Online Book Club Selection
A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton (a re-read)

Read / Reviewed / Reviews to come:
Montana Rose by Mary Connealy -- review
Already Dead by Charlie Huston -- review
Evermore by Alyson Noel -- review
High Five by Janet Evanovich -- S. Plum Challenge -- review
No One You Know by Michelle Richmond -- Library Book Club -- review to come

What are you reading?

Friday Finds -- 7/31

My Friday find this week is Dancing with Ana by Nicole Baker.

Here is the description from the author's website:

Sixteen year old Beth Baxter’s life merely resembles the one she’s always known. Her father has left. She is falling for Jeremy Duscana and the diet she started has somehow turned into an obsession. Yet her three best friends remain the same, always there for her. But even their love can’t save her from herself.

I am really looking forward to reading this. What was your Friday Find?