Say the Word by Jeannine Garsee

Rating: 4.6/5
Age R: 15+
Release Date: March 17, 2009
Thoughts:
Shawna is a seventeen year old girl, but not your average one. Her mother walked out on her and her father to live with her lover. Now Shawna is stuck with her successful doctor father who is a major control freak. But he's her dad, she has to do what he says. If he says "You can't date that boy" then she doesn't. If he says "Shut up" she shuts up. That's just the way it is. Her father resents her for not being the son he always wanted. She's basically just a burden. Shawna finds herself spending time with Fran and her two sons, Arye and Shmule. Her father hates Fran because to him she took his wife away so for that reason he wants Shawna as far away from those people as possible. Unfortunately, Shawna can't seem to stay away and that's not her only problem. They guy she has a huge crush on might actually like her which springs up quite a few issues and then there's her best friend. Will she leave her too? Just like her mom and ex-best friend?

Oh wow, what a great read. I fell in love with this book. It's one of those books I'm definitely going to re-read. Honestly, the story is not super amazing but the writing and all those topics touched in the book made me love it. After reading it I was left with this feeling. I don't know how to explain it. It's just so great and satisfying. Once you read it, I hope you feel it too. :D Like I said, this is re-reading material.
I am going to deeply miss these characters. Shawna has so many problems in her life it's insane. You really feel bad for the poor girl and you just want her to be happy. Sometimes though, you'll get mad at her for making stupid decisions and for not standing up for herself. In that, I thought she was pretty weak, but then I get to thinking, how would you act under the circumstances? It's pretty tough, her life. I did not like it when she said mean, inconsiderate things sometimes. I understand her mother left her and that's why she resents gay people to some extent but gosh! She could be very harsh. She thankfully learned her lesson by the end of the book. Shawna was also an extremely self centered person. It's not like she's the only one that has it tough you know? But that's what she thought. Again, thankfully she learns her lesson.
I really liked going through this crazy journey alongside Shawna. Sure, sometimes I was like "WTFruit is wrong with you?" because of one of the characters but it still didn't make me hate this book. I also had an issue with the main romance in the story. It kind of seem like it came out of nowhere. I ended up liking it though so sue me.

Writing:
Gosh the writing is friggin' amazing! I cannot stress how f-ing amazing it is. I LOVE it. That and the VERY unique story (not even the character names are your average names) makes for a really, really great read.

Ending(possible spoilers):
I hated the ending. I just could not believe that after all that girl went through she ended up studying to become a doctor and staying out of Arye, Fran, and Schmule's lives. That really sucked.
I still HIGHLY recommend this book. It's really good. Trust me. Go read it. Now. :)

Quote/s:

I take a closer look. She's plumper than I remember, but very cute except for a mole next to her mouth. I can't believe people walk around with those things. One quick zap with a laser is all it takes.

All I know is, in the past four months, my life has changed so much it hurts to breathe.

Note:
No one does the talk to the hand thing. Ever.


YOU WILL ENJOY READING THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE/ARE INTERESTED IN:
-finding yourself
-incredible writing
-brothers
-family
-best friends
-high school
-bullies
-hot guys and their charm
-homosexuals
-mean girls
-dysfunctional parents
-dysfunctional family
-death
-love stories
-The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I can't quite put my finger on why this book reminds me of Perks but it does. I think it's mainly the feeling it leaves you with in the end. R.ed here.
-Margaux with an X by Ron Koertge. Again with that great feeling. R.ed here.