Book Review: My Sister's Keeper

I recently finished reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I was loaned this book by my good friend, Jenn, a while ago. I was apprehensive to read it knowing that it would most likely be a sad story. For some reason, I like books that are uplifting and happy. Probably because I wish the world was like that, but that's another story! Anyway, I was apprehensive about reading this book but I was getting down to the bottom of the pile of books I had to read while pumping at work so I decided to read it. And, I'm so glad I did! I really enjoyed the book.

If you don't already know, this book is about a family who finds out their young daughter has cancer. They decide to have another baby, one that is scientifically chosen in order to have matching characteristics to donate blood to the sister. As you can imagine, as the siblings grow up and the older sister's cancer worsens, this dynamic causes more and more problems. Eventually the younger sister hires a lawyer to medically emancipate herself from her parents, meaning she doesn't want to be a donor for her sister's treatment anymore, which would cause her sister to lose her battle with cancer.

The premise of the book is very interesting in itself, but I really enjoyed the characters just as much. Picoult really intertwines all her characters in such interesting ways throughout the story. The way the book is written is really interesting as well. Each chapter is written from one of the character's perspectives. Some of the chapters have several timelines in them as well. At first, it was surprising to me to read a book written this way but I got used to it. It wasn't my favorite way to read a book but after I got used the writing style, it didn't distract too much from the story.

I really enjoyed this book. The plot was very interesting, full of twists and turns, suspenseful moments, secrets, emotional moments. The characters were all really deep, each having conflicting sides to themselves as well as interacting with the other characters in the story. The one thing I didn't particularly like about the book was the ending. It was pretty shocking and sort of just dropped off. Although, maybe I was just wishing for the happy ending I like, but I didn't really care for the way she ended the book. I also really didn't care for the epilogue. I thought it felt totally unnatural and went against a lot of the character development she had done throughout the entire book up until that point.

Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the ending, I really did enjoy reading this book. I would recommend it to anyone. It was sad at times, but also happy. The made this one into a movie as well so I'll have to put it on my list of movies to watch also.

Baby Steven's First Year...Seven Months

Officially over half a year old already, Mr. Man. I cannot believe how fast time is flying by! You are developing a super cute personality these days. You are just the happiest, friendliest baby! You smile, giggle, laugh and give kisses and hugs all the time now.

You will crack up so hard when we tickle you! You love to smile and flirt with other people, even strangers. You just love it when you smile and everyone melts around you. Too cute! You will respond when we say, "Can I have a kiss?" You lean in close and stick your lips out. Its adorable! Of course you are still giving open mouth, slobbery kisses but we'll take them!

You can go a little crazy with the kisses sometimes. You "attack faces" now. You will lean in and nibble on our chin and play bite us. Its so cute. Mommy was doing that to you earlier and you caught on quickly! I'm sure people who don't know you wonder what the heck this baby is doing! ha!

On the subject of biting, you have been teething like crazy this month! You bite and chomp down on anything you can get including our hands, legs, the edge of your bathtub, you name it. You have also been sticking your hands in your mouth and sucking your fingers pretty frequently. We are thinking teeth are coming soon, although none have appeared just yet.

You have continued to be very vocal this month. You are trying out all sorts of syllables. You love to play the game where you say "Ah?" and we repeat back other syllables to you. Its so cute. You have learned to say "Ba" too this month. Good job, little man!

A trick your daddy taught you a while ago, but I haven't mentioned yet is holding your own bottle to eat. I don't get to enjoy this much because I hardly ever give you a bottle but you can hold it by yourself like a champ now. Daddy also taught you to make funny noises with your mouth when we vibrate your lips. Pretty cute!

You are growing like a weed now. You are already outgrowing the 6 months clothes we just bought you last month! It could be partially because of your cloth diapers, but 6 months pants are way too short on you! We had to put you in 9 months pants and some 9 months shirts even! Should we start thinking about contacting the NBA, Steven?  You are getting very strong too. You love to stand up holding onto something. Not too interested in crawling yet, though.

So 7 months old already! You are a super smiley, happy baby. Giggling and giving slobbery kisses all the time. You love to try out your voice and can say "ah" and "ba". You nibble on chins and faces and are thinking about getting some teeth soon. You are still trying out solid foods but prefer to be spoon fed until you get some teeth. You are growing like a weed and are already in 9 month clothes. You are such a big boy when you practice standing and hold your own bottle. We love you so much, Steven!