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*Originally posted on Pages Of Forbidden Love
I mainly read YA with other genres of fiction mixed in every once in a while but I rarely read non-fiction. It is the genre I read the least often. Usually it just doesn’t call to me but when Kimberley emailed me about reviewing this book I couldn’t say no. I am currently working of getting a degree in Human Development and this is a topic I am very interested. Not the topic of virginity specifically but sex and youth in general. The age they begin to become sexual active, the reason for it, contraceptive use, teen pregnancy, and their knowledge on the topic all together. Don’t even get me started on abstinence only education. I am thinking I could do a whole other post on that topic alone. I’m just going to say I think a lot of people should be more educated before they start becoming sexual active. Some people don’t really know exactly what they are getting themselves into, what they should expect, what could happen, etc. This book is all about people’s first times and answers some of these questions.
The Virgin Diaries wasn’t centered on one age group though. People of all ages where asked a set of questions that they wanted in an essay format. There were questions about how old they were now and when they lost their virginity, if they used protection, where it happened, how they felt about it, prior advice, etc. The answers were compiled to make this book. Nothing was extremely detailed and I don’t think anything was shared to make people too uncomfortable (there was a story or two that was definitely not okay but I will get to that).
What I Liked
Every story was different. There were so many different ages for when their first time was. There were stories from both straight and gay males and females. Although the majority of the stories were from straight men and women I was glad to see that not all of them were. It makes the book more open for anyone. The circumstances varied. The outcomes and how people felt were all different. There was a lot of variety and I think that is very important because it shows it isn’t the same for everyone. Yes, some things are the same for everyone but the experience as a whole will vary. The fact that one of the questions was about what kind of advice you would give someone was also cool because those people had already been through it. A lot of the advice was the same but I think it was good. The other thing I liked about the book was that it had quotes and statistics throughout it. They were interesting and some funny. There were even pictures. Probably not the kind of picture you are thinking about though. They were just little drawings of people and things (no nudity. The most intimate picture has to be two people hugging so don’t be concerned). One thing pretty much all the stories did have in common was the advice they had gotten from their parents or religious figures. I think this has a strong message and shows that parents should be a little more involved.
What I Didn’t Like
Okay, so it isn’t that I really didn’t like it and I completely understand why it was done this way but I think it is what keeps this book from being for a younger audience. One of the things stated in the introduction was “It is important to note that this was done informally. Neither one of us is a psychologist, a psychiatrist or a scientist. Because we don’t want the reader to view the accounts through the prism of our perception, we have declined to comment on any of the stories, with one exception.” I totally understand this, I do. The only problem (in my opinion) is that when dealing with a younger audience some (definitely not all. I know a lot of younger people that are more mature than some adults) people might be too naïve and immature to handle this book on their own. There were some stories where they had lost their virginity to someone much older than they were and in that scenario (depending on the state) it would have been illegal. Then there are some other things I am sure would bring up questions and they might not be sure about. For example, in a story or two the girl did want to stop but it happened anyway. I just thought it needed to be clear that she or he should be able to say no and stop whenever they decide. One story in particular was not okay but it did have a footnote that explained how disturbing and wrong the scenario was. It was just these things that make me think it the book shouldn’t just be given to anyone. Thought needs to be put into it and parent’s should be open and prepared for questions. They should definitely read beforehand also so they know what questions might come up or if there are none they can point out a specific thing they feel the other person should know more about.
Sorry, I didn’t expect to write such a long review but it just kind of happened. Overall, I think this was a wonderful idea. It did take me a long time to read but that was only because it is not the genre I am used to. I loved the variety and I think it is an important thing to talk about. I just don’t feel like the book can just be given to anyone without some prior planning.
I mainly read YA with other genres of fiction mixed in every once in a while but I rarely read non-fiction. It is the genre I read the least often. Usually it just doesn’t call to me but when Kimberley emailed me about reviewing this book I couldn’t say no. I am currently working of getting a degree in Human Development and this is a topic I am very interested. Not the topic of virginity specifically but sex and youth in general. The age they begin to become sexual active, the reason for it, contraceptive use, teen pregnancy, and their knowledge on the topic all together. Don’t even get me started on abstinence only education. I am thinking I could do a whole other post on that topic alone. I’m just going to say I think a lot of people should be more educated before they start becoming sexual active. Some people don’t really know exactly what they are getting themselves into, what they should expect, what could happen, etc. This book is all about people’s first times and answers some of these questions.
The Virgin Diaries wasn’t centered on one age group though. People of all ages where asked a set of questions that they wanted in an essay format. There were questions about how old they were now and when they lost their virginity, if they used protection, where it happened, how they felt about it, prior advice, etc. The answers were compiled to make this book. Nothing was extremely detailed and I don’t think anything was shared to make people too uncomfortable (there was a story or two that was definitely not okay but I will get to that).
What I Liked
Every story was different. There were so many different ages for when their first time was. There were stories from both straight and gay males and females. Although the majority of the stories were from straight men and women I was glad to see that not all of them were. It makes the book more open for anyone. The circumstances varied. The outcomes and how people felt were all different. There was a lot of variety and I think that is very important because it shows it isn’t the same for everyone. Yes, some things are the same for everyone but the experience as a whole will vary. The fact that one of the questions was about what kind of advice you would give someone was also cool because those people had already been through it. A lot of the advice was the same but I think it was good. The other thing I liked about the book was that it had quotes and statistics throughout it. They were interesting and some funny. There were even pictures. Probably not the kind of picture you are thinking about though. They were just little drawings of people and things (no nudity. The most intimate picture has to be two people hugging so don’t be concerned). One thing pretty much all the stories did have in common was the advice they had gotten from their parents or religious figures. I think this has a strong message and shows that parents should be a little more involved.
What I Didn’t Like
Okay, so it isn’t that I really didn’t like it and I completely understand why it was done this way but I think it is what keeps this book from being for a younger audience. One of the things stated in the introduction was “It is important to note that this was done informally. Neither one of us is a psychologist, a psychiatrist or a scientist. Because we don’t want the reader to view the accounts through the prism of our perception, we have declined to comment on any of the stories, with one exception.” I totally understand this, I do. The only problem (in my opinion) is that when dealing with a younger audience some (definitely not all. I know a lot of younger people that are more mature than some adults) people might be too naïve and immature to handle this book on their own. There were some stories where they had lost their virginity to someone much older than they were and in that scenario (depending on the state) it would have been illegal. Then there are some other things I am sure would bring up questions and they might not be sure about. For example, in a story or two the girl did want to stop but it happened anyway. I just thought it needed to be clear that she or he should be able to say no and stop whenever they decide. One story in particular was not okay but it did have a footnote that explained how disturbing and wrong the scenario was. It was just these things that make me think it the book shouldn’t just be given to anyone. Thought needs to be put into it and parent’s should be open and prepared for questions. They should definitely read beforehand also so they know what questions might come up or if there are none they can point out a specific thing they feel the other person should know more about.
Sorry, I didn’t expect to write such a long review but it just kind of happened. Overall, I think this was a wonderful idea. It did take me a long time to read but that was only because it is not the genre I am used to. I loved the variety and I think it is an important thing to talk about. I just don’t feel like the book can just be given to anyone without some prior planning.
*Originally reviewed on Pages Of Forbidden Love
Oh man. I do not know why I do this to myself. I just love this series and reading the graphic novels makes me want to read all of the books all over again. So far I am really enjoying the graphic novels but they only cover some of the most important things to move the story along quickly. I miss all the in between stuff and even though I got to see it happening I feel like I can experience it all better as I read it.
With only 144 pages a lot has to be condensed but I feel like they do a good job deciding what they keep and decide to show. I don’t want to go into detail on what they included since I know some people might just be reading the graphic novels and have not read the books. It was really nice getting to see the new characters come in to this one. My favorite? Adrian of course. I was totally looking forward to getting to see him. The introduction to Rose’s mother and Christian’s aunt was also great. I think all the characters were drawn pretty well. I wasn’t disappointed in any of them.
I think everything was done well. The scenes I knew were coming up hit me the way I thought they would. Just like the first one it was a great and fast way to get into the series again. I am really looking forward to see how the rest of the series will turn out
Oh man. I do not know why I do this to myself. I just love this series and reading the graphic novels makes me want to read all of the books all over again. So far I am really enjoying the graphic novels but they only cover some of the most important things to move the story along quickly. I miss all the in between stuff and even though I got to see it happening I feel like I can experience it all better as I read it.
With only 144 pages a lot has to be condensed but I feel like they do a good job deciding what they keep and decide to show. I don’t want to go into detail on what they included since I know some people might just be reading the graphic novels and have not read the books. It was really nice getting to see the new characters come in to this one. My favorite? Adrian of course. I was totally looking forward to getting to see him. The introduction to Rose’s mother and Christian’s aunt was also great. I think all the characters were drawn pretty well. I wasn’t disappointed in any of them.
I think everything was done well. The scenes I knew were coming up hit me the way I thought they would. Just like the first one it was a great and fast way to get into the series again. I am really looking forward to see how the rest of the series will turn out
*Originally Posted on Pages Of Forbidden Love
So I am still starting to dip my toes into reading some more adult books and I saw this sitting on the shelf at my library so I said why not. I liked the cover and the story intrigued me so I checked it out. I am glad I did. It was a quick but enjoyable read. Sometimes (okay most of the time) with shorter books I feel like I don’t get everything I want out of it. I always feel like there isn’t enough time to connect to the characters, things happen too fast, there should have been more, the list could go on. An Innocent In Paradise was only 187 pages but I really didn’t feel any of the things shorter books, at times, make me feel. It was shorter so things did progress more quickly (I have found that’s the case for all the adult books I have read so far, which isn’t many) than in longer books but I didn’t feel like it was too quick and I did have a chance to get to know both Logan and Grace. I was able to root for them as a couple.
Logan and Grace meet at Alleria Resort. Logan and his brother design cocktail bars in expensive hotels and they own most of the island that the resort rests on. Grace got a job at the resorts bar but she knows nothing about being a cocktail waitress and when she breaks a glass it becomes all too clear that she lied on her job application. Logan tries to fire Grace but she isn’t one to give up easily and she refuses to go. She has scientific business to take care of on the island and she can’t leave. I love that she stood up to him the second he tried to fire her. I couldn’t help but smile. I doubt people stand up to Logan often. Besides being passionate about her work she also has a distrust of men. The fact that Logan distrusts women doesn’t help their situation. He agrees to let Grace stick around for a while but all he can think about is sleeping with her. Just one night and he think he can kick her off the island. Their both passionate about their work, they both have their issues and they can both be stubborn so it made for quick, but cute, and interesting read.
So I am still starting to dip my toes into reading some more adult books and I saw this sitting on the shelf at my library so I said why not. I liked the cover and the story intrigued me so I checked it out. I am glad I did. It was a quick but enjoyable read. Sometimes (okay most of the time) with shorter books I feel like I don’t get everything I want out of it. I always feel like there isn’t enough time to connect to the characters, things happen too fast, there should have been more, the list could go on. An Innocent In Paradise was only 187 pages but I really didn’t feel any of the things shorter books, at times, make me feel. It was shorter so things did progress more quickly (I have found that’s the case for all the adult books I have read so far, which isn’t many) than in longer books but I didn’t feel like it was too quick and I did have a chance to get to know both Logan and Grace. I was able to root for them as a couple.
Logan and Grace meet at Alleria Resort. Logan and his brother design cocktail bars in expensive hotels and they own most of the island that the resort rests on. Grace got a job at the resorts bar but she knows nothing about being a cocktail waitress and when she breaks a glass it becomes all too clear that she lied on her job application. Logan tries to fire Grace but she isn’t one to give up easily and she refuses to go. She has scientific business to take care of on the island and she can’t leave. I love that she stood up to him the second he tried to fire her. I couldn’t help but smile. I doubt people stand up to Logan often. Besides being passionate about her work she also has a distrust of men. The fact that Logan distrusts women doesn’t help their situation. He agrees to let Grace stick around for a while but all he can think about is sleeping with her. Just one night and he think he can kick her off the island. Their both passionate about their work, they both have their issues and they can both be stubborn so it made for quick, but cute, and interesting read.
