Saturday, April 8, 2017

Stuffed Animal Saturday: Aftermath - Clara Kensie

Stuffed Animal Saturday is a meme that we post here at We Live and Breathe Books to showcase the book we're currently reading with one of our favorite stuffed animals and discuss our stuffed animal's opinion (well, it's really our opinion, but that's besides the point). We hope you enjoy our quirky feature as much as we enjoy writing it!

This Saturday, Gwen and I are reading Aftermath by Clara Kensie.

Blurb from Goodreads: 

Charlotte survived four long years as a prisoner in the attic of her kidnapper, sustained only by dreams of her loving family. The chance to escape suddenly arrives, and Charlotte fights her way to freedom. But an answered prayer turns into heartbreak. Losing her has torn her family apart. Her parents have divorced: Dad's a glutton for fame, Mom drinks too much, and Charlotte's twin is a zoned-out druggie. Her father wants Charlotte write a book and go on a lecture tour, and her mom wants to keep her safe, a virtual prisoner in her own home. But Charlotte is obsessed with the other girl who was kidnapped, who never got a second chance at life--the girl who nobody but Charlotte believes really existed. Until she can get justice for that girl, even if she has to do it on her own, whatever the danger, Charlotte will never be free.





So far:

I haven't even really made a dent in this, and already there are tears. The book starts with Charlotte imprisoned, caged like an animal. She had been left for several days, and Kensie really does a great job narrating her situation, from the awful physical conditions to how she arrived there. My heart broke continuously as Charlotte summoned memories of her twin sister and their plans and dreams. But the real tears started to flow when Charlotte was found. This is where the real story begins.

I am experiencing many of the feels I had when I read Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu. The stories are similar, as they both look at life after the victim is freed, but that is where it ends. Digging in my heels for more of this emotional read.

Are you and your stuffed animal 
reading anything interesting? 
Let us know in your own Stuffed Animal Saturday!

6 comments:

  1. Oh man, tears already? This one definitely sounds like one that would induce some tears and a little heartbreak. It's the type of contemporary I might avoid. o_o My stuffed animal (my giant BB-8 pillow) and I are going to be reading Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott tonight!

    Have a wonderful weekend, Sam. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. I really like it. It's a survivor story. What it's like for them to readjust to their life outside of captivity. This story also focuses on how her kidnapping affected her family. There is just a lot of really powerful stuff in there. I love BB-8. That was my nephew's birthday cake last year. Violet Grenade sounds interesting, and the reviews so far are mostly raves. Enjoy and I look forward to reading your review.

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  2. This book is new to me. I think it sounds like it could really be a powerful story and look forward to your review. I have 3 dogs and a cat but I don't think I own a stuffed animal anymore. Your bear is cute!

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    1. This was a solid read, and lived up to its name. The focus was largely on how the kidnapping affected the entire family. Heartbreaking and painful, but also hopeful. I only have one stuffed animal of my own (a raccoon with arms and legs that mostly make sounds from 1974), but my daughter is obsessed with them. They are everywhere! I thought she would outgrow them, but at 22, she still sends me links for new ones she wants.

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  3. OMG, this is the cutest meme *ever*, Sam! I love it. :)
    I haven't come across Aftermath before but it sounds absolutely riveting. I find kindnap/survivor stories fascinating (kind of morbid, I know, but who knows why we're drawn to things we are) and the fact that Charlotte makes it home only to find her family in shambles is so sad. Hope this ends up being a great read for you.

    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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    1. Kiersten, a WLABBer, loves stuffed animals, and she made this up. I would love to see if become a thing, because it's fun to do. There were tears shed when I read Aftermath, but I was really happy with the way the family grew and changed. A solid read for me.

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