Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas was a relatively quick read for me due to its poetic structure and evocative story. This was actually the first book I’ve read in such a writing form,  that being said it did have it’s drawbacks but first I want to talk about the many positives of Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas. A brief synopsis (via amazon.com):

“Anke’s father is abusive to her brother and sister but not to her. Because, to him, she is like furniture— not even worthy of the worst kind of attention. Then Anke makes the school volleyball team. She loves feeling her muscles after workouts, an ache that reminds her she is real. Even more, Anke loves the confidence that she gets from the sport. And as she learns to call for the ball on the court, she finds a voice she never knew she had. For the first time, Anke is making herself seen and heard, working toward the day she will be able to speak up loud enough to rescue everyone at home— including herself.”

I feel like through the author’s choice of writing style for her character we really get to know Anke in a deeply personal way. The fact that this girl is at the start of her teens and having to deal with the traumas of her family is both thought provoking and very realistic. Anke is always aware even when she goes unnoticed and she knows of the dangers of her abusive father as to what he does to her mother, brother, and sister. She watches everyone daily and struggles with wanting to not only be free of her family but to also be a normal teenager enjoying life.

At the start of the book Anke talks of joining a sports team and the wanting of acceptance within the group. In a word-frenzy of “I’ve made it! I’ve made it! I’ve made the team!” we see a side of Anke that isn’t masked. We see Anke as a typical girl, ordinary, in her pursuits of achieving but than flash-forward a few pages and we see a darker side: one where Anke is only 5 years old. Her mother hides gum in the kitchen because her father does not like chewing gum. She sneaks down for a piece to chew before he awakes but is greeted later by her father wanting to smell her breath, catching her in the lie.

Because of Anke, her mother gets threatened, chairs are thrown, and she is verbally (as well as most likely physically) abused by her father, all in front of a 5 year old child’s eyes. It really puts into perspective that though young, kids see everything and they do not forget. Through all of the challenges Anke has to face you find yourself really wanting more for her, to survive and stay strong within the turmoil. She struggles to find her voice and self-worth, something that I think a lot of us have trouble with in this world regardless of the circumstances we are dealt. With Anke we get to see the starting of knowing who you are and who you truly can become.

A few things I didn’t like about Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas would have to be the writing style. Since it was written in free verse a lot of the characters we met through the story were left to the wayside. Also, at times it was confusing because I never really knew what day it was or where we were and due to that there was a lack of character as well as plot development. I would say this book is definitely one of those that you’ll have to read a good few times to really take in everything.

Coming into Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas I didn’t really expect too much of this book but was pleasantly surprised. It’s a different type of book in its genre. I would still recommend this book to those that love to read about “realistic trauma”. Thalia Chaltas does a wonderful job in really getting into the head of a teenager stuck in an awful situation. I felt like I was reading Anke’s diary almost the vulnerability and intimate words really hit home. All in all Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas is a beautiful read.

“I am always there.
But they don't care if I am
because I am furniture.

I don't get hit
I don't get fondled
I don't get love
because I am furniture

Suits me fine.” 

- Anke

Monthly Rotation.

So, I've been a bit behind in my reading lists lately. Especially, with The Host debuting soon and so many pages left to read. It's doubtful I'll make it before the movie comes to  theaters but I've been devising ways to sneak in reading more with audiobooks! My next upcoming audiobook review will be for: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.

I'm really looking forward to reading this as I've heard many positive reviews for this author and her series. I am also hoping to get in a few actual books with: Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas and Hold Still by Nina LaCour. Yet, more books I've discovered whilst looking through my reading lists of what to read next.

Hopefully, because these two are not a part of series they will be relatively quick reads. In the summer, however, it'll be completing many of the series I have started. Series abound come June 1st!

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

It’s hard to describe Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher without getting emotionally attached because within the 289 pages that you read or listen too you become a part of the story. I was really looking forward to this book since its debut in 2007 but due to extensive reading lists and projects I had always put this one on the back burner. Something I wish I hadn’t done because Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is a touching story that makes you think. I know after concluding the audiobook I was left with the thought of how people really can affect one another in the things they do and say. It’s something a lot of us take for granted in this life.

Again, I was able to grab a hold of Thirteen Reasons Why by form of audiobook which I would highly recommend as it is narrated to perfection and also grossly puts you in the main character’s shoes who all the while is listening to cassette tapes left by a dead girl but before we get into that I’ll provide the synopsis:

“Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate and crush - who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself-a truth he never wanted to face.” - from Amazon.com

As we moved through the stories our dead protagonist Hannah Baker wove you can really get a sense of who she was and how she thought. One story in particular that stood out to me was the second. Where she talked about making friends with two people she never thought of becoming friends with and how ultimately other motives unraveled the relationship. This is something a lot of us can attest too at the starting of unlikely friendships. How people change or how some do not show their true colors.

Clay Jensen was definitely a relatable character as a boy wondering why his crush Hannah Baker could ever commit suicide. Thoughts like, “She seemed so happy,” or “Why didn't she ask for help?” or "If she had only told me" come into play. Clay Jensen is also plagued by the stories and how is it he himself is worked into them.

I never really thought about how someone can affect you even if you’ve only met briefly or how powerful the existence of a person can truly make such an impact. In Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher perfectly lays out the emotions behind these thoughts with good-pacing and wonderful writing. Towards the ending of the audiobook I was left with a feeling of sadness not only for Clay but also Hannah Baker and the trials she faced. I found myself asking, “why”.

Life is short but always worth living. Hannah Baker though a fictional character did not deserve to die but unfortunately everyone realizes that too late. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is a book you will not forget and that will stick with you long after finishing.

I completely recommend checking out Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher if you’re looking for something different within the Teen genres. Jay Asher most certainly hits a pivotal note within young-adult much like Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak and Wintergirls. Thirteen Reasons Why gets you to think and hopefully to see that words are never lost to those that hear them.

"Everything affects everything." - Hannah Baker