Title: Stalker Girl
Author: Rosemary Graham
Genre: YA
Page Count: 296
Book Type: Library Hardcover
Publisher: Viking: An Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-670-06303-1
Picture from Amazon
Summary from Goodreads: How do you know when you’ve crossed the line between curiosity and obsession?
Carly never meant to become a stalker. She just wanted to find out who Brian started dating after he dumped her. But a little harmless online research turns into a quick glance, and that turns into an afternoon of watching. Soon Carly is putting all of her energy into following Brian’s new girlfriend — all of the sadness she feels about her mom’s recent breakup, all of the anger she feels over being pushed aside by her dad while he prepares for his new wife’s new baby. When Carly’s stalking is discovered in the worst possible way by the worst possible person, she is forced to acknowledge her problem and the underlying issues that led to it.
My Review: The cover is what drew me into this book. I’m sort of obsessed with photography, so this seemed perfect. I love how the couple is caught in the lens of the camera and how the title and author are circled around the lens. It’s so different and interesting.
When I first started reading, all I could think about was how Carly seemed crazy. She is following her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend all around New York City. I couldn’t imagine any way someone could become weirdly obsessed like this. Part two of the book takes the readers back in time to look at Carly and Brian’s relationship. Even though I knew the outcome, I found myself rooting for them and almost forgetting that they wouldn’t make it. It takes you back in time to show you how Carly’s actions escalated from curiosity to obsession and I was able to understand where she was coming from a bit more.
The third part of the book lets us, as the readers, look at the repercussions of her actions. I think this book sends a good message because, with the internet, it is so easy to find out things about people. My friends and I always joke about “Facebook creeping” and I never imagined people would go further than that. I can now easily see how some girl’s insecurities could feed into this obsession. I’m wondering if this is happening more and more with teenagers.
Have you ever done a bit of internet stalking (who hasn’t, really)? What about it growing a bit more intense? Have you ever stopped yourself in the middle of doing something and think, “What on Earth am I doing?!?!” Let me know in the comments!
Great review! I was also drawn to this book by the cover. It sounds really good. Ha, Facebook creeping is very common with me ;)
ReplyDelete@Stephany
ReplyDeleteI think Facebook creeping is common among most people now :)
Thanks for the thoughtful read, Kaitlyn! I wrote a little essay on breaking up in the internet age. Indeed, Facebook stalking is considered a normal phase after a break-up: http://bit.ly/9Gh56a.
ReplyDelete(I guess my posting here could be considered a little stalkerish.)
ReplyDelete@Rosemary Graham
ReplyDeleteI love that post. It's so fascinating to me seeing all the benefits and faults of social media. Now, it is so common when you see a cute boy in class to go home and try to find him on Facebook. Employers are googling potential employees before they hire them. I love social media (obviously, I have a blog...am obsessed with the Twitter and check my facebook as much as the next person), but sometimes I wonder if we rely on it too much now. Either way, I don't think I would want to go on without it ;) Thanks for the link to the essay! It was a great read.
@Rosemary Graham
ReplyDeleteand it's quite alright, blogs are meant to be read! :)
Thanks, Kaitlyn!
ReplyDeleteI teach college English and I have to say I'm sometimes shocked at what I've been able to learn about my students on FB. I don't stalk them but sometimes finding them on FB is the quickest way to get in touch. Some seem to have NO privacy settings and no qualms about exposing all kinds of stuff.
Again, thanks for the read.
RG
@Rosemary Graham
ReplyDeleteIt's scary how much some people post on their Facebook. I have seen people with their address listed and no privacy setting at all. That is so terrifying! I'm not even going to talk about some of the pictures and status updates people have.
I actually stalk myself. I like to know what about me is on the net. EHh nothing important so I have found LOL
ReplyDelete@Cleverly Inked
ReplyDeleteI definitely always google my name as well! I think it's important to be aware of what is out there.