(via Stephanie Watts Online) -This summer I picked up a book that gave me a complicated, yet lovable heroine, captivating storyline filled with mischief, intrigue, angst, and all kinds of hilarity, and a tightly-woven theme of self-discovery, redemption and forgiveness. What is that book might you ask? 32 Candles by debut author Ernessa T. Carter, an SWO Book Pick.
32 Candles introduces us to the world of Davidia "Davie" Jones, a self-professed "ugly ducking" relentlessly taunted by everyone in her small town of Glass, Mississippi.
Davie's classmates tortured her daily, starting each insult or prank with the horrible nickname "Monkey Night" because she was "ugly like a monkey and black as night." As if being taunted by her classmates wasn't enough, Davie also had the misfortune of being the daughter of Cora, the town whore. When Cora wasn't occupied with men, alcohol or cigarettes, she abused Davie with physical and emotional assaults so severe that Davie eventually retreated into a world of silence to escape them.
