Uses for Boys

Jan 17, 2013 Mitch rated it 1 of 5 stars

I think I can count on one hand the number of times a book has been as off its mark and gone as awry as Uses for Boys. To be perfectly clear, I understand Erica Lorraine Scheidt’s intention to write a character study of a neglected girl who turns to meaningless sex as her sole source of solace, and I came into the book expecting mature and graphic content, so my criticism is not of those elements per se. No, my problem is that Scheidt seems to rely on shock value alone to carry the narrative wit...more I think I can count on one hand the number of times a book has been as off its mark and gone as awry as Uses for Boys. To be perfectly clear, I understand Erica Lorraine Scheidt’s intention to write a character study of a neglected girl who turns to meaningless sex as her sole source of solace, and I came into the book expecting mature and graphic content, so my criticism is not of those elements per se. No, my problem is that Scheidt seems to rely on shock value alone to carry the narrative without any overarching compelling message or theme, so all I’m left with at the end of this is a collection of ever more disturbing scenes and some very unpleasant implications.

A big part of it too is the writing. I actually liked the first couple of chapters, because there’s a simple, innocent quality to Anna’s voice, particularly with the sentence structure and the length of each chapter. I really felt Scheidt captures the voice of a seven year old in a believable way, and that authenticity really added that extra emotional punch to this story of neglect, emptiness, and failed relationships. But where Scheidt fails though, is avoiding a trap that catches a lot of unwary authors of books that take place over a period of years, she never ages Anna’s voice as the girl herself goes from a seven year old to eight to ten and then into her teens. When the only clue I have of Anna’s actual age is her saying something to the effect of ‘guess what, I’m [insert age] now!’ - no, that is not successful writing. Still, even then that wouldn’t normally warrant such utter distaste on my part, I mean, if I read a thirteen year old girl saying this:

She says that since I’m a big girl now, I can feed myself and put myself to bed.

Well, I’d just have a good laugh about it. Except - that’s not all Anna’s doing, she’s also engaged in sex, and when she’s telling it in a seven year old’s voice, that’s my problem. Who beyond a pedophile would want to read sex scenes written from the frame of mind of a seven year old?

In addition to the skeevy implications of narrating sex scenes with a seven year old’s voice, Scheidt’s failure to age Anna’s voice also causes a host of other issues - like, say, the cavalier treatment of forcible rape, statutory rape, abortion, and neglect. Ok, I get I’m supposed to be outraged by what Todd does, I know that’s the intent of that scene, but in conjunction with everything that happens with Josh, with Anna’s mother, with Desmond, you know what all of it says? Society has failed this girl, completely failed her, and I ended up despising not only the characters Scheidt intended for me to hate, like Anna’s mother, but also the characters she intended to be sympathetic, like Jane. Why? Because they all failed Anna - Jane failed Anna even though I get she’s intended as the sympathetic ear at the abortion clinic when Anna’s going through one of the toughest periods of the book, because, maybe it’s just me, but when a pregnant teenager goes to an abortion clinic with a good for nothing boyfriend and an absentee mother you do not just give her an abortion and send her on her way, you ask questions, like ‘how are you doing?’ and try to get her the help she needs. Because nobody should be able to get away with saying something like:

I drop out of school. It’s easy. I get a paper and sign it. I leave it on the kitchen table for my mom to sign. The school signs it. School’s over.

Because if Anna had gotten the help she obviously needs, the rest of the book wouldn’t have been necessary. Because, even if many, many kids still slip through the cracks every single day, that doesn’t mean we should stop giving a damn. Except, Uses for Boys obviously isn’t an expose on society’s failures, neither Jane nor anyone else is called out for having failed Anna, and the only thing I’m left to conclude is that the book is perfectly fine with how god damn awful everything is and glossing over how so many people should’ve spoken out but didn’t as long as Anna shows some character growth in the end.

Finally, that brings me to this book’s treatment of guys, which has left me appalled, outraged, and repulsed. I’m not going to quibble over meaningless generalizations like this:

Boys want to touch you. They want to stuff their hands up your shirt or down your pants. They want you to touch them. Boys say things like, “See how hard you make me?”

But I will say there was not a single likeable male character in the entire book. Yes, I get Scheidt’s intent is to portray Anna as broken because her father abandoned her, and then a string of male characters like Desmond, Joey, and Todd obviously failed her, but I’m not talking about them. I’m not even talking about Josh, who fronts Anna money just to get rid of his problem rather than having an actual conversation, because he wasn’t supposed to be the good guy. I’m talking about how much I despise Sam. For someone who’s written as actually caring, for someone who’s written as the one to show Anna the value of a good home, wow it doesn’t take him long to get into Anna’s pants. For Scheidt to have the gall of portraying him as the savior, someone who’s better than Desmond and Joey and Todd when he’s no better than any of them, and maybe even worse because he betrays the very morals he’s supposed to represent, that is just appalling. I’m sure the ending will get a positive response from many people simply because Anna finds a place where she belongs, but for me, when that place is with Sam, I am completely repulsed.

I get Erica Lorraine Scheidt set out to write a touching story of a broken girl who finally learns something after years of neglect and sexual abuse. What she’s actually written though is a story as vile as Fanny Hill with just as much gravitas and depth. At least John Cleland knew what he was doing.(less)

like 23 likes · see review

Jan 15, 2013 Katy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Warning: This is NOT a cute YA romance. It's crass. It's disturbing. And it's definitely for a more mature audience who can handle a distasteful subject. Many readers will not like this book. Some will not get very far. But I was prepared, so I knew what I was getting myself into.

I actually found that the book did a great job telling the story about what happens to many, many girls out there (and believe me, I have seen it happen to others too many times). I like the simplicity of the book (some...more Warning: This is NOT a cute YA romance. It's crass. It's disturbing. And it's definitely for a more mature audience who can handle a distasteful subject. Many readers will not like this book. Some will not get very far. But I was prepared, so I knew what I was getting myself into.

I actually found that the book did a great job telling the story about what happens to many, many girls out there (and believe me, I have seen it happen to others too many times). I like the simplicity of the book (some will not) and how it got to the core of the situation. The author did not try to overdramatize what was going on or bogged the reader with an influx of emotions.

The story began with a girl who was the soul object of her mother's love. It was just the two of them, and the Anna had a child-like way of adoring her mother, who was her everything. But things began to change, and Anna is desperately crying out for attention but just doesn't know how. This, of course, has a huge effect on her, as she learns to deal with boys with no one really giving her any direction.

I admit, I was a bit taken aback at first - shocked that she was so young and digusted by the nature of what happened. At the same time, I was fascinated with what was going through Anna's head - the naivety of it all, thoughts of how she was going to retell the story, insecurity of what was going to happen next. Anna showed a lot of character development as she progressed from innocent to ignorant to detached to understanding.

For me, it wasn't mind-blowing, and I can't really say that I LIKED the book. Still, I really appreciated the simplicity of it, and Scheidt's ability to depict what could be a totally believable real-life story without going overboard in an attempt putting our emotional strings.

EDIT: Extra points I wanted to add after discussions with others

About the situation being "glossed over" - I don't think this book "gloss over" about how people should speak out. The reality is, hardly anyone ever does. They're scared. They think people won't believe them. They think, "What's the point?" My sister is a social worker, so she sees things like this happen every day. I've been in sexual offense court cases where the victim talks about not talking, to which the DA says afterwards that many, many victims never really step up. Is it okay? Of course not. But the point is, it's sad how many people will actually turn the other way (especially if it's like some golden boy) instead of helping the victim. And it's sad that this happens way too much in this society.

About her voice not aging - She never really "grew up" because no one was there to help her. By the end of the book, sans the last few chapters, she was still the same naive girl who thought love and sex was one thing when it really wasn't. No one was there to teach her. And no one was there for her to talk to - her mom checked out, Toy always interrupted her. So in a way, she was more "experienced," but she hadn't grown any - until the end.

About the writing - I just thought the writing reflects the situation so well. It was crass. It was simple. Instead of bogging it down with over-emotion or descriptions of the severity of the situation, it was kind of ignorant-sounding and detached, which is the voice I expect to hear from the book. I just think there are a lot of Anna's out there, who DO speak/think in the tone of this book. We don't like it because we are blessed that we aren't put in that situation. But the reality is, that's the way life is for them. And I applaud the author for having the guts to write a book like that - knowing people are really going to be turned off by it. For me, if you're going to do something like that, you have to do it right. Otherwise, what's the point.

I "liked" this book because it was different from your same o same o about the same subject. But then again, it's not for everyone.(less)

like 15 likes · see review

Jan 14, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: january-releases

Do not be fooled by the incredibly gorgeous cover. This is in no way romantic. There are no fairy lights in any of her relationships. This was a quick and depressing read but I felt it was real and raw. This is not a fun romance of a player girl who then settles down. (This is what I thought at first. I thought it would be more like The Duff but with a female Wesley Rush.) She is deeply alone and troubled and tries to fill her life with boys. There is a lot of very detailed sex and even one non-...more Do not be fooled by the incredibly gorgeous cover. This is in no way romantic. There are no fairy lights in any of her relationships. This was a quick and depressing read but I felt it was real and raw. This is not a fun romance of a player girl who then settles down. (This is what I thought at first. I thought it would be more like The Duff but with a female Wesley Rush.) She is deeply alone and troubled and tries to fill her life with boys. There is a lot of very detailed sex and even one non-consensual scene that is hard to read. But under all the sadness and uncomfortable parts is a deep story about a girl that needs someone to listen and love her. The writing style was different but perfect for this book as it brought you down low into Anna's mind and her thinking.

~Full Review~

I'd like to talk about the cover first even though I don't normally talk about covers in my reviews. It is gorgeous! One of my favorites but I feel like it gives the wrong impression of the book. This is a very sad, lonely, dark, and gritty contemporary. It won't be for everyone and the cover kind of gives off a light romantic book idea but it is far from that. It is a deep and meaningful story but not something really enjoyable or romantic as the cover would suggest.

Anna's mom started dating and marrying different men while Anna was a young girl. She takes off with them for weeks sometimes and Anna is left all alone. She never had many friends. One day on the bus ride home, a boy touches her. She is so desperate for human contact and enjoys having someone actually notice her. Then rumors begin and she loses the one friend she had. With such a loney life she begins a relationship with another lonely boy, Joey. I was so sad for her that when she finally gets a boyfriend a weird part of me was really happy because she finally has at least one person in her life. But way too young she fills her time with sex.

The sex is extremely explicit and is talked about often throughout the entire book. It didn't bother me too much as I know this happens and it is realistic. After Joey moves away there is one scene of non-consensual sex and that one was difficult for me to read. Anna never had anyone to talk to about it and I continued to feel her grow lonelier. At 16 she moves in with a boy in his twenties. I didn't ever necessarily think her boyfriends were ever truly bad guys. They seemed just as lonely and damaged. I think it all comes back to the old saying that you need to love and be happy with yourself before you can truly love another person and make a relationship work. Anna is a drop out with no real goals, family, friends, hobbies, or anything else in her life to make her happy but a boy. Anna becomes unsatified and moves on again.

She does meet one friend named Toy but Toy never even listened. Toy was kind of in her own la la land I want to say because she lied and hid her problems when they could have really helped each other. Anna continues to want a connection and eventually finds a boy her age named Sam. Not until 70% through so it is a long journey. Even with Sam she makes mistakes. But Sam has a lovely family and they all have dinner together several times a week. Slowly she begins to want more and to want to have something real with Sam. I believe it ends on a hopeful note with Anna wanting to change her relationships and have something more. The writing style is different and makes you feel in a different place, lonely, and depressed along with Anna. The story flows nicely and I read it all in one sitting. While it was sad, I still thought it was a great book. It just won't be something for everyone.

---
"And then he doesn't say anything. He doesn't say he'll miss me or that he's sorry. Does he know he's leaving me? That I'll have to ride the bus home alone and come home alone and be home alone? They leave, I think, just like my mom says."

---
*I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*(less)

like 15 likes · see review

Jan 05, 2013 Hayden Casey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-favorites

Uses for Boys is unlike anything I've ever read, and that is the easiest thing I've ever said.

Told in stark, haunting and lyrical prose, Uses for Boys is the story of a quiet misfit, Anna, raised by a single, troubled mother, hopping from boyfriend to husband and back again like the rising and falling of the sun. From the beginning, Anna gripped me tightly. We've all had those moments in our lives where we felt along and unloved and, in the beginning of the book, Anna feels just that way when he...more Uses for Boys is unlike anything I've ever read, and that is the easiest thing I've ever said.

Told in stark, haunting and lyrical prose, Uses for Boys is the story of a quiet misfit, Anna, raised by a single, troubled mother, hopping from boyfriend to husband and back again like the rising and falling of the sun. From the beginning, Anna gripped me tightly. We've all had those moments in our lives where we felt along and unloved and, in the beginning of the book, Anna feels just that way when her mom neglects her for her latest boyfriend.

Anna is seven years old in the beginning of the book. The five years that followed are told briskly, mostly as emotional setup for the rest of the novel. I'll say now that when I started Uses for Boys, I wasn't expecting nearly the emotional drain I received when I closed the back cover. Uses for Boys is sly with the planting of its emotional seeds, and you don't realize until the end just how in love with Anna's struggles you've become.

Anna's struggles with boys mainly seem to stem from her mother's similar issue. After all, like mother, like daughter, right? Monkey see, monkey do. Especially at such a young age and in such a fragile state, it would make sense for Anna, young, docile and craving her mother's attention, to latch onto her actions and imitate them.

One thing that I noticed while reading was that the dialogue was sparse. Uses for Boys is a novel told more in description and silence than dialogue, and that is much appreciated. A lack of dialogue creates a much greater emotional investment in you as a reader, and that certainly happened in this case.

One of my favorite things one can do as an author is adding a sense of unity between the beginning and the end, through, say, the repetition of a passage. When authors do this, it really adds a sense of "Wow, look at how far we've come in this novel," which just makes the ending that much more emotionally fragile.

Speaking of the ending, it was very real. Not every single plot thread was resolved, but such a thing is unrealistic, and part of what made the ending of Uses for Boys so delightful and emotional was the startling reality of it all. Anna is surely one of the strongest YA characters I've had the pleasure of reading, even during moments of weakness. But it is Anna's ability to realize her mistakes and maintain a sense of recovery that makes her so strong. Anna is a very human protagonist, and my heart broke when I realized the end of the story was so near. Although I turned the last page, Anna's story will live on forever in my heart.(less)

like 7 likes · see review

Jan 22, 2013 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2012

Anna's dad was never there. Her mom used to be. But she's not anymore. She's with a new man. Then another one. Then another one. She's never there for Anna.

Anna seeks family through boys. She learned it from her mother. When that first boy touches her and she feels electric, that's what she thinks love and belonging are. She continues, boy after boy, sexual episode after sexual episode. She's taken advantage of, abused by these boys.

Then she meets Toy. Toy's another broken girl without a family...more Anna's dad was never there. Her mom used to be. But she's not anymore. She's with a new man. Then another one. Then another one. She's never there for Anna.

Anna seeks family through boys. She learned it from her mother. When that first boy touches her and she feels electric, that's what she thinks love and belonging are. She continues, boy after boy, sexual episode after sexual episode. She's taken advantage of, abused by these boys.

Then she meets Toy. Toy's another broken girl without a family.

Toy opens her up to the idea that boys could be loving. Toy's had a string of amazing boyfriends herself. The kind who buy her things. Who tell her she's worth it. Anna has such envy for what Toy has. But Anna has sex and that means something.

There's moving in and out of her home. Dropping out of school. Getting a job making coffee. An apartment. (view spoiler) A new apartment. An old, still-the-same mother.

Sam enters the picture and changes everything. He shows Anna love. But he shows her more than that. He shows her family. Acceptance. Care.

This isn't the story where the boy saves the girl. In fact, it's the boy (after boy after boy) who has let Anna down. It's a woman who opens Anna up. Who tells her she is more than her body. That she is more. That she is worth something.

Scheidt's debut is powerful and it's explicit. There's nothing held back here, but the way sex is used to develop the story is authentically teen. It's authentically Anna. It's what she believes is what needs to happen. She's been shown as much by her mom. It makes sense. Anna believes she is meant to be used by boys. That that is what belonging and acceptance are. That that is what her body is good for because that's what women are meant to do.

But Anna IS a helluva lot more than that. It's clear through her relationship with Toy and it's even clearer through her relationship with Josh.

The writing is great. It's fast-paced, staccato, and pulsing. It is the inside of Anna's mind. It's aching.

Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2013/01/u... (less)

like 4 likes · see review

Jan 17, 2013 Melissa rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First I was planning to read this book, then I changed my mind cause of the reactions from my friends, and then I changed it again cause all the different opinions got me really curious.

Let me start with saying (and I think the majority started their review with these words): this book was really hard to review. The subject is so delicate and sensitive, so it's not easy to give a honest opinion without insulting/upsetting someone. I'm not naive, I don't live in a fantasy bubble, so I'm well awa...more First I was planning to read this book, then I changed my mind cause of the reactions from my friends, and then I changed it again cause all the different opinions got me really curious.

Let me start with saying (and I think the majority started their review with these words): this book was really hard to review. The subject is so delicate and sensitive, so it's not easy to give a honest opinion without insulting/upsetting someone. I'm not naive, I don't live in a fantasy bubble, so I'm well aware that stuff like abortion, abuse, rape, sexual addiction, parental negligence,... happens in real life. Sadly, but so true. And I give credit to the author for writing about topics that are disturbing in so many ways. That requires guts. But I had a lot of issues with this book...

I liked the idea of witnessing how Anna grows older and how she's affected by several circumstances in her life. But instead of adjusting the writing style so it would fit Anna's age, it stays the childish voice from beginning till end. That just doesn't feel right. Also, how disturbing this book might be, I couldn't bring myself to really care for Anna. At a sudden moment I was wondering if there's something really wrong with me cause when you read this:

'I cry. Right there with him inside me. I cry really hard so the snot runs out of my nose and I have to wipe it on my arm.'
and the first thing you think is: snot on her arm, yuck gross! That's not exactly a normal reaction right? But I think I'm not a heartless witch after all, but it's just the writing style. I didn't feel a connection with Anna, I couldn't relate to her, I didn't even like her. Another thing that bothered me is how Anna is portrayed as a victim right from the start. Yeah Joey and Desmond use her, but isn't she doing the same thing? Using them to get rid of her lonely feeling for a while?

Also, although it was written in Anna's POV I often didn't know why she said certain things or reacted in a particular way. I'm thinking for example about her and Joey:

'I show him the room that used to be the family room.
“Where’s your real dad?'
'I show him what I look like without my shirt and how my bra attaches in the front. He spends a long time just holding and kissing my breasts, one by one, and saying, “Oh, oh, oh.'

When I read this I immediately thought 'WTH! How does she go from a question about her dad to undressing?'. I wish I knew her reasons for behavior like that and that often frustrated me.

What also really bothered me is that in the end, this book has no point, no message whatsoever. Why would one write about a controversial subject like this one, when there is no point made in the end. I don't say justice is always served in real life or that everyone in the same position as Anna gets the help they need. But it isn't even addressed in this book. No one seems to notice anything about Anna being left alone the whole time, (or they just don't care). Like the mom from her best friend at the beginning. She finds out that Anna is always alone so she doesn't want the girls playing at Anna's house anymore. Uhm I don't know lady, but maybe you should make a phone call to child care? Ok, I did see some character development in Anna when she finally refused a guy near the end of the book. But besides that? I don't really see her taking lessons out of her past. And I guess the author had the intention of making Sam the one guy that saves Anna. But besides some ~~sex~~ making love scenes I didn't saw much depth in their relationship.

I can understand why people like this book. But I just don't like the way the author handled the whole thing. Also, the writing style was monotone, boring even after a while. So although I'm not insensitive and indifferent to the whole matter, the book just didn't get to me.

Alright, K adding this one made me really curious.. ;)(less)

like 6 likes · see review

Feb 11, 2013 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

There has been a lot of buzz about this book. It's the book with the pretty cover that insinuates there is a lovely, romantic story about to unfold.

People. IGNORE the cover. I *almost* took off a star because the cover is such a blatant misrepresentation of the book, but after I thought about it, reviews are about the book--not about the cover.

This book isn't going to be for everyone. It just isn't. It's brutal, heartbreaking and one of the most painful depictions of what happens when a little...more There has been a lot of buzz about this book. It's the book with the pretty cover that insinuates there is a lovely, romantic story about to unfold.

People. IGNORE the cover. I *almost* took off a star because the cover is such a blatant misrepresentation of the book, but after I thought about it, reviews are about the book--not about the cover.

This book isn't going to be for everyone. It just isn't. It's brutal, heartbreaking and one of the most painful depictions of what happens when a little girl is completely neglected (both emotional and physically) by her parents. As adults we know what could happen---The girl grows up, sometimes much too soon, and begins to look for love in all the wrong places. She continues on the path that her mother set for her because ultimately, a little girl wants to be just like their Mommy. When they grow up and don't want to be like mom, it's too late. The seed has already been planted and bad, horrible decisions are made.

This is important. This book is written like lyrical prose. (Think Ellen Hopkins.) There is very little dialogue and the writing is very literal. For me, it was the best way into Anna's world. My heartbeats matched hers at times, and I found myself aching from the trauma she endured. This is a real story (I mean, it isn't autobiographical, but this could be ANY girl. This is someones daughter that was neglected and was perceived as worthless. She had no friends. No family, except a very absentee mother, or any adult who was concerned enough to ask this girl if she was okay. It was heartbreaking.) As for some readers that didn't believe this was believable--that no one would get in that much trouble or she was just whiney/a victim, well...you're wrong, imo. This is very believable. There are girls, so many, that live this life everyday. It's hard to imagine something so horrific, but it does. There are so many girls that overcome it, but there are some that don't.

As always a mark of a good book is what it's left with you. If you're continuing to wonder about the characters, curious about what would have happened if, or still preoccupied with some element...it's a good book.

As a young adult writer querying my first project USES FOR BOYS is exactly the type of book that inspires me. It's fresh, brave and took massive chances. Sometimes i'll think 'Oh. No one will like this' or 'There is no way to sell this' then I'll read a fearless story like this and realize....yes I can. (less)

like 3 likes · see review

Dec 07, 2012 Chrissy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, read-in-2012, favorites

I almost didn't read USES FOR BOYS, honestly, because I expected it to be another young adult love story like so many I'd read before. Sure, I could tell from the description and the subject matter that it might be a bit more gritty than what I've usually come to expect from the genre. But, is that enough to make this one stand apart in my mind from all the others I've read before now?

I'm really glad I actually gave this one a shot because I do think it was an amazing, memorable book for me, a s...more

like 2 likes · see review

Mar 24, 2013 Devon Ashley rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: completed-arcs, reviewed-on-blog

***There are spoilers in this review, but as I would never recommend ANYONE reading this novel, it probably won't matter. Also, I'm a little mad right now, but I'm trying to draw back on the anger and inappropriate wordage and just be critical of substance.***

First off, let me say that I'm a little late to the party in terms of reviewing this ARC. By the time I began this, I had noticed that Uses For Boys was averaging around three stars. First reaction - that's not good. I opted not to read any...more

like 7 likes · see review

Jan 18, 2013 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Ellen Hopkins Fans

This review was originally published on Clear Eyes, Full Shelves.

Sometimes the idea of a book is ultimately stronger than the story within.

In the case of Erica Lorraine Scheidt's debut novel, Uses for Boys, I found myself distracted by the innovative take on teen sexuality. However, once I was stuck into the story, the execution ultimately did not work.

Uses for Boys opens when Anna, whose first-person point-of-view is told in a stream-of-consciousness, real-time style, is a child, alone with he...more

like 4 likes · see review

Dec 15, 2012 Brandi Kosiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a mature book, with sad themes laced with hope especially at the end. This is not light, not fluffy, and the beautiful cover fits in some ways but if you go in expecting any thing except dark and gritty, you are probably going to be disappointed.
That said, I don't think I even had seen the cover when I read the blurb, but I knew that it would be a book for me. I just wanted to make clear so that it is not an issue for those who might be expecting something else.
Anna, the main charac...more This is a mature book, with sad themes laced with hope especially at the end. This is not light, not fluffy, and the beautiful cover fits in some ways but if you go in expecting any thing except dark and gritty, you are probably going to be disappointed.
That said, I don't think I even had seen the cover when I read the blurb, but I knew that it would be a book for me. I just wanted to make clear so that it is not an issue for those who might be expecting something else.
Anna, the main character grows and learns so much about herself and life in this book. Just when I started to feel sorry for her or get disappointed in her she would start to change and realize things about herself and those around her. I see so much of myself in her, lonely and looking for love in all the wrong places until things finally clicked. Having the right people and some of the people who had been in my life but I finally realized their value or the pain that they themselves are dealing with and they also need a little love and support.
Sam is so innocent and so whose all at the same time and I love how he saw through her problems to the person she was inside. I also loved reading about his family especially his sister and his mom. She is so involved and had so much to offer, I ish there were more like her in ya lit.
Anna really breaks my heart how distant and absent her mom was, but it is the sad reality for so many people, and I think that her story can help them feel less alone. And hopefully can also teach from her mistakes, and open eyes to some dark issues. There is many places where I just wanted to hug her and especially one spot where I wish I could open her eyes and make her see that it is not her fault.

Bottom line gritty contemporary with dark themes about the reality of life both good and bad, through love friendship.and the choices we all make.

For more of my reviews, check out Blkosiner’s YA and Teen Book Blog: http://blkosiner.blogspot.com (less)

like 6 likes · see review

Dec 17, 2012 Kara rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: debut-authors-2012

There is no easy way for me to say this that is going to make what I have to say come off any nicer, so let me just lay it out there. For me, this book was just terrible. I say ' for me' because I already know that some readers connected with this book. I didn't. I thought it was pretty much useless and failed at every point it tried to make. I do appreciate what the author tried to do here, but her approach was a complete fail. I am going to try to articulate my problems, but it's difficult, be...more There is no easy way for me to say this that is going to make what I have to say come off any nicer, so let me just lay it out there. For me, this book was just terrible. I say ' for me' because I already know that some readers connected with this book. I didn't. I thought it was pretty much useless and failed at every point it tried to make. I do appreciate what the author tried to do here, but her approach was a complete fail. I am going to try to articulate my problems, but it's difficult, because if you do not think the way I do, this review is going to not make a whole lot of sense to you. But whatever.

Poor, Anna. Her life sucks because her and her mom used to be really close, but now her mom is gone most of the time, more concerned with hooking a new husband than spending time with her daughter. To pass the time and because Anna needs attention, she has sex with boys. Lots of boys. And there is a lot of REALLY graphic and uncomfortable sex. But before I get to that, I want to discuss Anna's character.

I can understand why a girl who is being neglected at home would turn to affection from boys because this is the only place she can get it. It's just that her character failed to connect with me. I didn't like Anna. I didn't even really sympathize with her situation, and I felt bad about that because this girl has a whole set of issues that I should have cared about, but man. To me she was really unlikable, weird, and not relatable. At all.

And then there was the whole thing with her friend Toy. I just didn't understand the point. I can't talk much about this at all without revealing spoilers, but I would just like to ask those that read this book and liked it, what was the point of the whole Toy storyline? Why was it there? I feel like I am missing some connection I was supposed to see. I know what the reader was supposed to think, but then there was the end, and because of the way it ended, I was just left feeling confused. But for me, this was just another point that failed to connect with me.

At first I liked the writing style. But then, when I realized it just felt like a jumbled up mass of a character's thoughts (and a character I didn't even like), I checked out. At that point I just wanted it to be over. I think the author has a unique way of writing and I liked her flow of words, but I don't feel it worked properly for this book, nor did it convey the messages in her writing in a meaningful way. First person present tense is a hard POV to write in, and unless you are a fantastic writer, it usually turns out poorly. That was the case here. This book just did not work for me at all.

Now we come to the part I hate talking about. The sex. I know some readers will disagree with me, and that's totally okay. I am not offended if you think I am wrong on this point because I know it is a matter of personal taste. So feel free to sound off in the comments. Just don't be disrespectful about it. That's all I ask. Okay, moving on. The sex was WAY TOO graphic in my opinion. There was too much of it as well, and I didn't feel the writing needed to be as detailed as it was. It was vulgar and felt like teenage porn. I am not against sex in YA books, I just think there is a limit to how far it should go. This was blunt, distasteful, and I don't think I would be comfortable with a young teen reading this. Maybe a mature teen, but even that is iffy. To understand how far the book went, you would have to read it, and if you did, I would like to hear your thoughts. It made me very uncomfortable, and I guess that was the point of the narrative, but what can I say? I didn't like it. I don't have a quote for you, and perhaps I should have grabbed one, but I have already deleted this off my Kindle and moved on. But I really feel this should not be classified as a YA novel.

Before I go, I just want to say that my review here is my opinion. And it is only one opinion. I know that this book has connected with some readers, but overall, I think it is failing to connect with its audience. The early ratings and reviews on Goodreads, for the most part, reflect that. Not everyone is going to like everything they read, and I certainly didn't like this. Unfortunately, I can't recommend it. It wouldn't be honest of me to do so. But if you usually disagree with my reviews, then you should try it for yourself.

Also, what is WITH the cover? It makes you think this will be a fun book. It's not. NOT at all. I don't think the cover matches the narrative in any way, shape or form. I love the cover, but not for this book.

Thank goodness this book was short. Otherwise I doubt I would have finished it. (less)

like 13 likes · see review

Apr 17, 2013 Anthony Pacheco rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, literature

Update

I finished this book today.

Uses for Boys was brilliant. Bloody. Amazing. Brilliant.

I'm going to read all the rest of the reviews to try to put a finger on why the prior reviewers I read were smoking kitty litter. While I understand taste is subjective, I believe Scheidt is approaching a major themantic that's flying over heads.

On thing for sure, this book has a lot more sex in it than my book, because it's a book about sex. While my writing is more erotic (I think the author stripped the...more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 12, 2013 Jen Ryland added it

Shelves: debut-challenge-2013

Uses for Boys is a gritty contemporary YA about a girl left alone to parent herself. There's a lot of mature content here, and some dark subject material.

My heart went out to Anna, who is constantly left alone while her mother goes off on one date after another, marries a new guy, then splits up with him and starts the process over. As a result, Anna is left to fend for herself. It's hard not to feel heartbroken for her, to feel her loneliness as her mother goes off again and again, to watch bot...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jan 17, 2013 Deniz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: jan13, ya, contemporary

3.5 stars

I am still pondering over if I should round it up or down
It definitely gave me lots of food for thought
Gonna come back to this once I digested it a bit

18.1.13

This book threw me for totally out of balance. To say that I liked it, would actually be a lie. It had an profound impact on me. So much so, that its been on my mind since I have finished it. I am totally disturbed, appalled and even disgusted by some of the things, but I am also intrigued, hear broke and totally aware that many t...more

like 2 likes · see review

Oct 18, 2012 Isamlq rated it 3 of 5 stars

Uses for Boys… it pulls no punches and takes you where it wants to even if the things could get and did get uncomfortable early on. And, the boys there were many, and so were the women… yet, none of them felt as strong (and frustrating) as the girl in question. She’s wants what she doesn’t have and runs these narratives in her head, imaging what could be and what would be if only…

So, she’s confused and always looking to what’s not there… and thinks that others have it better. It’s true to a poi...more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 22, 2013 Atmika rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: debut-author-2013, arc, 2013, contemporary, kindle, romance-love, contemporary-2013-challenge

3.5 stars
I'm having a hard time putting my feelings for this book into words. It was not an easy read. It's sad, depressing and leaves you feeling helpless. It takes you through a dark tunnel and for a long time there was no light, no hope. But it's engaging and captivating. I know that some girls will be able to relate to it and it may help them. The cover actually fooled me, I thought it was going to be a light, fluffy read. It was not what I was expecting.

Anna is a girl that we don't like to...more 3.5 stars
I'm having a hard time putting my feelings for this book into words. It was not an easy read. It's sad, depressing and leaves you feeling helpless. It takes you through a dark tunnel and for a long time there was no light, no hope. But it's engaging and captivating. I know that some girls will be able to relate to it and it may help them. The cover actually fooled me, I thought it was going to be a light, fluffy read. It was not what I was expecting.

Anna is a girl that we don't like to talk about. A girl who had a tough life, who was abandoned by her father, whose mother didn't take care of her. Anna is a girl who made wrong decisions, who believed love and sex to be the same, who never accepted reality and what it brought. And us not talking, maybe that's the problem.

Loneliness is a demon and that's the worse there is. People need each other and love. No child should grow up without love. Anna would go to boys looking for affection because she didn't find it at home. It makes sense. But not all boys she went to, were good or right for her. Sometimes the boys used her, she is filling a void but she is still alone.

I wanted to talk to her, to tell her things to help her because she was alone and the world is not an easy place. I was angry at her mother, yes, I see that she was going through her own issues but then she is still a mom and she should have been there for her daughter. I'm furious at Todd and the fact that Anna never talked about it to anyone. It also bothers me that he can just walk on with his life after doing something like that. I'm confused because I don't understand what Toy brought to the story. I'm happy that she found Sam and I'm hopeful for her future. See, the amount of things this book made me feel.

This book is not for everyone. The writing style, while I liked it, I just feel that it wasn't right for the book. I had a hard time accepting certain things but the characters are realistic and her story is gritty and honest. I am not very happy with the ending and there were times when I wasn't sure what was the point of the whole book. I saw things but there is a lack of depth and I couldn't feel sympathy for Anna. So my feelings are a little mixed but I think you should give it a try.

For more reviews go to my blog (less)

like 2 likes · see review

Oct 23, 2012 Sabriena rated it 2 of 5 stars

I got an ARC for Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt from Netgalley and I was pretty excited to read it. When am I not excited to read a book, right? I even did a little pre-post for it to tell how excited I was.

So, I started reading it and you know what? I still don’t even know what the point of the book is. It was just really sad in that I felt really bad for Anna. Anna came from a totally broken home. Her mother wasn’t there for her and her father was non-existent in that she didn’t know...more

I got an ARC for Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt from Netgalley and I was pretty excited to read it. When am I not excited to read a book, right? I even did a little pre-post for it to tell how excited I was.

So, I started reading it and you know what? I still don’t even know what the point of the book is. It was just really sad in that I felt really bad for Anna. Anna came from a totally broken home. Her mother wasn’t there for her and her father was non-existent in that she didn’t know him at all. Single mother isn’t a bad thing right? Well, it is when your Mom is too concerned with going out and finding the next “husband” than being a parent to their kid. Anna was left alone all the time and that along with the lack of parenting and attention from her mother just put her in a horrible place.

Anna used boys (hence the title of the book) to fill the void that her mother has left, that’s what I felt. At the age of 12 she started doing sexual things with boys. Her first encounter being on a school bus while two other boys watched. Gross. It just escalates from there and by the time she’s 16 years old she’s had quite a few partners but never fills the void. Even when she met Sam I got the feeling that the void will never be filled.

The story could have been good except the whole book just felt like I was reading someone’s thoughts. They weren’t even clear cohesive thoughts a lot of the time they seemed to be broken and the sentences sometimes were entirely too short to feel any satisfaction from reading it. Perhaps that style of writing just isn’t for me and that is why I didn’t really enjoy the book or perhaps the book was just really depressing. The situation and everything was depressing. How could no one see this little girl out in the world and not say something? I mean, stuff like this happens everyday in the real world but, I don’t know.

I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I thought I was going to. The cover is really gorgeous though and I wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it because it could entirely be like I said, the writing style for me.(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Jan 14, 2013 Marthita rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, cute-cover, netgalley, my-poor-brain, heroines-i-want-to-slap-in-the-face, kill-that-book, romance-my-ass, i-rather-eat-a-living-worm, burn-baby-burn

- 1 Star -

Being fooled by a pretty cover and getting misguided by a good synopsis is something that it’s not new to me, but I haven’t felt so disappointed with a book as felt with Uses for Boys; I had a full and huge story in my head when I was done reading the synopsis, a funny plot, with romantic and sarcastic lines from each character, but then, it happen… I read the book, and I would dare to say that I totally prefer the story in my head than the story within the pages of this so-called-book...more - 1 Star -

Being fooled by a pretty cover and getting misguided by a good synopsis is something that it’s not new to me, but I haven’t felt so disappointed with a book as felt with Uses for Boys; I had a full and huge story in my head when I was done reading the synopsis, a funny plot, with romantic and sarcastic lines from each character, but then, it happen… I read the book, and I would dare to say that I totally prefer the story in my head than the story within the pages of this so-called-book.

The story is told from Anna’s POV, a girl with a horrible past and a mother that doesn’t care for her, a woman that was tired of being alone, so she decide to look for a husband with a lot of money so she could have the house she always wanted, leaving Ann alone all the time and treating her daughter as another piece of furniture, which force Anna to close up in her own little world, a world of self-pity, stupid innocence and dependence, which transform Anna in one of the silliest characters I’ve ever met, with no self-esteem and in need of love, looking for it in all the wrong places and in all the wrong ways, turning Anna into someone I came to dislike so much! Is just that is kind of stupid and degrading to affirm that someone that doesn’t count with the support of their parents will turn into a complete dependent loser who will never do anything by their own initiative, because I know and have a few friends that don’t have the support of their families and still, they are people who is fun to be with, have a lot of self-esteem and they are strong and never give up, and yeah, it sucks that this happen to some people, but that doesn’t mean that you have to behave like Anna: letting a boy touch her and making her touch him in front of his friends and the entire school bus, almost making her masturbate him, is just so wrong, in so many levels, it was something horrible and abusive, and I don’t give a damn if Anna’s mom never give her “The Talk”, you just don’t let that an idiot and asshole boy touch you without your permission just because it feels “good” *sigh* Yeah, I know this might be a little more of a complain than a review, but I always write what I feel and this book just made me feel so angry and mad that I can't help it, sorry if I just made this too personal.

And if the plot of “How to become a slut in less than two days” wasn’t enough, the writing style of this thing was what end with my patience… It was like a reading a very bad diary, full of incoherent thoughts and horrible writing; I swear, my eyes were bleeding and I almost went blind because of the horrible way this book was wrote. Reading all of Anna’s sexual encounters was the worst thing I’ve ver read, I mean, is not like you have to have sex with every single guy just to make him like you, and to think it and consider it is just lame, lame, lame!

The characters, ughh! Just in case I haven’t made my point clear by now, I didn’t like Anna, and no, I’m not a heartless bitch who can’t feel empathy for someone with such a horrible life, is just that I can feel something good for someone that doesn’t love herself enough to stand for herself, and is not just with girls, I also don’t like boys that don’t stand for themselves either… So, yeah, I didn’t like any character, not a single one.

Uses for Boys could have been a good book, even a fun one, but it end up being one of the worst book I’ve ever read, in MY WHOLE LIFE! And I’m pretty sure that if this book would have been a bit longer, I wouldn’t have been able to finish it (thanks God for that miracle)
I’m really sorry that this review wind up as very bad review, but I couldn’t find something good about Erica’s work, sorry again. Now, this is just MY opinion, maybe someone out there would enjoy this when I didn’t, who knows, right?

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy for review. (less)

like 1 like · see review

Dec 14, 2012 Rose rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, netgalley, pretty-cover, realistic-fiction, romance, tbr-challenge, tough-subjects, contemporary, coming-of-age, quarterly-challenge-8-2013

Initial reaction: I think a lot of people are going to be fooled by the cover of this particular novel and think that this is a light fluffy story about a teen who finds love. The cover is a bit of false advertising to be honest - and I don't know if I'd say the title of the novel fits it all that well either. This is a rather rough story - and the only novel that I can think of off the top of my head to compare it to is "Push" by Sapphire (only I would argue "Push" is far more tragic and with m...more Initial reaction: I think a lot of people are going to be fooled by the cover of this particular novel and think that this is a light fluffy story about a teen who finds love. The cover is a bit of false advertising to be honest - and I don't know if I'd say the title of the novel fits it all that well either. This is a rather rough story - and the only novel that I can think of off the top of my head to compare it to is "Push" by Sapphire (only I would argue "Push" is far more tragic and with much heavier contexts, even then it's a hard line to draw because they're really not that similar - I'll have to think of other novels to compare before I write the full review). It's frank about the sexual relationships, the neglect, and the falling in and out of relationships of the child turned teen protagonist. For all intents and purposes, the protagonist has a damaged mindset and she's not easy to follow in this work. But the constructive thing about this novel is that it shows Anna moving through relationships and trying to build a life for herself despite her circumstances.

Full review: I'm a bit torn about my reaction to "Uses for Boys", because for all intents and purposes, I saw what it was going for from early on in the story, and I appreciated the collective story for what it was offering, but I feel there are a lot of things that are problematic with it. Before I get into that, I want to share a personal story with you guys about my reading experiences with a book that was somewhat similar to this one, but I can neither remember the title or the author of the work. It's been too many years, too many books - and I wish I could remember it, because it would be easier than trying to link books that aren't really similar to it.

I was 13 years old when I picked up the aforementioned book, so technically it was written for an age group that was older than me - 15+ (though why it was in a middle school library, I'm not really sure - it might've had to do with the reading level). The story was about a 12 year old POC girl living with her five brothers and sisters in the projects. She was the second oldest, had an older brother who was in a gang - her mother was a single woman strung out on drugs. So basically she was the person looking after her other brothers and sisters, though the older brother would protect his siblings if they would ever get into trouble with local hecklers. She was into a lot of graffiti art, and often used art to paint pictures of the things she was going through in her life. That meant good events as well as bad.

Said girl was also involved in a sexual relationship with one of her peers - not much older than her, which might raise some eyebrows as far as what's acceptable for teen/YA literature of today. (It was published in the mid to late 90s as far as I know, I don't remember much else about it but the content. Whether it was specifically marketed to teens, I have no idea, but I remember I liked the cover and it did have something of a cover that would appeal to teens.) I remember at the time that I wasn't expecting the book to go as far as it did with the portrayal of the sexual relationship - and the language was rather blunt - using "tits" for breasts and "prick" for penis. I remember one of the librarians raised a fit about the book saying that it shouldn't have been shelved in the library after I returned the book, but the other librarian surprised her by turning to me and asking me what I thought of the book since I'd read it. I usually took my lunch breaks in the library to read at that time, so they were already used to me picking books off the the shelves at random and reading them, but I think I was the only one who actually pulled that particular book off the shelf - it'd never been checked out.

At the time, I think I answered something like "I liked it, but I was kind of uncomfortable with it. I think the girl turned out all right in the end and I'm glad she was able to succeed where she did after all she went through." Even thinking about it now - the things that made me uncomfortable like the portrayal of the language and the depicted sex - I also knew that this was a girl who was going through a very real ordeal and had to realize what about her situation was wrong, and the book had a clear arc of her getting out of those situations. If my mom knew I read that book, she'd probably have blown a gasket in her brain, but I remember at the time, I knew what it was actually saying and the impact it was going for. It wasn't glorifying the sex, it wasn't glorifying the young girl's situation, but rather providing an eye to it that many people wouldn't necessarily talk about. That some people are afraid to talk about because of what it might imply, but at the same time - there are people who go through these very real situations and their stories should be told, if even to give an eye to them and say - this crap happens on a regular basis and no one talks about what reactions are prompted with it and how to deal with them.

So I guess that leads me into this review about how far is too far when it comes to the portrayal of such situations in YA literature. "Uses for Boys" has some graphic sex scenes and depictions of sexual imagery featuring an underage protagonist who suffers from neglect and depression - and the narrative style reflects the level of the girl's mental state. It's a very quick read, very much event-to-event accounts, and it doesn't necessarily have as much character intimacy as I would've liked to see. Yet, I understood what it was going for. I've personally read stronger examples of YA literature that individually (and collectively) tackled these thematics, with stronger character eyes and more potent messages to send about the topics it discusses, including slut shaming, child neglect, pregnancy, abortion, etc. But somehow, I don't know - this book did get to me in a profound way, with not just it's overarching tone, but depicting the relationship between Anna and her mother as well as what the boys in her life symbolically represented (even if we don't really get to put the finger on the pulse of any of them). I think because it felt like a genuine account, even if it was sparse in its respective detail. Like a girl who didn't know what to do with these feelings or felt inadequate so much that she had to drop her studies, or felt uncertain in the spectrum of her life of what was truth and what was in the lies that she told herself and what others would tell her.

I personally thought the depiction of sex in this was too much and I wouldn't personally recommend it for a young teen, but I think the book is one that should be taken in its own discretion, and read for what conversations it can promote for what it offers. I'd liken it to books like "Boy Toy" by Barry Lyga and "Living Dead Girl" by Elizabeth Scott. Maybe even Ellen Hopkins' books (which Hopkins actually blurbed this book from the cover of my ARC). It's certainly has more heart than books out there that are clearly "message" books, but at the same time, even with how raw it can be at times in its respective narrative, there's a significant disconnect, and I think if it had more of a distinct connection, this could've been a stronger book than what it was.

The cover will probably fool a lot of people into thinking this is a lighthearted story of coming of age and Anna's journey to finding love when really it's a lot more raw and dark than that. And Anna is very much not a likable protagonist - she's very flawed, but there's context to those flaws, and I think to really see them, you have to be able to see through the filter that Anna has. I thought about the title of the book in relation to the content as well - "Uses for Boys". Anna doesn't have a stable male figure in her life, and a lot of the impressions she has of men are complicated by the figures she sees in her mother's relationships as well as her own. But ultimately it's a story where she has to come into her own sense of place, and while I wouldn't say it brings a clear cut happy ending or coming to terms for Anna, it's a starting point.

Overall score: 3/5

Note: I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher St. Martin's Press.(less)

like 7 likes · see review

Mar 05, 2013 Danny rated it 2 of 5 stars

Review posted at Bewitched Bookworms

So. No. What. I. Hoped
I rarely start a review with pointing out what didn’t work for me, yet here I have no other choice. Right away, when I started reading I was shocked about the first few scenes. Actually, I was shocked and utterly disturbed. But. I had my hopes still up that with more pages I’d start getting into the story and connect with Anna. Sadly, this was not the case and even though I ended up finishing the book it was definitely not my cup of tea....more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 09, 2013 Kath S rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, arc, beautiful-cover

I really didn’t know how to feel about this book… Until now.

When I started to read it, I just liked the way the author writes: in present tense, in first person and with a host of feelings that touched me on the front pages. But then, the same writing just became a little bit overwhelming.

We have Anna, a girl with a terrible personal life. She has not a father, she never knew him and she lives with her mom, a mom who was very loving, but then grew distant, and she forgot about her kid and became...more

like 1 like · see review

Apr 07, 2013 Angel rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-covers, signed-editions

Gritty.
Realistic.
Haunting.
Not a happy romantic read that the cover would suggest.
Not for everyone.
YA, questionable.
Great for discussion.
Beautiful writing, poetic.

SPOILER ALERT
***************************************

This book is not for the faint reader. Anna is damaged and the people in her world are damaged too. Her mother is a huge disappointment. I hoped they would have a moment to redeem their relationship but the opportunity was lost. Anna uses boys to fill her emptiness like so many girls w...more Gritty.
Realistic.
Haunting.
Not a happy romantic read that the cover would suggest.
Not for everyone.
YA, questionable.
Great for discussion.
Beautiful writing, poetic.

SPOILER ALERT
***************************************

This book is not for the faint reader. Anna is damaged and the people in her world are damaged too. Her mother is a huge disappointment. I hoped they would have a moment to redeem their relationship but the opportunity was lost. Anna uses boys to fill her emptiness like so many girls without fathers. When she gets pregnant, I thought finally she would have a realization or at least get on birth control. Not the case. A missed opportunity there. I was worried the whole time she would have to have a string of abortions. I wanted more there.

The end was too quick for me. Finally, she realizes that she needs to be strong and she is strong and she does have family. I wanted to see more with the reunion. I really wanted to hear the conversation with Sam's mom. I can't believe that she would want her son involved with Anna. Of course she would be worried that he is going to father an unwanted child at a young age and what happens to his future? That needs to be addressed. I'm sad that Sam didn't wait with her. That would make it easier to cheer for that relationship. Now all I can do is worry that now Sam is off track too. I want Anna to turn her life around and do something with this one life we all get.

This is a tragic tale. A cautionary tale. Too close to reality tale.

On the plus side, there is a group of girls that need to hear this story so they can avoid the pitfalls in their life. We need to nurture our girls and let them understand that love is not sex and let them understand that they have more to offer. People need to nurture their children. IF someone can't handle the consequences of sex, they should not be having sex>>pregnancy, commitment, disease, etc.

My heart breaks for Anna. She will make it if she holds on to her revelation. Family doesn't have to be just the people you share blood with. She can make a home. There is a glimmer of hope. I do want her to move and get a fresh start. Reinvent herself. Maybe go to that college she keeps walking by.(less)

like · see review

Apr 01, 2013 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-pathfinder-challenge, 2013-debut-author-challenge

Wow, this one was gritty. Very sad and gritty! My heart absolutely bled for Anna, the protagonist, during her desperate search for belonging, a little family to call her own. Having never known her biological father and being subjected to a revolving door of mom's boyfriends and step-dads, Anna didn't exactly have the best circumstances starting out. Then there was Mom's unending questing for not only her youth, but also for some unattainable standard of happiness that apparently only a man coul...more

like · see review

Mar 01, 2013 Miss Literati rated it 4 of 5 stars

Erica Lorraine Scheidt‘s debut novel, USES FOR BOYS, is an astonishing, realistic coming-of-age story about a teenage girl struggling to fill the void of loneliness in her insane life.

With a superficial mother that is never home because she’s always working or going on dates, and no father figure to speak of, 16-year-old Anna feels more alone than ever, especially after her only friend, Nancy, abandons her. In attempts to feel wanted, Anna takes to spending time with a bunch of different boys....more

like 1 like · see review

Feb 03, 2013 Lindy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-debut-author-challenge, 2013-ebook-challenge, ya-contemporary, blog-review

Anna grows up with a single mother that is never there for her. Her mother goes out every night, sometimes several days and nights at one time, leaving Anna all alone. Anna is expected to be responsible for herself at a young age. She makes herself dinner every night, wakes herself up to go to school, and takes the bus home just to arrive to an empty house day after day. Anna is lonely and desperately wants her mother's love and attention. However, Anna's mother's priorities consist of dating a...more Anna grows up with a single mother that is never there for her. Her mother goes out every night, sometimes several days and nights at one time, leaving Anna all alone. Anna is expected to be responsible for herself at a young age. She makes herself dinner every night, wakes herself up to go to school, and takes the bus home just to arrive to an empty house day after day. Anna is lonely and desperately wants her mother's love and attention. However, Anna's mother's priorities consist of dating a variety of men, getting married and divorced several times, and preserving her youth and looks. After each divorce, she is constantly on the prowl to snag a new man. All that Anna wants is someone to love her and pay attention to her. She becomes best friends with Toy an eccentric young girl who lives in her head and is always inventing stories. Anna and Toy are constantly competing with one another over who has the better boyfriend and are jealous and envious of one another throughout the story. Toy doesn't really listen to Anna's feelings and stories, because she is always too busy talking about herself. Toy is there for Anna and comforts her only when she is at her lowest. However, they are a lot a like because they both live lonely lives with absentee fathers, and mother's. Anna goes through many dysfuntional relations with a variety of boys until she meets Sam. Anna realizes quickly that Sam is different from any guy she has ever known. She also becomes enamored with Sam's family, and they her, and is envious that her boyfriend has a warm and nurturing relationship with his parents and siblings, something that she has always desired.

I was thoroughly dissapointed with Uses for Boys. I preordered it because I loved both the book cover and the synopsis of the story. Who knows, maybe my expectations were too high. I just know that as I began reading, I thought to myself, "this story is going to be good." However, as the story progressed, it dragged. I thought, "Ok, this story is going to get better." Well, no such luck. It never did get better. I was frustrated because Anna did not grow as a character. She made the same mistakes continuously and did not learn from them. The story was very redondent and static. It was like the movie groundhog Day where the same events take place over and over again. Just change the guys name and looks and you have the same circumstances and story repeating itself time and time again. Also, this story was emotionally draining, dark, and depressing. I kept waiting to see some form of hope to enter the character's life. However, Anna's life just went downhill, and she didn't understand why. The reason being that she did not look at her own actions and make the necessary changes. I disliked the way the story ended. It was unimpressive, and I still had questions that were never addressed.

Yes, there were a few aspects of the story that I enjoyed. I did get a clear picture of the characters and the plot events. The author's writing style was easy to read, and the story took off at a fast pace. It was very realistic of the real world and not sugar coated in any way. I did connect with Anna's emotions. So much that I felt physically ill while reading this book, but continued reading, hopeful that Anna's life would improve, and her mother would mature, and realize what is important in life.

Uses for Boys was an okay story. It was a mediocre read. It would not be my first choice when selecting a story to get lost in. I would suggest to read this story if you can borrow it from the library or from a friend, and if you have nothing else to read at the moment. Do not read this book if you are looking for a romantic read, with happiness, hope, and a HEA. I give, Uses for Boys 3 stars.

For more book reviews go to http://www.abookishescape.com
(less)

like · see review

Jan 24, 2013 The Fictionators rated it 3 of 5 stars

Originally posted at: http://www.fictionators.com/review/us...

This has been one of the hardest reviews that I have ever had to write. That could be because this has been one of the hardest books that I've ever read.

Let's start with why I wanted to read it. I read the summary--I expected some angst, ya'll. But every time I thought my poor wussperv heart couldn't take it, I would look at the beautiful cover and think *sigh* that's the kind of book I wanna read. This was one of my most anticip...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jan 23, 2013 Step Into Fiction rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: jessica

Let me start off by saying it is insanely rare for me to rate a book with one star. I've done it with two other books out of the 300+ books I've read over the past 2-3 years. It takes a lot for me not to like a book, like really not like a book.

The good news? I finished this book in a few hours. The bad news…it so wasn’t my cup of tea. I want to be careful how I word this review because I don’t want to offend anyone but this book is part of the reason I have issues with the way our society is. C...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jan 21, 2013 Mei rated it 1 of 5 stars

Synopsis

Anna is lonely, alone, and incredibly passive; she'll let boys do whatever they want to her. I would tell you more about the story, but there isn't really anything else to tell.

Review

You will not hear this from me often, but I hated this book. I wasn't offended, even thought the novel could be graphic at times, simply bored. I think that I understand what the author was trying to do with the story, and she did paint a fairly distinct picture or a very lonely and detached girl. Unfortunat...more

like · see review

Jan 19, 2013 Tom rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, books-kelly-told-me-to-read, literary-genre-fiction

Seven year-old Anna lives alone with her mom. Theirs is a happy life, where Anna can sleep in her mom's big bed; these are the "tell-me-again times," where Anna's mom describes how she never knew her own mother or father, and all she ever wanted to make her life complete was a little girl: Anna.

Eight year-old Anna lives alone with her mom, but there's no more "tell-me-again" romanticizing. Anna's mom is getting all dressed up for the next date, who will become the next boyfriend, then husband, t...more

like 2 likes · see review

topics	posts	views	last activity
YA Buddy Readers'...: USES FOR BOYS by Erica Lorraine Scheidt / Start Date: 02/17/13	14	20	Feb 28, 2013 05:53pm
Crazy for Young A...: Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine → Start Date: February 26th, 2013	32	38	Feb 26, 2013 11:26pm

title link	preview: Uses for Boys
avg rating	preview: Uses for Boys Goodreads rating: 3.12 (636 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11958608-uses-for-boys?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334254893l/11958608.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11958608-uses-for-boys?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt[/url]

Uses for Boys

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (6)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Uses for Boys

Quotes from Uses for Boys