This is the first book I finished in 2011!

I'm partial to memoir. The first person telling, especially from a young person's POV, can be difficult to pull off in a believable way in a novel. Squalor, New Mexico, however, is an example of how to do it well.
In this tale, Lisette Brodey has created a narrator who is so endearing that her telling and revelations within the book feel like genuine (albeit innocent) confession; it is as though she exists and is teasing out the secrets of the adults aro More...

Squalor New Mexico is a front to back 5 star read. Darla McKendrick is a child when she hears her mother and Aunt Didi talking about their sister Rebecca. Darla and her three cousins are curious about their estranged Aunt. Yet when questioning their parents they never seem to get the answers they desire, leaving the topic of Rebecca a mystery.

As Darla matures she seeks more answers on her mysterious Aunt, who seems to profoundly affect her entire family. As truths are revealed, more secrets awai More...

Squalor, New Mexico, by Lisette Brodey, is a page-turning journey through a family’s mysterious and dark past as revealed through the investigations of one if its youngest members. Part mystery, part coming of age, and part family biography, the story pulled me onboard and captivated my heart and my imagination like a runaway train. Ms. Brodey’s prose has a pleasing rhythm infused with rich detail, relatable—even familiar—conversations, and perfectly timed humor laced throughout. As an honest an More...

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The story is very current and relevant for today's issues, even though it is set in the 70's. There are many situations that Darla McKendrick faced that I encountered as a child and that my own children may face. It was very interesting to be able to look at these issues as an adult but also relate as a teenager.
It also highlighted the fact that we should always try to be as open and honest with our children when asked questions. Having to deal with the answers the More...

Remember those humiliating moments during childhood and adolescence when making a public mistake? Or when someone outside the family has been subjected to the dorkiness that is your parents? If so, you'll have an idea of what it's like to be Darla McKendrick, who is easily embarrassed by her father's cliches and suffered a major humiliation because of a lie told to her by Aunt Didi when she first learned of an aunt she'd never met -- Rebecca.

As Squalor, New Mexico opens, nine-year-old Darla ove

More...

I love this book. It’s one of my top five books of all time. I just finished reading it a few months ago, and plan to read it again very soon. Normally, I read non-fiction but this book is more real than most non-fiction. The characters were so believable and true to life that I wanted to meet them after I finished the book. I genuinely wanted to see how they were doing.

My own life is about overcoming obstacles. While my book, Thank My Lucky Scars, chronicles the real-life hurdles I have faced w More...

I read Lisette Brodey’s earlier book CROOKED MOON and liked it. However, the author really outdid herself with SQUALOR, NEW MEXICO, a story which not only appeals to young adults but to all of us. It’s first and foremost the coming of age story of young Darla McKendrick. However, the book asks some deeper questions: How do we deal with uncomfortable truths, lies, and secrets in a family or in society at large? Like most parents, the McKendricks try to “protect” their child from some of the unple More...

In my review for Brodey's first book I said that there was little of the content that I related to but this book is the polar opposite. The book follows the life of a girl from her childhood on and on, and it does so with such candor for what it is to be a young woman (or person in general) growing up. Darla is like a mirror image of anyone at their most awkward moments from when she believes that squalor is a city in New Mexico on to when she tells her father that she hates him.

This book has gr More...

Lisette Brodey, an amazing author, really gave me something to tear up about besides my hormonal pregnancy tendencies. Squalor, New Mexico is a brilliantly written book. It plays out just how any story would when being told through the eyes of a girl. A girl named Darla. Darla is an ordinary girl growing up in an ordinary household. Until one day she learns she has an Aunt she never knew about. Aunt Rebecca. From that moment on, over the years, Rebecca's name happens to pop up more and more. And More...

This was an interesting and quick read. I enjoyed seeing the characters of Darla and her cousins, April, May and June, mature as the story went on. The family dynamics were very believable, although at times some of the situations the four teenagers were encountering seemed to mirror the lives of their parents a little too closely. Overall, it becomes quite clear that keeping secrets from those you love most can do more harm than good and sometimes even the best intentions can lead to disastrous More...

If you've read Lisette Brodey's "Crooked Moon," you know the good writing and reading treat you're in for. At the same time, "Squalor New Mexico" is a very different kind of story.

Told from the point of view of a young girl growing up, the story is delightful, sometimes making you feel the hurt, confusion, and anguish of growing up, and leading us to unexpected revelations. Oh, and don't make the mistake of thinking Squalor is a place in the American Southwest.

Not my usual fare -- I'm more often More...

Brodey's second book is a masterpiece. It's impossible to read this novel without easily identifying with and caring deeply about the characters. Sadly, this is a skill that many of today's writers do not possess. There is not one character who seems to have it "all together" or lives a perfect existence. Each person has some sort of trial to face, with some handling it better than others. This integration of real-life problems that many of today's families must battle adds the human element wit More...

Saw this on the Goodreads Giveaways and thought it looked neat.

This is a beautifully told story of just how much secrets, lies and the refusal of adults to let the past go and move on can hurt even those who have no part of the event.

It shows a complexity of emotions, while delving into the depth of emotional upheaval that puberty brings, made worse by a disfunctional family life.

Darla is time after time brought into the dark little family secret, while being told lies and half-truths which only serve to confuse and make her even more curious.

I loved this More...

As the story starts out, we are introduced to a very young Darla. She is a curious little thing and that gets her into trouble as she overhears a conversation her mom is having with her Aunt Didi. What Darla doesn’t know at the time is that overhearing this small conversation will cause a lot of pain, embarrassment, and enlightenment on family secrets in her future.

When I first read the summary of the book, I was curious to see just how far the family secrets can stem back into the past. We lear More...

Remember those humiliating moments during childhood and adolescence when making a public mistake? Or when someone outside the family has been subjected to the dorkiness that is your parents? If so, you'll have an idea of what it's like to be Darla McKendrick, who is easily embarrassed by her father's cliches and suffered a major humiliation because of a lie told to her by Aunt Didi when she first learned of an aunt she'd never met -- Rebecca.

As Squalor, New Mexico opens, nine-year-old Darla over More...

I really enjoyed this book. This is a young adult book but it will appeal to readers of all ages in my opinion as it deals with a subject that everyone can relate to: family relationships. The book is written in the first person from the perspective of Darla, a teenager. Lisette Brodey has done well to really get inside the mind of the character, she has captured teenage angst well.
I enjoyed this story about a family secret that captures the imagination of Darla, her cousins, and her best frien More...

I enjoyed every aspect of, Lisette Brodey’s highly entertaining novel, ‘Squalor, New Mexico’. The story flows wonderfully from the onset when nine-year-old Darla McKendric becomes aware of her mysterious Aunt Rebecca. We follow Darla as she searches for the truth.

The tale is told with such amazing realism, candour and delightful wit infused throughout. With skilfully developed characters, we are taken on a journey of family secrets, lies and betrayal. I was totally captivated as the story advanc More...

This was a very captivating read! The story starts with Darla at nine years old having her innocent eyes opened to a very adult reality. The story turns into an intriguing mystery as Darla and the reader discovers more and more about the world around her as she grows up. The narrative is perfect, easy to read and be enthralled by. The last half of the book is a whirlwind of drama as the story unfolds and all her family secrets come to light. It was impossible to put this book down!

My Best friend is going to lend me a copy of your book. Im looking forward to reading it. Hes told me a little about it, and Hes told me its really good!!!

Squalor, New Mexico is now one of my favorite books. What a beautiful story and so real. I absolutely loved this book and will recommend it to all my friends.

Read Mecheles revew at:
http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com...

I loved this book. My mom loved it as well. Has to be one of my favorites.

It was weird to read a book that had characters named Rebecca and Melanie in it. Rebecca was the mysterious aunt and Melanie was the narrators best friend. Anybody who knows me...my name is Melanie and my twin's name is Rebecca.

Sounds like a great book that is a must read for me.

Squalor is the story of growing up and family relationships. It reminds us that we sometimes make poor decisions no matter what our age.

Families can be complex and have secrets and none more so than Darla’s. I was delighted as I shared Darla’s journey through her teen years and the eventual solving of her family’s big secret.

Touching and funny the book is well written and will delight readers of all ages. Highly recommend.

I admit that I have just received Squalor, New Mexico, so I have nothing to say so far, other than I am cursing any and all distractions coming my way to keep me from what I know will not disappoint. Lisette Brodey is truly intuitive and brilliant at portraying human nature. And for myself, nothing speaks more highly about an author and her craft. (Wait a week or so, and then watch me find more ways of speaking highly!!)

You may read my review at www.amazon.com/Squalor-New-Mexico-Lis... as DeciduousTree.

To sum it up - I love the book and highly recommend it to everyone. Don't be misled by the YA label some have added to it. I found it to be a mystery novel that was as gripping and intense as some other authors whose books have been made into movies. In fact, Squalor, New Mexico would make a great movie!

This has to be one of my favorite books. I could not put it down until I was done.