Empty by K.M. Walton

Dec 21, 2012 Kelly added it

Shelves: read-in-2012

Fair warning: I found this book insensitive, offensive, and sensational without making the point it intended to make.

No rating.

Dell's fat. 286 pounds, size 24 fat. This wasn't always the way though. It happened when her dad cheated on her mom with Donna, and her parents marriage fell apart. Mom's become a prescription drug abuser, sold the lovely house they once lived in, and now Dell, her mom, and toddler sister Meggie live in an apartment in the poor part of town. Mom works two jobs to make ...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Giselle rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, arc

A very shocking novel, this one. Yet, as the author pointed out in the end notes, she didn't write a book to shock, she wrote a realistic book on teenage bullying and how it can inflict self deprecation to the point of depression. These are the types of books that teenagers can get something out of. Bullying is not uncommon, and you CAN get help. You can talk to someone about what is happening to you. High school is the hardest, and often lowest, point in some people's lives, thus I'm always sat A very shocking novel, this one. Yet, as the author pointed out in the end notes, she didn't write a book to shock, she wrote a realistic book on teenage bullying and how it can inflict self deprecation to the point of depression. These are the types of books that teenagers can get something out of. Bullying is not uncommon, and you CAN get help. You can talk to someone about what is happening to you. High school is the hardest, and often lowest, point in some people's lives, thus I'm always satisfied when a book can be so incredibly moving, as well as possibly help those in a similar situation through impossible times.

Empty is the perfect title for this novel, as this is how I felt when I was reading it. Empty. Emptiness for her detrimental self portrayal. Emptiness for her lack of confidence. Emptiness for her loneliness. My heart felt sorrow and pain for this beautiful person who just couldn't see her true self; who she could be. After her father left, Dell turned to food. An excessive amount of food that was matched by an excessive weight gain. Losing her spot on the baseball team is only the beginning of the consequences. Though it's funny--in a very depressing way--that most of the consequences is caused by her attitude. Dell feels like she's losing everything and everybody, making her efforts at dieting a far away thought. Eating, like smoking or drinking, is one of the ways people use to cope with the stresses of life. and this book really shows how this can become the end-all to a once healthy young girl. The more she ate, the lesser she thought of herself, making her want to binge even more. A never ending circle. This is why I could understand her even when her obsession became borderline irritating. You can't just assume she's able to stop, or to control it, even when she knows what it's doing to her. Professional help is what she needs to achieve this. So yes, her self deprecation is excessive, and yes she's incredibly hard on herself, yet she continues in her bad ways, but this is a realistic portrayal of such a situation.

Such a story needs a lot of emotional output, and for this you need well developed characters. Despite her depression, Dell is a very sweet person. The way she takes care of her sister is admirable. I loved the bond that she shared with this toddler, and having a toddler myself, I could easily relate. I also found her secondary characters to be very distinct. You have the best friend, the popular crowd, the jerks, but they aren't just cut personalities to fit the story, they felt real to me; I felt the impact every single one of these people had on Dell.

Frustrating on many levels, this book makes you feel helpless. Every single one of you will want to help her. You will scream at her to realize what she is doing to herself. You will yell obscenities at her destructive thoughts. But in the end, the only thing you will feel is empty. This is both a warning, and a recommendation.

--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

...more

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Oct 19, 2016 Rossy rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, heartwrenching, abuse

I read it in one sitting. It was so powerful and moving and, even though I read reviews that say it's way too unbelievable, I felt it was SO real! Not all people can take the same amount of pressure, of bullying, and problems in their lifes, so we're in no position to judge how she handled the way she felt. ...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Beth rated it liked it

Shelves: read-on-kindle, hard-to-rate, not-for-me, nothing-special, mixed-feelings, dangerous-implications, 2012-reads, not-sure-what-to-think, hurts-like-hell, couldn-t-put-it-down

"I did not write this book to sensationalise or shock. I intended Dell's story to serve as a window into her soul - the soul of a broken human being. I wanted you, precious reader, to feel the pain of the bullied, the neglected, the heartbroken and the humiliated. I wanted you to experience the absolute power of words - whether said or typed online. Words count."
- Author's Note, K.M. Walton, Empty

Those few short lines summarise all my feelings about Empty, both good and bad. The pain at the cent ...more

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Dec 25, 2012 Caylee Michaels rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: NO ONE.

This book was SO BAD. I couldn't believe this got published and that someone thought it was a good idea. Like you can tell the author was trying to do something completely different than what she was doing.

The worst part about this book was how obsessed the narrative was with the idea of fat. Fat on someone's body, fat in the mind, fat fat fat fat. It was so annoying and so bad, reading this girl who was obsessed with her own fat and didn't feel like there was anything other to her. Like even t ...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Brandy rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Everyone

Wow, what an amazing, relatable, and powerful story. Adele, a 17 year old overweight high school student, falls into a deep, dark depression after her father cheats on and divorces her mother. Her once perfect, athletic, skinny life, now ruined falls apart around her. Not only does Adele have to deal with the problems of home life she deals with bullying and horrific comments about her weight made by her classmates. When things couldn't get any worse Adele is accused of raping the jock of her hi ...more

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Apr 02, 2020 Kali rated it did not like it

I removed my original review because, looking back on it, my intention is to help authors grow. Just because I did not like this book and found parts of it unlikable does not mean there is no hope for it. I’m also trying to grow as a reviewer and see the better in things instead of just focusing on the negatives.

(Still not changing my rating though 😅)

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Aug 11, 2012 M rated it did not like it

Shelves: review-for-blog

Books involving fat protagonists are an incredibly hard sell for me. I've never read a YA book that got it right without sensationalizing it, or grossly exaggerating some of the more "disgusting" details just for shock value. Empty's one of those books, and it made me vaguely uncomfortable the entire time I was reading it. Not the "good" sort of uncomfortable, where you want to keep reading and be unsettled, but the bad kind of uncomfortable, where you can tell you're reading a book by someone w Books involving fat protagonists are an incredibly hard sell for me. I've never read a YA book that got it right without sensationalizing it, or grossly exaggerating some of the more "disgusting" details just for shock value. Empty's one of those books, and it made me vaguely uncomfortable the entire time I was reading it. Not the "good" sort of uncomfortable, where you want to keep reading and be unsettled, but the bad kind of uncomfortable, where you can tell you're reading a book by someone who doesn't get it. If you spent your teenage years (or any years) being fat, I think you might understand. The way it's portrayed across the board is frustrating and makes you wonder if the people responsible have ever spent any time with someone that's fat.

It's hard not to look at books a little personally when they're on things that you've experienced. For me, Empty didn't feel real. At all. Dell's attitude and character was completely wrapped in the the fact that she'd gone from a size 10 to a size 24 in a short time, and her every waking second was consumed by the experience of being fat. There seems to be nothing else in Dell's life other than her god-awful attitude, her shallow emotions, and oh, right she can sing. Because Dell fits right into the mold of countless other weak YA books in which the character is defined by two things:

1. Their "issue"
2. Their one hobby

It happens in books all the time, and it's something I've grown wary of over the years. It feels like they're produced on an assembly line. Take some issue that teenagers can relate to, and pick one thing they can be good at. Mix together some emotions, and you've got a protagonist who doesn't reflect either with any accuracy. The "issue" seems wooden, and the "hobby" comes off planned, expected even. Teens are not defined by their issues, and I wish that books would stop letting this happen. They're not defined by their one or two hobbies (unless those hobbies are really that they're elite gymnasts or Olympic-level athletes, and even then, Lauren Tanner liked scheming as much as she likes gymnastics).

Dell has gained a significant amount of weight, and her parents are horrible to her. Dad abandoned her, and Mom is more interested in her pills than her daughter. But they both have plenty of time to snap at their daughter and remind her that she's fat. Really, everyone is horrible to her. Being fat has stripped all of Dell's self-confidence, her voice, her ability to control her emotions and her physical nature. Being fat takes up all of Dell's life and time, being fat takes up every page of this book. It takes up emotional space, it takes up all of the conversations she has, it weighs on Dell's mind every second of every day -- and that's not supposed to be a cute joke about being fat. There is nothing to her character the doesn't revolve around it, and we're reminded all the time.

That's not how being fat works. Even for a teenage girl. It's like the book is about Dell's fat, rather than Dell. I'm not griping because it's not sending the right "message" to readers, I'm bothered because it's an inauthentic portrayal of a young girl that creates a wall between the character and the reader. If K.M. Walton wanted to tell the story of a bullied, misunderstood, broken young girl as she states in her saccharine author's note, she failed. She told a story about a teenager's fat body, and how it ruined everything.

We have a plot to the story that will remind the avid YA reader of several other books that came first. Dell is sexually assaulted by her friend's boyfriend. The second people find out, they turn their bully radar to her and make her life a living hell. To that note, what I did like about this book is that we are reminded, finally, that survivors of these types of assault are not just one type of person -- despite what TV and movies and other books would like us to believe, it happens to any kind of person, not just "the beautiful people." I think that if the author had focused more on that than the other things I've talked about, this book would have been so much stronger. If Dell was given a character, rather than an issue, it could have worked.

As much as that might have been important for the author to get out in the open, it's hidden under miles of things that make Dell, and the story, completely unlikable. There's a talent showcase, Dell's supposed to sing for it. Her best friend's on the verge of ditching her for the popular crowd. Because we are firmly in YA land, where this happens to every other girl. It's not just Dell whose character suffers. Her best friend is portrayed as weak-minded and vapid, like so many other "best friends" before her.

Empty is at its core, a story that pulls the melodramatic bits and pieces from other books, and attempts to make them its own. This can work. Unfortunately, the writing is not strong enough to make this one stand out, the wooden characters are effortlessly forgettable, and the ending? Yeah, the title is rather accurate. ...more

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Jun 23, 2012 Amy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own, signed

I have to say that EMPTY is one of the most tragic, gritty, raw and realistic stories that I have ever read. This is a story of a girl that has absolutely no self-esteem, no self worth, no respect for herself. Dell is a 16 year old high school student that deals with many, many issues throughout the book. One of Dell's biggest problems is that she is severely overweight. Like obese. Now, Dell wasn't always so heavy, most of the weight packed on as her life spiraled more and more down hill beginn I have to say that EMPTY is one of the most tragic, gritty, raw and realistic stories that I have ever read. This is a story of a girl that has absolutely no self-esteem, no self worth, no respect for herself. Dell is a 16 year old high school student that deals with many, many issues throughout the book. One of Dell's biggest problems is that she is severely overweight. Like obese. Now, Dell wasn't always so heavy, most of the weight packed on as her life spiraled more and more down hill beginning in Middle School when her father left their family for another woman. Dell is so deeply hurt by this and the super close relationship with her father that no longer exists, she starts binge eating to make herself feel whole again. Of course that doesn't actually work but it feels the hollow, empty feeling she has inside of her for a very brief time. Dell's home life is one of a true nightmare honestly. Her mother has completely fallen apart since her husband left her. She has become addicted to prescription drugs, completely ignores Dell and leaves the largest responsibility of all for Dell to deal with. Her baby sister. Still in diapers, not able to do anything for herself. Thank goodness too young still to realize what a crazy mess her parents have really become. Dell's life at school is not much different from her home life. She goes every day with a fake smile on her face, making horrifying jokes about herself before others can beat her to it and then laughing along with them like it doesn't bother her. Yet all the while, she is slowly dying inside and feels that she has absolutely no one to share her feelings and fears with. Not even her so-called best friend. Yeah, the same best friend she's had for years. The same best friend that doesn't stick up for her and doesn't really talk with her. Really, it's just the best friend that seems to be the best friend because it's convenient. While watching all of the horrors that Dell had to live through on a daily basis made me hurt inside for the child she never got to be, the teenager she never will be and the adult that may become as hateful and/or miserable as her own parents. Dell's story is one that unfortunately happens in many homes all over the world and that honestly breaks my heart. When I finished reading EMPTY, I could not just go on with my life as if everything were normal. I could not stop thinking of her and how simply wrong it was for her to have a life as she did. EMPTY will move you in so many ways, you will be thankful for the life you have, for the love and friendships you have. Dell's story is honest, brutal, harrowing, thought provoking and truly breathtaking. Walton has written a story that is tragic and very memorable. Dell's story will stay with me always. I encourage anyone and everyone to read it. Maybe some will actually see that the sun doesn't shine all the time for every one.

"EMPTY is Dell's story.

Dell's story is important.

Dell is in desperate pain.
Her pain is in her soul. Her heart. Her very skin." ...more

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Apr 19, 2019 Rachel rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-ya, 200-pages, my-little-library, fiction-drama, single-books, heart-felt, format-paperback, 4-stars, abuse, made-me-cry

Holy f'en hell!

This......what the fuck did I just read! This has......man I have no f'en words.

That. Ending.

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

Yes I swore. Im not big on swearing. But this has seriously messed with my head.

The whole way through I was thinking that the fat shaming was the worst thing about this story. But boy was I wrong. I dont mean 'worst' as in its a bad story. Its not. It is extremely relatable for me. I may not be obese or morbidity obese but her thoughts I know too well. I was not pre ...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Evie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013, contemporary, devastating, freaking-awesome, thought-provoking, blog-tour, harrowing, finished-copy, favorites, heart-breaking

Harrowing, powerful and dark, Empty is, quite simply, an unforgettable read. It's a story of a girl who founds herself in a downward spiral of depression. A bleak and disturbing tale of desperation, bullying, rejection, self-loathing, betrayal, abuse and negligence. An irrefutably authentic, utterly engrossing and supremely readable novel that will leave you tear-streaked and emotionally drained. You absolutely can't afford to miss it.

Dell is overweight. Since last summer she has gained over 7 Harrowing, powerful and dark, Empty is, quite simply, an unforgettable read. It's a story of a girl who founds herself in a downward spiral of depression. A bleak and disturbing tale of desperation, bullying, rejection, self-loathing, betrayal, abuse and negligence. An irrefutably authentic, utterly engrossing and supremely readable novel that will leave you tear-streaked and emotionally drained. You absolutely can't afford to miss it.

Dell is overweight. Since last summer she has gained over 70 pounds. Her life is a big mess. When her father checked out on her and her mom, Dell's "emotional eating" started. She turned to food for comfort and stress relief. Unsurprisingly, this has only made matters worse. Her weight quickly became an out-of-control problem, resulting in even more stress. Her plans for the future and carrier dreams were shattered when she got cut from the school's softball team. The only thing that's keeping her alive is her best friend, Cara, but she, too, seems to be getting more and more distant. Between problems at home and being ostracised at school, Dell finds herself in a very dark place. She is a tough girl. She puts on a brave face and pretends all the cruel jokes, mean remarks, stares and name-calling don't bother her, but on the inside she is crumbling.

Wow, what an incredibly affecting novel! I feel like my heart has been wrung out like a Shamwow! This one here is going on my-top-favorite shelf and I can definitely see myself coming back to it over and over again.

Dell's narrative voice is raw, realistic and infused with real emotions. She makes witty jokes and hides behind a mask of confidence and cynicism, but if you look closely you can easily see through her act. You can practically taste the sadness, the fear and the pain this girl is experiencing. You can hear her silent screams. You can feel her desperation and just how lost she is. And you end up genuinely caring for her. K.M. Walton's character development is masterful. All her characters - especially Dell - are convincing, complex and well-drawn. It's virtually impossible not to get emotionally involved in the unfolding events. This book sucks you right in and keeps you hooked on until the very end. I absolutely loved it.

It's not a secret that I appreciate well-written issue books that explore meaningful (and often difficult) subjects. And Empty is one of the best issue books I have ever read. It's poignant, thoughtful, intelligent and brutally honest. K.M. Walton does not hold back. This book is not for the faint hearted or overly sensitive people. It contains scenes of violence, abuse and some coarse language. And while it's a thought-provoking and eye-opening read, because of it's overpowering darkness I would not recommend it to people struggling with depression or eating disorders. It's just too depressing to stomach when being in a difficult place yourself.

Overall, Empty was a truly breathtaking and memorable read that will stay with me for a very long time. K.M Walton is undoubtedly a supremely gifted writer and I'll be sure to follow her writing carrier closely! ...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-must-read, january-2013

How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are re How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are reading K.M. sets up the plot and you are thinking okay this girl is over weight and she is bullied and all she wants is for someone to realize that she is hurting and no one not a one person comes to her rescue. To add insult to her her parents are divorced and her father is a complete douche and her mother is over worked and leaves her to raise her baby sister by herself.

To say this book struck a nerve is an understatement. I was violated by someone I thought I loved and trusted and he took that from me. It took a long time to get over it but with my best friend I got over it. In this story it is so tragic the way people bully and harass Dell the main character. So in Empty now that I have ranted enough we meet Dell and her best friend and only friend Cara. Dell plays softball but after gaining a lot of weight she is hindered. She still plays but then something happens to her and she is off the team. The weight complicates things for her but she can't help but eat. She is so depressed and angry that her father left them for another woman. She eats to find comfort and no matter how hard she tries she just can't diet. The pain and the anger consume her and she continues to eat.

Then at school her crush for forever Brandon bullies her and she complies with him. Every time he tells her to "moo" like a cow and act like a sumo wrestler she does it. In the hopes that he will one day like her.But Brandon is popular and is dating the most popular girl so Dell sits back and pines for his love and acceptance. Then one day Dell and Cara are at a party and Dell goes to find a bathroom when she encounters Brandon. What happens next is the story and I will not spoil it because you have to read it to believe it. At points in the book I had to go back and re-read what I read because I just could not believe what I was reading.K.M. has written such a beautiful and haunting story that it will grip you right from the first page and have you holding your breath at the end. ...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Brandi Kosiner rated it really liked it

Is it possible to love a book and simultaneously rip out the last pages. If so, that is my feelings after reading Empty.
The ending hit me in a way to personal level and i cried and nearly didn't finish the book... I was hoping for something different to happen. It left me heartbroken and wishing that things could change in this world, as well as hurting for myself, and my family who some of these issues have hit way close to my heart.
That said, Adele is a character that could have been me in ...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Jodi P rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-reads

Empty was such a great read. It was so engaging that I blew threw it in one sitting. At some points, it is very difficult to read Dell's story. Her pain is so palpable through Walton's writing. I have to say that I was shocked by the ending but that I understood it.
I applaud K.M. Walton for writing this story. Bullying is such a part of so many people's lives (especially for the target age of the book) that I think it will resonate with just about every person who reads it. I was reminded a lo ...more

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Mar 14, 2014 Shane rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-books

I've read a lot of books about bullying and this one really puts you into the mind of just what the victim is thinking and feeling. ...more

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May 02, 2020 Tiffany Oim rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Was a bit too predictable for me.

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Apr 03, 2017 Anna Henderson rated it really liked it

This book is about a 17 year old girl named Adele, Dell for short. Dell has a pretty terrible life at home and at school. Her dad cheated on her mom with a younger woman and left Dell's mom with 2 kids and a drug addiction. With all the stress and sadness that forms from this, Dell develops a binge eating disorder and lands herself at a whopping 286 lbs. Because of her weight, Dell is bullied at school consistently at school. After her crush does something terrible at a party, Dell has a new bur ...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Jenni Arndt rated it really liked it

Shelves: purchased-own

Talk about gut wrenching and extremely hard to read! empty (yes that small e was on purpose, that’s how it is on the cover) caught my eye on the shelf at the book store because of it’s shockingly white cover amongst all the blacks & reds at the book store. Upon picking it up I remembered that a friend of mine had read it and highly recommended it to me as a very good heavy issue book. I didn’t know much about the story other than it dealt heavily with weight. I wasn’t too sure which end of the s Talk about gut wrenching and extremely hard to read! empty (yes that small e was on purpose, that’s how it is on the cover) caught my eye on the shelf at the book store because of it’s shockingly white cover amongst all the blacks & reds at the book store. Upon picking it up I remembered that a friend of mine had read it and highly recommended it to me as a very good heavy issue book. I didn’t know much about the story other than it dealt heavily with weight. I wasn’t too sure which end of the spectrum it dealt with because, let’s face it, I don’t actually read blurbs. So upon digging in and finding out that it deals with the gaining of weight, emotional eating and obesity I prepared myself for an emotional read that would touch on an issue very near and dear to my heart.

Adele, or Dell as her friend calls her, has been struggling with overeating and her weight gain since her father up and divorced her mother for a younger 2.0. Dell was such a frustrating character for me. She goes through some extremely difficult situations and keeps everything inside which just forces her farther into the downward spiral she is on. I wanted, so many times, for her to open up to her mom, of her friend Cara, or even someone at school. I, as an adult reader, knew that the majority of her problems at one point in the novel were just made exponentially worse by the fact that she kept everything inside. The emotions built up inside of her and the only way for her to make them go away was to fill her stomach up with something else, food. I have obesity in my family and I have seen exactly how emotions affect eating and weight gain. I think Walton did a phenomenal job at tackling this addiction (that is so often thrown off as NOT a valid addiction) in a very realistic light. Yes, it was very hard to read at times but it was real.

The relationships within these pages were so flawed. I really didn’t know how to gauge her friend Cara at any point in the novel. At one point she is encouraging Dell to act as a sumo wrestler and “moo” for the popular kids so they can be in the “in-crowd” but in the next breath she is pushing Adele to come out of her shell and use her amazing voice in the school talent show. Even at the end of the story I had no idea at all how to read her. I think she loved Adele a lot and I think she was genuinely worried about her well-being but her longing to be “cool” clouded her judgment in a lot of instances. Adele’s mom was struggling with prescription drug abuse and her dad was off with his new fling so neither of them were around to help her at all. The one beautiful relationship here was Adele’s love for her little sister Meggie.

Touching on bullying, rape, addiction and depression, empty will piss you off and it will make you feel for Adele. The ending is one that I will definitely be thinking about for a long time because it really ends at a total crossroads and we will never get to know where it goes. I really think it was the perfect ending for this story to let the reader take away from it what they will and I am sure that will be completely different for everyone. If you like heavy issue books that knock the wind out of you, pick this one up people.

--

You can read all of my reviews at Alluring Reads. ...more

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Dec 08, 2012 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013-must-read, january-2013

How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are re How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are reading K.M. sets up the plot and you are thinking okay this girl is over weight and she is bullied and all she wants is for someone to realize that she is hurting and no one not a one person comes to her rescue. To add insult to her her parents are divorced and her father is a complete douche and her mother is over worked and leaves her to raise her baby sister by herself.

To say this book struck a nerve is an understatement. I was violated by someone I thought I loved and trusted and he took that from me. It took a long time to get over it but with my best friend I got over it. In this story it is so tragic the way people bully and harass Dell the main character. So in Empty now that I have ranted enough we meet Dell and her best friend and only friend Cara. Dell plays softball but after gaining a lot of weight she is hindered. She still plays but then something happens to her and she is off the team. The weight complicates things for her but she can't help but eat. She is so depressed and angry that her father left them for another woman. She eats to find comfort and no matter how hard she tries she just can't diet. The pain and the anger consume her and she continues to eat.

Then at school her crush for forever Brandon bullies her and she complies with him. Every time he tells her to "moo" like a cow and act like a sumo wrestler she does it. In the hopes that he will one day like her.But Brandon is popular and is dating the most popular girl so Dell sits back and pines for his love and acceptance. Then one day Dell and Cara are at a party and Dell goes to find a bathroom when she encounters Brandon. What happens next is the story and I will not spoil it because you have to read it to believe it. At points in the book I had to go back and re-read what I read because I just could not believe what I was reading.K.M. has written such a beautiful and haunting story that it will grip you right from the first page and have you holding your breath at the end. ...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Ange (Our Epic TBR List) Schmelzer rated it really liked it

Dell's life has slowly been crumbling around her ever since her father walked away from her family. But now, things seem to be stuck in fast forward...her best friend is getting farther and farther away, her mother is losing herself deeper in prescription pills, and the very thing that keeps her connected to the memory of her life with her father is about to slip right through her fingers.

Except no one sees her. Not really. Not the real her. How far is Dell willing to go to make them see her?

M ...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Kayla rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews-completed, netgalley-and-edelweiss

In Empty, K.M. Walton paints a very disturbing image on what it is like to be a high school student with an eating disorder. Ever since Dell's parents split up, her life seems to be tumbling down around her. She’s losing her best friend, her dad doesn’t want to spend any time with her, and her mom is addicted to prescription drugs. Worst of all, Dell can’t seem to stop eating. Even after she is full she takes comfort in eating more. Since her parents separated, she went from a size ten to a size ...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Maggie61 rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2013

Wow. Another powerful book. I'd have given it a 4.5. While I couldn't help but fly through this book so much of it made me actually gasp.
Dells life was a nightmare. Her dad was uncaring and unattentive, left the family for another woman. Her mom is just a really bad mother. Yes, she has an addiction problem but she shows Adele nothing but disdain and what seems like hatred. Her only friend Cara, is not much of a friend. Her main concern is crawling up that social ladder and how Dell is hinderin ...more

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Jan 24, 2014 Lex rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult

When I started reading this book I was on the fence about it. I wasn't big on the name calling Dell had on her dads girlfriend, even though I understand why she didn't like her. I thought it was just immature and unnecessary really. As the reader, I could already notice Dell didn't want her father to be dating Donna, the nickname Dell makes for her just seemed too much.

Dell feels empty after he father leaves her and her pregnant mother and starts to eat the emptiness away, which causes her to g ...more

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Oct 10, 2014 PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps rated it liked it

Grade- B-

3.5 of 5

Dell's life couldn't be much worse. She rarely sees her father since he took off with his girlfriend and her mother is popping pills, working 2 jobs and constantly criticizing. She's packed on 70 pounds since last year, which has gotten her kicked off the softball team. Her social climbing best friends is obsessed with breaking into the popular group, the same group that bullies and teases Dell mercilessly. She's depressed and lethargic. Things are about to get even worse.

EMPTY ...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Kimberly Sabatini rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mg-ya

Walton writes books that matter. She writes with the intent of saving lives. There is a crude ugliness to the picture she paints with her words, but while the horror of Dell's story guts you, it also makes you weigh the cost of human cruelty. It makes you wonder why we carefully dole out kindness like it's a precious substance in high demand, instead of something that knows no limitations. Dell's story is so hard to read because it rings true. It is too close to the bullseye. There are more peop ...more

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Jan 30, 2014 Nina Teal rated it did not like it

Yes, this book actually did get published.
I read it as one of PulseIt's free books put up for a certain amount of time. It's one of my favorite things. However, I'm pretty dang disappointed this made the cuts.

This isn't a YA novel about a human being. It's a YA novel about fat. More specifically, it's a YA novel about a large amount of unwanted fat that takes residence on a human being and proceeds to ruin ALL the things.
Not a single realistic, believable character exists within these e-pages. ...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Amanda rated it liked it · review of another edition

I wasn't expecting this book to be about an over eater. It was definitely a nice change of pace because no book I've ever read had that as an issue. The issue always involved NOT eating. However all the food was making me feel nauseas at times.
I found this to be a page tuner. Always wanting to know what was going to happen next. I felt bad for Dell. Not having a true friend or a mother or father who truly cared about her.
The flow of this story kind of annoyed me, hence the reason for 3 stars. L ...more

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Oct 02, 2016 Princess Godoy rated it really liked it

Finishing this book made me realize that you should love yourself first because people would treat you crap if you will let them.

Most people doesn't enjoy the ending but it's my favorite thing about this book. It's different and it's thought provoking. ...more

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Jun 20, 2018 Mae rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-texts

I recommend reading the author's note first to understand the intention behind Dell's story and to have an idea of the trigger warnings. I think the meaning behind the title is clever, and pay attention to the fading font. I appreciate the foreshadowing (or as my sister puts it "the thoughts leading up to the climatic end"). (view spoiler) I recommend reading the author's note first to understand the intention behind Dell's story and to have an idea of the trigger warnings. I think the meaning behind the title is clever, and pay attention to the fading font. I appreciate the foreshadowing (or as my sister puts it "the thoughts leading up to the climatic end"). (view spoiler) Despite how shallow and self-absorbed the people who should care are presented, they aren't totally horrible people and Adele never really faults them for it because there were times they mean well (except (view spoiler)). I think the writer did a good job delivering the intention of presenting "a window into the soul of the broken, neglected, abused, humiliated" and how powerful and painful hurtful words are. I warn you that it's not a happy story, and it doesn't offer a solution to help someone in Dell's situation. But, I appreciate her story as a tool to help anyone understand (even if it's a little bit) (view spoiler). Keep in mind that it isn't completely representational of all (view spoiler) cases. However, Dell might remind you of someone you know, like she did with me. ...more

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Jun 04, 2019 Alyssa added it

Dell's life has been like a rollercoaster (more down than anything) ever since her dad left her mom for another woman. No one knows the pain she’s going through the only comfort is food and her baby sister. Dells best friend Cara hangs out with the “cool” girls now more than she hangs out with Dell. Dell hates her dad she has only gained so much weight because her dad abandoned his family for another woman. She eventually gets kicked off the softball team because she weighs too much that she “ca ...more

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