Every year around the New Year I tell myself my only resolution for the New Year is to read more. I love reading, but every year I fail to make my goal no matter how much I try. This year I thought if I wrote a review for every book I read and then publicly shared it maybe I would be more motivated to make sure I’m reading every day and hitting my goals. This year I want to read a minimum of two books a month, and I have a stretch goal of four books a month.
Thanksgiving was such a nice and relaxing time to read! It is always so refreshing to be able to catch up with the things you love to do! During the month of November, I unfortunately only found the time to read one book: Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them by James Garbarino. Read on for my review of this novel!
Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them by James Garbarino
James Garbarino, a psychologist, explores the issue of the recent rise in school shootings and teenage violence in urban areas. In the first part of the book, Garbarino explains the psychology this violence and explains what drives young men to commit these violent acts. By, interviewing teenage boys, boys whom Garbarino has labeled as “lost boys,” who are currently incarcerated for violent crimes Garbarino is able to paint vivid tales about these boys’ lives and their backgrounds that led to their violent lives. The second part focuses on how we can prevent violence and how we can help these “lost boys.”
I was recommended this book by a psychology professor and decided to read it, since I have a deep interest in developmental psychology. If the topic doesn’t seem immediately interesting, I would not recommend it because it is not light reading. It is written in an anecdotal style, but at times can read a little like a textbook. If you read and like Bryan Stevenson’s book Just Mercy I’d recommend this as well, it goes hand in hand with Just Mercy, with Just Mercy taking on the legal side behind violence and this addressing the psychological side (although there were mentions about the death penalty on children and trying children as adults). Nonetheless, it was an extremely interesting read and I definitely learned a lot on the topic from reading the book. My only true complaint about the book is that at times he deferred from his researched opinions and focused on instead on how he felt, from a personal religious standpoint that finding religion and discovering your soul can help save a “lost boy.” I would have rather he focused more on violence from a neurological standpoint and how teenage neurology plays into violence. I give it 4 stars.
The end of the year is nearing and I have so many books left on my reading list! If you have any more suggestions on books to read let me know in the comments. Also, if you have your opinion on this book, let me know that too. Make sure to check out my past book reviews.