MY FAVOURITE MANSON GIRL reads like a darker themed Sarah Dessen novel. Umminger draws the reader in with a fresh take on Charles Manson and the girls he molded into monsters. Often drawing parallels from THE GREAT GATSBY and the main character’s life, Umminger manages to humanize the world’s arguably most despicable man and women on earth. A fascinating read that both teens and adults will find enlightening.
Dive into the book:
Fourteen year old Anna runs away from her small town life to her sister in Los Angeles. However, instead of the trip solving her problems Anna ends up with more than she bargained for. Short on cash and with no backup plan, Anna reluctantly agrees to research the Charles Manson Girls in order to help with her sister’s movie. Over the course of her research, Anna cannot help but sympathize and relate with the horrid Manson Girls. All they ever wanted was to belong, to find the thing that makes them special. Like the Girls, Anna feels like she does not fit in anywhere: not with her mother’s new family, her father’s new life, or her sister’s glamorous LA living.
Pairs well with:
Journaling. Honestly, the act of journaling is cathartic. Whenever I’m feeling a bit blue or fiery red or just not myself, I do a little yoga, then I write it out. Check out Seaweed Kisses’ interview with José from Spain and his thoughts on journaling.
