What do you think?
Rate this book
Bleed
A collection of interconnected short stories chronicling one day in the life of ten teenagers.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
About the author
Laurie Faria Stolarz
27 books3,152 followersLaurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.
Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz's titles have been named on various awards list.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.
Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz's titles have been named on various awards list.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
Currently reading
April 5, 2007This book was really good until the very end. The ending left me upset and wanting more. The book was supposed to be about how these lives were tied together; however, it only vaguely tied the characters together and there was unfinished thoughts at the end of the book.
November 26, 2011
The most pointless book I've ever read. Ever. What's the point in telling us about how all those peoples' day went when it doesn't even matter in the end?
April 29, 2008
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
Who knew that in the course of one day so much could happen, not only to you but to everyone around you. But of course in real life, we only witness what happens to ourselves. Laurie Faria Stolarz takes the lives of ten teenagers who are all connected somehow, and shows how their lives can become so complicated in just one single day.
There's Nicole Bouchard, who is tired of her reputation as being the good girl and wants to change that by acting on feelings that she has had for quite some time. It won't only shock people but can hurt her best friend, Kelly Pickerel, who is in California, not only to visit her father, but her convict friend, Robby Mardonia, the guy she has been writing to. She desperately wants to be with him even though she already has a boyfriend, Sean O'Connell.
Sean, the guy who seems to be second-guessing all the choices he's made and now wants to change them. Then there's Maria Krito, who soon discovers that a best friend may not necessarily be someone who is willing to cut her, even though that's the only way for Sadie Dubinsky to finally become her friend. Sadie, the eleven-year-old who isn't the ideal size or weight or even the girl that her mother wants her to be, and the one that has to be constantly compared to her older, meaner sister, Ginger. Ginger Dubinsky, who has the chance to get back at Kelly for embarrassing her.
There's also Derek LaPointe, who soon finds out that looks can't get him the girl he wants, Mearl Aremian. Her odd nature may not be for Derek, but it can help others figure out their lives. Last but not least there's Joy Ryder, a fifteen-year-old waitress who is sick of all the childish boys that she has to deal with, and will learn a dark secret when she tries to get back at the one boy who made her life miserable.
Ten teens, ten stories full of complications and problems that will leave the reader wondering what happens to the lives around them.
BLEED is a very entertaining read that is much different from the other works of Laurie Faria Stolarz. Its deep messages and risqué language will make the reader feel pain, sorrow, and happiness for the characters, which are all well-developed. Readers will be pulled into every story, even if they don't like the person the story is about. Stolarz does her best to capture the hidden feelings that are felt by the person themselves. As a warning, though, the language used is most definitely not suitable for kids in eighth-grade and below.
Who knew that in the course of one day so much could happen, not only to you but to everyone around you. But of course in real life, we only witness what happens to ourselves. Laurie Faria Stolarz takes the lives of ten teenagers who are all connected somehow, and shows how their lives can become so complicated in just one single day.
There's Nicole Bouchard, who is tired of her reputation as being the good girl and wants to change that by acting on feelings that she has had for quite some time. It won't only shock people but can hurt her best friend, Kelly Pickerel, who is in California, not only to visit her father, but her convict friend, Robby Mardonia, the guy she has been writing to. She desperately wants to be with him even though she already has a boyfriend, Sean O'Connell.
Sean, the guy who seems to be second-guessing all the choices he's made and now wants to change them. Then there's Maria Krito, who soon discovers that a best friend may not necessarily be someone who is willing to cut her, even though that's the only way for Sadie Dubinsky to finally become her friend. Sadie, the eleven-year-old who isn't the ideal size or weight or even the girl that her mother wants her to be, and the one that has to be constantly compared to her older, meaner sister, Ginger. Ginger Dubinsky, who has the chance to get back at Kelly for embarrassing her.
There's also Derek LaPointe, who soon finds out that looks can't get him the girl he wants, Mearl Aremian. Her odd nature may not be for Derek, but it can help others figure out their lives. Last but not least there's Joy Ryder, a fifteen-year-old waitress who is sick of all the childish boys that she has to deal with, and will learn a dark secret when she tries to get back at the one boy who made her life miserable.
Ten teens, ten stories full of complications and problems that will leave the reader wondering what happens to the lives around them.
BLEED is a very entertaining read that is much different from the other works of Laurie Faria Stolarz. Its deep messages and risqué language will make the reader feel pain, sorrow, and happiness for the characters, which are all well-developed. Readers will be pulled into every story, even if they don't like the person the story is about. Stolarz does her best to capture the hidden feelings that are felt by the person themselves. As a warning, though, the language used is most definitely not suitable for kids in eighth-grade and below.
June 13, 2013
The name Laurie Faria Solarz is pretty known in the writing world, she is the author of the popular series of Blue is for Nightmares – which is in my to-read pile – and the Touch Series – which I LOVE! – so when I saw this book the other day, I just felt like it was calling me. The cover seemed so enigmatic, and once I saw whom it was from, I knew I was in for a treat! How wrong I was.
The plot is very interesting, and mysterious. I almost thought I was in for a CSI thing or something. A Zomigod thing. Narrating a story from different points of view is difficult and not easy to pull off properly. This story was not narrated from 2 or 3 characters, it was narrated by 10 characters. This is a big challenge, knowing that the author was fearless enough to go for it, made the book seem that much more appealing. Multiple narrates sometimes do work best for the story. But for this book it was a total failure. It jumped from one story to the next with no real order. No story ever actually reached a conclusion, only leaving an annoying trail of unanswered questions.
Also, the stories where supposed to be connected? Like really connected? Because that did not happen. Like I said, it just jumped from one story to the next one with only really small and unimportant 'connections'. If it was because they all bleed, the wooooow, that was deep. It's not like every single animal and human being on this planet share that in common. Deep.
The novel sort of/ kind of has a happy ending, but everything was left really opened, and I felt too confused, which made it difficult for me to enjoy this novel. The whole book left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. The only stories I liked were the first one and the last one – which are sort of the same.
Oh and also, I can't help but think that there really was something meaningful behind the random weird stories and that I missed it - which is something that really bothers me, but no, I really couldn't find a deep connection to this story.
I’m giving this book 2 stars, which means OK. But it is not an OK-glass-of-water-half-full, It’s an OK-glass-of-water-half-empty. You get the idea.
All in all, I wouldn’t recommend it. Not because I hated it, but If you picked it from my shelf I’d shrug and say "borrow it if you want, keep it if you understand it". Not Wow-ed. Not nothing really… u_u
The plot is very interesting, and mysterious. I almost thought I was in for a CSI thing or something. A Zomigod thing. Narrating a story from different points of view is difficult and not easy to pull off properly. This story was not narrated from 2 or 3 characters, it was narrated by 10 characters. This is a big challenge, knowing that the author was fearless enough to go for it, made the book seem that much more appealing. Multiple narrates sometimes do work best for the story. But for this book it was a total failure. It jumped from one story to the next with no real order. No story ever actually reached a conclusion, only leaving an annoying trail of unanswered questions.
Also, the stories where supposed to be connected? Like really connected? Because that did not happen. Like I said, it just jumped from one story to the next one with only really small and unimportant 'connections'. If it was because they all bleed, the wooooow, that was deep. It's not like every single animal and human being on this planet share that in common. Deep.
The novel sort of/ kind of has a happy ending, but everything was left really opened, and I felt too confused, which made it difficult for me to enjoy this novel. The whole book left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. The only stories I liked were the first one and the last one – which are sort of the same.
Oh and also, I can't help but think that there really was something meaningful behind the random weird stories and that I missed it - which is something that really bothers me, but no, I really couldn't find a deep connection to this story.
I’m giving this book 2 stars, which means OK. But it is not an OK-glass-of-water-half-full, It’s an OK-glass-of-water-half-empty. You get the idea.
All in all, I wouldn’t recommend it. Not because I hated it, but If you picked it from my shelf I’d shrug and say "borrow it if you want, keep it if you understand it". Not Wow-ed. Not nothing really… u_u
March 21, 2008
Laurie Faria Stolarz not only is the author of Bleed but also the Blue is for Nightmare series containing Red is for Remembrance and White is for Magic. However, even though these books are by the same author, I thought that the Blue is for Nightmares series was better than Bleed. The book, Bleed is told through the perspective of different teenagers for each chapter. Most of the characters in the book never knew each other except a few and by those few individuals, the other individuals started to know each other. For example, Joy started knowing Ginger by talking on the phone and asking where Kelly is. While reading this book, I found it hard to follow because every chapter is from a new perspective and unlike other books that I have read, the author never goes back to the same author. Furthermore, when I was reading the book, I do not see the point nor was I sure of what the main conflict was. Therefore, I would not recommend this book. In addition, the ending left the reader hanging with a question in mind: So what?
February 4, 2013
I think this book is for the type of people that like to hear a story told by everybody eyes. For example, in the book there's different situations that are all happening at the same time but they're all connected in one way or another. So each chapter of the book it tells everyones stories, views,side of the story. This Book is interesting from begging to the end. Also it would make your eyes want more to read, you would be excited to see what happens next in the book.
March 8, 2009
When I finally obtained a copy of this last week, I was so excited. Since, I loved the concept of weaving together ten teenagers lives. Though, with Bleed I was extremely disappointed.
The characters and plot were interesting enough, but it just seemed like it was lacking. Lacking development, lacking a fast paced plot, lacking well just about everything. The characters were dull and one dimensional. Plus, you never really came to understand some of the crazy stuff they did love. For example the one girl, Kelly, goes and meets a convicted murder, a guy who KILLED his girlfriend. I know that people can go crazy when they are in love. But come on, that's When I finally obtained a copy of this last week, I was so excited. Since, I loved the concept of weaving together ten teenagers lives. Though, with Bleed I was extremely disappointed.
The characters and plot were interesting enough, but it just seemed like it was lacking. Lacking development, lacking a fast paced plot, lacking well just about everything. The characters were dull and one dimensional. Plus, you never really came to understand some of the crazy stuff they did love. For example the one girl, Kelly, goes and meets a convicted murder, a guy who KILLED his girlfriend. I know that people can go crazy when they are in love. But come on, that's not crazy, that's stupid!
Then, the plot was just boring. Since, most of the situations that the teens got themselves into were typical to began with and then they were carried out typically. Though, with saying that, I did find myself completely involved in the story for Nicole and Sean's parts.
The only other part that I somewhat liked about this book was the idea of it all. Since, most people never realize how their actions and attitude can affect people that they don't even know that well.
Over all, Laurie defiantly let me down with this story. Though, I still love her other books. So, I defiantly will be picking up her new releases when they come out, especially Deadly Little Lies. :)
Grade: D
The characters and plot were interesting enough, but it just seemed like it was lacking. Lacking development, lacking a fast paced plot, lacking well just about everything. The characters were dull and one dimensional. Plus, you never really came to understand some of the crazy stuff they did love. For example the one girl, Kelly, goes and meets a convicted murder, a guy who KILLED his girlfriend. I know that people can go crazy when they are in love. But come on, that's When I finally obtained a copy of this last week, I was so excited. Since, I loved the concept of weaving together ten teenagers lives. Though, with Bleed I was extremely disappointed.
The characters and plot were interesting enough, but it just seemed like it was lacking. Lacking development, lacking a fast paced plot, lacking well just about everything. The characters were dull and one dimensional. Plus, you never really came to understand some of the crazy stuff they did love. For example the one girl, Kelly, goes and meets a convicted murder, a guy who KILLED his girlfriend. I know that people can go crazy when they are in love. But come on, that's not crazy, that's stupid!
Then, the plot was just boring. Since, most of the situations that the teens got themselves into were typical to began with and then they were carried out typically. Though, with saying that, I did find myself completely involved in the story for Nicole and Sean's parts.
The only other part that I somewhat liked about this book was the idea of it all. Since, most people never realize how their actions and attitude can affect people that they don't even know that well.
Over all, Laurie defiantly let me down with this story. Though, I still love her other books. So, I defiantly will be picking up her new releases when they come out, especially Deadly Little Lies. :)
Grade: D
April 15, 2011
Do i like this book yes of course it was very good. Do I like the ending of this book NOOOO! I absolutely hated how the author ended this book she could have given the reader more than she did especially if there is not a second book to follow this one! I liked how each person had their individual stories that somehow intertwined but I was look for a part in the book a "chapter" when they would all be tied together directly, not indirectly. The stories of each character would enjoyable sometime cute and sometimes funny so this book included everything, but what I cannot get over is the ending I think thats what ruins this book for me. I believe that the author was going in the right track at the end but the abruptly ended the novel like running directly into a brick wall at 95mph just because you thought it would be fun. I do ot take anything significant away from this book, I am satisfied with the storyline so I therefore do not have to take anything away from this book but I would not read it again because of the ending. I was looking forward to reading more from this author but this ending discourages me to do so, maybe I'll take a break from her for a while.
December 19, 2009
Nicole tries to snare her longtime crush, who's also the boyfriend of one of her best friends. Maria's desperate to connect with others on a very intimate level, but her psyche needs help the most. Kelly starts a relationship over a handful of years, but now it's too real. Sadie's mother may insist that she's trying to help the eleven-year-old, but she's pushed her daughter too far. Robby loves too much, bringing about another downfall. Ginger wants revenge, but that doesn't guarantee inner peace. Joy wants to make her own happy ending, even at the expense of someone else's.
These depressing related vignettes or short stories, as well as three others, explore friendship, family, identity and sex via very effed-up people in Salem and California. Each messed in their own way, Kelly Pickerel disturbs me most because of the particular relationship she initiates and continues. She comes to her senses at last, but her story is still a scary journey. Sadie Dubinski's is the most affecting, though there's blood in every tale.
These depressing related vignettes or short stories, as well as three others, explore friendship, family, identity and sex via very effed-up people in Salem and California. Each messed in their own way, Kelly Pickerel disturbs me most because of the particular relationship she initiates and continues. She comes to her senses at last, but her story is still a scary journey. Sadie Dubinski's is the most affecting, though there's blood in every tale.
August 12, 2015
Bleed was not the book I should have read at that particular time I did. Not only the time but my friends' reviews as well really got over me. In result I started reading the book with the mindset that it will be awful!
After two years, I came by this book again. It got me thinking, why you gave,Savvina one star to this book?Honestly I can not remember clearly! I remember getting really mad over some characters and their behaviours. I mostly got mad because this book is known to be all about the teenagers today! Not all the teenagers behave like this, those behaviours belong to a really small portion of people.
Laurie Faria Stolarz portraits today's teenagers with so many flaws without even considering portraying their good traits as well. I felt deeply sorry thinking that some people think of today teenagers this way! They are exceptions indeed but don't try to make us all look silly,irresponsible and immature!
After two years, I came by this book again. It got me thinking, why you gave,Savvina one star to this book?Honestly I can not remember clearly! I remember getting really mad over some characters and their behaviours. I mostly got mad because this book is known to be all about the teenagers today! Not all the teenagers behave like this, those behaviours belong to a really small portion of people.
Laurie Faria Stolarz portraits today's teenagers with so many flaws without even considering portraying their good traits as well. I felt deeply sorry thinking that some people think of today teenagers this way! They are exceptions indeed but don't try to make us all look silly,irresponsible and immature!
March 11, 2024
i love how this story is told over a singular day and every chapter is a different characters POV. interesting to see how each of the characters stories interconnect and intertwine affecting one another. Each chapter has reference to blood and i would rate MA15+
August 13, 2010
This book followed the lives of 10 teenagers over one day. All of them intersected in some way. I thought the book was good because each chapter was from a different kids perspective. Their lives for the day; but at the end of the story there didn't seem to be any closure. I felt like it left me hanging. What happens now?
October 21, 2007
I read this book months ago, but I still think about it all the time. 10 short vignettes of the lives of 10 intensively troubled teens. You want problems? This book has them all. Certain to be challenged if in your YA department.
June 13, 2013
So basically I hated all the characters except Nicole and Sean. I just hope they end up together. Overall, the book was ehhrrr... It wasn't exciting at all. I just wish I had more since I do have some unaswered questions, but I will probablt find them once I sleep on it.
November 24, 2015
I only liked Nicole and Sean's story.
July 12, 2021
TWs: A bit of homophobia, suicidal ideation, food restriction and ED
Spoilers
date a murderer. go though peoples belongings. cheat on your significant other. walk into the house of your harasser alone. it’ll all work out in the end
✨Sean and Nicole suck, I don’t know why everyone likes them. they’re scummy. he cheats on his girlfriend with nicole...his girlfriend is nicoles best friend.
✨Ginger is super bitchy and unlikable. her little sister Sadie was my favorite chapter. Though it feels weird including an 11 year old in a book where most characters are 17-19.
✨derrick is self absorbed and i couldn’t stand him. but more so, i couldn’t stand Meral. she’s a manic pixie dream girl with no character. think starrgirl but worse.
✨joys chapter is infuriating because her plan is stupid and she’s just kind of stupid. twice she goes places she shouldn’t (with Robbie in the woods and into Danny’s house) please, dear, get some common sense! Robbie is purposely annoying and unlikable, so i guess he’s okay. i hated him, but i think this was intentional.
✨Kelly also sucks. she’s a cheater as well. we never see any resolution for her. she just leaves the diner and robbie and gives up on their 5+ year “relationship” (the age gap is 4 years- 17//21)
✨Maria is a weird case. she’s kind of suicidal, making others cut her (I also think she cuts herself?) we never see her getting help. it’s played off like some kind of ‘Effy Stonem depressed bad girl’ trope
Spoilers
date a murderer. go though peoples belongings. cheat on your significant other. walk into the house of your harasser alone. it’ll all work out in the end
✨Sean and Nicole suck, I don’t know why everyone likes them. they’re scummy. he cheats on his girlfriend with nicole...his girlfriend is nicoles best friend.
✨Ginger is super bitchy and unlikable. her little sister Sadie was my favorite chapter. Though it feels weird including an 11 year old in a book where most characters are 17-19.
✨derrick is self absorbed and i couldn’t stand him. but more so, i couldn’t stand Meral. she’s a manic pixie dream girl with no character. think starrgirl but worse.
✨joys chapter is infuriating because her plan is stupid and she’s just kind of stupid. twice she goes places she shouldn’t (with Robbie in the woods and into Danny’s house) please, dear, get some common sense! Robbie is purposely annoying and unlikable, so i guess he’s okay. i hated him, but i think this was intentional.
✨Kelly also sucks. she’s a cheater as well. we never see any resolution for her. she just leaves the diner and robbie and gives up on their 5+ year “relationship” (the age gap is 4 years- 17//21)
✨Maria is a weird case. she’s kind of suicidal, making others cut her (I also think she cuts herself?) we never see her getting help. it’s played off like some kind of ‘Effy Stonem depressed bad girl’ trope
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2021
This book really gets a bad rap. While I can understand that this book is very different, not only from Stolarz's other works, but also compared to other short story collections, you have to know that going into it.
Anyone who cracks this cover after ready BIFN or DLS, thinking that it will be similar in any way, is in for disappointment. I read this book after BIFN but I was fully prepared that it wasn't going to be anything like it. And frankly, I enjoyed it! It was different and interesting, even if it was outside of my usually genre.
I don't recommend this for anyone who is strictly a YA Fantasy fan. But, for someone who enjoys YA general fiction with realistic obstacles and issues, I definitely think it's enjoyable.
The shifting POVs from story to story are interesting and I generally like that structure. Each story was different and confronted separate issues so you aren't just repeating the same problems multiple times, which I like a lot. It is obvious this book is very hot and cold with readers so there's a 50/50 chance of readers liking it across the board. Not as good as her other works, but I give it a loose 4 star rating as it does have some minor issues.
Anyone who cracks this cover after ready BIFN or DLS, thinking that it will be similar in any way, is in for disappointment. I read this book after BIFN but I was fully prepared that it wasn't going to be anything like it. And frankly, I enjoyed it! It was different and interesting, even if it was outside of my usually genre.
I don't recommend this for anyone who is strictly a YA Fantasy fan. But, for someone who enjoys YA general fiction with realistic obstacles and issues, I definitely think it's enjoyable.
The shifting POVs from story to story are interesting and I generally like that structure. Each story was different and confronted separate issues so you aren't just repeating the same problems multiple times, which I like a lot. It is obvious this book is very hot and cold with readers so there's a 50/50 chance of readers liking it across the board. Not as good as her other works, but I give it a loose 4 star rating as it does have some minor issues.
June 13, 2017
Overall this is a very good book. I liked it's uniqueness. Every chapter was a different persons perspective. And they were some very interesting and unique characters!
Definitly not a book you've ever read before, and not one you want to pass up. An origional story of different individuals revolving around each other. It was a quick read, read it in an hour or two. A nice way to spend my time. :)
Definitly not a book you've ever read before, and not one you want to pass up. An origional story of different individuals revolving around each other. It was a quick read, read it in an hour or two. A nice way to spend my time. :)
April 6, 2020
What in the world is the point of this book? So disappointing. I thought that somehow this book would wrap up all these 10 teens into a fantastic story arc, and yet, it didn't. I didn't give two poos about any of the characters and was just so dissatisfied by the entire thing.
November 25, 2018
Honestly a pretty dumb book. Average read.
September 10, 2019
I REALLY enjoyed this book, BUT I felt like there was a lot left undone at the end, like it abruptly ended without closure for all. That's my only complaint. Otherwise, WONDERFUL book! Loved it!!
March 16, 2020
It's not the best book, and not the worst book I've read. I bought it a long time ago and never read it, I probably would have enjoyed it more then as it's more of a youg adult book.
August 6, 2020
There is no follow up book. So you don't get to find out how anyone's story ends. Lame
December 10, 2020
Interesting weaving of different teenage lives. Just wish there was more of a resolution for each character.
January 27, 2021
This Book was AWEFULL! Dont read it.
February 20, 2021
*4.5/5*
Review to come.
Review to come.
April 4, 2021
TRASH imo
October 21, 2022
Weird but cool book
December 9, 2022
I loved it, one of the first unsettling books w a tint of romance I’ve read! Loved it smsmsmssm I love Robby!(except the whole teenager thing wtf) I also rlly like Sean and Nicole together🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2023
I didn't realize this was a collection of short stories, but I still wish there was a way for me to get my time back. I stand by this was the worst book I've ever read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews