The Alienist - Caleb Carr

RATE: 36/60

Violence: 8

Children mutilated and murdered, mildly graphic in description. Two animal mutilation descriptions, one is fairly graphic. People beaten up badly. Woman dies by falling down stairs and breaking neck. A couple people killed by being shot. Talk of Indian mutilations to "whites."

Sexual Content: 10

Child prostitution. Rape. Mention of children performing sodomy and oral sexual acts at school. Description of homosexual acts occurring between older man and boy-whore. Many descriptions of boy-whorehouses and the actions taking place there. Man tries to rape child but is unable to, descriptive.

Language: 5

Three "F" words. A couple "S" words and "D" words.

Crude Humor:0

Drug References:4

References to getting drunk on alcohol. A couple references to cocaine and smoking.

Mature Themes:9

This book follows the dealings of a 1896 serial killer who mutilates child boy-whores because of some disturbing things that happened to him when he was younger. There a lot of descriptions of boy-whorehouses and the dealings that go on within as the characters try to solve the case. There are also descriptions of other killings around this time and place that are similar to that of the killer the main characters are chasing.

Reviewers Note: While this book would definitely rate "R" if it were a movie, I found that the writing style was written in a way that made the book less offensive. I found the book to be fascinating, gripping and entertaining. I would not recommend it to anyone younger than 18 because of the adult content.

Wikipedia Book Summary

-New Category-

Starting now we will have another category titled "Mature Themes."

This will make the final maximum 'Rate" score up to 60 instead of 50.

The Christmas List - Richard Paul Evans

RATE: 4/60

Violence:1

Main character gets beat-up, not graphic

Sexual Content:0

Language:0

Crude Humor:0

Drug Reference:0

Mature Themes:3

Main characters wife has cancer and is dying. Divorce. Man wrongs many people throughout his life. Main character and girlfriend plan an overnight trip.

Reviewers Note:

Good modern-day Scrooge tale. Very easy and fast read. Although it says "Christmas" in the title, I think this book could be read in any season. I found it to be a little predictable but good none the less. I would recommend to anyone 10 and up.