Forever by Judy Blume

Sunday, December 31, 2006 By 44 Comments

Katherine met Michael Wagner at a New Year Eve’s party. It seemed like instant attraction between the both of them, I think. Katherine feels that she has never felt so strongly about any guy before. With Michael, she’s nervous yet happy to be with him.

Just like the title – Forever, Katherine and Michael thought that their love would remain forever. Both admitted that they really loved each other and Katherine decided to go all the way with Michael. And just like what Katherine’s mom told her, ‘once you start having sex, you can’t go back to holding hands’. It’s completely true. Katherine and Michael can’t keep their hands off each other and are always finding opportunities to be alone together.

Then came summer time. Katherine’s dad insisted that she accepts a job to teach tennis at a camp, which Jamie, Katherine’s younger sister, is going to. Initially, Katherine is reluctant to spend 7 whole weeks away from Michael. She would miss him soooooo much! But, her dad would not take no for an answer. So, she went to camp. She and Michael kept in touch by writing letters everyday.

At the camp, Katherine meets new friends and is attracted to another guy. She feels guilty at first because she thought she was betraying Michael. However, when Michael went to the camp to see her, she decided to be honest with him.

When I visited Amazon.com, many reviewers claimed that this book is a must-read for teenagers so they would know about sex and first love. To me, the story was going fine, but when it came to the part where she fell for another guy, I felt funny. I mean, if she was soooo much in love with Michael, how could she fall for another guy so quickly? It seems to me that Katherine is fickle-minded and doesn’t know what she wants.

Well, this book is okay. It’s easy to read, quick to finish, and Judy Blume is an excellent writer!

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Popularity: 100%

Filed Under: Authors B, Genre - YA Romance, Titles F

My Place by Sally Morgan

Saturday, December 30, 2006 By 2 Comments

I’ve finally finished reading this book after 3 or more weeks! It’s a heart-warming story of a family with Aboriginal roots in Australia. Most of it is written from Sally’s point of view. Sally is the eldest child in the family. She lived in Manning with her mother (Gladys), grandmother (Nan), and her 4 siblings – Jill, Billy, David, and Helen. Her father, Bill, died when she was only a young girl. He was a POW (Prisoner of War) in Germany and was tortured so brutally until he needs serious hospital treatment even when the war had ended a long time ago.

Besides Sally’s point of view, there are also stories from 3 other people. Arthur Corunna, Gladys Corunna, and Daisy Corunna. Arthur is Sally’s granduncle, Gladys is Sally’s mom, and Daisy is Sally’s grandmother, whom she refers to as Nan. It was quite difficult for Sally to get Gladys’ and Daisy’s stories as they were reluctant to share their past. Especially Daisy (Nan) who is defiant in keeping her past a deep secret.

Anyway, this book reminds me of another book on racism and slavery, which is Roots by Alex Haley. These stories are eye-opening as we are taken back to history where we learn about the troubles and conflicts between races. At times when I read them, I became emotional and felt anger about how they were treated cruelly and in a totally unfair way. Fortunately, times have changed.

My Place is interesting from the first page but when I reached the middle of the book, it got a little boring for me as I feel the story was lagging. However, when I reached Gladys’ story, things took to a faster pace. Overall, My Place is definitely a must-read. I learned a lot about Australia while reading this book. It also stresses on family importance and accepting one’s roots. Really important things to ponder on.

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Popularity: 63%

Filed Under: Authors M, Genre - Memoir, Titles M

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Saturday, December 23, 2006 By Leave a Comment

An uplifting story of four good friends, Carmen, Lena, Tibby, and Bridget. This summer, they are turning sixteen. And this summer, they won’t be spending it together. Carmen is going to South Carolina to spend more time with her dad (her parents are divorced), Lena is going to Greece to visit her grandparents, Bridget will be going to soccer camp in Baja, California, and only Tibby will be staying home while working at Wallman’s.

The Pants. Carmen bought it at a thrift store and had not bothered to try it on. She did not think it will fit her at all and was planning to throw it away. But Bridget spotted it and asked Carmen to give it to her. Bridget tried it on and insists that her 3 friends try it too. Miraculously, the pants fit all of them comfortably and making them look really good in it. Thus, they believe it contains some unspeakable magic and decide to take turns in keeping it. On condition that they follow 10 rules, which they made together.

They vow to do something great in them. And when they are back together again, they would share with one another their stories of their achievements or downfalls during the summer.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants has been made into a movie, and if I’m not mistaken, it was not shown in Malaysian cinemas although the VCD is on sale. The 4 best friends are played by Amber Tamblyn (Tibby), America Ferrera (Carmen), Blake Lively (Bridget), and Alexis Bledel (Lena).

I haven’t watched it yet but the book was quite okay. I don’t pretend to be over-enthusiastic about it but it’s a good read.

Other Reviews: Alessandra

Popularity: 19%

Filed Under: Authors B, Genre - YA Fiction, Titles S

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Monday, December 11, 2006 By 1 Comment

This is the second time I’ve read this particularly hilarious book about a 15-year-old boy, Christopher who has Asperger’s Syndrome or autism. He lives in Swindon with his father and attends a special school. Christopher is brilliant at Maths and Physics and he aims to sit for the A Level Maths exam. He dreams of taking more A Level exams and then getting a degree to eventually become a scientist.

The story begins with the death of a neighbour’s dog, Wellington. Someone had intentionally stuck a garden fork through the poor dog and since Christopher had been quite fond of the dog, he is determined to find out who killed the dog. Thus, he writes a book with interesting illustrations to tell his story.

As he goes on his journey to find out the dog’s killer, Christopher finds out some secrets, which his father had hid from him. He has also started talking to strangers, something he never does because to him, strangers could be dangerous. Christopher finds comfort in familiarity.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a different kind of book and written in an unusual but likeable style. Definitely worth reading again!

Other Bloggers’ Reviews: Amanda, Bibliolatry

Popularity: 21%

Filed Under: Authors H, Genre - Mystery, Titles C Tagged With:

The True Story of Lilli Stubeck by James Aldridge

Saturday, December 9, 2006 By Leave a Comment

I read this book twice and I can’t wait to read it again. It tells the story of Lilli Stubeck, who arrived at the peaceful town of St Helen with her intriguing but unlikeable family. The narrator in the book is Kit Quayle. He is one of the few people whom Lilli trusts. He is able to tell this story because Lilli had left him her black book in which she had written down the events of her life in St Helen.

To begin with, Lilli’s family is dirt poor and they survive by scavenging and begging. Then, there is the wealthy and powerful Miss Dalgleish. She encountered Lilli while waiting for someone and Lilli ended up doing small chores for Miss Dalgleish in exchange for a few shillings.

One day, Lilli’s family decided to leave St Helen. But, Miss Dalgleish refused to let them leave with Lilli. She wanted Lilli to stay with her and she promised she would see to her education. Thus, Lilli remained in St Helen and lived in Miss Dalgleish’s amazing but mysterious house surrounded by high wooden walls.

As time went by, Lilli emerged as a cultured young woman and one of the cleverest girls in school. There were also boys as well as men who showed interest in her but she simply brushed them off. Lilli continued living with Miss Dalgleish until one day, her mother and younger brother, Jackie returned unexpectedly.

This book is an absolutely good read and recommended to anyone who wants to know about the interesting and fascinating tale of a girl who does things her own way.

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Popularity: 23%

Filed Under: Authors A, Genre - YA Fiction, Titles T