16th June, 2008

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul by Jack Canfield, et al

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If you’re a teen and you’re feeling like it’s the end of the world, don’t fret. The Chicken Soup book is here to help you. My sister gave me this book a few years ago when I was a teenager and the stories did me good. They never failed to lift my spirits up when I was feeling down. Even now, they are still able to improve my mood.

The Chicken Soup books are actually very good, you know. The stories were sent in by real people who wrote them themselves and therefore, their inspiring stories are downright true. Reading other people’s stories of kindness, motivation, miracles, etc can make you feel better. At least it gives you hope that something good will happen to you in time and all you need to do is wait. Good things come to those who wait.

It seems that there are 101 stories of life, love and learning (as seen on the cover). There are some stories which were written by celebrities like Bill Cosby, Jennie Garth, Jennifer Love Hewitt, A. J. Langer and more. Makes the book even more attractive, huh? Well, at least we know that celebrities are human beings like you and I too and they also go through life’s problems, just like anyone else.

My favourite story would be in the On Love and Kindness category and the title is ‘Life Just Isn’t’ written by Katie Leicht. When I feel sad, I read this story. It reminds me of what life is really about and what I should be doing.

Life isn’t about keeping score. It’s not about how many people call you and it’s not about who you’ve dated, are dating or haven’t dated at all…………

………….But life is about who you love and who you hurt. It’s about how you feel about yourself. It’s about trust, happiness and compassion. It’s about sticking up for your friends and replacing inner hate with love……

It’s not only stories in this book. You will find cartoons, poems, famous quotes, inspirational quotes, etc. I am glad that there are books like the Chicken Soup ones around. I have no doubt that they’ve probably saved people’s lives! Yeah, it’s that effective. If you don’t believe me or if you haven’t read any yet, I strongly recommend that you do it soon.

When you’re physically sick, the real chicken soup is good for you, right? Well, I do know that chicken soup makes you healthy and strong! Anyway, I believe that this Chicken Soup book can be your best friend when you’re lonely.

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Posted in Authors C, Nonfiction, Self-help, Titles C at 5:15 pm | Comment (0)



29th December, 2007

The Usborne Book of Art Projects by Fiona Watt

I bought this book yesterday at Popular as I was looking around the bookstore for any book that will have any artsy ideas for making greeting cards and other arty stuff. My friends were at the Chinese section of art and craft books and unfortunately, I can’t read Chinese so I wandered over to the English art and craft book section.

Now why didn’t I ever go to that section before? Whenever I enter a bookshop, I always head to the Fiction books section. Well, I used to visit the revision books section too but not anymore.

This book captured my interest right from the very first page. The instructions for each art project are simple and that’s why this book is suitable for kids who want to make fun stuff. Like greeting cards, for example. Instead of buying one card for around RM2.90, why not make one yourself? There’s the personal touch too and the receiver would be so happy to know that you made the card yourself!

In this book, there are interesting art tricks that you can use if you’re designing anything from cards to photo frames. You don’t need too many expensive materials to get you started on your art projects. You can even create a masterpiece from a piece of eraser!

Also, colourful pictures are included so you will know exactly what you are making. Pictures with instructions, everything is laid out for you. All you need to do is find the materials, which are easy to find and then you can embark on your project.

I’ll try one of the projects in this book later, then I’ll show you how it turned out!

Buy The Usborne Book of Art Projects (Miniature Editions)

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Posted in Authors W, Nonfiction, Titles U at 5:52 am | Comments (5)



20th February, 2007

Roots by Alex Haley

Roots, which is written by Alex Haley is undoubtedly the best, heart-warming book I have ever read. It is the story of Kunta Kinte, who is from Africa. He is an extremely brave, loyal young man from a small village, Juffure, in The Gambia.

He has turned 17 and was very excited because he has become a man. But unfortunately, things did not turn out the way he would like it to be. One day, while he was out chopping wood to make a drum, he was abducted and sent on a slave ship to the New World to become a slave.

In America, a John Waller, who treated him like dirt, bought him. Kunta tried to escape 4 times but he was caught and finally, the slave-catchers cut off his right foot. He was then sold to John Waller’s brother, a doctor who treated his slaves better.

Kunta got married and had a daughter, Kizzy. She was taken from her parents to become a slave to another master. He used her for his own pleasure and she had a mulatto baby, George. George grew up to be fighting cock trainer. He got married and had kids, too. So, the story goes on until Alex Haley was born.

When he was a young boy, he would hear stories of Kunta Kinte, who claimed he was from Africa and was also very proud of his homeland. Then, Alex Haley set out to find out the true story of Kunta and his history. It took him 12 years to complete the book.

Really, read it for yourself and you will learn a lot. It made me appreciate that I have my family with me now and I have no one torturing me till I bleed, half-dead, and practically losing hope of ever getting the chance to be free again. This book deserves 5 out of 5 stars!

I read this book in 2004. One of my teachers recommended this book to me in 2000 but I put off reading it as it’s such a thick book! Anyway, it took me 3 whole weeks to finish it.

Buy Roots: The Saga of an American Family

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Posted in Authors H, Biography/Autobiography, Nonfiction, Titles R at 6:57 am | Comments (6)



5th January, 2007

How To Walk in High Heels - The Girl’s Guide to Everything by Camilla Morton

A really catchy title, don’t you think? This was my Christmas present by my sister who is always trying to make me behave more like a lady. Sometimes I listen to her advice and sometimes I try to defend myself. =) Anyways, this book is helpful in a way, with lots of great tips and witty suggestions. It teaches you how to lead the life similar to a celebrity or a princess.

It even mentioned that a 5 cm heel is considered practically FLAT! Moreover, the higher and the thinner your heel is, the higher your status will be. So girls, better invest in a pair of really good and high high heels in order to receive more attention because duh! you will become really tall and easily noticed! It makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?

I liked one where the title is How to Change a Nappy. There are other eye-catching titles too. It even has tips for the low-tech girl. You can learn how to use a printer, how to ebay, know the different parts of a computer, which is the keyboard, the monitor and the mouse (it does not bite), and more.

In fact, almost everything a girl needs to know is in this book. Well, like I said, almost. So, don’t go expecting that everything can be found in this book.

How to Survive New Year’s Eve, How to swim in shades, How to sound like a politician, How to use a knife, spoon and fork, How to love champagne, How to find and delete viruses, How to make popcorn, How to change a light bulb, etc. And if you can’t do it, take a step back and let a man finish the job for you. No point getting your well manicured nails dirty or broken. That’s a popular tip in there.

Lastly, I guarantee you’ll learn a tip or two, which you may find useful one day. And to all the girls: enjoy being a girl! There’s nothing more you could ask for.

Buy HOW TO WALK IN HIGH HEELS: THE GIRL’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING

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Posted in Authors M, Girls/Women, Humour, Nonfiction, Self-help, Titles H at 9:34 pm | Comments (2)



30th December, 2006

My Place by Sally Morgan

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.

Buy My Place

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Posted in Australian, Authors M, Biography/Autobiography, Nonfiction, Titles M at 1:17 pm | Comments (2)


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