I Like It Like That – A Gossip Girl Novel by Cecily von Ziegesar

Wednesday, March 7, 2007 By 13 Comments

I’ve always wondered what the Gossip Girl books are all about. Then, while browsing in eBay, I saw a couple of second-hand Gossip Girl books on sale. So, I bought I Like It Like That – A Gossip Girl Novel, and read it in two days. Well, guess what? The book sucks.

First of all, I can barely imagine any real teenagers behaving like the characters in this book. I mean, they are just so wild and have no self-respect. They respect neither themselves nor other people. And the girls take drugs, smoke incessantly, and sleep around with most boys they meet.

And the boys? They are just as bad as the girls. They also smoke pot, Marlboro cigarettes, and are just plain horny guys.

What kind of book is this? Why is it so hugely popular? Because it’s a ‘bad’ book? Is that it?

I particularly don’t like Georgie. She’s selfish, crazy, and plain wild. Ugh, if I were a boy, I definitely would not want a girlfriend like her. Her boyfriend, Nate, must have been in anguish for not having the chance to spend some quality time with her because she’s always busy soaking in the hot tub with other boys!

This will be the first and last time I’m reading this book. Not recommended to those under 18.

Well, you’re going to get it anyway, so why bother?

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Popularity: 22%

Filed Under: Authors V, Genre - YA Fiction, Titles G

Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

Saturday, January 6, 2007 By 14 Comments

Australian books are not bad. There should be more books by Australian writers sold here. Looking for Alibrandi is an excellent book written by Melina Marchetta. It has even been made into a film in 2000 and I have only known about it today. Oooh, how I would love to watch it since I love the book so much!

The story is told from Josephine Alibrandi’s point of view. Josephine is of Italian descent and she lives with her mother, Christina. She is 17 years old and studies in St Martha’s. She is there on a scholarship. She has 3 best friends – Sera, Lee, and Anna, and they always hang out together. They are all very different from one another but still; they are the best of friends.

Josephine had the biggest crush on John Barton, a highly intelligent boy. But, there is another tough guy on the scene too. Jacob Coote is from Cook High. Josephine begins to fall more for Jacob and her feelings towards John start to fade. John seems to have problems and he confides in Josephine but I feel that she does not understand him. She is already absorbed in her own world with her own problems ranging from fights with Jacob to racism remarks from schoolmates.

After 17 long years, Josephine’s father, Michael Andretti, comes back. Initially, they were like oil and water and were determined not to have anything to do with each other. But as time goes by, they got to know each other and became good friends. She is also trying hard but unsuccessfully to pair up her mother and Michael since they are her parents anyway.

The saddest part of the book was where one of Josephine’s friends, (I won’t tell you who) committed suicide just before their Higher School Certificate exam. Josephine and her friends and enemy took it very badly.

In my humble opinion, this is a really good book and I hope there will be more Australian books in Malaysia.

Other Bloggers’ Reviews: Alessandra

Popularity: 39%

Filed Under: Authors M, Genre - YA Fiction, Titles L Tagged With:

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 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
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