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Saturday, May 1, 2010

Thinner Than Thou by Kit Reed

"Thinner Than Thou" - the Earl Reverend's world-famous and unimaginably successful slogan that sums up his country's maniac desire to be physically immaculate. Religion is no longer about God except for those underground organisations but about youth, thiness and being perfect. Annie, a teenage anorexic, has been betrayed by her parents to the Dedicated Sisters, a cult of nuns who are supposedly there to cure the anorexic and hugely obese. To her horror, the treatment is utterly inhumane and brutal. Her younger siblings and her boyfriend, embark on a reckless journey to save her while in Sylphania, the Earl's personal spa sanctuary, Jeremy Devlin who's an overweight businessman has signed up his savings for salvation. Like Annie, he soon discovers that nothing is as it seems and what's worse, if he can't shape up, he's never going to leave. Dark secrets and a macabre lust lies behind the seemingly Reverend's seductive promises but what can anyone do about it?

This novel is a sort of cross between realistic fiction (well some of the things in this book could happen), science fiction and satire. If you're interested in a plausible prediction of the future then you might want to try this.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

It's All About Us

All Lissa Mansfield wanted to do was fit in at Spencer Academy. Most of all the richest and snottiest kids go there. Lissa's father is a famous movie director and her mother works with Angelina. Two thumbs up. When the most popular girls at Spencer ditches her, she does anything in her reach to come back again. First, she grabs the best guy there which automatically changed things but when she sees the direction everything in her life was going, she tried to back but made it worse.

Read if you want.

Lush By: Natasha Friend

This book is about a thirteen-year-old girl whose dad is a drunk. Since her mother doesn't really understand her, she ends up turning to someone else. At the library, she sends a note to some random person asking for help. So in this unused history book, they pass notes. At school, everything was ok until she messed up and her friends wont talk to her. Read the book if you're intersted. :)

Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affairs

This is the third book I hadn't realized I haven't blogged it.

In this book, there's much more drama that the other books. A newbie joins and it could be the end of Kaitlin and Sky's careers. To save them, the enemies must work together to get through this.

(Advise to read the other books before this one so that you get the story line.)

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Millions

Frank Cottrell Boyce is a name that i've never heard of before but i've heard that this book of him will be turned into a movie.
Damian is the younger of two brothers. The dark thread woven into this tale is Damian's grief at the loss of his mother, who used to work on the Clinique counter. Anthony, the older brother, is a real-estate expert at an early age, and Damian's mad about the saints. He knows everything about them, having logged on to a website called totallysaints.com. He uses their stories as a guide to life. Whenever he meets a saint, Damian asks if his mother is one of their number. He has built himself a hermitage down by the railway line. It's made from cardboard boxes. This is where he is when the bag full of money appears. The cash is part of an enormous robbery. Damian thinks it is a gift from God, and wants to help the poor with it. But his brother Anthony has other ideas. The money is in pounds sterling, and England is converting to the Euro in seventeen days, after which the money will be worthless. So the two boys have to get rid of 229,370 pounds in cash in seventeen days.
It is quite fun to read something so much about money, which is fun... The story has some really funny moments but there are some parts that are pretty unappropriated to read but if you don't the you wouldn't understand anything.


Size Doesn't Matter

The third book is not as creepy as the second one but still a bit thrilling.
Heather finally has a boyfriend. Heather's passing her first college course and her dad’s moving out. Things at her job as assistant director of a New York College dorm are starting to improve. Heather’s on her third boss in a single year. Dr. Veatch, her new boss, seems to be the most boring man on the face of the planet but that doesn’t seem reason enough to put a bullet through his head. The president of the student union is the NYPD’s main suspect, and Heather can’t help wondering if she really knew her boring boss as well as she thought she did. Especially when a Fischer Hall resident claims she knows who his real murderer is. Beside that, the love of Heather's grad assistant Sarah's life. Now Heather has to clear Sarah's boyfriend's name, figure out her boss' muderer and other tons of things.
This third book is quite boring, more boring than the other two. This one is not that thrilling and doesn't have much to read about. So it is quite hard to enjoy this one.

Size 14 Is Not Fat Either

So i really want know what case Heather is up to solve next so i couldn't wait to read the next book. And this one is even creepier than the first one.
Lindsay Comb, a cheerleader, has her head found simmering in a pot on the stove by a kitchen staff. And once again, Heather feels the need to investigate the mystery while everyone is warning her not to get involved in the case. But she can't stop wondering where the rest of Lindsay's body might be. She couldn't get off the case when Magda, Heather's cafeteria worker friend, begs her to investigate. Then the other issues start to get in her way. Heather is trying to break in her new boss, Tom, while avoiding the calls of her ex-fiancé Jordan. She also continues to lust for her ex-fiancé's brother, Cooper, who happens to be her roommate. When Jordon finally gets to talk to Heather, he begs her to go to his wedding and well Heather refuses. Still, Heather insists that she is not investigating while she is still asking Lindsay's boyfriends and friends a few questions. Cooper and the police try so hard to encourage Heather not to get involved anymore. When Heather stumbles across someone who has been stabbed, that person admits to have given something to Lindsay. But when Heather discovers what was given, the mystery only deepens...
It was scary since the first chapter. But there are still some very funny moments in the book that Heather gets into. If you are planning to read this book alone at night then you should consider not.

Size 12 Is Not Fat


If you are not cool with crime and thriller book then you wouldn't really want to know what Meg Cabot has here for you.
Heather Wells, an ex-teen pop sensation who then has to retire because she gains some weigh. And now she works at a residence hall in New York as an assistant director. Heather struggles with her fiance, Jordon Cartwright, member of a boy band, leaving her. After then Heather discovers her feelings for her roommate Cooper, who just happens to be Jordon’s brother. However, all of these problems are pushed aside when a student in Heather’s residence hall is found dead in the elevator shaft, who is claimed to be victim of an 'elevator surfing' accident. Heather doesn’t believe it’s an accident for girls don't like to 'elevator surfing' though, especially when a second girl turns up dead in the exact same manner. When the police don’t take Heather's concerns seriously, she feels like it is her responsibility to find out who is killing the girls she has vowed to protect. But then by the time she finds out who the killer is, it might be out of time for her.
This is really spooky because i really have stopped wanting to go by the elevator for a while. But when i discover out who the killer is, i really wish that i didn't know. So it would a good idea not to tell you...

Boy Meets Girl


There's a whole 'Boy' series by Meg Cabot with 'Boy Meets Girl' and 'The Boy Next Door' and some others too.
Kate Mackenzie moves to New York City with her best friend, Jen. After working as a social worker for a few years, Kate gets a job in human resources for the New York Journal. She gets to work with an awful boss, Amy, whom they refer to as the Tyrannical Office Despot (or T.O.D. for short). Shortly after gettig this position, Kate's boyfriend for ten years, Dale, says that he doesn’t want to marry her anymore. Kate moves out to Jen's place. Ida then decides to sue for her job back from Kate and Kate has to find herself a lawyer. Then Kate finds herself in the office of lawyer Mitch Hertzog and the attraction is instant. Eventually, Mitch is not only a lawyer (a group of people Kate always hates), but he is her boss' fiance's brother. Kate soon realises that Mitch is nothing like his brother or like any other lawyer she has ever met. He seems to be the nicest guy she has ever met, and he also seems to be just as attracted to her as she is to him. And so the cheesy part start.
When i read a Meg Cabot's book, there's always a cheesy part of it that i particularly do not enjoy reading much but the rest is almost perfect, it's great. The plot is quite easy to get sometimes so you can easily get the cheesy part.

Brian Jacques: The Taggerung

Sawney Rath, ferret chief of the juska tribe is hatching a plan. A Taggerung has been born a legendary creature with extraordinary fighting skills. Sawney is determined to hunt the babe down, raise him as his own and bring glory to the Juska clan

REDWALL (again)

Brian Jacques: The Legend of Luke

Martin the Warrior leaves Redwall Abbey on a journey to discover the truth about Luke, the father he barely knew. His voyage takes him home to the northland shore where, from a dusty old book, he learns of Luke's dramatic pursuit of the evil pirate stoat Vilu Daskar.

REDWALL (again)

Brian Jacques: Outcast of Redwall

When the ferret Swartt Sixclaw and the badger Sunflash the Mace swear a pledge of death upon each other, it is the beginning of along and bitter struggle between them. And when the Abbess of Redwal banishes a young creature from the Abbey, the Outcast of Redwall finds himself entangled in there hostile battle.

REDWALL (again)

Brian Jacques: The Bellmaker

When Joseph the Bellmaker is warned in a dream that his daughter Mariel is in danger, his hopes of saving her are slim as the evil Foxwolf and his horde of rats are coming to Southward and Mariel is his prisoner. But can Martin the Warrior return once again to save them... or is it to late?

REDWALL (again)

Brian Jacques: Martin the Warrior

Badrang the Stoat dreams of becoming the Lord of all the Eastern Coast. After two seasons of killing and conquering with his ferocious army of weasels, ferrets, foxes and rats, it seems as if nothing can stop him. But Badrang hasn't bargained for the bravery and fighting spirit of a young mouse named Martin - a mouse who refuses to bow down to the deadly tyrant and who will stand up for his right to freedom at any cost.

REDWALL (again)

Brian Jacques: Mariel of Redwall

The young mousemaid Mariel is washed up on a shore in Mossflower, half-drowned, battered and bruised but still living. She finds her way to Redwall Abbey where her memory slowly comes back and her tragic past of badgers, fighting hares and Gabool the Wild gradually unfolds.

Brian Jacques: Mattimeo

Mattimeo, the son of the Warrior of Redwall Matthias, is stolen from the abbey by an old foe of Matthias', a young rat better known as Slagar. anyway Mattimeo is taken to the sunken home of Malkariss, an infamous beast who rules over a huge under-ground kingdom. Matthias knows nothing of this and sets out with his crew to rescue his son and all the others that have fallen to the monster.

REDWALL (again)

Primitive by Mark Nykanen

Primitive's plot is basically environmentalists who tries to make how Co2 emissions and other contributers affect the climate but have a hard time trying to put the message through. So instead the kidnapped a model who was tricked into think that she was shooting another catalog, the environmentalists was hoping Sonya would attract attention towards them. The hippies also had really awkward code-names like "Kodiak,""Calypso," and "Lotus" etc. I think you should read this book because the book really tries to put the points across. These hippies are pushed to a point of desperation that they have to refer to this option. I wonder who would go that far in the really world?

61 Hours

This book has the genre of a thriller. It's a bit like the Alex rider series but for this series is more towards the grown-up side of life. The main character is Jack Reacher and he is currently set in South Dakota town which is currently suffering from a snow storm. Jack was set here because Jack is working for the local police department to investigate the usual murders that needs Jacks help. But the main objective of Jack is to protect this old lady who witnessed a huge drug deal with the Mexican drug lord. As the story progress it builds suspense with really urges you to read on, I will recommend this.

Queen of Babble

Meg Cabot writes a lot of books and Queen of Babble is one of her book series.
Lizzie has a long distance boyfriend, Andrew, who lives in England. So after graduation, she decides to use her graduation money for a three-months trip to England to meet her boyfriend. Her friend Shari, invites Lizzie to come with her to Luke's (who is Shari's friend that Lizzie has never seen before) french chateau in France for the whole summer but Lizzie refuses and still want to go to England. But instead of spending the summer with Lizzie, Andrew gets a well-offered part time job and so Lizzie's dream of being with Andrew crumbles into pieces and gets thrown into the bin. Lizzie's big mouth can never get smaller and that what pisses Andrew off. Now Lizzie has no where to live and can't return home right then with a non-refundable ticket which is in three months time. But she finds help from her friend Shari who is going to marry her boyfriend Chad in a french chateau. Lizzie finds herself in a train to Paris, alone and the fact that she speaks such bad french. Then her big mouth problem keeps getting in her way that Luke seems to hate her while Lizzie starts to fall for him. Andrew suddenly appear out of no where and is asking for a loan. He threatens Lizzie that if she won't, he'll find a way to stop her from getting her one true love.
This story has some really cheesy part which i find pretty awkward to read. But the plot is fun and interesting where you think the story is going to go this way and something suddenly happens and the story heads to such an unpredictable way.

crocodile tears alex rider.

again a fantastic book frem Alex rider. this time trouble stalks fourteen-year-old Alex Rider wherever he goes.Forcibly recruited after his uncle's sudden death by the MI6, this is his eighth mission yet. Alex is enjoying a normal lifestyle and when he accompanies his friend Sabina Pleasure and her father to a charity party hosted by Reverand Desmond McCain at Kilmore Castle in Scotland on New Year's Eve, he's not expecting anything unusual. He lands himself in a game of Texas Hold'em with the host himself and somehow, out of sheer luck, Alex wins the competition- grabbing what was almost McCain's victory. Later on, as Mr.Pleasure drives them back home, a terrifying accident occurs. Miraculously, they all survive but Alex is the only one who knows that the so-called accident wasn't necessarily an unfortunate coincidence but a gunshtot fired by a marksman. Who had deliberately orchestrad this plot? it is just a good writter and book. just read it ok

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone

This book is about harry's 1st year in Hogwarts. It's also the 1st novel in the Harry Potter series written by JK Rowling. In the beginning of this book, Harry's uncle and aunt bully Harry and treat him bad and Harry doesnt know that he's famous in the magic world until Hagrid arrives and tells Harry everything about it.
He then later goes to Hogwarts, which is a school for wizards and meets Ron, Hermione,Neville ,Malfoy and other kids. They go through many adventures to find out what the Philosopher's stone is, who it belongs to, and etc. At the end of the book, Harry tries to protect it with the help of Ron and Hermione and he has to battle against Voldemort.

I'm sure alot of people know this book, and I'd recommend it to everybody because it's fun and exciting.

Friends 4ever


So i read a book. what? that's a fact. Kate Andrew has written this book. This maybe has a whole series but i'm not sure because i have only read one.
Carrie (her name is actually Carrington which is a character from a TV series that Carrie hates, that's why she hates her name) Alex and Sky (Skyler) are best friends. They share almost everything together along with Sam and Jordan. But the 8 grade isn't all about them, there are also the Amys: Amy, Aimee and Mel (Mel is chinese)- the bossy girls who are always at the centre of attention. First part of the book is Alex being tricked by the Amys. Amy Anderson has a huge crush on Alex's brother, Matt, so she wants to be friend with Alex to get closer to Matt. Alex's friends (listed above :]) turn their backs to Alex for she hangs out to much with the Amys. Well, as you could have guessed, they worked it out. The second part is about Carrie just writing a story based on what have happened between them and the Amys (in part 1) for fun. Jordan is absent on the day that Carrie reads her story to the group so he decides to just borrow it silently to take a look. When he finds out that a book store has a story writing competition and he signs Carrie up. Carrie is stupefied because she doesn't want anyone to know about her story except her friends. It turns out Carrie wins. In part 3, Carrie decides that all of them can go to Wild World, the new amusement park, to celebrate. Sky in particular, can not afford to go there. Although everyone knows but Sky doesn't want anybody to pity her so she refuses to go because she doesn't want to. Her friends know and raise some money for Sky to come along but Sky refuses to accept the money. They try and try but it won't work. Sky gets mad and starts to hang out with the Amys. In the end, Sky realises that she should have never get too close to the Amys.
So this book is pretty cliche with lots of predictable things, that's the boring part of it. But afterall, it is pretty fun to read something so typical. it's fun to read, especially when you're bored :]

The Collector

This book is written by John Fowels. Now before you read what this book is about i just want you to know that just because im blogging about it that does not mean in any shape or form i am advising you to read it. It is SIRIOUSLY SCARY but not the way you would expect it to be and the ending is the worst part. It is not scary as in 'blood and guts' scary, this book gets inside yoru brain and messes with it. It makes you really anxious and when you read it you become really paranoid and flinch and every sounds that goes on around you. For the whole time you also feel like somebodies watching you.. like youre not supposed to be reading this book. The only reason i read it is that my dad forced me to (i also had run out of book sto read at the time) he said (i quote) "this book would really improve your vocabulairy and writting skills". Well i suppose it did improve them a bit but its not worth it.
Basically, this book is split into tree sections. The guys point of view, the girls point of view and the ending. The plot of this book is that theres is psycopathic guy and he is obssesed with collecting butterflies. He collects them from all around the world. Then one day he sees this girl named Miranda and falls completely in love with her but he doesnt make his move just yet. For years he studies her, just like a speciment, he stalks her kind of. He follows all day long (without her noticing) and finds out where she goes to college, where her part time job is.. etc. Then one day she gets a boyfriend and that really gets him started because in his mind they're already in love but she doesnt know it yet and all he has to do is trigger her love for him (???!!!?)
Finally he makes his move. He kidnaps Mirranda, he collects her, and imprisons her inside a basement where he studies her.
Thats all im gonna tell you.. If you're really desperate you can read the book but i warned you already so dont blame me if you cant sleep at night.

The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian - Sherman Alexie


THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN begins with Junior's everyday travails. Born with water on the brain, he suffers a rash of difficult and painful physical traumas daily. Bright and filled with ideas and artistic ability, Arnold Spirit (Junior's beautiful true name) --- the son of an alcoholic and a long-suffering mom --- decides to take a chance, get off the "rez" and attend a white private school in Rearden, Washington (just like Alexie himself did). To his surprise, he leaves the world of bullies and bullying behind him and encounters new friends who share some of his interests. His basketball team meets up with his old classmates on the court, and a battle of both bodies and cultures begins.
Junior’s remarkable ability to weather even the worst personal storms (death, hunger, a questioning of his identity and his tribe) makes this an uplifting yet very emotional reading experience. Also, the drawings by Ellen Forney remind me of a teen's combination of the work of Ralph Steadman and any MAD magazine cartoonist; they add a further, descriptive dimension to Junior's persona and are a great accompaniment to Alexie's forthright words and dramatic incidents. By the end of the book, you are entirely inside Junior's oversized head.
This book is really really really good. I recommend for everyone in the world.

Chasing Red Birds - Sharon Creech


The book is about Zinnia Taylor. Zinnia (Zinny) has grown up closer to her aunt and uncle then to her own parents. It is probably because her cousin Rose died when they were little and they were the best of friends. Zinny feels like it is her fault Rose died of whooping cough. When Zinny is thirteen, she uncovers a trail in the woods. She takes it as her own trail and says she is an explorer. One day when she is clearing the woods, she finds a medallion with TNWM on it. She also finds a snake. She shows both to her aunt, and her aunt goes and get's in her dresser draw. She dies. After that her uncle claims he can see her. He spends a lot of his time chasing his "REDBIRD". Zinny's brother Ben says he can see her too. And if things couldn't get more confusing, Jake shows up. Jake is three years older then Zinny, but he claims he likes her. May, Zinny's older sister, likes Jake. Boys have been nice to Zinny before just to get to may, so she doesn't like him. Zinny get's tired of people never knowing which one she is {out of the seven children in her family} and wants something all to herself. So she goes camping on the trail so she can clear all twenty miles of it. While clearing it, she discovers things about her family and her past.
This book is about making something of yourself. It's very good. It teaches you morally about life and relationships. I recommend this book for everyone.

Then Again, Maybe I Won't - Judy Blume


Tony Miglione is 13 when his family gets rich from an invention his father has created and subsequently moves from their working class New Jersey neighborhood to a wealthy Long Island enclave. As Tony struggles to adjust to life in the new neighborhood, he notices how various members of his family are affected by the sudden change in their financial status — and he's not always impressed by what he sees. Tony is also drawn into the lives of his new neighbors: Joel, a boy his age who despite his family's wealth spends his days shoplifting and making trouble, and Lisa, Joel's 16-year-old sister, on whom Tony develops a crush. Tony finds that his family starts to act differently than they did before, and it confuses him more than his new surroundings. The only one who seems to long for the past is Tony's Grandma, who spends her time locked in her room with the tv blaring. I don't like this book much because when I finished the book I didn't get what the story supposed to mean. It was all about moving and family problems. I recommend this book for both boys and girls.

breaking up by Kate cann


Fliss was a poor, unloved girl. Her parents aruged for the rest of their life, and this made Fliss really upset. Last christmas the family was reunited and they were really happy. Her mother baked cookies and hung them on the christmas tree. If the cookie dropped then Fliss would get the snack and ate them. But when Fliss 2 little sister, Alexa and phoebe were born, her two parents kept argueing. She was really mad and hope it was like the perfect past. In her memory that christmas was the best time and luckiest day she ever spent with her family. Fliss's only refuge is her boyfriends Simon, who support her and tried help her to calm down. Every wednesday, the middle of the week Fliss would come to Simon's house. His mother wasnt impressed, she thought it was not a good way for fliss to get so close with her son. Simon always dragged Fliss to his room and they talked and share things. But Simon's mother thought something bad will happened. Things come to a head where Fliss father announces he's moving out. Fliss was so upset, all she needed was talking to Simon. It was the only way to cheer her up. Unfortunately, Simon backing off in all the sudden, just when she needed him more than ever. Breaking up is a romance book and i recommend this book can be read by any couples (boyfriends/girlfriends) because it kind of sad and all kind of arugement and solving problems relative to romance things.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

So little time- Dating game


Chloe and Riley are twins and they having trouble with finding a dates for saving the seals dance. Chloe wanted to ask Lennon out but this time she wanted him to invite her. Unfortunately Lennon didnt had any romantic bones in his body so he didnt ask her out. Chloe tried everything, she pretended to stay next to the prom poster, when Lennon walked pass. Lennon talked to Chloe for a while. While, Riley was falling in love with Vance, a surfer and a boy who was kind of famous. Once Riley asked him to the prom, he denied automatically. Chloe and Riley both were heartbroken. They planned to find a dates for themself as soon as possible. When they got home they heard their parents were arguing and they were complaining who find a date for the seals dance. The twins both decided to find their parents a lovely date. Their father will have a date online and their mother will date Riley coach.
This wasnt go as they expected.
i think it is an interesting book and year 4 til year 12 should read it. it is really easy and you can learn a lot of experience from Riley and Chloe.

Flood and Fang - Marcus Sedgwick


written as if a raven is telling the story, Flood and Fang is enjoyable yet mystireous as the raven is a old and protective bird. anyway the bird is living in a castle in a strange world and a dragon has entered the castle and the castle is trying (YES THE CASTLE i think its suppost to have a soul) to rid itself of the monster, but in doing so it is going to kill its resedents as well... its up to the raven to save them (again...)

Danny the champion of the world


Danny's mother died when Danny was 4 months old. His father owned a filling station up the hill. He had to look after Danny and went to check on the filling station every night time. Before his son went to bed, he tucked Danny in and tell him the fantastic, mysterious story that Danny never heard of. In day life, Danny work with his dad to put switch back in the motor. The filling station that his father worked for was owned by a wealthy, unpleasant local man called Mr. Hazell. When Mr Hazell, threaten Danny's father about the fuel and electricity will ran out soon and it all because of Danny's father. So that night he went to the filling station after tucking in Danny. He said to danny he would be back as soon as everything was good in place. Danny waked up in the middle of the night but still havent seen his father came back. He got really worried, Danny decided to go and look for him.
this book should be read by primary students from year 4 to yr 8.

Monday, April 26, 2010


Matilda was a clever, intelligent girl. Her parents unrespect her and all they care was their precious son. She was only 5 years old and she could calculate thousands and thousands of sum in one time. Her father was a car business, but cheats on the customer. Every night time, her mother would watched Tv all the time with her adorable husband and his charming son. Matilda hobby was reading a long, thich book. But her mother punish her whenever she saw Maltida doing inappropriate things like reading a book or doing homework. Maltida went to primary school and she met Ms Honey, who was a helpful, benovolent teacher she ever meet. But one the other side Matilda had a cold, furious headmistress, Miss Agatha Trunchbull. She made jokes and tricks the teacher and parents all the time. Matilda only cause those horrible issues with the teacher or her parents when she really mad.
Once, in the classroom Ms honey was listening to Ms Trunchbull shouting at the class. Matilda used her intelligent eyes and knock off the glass of water. Suddenly, the frog that jumped in the water suddenly ended up on Miss Trunchbull.
I think this book should be read by a primary students around year 4 to year9.

My Sister's Keeper


This is one of the very best books I've ever read. I'm not kidding.

Anna Fitzgerald was a 13 year-old-girl who sued her parents for the rights to her own body. Her older sister Kate had leukemia, cancer of the blood. So when her parents found out years before that either of them or their son Jesse were match donors, one of their doctors offered a suggestion which was off the charts- a designed baby. This baby was designed to have the exact same blood match so that she could be a donor for her older sister. Anna went through countless surgeries and many other dangerous things that could have harmed her body. The minute she was born, she already gave something that would help Kate. Bone marrows, blood, and more blood was taken from her for Kate.

Finally, they asked Anna for a kidney. At this point they crossed a line. This was the whole reason for this trial. Everything in this book related to family, love, care and giving up.

If you do want to read this book, I don't want to spoil the ending. (BUT THIS BOOK IS GENIUS!!!!)

must read. :)

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Boy Meets Boy - David Levithan


BOY MEETS BOY is the book that the teen literature world has been waiting for: it's insightful and funny, with definite guy appeal. Though it deals primarily with homosexual relationships, it shows that many teens have the same questioning thoughts on love and dating, regardless of gender. While Paul's sexuality is undoubtedly important to him, he doesn't dwell on it. The support he gets from his family, as well as his self-confidence, allows him to help his best friend Tony, whose parents do not support him after he tells them he's gay.
Though the main character is gay, BOY MEETS BOY is not a book aimed exclusively at gay, lesbian and bisexual teens. It should be read by anyone who has ever had a crush, has met and almost lost a great person in his/her life, has at least one good friend, or is brave enough to stand up for what he/she cares about.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

When I was a Soldier by Valerie Zenatti

Think that army life is simple? Think it's about dressing up, looking macho and smart while carrying toy guns? Think that it's only boys who have to join? Think again.
Valerie is eighteen and like all the other girls and boys of her age in Israel, two years of army training is compulsory. It's a whole new section of her life where she must be prepared to leave old friends behind, meet new ones and embrace an alien lifestyle. This novel which is inspired by the time when she was in the Israel Army recounts her experiences of the harsh training, living conditions, lessons which involved memorising every single detail on whole maps overnight, rigid timetables, strictly ltimed holidays, often disgusting food etc. etc. It clearly describes a life where freedom is limited and where on-going conflict with nearby countries rages.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Dark Secrets 1 by Elizabeth Chandler

This novel is a 2-in-1 book so it actually has two stories: Legacy of Lies and Don't Tell.
Legacy of Lies
Megan is summoned to stay with her rather eccentric, paranoid and stony Grandmother and her cousin Matt who resides there at Scarborough House but for some reason, Matt keeps aloof from her the instant she arrives and it's clear he wants her to leave. Then queer things happen, her various possessions in the house are anonymously moved to different locations making her Grandmother accuse Megan even though she's innocent - or at least she believes she is. Strange and terrifying dreams plague Megan at night- could the stories of hauntings be true after all? Somehow, she's tangled in a strange love triangle which dated back to sixty years ago. Did her Grandmother really murder Avril, her own sister who supposedly died of an allergic reaction at the age of 16? What has this mysterious Avril have to do with Megan who's been legally adopted into the family yet bears a striking resemblence to her? But if her suspicions are true then what next?
Don't Tell
Lauren was nine on a visit to Aunt Jule's house when her mother drowned there one night. Seven years has passed, Lauren has finally returned to the place that marks her mother's death. From the moment she sets foot in Wisteria, danger stalks her. Lauren begins to experience everything her mother experienced before the accident, including knots tied everywhere in her belongings and a chilling sense of insecurity, that someone is following her movements. Convinced that someone is trying to kill her, Lauren suspects Nora (Aunt Jule's daughter, one of her childhood friends) who is obssesed with Lauren's mother's death and seems to be suffering from some mental illness is responsible. Or what if there's another person using Nora as a tool? But why?

Street Kid by Judy Westwater

When Judy was an infant, her father who's a fake spiritualist leeching money off gullible people, grabbed her from her mother's crutches for revenge and oppressed her brutally with no mercy, as did his new wife Freda. For the following years to come, she is treated like a slave constantly, allowed meagre communication with the outside world, forbidden to play with other kids, starved and beaten but hardly anyone realises her father is such an abominable monster as they're all fooled by his charming charisma. Then Judy's smuggled to South Africa without informing her mother where her father fails at setting up a spiritualist sanctuary. After a while, she is abandoned - again. It's a tough life on the streets, scavenging in bins, sneaking in public toilets for baths and even stealing from the unwary until her father finally returns. Judy knows her mother and sisters are in England, but how will she ever make it back? She imagines a warm, welcoming family will be waiting for her but she's sadly mistaken. This is the story of a girl leading a miserable and shattered life, waiting to escape one day and start anew.

If you enjoy realistic fiction then you might want to try this novel. Child abuse is still a huge problem and this novel does raise awareness of it.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Quiet Strength

This book is written by Tony Dungy with help of Nathan Whitaker. Tony Dungy is a former football player and he retired from being a coach in the National Football League. He became the first african-american coach to win the SuperBowl when his Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears.
The book is mainly about his life, in order, starting with his childhood.He talked about his parents and then about himself when he was a teenagers and then later on, the Steelers gave him a chance and signed him as a free agent to play in their defensive backfield. He then became a coach and coached severals football team and there's also a surprise in the book, in 2007, He received a call about his son, Jamie.
I can't tell you happened to Jamie, you'll have to read the book to find out.

Anyway, I would recommend this book to people who likes non-fiction AND football. I read this because I like non-fiction books and somepart, the steelers. It's also a #1 NYTimes best seller.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Blue Gene Baby - Fiona Dunbar

Blue Gene Baby is the BEST book I've ever read! It is a packed adventure book, about a girl called Rorie Silk, who has moved with her sister to live with a top fashion designer Nolita Newbuck due to the disappearence of their parents. Nolita seems kind and supporting, but what lurks underneath?... Rorie and Elsie are forced to escape to solve the mystery of their parents' disappearence....
If you enjoyed the first of the triology, you're guaranteed to LOVE it! Full of suspense and excitement, it is addictive and very convincing! It truly reflects the author's talent and creativity.
The cover of the book is very inviting and decorative! I love the title as well! You will get to know the characters like they were your own friends, or enemies.
I thoroughly recommend it!
READ IT!

Hannah's Secret - Narinder Dhami

The Beautiful Game: Hannah's Secret is the first in a series of four books aimed at readers aged 8-12. The books are about five girls who all absolutely love football. Hannah, Lauren, Katy, Jasmin, Grace and Georgie all have very different personalities.In this book, Hannah has a HUGE secret. Also, her step-sister Olivia might be moving in, and Hannah is getting mysterious texts. She has a lot on her mind! Luckily, all her new friends are there for her, but does Olivia move in? Is Hannah's secret revealed and who could the mysterious texter be? You'll have to wait and see!

I give this book 4/5. I give it that because I don't know much about football and this book didn't really explain what it meant when it said football terms. But this book will definitely be a 5/5 for football fans! I think this book was great, and my favourite character was Hannah because she was the one who pulled the group of friends closer whenever they fell out.

Just As Long As We're Together - Judy Blume

Just As Long As We're Together is about Stephanie, her best friend Rachel, and the new girl on the block, Alison, and how they tackle their first year of Junior High.
Stephanie is the main character. She's an average, slightly plump girl who has an endearingly optimistic approach to life. Between day-dreaming about the 9th grader "hunk", baby-sitting her 10-year old brother, and trying to keep her friends happy, Stephanie doesn't realise what's happening to her family until it's too late.
Rachel is the child prodigy. Rachel is good at everything, and she's pretty too. She and Stephanie have been friends forever but the strain starts to show when they get put in different homerooms, Rachel goes into advanced classes, and Stephanie spends more and more time with Alison.
Alison, the adopted daughter of TV star Gena Farrell is tiny and popular. But when her adoptive mom gets pregnant, Alison is terrified that there will no longer be a place for her in the family.
The three girls tackle these problems and more as they make their way through 7th grade.
As a story of friendship and of growing-up, it's well-written and fun to read. It's not really meant for adults though

Here's to you, Rachel Robinson - Judy Blume

Continuing the story begun in Just As Long As We're Together , Blume here focuses on Rachel, one of three best friends. This gifted, highly motivated student who, according to her mother, was born thirty-five, feels somewhat out of sync with Stephanie and Alison as seventh grade draws to a close. Then, when Rachel's acerbic older brother is expelled from boarding school, life at home becomes equally unsettling--and decidedly unpleasant. Rachel's incisive, first-person narration easily draws readers into her complicated world as she learns to cope with the pressures brought on by her relentless quest to be the best at everything and by her troubled family situation. Perceptive, strong storytelling ensures that other characters' points of view (particularly Rachel's brother's) can also be discerned. Blume once again demonstrates her ability to shape multidimensional characters and to explore--often through very convincing dialogue--the tangled interactions of believable, complex people.I really like this book. I recommend this book for people from 11 years old and above.

my family and other animals

'My family and other animals' book is basically about a imaginary family of the author Gerald Durrell, who went on a super duper fun vacation to Corfu, an island. He had a really insane family. His mother pretty much is a worried woman, so everything happened around the house freaked Gerald's mother out. Gerald was a boy who loved to collect animals [such as snakes, scorpion, pigeon etc.] Larry was Gerald's brother who mostly likes Gerald except for the collecting animals. His older sister Margo is a self centre and beauty lover. She was on every kind of diet to keep her thin, slim and anything looked good. She complained her family wildness all the time.
The family moved to Corfu, a beautiful and relaxing island. This is a brilliant opportunity for Gerald to have more wicked pet. His mother looked around the place for a villa which had a bathroom. But since none of the houses were accepted and agreed by Gerald's mother, the family had to live in a hotel. For a few days, the whole family found a perfect house to live. Their next door neighbor was a scientist, and he liked to collect strange, weird animals just liked Gerald.
While living in Corfu, Gerald had adopted and take from the wild were:
-achilles, the turtoise
-Quasimodo, the pigeon
-Ulysses the owl
-numerous spider
-Alecko the gull
ETC.
The book is very entertaining and can be read by a year 6 or above. There are some hard vocabularies that you wont understand.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Wicked


When you watched the Wizard of Oz, you only heard one side of the story. Did you ever get to know about the Wicked Witch of the West?

Elphaba was born green. Because of her skin color, she was treated differently like she needed special care though she was fine. When her younger sister, Nessarose, was born with no arms her mother was devastaed. Her father always favored Nessarose more no matter what. All Elphaba ever did was help Nessarose with everything.

Her entire life changed whenRemove Formatting from selection she went to Shiz for collage at Crage Hall. There, she met Animals (and I capitalize the "A" because they talk) that taught her classes and she met the most important and only friend- Galinda. Their experiances at Crage Hall were admirable. All of a sudden, the Wizard starts making changes nobody likes. She suspected that her Head Mistress was part of this plot. Dragging Glinda, who changed her name after her Animal professor Doctor Dillamond passed, out of a club they made their way to the Emerald City. Mysteries start to fold..

I think I've explained enough and that you should read the rest yourself. (In other words there's way to much to explain) :)

This Lullaby


This Lullaby is another Sarah Dessen book that I finished before the holiday. Remy's mother has gone through six marriages. About every year and a half, it's a tradition that she gets divorced and remarries within six months. At a car dealership company, Remy gets shoved by this dork named Dexter. Dexter falls for her immdiately! When Remy leaves hot-tempered, she goes and finds her friends that could cheer her up. Unfortunately, she runs into Dexter and somehow found him interesting. Unlike everyother boy Remy has dates, she just can't get rid of Dexter.. The big question is why. ??? You read... :)

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Invisible City- M. G. HARRIS

This is the most confusing yet compelling book i've ever read. It's about a boy called Josh (Joshua Garcia, 13) who found out his dad was murdered while looking for artifacts in Mexico. But nothing about his murder adds up. Josh's mom is having mental break downs and josh doesn't know what to think, until he uncovers a mayan artifact in his fathers office attached to a note saying burn it if i don't survive. The artifact is a letter but it is broken down the middle. Josh and his closest friends, Tyler (13) and Ollie (16), sit down and decipher the mayan hieroglyphs. Josh starts having a dream, right after his dad dies about a man choking to death on the side of a lake with swirl after swirl of mist so barely anything is visible. His last words are 'Summon the Bakab ix'. But what can Josh and his friends do from Oxford? And what is a Bakab Ix? questions haunt him and he cannot do anything about it in Oxford so they go to Mexico with his mom still in the hospital. What he finds out there is incredible but his tasks will get very hard seeing as his friends were put in custody and his newly-found long lost sister is gone. But it seems that everywhere he goes he has help. How do these people know where to take him? Do they know him?
this is my favorite read of the year
i recommend it

Wild Blood- The Switchers Trilogy- Kate Thompson

This book was the most twisted and adventurous of the three books. Its about Tess being sent away to her cousins for the summer because her parents are going to vacation without her, she is happy to have her 15th birthday in the woods where she can try out forms and list what to be and what not to be. The decision is made easier when Kevin comes around to celebrate her birthday (he is turned human again in the last book). She thinks she can handle it but then she finds out things that surprise her a great deal. Including fairies... Everlasting switchers.

Midnight's Choice- The Switchers Trilogy- Kate Thompson

The second book is more dark than the others and, although still good, it was my least favorite of the three. It started out with Tess getting a pet rat because she was lonely (rats were the only animals, besides humans, with a language) and wanted company but when the full-grown rat only managed to speak the rat equivalent of 'baby talk' Tess feels lonely all over again. She finds out kevin survived the fire (thats how he 'died' in the last book) by taking the form of a Phoenix (mythical creature made of fire, or something like that) and surviving the fire. Tess also finds another switcher, a more sinister kind though. Kevin is captured by the zoo and the only one to help tess get him is with Martin. But Martin is hard to convince and if Tess wants his help she has to become a vampire for a night. What she doesn't know is that once your a vampire the sinister personality becomes a part of you but she took too long deciding and he bit her. Now she is hoping that he will not choose a vampire for his final decision on his fifteenth birthday or else she and all of the other people he has feasted on will become a vampire and belong to him once they die. The chances are looking slim because he has already dug up a coffin... For himself and for her, because the offer of her joining him still stands strong.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


In Panem, a futuristic country in North America, two competitors between the age of 12 to 18 are picked every year to be thrown into the arena with obstacles, dangers and hostile terrain where there is only one rule:Kill or be killed. Every moment is captured, televised and broadcasted, often live. The Hunger Games serve as a punishment and warning for the districts which tried to overthrow the oppressive Capitol last time. Katniss and Peeta have managed to survive the Hunger Games and are now free to return to their home town. However, their suicidal attempt which allowed both of them to win has stirred up the spirit of rebellion in the districts again and the Capitol is immensely concerned. The 75th Hunger Games is approaching fast and because it's a Quarter Quell year, that means there's going to be a special feature to it. This time the participants will be chosen from existing victors and since Katniss and Peeta are virtually the only candidates from District 12, it's inevitable that they'll have to face the haunting horrors of the Games again- only this time they'll be facing opponents, many of which possibly more experienced, physically and mentally stronger. In addition, if Katniss can't show that her will to attempt suicide was driven by blind passion and love for Peeta not an act to defy the Capitol, her best friend will be murdered.

If you enjoy novels with loads of action, carnage and violence then this is the type of book I'd recommend to you.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Dr Franklin's Island

This book written by Ann Halam, is a genre of mixed horror and genetic engineering. A normal girl called Semirah(called Semi more in this book however) goes on a trip to equador, as a result of her good report marks. Of coarse, there are lots of teenagers around her age going along with her and the host. While she goes on the flight to Equador, she meets Miranda, who seems to be so optimistic and brave hearted, and Arnie, who seems so much mysterious and sneeky.

Unluckily, while on a flight, the plane gets a crash and falls down near a tiny tropical island. Later on, Semirah finds herself being one of the sole survivors from the crash with Mirnada and Arnie. They relises that they will have to survive somehow on their own. From that day, the three survivors go on an adventure in the island. They look for food, they look for waterfalls to wash and drink, they look for a shelter good enough. But Miranda and Arnie always seems to have problems with their thoughts. Arnie wants to make a raft and get out. Miranda wants to look more in the tropical jungle. Semirah doesn't know what to do and just gets along with them. Finally, Arnie dissapears with foods they had gathered.

After his dissapearence, the left two girls search around the island even more. One day, they finds a small hole in the waterfalls. They goes through, and finds a very well modernized town. Strangily, they gets fainted by some harsh men, then when they wake up, they finds themselves lying on a white bed, caged.

Things then start to go wrong. They soon figures out from a scientist called Dr Skinner, that the island belongs to a crazy, but genius man called Dr Franklin, and he does experiments on genetic engineering, to make superhumans such as bird human or fish human. And the worst news. They were going to be genetically changed into one of them.

Of coarse, Semirah and Miranda doesn't like the sound of that, so they tries escaping a lot of times, but fails. Finally, they decides to take the choice. Semirah decides to be a fish, and Miranda a bird. They gets injected some fish/bird genes, and slowly, taking time, they see themselves changing.

When they are changed, they can't talk. However, they can talk through a mind-telephatic programme which are chipped inside their brains. They quite enjoy their life and are happy as a fish and a bird(in a form of a manta ray and a eagle). But they never give up. Until they found out that they were loosing their human thoughts. They also feel that sombody else was hearing their telephatic talking, and finds out that it was Arnie.

Arnie was caught by the men more earlier, and got made into a snake(Anaconda). He was then told that he should secretly hear the two girls conversation, and if they find outs about him, never tell them that he is not a human anymore. From that day, they talk about how to get out of the place. Arnie sends Dr Skinner, who actually doesn't like the sound of changing humans into animals, to give Semirah an antidode to change her back to human. However, Miranda doesn't get one, and looses her humanic thoughts and feelings.

Semirah left alone, decides to get out by herself. By the time she gets on the beach again, she has turned back to a human... but caught by Franklin. Then she goes for her final hit. She runs and runs, to get Arnie. Then whe finds out that Miranda has came back to her human senses. Together, they throw Dr Franklin to a electronic fence... of coarse, he is roasted.

Skinner has no thoughts of making superhumans, so he gives them antidodes and a boat to go. Together, they reach Equador, and the story ends.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Grl2Grl by Julie Anne Peters


This book has 10 short fictions but I will just review the story that I like the most.

Passengers is a story about two girls who go to the same school for the past five years and never speak to one another. The only contact they make is a 20-second stare-down everyday on the train. Tamlyn is popular and into the latest trends; Andrea is the exact opposite. There are so many places Peters could have taken this story, but I don't think any of them would have ended up being quite as good as this one.I like this one because it suggests to people about racism in school life and I recommend the book for secondary students and older.

Divided City by Theresa Breslin

In Glasgow,Graham is training for a chance to secure a position on their city team with his new friend, Joe. Then he passes by an unwelcome scene of aggression where an Asian boy of his own age has been wounded by a gang. The victim, Kyoul, is a Muslim and has illegally escaped from the turmoil of his country, seeking an asylum and begs Graham to tell his girlfriend that he's safe. Out of compassion, he obliges and with Joe, they carry out Kyoul's wishes, however, they have involved themselves in a difficult situation that neither of them really want to be in. When the Orange Walks begin, Graham's grandfather insists that he joins but he knows that Joe will definitely disapprove. Their differences in religion and the deep rivalries that have been raging in the city for years form a gulf obstructing their friendship, can Add Imagethey overcome them?

This realistic-fiction novel focuses on prejudice and racism towards foreigners (the main reason why Kyoul was attacked into the first place). I personally thought it was rather boring in some aspects because of how the story is delivered. (Please note I read this novel some time ago after the reading challenge began but kept forgetting to blog it.)

Dante's Numbers by David Hewson


Just before the grand premiere of Inferno, a movie directed by the aged Roberto Tonti based on The Divine Comedy, Maggie Flavier who plays a leading role is menaced by a gun-wielding imposter. To make matters worse, they discover that Dante's death mask, the spotlight of the exhibition, has been somehow exchanged with a death mask of Allan Prime who is the missing star of the show. Following this, a live footage of Allan's horrific countdown to death is revealed online and the Carabinieri seize control over the investigation. Due to the distractions, Inferno's show is postponed and moved to San Francisco where Nic Costa and his dejected colleagues from the Italian State Police continue the mundane task of protecting other exhibition items. The attention-loving Commander Quattrocchi of the Carabinieri asserts that a lunatic Dante fan must've been responsible the murder while on the other hand, the skeptical State Police disagree. In addition, a pathologist from Nic's team thinks she's spotted a link between a previous film directed by Tonti and Carlotta Valdes, an enigmatic woman who's reported to have last been with Prime before his death. But who would go to such lengths over a film or a poem? What if it's just a wild publicity stunt? Or something pre-organised, something much more sinister?

This novel belongs to the mystery/thriller category and therefore, has twists in the plot to keep you guessing. It's not the first in a particular series but even though I haven't read the previous installments, everything still makes sense.

The Giver

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. But Jonas wasn't assigned, he was selected by the elders of the community.
When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to recieve the truth. There is no turning back

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

switchers- the switchers trilogy- Kate Thompson

This is the most adventurous of the three books, it is about a young girl in Ireland named Tess. She does not have any friends because her family moves around a lot, that is until she meets Kevin who shares the same gift as her... Being able to morph into any living thing! Apparently every child has the gift and if you don't discover it before your eight years old you don't get to keep it, but once the sun comes up on you fifteenth birthday you loose your power to switch and become whatever form you choose. But there's disaster in the Arctic and the Krools are waking up and causing havoc! Nobody knows what it is and how to stop it, they think its just weather. The only reference to it is Lizzy who might be a little crazy but was a switcher in her teen years, she says that the Krools are what took out the dinosaurs. Even though the chances of her telling the truth are slim, they go anyway. Tess then finds out that kevin's 15th birthday is only afew days away and he might be stuck in the Arctic... And she might lose her only friend. They need to find a way to fight the giant Krools in time.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Boy2Girl by Terence Blacker


Matthew, a Year Eight student, is wary when his parents agree to take custody of Matthew's recently orphaned, 'tough-guy' cousin from America. True to his rebellious reputation, 13-year-old Sam (whom Matthew characterizes as 'an accident in human form') starts stirring up trouble almost as soon as he arrives, insulting Matthew's family and getting into a brawl with one of Matthew's best friends. To get even, Matthew and his gang of buddies invent an initiation rite for Sam: he must attend his first week of school dressed as a girl. Surprisingly enough, not only does Sam agree to the proposition, but passes his 'test' with flying colors. Dressed in a skirt, he fools everyone — teachers, the principal, male and female classmates — into believing he is a sassy, fully liberated young lady, destined to become one of the most popular students at Bradbury Hill School. Told from multiple viewpoints (including both teens and adults), the story offers several entertaining twists (such as Sam inheriting a fortune and playing a game of cat and mouse with his long-absent, criminal father). On a more subtle level, the author conveys how Sam undergoes a transformation on the inside as well as the outside. Gradually evolving into a more open, vulnerable and sympathetic adolescent, the character of Sam-turned-Samantha will prompt readers to reconsider their preconceptions about the sexes and the roles people play. You would be roared with laughter if you read this book.

Inspector Thannet Series - Puppet for a Corpse



Just when Inspector Thannet and his wife' life couldn't get any better, another case comes approaching him. Apparently, Doctor Pettifer - a talented and ambiguous doctor - has died. Before Thannet thinks that the doctor committed suicide, he starts stumbling across many mysteries: Pettifer has everything in his life any man would ever dream for: a pregnant wife, healthy wealth and who would ever arrange an expensive cruise ship trip before committing suicide? Yet, Inspector Thannet must again dig up enigmatic past of the doctor and the ... murderer behind all of this.
Like the past two books, it is a really suspenseful book. Almost every words build tension and suspense for the readers. Again, you could easily picture Kent with Simpson's impressive and detailed atmosphere and the city. There's also sub-plots which are also very interesting and sometimes may affect the case - for the worst or the better.

Monday, April 12, 2010

The Invisible Boy

Sally Gardner's books are really interesting to read, such as 'I, Coriander' that i've read last year. But i'm not reviewing 'I, Coriander' right now, i want to look at another great work of Sally Gardner called 'The Invisible Boy'.
Mr and Mrs Ray have won a trip to the moon but Sam, their son, isn't twelve yet, which is the minimum required age for the trip. Sam is supposed to stay with his friend Billy for 2 weeks until his parents get back from the trip. Unfortunately, Billy is sick and Sam can't come stay with him. Mr and Mrs Ray have considered to cancel the trip for they can't leave Sam home alone. Their wicked neighbour, Hilda Hardbottom volunteers to take care of Sam. He is forbidden to go to school and has to take care of his own meal. Sam's parents' space ship turns out to be missing and they are considered to be dead. So everything starts to be hopeless for Sam. Hilda Hardbottom then plans her way to taking over the insurance money and getting rid of Sam. One night, an alien turns up from tiny space ship in a garbage bin. It's called Splodge. It makes friend with Sam, gives him the ability to be invisible and helps Ernie and Sam fix the radio so they can contact with the lost space ship. Sam uses his ability to freaks out Hilda and Maureen Cook, who would give the Hardbottoms the money if she is sure that Sam is fine staying with them. Finally, Hilda Hardbottom is accused by Maureen and reaches her dream of being on the local news that she always wants but under the name of the evil neighbour. Sam is finally united with his family and so is Splodge.
It's a really great story of aliens, magic and foster parents. It sounds a bit like 'Cinderella' but a bit more humorous (Splodge being the fairy godfather, funny).

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Some excellent blogs, people- keep them coming!

Survivors


This book is written by Geraldine Sheridan and Thomas Kenning . It's about survivors that survived disasters from the mid 1980s for example the Lockerbie bombing , Hillsborough, and many other short stories about other disasters.
The survivors talked about what happened to them before and after the disasters, how it has changed their lives. Some of their family's members died and what was their reactions and etc.
Some people quitted their jobs and got divorces because they find it hard to carry on with their lives.

This book is somewhat really interesting, although it can get very confusing sometimes because there are ALOT of characters so sometimes it's quite hard to keep track of all of them. In the middle of the book, there are pictures of the victims in black and white, before and after pictures.
I would recommend this for most people ,especially guys because some girls wouldn't want to read a book about dead people ,plane crashes, sinking ships and etc. This isn't an adventure book and the language is in simple english. So most people will find it easy to understand what it is about.
(there's a [chinese/japanese] version of this book, if you're interested).

When the Wind Blows by James Patterson

Hidden in Colarado, America is a lab studying genetics and conducting illegal experiments on humans and animals. This was Max's home and now she's finally escaped with her brother Matthew but the guards are searching for them and they know that when they're found, they'll be put to sleep like all the other rejects. Meanwhile, FBI agent Tom Brennan, under the name of Kit Harrison has arrived in Colarado for leads on the "Human experiments" case that he is stubbornly continuing to investigate even though he's been pulled off the job and is supposed to be in Nantucket, chilling out after the plane crash incident in which his family died that is haunting him.

He meets Frannie O'neill, a veterinarian who abhors hunters, ex-wife of the deceased Dr.David Mekin who specialised in Embryology and although he develops a crush on her, he has no idea whether she might be a murderer, involved in the diabolical plans of an outlaw group of scientists who have created specimens that are the first steps to a whole new era of human evolution. When they capture the winged girl that Frannie has glimpsed before, Max shows them the horrific deeds that have taken place at what she calls "The School" and their lives are irrevocably turned upside down. The scientists are killing all the witnesses. Mekin was one, so was Frank McDonnough and loads of other people involved. Now they are as well.

This novel is enjoyable to read since the chapters are short and fast-paced and the plot has twists that keeps the suspense running throughout.

Friday, April 9, 2010

the curious incident of the dog in the night-time

This book is about Christopher who knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched and he detests the color yellow. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, fifteen-year-old Chirstopher is autistic and everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. Then one day, a neighbor's dog, Wellington, is killed and his carefully contructed universe is threatened. Christopher thinks his mother was killed by heart disease but the truth was she was still alive but living away. Christopher reads the letter from his mother which was hidden in his father room and find out the truth about his mother's existence and leaves his father to London...

The Flip Side


The Flip side is a book written by Andrew Matthews. It's about a boy name Robert who struggles to find his 'real' identity. Robert's bestfriend is Kev and Robert in the book, dates Milena, a girl in his class who also was struggling with her identities too.
It all started when they did a scene in the play 'As you like it', Robert started to hang out more with Milena and less with Kev. They went to a party hosted by Gary and alot of things happened.

I think this book is typical and it has no originality at all. I wouldn't recommend this book to anybody because it has issues that some people will find it 'personally' to read about.
But overal, this is a fun book. If you're really bored, you'll find this book pretty amusing.


Remember to send me your pictures of you reading!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Seven Secrets of Happiness

I bought this book in Hongkong and It was so fun that couldn't take my eyes away.
The title of this is "The Seven Secrets of Happiness". Sharon Owens is the author of this book.
The story of this is .....
Ruby O'Neill is the head of this book. She leads a charmed life in a perfect house on elegant street, married to gorgeous Jonathan who she think is the only man she ever met and in love with. In the snowy Christmas Eve she think the life has even more glitter and sparkle than the usual. She decorates the Christmas tree(she loves to decorate the tree)dreaming the romantic holiday season when she and her husband can enjoy. In the New Year Ruby picks herself up and finds comfort in sewing seven exquisite little velvet bags which touched by magic. She learns the six secrets which begin to melt her frozen heart. And later on she know that she has a guardian angel watching over her. Jonathan holds the seventh secrets and Ruby's chance of having love blossom again in her life.


The Piano

I read the book called "The Piano". I liked this book because it is about a poor boy becaming a famous pianist.
There was a poor boy in the 6 family. They was so poor that the boy had to earn
money. He left school at 13 years old and had to find job. He went to the factory and
shops but the owner didn't want them. so he decided to go and work in the farm.
One day a farmer tells a farm boy to take everything out of an old building and
throw it away. "it's all rubbish" says Mr wood angrily. In the middle of all the
rubbish, the boy finds a dirty old piano. He has never played before,but now,when
his fingers touch the piano, he begins to play. He closes his eyes and the music
comes to him and the music moves his fingers.
When he opens his eyes again, he know that his life is chaged for ever... and he
decides to be a pianist. 30 years later he became a famous pianist.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Six Steps To a Girl

So this book (story) is about a boy called Luke. His dad died because of cancer and so Luke and his family and friends and there's where he meets this girl called Eve. She's new in his sisters' class. Luke falls in love with her. But the problem is that she's datin an older boy called Ben, he's in the football team.
Few days after his dad dies his mum goes to spa with her friends for a night and his sister Chloe throws a party at her house. When Luke meets his friens Ryan, Ryan wants to help him how to get a girl. That night Matt, Lukes dad's bestfriend was called from the police because it was getting too loud. Chloe was grounded for a month and Luke for a week. Chloe and her mum were having a lot of fights.
Luke only wanted to see Eve. She was perfect, but dating another guy.
Ryan told Luke each of the steps.
After a few weeks Chloe invited her friends for luch and she invited Eve. Luke took Chloe's telephone just to see if she had Eve numbers.
Luke and Eve started to sceretly dating. After a few weeks of them scretly dating, Ben, Eves' boyfriend found out and he took Eves' phone and texted Luke to go to the place they met everyday or when ever they could. Luke was hanging out with his friends and Choe was at Eve's party. That night ben took Eve's phone and texted Luke to meet up at the place they always met up. Ben and his mates beat Luke up, he was badly hurt. Chloe called Ryan to ask if Luke was with him but he wasnt so they went to look for him. When they found him he was badly hurt and he was shivering. CHloe told Ryan to call an ambulance.
At school everyone was hating him becaouse Eve had told people that he attacked her because Ben told her to. At the end Luke found out that Ryan was dating his sister and Eve dumped Ben so she started dating Luke.
I really liked this book and i would read it again.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Staying Pure

Staying Pure is a type of book I've never read before. It's a christian book and a series on how to put your faith in God.

A senior at Lucy Laney High School, named Payton Skky, was a popular, gorgeous and lucky girl. She had almost anybody could ever wish for- perfect boyfriend, wealthy, awesome parents. But when her boyfriend decideds to break up with her, everything came crashing down. Even with her best friends' comfort, nothing could mend her stabbed heart. Trying to forget about her ex, she hangs out with friends, goes to games for cheerleading and maintains her averaged 4.0 GPA. Out of nowhere, she meets a super friendly guy named Tad Taylor. Because of their same belief, he was the perfect guy for her. With all the drama, her ex wants her back and her current boyfriend just broke up with her. As the debutante ball comes up, she understands herself more in God's footsteps.

This was an intersting book..

Keeping the Moon

Keeping the Moon was a book that taught you the important things is life. It started out with a girl named Colie who had her "Fat Years", as her mother calls it. When she and her mother were travelling around America, moving from place to place they were both really big. Until they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, both of them were constantly trying to lose weight. At Lady Fitness, a popular gym, Colie's mother Katherine actually started losing weight with some aerobic classes. When she started to see this change, she became the famous aerobics instructor- Kiki Sparks. Since then, Colie had a hard time at school. She was called names everyday, had no friends and felt horrible.

Then one summer, her mother decides to send her to her Aunt Mira. There, she automatically got a job and worked with people who really didn't like her much. But as she keeps working, she learns more about these coworkers. Once she got to know them, she realized that they had more in common than she thought. In the town of Colby, she was transformed into a totally new different person who had self-respect, stood up for herself, and made herself a better person. Just within one summer, she learned a lot.


I think that by reading this book it tells you that you may have hard times with school, socializing, and more, but most importantly, she learned what friendship is all about and learned to appreciate who she really is.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

This classic is a fictional autobigraphy of Jane Eyre; starting from her childhood when she resides at Gateshead with her Aunt Reed and her despicable children, all of which who either bully her or mistreat her because she's a dependent and a toublesome burden in her Aunt's view. Following this, she is transfered to Lowood, an institute for educating orphans owned by the incredibly stingy and hypocrytical Mr.Brocklehurst where Jane thrives and absorbs knowledge for several years both as a student and then as a teacher until she securs the job of governess at Thornfield Hall. It is here that Mr.Rochester, the master of the estate, eventually forms a fondness for Jane and vice versa because of her worthy personality and wit. Despite the fact that they are socially unequal (governesses had low social status), Edward Rochester and Jane are "mentally" equal and are passionately in love with one another. Jane finally feels a sense of belonging somewhere, something she has been missing for a long time. However, there is an obstruction that blocks their path to the idyllic marriage they want in the form of a wild, malicious and aggressive being living on the mysterious third floor of Thornfield Hall. What or who is it?

I found this classic a lot more interesting and touching than "Pride and Prejudice" which compared to Jane Eyre, is relatively boring. This novel has very deep meanings as it conveys the gulf between the rich(aristocratic) and poor at that time, the typical atittudes of different classes and the main character of the story, Jane Eyre, is a woman of true intergrity and spirit. She's independent and is capable of making her own choices unlike most women back then who had limited roles and were often considered inferior. Unfortunately, the text in the novel is rather small but you get used to it and the version I read has helpful, hand-written annotations as well as a glossary.

Monday, April 5, 2010

There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom


It's not really all about a boy running in and out of the girls' bathroom and make them cry (and that would be something funny to read) but a very meaningful novel. What would you think if a bully gets bullied and the new kid becomes the leader of a bully gang? That would almost be impossible for you to think but anything can happen in a fictional novel.
Bradley Chalkers is a bully who seats in the last seat, last row with no one surrounded in the classroom who always fail the tests and then rip them apart later on. But those aren't the things he does to be a bad kid, he feeds his rubber tiny animals (that he shares thoughts with) with his ripped-test and lies to his mother that he has A+'s that he can't bring home the tests because they are hung up on the classroom's wall, he scribbles in his textbook, and bullies kids in recess and lunchtime. But after all, his mom finds out anyway. Jeff Fishkin (when you say his name fast, it sounds like 'fish skin', :]) is the new kid who seats next to Bradley. On his first day, Jeff is bullied but he doesn't mind, he hopes to make friend with Bradley. The school then hires a new counselor named Carla Davis who would helps students with their problems if their parents agree to. Bradley is forced to go meet the counselor once ever week. At first, he thinks Carla is some weirdo who is young, dresses like a strange teenager and has completely no rules at all. Time passes, Bradley feels like he is in love with Carla. He tries to be a nice kid for Carla that he gets bullied by the new kid and other girls. Finally, he fits in and still be a good kid. Unfortunately, Carla has to leave because most of the parents think that hiring a counselor is a waste of money. Bradley is desperate.
You must still be wondering why the book is named this way. When Bradley is still a bully, he always imagine of what the girls' bathroom would be like and hopes that someday he can bursts in there and scares the girls. Jeff tries to distract him by making all sort of excuse to say that he shouldn't go in there. But later on, Bradley forces himself to go in there because the bullies are chasing after him. He realises that the girls' bathroom is no different than the boys'.
This is a very touching novel, i actually cried at the ending. This novel is indescribable, it has been such a long time since i've read such a good book. So check it out!

Sun, Sand and Sequins


It is quite odd that Coleen McLoughlin has written a novel about a girl named Coleen who has the same personality as she has but as a fiction...
On to the story, the imagined Coleen is very fashionable that she would never go anywhere out of town without all of her fashionable shoes and clothes and she has a crush on Ben. But then one day, Coleen and her family go on a holiday in Spain, she meets this cute boy and has a lot of great time with him. Later on they enter the hotel's talent show that they have a very low chance of winning. During her vacation, she has a lot of fashion dilemma such as what to wear to the beach and to the talent show.
It very good for most of the girls to read this because it is mostly fashion tips in here than a proper story. But after all, i pretty much enjoyed reading it. You may not understand everything because you are lost in the jungle of fashion language but you'll figure your way out anyway.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks

When Ruben and Cole's sister has been found, strangled and raped, on the way back in a moor near the village where she visited to see an old school friend, Abbie Gorman- they accept she's dead. "Dead is dead" as Cole says, "Nothing can change that" but they all want her body back so they can bury it because that's the least she deserves. However, the police need it for examining and forensic tests so therefore, the only way to retrieve it swiftly is to pin down the identity of her murderer. Taking the matter into their own hands, the brothers embark on a journey to retrace Rachel's last steps for clues and although a road of trials, danger, violence and betrayal lies ahead, they're ready for whtever it takes.

This novel is suitable for those who enjoy a fast-paced thriller/ mystery type mixed with action. It contains a few swear words here and there but it's no big deal because the novel still retains its suspense and books nowadays always contain lots of colourful language anyway. Although it mentions words like "dead" often it's not a horror novel and is in no way frightening.

The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle


When Nona, Alice's older sister runs off with a rodeo cowboy she's fallen in love with, it's the start of a series of events that will make nothing the same again. Their new client, Sheila Altman, is inexperienced though ebullient at riding horses but Alice's father who runs the horse-ranch firmly believes that eventually his tuition will pay off and sooner or later, loads of other girls from wealthy families at her school will come for lessons too. Business, he hopes,which will lead to money. The summer that soon approaches is exceedingly hot; her mother who suffers from depression is as ill and inevitably morose as ever; their income is dangerously low and to solve the problem with the bills, her father decides to board the horses of rich woman who come to the ranch and pet/pamper their horses for leisure. Unfortunately, Patty Jo (one of the women) seems to have taken a fancy to Alice's dad and vice versa. He starts spending more and more time with her and Alice isn't the only one who notices. This is a tale of family problems and partly love involving the twelve-year-old Alice and a chunk of her life as she matures.

I didn't find this novel dull but to tell the truth, it wasn't that fantastic either. If you like reading realistic fiction or about horses then you might want to consider this novel which can be found in the library.