A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott

ISBN-13: 9780440223016
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: December 1996
368 pgs
Source: Personal Library

Do you know that Louisa May Alcott had written A Long Fatal Love Chase two years before the publication of her well-known, beloved Little Women? Considered too sensational to be published in the author's lifetime (that was in 1866), this book was buried among her other papers and in 1993, this caught the attention of editor, Kent Bicknell, and through good fortune and a generous backer enabled him to purchase it the following year (This information was printed on the last page of the book).

18-year-old Rosamond Vivian lives with her grandfather in a remote island. There isn't any mention of her parents or friends so it is no wonder she hopes to escape this lonely, isolated life of her.

"I'd gladly sell my soul to Satan for a year of freedom," cries impetuous Rosamond Vivian to her callous grandfather.

Her wish was granted when a sauve, charismatic adventurer Phillip Tempest stopped by their house. Phillip was a student of Rosamond's grandfather so needless to say, he is twice of her age but this does not stop Rosamond from being attracted to him and on top of that, she is fascinated by his adventures as he always seems to be travelling in his yacht.

On the other end, Phillip too is attracted by Rosamond's charm and naivety, but his intentions are far more dark and dangerous because he is obsessed with her and he wants her to be with him together. Through a game with Rosamond's grandfather, he has cleverly beaten him and his prize is having Rosamond to leave with him. Initially Rosamond rejected the idea, however she is no match to the sweet-talker Phillip so in no time she left the island to be with him, having the thoughts that Phillip will marry her eventually. They settled down in Nice, and it takes a while for Rosamond to discover that not only Phillip has no plans to marry her but also he is a married man and has a son whom she later suspected he was being murdered by Phillip in a fit of anger.

Shocked and frightened for her safety, Rosamond planned for an escape. From gaining a new identity to becoming a sister in a convent as she travels around Europe, and no matter where she goes Phillip always managed to close the distance between them. Rosamond flees again and found a new life through a friend's father during the escape, but her hope of finding safety and freedom is once again dashed after Phillip began to spin lies about her, telling everyone that she is mentally unstabled.

At the point of reading the above scenario, I got the feeling that it would be a dead end to Rosamond, and that there is no hope of redemption for Phillip although Rosamond has secretly wishes that she would be able to reform him but I was not convinced, and most of all I didn't trust him and at some point I was frustrated with Rosamond for thinking she has some feelings for him. It was only later that I realised that that is the beauty of Rosamond; she has a pure and childlike naivety around her and perhaps this is what attracted Phillip from the beginning.

In most cases, when there is a villian to the story, there is bound to be a hero. Rosamond got acquainted with Father Ignatius when she took refuge in the convent where she's known as "Sister Agatha". Rosamond began to develop feelings for him towards the end but his position as a priest is the obstacle. Although A Long Fatal Love Chase can be classified as a gothic thriller, I see the author had also emphasised a strong feminist element to the story as we can tell this from Rosamond's thoughts right from the beginning. She craves for freedom, and she has no fear in obtaining what she wants. I was definitely in awe of her courage and persistence, for I don't think most women during her time would do the same as what she did. Below passage is one fine example that demonstrate her believing in feminism.

"Suppose I broke away and left you, or made it impossible for you to stay. That I was base and false; in every way unworthy of your love, and it was clearly right for you to go, what would you do then?"

"Go away and–"

He interrupted with a triumphant laugh, "Die as heroines always do, tender slaves as they are."

"No, live and forget you", was the unexpected reply.
(Page 62-63)

The ending is not what I had expected, but I can definitely see myself reading more of Louisa May Alcott's books in the near future.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

ISBN-13: 978-1407121086
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: July 2010
432 pgs
Series: Wolves of Mercy Falls #2
Source: Personal Library

Have you read Shiver where it is about a love story between a wolf boy and a human girl? I really enjoyed reading that book, and suffice it to say there was a lot of tension and intrigue in there. I was hooked by Stiefvater's worldbuilding of the wolves and not to mention the romance between the protagonists Sam and Grace.

Needless to say when my copy of Linger arrived, I devoured it the moment I had unwrapped the package and the other book which I'm currently reading has to wait, unfortunately. I'm not implying that the other book is uninteresting, but the anticipation of reading Linger is too great and I couldn't trust myself to wait any longer. Thus, it is no surprise that I began reading Linger with a much higher expectation, after all the waiting and many of the rave reviews I read over the blogosphere.

I have to admit Linger was not what I had expected and by saying this, I meant it positively. For starters, I was delighted that Maggie Stiefvater had added Cole and Isabel as the narrators, besides Sam and Grace that is. I find it great to hear from Cole's and Isabel's perspectives, after all I think they played an important role not only to the story but to Sam's and Grace's life as well.

If you have read Shiver, you'd be able to remember Isabel. She is the sister of the deceased Jack; a girl who is gutsy and never afraid to speak up her mind. Cole, on the other hand, has character and though he has issues, he is another character that I have grown to like as the story progress. Perhaps one reason I find him likeable is he is indifferent to his rock star status, and the more I read about him, I wished Maggie Stiefvater had introduced him earlier in Shiver.

Sam and Grace seemed to have much more time together this time around, but unfortunately for Grace, this was also the time when her parents started to care and to take note of her whereabouts. They weren't pleased to see Sam and Grace being with each other most of the times, and their sudden and overly concern has infuriated Grace. But there are certainly worse things to come and once again, Sam and Grace have to fight to be together for an unexpected circumstances have drove them apart.

There are certainly a lot of emotions unleashed by the four narratives in Linger, but all of them shared a common emotion - frustration. There is also a lot of uncertainty here and in spite of this, they are not giving up hope, yet. And this is what made the Wolves of Mercy Fall series such a compelling read. I cannot wait for the final instalment, Forever, to be released next year.

---

I figured I have to give my Wordless Wednesday post a miss this week, considering I haven't gone through my photo archives yet. Plus, I have lots of catching up to do, work wise and blog hopping. Also, I will be away on Thursday and Friday for a seminar, so it looks like I will have more catching up to do next week... oh well, that's life.

Hope everyone has a great week!

You're the One That I Don't Want by Alexandra Potter

ISBN-13: 9780340954133
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
Published: August 2010
400 pgs
Source: Personal Library

When 18-year-old British girl Lucy Hemmingway met American boy Nathaniel Kennedy when they were in Venice, Italy, it was as if they were being hit by Cupid's arrow. Perhaps they are young, or perhaps they got carried away by the romantic atmosphere that they kissed under the Bridge of Sighs at sunset with the church bells ringing. And according to the legend, any couple who did that will be tied to each other for eternity.

However ten years later, they had went on separate ways and Lucy is now working in an art gallery in New York since her paintings have gotten her to nowhere in London, despite that she still has a passion for them. Just when she thought she had forgotten about Nate, she stumbled upon him and she brushed off their encounter as merely a coincidence. But it seems more like fate when they start to bump into each other, again and again until Lucy began to wonder if the legend is indeed true.

Lucy decided to give their relationship another chance, since Nate is separated with his wife, Beth and perhaps she thinks he is indeed The One after all this time. But as the time goes by, Lucy did not think their relationship is as wonderful as they were back in Venice, and to complicate things, Lucy thinks she has fallen in love with another man called Adam. Perhaps it is cursed by the legend, but Lucy finds it is hard to not bump into Nate wherever she goes, and vice versa. It is certainly hard to explain when things simply turned out to be that way, no matter how much they hated it.

I have not read a romantic comedy for a while, so this is one reason why I find this book so enjoyable and refreshing besides the fact that I had read one of Alexandra Potter's earlier releases and loving it. Alexandra Potter has a way with the plots and that is not all, she also makes her characters seem likeable. You would have thought my favourite characters are Lucy and Nate don't you, after all they are the protagonists but I have to say it is actually Lucy's employer, Magda and Lucy's friend, Robyn who have made this story so much more interesting and entertaining. Their dialogues are witty most of the times and it is always interesting to hear their side of their stories, from topics such as the laws of attraction in the universe (that's Robyn talking) right down to matchmaking and making meatballs (and that's Magda). While I find Robyn's opinion of believing in stars and fate to be romantic, I think one shouldn't take those too seriously and to be more open and observant to the people surrounding you because your true love might be hidden out there.

All in all, I had fun reading this book! So who did Lucy end up with? I wish I can tell you the answer but as you already know, I won't so you will have to read it and find out yourself.

Note: The last time I checked on Alexandra Potter's website, this book will be out in August in the UK and a year later in the US.

Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss

ISBN-13: 9780671657864
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 1988
221 pgs
Source: Loaned from friend

I rarely read non-fiction. To be exact, I hardly read them unless the subject interest me or someone has highly recommended them to me. I read Many Lives, Many Masters based on the latter and let me say this is one of the most interesting and enlightening reads I read in years. I have to confess while writing this, I am still pondering over the subjects (or the encounters experienced by the author and one of his patients) mentioned because it is such a thought-provoking read and most of all, I am afraid I may not do justice to this book but still I am going to give it my best shot.

Many Lives, Many Masters is the true story of a prominent psychiatrist (who is the author of this book), his young patient, Catherine, and how past-life therapy that will change both of their lives. To begin with, Catherine is plagued by nightmares and anxiety for years but she is reluctant to seek any medical assistance initially. When these troubling issues continue, she decided to seek help through Dr. Weiss. Dr. Weiss had tried out a few therapy sessions with Catherine but did not see any improvement in her, finally he tried the hypnosis therapy and Catherine began to recall her past lives that answers her recurring nightmares and anxiety attacks.

From a medical perspective, Dr. Weiss is both astonished and skeptical by this findings but he keeps an open mind and continues to use this therapy as he keep an eye on Catherine's progress as the sessions go along. As each session goes by, both Dr. Weiss and Catherine have learned something more about Catherine as well as her past lives and how each of her past life has, in one way or another affects her present life. What most astonishing is, Catherine is mentally stable and does not have any hallucination or sleepwalking issues but she is able to recall a few of her past lives providing sharp and accurate details. Now at this point, Dr. Weiss is very intrigued by Catherine's past and the fact how she is able to relate the encounter of her past lives given she is neither an actress nor an imaginative person in nature. But that is not all, at times Catherine is able to send philosophical messages in her subconscious state during the sessions and this has further intrigued the non-spiritual and with a scientific mind Dr. Weiss.

Dr. Weiss later learned that the messages Catherine has conveyed are from the Master Spirits and through those messages, I learned that we are all inter-connected; and that we have a purpose for living and it is through the lessons we learned and to teach others, we all will attain a happy, harmony and a balance life. I also learned that one is always responsible for the deeds he has done, and why our actions matter and will inadvertently affect our present or future lives.

To put it simply, Many Lives, Many Masters allows the readers to think more deeply about their lives and to reinforce the idea that what we are today are the consequences of what we did in our previous lives (that explains why some people are born with certain talents). Well, I wish I could elaborate more about this wonderful book but I won't considering this post is already long enough, instead I shall share with you a few lovely passages from the book:

"Balance and harmony are neglected today, yet they are the foundation of wisdom. Everything is done to excess. People are overweight because they eat excessively. Joggers neglect aspects of themselves and others because they run excessively. People seem excessively mean. They drink too much, smoke too much, carouse too much (or too little), talk too much without content, worry too much. There is too much black-or-white thinking. All or none. This is not the way of nature. ... In nature there is balance. Beasts destroy in small amounts. Ecological systems are not eliminated en masse. Plants are consumed and then grow. The sources of sustenance are dipped into and then replenished. The flower is enjoyed, the fruit eaten, the root preserved.

"Humankind has not learned about balance, let alone practiced it. It is guided by greed and ambition, steered by fear. In this way it will eventually destroy itself. But nature will survive; at least the plants will. ... Happiness is really rooted in simplicity. The tendency to excessiveness in thought and action diminishes happiness. Excesses cloud basic values. Religious people tell us that happiness comes from filling one's heart with love, from faith and hope, from practicing charity and dispensing kindness. They actually are right. Given those attitudes, balance and harmony usually follow. These are collectively a state of being. In these days, they are an altered state of consciousness. It is as if humankind were not in its natural state while on earth. It must reach an altered state in order to fill itself with love and charity and simplicity, to feel purity, to rid itself of its chronic fearfulness. ~ Pg 209-210

"How is it that you say all are equal, yet the obvious contraditions smack us in the face: inequalities in virtues, temperances, finances, rights, abilities and talents, intelligence, mathematical aptitude, ad infinitum?"

The answer was a metaphor. "It is as if a large diamond were to be found inside each person. Picture a diamond a foot long. The diamond has a thousand facets, but the facets are covered with dirt and tar. It is the job of the soul to clean each facet until the surface is brilliant and can reflect a rainbow of colors. Now, some have cleaned many facets and gleam brightly. Others have only managed to clean a few; they do not sparkle so. Yet, underneath the dirt, each person possesses within his or her breast a brilliant diamond with a thousand gleaming facets. The diamond is perfect, not one flaw. The only differences among people are the number of facets cleaned. But each diamond is the same, and each is perfect.

When all the facets are cleaned and shining forth in a spectrum of lights, the diamond returns to the pure energy that it was originally. The lights remain. It is as if the process that goes into making the diamond is reversed, all that pressure released. The pure energy exists in the rainbow of lights, and the lights possess consciousness and knowledge. And all of the diamonds are perfect." ~ Pg 211-212

Stepping on Roses Vol. 1 & 2 by Rinko Ueda (裸足玫瑰 1 & 2 - 上田倫子)

English Edition

内容提要:

北村純過著超貧窮、掙扎求生的生活。可是，照顧哥哥英輔撿回來，沒有血緣關係的弟妹們就是她活著的意義。有一天，一名青年救了抱著高燒的妹妹，感到絕望的純。雖然對青年的親切懷抱淡淡情愫，不過為了拯救差點就要被賣掉以便還債的孩子們，她下定決心賣身。之後純被田財閥的少爺‧蒼一郎買下，並為了金錢答應跟他假結婚…

Sumi Kitamura is a simple and a kind-hearted girl. Despite her poor background, she finds joy in life through her younger siblings. To be exact, they are orphans and not her flesh and blood siblings but Sumi's older brother Eisuke brought them home and treat them as family despite they can barely afford of feeding themselves. And on top of that, they have a huge debts of house rental fees they have yet to pay and life became a chore for Sumi. Though Eisuke is a compassionate man, he can be irresponsible and he will spend whatever money was left for his gambling debts and on women.

On an occasion when one of their younger siblings was sick, Sumi went around seeking for assistance but no one wants to help her for they think she has owed them enough. Just when Sumi begins to lose her hope, she received a handkerchief from Nozomu. When she unfolds the handkerchief, she is shocked to find he has left some money for her but before she could thank his kind gesture, he has already left. From that moment onwards, Sumi couldn't help thinking of him and she is hoping she would be able to see him again.

Unfortunately, life does not get better for her and in order to give comfort to her younger siblings, she has to find ways to solve their financial problems. She decided to sell herself but a wealthy, good-looking Soichiro Ashida wants her to marry him instead. Sumi has no choice but to agree to his proposal while on the other end, Soichiro has to marry a girl so that he would have his sickly grandfather's inheritance.

Little did Sumi know that Nozomu and Soichiro were childhood friends and as much as she likes Nozomu, she is bounded by the fact that she is Soichiro's wife. The story began to take a turn when Sumi gets to know more about Soichiro and his tragic past and soon she would find herself torn between these two men. Would she be a proper lady and fit into Soichiro's glitzy and glamourous life, and most of all who should she choose to be with in the end?

I finished reading the above volumes by Rinko Ueda yesterday (I read the Chinese edition) and I've to confess I was totally blown away by Rinko's beautiful illustrations! Besides that, I was also drawn by the plot and the characterisations. I've to admit I disliked Soichiro from the beginning but I think there's certainly more about him than meets the eye, and I cannot wait to read more about Sumi's marriage life in Soichiro's family and not to mention the interesting love triangle. Oh, I hope volume 3 will be released quickly!

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

ISBN-13: 9780545140317
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Published: January 2010
290 pgs
Source: Library

Penny Lane Bloom had known Nate Taylor pretty much since birth. After all, their fathers had been friends since childhood. Penny had fantasised walking down the aisle with Nate in future, but as time passes she realised that what she had dreamed or hoped for were merely fairy tales and fantasies. Nate is no longer the old Nate she has known; he has changed or in general, guys change.

Stung by Nate's betrayal, Penny vows to give up boys and dating (at least till the end of her high school days). Inspired by a poster of The Beatles, she sets up a club called The Lonely Hearts Club for herself. She has always find solace in listening to them and to top it all, her parents are huge fans of them and she was even named after one of their songs.

Soon, words about her no-dating club got around in school and the number of members began to grow. Penny's self-confidence grows as she gets to understand her friends more and not to mention getting to meet some new friends along the way. However, she feels herself at a loss after getting to know more of Ryan Bauer, whom has had a relationship with one of her girlfriends and though Diane Monroe assures her that their relationship was long over, Penny still has some doubts about boys and relationships and furthermore, she does not want to contradict herself with the club's rules.

But that is only the beginning of her problems as Principal Braddock soon learns about the club and feels it to be discriminating against the boys in general. Not wanting to dissolve the club, the members amended the rules to include dating, but at this point Penny still has no resolution regarding her relationship with Ryan. So what is she has to do?

The Lonely Hearts Club is a light and fun read that mainly revolves around friendship and about staying true to yourself. I also liked that there are a few references of The Beatles, and reading about her parents' devotion to them brought a smile to my face. What's great about this story is it tells the readers (particularly girls) that one shouldn't ditch a friend for love, and that sometimes love will find you when you least expected it. Ah, so true.

Faithful Place by Tana French

ISBN-13: 978-1444705089
Publisher: Hachette Books
Published: July 2010
448 pgs
Source: Personal Library




I nearly squealed in delight when I stepped into the bookstore and saw this book on display. Honestly speaking, I never expected I would get this book sooner but nevertheless, I was glad that it was one of those times when the local bookstores are able to get some titles way earlier than others!

After reading In the Woods and The Likeness and enjoyed them, I think it is natural to feel the anticipation and the high expectations I had had on this book way before it is released. And before I share my thoughts with you now, let me summarise the story for you.

Faithful Place is the third novel of the Dublin murder squad; however if you are expecting Detective Rob Ryan or Detective Cassie Maddox to make an appearance in this book, you would be disappointed because none of them is mentioned here. I cannot remember if Detective Frank Mackey is ever mentioned in the previous book, but anyway this book is a case of his long lost love, Rosie Daly, and how her disappearance has left an impact on him as well as the people surrounding him.

When Frank was nineteen, he and Rosie had made a pact to leave Dublin for London so they can start their life anew. Rosie has a strict father and he always goes out of his way to make sure Rosie has nothing to do with the Mackey family. Truth be told, the Dalys think they are dysfunctional and their status is different. Anyway, this does not stop Rosie from seeing Frank and they are, in fact are looking forward to the day they are leaving Dublin. They had agreed to meet at Faithful Place, a run-down unit where no one is staying there anymore and is just a place for anyone who would like to do whatever their business is discreetly. After all, the place seems creepy with the rumours flying around about the basement.

However, Rosie did not turn up and her disappearance has left Frank feeling perplexed and doubtful about their relationship. As much as he believed in Rosie, there is still a tiny flicker of doubt in him after all these twenty years, now that he works as an undercover. He did not want to think of Rosie, after all he cut all ties with his family but a telephone call from his sister, Jackie, has resurrect his thoughts of Rosie once again now that her suitcase was found behind a fireplace at Faithful Place.

Frank returns to Faithful Place, and to his home where he rekindles his relationship with his four siblings as he began his investigation. It is not a surprise to say the case is not as simple as it seems to be, but the people in the neighbourhood and Detective Scorcher, the lead investigator of the case, did not make things easier for Frank as they wouldn't want him around. The community is wary of Frank's return considering his designation, and no doubt Detective Scorcher does not want anyone to mind the case he is looking into. Of course these do not keep Frank away, and the more he digs into finding the truth, the more tricky and scarier it has become.

If you have read the first two instalments by Tana French, you'd know her writing style and her psychological suspense are the main factors that never fail to capture a reader's attention. Unlike other suspense, Tana French's books do not only revolve around the whodunit element but also how the story would somehow impact the protagonist(s) in some way or other. There are usually a few thought-provoking issues for her readers to ponder about, and one could possibly say there is nothing right or wrong with them except that they usually leave more questions than answers.

Reading Faithful Place reminds me a little of my reading experience with In the Woods; I remember there was a part that left me totally stumped and frustrated but in the end I realised sometimes things are being that way. That said, I do not imply that Faithful Place contains the same part that left me perplexed but it totally boggles my mind and made me question about a few things (and believe me, this is all I can say about it) which I don't think I might have the answers in reality. I don't know about you, but sometimes I do like books like that; one that makes me ponder more about the issue (and/or motive) than the whodunit and how the case would resolve in the end.

What can I say? I totally enjoyed reading Faithful Place! I am sure this book would make a great book club discussion because there are certainly some things I would like to talk about with anyone who has read this book.

And Both Were Young by Madeleine L'Engle

ISBN-13: 9780374303648
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Published: April 2010
256 pgs
Source: Library



Madeleine L'Engle was the author of A Wrinkle in Time, and though I have yet to read it, I am looking forward to it since I have read so much rave reviews on it. I went to the library for this book but couldn't find it, instead I found And Both Were Young and thus here we are.

Anyway, I started off with the introduction page written by Madeleine L'Engle's granddaughter, Léna Roy, who shared with us that And Both Were Young was in fact L'Engle's first young adult novel. She was inspired to write this book after she was being dropped off at a boarding school instead of living with her parents when they were seeking a cure for her journalist father, who had inhaled mustard gas during WWI in 1930 (L'Engle was twelve-year-old then).

So basically this story is about the life of Philippa "Flip" Hunter during her studies at a Swiss boarding school. Flip travels to Switzerland with her artist father after her mother's death in an automobile accident, and along with the journey is another woman who is hoping to take the role of the late Mrs. Hunter but Flip didn't like her. She thinks she is bossy and arrogant, and she is absolutely dismayed and infuriated with her father for listening to her demands at times.

Feeling homesick and not to mention a loner and self-conscious at heart, she struggles to fit into the school life and making friends. She later knew a few girls whom she called her friends, but deep in her heart she knew she could not compare them with a boy named Paul, who she has met by chance before her admission to the boarding school. They became good friends quickly, and as their friendship grows, Flip no longer feels so miserable and with Paul's encouragement, her self-confidence began to grow too. The thing is, Paul is not a student at their boarding school and Flip has to keep their friendship a secret.

Then there is Madame Perceval, who is Flip's art teacher and kind of a mentor to Flip. Through her guidance, there is a change of mentality in Flip as she has became to be a more confident and ambitious young woman. It is also through Perceval that readers will get to learn a little more of Paul, as he has a tragic past but I will not go further as it is best for you to read it yourself.

At first glance, And Both Were Young may seem like a teenage romance story, but let me assure you there are certainly more to it. Madeleine L'Engle had written a delicate story that revolves around identity, growing up, the joy and misery of adolescence and of course, love. The romance between Paul and Flip is subtle, yet that does not disminish the effect and the attraction they have for each other.

There isn't much glimpse of WWII, though this story takes place after it but readers will see how this has deeply affected the girls at the boarding school, in particularly to Flip's friends. All in all, this is a wonderful read. Now that I have gotten a 'taste' of Madeleine L'Engle's writing style, I will be sure to check out her other books in the near future and needless to say, A Wrinkle in Time will be the top of that list.

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

ISBN-13: 9780738710181
Publisher: Flux, Llewellyn Publications
Published: 2007
303 pgs
Source: Library

Caleb Becker and Maggie Armstrong used to be friends and neighbours but an accident has changed everything. Now Maggie walks with a limp and Caleb was sent to a juvenile jail for drunk driving. This incident has left Maggie both physically and emotionally scarred, and though she could tolerate the pitiful stares she received in school, she is definitely not prepared to face Caleb in person now that he has been released from jail early for his community service duties.

However, this is not the only emotional baggage Maggie is carrying for she is still sadden over her parents' separation. She often wonders if her father is happy with his new life, and whether or not if he still cares about her. To complicate matters, she does not know if she should feel happy for her mother now that her boss is paying much more attention to her. Though Mr. Reynolds is a good man and she knew her mother deserved someone better like him, she could not help missing her father. However, she likes Mr. Reynolds' mother and when she offered to pay her for helping out at her house, she agreed. She enjoys working for Mrs. Reynolds and thinks she is a great woman but her happiness is a short-lived one after learning that Caleb is also helping Mrs. Reynolds to build a gazebo in her garden.

At the beginning, they do not feel comfortable working under the same roof but something changed over an incident and plus, Maggie felt she has learnt a lot from Mrs. Reynolds' advice and understand that sometimes it is easier to forgive than to bear a grudge against someone for the whole of your life.

On the other end, Caleb felt the tension in his family. He felt he could no longer communicate with his twin sister, Leah; not that he could blame her considering her friendship with Maggie is ruined after the accident. And their mother seems to rely heavily on medications due to the stress and added to his frustrations is his schoolmates' mockery towards Maggie.

I have to say reading Leaving Paradise is like riding on an emotional roller-coaster. One moment I was feeling sad for Maggie's unfortunate situation, and then the next I could be laughing along with Mrs. Reynolds because she is such a funny and open-minded person. And of course there are scenes that made me cry but I'd rather not say anything as that would spoil your fun of reading this book, isn't it?

I loved the plot and the characterisations, and on top of that I want to applaud Simone Elkeles for writing a powerful and thought-provoking story that revolves around a few delicate issues one might have to deal in real life. I like books that convey a message without being preachy and Leaving Paradise is one of those. In this story, I learned that forgiveness is not only about accepting others' mistakes but also about having the courage of letting go.

Unlike Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction, the romance between the two protagonists in Leaving Paradise is more complicated given the circumstances and the tension arises from it. I understand there is a sequel, Return to Paradise, come November (after checking Simone Elkeles' website) so this explains why there are some loose ends in the ending. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and I wish November will come quickly!

(Click here for other bookbloggers' reviews.)

Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick

ISBN-13: 9781416982647
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Published: October 2009
224 pgs
Source: Library




It seems like I have been reading a lot of YA books lately, but that's because they are library books and I want to return them on time.

Holly lost her mother to cancer, so in a way this has made her worried and very conscious of her health. She does not have many friends at school, and she loves hanging around with her childhood friend, Nils, and she was glad that they went to the same school together.

While Holly thinks Nils is a good friend, she finds another Paul, another schoolmate attractive and despite they do not know each other very well, she does not mind hooking up with him though she knew he already has a girlfriend named Saskia. However, the more Holly spend time with Paul, the more she wanted their relationship to be serious but Paul thinks the other way, he wants their trysts to remain a secret.

To make things complicated, she and Saskia are classmates and their friendship blossoms as the days go by. Holly began to feel bad and try to leave Paul but he threatens to tell everyone about their relationship should she leave him. At this point of time, Holly realised that her friendship with Nils has began to change, and she thinks Nils having a girlfriend may also be a contributing factor.

However, when Holly realised what's most matter in her heart, things start to get more complex and she is caught in a lose-lose situation. She has chosen to leave Paul but then she would lose her friendship with Saskia and Nils too, since she has also broken a promise to him.

Nothing Like You is a bittersweet story of a young girl finding her self and love after the loss of her mother. Reading about her loss and her sadness have brought me memories of my late mother so I could relate to her in some ways.

I liked reading about Holly's exchange with Nils. Their friendship seems so sweet and real to me, and personally I think Nils is a perfect match for Holly but sometimes, things aren't supposed the way they are and moreover we have no control over things such as fate. Nothing Like You may seem like a typical teenage romance story, but I think there is much more depth to it as it allows the readers to think about things like loss (in general) and how we are going to deal with it, and also in what way it will affect us by the choice we made, etc.

Finally, I want to share an extract with you that I liked which made me think of self-acceptance and courage.

He dropped his bottle and scooched his chair back so we were facing each other. "You're you," he said. "You know, your mom made certain choices that I can pretty much guarantee, if faced with a similar crossroads, you wouldn't have made."

I nodded.

"Her path . . . that's not yours to follow. Okay?"

I resisted the urge to cry.

"Worse-case scenario, you face something similar . . . you fight, right?" He looked at me sympathetically. "Hey, you're your own person."

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

ISBN-13: 9780670021390
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Published: January 2010
320 pgs
Source: Library

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt has been getting lots of rave reviews over the blogosphere so needless to say, my curiosity is piqued and I was thrilled to borrow a copy from the library.

Narrated by 12-year-old Cecelia Rose Honeycutt (CeeCee), she shares her story of living and taking care of her mentally sick mother to how much her life has changed after living with her great aunt Tootie in Savannah due to her mother's passing.

Through Beth Hoffman's beautiful prose and skilful writing, she has brought CeeCee and the other characters to life and I have to say I was on an emotional roller-coaster throughout my reading experience. I felt sorry for CeeCee right from the beginning and thinking how life has been unfair to her; at her age she should be having a happy and carefree life and not having so many reponsibilities dumped onto her. Her father, instead of being there for the family, chose to escape and find a new life in another woman.

At this point, I had great admiration for CeeCee for she seems to be able to take things in her stride despite anything, and instead of feeling sorry for herself she used this opportunity to bury herself in books. I felt relieved for her when her great aunt Tootie comes along and whisk her away from Ohio to Savannah. There, CeeCee made her acquaintance with Tootie's cook, Oletta and a few of Tootie's friends. Some of them are witty and fun to be with, while some are eccentric and gossipy. Either way, CeeCee's life is never bored with them around.

In a nutshell, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is a heartwarming story of a young girl who has found hope and friendship after the loss of her mother. It is no doubt an uplifting story which I think would inspire many readers. Here's a few extracts from the book that I'd like to share with regard to Aunt Tootie's advice to CeeCee.

... "Life is full of change, honey. That's how we learn and grow..."

"It's not a book you can see or touch. It's a book that's held deep within your heart. It's guarded by your spirit... .

When a chapter of your Life Book is complete, your spirit knows it's time to turn the page so a new chapter can begin. Even when you're scared or think you're not ready, your spirit knows you are." (Pg 41)

(Click here for other bookbloggers' reviews.)

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

ISBN-13: 9780802720856
Publisher: Walker & Company
Published: April 2010
336 pgs
Source: Library

I had enjoyed reading Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry so much so that I have to read this sequel immediately after finishing that book.

Using the same writing style as in Perfect Chemistry (alternating narratives), Rules of Attraction tells the story of Alex's younger brother, Carlos Fuentes and his stay in Professor Westford's house after his involvement with a dangerous gang and Alex would rather have his former instructor to watch over Carlos than having him being expelled from high school.

Professor Westford's eldest daughter, Kiara, is the other narrator of this story and from the opening of the story, it is not a surprise to see there is a clash between Carlos and herself due to the difference of their personality. However, that does not mean that Kiara isn't one who will say no to challenges if she ever met one, and she has proved to many others that she could fix vehicles just as good as many guys do.

Despite their differences, Carlos and Kiara are drawn to each other the more they get to know each other but Carlos, thinks Kiara deserves someone better than him and also that he wouldn't want to get her and her family into trouble since a drug lord had sought him out and wanted him to run some illegal deals for him.

As in Perfect Chemistry, there are a lot of intense moments both in the plot and the romance department. As much as there is attraction between Carlos and Kiara, there are obviously some obstacles between them and the Westford family will go to any lengths to ensure that Carlos is out of danger. There are a few heartwarming moments as well and I was especially touched by the way Professor Westford had helped Carlos. His past history surprised me and it was interesting to see the other side of him when he went out of his way in helping Carlos.

I also enjoyed reading about Tuck, who is a good friend of Kiara and reading about their exchanges had me grinning most of the times because he is such a funny guy. I'd love to read a story about him, and it would be a GLBT lit since he is a gay. Overall, I find Rules of Attraction a compelling read and I think fans of Perfect Chemistry would be delighted to devour this sequel as Carlos and Kiara make an interesting couple. As there is a youngest brother in the Fuentes family - Luis Fuentes, I wonder if there would be a story of him in the near future. I would definitely hope so.

(Click here for other bookbloggers' reviews.)

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

ISBN-13: 9780802798220
Publisher: Walker & Company
Published: December 2008
368 pgs
Source: Personal Library

I think Perfect Chemistry is one of the best YA romance I read this year, besides Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols that is. But then again, these books are not all about romance but also about the difficulties and some issues teenagers faced today.

Told in alternating narratives - Brittany Ellis and Alex Fuentes, Perfect Chemistry tells a story of the differences between our two protagonists and how they overcome their difficulties and find love in the end.

When Brittany and Alex first met, they were assigned as lab partners in their Chemistry class. Brittany is beautiful and popular in school, while Alex is viewed as an outcast since he is known to be a gang member of the Latino Blood. It is obvious that they do not belong in each other's world, but their Chemistry teacher refused to budge on Brittany's request to change partners so they are stuck with each other.

Truth be told, Brittany and Alex aren't like what others think they are. Brittany might give people the impression she is living a happy and perfect life, but actually no one knew she is unhappy with her parents and that she loves her sister dearly despite she has severe cerebral palsy and she is always taking some time to keep her company and so forth. Alex, on the other hand, is not as bad as what he has portrayed to the outside world. Deep in his heart, he wishes to go to college and lead a decent life. The reason he is a Latino Blood member is to keep his family safe and that it would exempt his two younger brothers from joining the gang.

The story took a turn when Brittany and Alex start to look at each other differently the more they know each other as the days went by, but that was before Alex took a bet with his friends that he could have Brittany in a matter of time. Meanwhile, Brittany has fell in love with Alex and decided to ditch her glitzy life and be with him, after all she knew she isn't perfect, and her relationship with her boyfriend has began to fall apart. Alex has wanted to leave the gang all the while, but something kept him from doing so and this is where the intensity and the complexity of the plot set in as readers read about the struggle between Brittany and Alex, and the consequences thereafter.

What can I say? I enjoyed this book immensely! What I loved about this story is it shows two people of different status and race falling in love, and most of all they are not afraid to make changes and be real not only to others but to themselves as well. I liked the alternating narrative as it allows the readers to view from their standpoint; I also liked the way they used two types of fonts at the opening of each chapter as a representation of them. Because this story covers issues like drugs, sex and some gang activities, it is not recommended for younger readers.

Finally, I was thrilled that I managed to borrow Rules of Attraction (which I'm currently reading) that features Alex's younger brother, Carlos. Like Alex, he is another interesting character and I cannot wait to see what is in store for him.

(Click here for other bookbloggers' reviews.)

Half World by Hiromi Goto

ISBN-13: 9780670012206
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: April 2010
221 pgs
Illustrated by: Jillian Tamaki
Source: Personal Library

"Half World is a haunting combination of a coming-of-age novel and a spiritual quest, a mad funhouse of horrors and a tale of redemption and love. Wonderfully odd, and quite unforgettable." — Neil Gaiman

With an eye-catching cover, an intriguing title and not to mention a blurb from Neil Gaiman, how could I possibly ignore this book? It even piqued my husband's curiosity, which I took it as a good sign because he rarely took notice of what I'm reading (well, he's not a reader like the way we all are).

To begin with, Half World introduced the readers to the three worlds of Flesh, Spirit and the Half World whereby it allow living beings to undergo a specific cycle before they could go on to the next one (think of karma and incarnation). Through the prologue, readers get a glimpse of the division of the three realms and how it would affect our heroine, Melanie Tamaki, as her parents were involved and got sucked into a horrible pact a long time ago with a grotesque character who called himself Mr. Glueskin; one who behaved as if he was the ruler of Half World.

Though Melanie lives with her mother, she knew nothing about her father since young as her mother never shared bits of his life with her. Because her mother is weak, she stay bedridden most of the times and thus they lead their lives in poverty. And Melanie isn't too happy in school because she always got bullied. Her only refuge is at the elderly Mrs. Wei's house as she is the only person she could turn to whenever she is in need of advice or assistance.

The night when Melanie received a strange phone call from Mr. Glueskin, she knew she has to save her mother even if it means putting her life at risk. With the help of Mrs. Wei, Melanie began her quest after learning something about the prophecy and a jade rat pendant was given to her for safety.

I will not disclose too much of Melanie's quest and the world of Half World, but let's just say it is both a mysterious and a bizarre world filled with all kinds of grotesque characters. Melanie has to be alert and very careful with her disguise, because any wrong move would send her to Mr. Glueskin's way. In the midst of saving her mother, she also realise that the three realms need to regain their ongoing cycles and she has to do something to restore their worlds together again.

What can I say? I was totally sucked into this fantasy world Hiromi Goto had created, yet I was terrified of Half World because it is both a mysterious and a frightening world. Aside from those grotesque creatures, it is a world bereft of colour. Everything about Half World is gray and gloomy. The characterisations are great too, especially Mr. Glueskin.

And oh, I so loved Jillian Tamaki's illustrations (she's also the illustrator for Skim)! Not only they are beautiful but they also helped me to be able to visualise Hiromi Goto's characters and her world building so much better. I wish this story could be made into an animation because I know I would want to watch it.

(Leave me a comment if you have reviewed this book so that I can add yours onto this post.)

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

ISBN-13: 9780316041447
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: September 2009
416 pgs
Source: Library



Valerie Leftman first created a 'hate list' as a way for venting her frustrations of being bullied in school and some of the problems she faced with her parents. Little does she knows that this list ended up as a 'victims list' after her boyfriend, Nick, pulled the gun on them before killing himself. This has left Valerie in a devastated state, for she could not believe Nick would commit such a crime. She had shared her 'hate list' with him because she thought Nick would be able to understand her frustrations since he too, was being bullied in school. And no matter how angry she felt towards some of her classmates, she never wanted them to die. Needless to say, the entire incident left her shaken and she could not help wondering if she should be blamed for coming up with the list in the first place. Though she got hit in the leg while saving a classmate, many people still have doubts about her and think she was somewhat involved in Nick's shooting.

After the horrendous incident, she returns to school but not without the help with some therapy. Back at home, her behaviour is being scrutinised by her mother for she fears that she would do something silly; while her father thinks she is nothing but trouble. Though she accepted that fact that Nick had killed some of their classmates, she also thought of the wonderful times she had had with the old geeky Nick and wondered if his horrific action was actually an influence by one of his friends.

Told from Valerie's perspective through flashbacks and the present day, Hate List is a powerful and a thought-provoking read about school shooting and above all, an account of how Valerie has to face the challenges thereafter as well as acceptance from the survivors. I don't think I have ever read any books about school shooting so Hate List is considered a new 'territory' to me. I felt there are many messages conveyed in this story, but that does not mean the essence of the story is being lost. What I meant was, while one read for the story, one could not help but to think deeply of the issues and the consequences of them.

While reading Hate List, I also questioned myself if Valerie be viewed as a victim or otherwise? Would the tragedy be avoided if Valerie would vend her feelings to her parents or teachers instead of keeping them to herself? And what about the classmates who tormented her? etc etc. It was after when I finished reading the story, I realised that this book is not about finding who's right or wrong, and rather than pointing fingers it is more of bringing awareness so that this tragedy would not happen again.

(Click here for other bookbloggers' reviews.)

Eric by Shaun Tan

ISBN-13: 9781848775879
Publisher: Templar Publishing
Published: May 2010
Source: Personal Library



I have heard a lot of great things about Shaun Tan's work, but just haven't got around to reading them yet. It was only last week when I was browsing at a bookstore that I stumbled upon this little gem. Without saying, I grabbed a copy off the shelves and I'm happy to say I have now owned one Shaun Tan book (and of course am looking forward for more to come).

Eric is a cute little story about a family hosting a foreign exchange student by the name of - yes, Eric. (Below illustration is how he looked like. Oh don't you find him adorable?)

With black and white illustrations, they capture the essence of Eric's personality and his 'cultures' during his stay with the family. Always curious and keen to learn, Eric slowly adapts to the environment around him.

What I loved most about this book is besides the wonderful illustrations, Shaun Tan has creatively weaved a story based on our everyday lives, through the eyes of little Eric. It also tells a story about the family accepting Eric despite their differences. Eric's stay with the family might seem short, but his experience has allowed me to look at things from a different angle. As for the ending, it brought a smile to my face and touched my heart. How I wish this story would be a little longer!

---

I feel so loved because I received not one but two awards this week! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

The Versatile Blogger Award comes from Karen at Finding My Muse and though I'm new to Karen's blog, I'm already liking her blog and have added the link onto my Google Reader.

For this award, I must share seven things about myself and then pass it on to 15 blogs I read. I have no problems with coming up with the seven things, but passing it on to 15 blogs is hard because I have so many in mind!

Anyway, here's a list of seven things about me:

1. I love green tea (genmai tea too). I can have three teabags per day!
2. My best dish used to be prawns fried with oyster sauce, but since I've became a vegetarian, my best dishes now are soba and yasai tempura (because they are so easy to prepare, haha).
3. I bought many Sweet Dreams books through eBay last year (young adult romances printed during the 80s) because I just felt nostalgic for those good old days I read them.
4. I know many of my friends have celebrities as their idols. As for me, it's Lu "Louis" Chen.
5. The farthest country I've been is New Zealand; that's where I went for my honeymoon.
6. I'd love to be a librarian, but that's only my wishful thinking!
7. I love tulips!

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

ISBN-13: 9780425226742
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Published: March 2009
304 pgs
Source: Personal Library

I have to confess that the main reason I picked up this book was due to my addiction to a drama serial I watched lately, in which it featured a charismatic lawyer who had lost his memory due to a brain surgery and how fate has brought him and his ex-girlfriend back together again. Though this book has nothing to do with that show, the hero in this book was a lawyer too and on top of that, I have read a few rave reviews of it which are enough to pique my curiosity.

Anyway, Practice Makes Perfect was a fun and entertaining read. Packed with witty dialogues and with a theme surrounding the battle between the sexes, this story is about two talented and ambitious lawyers who managed to find love in each other despite their differences and through some ordeals they encountered.

What I enjoyed about reading this book is the clash between the protagonists; Payton Kendall is a feminist at heart while J.D. Jameson is a cocky hero who thinks he has it all. It is no wonder that they could not see eye to eye with each other; and the most interesting part is where they are to compete with each other for the role of partner at the firm but what they did not realise is that despite all the competitions their feelings for each other have already taken shape right from the beginning they have set eyes on each other. Though I liked the idea that they are more or less attracted towards each other earlier (never mind if there is any misunderstanding issue or whatsoever), I have to say it might make the story more intense and interesting if they are portrayed as a pair of bitter rivals and nothing more as I would like to know how they would resolve their differences and all.

My views aside, I have to admit I had great admiration in Payton because of the way she handles things well in a calm and professional manner, and not because of her role as a lawyer but more of how she could manage to turn things around during an awkward situation (readers who have read this book about the court scene would be able to get what I meant). As for J.D. Jameson, the feminist in me cheered when I learnt that he did show remorse after all the things he had done to Payton earlier, and vice versa. All in all, I enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh and think that opposite attraction does work. After all, there are no rules when it comes to the laws of attraction, and I couldn't agree more with that.

Other reviews:
Angieville
Babbling About Books, and More
Books Lists Life
Dear Author
The Raving Readers
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

On Folly Beach by Karen White

ISBN-13: 9780451229212
Publisher: NAL Accent
Published: May 2010
416 pgs
Source: Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting
(ARC)


I fell in love with Karen White's writing style after reading a few of her earlier work - The Lost Hours and the Tradd Street series so when I knew she has a new book coming out this month, I just knew I have to read it!

Set in the 1940s and the Year 2009, On Folly Beach tells the story of the life of three women - Emmy during the present day, and Margaret and her younger sister, Lulu during the WWII period. Told in a third person perspective and with Emmy's and Margaret's stories alternate between the time span through chapters, I find this method to be effective as it allows the readers to get sucked into their stories at the same time instead of splitting into parts (which can be also effective in portraying the story but in a different light).

The story opens when Emmy is still depressed from the loss of her husband. To distract her from drowning into her misery, her mother suggested that she bought Folly's Finds, a bookstore at Folly Beach in South Carolina. Emmy is not at all keen with the idea in the first place, after all she is so used to her life living in her parents' place, tending to her mother's bookstore. Her curiosity is piqued only after she discovered some love notes written in some of the used books her mother had bought from Folly's Finds, and she thinks it might not be a bad idea to go to Folly Beach after all.

Upon reaching Folly Beach, she is somewhat touched by the warm hospitality from Abigail, the woman who owns Folly's Finds and her son, Heathcliff (he was named after a character in Wuthering Heights) but she could not say the same towards his great aunt, Lulu, for she feels Lulu's cool demeanour whenever she is around her. However, Emmy knew the older woman might have some answers in regards to the love notes found in those old books so she is hoping to find out some truth from her, though she knew it might take her some time and efforts to break the ice. Besides the mystery surrounding those love notes, Emmy is also interested in Lulu's bottle trees and why she is so adamant about continuing to sell them from the store's backyard.

When Emmy began to discover more love notes, the more she learned about the past history at Folly Beach and the relationship between Lulu and her elder sister, Margaret. The most interesting part is where readers will learn not only about Margaret's life but also her relationship between her lover, Peter as well as her cousin, Catherine.

While reading this book, I was very much like Emmy as we both have questions surrounding Margaret, Peter and Catherine, and not to mention Lulu who played an important role in this story. However, this is not all about mystery and secrets but is also about finding hope and having a second chance. With great characterisation and an intriguing plot, Karen White has succeeded in bringing this heartwarming story to life. And before I end this post, I need to mention that I absolutely loved the literary references mentioned in this book, as I am sure this will delight many booklovers. There, I said it. I hope I managed to convince you into reading this book because I really enjoyed it.

(Click here for other bookbloggers' reviews.)

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

ISBN-13: 9781847386953
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: October 2009
391 pgs
Source: Personal Library




There have been a lot of hype surrounding this book when it was first released (or maybe way before it was released), and with a premise involving a fallen angel and forbidden love, I can see why Hush, Hush has generated so much interest from most readers. For me I have always been fascinated by angels so naturally I have to read this book.

The story begins when a Nephil took an oath with a mysterious boy way back in the 1560s in France. Fast forward to the present day in Maine, the focus shifted to Nora Grey as she took the role of the protagonist and we get to see things through her perspective. Though Nora is sensible and independent, there is a bout of uncertainty and insecurity in her but who can blame her when her father is murdered years ago and that her mother has to travel a lot to work to make ends meet.

Her peaceful life changes after she met a charismatic new student who later became her deskmate in her Biology class. Patch is mysterious and seems to have an aura of danger surrounding him, and on top of that she finds him unsettling for he seems to know a lot of things about her, and then there is something about him that is not quite right but still, she could not help being intrigued and fascinated by him.

Her doubts in him deepened when she encountered several terrifying incidents because she keeps seeing him everywhere, and at this stage she is more determined to find out about Patch and what his agenda is. To add complexity and excitement to this story, Nora and her good friend Vee will meet another two new male students transferred to their school. Nora will soon find out the truth about fallen angels and Nephilim and why she is being caught in the middle of an age-old feud.

So what is my verdict after reading this book? I liked the story, but I cannot say I loved it. The characterisations are great, and I enjoyed the exchanges between Nora and Patch but somewhat I felt something is lacking. Then again, I think it might be due from my initial expectations, for I did not anticipate the story to go towards another direction. I have to admit the mystery surrounding a masked person who wanted to kill Nora had me pondering, still I was a little disappointed as I expected it to pack with a bit more punch. Anyway, as I mentioned, it is not a flaw and is mainly due to my expectations, that is all. Also, I wanted to know more about Patch's past, but I understand it might be the author's intention to make him more mysterious so I am hoping I could get to learn more about him in the sequel.

Oh, another thing I want to mention is Nora's good friend, Vee. Her bubbly and her ever enthusiastic personality is absolutely contagious; I could just 'feel' her voice simply flipping through those pages. Overall, I find Hush, Hush an entertaining read and I definitely look forward to the sequel, Crescendo, come November.

(Click here for other bookbloggers' reviews.)

The Queen of Palmyra by Minrose Gwin

ISBN-13: 9780061840326
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Published: April 2010
416 pgs
Source: HarperCollins
(ARC)



Some stories run for their lives. They zig and zag, moving so fast you can't find the secret path of their steps through the fields, only soft prints here and there to let you know something with a quivering heart and a soft belly passed that way or this. (Pg 297)


I have heard that The Queen of Palmyra has been compared to Kathryn Stockett's The Help, which got me pretty excited because I have heard lots of ravings about that book. Back to The Queen of Palmyra, I have to say Minrose Gwin's writing style is absolutely beautiful (see above quote) and I was most surprised that this is in fact her debut novel.

Set in the 1960s, The Queen of Palmyra focus on the delicate issue between the black and the white community in Millwood, Mississippi, through the eye of a twelve-year-old girl Florence Forrest. The Forrest family lives in the town where everyone seems to know everybody, though at bottom there is a strain between the black and the white community. Florence's relationship with her parents has been a distant one. Unlike other girls her age she has never feel close with her mother, perhaps that has got to do with her drinking and the fact that she bakes and delivers cakes around town in order to support the household, aside the income from her husband who works as a burial insurance salesman.

Florence spends most of her time with her grandparents and Zenie's (named for Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra) family, and she find comfort and security in them because Florence knew she could always turn to them whenever she needs some assistance or advice. Florence felt her life further enriched when Zenie's niece, Eva Greene enter into her little simple world. It is no secret that there is a division between the black and white community in Millwood, and Eva's arrival obviously created an uproar not only due to her skin colour but also the fact that she is holding the same job as Florence's father, Win. The strain between the blacks and the whites got worsen, and Florence's life will never ever be the same again after a tragedy strikes concerning Eva.

I knew I would have been on an emotional roller-coaster the moment I started reading The Queen of Palmyra, after all it deals with a delicate issue - racism. And I want to reiterate that Minrose Gwin really has a way of making her characters and story come alive through her outstanding writing style. I cannot say I loved all her characters, but I did feel for Florence and Eva, after all they are nothing but innocent people. Florence does not fully understand the situation given her naivety due to her young age and this is one reason why I find her narrative so real and convincing. She managed to evoke emotions in you through her experience.

Though the novel mainly focus on Florence, The Queen of Palmyra is also about great characterisation and storytelling. I think the author has absolutely done a great job in writing some sensitive scenes without much descriptions but in a more subtle way (honestly I don't want to read how some characters are suffering in details, it makes me too sad to think about it). I know books on racism and violence are always not an easy read, but in a way they help to create awareness and I find that is a good thing.

Other reviews:

Book, Line and Sinker

Book Chatter

Good Books and Wine
my Books. mMy Life.

The Girl from the Ghetto

Word Lily

(Let me know if I missed yours.)

Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster

ISBN-13: 978-0140374551
Publisher: Puffin Classics
Published: September 1995
185 pgs
Source: Personal Library

When I first heard of Daddy Long Legs it was during my Secondary School days. I hate to admit it, but at that time I was not really interested in reading the book. I read the book title and that was it; I never made it a point of reading the blurb until I read Nymeth's lovely review she posted in January this year. Though I know it is never too late to read it (or any other things for that matter), imagine what I have missed during all these years!

Anyway, Daddy Long Legs centers the life of an orphan called Jerusha Abbot (but she called herself 'Judy') and how her life change after an orphanage's trustee decided to sponsor her education. As much as Judy is thrilled and touched by her benefactor's kindness and generosity, she didn't have the chance of meeting him in person though she did get a quick glimpse of him and knew he is skinny and tall. He has asked to remain anonymous and wanted Judy to write to him instead and telling him about her progress in school, but then she would not expect any response from him.

Though intrigued by his anonymity, Judy adheres to his 'rules' and consistently write him letters, and she will address him as 'Daddy-Long-Legs' due to his physique, or sometimes Mr John Smith if she wants to be formal. In any way, Judy's letters are a sheer delight to read if you ask me, because most of the times they are packed with humour and a little sarcasm (though they are mostly her ramblings rather than mean). I could not count the number of times I actually grin or chuckle while reading her letters to Daddy-Long-Legs, and another thing I liked about those letters is she will sometimes include illustrations alongside with them and most of the time they amused me in a good way.

In short, Daddy Long Legs is a book that featured Judy's letters to Daddy-Long-Legs and oh, what a wonderful gem it is to my keeper's shelf. Aside from Judy's letters, I loved her voice and not to mention her personality and her outlook on life. I know I want to be her friend because she is fun and intelligent, sympathetic towards others, always willing to learn things (it made me smile when I knew her dream is to become a writer) and most of all she is never afraid to voice out her opinions, in which I most admire.

Daddy Long Legs is definitely one of those books that will bring delight not only to the young readers but adults alike. It left me a warm fuzzy feeling even after I closed the book and I hope anyone of you who has not read this book will pick it up soon. Now I will add Dear Enemy on to my wishlist and I hope my experience of reading this book will be the same (or hopefully will be much better) after reading Daddy Long Legs.

Other reviews:

Alita.Reads.

Bibliolatry

BookLust

Books I Done Read

Kay's Bookshelf

Things Mean A Lot

YABookNerd

(Let me know if I missed yours.)