Book Review, Summer 2006
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
*****
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read and being a voracious
reader, that’s saying a lot. I honestly didn’t expect much from
Twilight, it being labeled a "teen romance" novel and all, so I was pleasantly
surprised at how well it was written (despite the fact that the author uses the words "stunningly beautiful" way too often), how smoothly the story flowed
(with currents in just the right places), and how natural and human the
characters were (even the non-human ones). I did some research and found out that most of the book’s fans are actually adults rather than teens (though there are a lot of teen fans as well) so its good to know that I’m not alone. I can’t wait for the sequels!
Beauty by Nancy Butcher
**
I was terribly disappointed with this book. It started off really well and then fizzled out with a sad excuse for an ending. There was almost no resolution and you are left with even more questions than when you started. The author had a very good idea but didn’t do anything with it which is such a waste. There is definitely potential in it. Probably the only redeeming factor for this book is its somewhat indiscreet message for kids to stay away from drugs. Other than that, it was a waste of time.
The Family by Mario Puzo
***
Mafia books and movies really aren’t my cup of tea (I fell asleep both times I attempted to watch The Godfather) so I was far from enthusiastic when I started reading this book but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I quite enjoyed it. It wasn’t what I was used to but it was a good read nonetheless. Then again, I don’t know if I enjoyed it simply because the previous 2 books I had read were such disappointments but I’d like to think that its a good book in its own right (which is most probably the case seeing as I received the book as a present from a friend who insisted I read it).
Stargazer by Michele Jaffe
No Stars
Ohmigawd, this is one of the WORST novels ever written! The characters are incredibly one dimensional, it is packed with cliches, and don’t even get me started on the plot. Though I hate to admit it, I was once, and sometimes still am, a fan of cheesy romance novels - heck, my college thesis was about hisorical romances - which means that I’m probably more forgiving when it comes to criticizing the genre. So for me to give this book such a horrid review, you know it must be really bad. To sum it up, Ive read Silhouette & Harlequin romances which are better written than this. I’ve learned my lesson. Stay away from the clearance bin!
Shopaholic & Sister by Sophie Kinsella
**
Okay, book 1 was funny, book 2 was cute, book 3 was okay, and this one, book 4, is simply - tolerable. It seems that the characters become less and less endearing (and believable) with every installment. To be honest, I only read this book because of sentimental reasons (I liked books 1 & 2) and because, being the compulsive & obsessive person that I am, I simply had to read the latest book since I had already read the first 3 in the series. I’m disappoited to say that the same characters that amused me in the first 2 books now irritated me. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike the book, but I didn’t quite enjoy it either.
The Makeup Girl by Andrea Semple
**
This book is a little too predictable. I found myself guessing what would happen chapters before it actually would, and not in a good way. It wasn’t like reading Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons where you guess who the villain is and all that; it was more like thinking "I bet she’s going to bump into her sister" and then 2 chapters later it happens. It was so predictable that it sort of defeated the purpose of reading a novel. It wasn’t a waste of money but It isn’t something I’d recommend either. Its a "blah" book: neither here nor there.
The Frog Princess Trilogy by E.D. Baker
*****
This series is so cute! I read all 3 books in a day and a half. Sure the reading level is a bit low, but I really enjoyed them. If I had a pre-teen daughter, these are the types of books I’d want her to read. There’s magic and adventure and a teensy bit of romance, as well as good lessons to be learned. I also love that the princess becomes a vegetarian witch. We all know what my nieces will be getting for Christmas!
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<- Also check out my "Bear’s Best Books" list at the left. Its an ongoing list of my all-time favorite books.
