Sal's Book Review

2010-06-14T08:35:00.000-06:00

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Are all newborn vampire's bad?

This novel is read in the firt-person narative of Bree Tanner. A newborn made by Riley via Victoria. This book is from the perspective of the newborn vampire army created to go after the Cullen clan. Riley has told this new army that they are to attack the Cullen's because they want to take over Seattle. They have yellow eye's which makes them weaker as well as their age. This new army is also told that they can only go out into the sun four time's a year or else they'll burn. However, Bree know's that this is a lie. When Riley says that the Cullen's "pet human" will be "dessert" for anyone who get's to her first, Bree realize's that they are being manipulated. Well, if you have read Eclipse, you know what happens in the end with the newborn vampire's.

Another little plot twist. The Volturri also make a vist to Victoria. Are they warning her about the devastation she is allowing to be caused in Seattle or do the Cullen's have more enemies?

I really enjoyed reading this perspective of Eclipse. It was very interesting and kind of added more to the book.

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2010-05-28T15:58:00.001-06:00

The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I truly enjoyed reading this book. I love reading all of her books. They're easy, not graphic, and I finish them in two days tops.

This one was about a doctor who is trying to find out about her paternal grandparents. But everytime she gets a little closer, something stops her in her path. The person who has the most information ends up getting murdered. So not only is she trying to find out about her paternal grandparents, but she is trying to find out who has murdered the person with the info that she wants. As well as trying to find out who is out to get her. It's obvious there is someone who doesn't want her to know where she come's from. While all this is going on, she testifies about a medical miracle to help a deceased nun become a saint. This is a very interesting book.

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2010-05-11T07:45:00.001-06:00

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I LOVED this book!!! I have to say that I thought it was better than Hunger Games. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. There is just so much going on and every chapter is a cliffhanger.

In this one, Katniss has defied The Capitol and the leaders are determined to make an example of her and anyone else who is on her side. It's the 75th Hunger Games and every 25 years, there is a Quell and this time around the rules have changed and not for the better. It is very bizzare, but very good.

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoy's a little bit of everything. Futuristic, sci-fi, fiction, etc. Can't wait for Mockingjay.

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2010-05-05T11:54:00.000-06:00

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book took me a little bit to get into and to focus on. But once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. The writing is very clever and very creative. It really makes you use your imagination.

The premise's of this sbook is that the people live in a ruined country where there is The Capitol and 12 Distrcts. Every year there is a "reaping" where two children, between the ages of 12-18, are chosen from each district to participate in what is called The Hunger Games. These tributes, as they're called, are put into an arena to fight to the death. And the last tribute left, wins. The reasom for the Hunger Games is a result of the 12 Districts uprising against The Capitol. The Hunger Games are pretty much a punishment to show who is in charge.

The star of these games is Katniss Everdeen. If she wins, her family will be well taken care of. She goes through a whirlwind of emotions trying to strategize how she is going to win while also dealing with the news that one of the other tributes in in love with her.

It is a pretty disturbin and bizarre plot. But it's interesting how the author has created this place that could become very real and thrown in a reality tv show twist.

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2010-02-26T11:38:00.001-07:00

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I truly enjoyed reading this book. A story of two girls, Kate and Tully, who meet at 14. Definitely polar opposites. Kate is a good catholic girl and Tully is quite the rebel. Kate come from a nice family with loving parents, while Tully is the daughter of a druggie mother who could care less about Tully. But thru 30 years of friendship, they make it work. They have vowed to be best friends no matter what. However, like all friendships, they have their ups and downs and even moments of not speaking to each other. Kate decide's to be a stay at home mom while Tully takes the world by storm as a news reporte and then evnetually, has her own talk show. Tully obliviously embarasses Kate on live television and Kate had had enough. However, despite the feud, when on of them is treated with a serious diagnosis, they put the past aside ends their days together as best friends like before.

This book is quite the emotional roller coaster. It pulls every emotion out of you. Guilt, sadness, happiness, anger, etc. It's the last few chapters where a box of kleenex needs to be near by.

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2010-02-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Chasing Harry Winston: A Novel by Lauren Weisberger

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I got yo page 102 of this book and could not make myself go any further. I just was not intrigued by the story line and where the story was going. Three women who have all made resolutions to change one thing in their lives. Sounded interesting at first, but the book just moved to slowly for me. It just was not a page burner for me.

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2010-02-17T06:23:00.001-07:00

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I truly enjoyed reading this book. I found it very endearing and tender. Ronnie goes to live with her dad, a former teacher at Julliard and her former piano teacher, for the summer and is determined to hate every minute of it. Especially the piano and her dad's constant need to play. Until something from her past is brought up and prevents her leaving Wrightsville Beach, NC. She decide's to make the best of her stay.

She starts to develop a relationship with her dad that has been put off for 3 years and decide's he isn't such a bad guy after all. She find's a turtle nest that she determined to protect from wild animals. And she falls in love with Will who comes from one of the wealthiest families in the area, but loves Ronnie no matter what anyone says.

Ronnie goes from rebellious teenager to a strong and beautiful young woman who decide's to give her talent at playing the piano another go. She learns that her father is one of the most unselfish man she has ever met and that she can truly be happy.

As much as I loved reading the love story between Ronnie and Will, I especially enjoyed reading about the relationship between Ronnie and her father.

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2010-02-09T18:27:00.001-07:00

Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really quite enjoyed reading this book. The story about to best friends from childhood, Alex and Rosie who are seperated at the age of 18. Alex moves to Boston with his family while Rosie stay in Dublin, Ireland. They both move on with their lives but still stay close by telephone, through email, letters, and instant messaging. Along the way, they are there for each for weddings, divorces, births, funerals, etc. But they never seem to quite get it right. They're in love with each, but don't dare to tell the other. Instead allowing each other to live their lives and not taking that next step for fear of ruining the relationship. However, all their friends and family can tell it's only a matter of time.

There were so many times that I just laughed out loud and I could not put this down. I found very tender and heartwarming.

This novel was written in such an interesting way. It was written in they way that you were reading their instant message's, their emails, and the letters. That's how all the conversations are written in this book. It was really fun to read it that way.

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2010-02-01T21:28:00.001-07:00

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
***This review contains spoiler alerts.***

Savannah and John meet at the beach in Wilmington on John's leave from military duty. It's love at first sight. They spend every day together and their love grows stronger. They promise to write each other when he is away and they write regularly. On his next leave they spend those two weeks inseperable. He goes back and is 6 months away from an honorable discharge when 9/11 hits and he decides to re-enlist. Savannah doesn't take this well and their relationship starts to falter. However, the relationship he has had with his father become's stronger. I found this part of the book very heart-warming, because as an adult, John starts to realize why his father is the way he is and learns to love him unconditionally and realize's his father was a good father to him. Later Savannah realize's she can't handle the distance any longer and break's everything off. Hence, 'Dear John'.

Years later, John goes back to visit Savannah and finds that she has married. This the part that really got me. Savannah's husband is in the hospital, dying, and she and John are going over when they first met and all their memories and admit how much they still love each other. And the whole scene become's way to intimate for a married woman and an ex-lover. However, John realize's, as much as he wants to, he can't destroy a marriage. So the book ends half-way decently.

What I did get from this book, though, was that when you love someone unconditionally, you put their happiness before your own. Also, some people come into our lives when we least expect but when we need it the most, even if we don't realize it.

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2010-01-22T06:48:00.001-07:00

PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I truly enjoyed reading this book. I laughed and cried. Ahern has a way of making you fall in love with her characters.

A story who has lost her husband learns how to cope with life without her lover, best friend, and soul mate. Months after his death she receive's a package entitled The List. Inside are envelopes for the next ten months from her husband of things he wants her to accomplish as a last request from him. And at the end of each note, he write's, PS I Love You. Ahern takes us on ride with Holly and her friends as she opens each message from her beloved and works on accomplishing each request no matter how simple or terrifying. Holly learns that she can truly make it on her own as long as she remember's that Gerry, her husband, will always be with her.

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2009-12-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I found this book to be just as good as the first. Our main character, Hope, has taken Christmas Jars to a whole new level. It's become more of a ministry. She has encouraged everyone in her community to take part of it, but loses sight of what is really important. The meaning of the Christmas Jar.

One of my favorite quotes in this book is 'One Jar. One Life. One Savior.' We are helped to remember that giving to those in need doesn't have to become a huge production. Once that happens, you lose sight of what the meaning really is. I loved the moral of this book. It's not about how manu jars you can fill or how much money is collected. It's about the blessings of giving to the receiver as well as the giver.

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2009-12-19T07:10:00.001-07:00

The Awakening and The Struggle by L.J. Smith

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Alright, I only read the first book of the volume, The Awakening and it was too teenagery for me. More so that Twilight. I have been watching the tv show as well, andI find the show to be way better than the books.

About two brothers, Stephan ad Damon who have been vampires since the 15th century and have a very unhealthy, love/hate relationship with each other over a girl they both loved. The same girl who turned them into vampires. Now they are in the 20th century, book originally written in 1991, and Stephan is trying to blend in.

The main girl, Elena, is portrayed in the show as a down to earth, smart and sweet girl where as in the book she is portrayed and a stuck up snob. And I don't see either vsmpire, Stephan or Damon going for someone like that. Stephan is in love with her. He is prortrayed and calm, cool, has it together. In the book, he's a pansy.

I just could not bare to read another page. It follows the same somewhat storyline as Twilight. Stephan is a "vegetarian" and falls in love with a human girl, but not so needy as Bella. And Damon only wants human blood and wreaks havoc in the small town they have set up in. But the Twilight series is so much better than this series, as far as the book goes.I think I'll just stick with the tv show for now.

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2009-12-06T17:22:00.001-07:00

The Shepherd's Song by Larry Barkdull

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was very uplifting and truly brought in the Christmas Spirit.

A poor, humble shepherd, named Joshua, is expecting his first child. His wife was lost two before and may lose this third one along with her own life. Joshua decide's to make the long journey to the temple in Jerusalem to pray and offer a sacrifice for his wife. Along the way he meets different people who who are in need during the horrid tax season. He gives of himself selflessly to those who are in need of his help.

On his way home, he encounters the angels who sing of Christ's birth and goes with the other shepherds to to witness the birth whike carrying his heavy burden. As soon as he witness's this birth and the sacred child, he is free of all burden as he holds this precious child.

It was so interesting to read this book taken from the perspective of a humble shepherd.

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2009-12-03T09:31:00.001-07:00

Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I found this book to be very uplifting and inspiring. It's a wonderful read to help anyone get into the Christmas spirit.

A young reporter, Hope, has been given a wonderful gift that has blessed her lives in more ways than she could ever imagine. A jar full of money. Being the reporter that she is, she want's to get to the bottom of the Christmas Jar and write the story of a lifetime.

She come in contact with a family who has started th tradition on the Christmas Jar. She weedle's herself into their lives, portraying herself as a reporter for a local college. But instead of a story, she finds familial love and a family who takes her in as her own.

This is a short book and can be read in a few hours, but you need some tissues. It will pull at the heartstrings, but give you a warm feeling inside.

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2009-10-15T22:34:00.000-06:00

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. For some reason, it just moved slow and I had a hard time getting into it. And there were some parts that dragged on. But I'm glad I pushed through and finished because I thought it was amazing. Especially the last few chapters.

Robert Langdon, famous Harvard professor, goes to Washington D.C. for a lecture and instead, in thronw into the craziest hours of his life. Dealing with a madman and trying to save the sacred secrets of the Mason's. He learns about the famous Masonic Pyramid and is persuaded to decipher the code of the pyramid to find the Lost Treasure of the Mason's. This adventure takes him and the reader on a wild goose chase all through America's capital. But when Langdon and the reader find out what the Lost Treasure really is, it comes as a shocking surprise and is nothing close to what is expected. It's better!!

I really liked how this book ended. Brown really got more into the religious aspect of the Mason's and other religions throughout the world. He talked about how as a society and world, we have found that we know longer need faith, beliefs, or hope. We have shut out God and all his greatness for the more materials things of life. And how because of how "wicked" society has become, they are not ready to here the goodness of God's words and teaching's.

I thought, in a lot of ways, this book had a really good moral to it.

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2009-10-07T15:56:00.001-06:00

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved the way this series ended. The Half-Bloods prepare all year for the biggest war to come which can end well or badly. Percy takes a bath in the River Styx which is the only way he can stand up to Kronos/Luke. He finally hears the prophecy that has been kept from him for 4 years and realizes what his destiny is. Though scary, he is prepared to help save Olympus. However, he is tempted, along the way, to open Pandora's box and release HOPE to the Titan's. We are also introduced to Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth who helps Percy along his way and shows him past vision's to help him with his decision's.

Throughout the book, Percy struggle's with his feelings, emotions, and the overwhelming feeling of saving Olympus, his family, and the girl he loves.

I'm sad to see this series end, but I truly enjoyed it. And like Harry Potter and Twilight, I'm sure it will be another series that I can read over and over again.

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2009-09-29T19:14:00.001-06:00

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this book, Percy finds himself having to help Annabeth fulfill her quest. Along with Grover the satyr and Tyson the Cyclops. Grover is still trying to find Pan, the Nature God. Luke, who has turned to the Titans, is helping the Titan leader, Kronos regain power and attack Camp Half-Blood. Which brings us to the Labyrinth. A secret maze under the USA and is made to confuse, fool, and drive those who dare search it go insane.

The quest is to find Daedelus, a famous Greek Architect who built the Labyrinth. And since Olympus and the Gods have come up to speed with the 21st century, so has the Labyrinth. We meet Queen Hera, find Percy and his friends on a Demon Dude Ranch, fight a giant, and other mythical monster's. The Labyrinth also makes time go by faster and can take you from Manhattan to San Francisco in a day.

This book also intorduce's Pan and Calypso, a beautiful woman who has been exiled to a secluded island. Percy learns about more of his powers which end up being pretty dangerous. He also helps Nico, son of Hades, help fight against the Titans. As well as a mortal, Rachel, who can see through the Mist and navigate the maze without becoming confused.

This book was filled with so many more adventures and greek mythology. I really enjoyed reading this book to the point I couldn't put it down.

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2009-09-24T17:31:00.001-06:00

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was probably by far the best in the series. In this book, Percy and his friends go after two new Half-bloods who are in grave danger. They fight a manticore and someone who calls himself "The General" of the tightens. We meet Artemis and Apollo, twins, Goddess of the Dawn who is also a Huntress and God of the Sun who drive's the most awesome chariots.

We find out more about Atlas, the man who held up the sky. And Pan, the God of nature. And we alos meet Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. I just love the way the Greek mythology is thrown in here. And how the Mount Olympus moves with Western Civilization. This is seriously not your textbook greek mythology.

Also, in the first books, it talks about how the Big Three Gods take an Oath never to have children with mortals after WWII. It just so happens that none of them kept they're word. So they say.

I really like how Riordan is turning Percy Jackson into quite the hero but allows him flaws and create's him to realize that even the best can fall.

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2009-09-22T10:24:00.000-06:00

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This one was a little slow at first, but it got better towards the middle. I really quite enjoyed it. I love how Riordan brings alot of mythical creatures to life and how they all entertwine with the Gods and mortals.

It was interesting to read how Percy and his friends have to recover the Golden Fleece to help rebuild the borders around Half-Blood Camp. And heal the pine tree that was once Thalia, the daughter of Zeus. On their way they fight off so many monsters and that the Sea of Monsters is in the Bermuda Triangle. They also run into an enemy, Luke, who wants Percy to collect the Golden Fleece for himself to bring the Titan Lord, Kronos, back into reform. We're also introduced into Tyson, a baby Cyclops, who is nothing like a full grown Cyclops. He would rather work with human's and half-bloods, instead of being mean and nasty. If you read the first book, you'll know that the Greek Gods and their kingdoms move along with Western Civilization.

I also liked how Riordan described Hermes, the God of Messengers, Travelers, Theieves, etc. One time you see him dressed as a jogger, when Percy first meets him, and the next time you see him dressed as a 21st century postman delivering a message to Percy from Poseidon. I just really enjoy reading how Riordan brings in Greek mythology with a 21st century point of view.

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2009-09-17T08:28:00.000-06:00

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and humorous. It reminded me a little bit of Harry Potter, except it had Greek Mythology in there.

About a boy, Percy Jackson who is ADHD and dyslexic and can make things happen. His ADHD allows him to read ancient Greek. What he doesn't realize is that he is the son of a Greek God and a very powerful one at that. He goes to a camp after 6th grade for other "Half-Blood's". Children of other Greek Gods and Goddesses. He is sent on a quest to retrieve something very special that could cause a huge war amongst 3 of the most powerful Gods.

I thought it was fun to catch up on my greek mythology and how Riordan brings these mythical creatures to life with a 21st century twist. It was fun to read the description of the Underworld as well as Mount Olympus. I liked the description of the different Gods and how they looked as well as the description of getting to Mount Olympus from the real world. It was just a really fun book to read.

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2009-09-10T09:27:00.000-06:00

Austenland by Shannon Hale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I could have given this more than 5 stars, I woud have. I will admit there were parts that were quite corny and cheesy. But being a hopeless romantic and the love I have for Jane Austen novels, I found myself falling in love with this book.

I loved how in some ways it read like a Jane Austen novel with a 21st century twist to it. A young woman who is given an all expense paid trip to London and live the regency life for 3 weeks. No email, no cell phone's, no electronics of any kind. She is there to kick the whole Mr Darcy obsession once an for all. She lives the regency lifstyle with the fashion, the style, the flirting, etc. However, she finds that once she relaxes, she will find her true love. So hopelessly romantic. *sigh*

And the thought of dressing up in regency attire and living a more simple life just appeals to me. Although, I don't think I could handle the corsets.

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2009-09-08T07:04:00.000-06:00

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I did not find this book to be as good as Airhead, but I still enjoyed reading it.

In this book, Em Watts is still dealing with being a teen supermodel and figuring out all this model stuff. But she is still secretly in love wit Chris who she was known since grade school. She also finds out she has a brother and a mother who goes missing. As she enlists Chris for help, she finds out that he has an evil scheme to take down Stark Corporation and is willing to help Nikki find her mother if she helps him bring down Stark from the inside. The mysterious part in all this, is that Nikki's mother takes off soon after Em/Nikki's accident. Or was what happened to the "real" Nikki really an accident?

The end of this book had quite a twist and I'm not sure if that helped my decision of how to rate this book. For me, the book moved a little slow, however made me anxious to find out what would happen in the end.

I'll have to wait for the 3rd book to come out to see what happens.

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2009-09-02T10:40:00.001-06:00

Airhead by Meg Cabot

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I found this to be a really fun read. This book is more geared toward teenagers, so it was an easy read and easy to follow. But it brought back the good old days of reading Sweet Valley High.

Em Watts is a smart yet geeky girl. She's not into fashion, make-up, or hair. Her younger sister Frida, on the other hand is embarrassed by her sister. Em consider's the popular crown the 'Walking Dead' because of how little personality they have. Their like clones. However, after a freak accident at a store opening and the sudden death of a teen super model, Nikki Howard, Em, wakes up in the hospital a month later to find herself in the model's body. She has undergone a whole body transplant.

It's kind of fun to see the way Em adjust's to her new lifestyle, celeb friends, and fame status. However, she is told over and over how the new "Nikki" is a lot nicer than the old one. And now Em/Nikki now has to figure out how to get the guy she has been crushing on since 5th grade. Shouldn't be too hard for a teen super model, right? You'll have to read to find out.

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2009-08-31T13:01:00.001-06:00

Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this novel, Anne becomes the principal of a high school far from her beloved Avonlea. She holds this post for 3 years while Gilber is finishing medical school. A majority of this book are excerpts of letters that she has written to Gilbert describing her time at Windy Poplars. She has several adventures and makes lots of new friends. She is somewhat of an advisor to those young and old that she becomes acquainted with. She also has to defend herself against the royal family of Summerside, "The Pringles".

I found this book easy to read but at time's a little to slow for my taste. I still gave it 5 stars for the reason that I love the stories of Anne of Green Gables.

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2009-08-23T21:11:00.000-06:00

Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think this is my favorite so far in the series. I loved how the love between Gilbert and Anne grew. The way that Montgomery wrote this novel was beautiful. Anne was determined not to fall in love with Gilbert and not be with him because he wasn't what she dreamed of. It was written so perfectly that not even the movie could have portrayed it better. I enjoyed reading about all the new character's and how Anne was loved by just about everyone she came across. I think my favorite part was when she went to college and she and some girlfriends rented a quiet little home together. It was like their own little sorority off campus. This was so vividly written that it made the reader use their imagination.

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2009-08-19T10:54:00.000-06:00

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am so glad that I have decided to start this series. I read Anne of Green Gables long ago, but never wanted to read the others because they were so different from the movie.

Anne of Avonlea show's Anne growing up, but she still has her queer ways. She is still getting into trouble. Selling a neighbor's cow in haste, convincing Marilla to adopt twins, and so forth. I love watching the love between Anne and Gilbert blossom even more. Nothing is said in words, but you can read it. I love Montgomery's
description's of the happenings in Avonlea as well as her use of so many adjective's. It just brings the story to life.

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2009-08-06T11:24:00.000-06:00

Twenties Girl: A Novel by Sophie Kinsella

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book. It was so fun to read and had me laughing out loud It also had moments where it touched my heart. Kinsella has a way of taking a story and making it into a fun ride.

Lara goes to her great-aunt's funeral to find that great-aunt Sadie has started haunting her because of a special necklace that has been lost. Thye fun starts from there. Sadie is so convincing, that she has Lara dressing in vintage 1920's clothing, asking a random stranger out on a date, breaking and entering, as well as beeing conniving. All for a dragonfly necklace. However, along this road, Lara find's out who she really is and what she is capable of doing and how strong she is as an individual. She come's to quite enjoy having Sadie around.

Kinsella also did very well describing the 1920's clothing as well as the look and era. I enjoyed allowing my imagination to run wild with this novel.

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2009-08-02T21:44:00.000-06:00

Shanghai Girls: A Novel by Lisa See

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It has been a while since I have been able to give a book 5 stars, but I felt this book really deserved it.

Shanghai Girls is the story of two sisters in pre WWII Shanghai, or the Paris of Asia. Their family is well off, they're beautiful girls free to do as they please. They are modern and fashionable and happy. However, in one swoop, their lives change. They are set up in arranged marriage's and are to move to America. See tells the struggles of these two girls, Pearl and May, trying to leave Shanghai and run from their future, but eventually they arrive in a country where they are not wanted except by their husband's and family.

See write's of them americanizing themselve's in Los Angeles, their wait on Angel Island, and the sacrifice's they make to belong in America. Until Communism takes over China and every chinese immigrant is a suspect of communism and has the threat of being deported.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found myslef engrossed in the story of these sister's as well as reading the real hardships of chinese immigrants wanting to live in America to make a better life for themselve's. It sadden's me though at how much they were discriminated against except even though Chinatown became quite the tourist attraction.

My favorite quote from this whole book was, "Parents die, daughters grow up and marry out, but sisters are for life."

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2009-07-23T20:26:00.000-06:00

Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I can't honestly say that I READ this book because I didn't even finish it. For some reason, this book did not hold my interest. I felt that the author kept jumping from subject to subject to the point that I had to read section's over again. I'm sure it is a very good book, but for right now, not for me. I just can't handle when and author jumps around so much that it takes away from the plot. I realize that this is about her life, but it's supposed to be about the Julie/Julia Project and by the time I got to page 69, I didn't feel like I was getting that story. Maybe if I watch the movie, I might feel differently and pick it up again. I hope other readers have better luck with it than I did.

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2009-06-22T18:31:00.000-06:00

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