Last Minute Book Reviews

I've been a bit lazy with book reviews the past few weeks. As 2009 ends, here are the last few books I read and my very brief reviews. You can tell that I didn't care to read anything deep while on break from school. More to come in 2010!

Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton

Sixteen year old Chanda lives in a small village in Africa. When her mother turns ill and vanishes to retrieve treatment, Chanda's in charge of her two younger siblings as well as best friend who might have contracted AIDS. She carefully balances providing an honorable life for her loved ones with standing up for what she believes in, regardless of what others think. The book was an extremely powerful read - dark and deep - that I definitely enjoyed. Chanda is a great character for young adults to read about. She's determined, responsible and incredibly aware. I'm excited to read the sequel which was published last year.

An Education by Nick Hornby

Jenny wants to be anything but ordinary. In this coming-of-age story, she dreams of a world full of music and dance, while in reality she's stuck in 1960s suburban London. That is until David, an older man, walks into her life and takes her on a whirlwind of a journey, where she loses not just her innocence but a bit of herself at the same time. Hornby's script is excellent, truly showing a middle-class London from yesteryear and wonderfully drawn characters inhabiting the streets. The characters are vivid and interesting, always with a motive. And the diary, which is included with the script, offers an interesting inside look at not just the writing process, but the creation of the film. I can't wait to see the movie.

* Lynn Barber wrote the original novel An Education, however this review is in reference to the Hornby screenplay based on the book, not Barber's actual book.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Annabel Greene on the outside has everything - beautiful looks, a career as a model, and a wonderful, caring family. But inside she's hiding a secret that's constantly tearing her apart. And school is no better, where everyone, including her best friend, has turned on her. The new year looks bleak until Owen, the school loner, starts to open up to her and with Owen she feels free to almost say anything. Although the book was incredibly similar to Laurie Halse Anderson's phenomenal novel Speak, there was much more. Dessen delicately touches on many hard subjects in this book, and does it quite wonderfully. She gives each character a purpose and a story and I truly enjoyed that. She didn't just concentrate on Annabel's hard time, but she also told the story of Annabel's sisters, Owen's sister and more. The book is full, hard to forget and very, very good.

Forever . . .by Judy Blume

Katherine and Michael meet at a New Years Eve party and within days start dating. Their strong chemistry, as well as mutual affection, pushes them closer and closer to one another, even though their parents may not think a relationship this intimate may be smart. It's a story about a first love that's so strong it feels as if it will last forever. I read this book primarily because Judy Blume is the mother of all YA lit and concentrates heavily on areas that interest me. This book is wonderfully told, honest and vivid, showing how true and real a first love can be. It's banned across the country due to sexuality and homosexuality, but is one book I really think teens should read. And adults, as it will remind you of that first love that's buried deep down within your heart.

Lucy in the Sky by Paige Toon

I finally read (and clearly loved) the last of the Paige Toon books (until this upcoming summer). Lucy loves her boyfriend James, but just as she's about to get on a flight to watch her best friends get married in Australia, she gets a very disturbing text message that hints that he may not be as faithful as she thinks. Distraught in Australia, she takes comfort in her friends' happiness and turns her sights onto the surfer (and best friend's brother) Nathan. The complete opposite of lawyer James, Nathan is carefree and fun. Back in London Lucy has a choice - stay with James or pine for Nathan, who's far away. The decision is much harder when James becomes a bit more truthful and Nathan comes to visit. Once again, my best compliment is that I adore all of Toon's characters. They're my friends by the end, people I want to see again. The story is told very well and is far from any other chick lit. Toon never stays to the same tired plot of boy meets girl, they get together, something draws them apart, they're back together within the last few pages. She shows her variety and keeps the reader on their toes. The book was fun, fresh, and instantly likable.

PHEW! Here's to reading in the new year!