Dell Paperbacks. 2001. 350 pages.

I’m late in the game hence the cover edition of the copy I have (given by an aunt for my birthday). I’ve been meaning to read the “Shopaholic Series” but never really got round to make an effort (I was just waiting to either borrow from a friend or the library). After seeing them in a book sale though, i ended up getting the rest of the series (except for ‘Shopaholic Takes Manhattan’)

Anyway, I knew the kind of funny and witty entertainment I was going to be in for as I had previously read Kinsella’s ‘Can You Keep a Secret‘ which I absolutely loved ( mainly because it made me literally LOL)

Rebecca “Becky” Bloomwood has a serious shopping addiction. She is the prototype of a true shopaholic –getting addicted to the highs of purchasing new things. And like most shopaholics–she is up to her eyeballs in debt. But Unlike most shopaholics that you know, Becky Bloomwood has the irony of all jobs : she is a financial journalist for ‘Successful Saving’ magazine–offering financial tips, advice and opinion on most situations, like facing debt responsibility.

It’s a one whole hilarious ride reading Becky Bloomwood’s misadventures trying to save money, make more money, and evade the financial institutions that are breathing down her neck. For 350 pages, it is quite thick than your usual smart ‘chick-lit’ read but i found myself wanting MORE after the very last page.

No wonder the series is such a hit.I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

–

I was able to watch the movie on a plane before reading the book. And though i prefer the book better (the movie seems to be a mish-mash of all elements of the series mixed and matched together in however way possible), it’s still hilarious, charming, and endearing. Isla Fisher is perfect for the role of Becky Bloomwood.

the author, Sophie Kinsella

2003. Picador. 320 pages.

Someone said that they key to an instant non-fiction bestseller is to brand the book as a “memoir”. Although most memoirs leave a powerful mark,  I’ve read a handful of memoir packaged works that left me terribly disappointed.

Though i won’t say that Running With Scissors is very monumental, it’s a delightful read. Augusten Burroughs has the ingenious talent of stringing everyday ’safe’ words together that will give you an electric shock.

Growing up in the 70’s, Burroughs was left by his mother to live with her psychiatrist, Dr. Finch. Together with the other adopted Finch children, Burroughs experiences adolescence and teenage/young adult years in a very radical house and family with too much freedom.

The family belives that a child reaches his maturity at the age of 13, and no adult can tell him or her what to do. This may sound like paradise to most teenagers. And while Burroughs initially embraced and enjoyed his freedom (he’s discovered and was enouraged to explore his homosexuality) in the end he realizes that he needs boundaries and rules, and that all he really wanted was a “Hamburger Helper” mother.

The Finch family creates a colorful out of this world dynamics (they read their future by the shape of their excrement, and consult the bible via “bible dips” –where one asks a question say, “should i take this job or not” and another flips randomly at a page in the bible, and the ‘asker’ points his finger anywhere in the page. whatever word his finger lands on is the answer to his question). A house where anger is celebrated, and cleaning up is almost forbidden.

It’s about how living with a dysfunctional family can make or break an individual. but most importantly, its about how one learns to better himself despite and inspite of his background.

I saw the movie right after reading the book. Brilliantly acted, but the book is 100X better, The movie has a dark aura to it, and has so many cinematic juxtaposition to create a feel of ‘irony’ or emphasize a mood. While it worked 1-2 times, too much of it is just blah.

Annette Benning was wonderful playing Dierdre Burroughs (Augusten’s mother). Augusten’s role, played by Joseph Cross, i felt wasn’t really justified 100%.

Scenes from the movie:

The author, Augusten Burroughs

Hodder and Stoughton, Copyright 2005, 393 pages.

I’m a fan of Beatles songs, but not really knowledgeable about their personal life. So it’s not surprising that I did not know about Cynthia Lennon, John Lennon’s first wife.

This book is not really a biographical attempt on John Lennon’s life (as the cover and title might suggest). Rather, it is more of a memoir of Cynthia’s life with the famous Beatle.

Cynthia Lennon is quick to admit that the public has long viewed her as “that girl who got pregnant so John Lennon would marry her.” Yet, as she has revealed in this book, that is far from the truth. She has long kept her silence, enduring having to deny that she was Lennon’s wife at the height of Beatlemania (upon the instruction of their road manager), and having to deal with a painful divorce. And so, she says,

” The time has come when I feel ready to tell the truth about John and me, our years together and the years since his death. There is so much that I have never said, so many incidents I have never spoken of and so many feelings I have never expressed–great love on the one hand; pain, torment and humiliation on the other. Only I know what happened between us, why we stayed together, why we parted and the price I paid for having been John’s wife.”

Those looking for an objective and thorough life story of John Lennon will be disappointed. This book was written with a mission: for Cynthia Lennon to air her side of things.

Cynthia Lennon’s writing style is very personal, and it is evident that she loved (and still loves) and cared very deeply for John Lennon. From her narration, one can feel the pain of a woman whose love for a man is almost on the brink of martyrdom. Though her personality is very simple, steady, and un-eccentric (in her own words, she admits she lacks confidence , and she prefers, and endured to be the wallflower while John was in the limelight), it radiates through her writing. It seldom happens to me, as I am aware these kinds of memoir/biographies could be one sided, but I found myself sympathizing with her.

The hurt, pain and confusion that she felt when John started drifting away from her and their son Julian is very raw.

I finished reading this thick book overnight–very engrossing, and filled with tidbits such as how the Beatles’ song, “She Loves You” could be inspired by John’s very first chirstmas card to her, on which he wrote, ” I love you–yes, yes, yes”, and that “Hey, Jude” was written by Paul Mc Cartney for young Julian Lennon (Cynthia and John’s son), when his father left him and his mother for Yoko Ono (it was originally titled, “Hey, Jules” but for better musical compatibility decided “Jude” would be better). And a whole lot more Beatle trivia that are interesting to know.

As the wife scorned, it is obvious that Cynthia Lennon has written Yoko Ono out to be cold, strange, manipulative and cruel. Though there may be some truth to it, I would love to read Ms. Ono’s take on things for a better rounded view.

The book left me feeling quite sad, but at the same time glad to see an honest and refreshing view on her overall life with John Lennon:

“I never stopped loving John, but the cost of that love had been enormous. Someone asked me recently whether, if I’d known in the beginning what lay ahead, I would have gone through with it. I had to say no. Of course I could never regret having my wonderful son. But the truth is that if i’d known as a teenager what falling for John Lennon would lead to, I would have turned right round then and walked away.”

John and Cynthia Lennon. Happier times.

Cynthia Lennon with son Julian.

Harper Trophy edition (2006), 243 pages.

My sister introduced me to Filipino-American author Melissa de la Cruz when she read De la Cruz’s “Au Pairs”. I haven’t read the debut novel, but I was particularly interested in “Fresh Off the Boat.” It’s a teen-lit novel about a 14 year old Filipina from Manila, Vicenza Arambullo, who migrates with her family to San Francisco.

Fresh off the boat (or “F.O.B.”) is a phrase used to describe immigrants that have arrived from a foreign nation have not yet assimilated to the host nation’s culture, language, and behavior. (Wikipedia)

So as Vicenza struggles about with the normal teen angst, she also deals with trying to adjust to a different lifestyle. Back in Manila, she and her sister were being driven by the family driver to their private exclusive all-girls school. Her family owned a posh restaurant in Makati, and her mom often played lovely dinner hostess to government officials and politicians. They had regular manicure and pedicure and hair sessions at their salon with personal stylists. But all that changed when her father made one wrong decision with business investment.

Forced to ’save face’ , the Arambullos migrate to San Francisco and deal not just about cultural assimialtion but having to adjust to being middle-class as well.

Entertainingly written, witty and honest, “Fresh Off the Boat” offers a view to how new immigrants and their families cope, through the eyes of a typical 14 year old.

Author Melissa de la Cruz grew up in Manila and San Francisco. THIS is her website.

Laurel Leaf Books, 260 pages, copyright 1998.

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Life in the Fat Lane is a must read not just for young adults but for women of all ages. The copy I read was published in 1998 (first publishing I guess), so it still had a very “R.L Stine-y” illustration on it. A newer puclication is out with a much modern cover (a girl in very tight jeans, grasping her tummy rolls)

Lara Ardeche is the most popular girl in her Nashville highschool–beauty pageant winner, homecoming queen, and perfect set of parents (her mother was also a beauty pageant queen and her father, the school jock who married the homecoming queen.)

Everything is at her feet, life is a piece of cupcake. Until she’s diagnosed with a metabolic disorder known as Axell-Crowne disease, where she exponentially keeps on gaining weight. The more she exercises and diets, the MORE the pounds pile on.

The novel is very direct, almost blunt and graphic, in detailing Lara’s new life as the “fat girl”. Issues such as bulimia, extra marital affairs, school bullying, and self-esteem are dealt with head-on in a no BS manner.

This book is a highly recommended read. And it would  be lovely to see a film adaptation of it, (ala Mean Girls).

Random House Group (Vintage), 2004. 306 pages.

my third anne tyler read, and it remains to exponentially impress. while all anne tyler books make you feel like sinking into a very familiar and warm reading couch (that makes you not want to do any other thing), it also offers a stinging dose of reality that only a good, well-meaning friend could give.

do opposites really attract? or do they initially get drawn by a passionate gravitational force, and eventually repel? “The Amateur Marriage” chronicles the 30 year marriage of Michael and Pauline Anton, whose love beginnings in 1941 just after the war broke, are known by the whole town of East Baltimore. Michael, a quiet and obedient son was doing his daily chore of helping his mother in their grocery store when WHOOSH! the beautiful typhoon known as Pauline (escorted by her girlfriends) come rushing into the grocery doors, Pauline’s eyebrow bleeding and girlfriends frantically asking for help.

That very moment, the moment that Michael Anton ever so carefully bandaged Pauline’s eyebrows and noticed her unusually azure eyes–both their lives, as they say, has never been the same again.

They marry shortly after, and the book progresses on as the years go by–caring for 3 children, the frustrations and daily rudiments of Pauline as a suburban mother and housewife, not to mention caring for her mother-in-law, a rebellious first-born daughter running away to San Francisco.

Though the pattern of their marriage spats seem to be (by the naked eye), just the usual “ups and downs” of a normal marriage, it is their clashing personalities that constantly give them a massive amount of frustration. Michael–unemotional, steady, and predictable. Pauline–passionate, emotional, temperemental.

Early on in the marriage, Michael contemplates a “what if” scenario that has carried on throughout their marriage. What if he didn’t marry such a complicated woman? Why didn’t he just settle for a less-attractive, less passionate woman? His life would have been so simple and serene, he’d always thought.  He was sure simple and quiet women would never throw saucers and cups during arguments, never walk out, never yell.

On the other hand Pauline simply cannot comprehend how Michael’s behavior is very clock-work, very robotic, and is rarely expressive–with his both his frustrations and joys. Though this has led her to a short, half-baked extra marital affair early on in the marriage, she remains to have a positive approach on the general outlook of their marriage.

And so it was on the day of their 30th wedding anniversary when, as Pauline was fondly reminiscing all their “passionate silly fights” through the years, but how they still have managed to be together all this time–through children and grandchildren–when Michael declares that No, it hasn’t been fun for him at all, in fact it had been years of HELL for him.

He makes a decision that again, changes their life after 30 years of being together.

Though this Unhappily ever after story has an obviously sad ending, it provides a good dose of reality. Only Anne Tyler can make seemingly small things big, and make it so reasonably human and close to the heart.

I would hate for this novel to be turned into a movie. Anne Tyler’s works simply must NOT be downgraded to the big screen. The emotions that only Tyler can perfectly convey in words and prose are far too rich for that.

Tyler lives in Baltimore, where all her novels are set.

penguin books, ltd. copyright 2006. 514 pages.

generation-x authors are proving to be refreshingly impressive. it’s as if they have taken the norm of novel writing and reading to a whole new dimension. if Jonathan Safran Foer (b. 1977) made “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” into a multi-media read, Marisha Pessl, (b. 1977) has taken a more traditional path, but in an overdone and quirky style that it comes out a breakthrough.

the whole book is riddled with citation, reference, footnotes and nicely done hand illustrations that the novel seems to be a research paper cum diary.

Central character Blue van Meer lives a nomadic life with her narcissistic and protective father, Gareth, who works as a professor almost all over the country. the first chapters of the book (chapters which are all named after notable literary works from Othello to Metamorphoses) breeze you through Blue’s childhood following the death of her butterfly-obsessed mother. Blue narrates her nomadic school life and her father’s cassanova affairs with the so-called “June-Bugs” of every state like it’s the most natural thing.

It is when they make Stockton, North Carolina their next stop when the ‘real’ plot begins. Blue meets Hannah Schneider, a teacher in her new school, puts her on a pedastal and quietly admires her through her perceptive observations. she makes it her goal to play matchmaker between her father and Hannah Schneider. Meanwhile, Hannah also gets into a ‘fixation’ with Blue and asks ‘the Bluebloods’ to invite Blue in their weekly gatherings. “The Bluebloods” are a group of famous high school students that Hannah Schneider has taken under her motherly radical wing and they revere Hannah with great fervor.

When Hannah invites Blue and the Bluebloods into one fateful hiking trip, the plot finally thickens. Blue becomes the only witness when she finds Hannah’s body hanging by a piece of electrical cord. She becomes an outcast again and soon enough, the story pace amps up when she makes it her mission to solve the suicide-or-murder mystery.

In a manner that reminds me very much of the movie, “The Usual Suspects”, the answers to her quest come up.

The book ends sadly and also mysteriously, with a “Final Exam” type last chapter, which seems to bring (or does it not?) answers to the reader.

3.5 stars out of 5. Less words would have made it a perfect 5.  its a nice work overall but it didn’t Have to be 514 pages.

author Marisha Pessl

628 pages. atom books. copyright 2007

as much as i didn’t really like the second book in the twilight series, ‘New Moon’, i still can’t resist the urge to be hooked and want to know what happens next. i’m glad i got the third book. ‘eclipse’ sort of becomes ‘new moon’s redeeming factor. so this picks up where new moon ended–the cullens are back in forks. but there’s been a series of murders in seattle that alarms nor just the forks local police and people but the friendly neighborhood vampires and werewolves as well.

more action, more historical info (aka legends) are in the book. the suspense builds up at a moderate pace, and doesn’t all just culminate in the end (like twilight). there’s the suspense of battle, and of personal decisions.

the characters are much more developed–i was going to hate edward cullen forever for being so possesive of bella –and for bella as well for being a pushover, but later on they reach a compromise. and edward becomes more understanding of bella’s and jacob’s friendship. i’ve also found a newborn respect for edward in his conversation with jacob–him admitting that there are times he thinks jacob would be better for bella.

jacob as usual is very endearing, and still devoted to bella. bella finds herself being able to relate to the catherine of ‘wuthering heights’, torn between 2 opposing and feuding admirers.

it ends with bella graduating from highschool–and all twilight readers would know what that means.

i really feel for jacob black. bella is too dumb and lovestruck not to see this!

PS: atom books has serious issues with typos (grammatical and all sorts), all 3 books have had them so far. very trivial errors but affects the reading of course.

penguin books. 326 pages. copyright 2005

this book is one of the first novels dealing with the 9/11 attacks. oskar schell is a precocious 9 year old boy whose father died when the second tower fell. since then, he’s been ‘wearing heavy boots’ because of many factors: the messages his father left in the voicemail that only he has retrieved, his mother dating another guy, oskar’s naturally curious and inventive nature, and just a son’s loss basically.

he finds a key inside an envelope with his father’s handwritting on it. from then on, his main goal is to find what the small key opens. his father has written “Black” on the envelope, and he begins paying a visit to ALL the Black-surnamed people in New York.

along his quest, he makes new friendships, and gets to know his grandmother and grandfather more.

extremely loud and incredibly close is a one-of-a kind novel. it is almost multi-media as it has accompanying photographs, scribbles, scratches, and even a flip book type animation of a man falling from one of the towers. it brings forth an intro to modern storytelling, not just in prose but delivery and presentation.

oskar is your typical school genius who gets picked on and his narration of his grief and hatred with the events that happened on the 11th of september is creative, innocent, admirable, charming, and sad.

i’ve totally fallen in love with this book–it is a story of a boy’s quest, and a story of sons and fathers.

how very apt for me to have read it on fathers’ day.

i’ll be looking forward to getting my hands on Foer’s other novel, ‘Everything is Illuminated’. need to read it before the movie comes out.

author jonathan safran foer, born 1977 is married to novelist nicole krauss.

atom books. 563 pages. copyright 2006

there is no way that you could read twilight and not want to know what happens next. so i immediately got the second book, new moon (thanks to hubby). ‘new moon’, according to author stephenie meyer, is the complete opposite phase of a full moon. and it is supposedly the darkest kind of night. that definition alone sums up the book in a whole. so these are bella swan’s darkest days. edward cullen realizes that his vampire-human relationship isn’t doing any of them good, so he ups and leaves. meanwhile bella is left , for the next half year, moping around. she seeks comfort from jacob black, who turns out to become a werewolf to fight the vampires. she actually seemed to be just using him, for the meantime that she is nursing a broken heart.

edward only appears in the beginning and in the end of the book. in between is like one grey matter (the only climax revealing that jacob belongs to a pack of werewolves, and that victoria is back seeking for vengeance) the whole book is too reflective, and too emotional, especially with bella not being able to move on. the pacing is not as good as twilight, even with edward’s life or death scenario in italy towards the end.

bella practically ‘dumps’ jacob like a used comforter when edward returns back into the picture. edward, for all the frustrations i have with him, at least was man enough to thank jacob for keeping bella alive when he wasn’t around.

so the issue which leaves readers hanging now is, will she or will she not? (be turned into a bloodsucker)

i have eclipse waiting to be read, but im taking a break from the vampires first.