This book has been on my list forever; I just got to it a month ago, and finished within a couple days.
It is absolutely amazing to me how a book that was written almost 60 years ago manages to captivate and grip a 17 year old teenager. 60 years may not sound like an extremely long time, but just think about how much has happened since then: the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam, the World Wide Web, deciphering the human genome, etc. The list goes on. But I was still captivated by this book, and could relate easily to a tiny six year old girl. To be fair, I did have to read much slower since the language and slang has certainly changed since then, but the emotions and empathy I felt while reading were unmatched. Let me dive into the review now. One thing that really stood out to me was the prose. The whole book is told from the point of view of Scout, a six year old girl. However, the language, grammar, and style was much more advanced (although it did make for a better read). The book's setting is during the Great Depression, in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Throughout this read, the reader is made to empathize with the characters through each and every written word. The book centres around a very unusual trial: an African-American man is charged with rape against a poor Caucasian girl. In Maycomb, regardless of who is right and wrong, black men with charges against them are always found guilty. But this case is much different, since Scout's father, Atticus, is the defense attorney for the accused. The way this story pans out is beyond interesting, and you don't need to be familiar with lawyer lingo or fluent in this Old Southern dialect. Another reason that this narrative is especially gripping is because Scout and her brother witness this trial and form opinions on their own. You can almost see their world of prevalent racism and segregation through their eyes. Throughout this story, my favourite character ended up being Atticus Finch. His demeanor and opinions seemed to be well past his time, which I believe says something about Harper Lee as well. Unlike other young girls, Scout was allowed to run free and read as much as she wanted to. Atticus impacted Scout and Jem (her brother) so much through his words and the values he instilled in them. Since the story is told from Scout's point of view, it also shows the genuine love, affection, and respect that the children gave their father, and thus I was equally impacted by his words as well. This book is a must read for everyone at some point in their lives, but I strongly urge that that point comes sooner rather than later. Personally, I don't understand why I put this book off for so long. I guess it's only when you're on a 22 hour flight that picking up a book you've had forever but never read becomes an option.
I don't normally review essays, but I thought this particular one was very insightful and still holds true today. I realized towards the end that this post had become an opinion piece rather than a book review, but I feel I needed to get these thoughts off my shoulders.
"Politics and the English Language", by George Orwell, was written in 1946. It addresses the topic of modern English, especially how it has corrupted our country. The gist is this: Orwell believes that writing, especially political writing, has evolved to include "ready-made phrases," usage of typical metaphors, a lack of brevity, and a need for sounding presentable. He expands, giving examples of carefully phrased political statements that shroud the truth (for example, a genocide) with a multitude of metaphors and professional sounding language intended to thoroughly obfuscate the reader into trivializing the matter at hand. Orwell proceeds to list his guidelines for better English, and concludes the essay. However, it brings a lot to light for me especially, as I am guilty of an extremely formal writing style.
The main reason as to why my writing style is as such, is due to my education system. Starting from the elementary level of education, children are encouraged to use big words and compound and complex sentences. Run-on sentences are frowned upon, but brevity is not welcomed. English at the high school level gears one towards the use of metaphors, formal structure, complex vocabulary, and hundreds of rhetorical strategies, all of which are known to be helpful on the SAT and other important standardized tests. I followed that very path, and needless to say, I'm not unhappy with my writing style, but only rather curious as to how it would have evolved following Orwell's guidelines.
Another point to bring up is the American election of 2016. I shall do my best to remain unbiased here. Two characters, with totally different English. On one hand, you have a man who speaks quite crass, oftentimes using made-up words. However, he is straight to the point and brief. On the other hand, you have an experienced politician who speaks eloquently, polished, and formally, much fitting Orwell's description of bad political language. I do not think that English was the main reason that Clinton lost, but I do think that language is a factor. Orwell wrote that "language corrupts thought," which is why it is a necessity to maintain good English. To me, it is clear that the language of the two candidates did play a role in what the public opined, although the results are still shocking.
Thus, considering present day modern English and its effects, it may not be terrible to take a page out of Orwell's book and maybe cut back on English that is flamboyant...or should I say showy?
Okay. I know it's been a while. Well, more than a while. But I really want to pick this back up. Especially because after two years, my writing style has changed a lot (hopefully for the better). So I'm going to try my hand at this again. Wish me luck!
Usually I never have time to get to the books I'm recommended. I haven't especially, as high school has kept me on my toes. But when I saw this book at the store, I decided to pick it up. And I'm definitely glad I did.
If I had a nickel for every time I have been told to read Michael Crichton, I wouldn't need my college fund! I finally got to one of his best works, Timeline. Crichton's writing style kept me engrossed the whole book, and I realized I have a "thing" for science fiction. This book is about time travel, so I can assure you that if you liked The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, you're going to like this. It's about a company that creates a device that will allow a sort of time travel. When one of Yale's professors gets stuck in 1357 trying it out, three of his graduate students travel back to try and rescue him. It seems like a simple enough plot, but the twists and details that Crichton implements weave an elaborate and captivating story arc.
Crichton has mentioned that since historical fiction isn't his usual forte, he had to extensively research the details of the fourteenth century. Obviously there were some inaccuracies, but as this book largely falls under fiction, glitches are totally acceptable. Another aspect of the book I really liked was the science part. Concepts like quantum physics, generally tough to understand, were explained well enough for most people to easily grasp.
This was a very logical book. Having read other books on time travel, I can say that this one will appeal to those not just reading for a story, but also for a good theory and explanation. A curious incorporation I liked was that there were small illustrations throughout the book. Maps, diagrams, and pictures helped me visualize the setting and make sense of the physics explanations.
Crichton's writing style interests me. He isn't P.G. Wodehouse, but he also isn't Stephanie Meyer. Okay, Stephanie Meyer is a terrible compared to any writer. Maybe Glenn Beck surpasses her though. Ooh. I'm walking on the edge here. But you get my point. I like his style, because it means that readers of all levels will be able to follow along.
Something else worth mentioning about this book is that it gets pretty gory in some parts. Set in the fourteenth century during a troublesome period, it is quite understandable that the book doesn't portray a rosy picture. However, there are some especially gruesome scenes which gave me shivers. The gory parts were a good addition though, as it gave the book a more realistic touch.
In this book, nobility and the hoi polloi are mostly portrayed as downright savages. And this was set in France, which gave me a new perspective on Europe. When we think of Europe and it's history, most of us picture strict etiquette, fancy and proper attire, refined speech, and the like. However, this book depicted Europeans as barbarous and merciless towards the weak, speaking in crude English and uncouth and uncultured. Even the nobility, who were rich and resided in large establishments, were such descriptors . I do not know how historically accurate these portrayals are, but I liked the refreshing change from the usually Elizabethan-type depiction of Europe.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good science and historical fiction read. It does provide with much insight (at least it did for me) and plenty of plot twists! I can't wait to read another book by Michael Crichton!
Dear Viewers,
You might wonder why I'm posting a review on a book that is pretty old. Well, I want to start posting on classics, partly because I want to see what they are all about, and also because its high time I started reading them. So if you find classics boring for whatever reason, don't open this blog for a while. But if you just LOVE classics, keep checking, cause I'll keep posting! Read on!
Jonathan Livingstone Seagull is a book written by Richard Bach (no, another Bach) in 1970. It is about a society of seagulls, in which one particular seagull (Jonathan Livingstone) wants to be different. While the lives of the other gulls include only eating, sleeping and fighting, Jonathan loves to fly. He loves to experiment with speed; how fast he can go, how many tricks he can do, etc. Due to his unworthy experiments, he is banished and made an outcast. So, he goes to a reclusive hilltop where he can practice in peace. Then, suddenly, he goes to heaven, which he learns is NOT a place...
I won't give anymore away, since the book by itself is extremely short, only 28 pages! All I can tell you is that this book is suitable for 10+ (only simple English) and that though its size is small, it is quite touching and inspirational. A must-read!
You never know true freedom until it is taken away from you. What if you were condemned to die in a mall with a thousand other people and no exit? Many would have come just to spend some time with their loved ones, or look for a break after a week's hectic routine. Only, none of them would have thought that leaving wasn't an option.
No Safety In Numbers by Dayna Lorentz, depicts this very situation, but told through the eyes of four teenagers, all of whom but one are alone by themselves in the mall. On an otherwise normal day, a biological bomb is found in the air vents of the mall, leading officials to close the mall along with the people inside, for fear that the "disease" that the innocent people would have contracted will only spread to the rest of the population....if they are let out. This gripping tale reminds me of two other books, with similar settings. In Lord of the Flies, the school boys were trapped in an island with a monster of their own sort. And in Gone, a book that I have reviewed previously, the children are restrained in a city, with no way to escape.
This book was captivating and revolved around the personal turmoils that each teen was facing; besides the fact that all of them were trapped. It included lots of mystery, adventure, and a hint of romance too. As to the cons of this book, I felt that there was use of some language and settings, which makes it suitable for people above 14. On the whole though, I enjoyed this book for its ability to provide an interesting plot with some definitely interesting characters. There are totally three books in this series, with the last one still pending for me to read.
Dear Viewers,
I'm so sorry for having not posted for SIX months! I'm really mad at myself for my lack in consistency! I promise I will keep up from now on.....I was under school and exam pressure, and had absolutely NO time to post! From now on, I will post at least once a month. Now......here's my latest review!
Matched, an award winning book by Ally Condie drags you into the dystopian world of the future. Cassia trusts the Society for anything that needs to be done. Even whom she is going to marry. So when Xander (her best friend) is stated to be her destined partner at her Match banquet, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal husband, until she sees Ky Markham's (another of her classmates) face flash for an instant on her tablet before the screen fades to black.
The Officials tell her that it's an honest mistake made by one of the employees and that she should focus on the happy life she's supposed to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to question the Society's decisions and choices, wondering why the citizens don't have as much freedom as was given in the olden days. After the Officials find out about their secret relationship, Ky is taken away, leaving Cassia to choose between him (a dangerous and rebellious life) and Xander (a safe but a Official-watched life).
The main focus of the book was Cassia, and her choices; how they affected her and those around her. This romantic dystopia gave rise due to Ally's yearn for writing a romance, which quickly changed into a novel set in the future. I personally loved this book due to Ally's writing style. Although she used simple vocabulary and such, it was as if I was tied to a rope that dragged me deep into the plot, to watch the scenes unfold. I found many euphemisms, but unfortunately, no allegories as I had expected (I really thought that there would be at least one because of the setting and the story's structure). The theme which I found mostly used was "Love always conquers all evil". A symbol which I found was constantly used were birds. I guess that they might be used to portray a sign of fore coming freedom. I feel that this book was a lot like the Giver, by Lois Lowry. Both, were taken in the far future and in a time where people are controlled by a higher force of the Elders and have almost no voice of their own. Overall, I love this book for its quirky romance, writing style and purely the idea for this type of setting. This book is ideal for those 12+.
I've been meaning to read this book for quite some time, and this summer, I have finally achieved my goal!
Mr. Popper is a daydreamer. Even as he paints houses (his job), he is only able to think about Antarctica. The white snow tundra and the cold, windy climate captivate him, but the one thing that he would kill to see are penguins. He is struck by their beauty, gracefulness and even more, their complexion. So, it seems a huge miracle when his letter to his hero, Admiral Drake (an explorer currently in Antarctica) gets answered by him on radio, and Drake promises a suprise for Mr. Popper soon. Certainly Mr. Popper was not expecting a penguin of all things! But a penguin it was, and a smart one at that. He named him Captain Cook, and Cook was soon taught many tricks. After sometime though, Cook's health was failing. Mr. Popper wrote to an aquarium for help, and they suspected that the penguin was only lonely. That is how Greta came to live with the Poppers as well. Soon there were ten baby penguins strutting around the house. Unsure of what to do with so many penguins, the Poppers began training them to perform on stage. Everything goes on fine, until one day, Mr. Popper shows up at the wrong theater and is arrested. Luckily, Admiral Drake himself comes and bails Mr. Popper out. They decide that the penguins would be better off in their own habitat, and Drake, along with Mr. Popper, head off to the South Pole to release the penguins to the place they should have been all along. This short chapter book is funny and cute (for an old-timer) and there should be one copy on the bookshelf of every household!
Now that all the hype about wizards and vampires have come to a close, Ally Carter opens a new world to us readers.
In Heist Society, she creates a enthralling story
that will definitely rake in many readers.
This story is about a teenage girl named Katarina Bishop, obviously the protagonist. All she wants is a normal life, unlike her family's, which is stealing. Suddenly, she finds herself in the midst of all the hullabaloo when her father is accused of thieving from an extremely powerful character, Arturo Taccone. Gathering a band of friends, she fights to steal Taccone's stolen paintings back! How's that for a read?
You would think that the thief is the character to be killed, but instead, she makes us feel nothing but goodwill towards Katarina. I would give this book an 8.99999...out of 10, and say that it would be a must read for children above 10 years old.
Some of you might remember my very first post last summer, i.e., The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Well, all I can say is Mitch Albom has done it again!
This book is one of a kind; it is strong and powerful, and at the same time, emotional.
This is the story of a middle aged man who lives away from his wife and daughter (family issues). One day, he recieves some photos in the mail. The photos of his daughter's wedding, where he was not invited. Apparently, his wife and daughter thought he was "unstable". Heartbroken, he decided to end his life. As he drives his car off a overpass, he suddenly finds himself in the town where he grew up. He runs to his old house, where he unexpectedly finds his dead mother alive and well. He relives a day with her, as she gives him advice about his life. After spending a full day with her, he regains consciousness in a police officer's arms. This book leads you to draw your own conclusions about what you think REALLY happened. this philosophical book is suitable for all ages, but I think only 12+ may actually appreciate it as more that just a book.
The Girl Mechanic of Wanzhou is a realistic fiction novel written by Marjorie Sayer takes place in the ancient Chinese city of Wanzhou in 1912. The main character is Zun, a twelve year old girl whose father is a mechanic. Her father was onto a revolutionary breakthrough on the way bicycles were built. Suddenly, her life turns upside down when her father is seriously injured by the Magistrate's men. He is taken away to the unknown and Zun believes him to be dead. Furthermore, her mother is captured and imprisoned. Desperate to save her, Zun goes on an impossible mission with the help of some old family friends whom she had no clue existed. When I read this book, I truly felt as though I was in ancient China, seeing and smelling what Zun saw and smelled. I especially loved the vivid picture that Ms. Sayer created for us. Action-packed and thrilling, I'd recommend it for readers aged 10+.
"Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not
give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he
cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the
animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum
that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself. "
My father told me that movies that won't leave your head for a while after seeing them; movies that make you think; movies that change your perspective on things, are called "heavy movies". In this case, you can say that this book by George Orwell, is a "heavy book". The story takes place in a farm, Manor Farm, to be exact, where the farmer doesn't give much attention to the welfare of the animals on his farm. This sparks outrage among the animals after sometime, leading to a movement called the Rebellion. After planning for some time, the animals revolted against the farmer and drove him out of his farm. Needless to say, the animals managed the farm quite well. There were few rules and most of them cooperated well. But the farmer was not to give up. He soon returned with more people, but the farm dwellers fought them off with valiance and zeal. After this, there were many problem and hurdles that the animals had to overcome, but they pushed through them with courage and bravery. This book changes your perspective on animals completely. I would say that it is for kids 10+ because there are quite a few violent and gruesome scenes described to perfection. If you do know any animal abusers out there, first contact the police, then give them a copy of Animal Farm!
This novel by Emma Donoghue, depicts the life of an ordinary mother and child. The mother, who had been kidnapped when she was in her college years, was imprisoned in a small shed in the backyard of her captor. There, after a few years, she gave birth to a small boy. As he had grown in the small 11x11 room, he believed it to be the world, literally! Jack (the boy) thought that if he opened the door, he would be floating in outer space. He had a TV and saw pictures of other people, but believed them to be imaginary. In this Room, Jack studies, plays, eats and sleeps. He loves Room to death, but only his mother knows the pain of being stuck there for eight years. Finally, on his fifth birthday, his mother tells him the truth about the outside world. He doesn't believe her at all and starts to crib. But when they try to make an escape plan to get out of there, he turns serious. The first plan fails, but then when they try again, the Great Escape works miraculously, and he is out in the world. It is a beautiful story, nothing like the others I have ever read. I thought that the idea and setting was just creative and innovating. It is suitable for kids and adults of all ages, classified in Realistic Fiction (by me).
Are you the type of person who would just love to join a violent gang? Probably not. Now, suppose that gang was your only family. Wouldn't you stick to that gang even if your life depended on it? You might say no, but imagine your family in the place of that gang. Come to think about it, you probably would. This book, the Outsiders, written by S.E. Hinton (she's a girl, even though it looks like a boy's name) depicts the life and adventures of Ponyboy, a boy whose only family is the gang he grew up with, as his parents died earlier in a tragic car accident.
They are called the Greasers. They are tuff (means tough in olden-day slang). They consist of seven members, Ponyboy, his brothers Sodapop and Darry, Dally Winston, the toughest in their gang, Two-bit, a boy who cracks jokes all the time, Steve, Sodapop's friend and Johnny, who has a mother and father who are highly abusive towards him. Together, the Greasers make one tight family.
One night, after Ponyboy gets slapped by Darry, he runs away to a park with Johnny and gets jumped (attacked) by their rival gang, the Socs (pronounced Sho-SHus). Johnny had been terribly attacked once, and after that dreadful incident, he always carried a knife with him. When he saw a boy dunking and drowning Ponyboy, he immediately started attacking that boy, and by accident, killed him. Since Ponyboy was with him, he knew that Ponyboy would be accused too. So both of them escaped from town (with help from Dally). The story is mainly how they survive in an old church and return home as heroes. There are some untimely deaths and tragedies, but after some time, life resumes itself and everyone (both gangs) discovers that they are not so different from each other. It is really a sweet story that unfolds itself from S.E. Hinton's past experiences. A must-read for people of all ages!
I'd say that this book is an odd one by Sara Shepard. It is the type of book for girls who love a mystery, and at the same time, it is a slightly inappropriate book.
The story is about four girls who are really close-knit. What they share now is a mystery in their past:
One night, during the summer before eighth grade, their leader,
Allison, disappeared without a trace. They've drifted apart but come
back together when they start receiving strange messages from someone
named "A" who seems to know all their secrets, past and present.They get a little creeped out, but hang on. Later, the police uncover Alison's body found under a concrete slab. The entire series drags out until they find out who "A" is and put a stop to these horrid messages. This book has plenty of mature content, but there is a strong message to those who read it. Bottom line is, it would most probably be suitable for children above 13!
Maybe you like books which are creepy, but cool at the same time? Well, here's one for you: Wake. I first read about it in the newspaper, when my mom and I were browsing for books. It's storyline struck me as innovative and new, so I took the first chance to download it on my Kindle. I'll make sure to you that I didn't regret it!
This story, which is written by Amanda Hocking, is mainly about a teenage girl, Gemma, who loves to experience late night swims in a secluded bay. She goes on swimming every night, until her swims are disrupted by the arrival of three fearless and drop-dead gorgeous girls. There is something sinister about them, and Gemma knows it. For some reason, they hook onto her and one day, Gemma finds herself partying with them in a cave located in the ocean. They give her some drink, and with a mysterious persuasion, they lure her into drinking it. After, she finds herself having awkward habits. The chlorinated swimming pool she loved to swim in, suddenly makes her itch and irritates her skin. The three girls whom she was repulsed by, suddenly draws her towards them. She knows that she has a secret, but what it is is the question. After a serious confrontation, the secret is out, and the battle for regaining her true self is on. Read this book, and I promise that it will have you hanging onto every word!
If you were alive 40 years ago, then maybe you've heard of P.G. Wodehouse. He's written a huge number of short and funny novels exceeding your usual expectations. When my father told me about him and his collection of books, I was uncertain, because he was an "old" writer. But I decided to get that book (it came as a HUGE collection), and tried out the first one (The Clicking of Cuthbert). Heck, I was crying from laughter by the time I finished! It is a novel that contains ten stories about golf actually. Being a person who doesn't know anything about golf, I was still able to understand. It mainly circles around a man who seems to be quite old. He is referred to as 'The Oldest Member' or 'The Sage'. Whenever a dejected golf player wants to give up golf for his own reasons, The Oldest Member narrates a story about a person or persons who had gone through their own problem which is similar to the dejected player's. He tells how they solved their problems and persuades the player in such a way that he will never even think about giving up golf again. Of all the stories, I truly liked the first one best, as it was the funniest (according to me, of course). Even though Wodehouse's books may be considered ancient (he wrote this in 1922), he has put all his words in simple English, so people of all ages can read his books with ease. Most of his stories end with a weird (in a good way) twist... something like O. Henry. In summary, I liked this book because of the creative way the author depicts the story. I hate to take anymore of your precious time, so go find that book!
Bud, Not Buddy is a wonderful short novel written by Christopher Paul Curtis. I recently read it when I was just browsing through some classics. It is a sweet story about an orphan named Buddy who runs away from his current foster home that houses a mother who only took him in 'cause she was being paid for it. When her son stuffs a Ticonderoga (western brand) pencil up his nose, he decides that it is the last straw. He starts going north, towards the city where his father supposedly still lives. He flicks through so many adventures and surprises while drawing a smile from your face. It's a wonderful novel, but only is you understand the South-Western accent! Set during the Great Depression, Buddy struggles through the tension and persecution of others because he is a Negro. Curtis delineates the story in such simple, but descriptive words. No wonder it earned a Newbery medal!
Have
you ever imagined what the world would be like if all the adults
suddenly disappeared off the face of the Earth? If that were the case,
then the only inhabitants would be children, teens and elders. This is
the image which Lissa Price has so vividly portrayed in her recent
best-seller, Starters.
Callie
Woodland, who is just the average teenager, lost her parents during the
spore-war, which killed off all the parents and adults. Ever since,
Callie has been struggling to support herself and her severely asthmatic
brother. Callie endures all the hassle getting a single meal with only
one thought in her mind: her brother, when an amazing opportunity
presents itself to her. She learns that she can switch her brains with
an elder so that the elder gets to be a teen for a month, while she can
peacefully sleep until the month is over. Plus, she will get paid an
unbelievable amount. Callie accepts the invite after a little hesitation. But things go wrong almost immediately. The transition malfunctions, and Callie soon figures out that at times, she can regain control of her body. And when she does, she is shocked by what she sees, because her renter is planning to do way more than just party, maybe even attempt a murder. Callie realizes fast that she is going to have to make the best of the moments in which she has control. In this fight between the young and the old, Lissa Price makes her first debut, proving her worth.
This book has wonderful harmony between the characters, and engulfs you into its captivating story. As the Los Angeles Times said: "The only thing better that a terrific concept is one as well executed as Starters. Readers who have been waiting for a worthy successor to Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games will find it here. Dystopian sci-fi at its best, Starters is a terrific kickoff with a didn't-see-that-coming conclusion that will leave readers at the edge of their seats!"
Let me get one thing straight. This is not your average short stories book. These are hilarious short stories with absolutely no point.That's why, I think, its popular (as a classic).
Ok, I admit, I didn't really understand head or tail of the book until I got through seven or eight stories. This book doesn't really have a summary, but I can tell you about one of my favorites.
It's called Transients In Arcadia. It takes place in a hotel near Broadway in New York City. This hotel is the only one left that hasn't been ravaged by tourists. It's star visitor is one named Madame Beaumont. She stays only for a week, and meanwhile wearing the most splendid dresses during the day.
During her visit once, she meets a proper gentleman with whom she becomes good friends. Finally, on the day that she is to leave, she tells him her full story. She is actually an ordinary working girl named Mamie Siviter, but once in a year she treats herself to this hotel where she pretends to be the lady she is not. She says that she only wants a vacation for one week.
All her dresses are actually from a cheap store called O'Dowd & Levinsky. She has put up her dresses on an installment plan and she is to pay $1 a week until it is paid for. She trusts the $1 to him and is about to leave when he quickly does some writing and gives a slip of paper to her. He confesses that he has now been the collector for O'Dowd & Levinsky for three years. He, like her, just plans a vacation for a week each year. She is surprised, but goes along with it and they continue to be friends.
These short stories are only one or two pages long, and I enjoyed them to the maximum. They make you laugh and anxiously wait for the next one once you've got the hang of it. Find the nearest bookstore closest to you......Fast!!!!
Ok, lets review our options. If a bad kid dies, you would think that they have two options: above, or below. How about.... Heck? That might not even sound like a real place, but in this book, it is. Let me brief it for you: Marlo, is....well, a lot of things. She's a teenage, goth, kleptomaniac girl, who tries to get attention, mostly in the wrong ways. And sometimes, petty shoplifting can turn into full blown mayhem. I forgot, she also has a sensible, bookworm brother, called Milton, who tries to stay out of trouble. But as the younger one, guess who has to obey the orders???Written from Milton's point of view, Dale E. Basye makes you yearn for more as the siblings die in a marshmallow bear explosion. But that, is just the beginning. Once they get to the huge gates of Heck, they are met by a monster, literally. Life here is painful (yes, they can feel pain), as they try in vain to make their escapes. They encounter child-harassing bogeymen, and teachers that have students perform an autopsy on them. I liked this book because, just like The Five People You Meet in Heaven, it gave a different perspective on afterlife. I won't rob you of the ending, but I can say that it has a very interesting twist that leaves you dumbstruck. I was so shocked that I didn't even realize that the book had ended. Really! This book is perfect for children above ten maybe, because the concept might be a little difficult to grasp (the situation keeps changing). But overall, it really is a wonderful book!
How would you like to be transported into the world of kings, queens, and magical items? This book (The Magic Drum...), lets you do all that and more. Ever since she was a child, Sudha Murty loved hearing stories from around the world. Now, she has put all of her childhood favorites into this book that pulls you into the worlds of princes, paupers, and greedy kings. The Magic Drum and Other Favorite Stories is a collection of well-worded folktales. I really enjoyed her style of writing in simple but descriptive English. They (the stories) are short but really entertaining! She re-writes the tales, most of which are from Indian folklore. My favorite story was about a father who had a son that was mean and arrogant. The father's wife had died, so he remarried a kind-hearted woman who loved both the father and son dearly. Soon, the father passed, leaving a will that planned to teach the arrogant son a lesson. The will stated that the son would get all the money, plus the house, while the wife would only get a small cottage, with an outhouse. She would also be left a painting of the husband, who had told her previously to give the painting to the chief minister when the son turned 18 years old. She did so, and the minister found a letter from the husband, which was addressed to him within the painting. The letter said that ten of the bricks used to build the cottage were of pure gold. So the minister made the cruel son agree that not one part of the step-mother's property was his, and thus demolished the small cottage; emerging with ten golden bricks. He taught the son a lesson, and made the step-mother richer than the son ever was. So many stories, just like this one are found in this book. As per me, I'd say that this book is compulsory for everyone!
Alchemy is a word which makes you thinking about maybe Sir Issac Newton or maybe even Harry Potter (because of the Sorcerer's Stone). But anyways, something to do with a mad scientist trying to turn things into gold. Well, you're absolutely correct! Alchemy is exactly about those things! Ok, lets change the subject for a few seconds. In this book, a simple shepard travels around Andalusia shearing sheep and caring for his own. He meets a merchant's daughter, and instantly falls in love with her. It's been a year, and now he's getting ready to meet her and shear her father's sheep. But on his way, he meets a fortune teller, who tells him to go and find treasure in the Pyramids of Egypt. He doesn't pay any heed to her words, but when a king tells him the same, he decides that its high time to start saving. He sells his sheep and buys a fare to Africa, where he is robbed of his whole fortune. He then spends a year finding and collecting money. When he finds a caravan of camels heading to Egypt, he believes that luck is on his side. Now, coming back to alchemy. It is on this caravan ride, where he meets the Alchemist. Remember that in the beginning, I said that you were correct about what alchemy was? Well, you were, its just that there is more to it. The Alchemist teaches the boy to listen to his heart, and to nature, like the sand and the wind; even to heaven! But most importantly he learned many values though his humbleness and different hardships. Paulo Coelho has really done it this time! This book is one of the most popular international best sellers!
This book has been on my list forever; I just got to it a month ago, and finished within a couple days. 
