bookpiggy.com - book reviews by a book lover

Breaking Dawn - your friendly vampire family

Firstly, I have a confession to make. I’ve been a bit behind the times when it comes to the Stephenie Meyer series that nearly everyone else in the rest of the world knows about, and had not read any of the other books in the series prior to Breaking Dawn. In fact, the only reason that I picked up this book was because of the bombardment of advertising for it’s release that has been present in every bookstore I’ve entered for the last several months. So I succumbed to the powers that be and handed over my credit card in exchange for 754 pages about vampires. Frankly, I was pretty sure that the book was going to be ‘too young’ for me, and I even wondered if I would be able to finish the entire thing.

Luckily, it sucked me in. (hahahahaha, I’m so funny)

I began the book with mild confusion as Meyer was introducing character after character that was all new to me, but I quickly caught up to the gist of the main story. Although I’m sure some parts would have had a bit more meaning if you have read the earlier books, don’t worry about it if this is your first one too, it really didn’t take away from enjoying the book. The heroine of our story is Bella, an eighteen-year-old human who at some point earlier in the saga somehow met and fell in love with Edward, a vampire. When she pledges to marry Edward, she is also committing to become a vampire herself, rendering her immortal and incredibly powerful like all other vampires, and necessitating a diet of blood. Initially after the wedding, she plans to delay her transition to a vampire until after she takes a few courses at the local college while she is still able to be seen in public. (Newborn vampires are notoriously bloodthirsty and generally uncontrollable, so she’ll have to stay away from humans once she turns vampire.) However, while on her honeymoon with Edward, oopsie daisie, Bella got pregnant. This twist in the story wouldn’t really be that exciting, except for the fact that it is extremely rare for a human to carry a half-vampire baby, and all previous mothers unfortunate enough to go through that experience have died in childbirth as the vampire baby claws its way out of the mother. icky.

I won’t tell you how it happens, but the baby survives along with her mom, and along the way we meet all of Edward’s vampire family that have become Bella’s new family, each with their own unique powers. Another key character is Bella’s best friend from her human days, who happens to be a werewolf, and becomes intimately connected to this new family. Apart from this vampire group, there are numerous other vampires roaming the earth who feel threatened by Bella and Edward’s new child, and eventually the book climaxes with a battle between good and evil.

Hopefully it doesn’t sound too hokey summarized like this, because although the story was very much make-believe, it was a bit like Harry Potter in that it really drew me into the fabric of the story despite being fantasy. This book is a great read for bookpiggys of all ages.

4 out of 5 piggy snorts.

Posted on August 17, 2008 – 10:02 pm in Reviews | No Comments »

Chasing Harry Winston - reminds me of Sex and the City

This is more or less the book version of Sex and the City, with a few minor variations. Set in New York, the story follows the lives of three (not four) women who met in university, soon became best friends, and have been hooking up for coffee and boy talk ever since. Adriana is the Samantha equivalent, and I often found myself picturing Samantha’s character as I imagined the story in my mind. She is incredibly wealthy, living the high life as her parents dutifully pay off her enormous monthly credit card bill despite her creeping closer to the age of thirty.

Originally from Brazil, she is tall and stunning, and her one talent in life is strategically driving members of the opposite sex crazy and then sleeping with them… all of them. Concerning for her is the fact that life has an annoying way of going on and as she says goodbye to her 20s, she noticed that her power of attraction has dwindled somewhat, and she is disturbed and perplexed at the thought of spending the remainder of her lifetime doing something that doesn’t involve men. Resourcefully, she discovers that other women could benefit from her so-called expertise and begins sharing her knowledge. 

       The other two best friends, Emmy and Leigh do not correspond quite as nicely to characters from the tv show, but the jist of it is familiar. Emmy is sweet and lovable, and one of those girls who’s biggest dream in life is to get married and have chidren. After turning a blind eye to her longtime boyfriend’s habit of waking up in other’s women’s apartments, and that incident where Emmy mysteriously contracted Chlamydia despite being loyal to her boyfriend, she is still devastated when he leaves her for a younger cheerleader. Encouraged by her two friends, and Adriana in particular, she vows to spend the next year pursuing casual sexual encounters with at least one man from every continent (excluding Antarctica) and to avoid serious relationships at all costs.

Conversely, Adriana decided it is time for her to hook a diamond and vows to be married at calendar’s end. Leigh is a Type A, slightly antisocial but brilliant editor who is dating a guy who is perfect for her, according to everyone except Leigh. She finds his sweetness and constant concern with her feelings annoying. After being handpicked to edit one of the hottest authors, she finds herself attracted to his carefree life.  

        Lauren Weisberger’s latest book reminded me of an episode of Sex and the City, which was just fine by me. But if you find that kind of thing irritating, then Chasing Harry Winston would not be at the top of your reading list. It definitely kept me interested and I always like when you have more than one story to follow at a time.  Bookpiggy approved.

4 out of 5 piggy snorts. 

Posted on August 4, 2008 – 9:39 pm in Reviews | 1 Comment »

Confessions of a Shopaholic = beach book at best

I tend to shop in spurts.  I only go to a mall about once every 2-3 weeks (usually for books), and only really shop for clothes every second month. However, when I do feel up to going through the rigamaroll of hunting through racks and waiting in line for dressing rooms, it can put my bank account back a few hundred dollars in an afternoon.  And I understand how one might become addicted to it, as there is no greater satisfaction than stepping out your door in a new outfit that you feel great in. 

Confessions of a Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella, is a corny book about a 25-year-old Brit who just cannot manage to curb her spending. Despite final notices from her multiple credit card agencies, she continues to lust after whatever new item she has her heart set on, then eventually buys it and feels guilty so then buys more things to relieve the guilt…. Oh yeah, and there is also the job that she hates and the colleague whom at first she hates but later she likes. 

Although this book was kind of cute at times, more often than not I found myself rolling my eyes at the actions of the main character and feeling a bit irritated by the predictability of the plot. Certainly, it was no piece of literary genius, but it would fill the role of a paperback to throw in the beach bag. This was the first book that I’ve read by Sophie Kinsella, and I doubt I’ll read another, unless maybe I pick it up from the discount rack. 

2.5 out of 5 piggy snorts

Posted on July 22, 2008 – 5:32 pm in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Bookstore vs. Buying online

Where do YOU buy your books?

I think there are pros and cons to buying from both ‘real’ stores and online stores, and I tend to choose one over the other depending on my mood. But really, there are a few key factors that should come into play when you decide where to get your reads.

Number 1: Do you like to caress your book before buying?
If the feel and smell of a new book are things you need to know before bringing a book home with you, you’re better off buying in-store. Case in point: every time my father touches a new book, be it his own or anyone else’s, he immediately opens it widely, cracks the binding and sticks his (not so small) nose into the middle for a snort; obviously, he prefers bookstores.

Number 2: Do you even know what book you want?
The main reason I go to a store is to loiter around picking out books that I want to read. This usually starts off with me being attracted by a pretty cover, then reading a few pages to see if it seems like something I might like. You pretty much have to know exactly what you want before making an online purchase, unless you actually use those handy ’suggestions’ the website makes about ten other books that are similar to the one you’re currently viewing.

Number 3: Is getting a package in the mail the highlight of your day?
I absolutely LOVE getting packages. In my condo building it works like this: Firstly, you get a call from the concierge with the exciting news that there is a package waiting for you at the desk. Then you put on some decent clothes and go downstairs, where you very importantly sign for it, then march it back up the elevator, while your fellow condo-dwellers stare at your package in envy. Once safely inside, you tear open the box and cradle your new purchase. So, suffice it to say, if you know what you want and you enjoy packages as much as I do, sometimes buying online is a good way to go.

Number 4: How much?
If you’re a really good shopper, you check the price of your item at a few different places before buying. I admit that I only do this rarely, usually when I’m looking at something more expensive like a medical textbook. But like I said, smart shoppers do this routinely. And with the free shipping offered by many online sites with a minimum purchase ($39 for amazon.ca and $25 for amazon.com … so unfair) it may end up being cheaper to ship to your house than to actually go to a store!

The bottom line is that it’s fun to buy books, no matter where you make your purchase, so mix it up.

Posted on July 19, 2008 – 11:43 am in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Something Borrowed - Good girl screws her best friend’s fiance

Do you remember that one girl in high school who you absolutely idolized and wished every day that you could trade places with? The gorgeous one with the most stylish outfits, who was at the center of the popular crowd and just oozed confidence, while you walked around trying to be as invisible as possible? Yeah, I remember her. I wonder what she’s doing now? Hope she’s flipping bur… never mind. But imagine being the not so pretty, less stylish, more self-conscious best friend of that girl.

In Something Borrowed, by Emily Giffin, we meet these two best friends since childhood as they are now in their late 20s and living in New York. The gorgeous one is still gorgeous, working a great job, and planning her wedding; while her best friend and maid of honor is plugging away at her mind numbing law firm and wallowing in her singleness until one night after a few drinks her friend’s fiance ends up in her bed. The rest of the novel follows the maid of honor as she tries to maintain the best friend relationship while carrying on the affair.

This book was OK. It was reasonably well-written and kind of funny in parts, but I found parts of the storyline to be predictable - which I hate. I’d say it’s the type of book to read at the beach when you don’t want your brain to have to work very hard.

It gets 3.5 out of 5 piggy snorts.

Posted on July 16, 2008 – 6:16 pm in Reviews | 1 Comment »

Bright Shiny Morning - This doesn’t mean I like James Frey….

I thought long and hard before buying this book. On several different trips to my local bookstore, I picked it up, read a few pages, then put it back down and vowed not to cave. I was one of those who read A Million Little Pieces, only later to learn that Mr. Frey embellished and downright lied about many of the accounts included in his ‘memoir’ of his battle with addiction. I vividly remember sitting on the couch in 2006 cheering on Oprah as she lambasted him for faking parts of his book, months after she had named it to her book club and helped him sell god knows how many copies. So this time, I planned to snub his new book.

The only problem with this plan was that I really liked the first few pages that I read in the store. The third time I picked up the book, I finished the first chapter and reasoned that authors don’t really make that much money off each book, and it was on sale so hopefully he’d make an even smaller fraction of profit from my sale (although on further reflection, I don’t think it works like that) so it wouldn’t really matter that much if I bought it. For good measure, I vowed not to buy any further books from this author.

So I caved… and loved it. Bright Shiny Morning was an excellent read, as it followed four stories of different people living in Los Angeles: a young couple who move from Ohio to escape abusive parents and start the life they’ve dreamed of, a drunk who lives in a bathroom and tries to rescue a young girl from life on the streets, a ridiculously successful actor who lives with his lesbian wife and their children while aggressively pursuing various boyfriends, and a teenage girl from Mexico who falls in love with the son of the woman she cleans house for. The stories are definitely a bit random, and they never come together, but I really enjoyed the unique style of writing and was dying to know what happened next to the characters. The young couple were my favorites.

I can’t recall every having such a moral dilemma over a book purchase, but if you can bring yourself to buy it, I think you’ll enjoy.

4.5 out of 5 piggy snorts. I might even give it 5/5 if it wasn’t James Frey.

Posted on July 14, 2008 – 7:50 pm in Reviews | 3 Comments »

Mercy - would you kill the one you love?

This book is sad - I must warn. But don’t not get it because of that, with two of the main characters having an affair, there are more than enough tasty bedroom scenes to keep one interested. The really sad part of the main story line involves a husband who killed his wife after she repeatedly begged him to put her out of her miserable and losing battle with breast cancer. He reluctantly does it, after a tear-jerking last date together, but afterwards turns himself in to the law to face the consequences of what his wife, whom he was crazy in love with, asked him to do. Now that’s commitment.

The local police chief is involved with the case and with another woman despite his wife, who takes pity on the murderer, being far better than he deserves. (stupid man). Anyway, with several intertwined stories going on at once, you’ll enjoy Mercy. Although I think thatMy Sister’s Keeper was probably Jodi Piccoult’s best book, this is a good solid read, and at 400 pages it lasts for a nice long time.

It gets 4.5 out of 5 piggy snorts.

Posted on July 12, 2008 – 6:07 pm in Reviews | No Comments »

beautiful boy - how drug addiction tests a father’s love for his son

It turns out I’m quite naive when it comes to drugs. Sure I’ve seen addicts on the streets talking to themselves or harassing people for money, I’ve even dealt with quite a few on the psychiatry wards during medical school, but always I’m smugly confident that my kids could never turn out like that. Surely If a child is well-raised by good and loving parents that won’t happen. *swallow*.

beautiful boy is a true story written by David Sheff about his son’s addiction to meth, heroin, ecstasy and more. His well-raised, well-loved, intelligent, popular son was on his way to success in academia and sports when he discovered drugs in his early teens. His desperate dad tries to cope with the fact that his son may never finish college or hold a job or be anything but a drug-shooting bum. He blames himself for some unknown parenting mistake and blames his son for ‘choosing’ the drugs, while having his family life thrown into chaos each time there is a relapse.

The best thing about this book is that it’s written from the father’s perspective. Having a child who is an addict is not something that comes up easily in conversation, and definitely not something that you hear a lot of fathers talk about. I gained a new perspective on how addiction in one person takes over the lives of the whole family and easily becomes all-consuming, much like if your child has cancer. It scared me to realize that despite my best intentions, this could happen to my kid someday, and there’s not a damn thing I could do about it. This book is a must read for an addict’s loved ones, and a compelling read for anyone else as you walk a mile in this family’s shoes.

Rating:

Posted on July 10, 2008 – 10:32 pm in Reviews | 1 Comment »

Stolen Innocence - An Insider’s Account of Polygamy

Polygamy fascinates me. Every time there is a special on TV about it, I steal the remote and watch the whole thing… even if I’ve seen it before. Even more interesting is when you combine polygamy with cult-like religious beliefs that result in a closed community where all the women wear weird dresses and don’t cut their hair.  I love hearing about all the crazy rules and how the men control the women and why the marriages are arranged by church leaders.

Stolen Innocence is a juicy, firsthand account of what life was really like for a young girl growing up in Salt Lake City, Utah with three mothers and dozens of siblings in a fundamentalist community controlled by Warren Jeffs. Now in her 20s, Elissa Wall bears all when describing her forced marriage at fourteen, when she knew nothing about sex and was repeated raped by her new husband. Her mother was so brainwashed by their teachings that she demanded Elissa pretend everything was fine rather than try to escape her controlling marriage.

I found myself feeling genuinely angry about many things described in the book, and wondering what I would have done if I was raised like her. Overall, a great read, with the bonus that it comes with quite a few pictures, so I felt like I could follow along with her life. I also stayed up past my normal bedtime more than once with this book, which means it’s well worth a read.

I give it 4 piggy snorts out of 5.

Posted on July 9, 2008 – 8:24 pm in Reviews | 3 Comments »