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meghank91
Enlightened One
 Patron
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 Book Title: Nineteen Minutes Book Author: Jodi Picoult Genre: Fiction Quick Synopsis: Best known for tackling controversial issues through richly told fictional accounts, Jodi Picoult's 14th novel, Nineteen Minutes, deals with the truth and consequences of a smalltown high-school shooting. Set in Sterling, New Hampshire, Picoult offers reads a glimpse of what would cause a 17-year-old to wake up one day, load his backpack with four guns, and kill nine students and one teacher all in the span of nineteen minutes. As with any Picoult novel, the answers are never black and white, and it is her exceptional ability to blur the lines between right and wrong that make this author such a captivating storyteller. What was right with it?: The best part of this book is how real it seems. When I was reading it I had no real world connections to make with it but shortly after finishing it the Virginia Tech shooting occured and it was scary how much the reaction of the media and people in general was so similar to those described in Nineteen Minutes. Everyone looks upon the shooter with disgust in real life but in this book you feel sympathy for him because it forces you to get to know who he is. As the shooter's mother says at the end of the novel, "Everyone would remember Peter for nineteen minutes of his life, but what about the other nine million?" What was wrong with it?: At times, Nineteen Minutes can seem tediously stereotypical-- jocks versus nerds, parent versus child, teacher versus student. But part of Picoult's gift is showing us the subtleties of these common dynamics, and the startling effects they often have on the moral landscape. Marks: 9 out of 10 Recommended Age Of Reader: 14 and up for explicit content (violence, sex, profanity etc.) Reviewed By: Meghan (meghank91)
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meghank91
Enlightened One
Patron
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i'm surprised no one did this book yet. we need to have a review for it.  Book Title: The Catcher In The Rye Book Author: JD Salinger Genre: Fiction Quick Synopsis: In J.D. Salinger's brilliant coming-of-age novel, Holden Caulfield, a seventeen year old prep school adolescent relates his lonely, life-changing twenty-four hour stay in New York City as he experiences the phoniness of the adult world while attempting to deal with the death of his younger brother, an overwhelming compulsion to lie and troubling sexual experiences. Salinger, whose characters are among the best and most developed in all of literature has captured the eternal angst of growing into adulthood in the person of Holden Caulfield. What was right with it?: Anyone who has reached their teenage years will be able to identify with this unique and yet universal character, for Holden contains bits and pieces of all of us. It is for this very reason that The Catcher in the Rye has become one of the most beloved and enduring works in world literature. As always, Salinger's writing is so brilliant, his characters so real, that he need not employ artifice of any kind. This is a study of the complex problems haunting all adolescents as they mature into adulthood and Salinger wisely chooses to keep his narrative and prose straightforward and simple. The Catcher in the Rye is a book that can be loved and understood on many different levels of comprehension and each reader who experiences it will come away with a fresh view of the world in which they live.
What was wrong with it?: I can't think of anything wrong with it. Everything in the book is perfect. It does have some adult language but not too bad. You'll either love this book or you'll hate it but it's amazing. Marks: 10 out of 10 of course Recommended Age Of Reader: 15 and up Reviewed By: Meghan (meghank91)
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The Professional
Tyranos
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 Book Title: Angels & Demons Book Author: Dan Brown Genre: Mystery Quick Synopsis: The novel begins with a college symboligist professor named Robert Langdon being awoken by an early morning phone call from Maximilian Kohler, the director of a particle physics research laboratory in Switzerland. Maximilian Kohler informs the professor of the grisly murder of Leonardo Vetra, a respected scientist who was at the time of his death researching a new form of energy entitled antimatter. As the director goes into more detail with Mr. Langdon, he faxes a picture of an ambigram symbol that was branded on the body. Once Robert Langdon is shown the horrifying symbol, he agrees to be flown to the location of the murder. From that point forward, Professor Langdon is on a journey to discover plots of betrayal, murder, and dark century old secrets that will forever alter his life. What was right with it?: To list everything that has the potential to be considered great in this novel would take an immense amount of time. The fact is, a great number of Angels and Demons' readers will undoubtedly enjoy the 'keep the guessing' theme Dan Brown eloquently upholds throughout the entirety of the novel. Despite the continual assuming by readers all the way through to the end, the conclusion twist will leave the overall majority of readers with a stunned expression on their faces accompanied by a gaping jaw, and a feeling of true betrayal. What was wrong with it?: Due to the novel's unfathomably outstanding plot, it was almost an impossible task to pinpoint any aspect that could be considered negative within the novel. Only through further online research was I able to finally discover something that could have the potential to change some opinions of the novel. Apparently, some of the details surrounding the plot are considered to be less than accurate. However, this is not a problem to the more logical and understanding readers of Angels & Demons, due to their comprehension of the fact that the novel is not intended for factual reading purposes; instead, Dan Brown's goal was to simply entertain his readers. Marks: 10 out of 10 Recommended Age Of Reader: 15+ recommended due to adult content and plot complexity. The novel includes sexual actions, crude profanity, and a violent theme in general. Reviewed By: The Professional Post edited at 5:58 pm on June 18, 2007 by The Professional
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jessica20110
Guru
 Ad Free
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Book Title: Twilight Book Author: Stephenie Meyer Genre: fantasy/romance Quick Synopsis: Isabella Swan, Bella for short, moves from her home in Phoenix, Arizona, to Forks, Washington to live with her dad. While she is there, she meets a young man named Edward Cullen and his family. After investigating, she finds that Edward is a vampire, but they are in love. They get the relationship to work, but when Bella becomes threatened by vampires, they must take action. What was right with it?: I liked the way Stephenie described her characteres. It's like you were almost there in the book. She wrote it in a way that seemed....similar to my thinking. What was wrong with it?: Some of it got a little too lovey-dubbey for me. Marks: 7/10 Recommended Age Of Reader: 14-17 Reviewed By: Jessica, http://www.golivewire.com/forums/profile.cgi?action=a&id=538988173  Post edited at 8:26 am on June 18, 2007 by jessica20110
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minmin
Soothsayer
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Title: The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time Book Author: Mark Haddon Genre: Mystery/Autism fiction Quick Synopsis: Christopher Boone is a 15-year old autistic savant in Swindon, England. He hates being touched, cannot tell a lie, or understand metaphors or jokes. He is a whiz at math and enjoys puzzles. When the neighbours dog is killed with a pitchfork, he seizes upon it as a puzzle and math problem in hopes of understanding something that makes no sense to him. This begins a journey for Christopher that takes him places he never imagined, both physically and emotionally. Whats right with it?: Mark Haddon who works with autistic children has created a unique character to tell a story of an autistic child. I quickly came to sympathise Christopher Boone and makes the book a delightful and different novel. Parents and friends of autistics can also learn a great deal about how to interact with us in a way that makes us comfortable from the book. Instead of Christopher's parents forcing him to learn to hug or maintain painful physical contact to fulfil *their* needs, they learn to communicate their love (and to let him communicate his) by gently but firmly touching one another's fingertips. There is much more than that to the book, though. The story itself is filled with innovative twists and turns that bring it far beyond the "mystery" category -- or any other genre. What I like most about it is the fact that it provides a different perspective on the flaws and foibles of man, where adults can often act as childish and petulant as the children. I should not have waited so long to read it and it should be on everyones reading list. Whats wrong with it?: There is not really a lot that I found wrong with it but I did feel that it slightly avoided most of the furnishings of high-literary enterprise as well as the conventions of genre, confuses the reader to shocking effect. Marks out of 10: 10/10 Recommended age of the reader: The novel is being marketed to a YA audience, but strong language and adult situations make this a good title for sophisticated readers of all ages. Reviewed by: Tasmin aka minmin “I do not tell lies. Mother used to say that this was because I was a good person. But it is not because I am a good person. It is because I can't tell lies”. Post edited at 3:34 am on June 19, 2007 by minmin
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"Perplexing, befudeling, cute and innocent"
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2:51 am on June 19, 2007 | Joined June 2005 | 594 Days Active
Join to learn more about minmin England, United Kingdom | Straight Female | 4032 Posts | 12054 Points
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The Love Doctor
Novice
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 Book Title: Mis Match Book Author: Lensey Namioka Genre: Romance Quick Synopsis: Sue Hua is a Chinese-American girl living in a white-bread suburb. When she auditions for her new school's orchestra, she meets an Asian-American violinist that her friends think is definitely her type. Sue is attracted to Andy but fears how her parents will treat him - since his last name is Suzuki. What Was Right With It?: I read Mis Match in less than a day! That is how much I craved the interesting text! I favor a book with a romantic twist, and this is the absolute best if you have similar tastes. Namioka uses a unique style of writing. The omniscient views of both protagonists allows you to understand Chinese and Japanese cultures. 100% recommended for "love doctors" and musicians! What Was Wrong With It?: I found nothing wrong with it, to be honest. I adore dynamic characters! Marks: 10 out of 10 Recommended Age of Reader: Young adult, probably 14 and up Recommended By: Victoria The Love Doctor Post edited at 8:02 am on June 19, 2007 by The Love Doctor
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I love Alec (bballs687)!
--September 26, 2006--
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emma19911
Guru
 Sustainer
Support Leader
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 Book Title: The Playground Mafia Book Author: Sarah Tucker Genre: Realistic Fiction Quick Synopsis: Meet Caroline Gray: divorcee and newly-single mother. Firmly closing the door on her acrimonious divorce, Caroline and son Ben have moved to trendy Frencham where they join Caroline's long-time best friends, Heather and Eva. Settling into their new life is easy, but nothing has prepared Caroline for the demands of motherhood at The Sycamore, the school the trio's beloved offspring attend. Forget classroom bullies, forget trips to the head's office, this is full-scale adult playground politics. This is battle with the mothers who won't take no for an answer - the Playground Mafia. Amidst the four-wheel drives, Ben's complicated afterschool play-date schedule and her friends' perilous extra-marital affairs, Caroline tries to keep a low and very single profile. But it's not long before she too finds herself under the mafia's scandal-radar, and her life takes an unexpected turn... What was right with it?: It's a good book once you get into it. Once I got into this book i couldn't put it down because i wanted to know what was to happen next in the life a Caroline Gray. I also love how it's realistic as you grow up clicks don't go away. What was wrong with it?: It did take a while to get into. Marks: 7 out of 10 Recommended Age Of Reader: young adult 14 and over Reviewed By: Emma emma19911
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Dreaming Of A Day Where Things Are Different!
The Love Group Is Back
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Rosaur
Omnipotent One
Patron
Support Leader
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Quote: from minmin at 10:51 am on June 19, 2007
Title: The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time Book Author: Mark Haddon Genre: Mystery/Autism fiction Quick Synopsis: Christopher Boone is a 15-year old autistic savant in Swindon, England. He hates being touched, cannot tell a lie, or understand metaphors or jokes. He is a whiz at math and enjoys puzzles. When the neighbours dog is killed with a pitchfork, he seizes upon it as a puzzle and math problem in hopes of understanding something that makes no sense to him. This begins a journey for Christopher that takes him places he never imagined, both physically and emotionally. Whats right with it?: Mark Haddon who works with autistic children has created a unique character to tell a story of an autistic child. I quickly came to sympathise Christopher Boone and makes the book a delightful and different novel. Parents and friends of autistics can also learn a great deal about how to interact with us in a way that makes us comfortable from the book. Instead of Christopher's parents forcing him to learn to hug or maintain painful physical contact to fulfil *their* needs, they learn to communicate their love (and to let him communicate his) by gently but firmly touching one another's fingertips. There is much more than that to the book, though. The story itself is filled with innovative twists and turns that bring it far beyond the "mystery" category -- or any other genre. What I like most about it is the fact that it provides a different perspective on the flaws and foibles of man, where adults can often act as childish and petulant as the children. I should not have waited so long to read it and it should be on everyones reading list. Whats wrong with it?: There is not really a lot that I found wrong with it but I did feel that it slightly avoided most of the furnishings of high-literary enterprise as well as the conventions of genre, confuses the reader to shocking effect. Marks out of 10: 10/10 Recommended age of the reader: The novel is being marketed to a YA audience, but strong language and adult situations make this a good title for sophisticated readers of all ages. Reviewed by: Tasmin aka minmin “I do not tell lies. Mother used to say that this was because I was a good person. But it is not because I am a good person. It is because I can't tell lies”. 
Why didn't I think of this book?! My goodness, this is one of my favourites
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i've been working on a piece that speaks of sex and desperationnnnn
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1:50 am on June 20, 2007 | Joined Jan. 2007 | 455 Days Active
Join to learn more about Rosaur England, United Kingdom | Straight Female | 5781 Posts | 19311 Points
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Collin
Soothsayer
Patron
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Will this simply be judged on how much the judges enjoy the reviews?
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( SomeoneLoveMe )
Medical Student
Sustainer
Support Leader
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All reviews are opinion, so it's not going to be judged on the specific review outcome. I think the best way to judge is going to be on content, how the review has been worded, how much someone gains from reading it and if it would give an insight into the book, without spoiling it for the prospective reader
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Never upset a medical student
One day, I might be your surgeon
You might come in as Peter, ingrowing toenail
And be discharged as Paula
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meghank91
Enlightened One
Patron
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 Book Title: My Sister's Keeper
Book Author: Jodi Picoult
Genre: Fiction
Quick Synopsis: The Fitzgerald family finds out early in her life that their daughter Kate has a rare form of leukemia. In desperation they try to find a way to treat their daughter who needs a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, the eldest child Jesse is not a perfect match for his sister and the family is faced with a tough decision. They can either wait for a donor or create their own. Soon Kate's sister, Anna, is conceived as a test tube baby and is designed to provide a donor match for procedures that become increasingly invasive. All her life Anna is made to go through medical procedures despite her perfect health just to help her sister. When Kate needs a kidney transplant to save her life, thirteen-year-old Anna seeks the help of a lawyer who agrees to work for her with publicity in mind. Anna sues her parents for medical emancipation; the right to decide what to do with her own body. There are also a few side stories for the lawyer and also for Jesse. You'll never expect the twist at the end! What was right with it?: This novel was absolutely incredible. It's so interesting to read about this moral issue and not know what to think. This family has a child not out of love but out of despair. They don't know what else to do so they have this baby specifically to help their other daughter. Anna is one of the greatest characters I've ever read. All the facts and medical language used in the book are so obviously well-researched. We all say we'd give anything for the ones that we love but Anna truly has had to do that all her life, when does it become too much? The courtroom scenes are just really cool too. What was wrong with it?: The ending was like a slap in the face but it was VERY unpredictable which I liked. Other than that I can't find any wrong. Marks: 10 out of 10 Recommended Age Of Reader: 14 and up Reviewed By: Meghank91
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