Book Review: Bridget Jones' Diary

Title: Bridget Jones' Diary


Author: Helen Fielding


Genre: Chick Lit


Synopsis: Kinda like the movie, but not.


Stars: 5/5


Lauren's Review: The two 'grown up' books I'm reading right now were stressing me out/getting dull so I had to take a chick lit break. I decided to read this book because it's one of my favorite movies and it reminds me of Christmas time, which I am so excited for!

The book is a lot like the movie, but there are a few subtle differences that made reading it exciting. For one, Bridget is a little smarter....which I totally enjoyed. I love Renee's Bridget, but you have to admit she brought a lot of misery on herself. The book Bridget is a little more relatable.

Also, the plot is different, so it wasn't just like reading the screen play.

And Daniel was nicer...he was half nice half asshole...so more like a real world guy.

Anyway, while I enjoyed the movie's ending more, I liked the books characters more. I would recommend the book to all movie fans. It was a light-hearted, easy read. Now back to the hard stuff.

Book Review: Mini Shopaholic

Title: Mini Shopaholic


Author: Sophie Kinsella


Genre: Chick Lit


Synopsis: The sixth book in the Shopaholic series (will it ever end?). Becky lies to everyone, drama ensues. The standard Shopaholic fare.


Stars: 2/5


Lauren's Review: Unfortunately, Sophie Kinsella has proven that there really is too much of a good thing. When I first started the Shopaholic series, Becky Bloomwood was like your lovable, albeit clumsy and bumbling, younger sister that you just wanted to look after and protect from the evils of the world (and maybe you should take all her credit cards away too, just to be safe). But by the end of this novel, I really started to question Becky's mental capacity as she seemed to think on about the same level as an 8 year old. Adults just do not act like that.

I love Kinsella's work and I've read everything she's written (under this name, I haven't touched the Madeline Wickham stuff yet) and I have to say this was the worst. Finishing this book was a chore that I only completed out of love and devotion to the writer. I was incredibly sad when she finished the book by setting it up for the next sequel. I think it may be time to put Becky B. to rest and focus on some other works. Preferably ones with more intelligent characters, like Remember Me? or The Undomestic Goddess (both of which I loved and recommend).

Ironic?

Please look at my "What I'm reading now" section to the right.

This has to say something about me. Not sure what though...

Book Review: Never Let Me Go

Title: Never Let Me Go


Author: Kazuo Ishiguro


Genre: Fiction


Synopsis: This novel is narrated by Kathy, who is now 31 years old, and tells about her life starting with her childhood at the boarding school Hailsham. The students of Hailsham know that they are 'special' but there is something mysterious going on that neither they, nor the reader, seem aware of.


Stars: 5/5


Lauren's Review: I really don't want to say too much about this book because the best way to read it is totally blind. The art of Ishiguro's story telling is in the way he reveals the truth little by little. Suffice to say that it is a beautifully told and deeply moving novel with something for everyone. I had a hard time thinking of a good genre for it and so I just left it as 'Fiction.' If you're thinking of reading this book, I say go for it. Don't peek around the internet looking for reviews or summaries, because too many of them have spoilers. Just pick it up and jump in, you won't regret it. After reading the novel, I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie next week!

Book Review: The Good Earth

Title: The Good Earth


Author: Pearl Buck


Genre: Historical Fiction


Synopsis: This novel tells the story of Wang Lung, a Chinese Farmer, starting with his marriage and leading all the way to his final days. Wang lung is able to rise up in the world from his humble origins to greatness and wealth all because of his hard work on the land. This book takes place before the Chinese Revolution and perfectly captures a time and place that no longer exists.


Stars: 5/5


Lauren's Review: Obviously this book and author speak for themselves, she's won a Nobel Prize in literature, the novel won a Pulitzer Prize (and is even on Oprahs Book Club list! sarcasm). But somehow I had still never read it until now.

I loved it.

I think it's amazing that Pearl Buck is an American woman and she managed to perfectly describe the life of a poor Chinese farmer. I guess I probably never read it because I wasn't interested in the subject to be quite honest. Chinese history doesn't really get me excited like English history does...but it's possible that's just because I don't know enough about it. Buck opened my eyes to a totally new world.

I strongly suggest reading this novel and reading about Pearl Buck's life as well, she was an interesting person.