Wednesday, April 04, 2007
My Must Read Books (highly recommended!!) ... Y
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Shopaholic & Baby
(pending...)
2007
A Novel by Sophie Kinsella
(The fifth book in the Shopaholic series)
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Kinsella's follow-up to Shopaholic & Sister(2004) finds the irrepressible Becky expecting her first child with her dashing husband, Luke. Naturally, there's shopping to be done: Becky is determined that her child will be as stylish as a baby can be. She couldn't be more overjoyed - especially since discovering that shopping cures morning sickness. Everything has got to be perfect for her baby: from the designer nursery...to the latest, coolest pram.. That includes having the best obstetrician, so when Becky learns about Venetia Carter, who caters to models and movie stars, she's determined to get herself into Venetia's practice. She succeeds, only to discover to her dismay that the stunning Venetia dated Luke in college and may still be carrying a torch for him. Becky will go to any length to keep her husband, whether it be intercepting text messages from Venetia in Latin or hiring a private detective to trail Luke and learn whether or not he has actually been unfaithful to her, rendering marriage over before it has really begun. Through it all, Becky never loses her spark, making this fifth entry in the Shopaholic series every bit as delightful and hilarious as its predecessors. ~ American Library Association
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Y As a "typical" Chick Lit reader like me, i was anxiously awaiting the release of this book. I adored the first four books thanks to Yussy who introduced me the first one. I've read so many great reviews abt it and i can't wait to start on mine... I saw the book last Feb at the airport bookshop while waiting for my flight but didn't get it as it was too expensive. USD24 for a hard cover book. I thought i should wait for the paperback book instead. Saw the book again yesterday while shopping with Aunty G, couldn't find the one i wanted and so settled for the hard cover.. haiz~! But it's ok, i'm sure it's worth it.. =) Yussy jangan beli eh! wait 2 more mths... hehe!
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Kinsella's follow-up to Shopaholic & Sister(2004) finds the irrepressible Becky expecting her first child with her dashing husband, Luke. Naturally, there's shopping to be done: Becky is determined that her child will be as stylish as a baby can be. She couldn't be more overjoyed - especially since discovering that shopping cures morning sickness. Everything has got to be perfect for her baby: from the designer nursery...to the latest, coolest pram.. That includes having the best obstetrician, so when Becky learns about Venetia Carter, who caters to models and movie stars, she's determined to get herself into Venetia's practice. She succeeds, only to discover to her dismay that the stunning Venetia dated Luke in college and may still be carrying a torch for him. Becky will go to any length to keep her husband, whether it be intercepting text messages from Venetia in Latin or hiring a private detective to trail Luke and learn whether or not he has actually been unfaithful to her, rendering marriage over before it has really begun. Through it all, Becky never loses her spark, making this fifth entry in the Shopaholic series every bit as delightful and hilarious as its predecessors. ~ American Library Association
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Y As a "typical" Chick Lit reader like me, i was anxiously awaiting the release of this book. I adored the first four books thanks to Yussy who introduced me the first one. I've read so many great reviews abt it and i can't wait to start on mine... I saw the book last Feb at the airport bookshop while waiting for my flight but didn't get it as it was too expensive. USD24 for a hard cover book. I thought i should wait for the paperback book instead. Saw the book again yesterday while shopping with Aunty G, couldn't find the one i wanted and so settled for the hard cover.. haiz~! But it's ok, i'm sure it's worth it.. =) Yussy jangan beli eh! wait 2 more mths... hehe!
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The House
(currently reading..)
2006
A Novel by Danielle Steel
2006
A Novel by Danielle Steel
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Sarah Anderson, a beautiful, successful thirtysomething attorney, is having a midlife crisis. She's become a workaholic, spending 60- to 70-hour weeks at the office, and she is involved in an unhappy relationship with a man she only sees on weekends, who refuses to involve her in any other aspect of his life. She lives in a dumpy apartment, which contains the same furniture she used in college, and she has no outside interests other than the sometime boyfriend and her job. Everything changes, however, when an eccentric, elderly client of Sarah's dies and leaves her a small fortune and a message: to use the money for something wonderful, to live well, and to think about something other than work. Following this advice, Sarah purchases the dilapidated old mansion the client had lived in (after finding out that it was her own grandfather who originally built it), breaks up with the cheating boyfriend, and focuses all of her attention on rehabbing the old house. As she works to restore the place, she finds contentment in her new pastime; a nice, normal boyfriend in the architect who is helping her; and familial contentment as both her mother and grandmother find happiness in the purchase of this house. In a novel of daring and hope, of embracing life and taking chances, Danielle Steel brilliantly captures one woman’s courageous choice to pour herself into a dream —and receive its gifts in return. A typical Steel fairy tale. ~ American Library Association
Sarah Anderson, a beautiful, successful thirtysomething attorney, is having a midlife crisis. She's become a workaholic, spending 60- to 70-hour weeks at the office, and she is involved in an unhappy relationship with a man she only sees on weekends, who refuses to involve her in any other aspect of his life. She lives in a dumpy apartment, which contains the same furniture she used in college, and she has no outside interests other than the sometime boyfriend and her job. Everything changes, however, when an eccentric, elderly client of Sarah's dies and leaves her a small fortune and a message: to use the money for something wonderful, to live well, and to think about something other than work. Following this advice, Sarah purchases the dilapidated old mansion the client had lived in (after finding out that it was her own grandfather who originally built it), breaks up with the cheating boyfriend, and focuses all of her attention on rehabbing the old house. As she works to restore the place, she finds contentment in her new pastime; a nice, normal boyfriend in the architect who is helping her; and familial contentment as both her mother and grandmother find happiness in the purchase of this house. In a novel of daring and hope, of embracing life and taking chances, Danielle Steel brilliantly captures one woman’s courageous choice to pour herself into a dream —and receive its gifts in return. A typical Steel fairy tale. ~ American Library Association
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Y I would have to say that this isn't one of Steel's best book but maybe it will turn out better at the later part of the story. I'm only midway thru.. hehe! The beginning was a little repetative but it was an easy book to read as it's not confusing or outdated like her previous novels. Danielle Steel was my favourite author back in secondary school. I must have read 3/4 of her books. There are over hundreds out there. Some of her novels that i like are 'The Promise', 'The Ring', 'A Perfect Stranger', 'Daddy', 'The Gift', 'The Kiss', 'The Wedding', 'The House on Hope Street' & 'His Bright Light'.. Thanks Hunny for the book! Saya ader baca hor... =)
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Love Walked In
2005
A Novel by Marisa De Los Santos (debut book)
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Cornelia is a single thirtysomething who lives her life like a series of movie moments. She's a manager of a cafe because she hasn't figured out anything better to do. Her ideal man is Cary Grant. And just when she thinks he'll never show up, he does, in the form of Martin Grace. What she doesn't know is that Martin, with his cool charm and debonair demeanor, has a daughter, Clare. And she never would have known that except that Martin, in a state of panic, shows up with the girl at the cafe after her mother had a breakdown and left Clare to fend for herself. Estranged from his daughter for years, Martin doesn't know what to do with her. Both women's stories are told in alternating chapters, Cornelia's in first person, Clare's in third. This is a first novel with some wonderful and heartbreaking moments scattered throughout, along with some moments that are purely contrived for the forward movement of the plot. Overall, it is a sweet story about knowing what you love and why. ~ American Library Association
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Y The chapters are alternately told by Clare and Cornelia which could get quite confusing at times. However i love the way the book includes the reader. The author will have this short paragraph written in brackets like as though she's talking to you while writing the story. Quirky to me.. hehe! It draws you in and makes you feel connected to the characters. Read it and you'll love it too..
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The Memory Keeper's Daughter
2006
A Novel by Kim Edwards
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On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy. Yet when his daughter is born, he sees immediately that she has Down's Syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split-second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret. But Caroline, the nurse, cannot leave the infant. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child herself. So begins this beautifully told story that unfolds over a quarter of a century in which these two families, ignorant of each other, are yet bound by the fateful decision made that long-ago winter night. ~ The Washigton Post's Book World
On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy. Yet when his daughter is born, he sees immediately that she has Down's Syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split-second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret. But Caroline, the nurse, cannot leave the infant. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child herself. So begins this beautifully told story that unfolds over a quarter of a century in which these two families, ignorant of each other, are yet bound by the fateful decision made that long-ago winter night. ~ The Washigton Post's Book World
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Y I fell in love with the story just by reading the description at the back of the book. To me this is an emotional and memorable book. It is so engrossing and different from any other book i've read before. Everything that happens in the book happens because of the decision one man makes. Anyway there was this part in a letter send to David from Caroline that reads "You missed a lot of heartache, sure. But David, you missed a lot of joy." I cried.. Well i cried reading alot of books actually! hehe.. I felt even sad after the story ended.. I hate reading stories with sad endings. Boo Hoo!
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My Sister's Keeper2004
A Novel by Jodi Picoult
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Thirteen-year-old Anna Fitzgerald walks into the office of lawyer Campbell Alexander and announces she wants to sue her parents for the rights to her own body. Anna was conceived after her older sister, Kate, developed a rare form of leukemia at the age of two, and has donated bone marrow and blood to her sister. Now she has been asked to donate a kidney, and she intends to refuse. Campbell is a jaded young man who nevertheless decides to take her case pro bono. Anna's parents are shocked when they learn of her lawsuit, and her mother, a former civil defense attorney, decides to represent them. Anna refuses to budge on her position despite the fact that she clearly loves her sister and longs for her family's happiness. As the gripping court case builds, the story takes a shocking turn. Told in alternating perspectives by the engaging, fascinating cast of characters, Picoult's novel grabs the reader from the first page and never lets go. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking, controversial, and honest book. ~ American Library Association
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Y I have never read any of Jodi Picoult's books before but this one intrigued me soo much that i am prepared to buy more book of hers. The narrative switches to each of the family members, Anna's lawyer and legal guardian. A little confusing for me but after while i got the hang of it and totally immersed myself into the story. A page-turner and A SURPRISING CLIMATIC ENDING.. It was unexpected and i couldn't sleep the whole night thru just thinking back of the story from the start till ending again.
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Y I have never read any of Jodi Picoult's books before but this one intrigued me soo much that i am prepared to buy more book of hers. The narrative switches to each of the family members, Anna's lawyer and legal guardian. A little confusing for me but after while i got the hang of it and totally immersed myself into the story. A page-turner and A SURPRISING CLIMATIC ENDING.. It was unexpected and i couldn't sleep the whole night thru just thinking back of the story from the start till ending again.
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Y______________________________________________________________________________Y
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I bought over 10 novels for the past 8mths while i'm here... I used to read alot back in Secondary School and more when i was younger. I remember reading till way past my bedtime and had to hide the book under the cover while Ibu tucked me in bed. A while later i would take the book and stand by the window, reading with the help from the light of the street lamppost. Maybe that's the reason for my bad eyesight. So Ibu, don't go blaming me for not eating enough carrots ok... hmph!
I bought over 10 novels for the past 8mths while i'm here... I used to read alot back in Secondary School and more when i was younger. I remember reading till way past my bedtime and had to hide the book under the cover while Ibu tucked me in bed. A while later i would take the book and stand by the window, reading with the help from the light of the street lamppost. Maybe that's the reason for my bad eyesight. So Ibu, don't go blaming me for not eating enough carrots ok... hmph!
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I prefer novels than books like 'Da Vinci Code' or 'Harry Potter'.. I rather watch the movie instead. heh! But anyway i gotta curb my spending on these books... I'm only allowed to take home with me 2 luggages ok. Macam maner? These books cannot fit in it with my dozen other shoes, bags and clothes. By the way, my bf 'lovingly' reminded me that i had too much clothes (more like naggings actually!! Ibu tak la seteruk mcm dier)... haha! he even asked to compare each other's wardrobe.. Giler ke aper? Agaknye dier jealous la... hehehe! Dun worry hun, i'll shop with you when i come back ok.. Oh and i will promise you that i will save as much as i could. Pinky Swear!! Harris Resort here we come~
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Love Y,
Liana
5:44 PM