Sunday, November 9, 2008 @ 6:49 PM
books after the exams
I find myself drawn to this blog again for whatever reason. It's like that first time you start blogging and you just want to write it all out. Since this is my blog, I can do whatever I want with it. And it's an avenue for me to write whatever I want, when I want to. Sort of like a journal I used to keep when I was in primary school. So, there might be a few posts in a day or none at all. Anyways, I'm hungry as hell but nobody's at home and there's no food and I don't want to waste my own money to call mcdonalds so basically, I'm just eating an apple. Anyhows, I just want to post about certain books that I've read when I shouldn't have been reading them. And it's all Jodi Picoult's books. I've no idea but she has such great affinity to write about stuffs that will tug your heart-strings and make you think about whatever subject that she's written about.
This first book I read was I think after the June holidays after I found it in the school library. I figured I should at least sample the book first before buying it. But anyways, I did not buy the book since I've finished reading it before the date due. It's like I could never put it down. When I'm reading a book, I won't be watching the tv or even be on the internet. It'll be 100% on the book. So I think I was lucky to be reading this book first since it really got me hooked onto this gem of an author. I've always noticed her books at Popular but never really got to or wanted to pick up any of her books. Anyways, this is one book that I think would play in your mind even after you have put it down. Topics like divorce and extra-marital affairs all comes into play. It's not in the lewd manner that some authors have the tendency to write about but it just sets the basis to how a child could suffer during a divorce and how he/she would cope or struggle or find ways to get the parents' attention once again. But of course, I wouldn't pick up this book if it didn't have the sensational issue of : Is this child really talking to god? I know that some people are really uncomfortable with issues like this but to me, it's jst a book and there's no harm in reading it. So believe me when I say that if any parents or couple are thinking of getting a divorce, you should really read this book first and then think how it's going to affect that child. That child may just grow up being able to talk to god and have an imaginary friend or just be an obsessive compulsive liar and be locked in a mental instituition.
So, the second book that I've really read about is also by Jodi Picoult. Surprise, surprise! Anyways, the reason that I really wanted to read this book was not because of the Virginia Tech Massacre that happened last year but it was because of The Columbine High School Massacre that happened way earlier in 1999. I knew when I started reading the book that I was going into a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Sometimes, you just feel sad for the victims, and sometimes you're glad that they did die. Then, sometimes, you feel that the shooter should just have been shot by the police on the spot while at other times, you feel like you really want to get to know the shooter. This book provoked me mentally quite a number of times and the question that comes to mind is always, "WHAT IF?" What if people in high school were to be nicer to one another? What if the shooter had more friends? What if the shooter was not embarrased in front of the whole cafeteria? Would things have been different? When you read about these shootings in the papers, people always think about the victims' families. Nobody really gives a damn to whatever the offender's family feels about. Everyone is quick to point fingers and this book goes into the depth to uncover the reasons why a person commits an act. And it also brings to light what the offender's family might be going through, not just the victims. This book gave me more respect to Jodi Picoult as a writer. And this is the second book that I really cried- albeit alone- while reading, after P.S I LOVE YOU.
So, the third book that I read was again by Jodi Picoult and it was during the 3 weeks after graduation day. The month before the exams and I was still hooked into reading her books. One great thing about her books is that they're not inter-connected, so you could just pick out any book and read it. Although some of the characters may be seen in other books, and their primary scope of character is the same, each book gives a different depth to the character. Don't be fooled by the somewhat cheesy name of the book and it's synopsis behind. It could definitely be a turn-off to those who lack imagination. Mention the word witchcraft and you'd think of fiction and harry potter. Come on! In real life, there's the witch religion wicca, and it's just a background information that doesn't get played much in this book. It's about how certain people practice other eligion that are not the norm because they want to get away from real life or from being raped from their father(oops, spoiler). Anyways, this one may be a little heavy for some since there's somewhat uncomfortabe scenes, like only 1 paragraph near the ending of the book, that is a bit adult-ish. Basic idea behind this book is: Can a leopard really change it's spots? Anyways, this book reminds me just a tiny bit about the yellow ribbon project. Is the community quick to point out the mistakes of others, especially ex-offenders, while at the same time, turn a blind eye on people with reputation since they's got money and are well-respected?
Jeez, I really think that Jodi Picoult should have paid me write on this post. Haha. It's so long so don't bother reading it if you don't want to. I really want to get my hands on the rest of the books because I promised myself I'm going to get them after the exams. First up will probably be "My Sister's Keeper" because I really want to read the book before watching the film starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin. When I've read more books, I'll be sure to post about them up her anyways.
