Stargirl

Rating

5 stars – an interesting insight into the life of a girl who isn’t like the rest of us

Stargirl is about…

The fight to fit in and be ‘normal’ and how a person who doesn’t act the same of the rest of us can make us intrigued, insecure and angry.

Stargirl is an excellent book, well written, intriguing and with excellent insight into the lives of teenagers and their desperate need to fit in. I know I’m older than the target audience but personally I would love to have been Stargirl over any of the other ‘normal’ girls.

This book will make you stop and think about how you interact with others, and whether you spend too much time focusing on yourself and not noticing the beautiful things that are happening in the world around us.

Have you reviewed this book?

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Book Review | Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is a post from: Blue Archipelago Reviews

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• stargirl chapter 2 summary (1)

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Image by digitaleye81 via Flickr

Well I managed to rouse myself from my sick bed for the final hour and spent it thoroughly engrossed in StarGirl by Jerry Spinelli; I’ll definitely be finishing that one up this afternoon.

Although I don’t think I can call myself a fully-fledged participant I really enjoyed reading and following along with the other readers. I managed to read the two books I wanted to, and if I’d have managed the 10 hours I would have made that three – which all counts towards my 75 book target for 2008.

Here’s my final update.

The Update

Title of book(s) read since last update: A Thousand Splendid Suns; Before I Die StarGirl
Number of books read since you started: two and a half
Pages read since last update: 118
Running total of pages read since you started: 847
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 9 hours
Mini-challenges completed:3
Other participants you’ve visited: 8 – though I’m reading multiple updates from each
Prize you’ve won: 0

Wrap up meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

Can’t really answer that one as I stopped and had a proper night’s sleep.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

StarGirl and Before I DIe

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Everything I saw, from the organisation to the helpers and the cheerleaders and the challenges looked great, not sure how you could improve on it.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

Fabulous people and great organisation – a real community spirit

5. How many books did you read?

Two and a half

6. What were the names of the books you read?

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Before I Die and StarGirl

7. Which book did you enjoy most?

Before I Die – I’ve rated it as my best book of 2008 and think everyone should read it.

8. Which did you enjoy least?

I enjoyed all three

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

I was a reader – but would like to thank the cheerleaders for all of their support

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

I’d love to be a reader again next time and hopefully I’ll be well and able to participate much more. This time I really focused on my reading but next time I want to get involved in more challenges.

And there you have it – 24 hours passed and 9 hours of solid and enjoyable reading. All that remains is to thank Dew and her cast of helpers and cheerleaders, and everyone who stopped by Blue Archipelago with their good luck wishes and get well soon sentiments.

Until next time

Readathon | Times up is a post from: Blue Archipelago Reviews

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Image by royal19 via Flickr

Morning/afternoon/evening fellow readers – how is your readathon going? I stopped reading just after 8pm last night, watched some Saturday TV then headed to bed, hoping to awaken refreshed and ready for the final straight this morning. Unfortunately, I found myself up with the lark feeling awful so I’ve eaten breakfast spent an hour reading and now I’m heading back to bed. Hopefully I’ll be back fighting before the 24 hours comes to a close.

I picked up Before I Die last night for a bit of light hearted reading after A Thousand Splendid Suns, boy was I wrong with that assumption! It was a short read, but it was heartbreaking and I spent the last twenty minutes with tears streaming down my cheeks. If you’ve not heard of this book please go and get hold of a copy; it’s my novel of 2008 and I implore you all to read it.

Catch up with you all later.

The Update

Title of book(s) read since last update: A Thousand Splendid Suns; Before I Die
Number of books read since you started: two
Pages read since last update: 191
Running total of pages read since you started: 729
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 2 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 8 hours
Mini-challenges completed:2
Other participants you’ve visited: 8 – though I’m reading multiple updates from each
Prize you’ve won: 0

Readathon | 08.22 update is a post from: Blue Archipelago Reviews

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Before I Die

Rating

5 stars – heartbreaking, uplifting, outstanding – my novel of the year

Before I Die is about…

Sixteen year old Tessa, a girl fighting terminal cancer who writes a list of ten thing she wants to do before she dies. A list that includes sex, drugs, fame, love; things that will make Tessa feel alive, that challenge herself and the people around her.

This is more than just a book about a dying girl with a list; it’s about what it’s like to have your life cut short, the effects it has on you and the people around you. The way that the world around you changes, the change in the way you perceive things, the memories you conjure up and what becomes important to you in your final days.

Downham wrote this book for Young Adults, but don’t let that put you off, this is a beautifully written novel that tugs at your heartstrings and that makes you think about your life and the way you choose to live it. At times humourous, but mostly heart wrenching, this is a story of love and life and I defy anyone not to be touched by it. As Tessa becomes too weak to worry about her list she writes a letter to her dad giving instructions for her funeral, at this point the tears began to well up and I spent the last twenty minutes with tears streaming down my cheeks.

Before I Die is hands-down the best book I have read this year and I implore you to buy yourself a copy, and a box of tissues, and let me know what you think about this extraordinary, life affirming novel.

Have you reviewed this book?

If you have reviewed this book on your site please fill in the boxes below to link me up to your review – don’t forget to link to the specific post to make it easy to find:

Book Review | Before I Die by Jenny Downham is a post from: Blue Archipelago Reviews

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Doesn’t time fly when you’re trying to read as much as possible? I’m storming through Before I Die by Jenny Downham; a story about a sixteen year old girl who is dying from cancer and trying to tick off ten things she wants to do before she dies. I’m really enjoying Downham’s writing style but have a feeling this one could be a tear jerker!

Isn’t this just a great opening line:

I wish I had a boyfriend. I wish he lived in the wardrobe on a coat hanger. Whenever I wanted, I could get him out and he’d look at me the way boys do in films, as if I’m beautiful.

I’ve only done a couple of the ‘easy’ mini-challenges; the first reader shout out and the intro meme; for half a second I considered the ‘read for an hour in a foreign language’ challenge – and then reality kicked in – I’m supposed to be having fun not torturing myself

I have been visiting reader’s blogs too, but since I’m checking in from the sofa using my iPhone commenting is difficult. I’m enjoying the updates though.

Saturday night tv has kicked off here, and while I can read with one eye on Strictly Come Dancing when the X Factor comes around it will need my full attention. I’ll try and squeeze in another hour or so but then I’ll be calling it a night and will be back around 8am tomorrow. I need sleep to kick this flu-bug – sorry for being a lightweight!

The update

Title of book(s) read since last update: A Thousand Splendid Suns; In the middle of Before I Die
Number of books read since you started: one and a half
Pages read since last update: 136
Running total of pages read since you started: 538
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1.5 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 6 hours
Mini-challenges completed:2
Other participants you’ve visited: 8 – though I’m reading multiple updates from each
Prize you’ve won: 0

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Wow – I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns, and while I didn’t cry I feel quite exhausted by the power of that novel. It’s heart breaking and angering and heart warming all at the same time. If you’ve not read it yet please get hold of a copy as soon as you can. It is one of those books that everyone needs to read. Here’s my review.

I’m off to catch up with some other readers and choose my second book – I think something light is called for after that epic – perhaps a YA.

The update

Title of book(s) read since last update: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Number of books read since you started: one
Pages read since last update: 188
Running total of pages read since you started: 402
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 2 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 4.5 hours
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: 7
Prize you’ve won: 0

Readathon | 16.49 update is a post from: Blue Archipelago Reviews

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1. Readathon | 14.39 update
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3. Book Review | A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Rating

5 stars – an unforgettable epic of destruction, love and hope

A Thousand Splendid Suns is about…

Life in Afghanistan spanning forty years; the destruction of war and of a fierce love that brings with it hope of a better life.

Since reading The Kite Runner earlier this year I’ve been eargerly anticipating the paperback release of A Thousand Splendid Suns. I was both spell bound and sickened by Hosseini’s first novel and wasn’t sure it could be surpassed. I’d heard mixed reviews of this second novel; all were positive but the male contingent I’d spoken to said they didn’t connect with this one on the same level as it is told from the female point of view.

I have to admit that for the first two parts of the book I was in agreement with them, though I once again found myself spell bound by Hosseini’s storytelling prowess I felt the stories of Mariam and Laila somehow lacked the raw and powerful emotions triggered by The Kite Runner. Then I hit part three where the two stories come together and suddenly I’m on a roller caster; caught up in the relationship that develops between these two characters and shocked and angered by the ‘real world’ that is happening around them. In 1996 the Taliban take over Kabul and women who were once treated as equals find themselves ordered to remain indoors, to not show their faces or risk a beating. Girls are forbidden from going to school and women can no longer work. At a time when I was enjoying the freedom of a university education, women in a county not too many miles away were being beaten in the street for laughing or speaking out of turn. When Laila is taken to a dirty ‘women’s’ hospital and subjected to a caesarean without anesthetic I felt sick to my stomach at the brutality.

Hosseini once again weaves a masterpiece; set against the monstrosities of war is the tale of a mother daughter relationship which shows that love and hope will out in the end.

Who would I recommend this book to?

You – if you haven’t read A Thousand Splendid Suns yet then buy yourself a copy as soon as you can.

Have you reviewed this book?

If you have reviewed this book on your site please fill in the boxes below to link me up to your review – don’t forget to link to the specific post to make it easy to find:

Book Review | A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is a post from: Blue Archipelago Reviews

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3. Readathon | 14.39 update

I’ve visited a few other readers while I was eating my lunch and feel like us UKers have got off lightly with a noon start; I’m so impressed by the number of you who set alarms for 5am to start reading.

Introductory meme

Where are you reading from today?

Bristol, UK – the sofa to be exact; in my pyjamas under a red blanket to ward off my flu.

3 facts about me…

Erm… I’ve never read for so many hours in a row before; I’m getting internet withdrawal symptoms; I’m not good at being ill!

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?

I’ve left myself an open choice of the 180 odd on my TBR bookcase. I’ll just say what I fancy reading.

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?

I think I’d like to try for 10 hours of reading and at least two books.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?

Sorry I’m a newbie so no advice from me!

The update

Title of book(s) read since last update: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Number of books read since you started: one – in progress
Pages read since last update: 214
Running total of pages read since you started: 214
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 2.5 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 2.5 hours
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: 5
Prize you’ve won: o

Readathon | 14.39 update is a post from: Blue Archipelago Reviews

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Morning fellow readathon-ers. Just two and a half hours to go until the official start of this weekend’s readathon. I’ve been busily working away in Photoshop this morning making some cute bookmarks to celebrate the event – the image above is just one of the four I’ve created for you. To get hold of your set simply follow the instructions at the bottom of this post.

I’m not sure what I’m going to be reading this weekend; I did have a look at the TBR shelf for some quick wins (short books) but I seem to be lacking in that department! I started A Thousand Splendid Suns yesterday so I’ll stick with that and then see what I feel like afterwards.

I’m also going to bend the rules slightly and start reading now; I have the flu and my sleep pattern is all over the place so I’m probably going to need a nap this afternoon! I’ll keep track of how many hours I read over the course of the next 24-ish hours.

I’m looking forward to keeping up with all of the other readers and the mini-challenges too!

Until later

Readathon | Kick off and some bookmark goodies is a post from: Blue Archipelago Reviews

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1. Aside | Clear your diaries: the readathon is coming

The readathon brings together lots of bookish bloggers as they try and read as many books as they can in 24 hours, while Dew and her fellow helpers host book related contests and challenges and cheerleaders cheer you on to meet your goal.

I’m going to take part for the first time – though I will not be signing up for the full 24 hours – a lack of sleep is not good for my vertigo! I’ll post details of the books I plan to read nearer the time.

If you want to sign up and join in the fun head over to Dew’s site and complete the Mr Linky. She has a useful FAQ if you need some more information before joining.

Aside | Clear your diaries: the readathon is coming is a post from: Blue Archipelago Reviews

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