Letters to My Mother by Teresa Cardenas

Even thought Letters to My Mother was really short, I found that it had several parts that tugged at your heartstrings. It seemed to me that the letters were written with an underlying pain and longing. I enjoyed reading it because the voice of the narrator was done so authentically.
Letters to My Mother by Teresa Cardenas is about an Afro-Cuban girl living in Cuba. During this period of time, Cuba was still affected by racism a century after its abolishment of slavery. Discrimination against any Africans still ran strongly in the country. Being mixed in a society that had strong discrimination was a horrible experience because
The girl’s mother just died and she is sent to live with her relatives. She writes letters to her mother about all the events that are happening in her life. She shares her thoughts and her observations of the people around her. The book progresses through the girl’s life, in order to show how she matures and differentiates her outlook of the issues around her. The events that happen around her seem to model her department from childhood to becoming a young woman. Despite that her name is not mentioned in the story, it gives the reader a more personal insight into the mind of this young girl.
As soon as she arrives on the front door of her family after the death of her mother, it becomes apparent that her grandmother, aunts, and cousins want nothing to do with her. Her family mocks her by calling her names, such as bembona (“thick lipped”). They also believe that she is the source of all the bad luck that might happen around the home. At home and at school, she is constantly mocked for her dark skin and the braids in her hair. Despite all of this, she seems to keep a sense of compassion for those around her. She tries to stay positive throughout the whole experience because she was so loved by her mother. The only sanctuary she finds is in the dreams she has of her mother.
Although she suffers the taunts that her relatives and the outside world put her through, she does not feel ashamed of who she is. She loves the fact that she is part African and she feels sorry for those who cannot accept their own ethnicity. She embraces what makes her different than the rest. “If God exists, I’ll bet he gets very angry when people criticize his creations” (21).

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Khaled Hosseini continues to aggravate the human senses in his recent novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. Similar to The Kite Runner in its Middle Eastern location of Afghanistan, this text frustrates the reader, in a compelling way, by creating the most tragic situations for its leading characters, Mariam and Leila. Mariam is a young Afghan woman whose controversial birth has shadowed her throughout her upbringing. She is constantly reminded of her inferiority by her mother, who fears that her daughter will bloom a strong attachment to her wealthy father. Mariam later moves into her father's home with his three wives and their many children, but she is quickly perceived to be a burden to the household. Her father marries her off to Rasheed the shoemaker, which is only the beginning of many horrendous events to come.
Leila is the daughter of a scholarly couple who happened to provide for her a very privileged childhood. She is the beauty among the townspeople and has captured the desire of her best friend, Tariq. However, when the Taliban begin to corrupt the streets of Kabul, Tariq and his family are forced to find security within Pakistan's borders. Leila soon inhabits Rasheed's home with Mariam, which provokes Mariam's jealousy of her many perfections.
Mariam is disgusted and angered by Leila's actions, but Leila needs the guidance of Mariam in order to endure the difficult path that she has woven for herself. They need to form some kind of understanding in order to survive the harsh reality that is Afghanistan.
If you want an extremely thought-provoking read with numerous accounts of your emotional strings being pulled at, then I highly suggest that you read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. The reader has no choice but to succumb to his tear-jerking style of writing and to the hidden truth of Afghanistan's history.

Life according to Virginia is all about 'The Fat Girl Code of Conduct'

Virginia's life as she knows it is falling apart; she's overweight, self-conscious, her best friend Shannon has recently moved out of state and the boy she's been seeing ignores her at school. The story takes place all through out her sophomore year of High School. She struggles day to day fitting in with her "larger than life" body size. She faces constant ridicule at school and at home. She spends her lunch periods avoiding the 'Bri' girls in the upstairs bathroom at school. At home she hides in her room avoiding confrontation of her nutrition obsessed mother whose psychiatrist background is non-existent around the home. She constantly wonders how she even belongs to a family who are all tall thin and beautiful. Her sister Anaïs is a gorgeous free spirited woman and her brother Byron is the most popular boy at school and is a phenomenal rugby player. Her mom is a psychiatrist who doesn't have time for her own children's problems, and her dad is an executive who gawks at thin woman and fuels Virginia's insecurities. Virginia is convinced that she must have been switched at birth and now her family is stuck with her. She constantly battles with herself and eats away at her sorrows with junk food and browsing the web. It's a great story that won't let you go, and will always keep you laughing. It's an inspiring story of a struggling teenage girl who finds herself through hard times, food police, hair dye and an eyebrow piercing. Virginia is such an easy character to relate to and you feel yourself growing with her as the story progresses. She finally shows strength through her writing and expresses to her classmates what she truly feels.

"And finally, let's face it. If you had a small, puny present and a big, round present, which one would you open first? The big round one, right? Who ever said smaller is better? NO ONE, that's who!"

Keeping Faith

“For a moment Mariah feels the hair on the back of her next stand up, and she touches her palm to it. But her gaze never waves from Faith-not when Faith lifts herself up on her elbows, not when Faith places her hands on either side of Millie’s face and kisses her full on the mouth, not when Millie’s arms rise stiff and slow and cling to her granddaughter for dear life”(82)
In the book Keeping Faith, but Jodi Picoult, a five year old girl discovers her father, with a woman who’s not her mother. This incident sends Faith’s mother, into a downward spiral, and eventually Faith’s grandmother is forced to care for her.
Once Faith’s mother returns back to reality, she realizes that there is something different about her daughter. In the middle of night she finds her daughter walking on top of the swing set out side, and she’s reciting Bible verses, when she’s never had any religious interaction, there isn’t even a Bible in the house. Faith also has gained a new “friend” that no one seems to be able to see, she calls her, “her guard”. Her mother takes her to see many psychiatrists, but no one can tell her what’s wrong with her daughter. Eventually Faith starts to perform miracles, but once the media gets wind of this news, they start camping out in front of their house, along with religious groups, and sick people, all wanting a piece of Faith.
When Faith's father hears about all the media attention his daughter’s getting, he thinks that his ex-wife is putting her up to this, and for this reason he thinks that she is an unfit mother, and takes her to court for full custody of his daughter. Now Mariah, Faith’s mother has to do whatever it takes to keep her daughter, her saving grace.
This story touches on many controversial subjects, and yet tells a story of a mother’s love, and finding who you really are, and mostly keeping faith.

The River

"The River" by Gary Paulson

Brain Robeson a fifteen year old boy who lives with his mom in New York City. Who used to be the average city kid until two years ago on a trip to see his dad in Canada everything appears to be going well until his plane crashes and he is forced to survive the Canadian wilderness. He survives by himself for 54 days until he is found and returned home. The story ends with us asking for more. But what happened after that? This story has all questions answered from the first book and more. I highly recommend this book.

"The River" by Gary Paulson is a sequel to his bestseller "Hatchet" leaves off two years after the first one takes place. Soon after the story begins two government operatives (CIA)inform Brian Robeson that he has to survive in the wilderness again. They say its for research and assign a psychologist named Derek to take notes on Brian's survival skills to teach astronauts and military operatives. At first his mom argues this is not a good idea. Brian ensures her that everything will be alright. They tell Brian he could bring one weapon or item with him, he chooses a hatchet. Soon after they arrive a ferocious thunderstorm hits and Derek is struck by lightning and put into a coma. Brian figures that he will only have six days to live and the only way to save him is find help. The only way to do that is find a way to the nearest town. Since Brain cannot carry Derek he decides the quickest option would be the river. Quickly Brian gathers his resources and begins to build a raft. Will Derek live? Will Brian live?


If you like adventure, survival, or a mystery this book could be for you or if you enjoyed the first one this is a must read. At the beginning of the story they sum up the first book so you don't have to read the first one. There were several times during this story where I would want to read the last chapter to see what happens, it was that exciting.

Vegan Virgin Valentine

Have you ever read a book where you could relate to a character so well that you felt like the author was writing about your life? Or maybe you have read a book where you dreamed about having the life of the main character. The book Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler made me realize that as well put together as someone’s life might seem, no one is perfect.

Vegan Virgin Valentine is about an 18-year-old girl named Mara Valentine. Mara is a very mature senior in high school who has everything together. She is an extreme vegan who wants nothing to do with any type of food related to animals, a straight A student, competing with her self-centered, womanizing ex-boyfriend for class Valedictorian, head of chemical-free-fun nights at her school, and in charge of planning Senior Prom. With her head on her shoulders, Mara feels like she can take on anything…

When Mara’s 16-year-old rebel niece V comes to live with the family, Mara’s plans start to fall apart. Things at work quickly become awkward when sparks fly between her boss and her. Her grades are continuously slipping due to distractions caused by V, her parents are constantly on her case, and she gets horrible cravings for animal products. Can she handle all the pressure? Will she make Valedictorian?

Vegan Virgin Valentine is a quick, fun, humorous read by Carolyn Mackler. If you enjoy books you can relate to I strongly suggest it. However I will admit it's a pretty girly book, so boys, this might not be the best choice for you.

The other Boleyn Girl

Anne Boleyn - the woman who was the 2nd wife of Henry VII, the woman who managed to push Catherine of Aragon off her throne as the Queen of England, the woman who lost her head for not being able to give her husband a male heir. We all know that about her, but The other Boleyn Girl is mainly about the life of her sister, Mary Boleyn.

Mary and Anne are part of the famous Howard family and were raised at the french court, but soon Mary was commanded to come home to get married. She goes to court and becomes the favorite Lady- in- waiting of Queen Catherine. Her sister and rival Anne soon follows, although she doesn't know the purpose of it.
Mary catches the eye of the king and her family urges her to be his mistress. Anne is to be Marys advisor on how to keep the king and Marys husband is to be set aside. Meanwhile Anne also searches for a good match for herself, which she find in Henry Percy, out of the richest family right after the Tudors. Mary conceives twice over the years that she is the kings mistress, a girl and a boy, and soon has to step aside for someone else in her family's ambition.

Although Henry is happy to have the little boy, he knows that he will never be able to take the throne of England. His mood worsens as he finds out that his wife and queen cannot give him a child anymore. As Annes plans with Henry Percy are destroyed by the bishop, she reaches higher, way higher: She catches the eye of the king, just as Mary did. But her intentions are not to become his mistress. For her it is only: Queen or nothing...

I Am The Messenger

Ed Kennedy, a cab driver of 19, and, according to himself and his friends and family, the most unsuccessful and stagnant being alive, gets nothing out of his day to day life. But he also feels like it should be that way. Ed goes about each day driving his cab, calling home a shack with a 17 year old, coffee addicted dog named the Doorman, and playing cards most nights with his three only friends. Or, to put it into his words, nothing.
But life begins to change for Ed when the bank he’s in is held up by the most incompetent bank robber of all time, and Ed points a gun at the nylon faced man as he attempts a getaway. Ed is seen as a hero, but more importantly, for the first time in his life, he is seen, and that’s when this change becomes dramatic. Ed receives a most peculiar note in the mail, an Ace of diamonds, which has written on it three addresses and corresponding times. Ed wonders about this, but finally goes to the first address, at the listed time, and bears witness to an alcoholic man who rapes his wife. Ed realizes that whoever sent the card has given him a task, one that he has no choice but to complete. Whoever sent the card chose Ed to care about, and to act on, the people and situations listed on the cards.
Ed transforms others into better, happier people, and in turn, transforms himself. Gone is the man who agrees with the rest of the world that he will amount to nothing. In his place stands a man who is a genuine hero, one who reaches out to the people who he is assigned to in beguiling yet unsentimental ways. Sometimes, his job short and simple, and he feels truly good to complete those tasks, while others leave him mournful, and are true hurdles he has to overcome. Throughout the entire journey Ed takes, the question always remains in the back of hi mind: who is sending these assignments, and why? Ed finally begins to realize the point of his journey when he receives the hardest card of all: The Ace of hearts.

Cat's Cradle

I opened Cat's Cradle to start reading it and I saw the table of contents. There are 127 chapters. I was surprised because the book did not seem to have that many pages. Well, I know now that the chapters are just short. Definately something cool about the book is that each chapter is not just numbered- each one has its own title.

The story is told by a journalist who is writing a book about one of the scientists who helped create the atomic bomb. The book will be about what the scientist and his family were doing on the day the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Felix Hoenikker, the scientist, has a unique personality, so do his kids, maybe because they had to live with him. We find out that Dr. Hoenikker invented something even deadlier than the atomic bomb before his death, called ice-nine which will freeze all the water in the world if it touches any ocean or river that runs into the ocean. Anyway, Dr. Hoenikker died and his three kids split up the ice-nine and took it with them. Newt, a midget and medical school dropout, Angela, a clarinet player, and Frank, a loser who is sort of an architect, all have a bit of the ice-nine.

The journalist and those three all end up on an incredibly poor island named San Lorenzo where everyone follows a religion called Bokononism, created by Lionel Boyd Johnson. The natives pronounced his name Bokonon because they cannot speak well. All of the characters who are visiting the island interact with each other and with some of the people who live there to make an intesting story. The book mainly is about the absurdity of the modern world, some examples are the atomic bomb, religions that only make humanity worse off, and people that think everyone who comes from Indiana share a special bond as "hoosiers."

Cat's Cradle is funny, the characters are interesting, it is thought provoking, and nicely enough it is easy to read. I would recommend it to all my friends!