Crank - Ellen Hopkins

CRANK

I really liked Crank the first time I read it. I just finished it again today, and though I haven't read the other two (Glass, and the brand new one Fallout) yet, but I hope to get them sometime in the near future. I like to own books, so... I'm not a fan of libraries.

The style of the book was really different than any other book that I've read before. The fact that it's a story told through poems makes it a really quick read, but a very good one. I really like Ellen Hopkins' writing style.

The story, though I can't directly relate, is very easy to understand, and I can see how people can relate to her story, and how easy it is to fall into drugs to cope with school, and other people.

Like I said, I really liked this book, and I highly recommend it. It is slightly graphic though, so reader discretion is advised.

The Prophecy of the Stones - Flavia Bujor

THE PROPHECY OF THE STONES

I read this book a really long time ago, and I should probably read it again before I review it, but I feel the need to review it now so I don't have to in the future. I really liked it when I read it. It's a middle-school aged book, so it's not too challenging, and the story isn't particularly surprising, but it is quite good, and I'd suggest it.

Here's what the back says:

"In a magical realm, three teenage girls, Jade, Opal and Amber, are chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy. On the day of their fourteenth birthdays, they are set out on a quest that will require them to leave their homes and families to face fierce enemies in a land called Fairytale, where magic reigns and evil is unknown. Although they meet as strangers, they must learn to trust one another with their lives as they embark on this epic journey, armed only with magical stones.

At the same time, in a parallel world, a young girl named Joa fights for her life in a hospital in Paris. While she is dreaming, she is transported into the magical realm where the three young heroines fight a spectacular battle. Their success or failure will determine the fate of Fairytale... and Joa's survival."

Like I said, not completely amazing, but quite different, and has a really good individual premise. I liked it a lot, and I do suggest it.

The Namesake - Jhumpa Lahiri

THE NAMESAKE

Maybe it was the fact that I had to read this book for school, but it really seemed to be slow... Not toward the end, in fact, it took me until the end to be able to get into the book. Once I did get into it, I loved it.

The back cover says:

"Meet the Ganguli family, new arrivals from Calcutta, trying their best to become Americans even as they pine for home. The name they bestow on their firstborn, Gogol, betrays all the conflicts o honoring tradition in a new world--conflicts that will haunt Gogol on his own winding path through loyalties, comic detours, and wrenching love affairs."

I have to agree with the last part, I completely agree that the love affairs that Gogol faced were quite heart wrenching, and really tore at your emotions when they did/not work out.

In general, I liked the idea of the book after I got into it. I may try another of Lahiri's books in the future.