100 books in 1 year

Hi, I'm Jasmine, a 20-year-old princess with a love for books, coffee and pretty shoes. I'm reading and reviewing 100 books (or more) in one year. From January 1 to December 31, 2011, join me as I get lost in the magic of imagination and words on paper. (I seem to love the number 100.) Twitter Formspring One Hundred Words Hey, Daydreamer

[onehundredinone]

20. how to eat like a hot chick by jodi lipper and cerina vincent.

I actually have no idea why I’m seriously reviewing this book, mainly because I’m not sure if it’s meant to be taken seriously. After a second read, though, I realized it does have some valid points and so here it goes on my book blog.

Book number 20 is How to Eat like a Hot Chick by Jodi Lipper and Cerina Vincent, a gift from my friend since I’m currently on a diet. (I’ve lost ten pounds so far!) It’s a self-help pep-talk manual filled with tongue-in-cheek comments on how to enjoy life without having to go despondent over diets. It tells you how to eat healthy while having room for the little indulgences you are entitled to (like chocolate).

What I liked about the book:

It’s very down-to-earth without coming off as preachy. Really, How to Eat like a Hot Chick is more of how to insert healthy eating habits into your day-to-day routine, as well as how to make smarter choices so you can have your cake and eat it too. It’s the latter which I find very informative, as it compares calories of foods you crave and foods you can substitute them with.

To my surprise, many of their tips make sense. It helps, too, that they really tackle every aspect where you can possibly exchange calories for, so that you’re still happy with yourself at the end of the day. What I learned the most is that if you eat like a pig for one meal, eat a pound of steamed spinach and you’ll be fine.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The language can be a bit trying-hard. It makes me want to scream “Jesus Christ, relax please” once in a while. The use of too many acronyms and terms made me want to roll my eyes. Honestly. It may seem like it’s engaging, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Though this book feels like a friend is talking to you, at times it feels like said friend is a ditzy cheerleader you secretly can’t stand.

That being said, I’m not sure if this book is entirely effective on its own as a weight-loss solution, but it will certainly supplement the one you’re on, if you are on one at all. However, I do like the fact that the book advocates self-confidence, and for most people, looking good equals feeling good.

It certainly won’t hurt to give this a read, though be warned you’ll find some ideas ridiculous and will probably be giggling after counting the number of times spinach is mentioned. Haha. 

[onehundredinone]

19. thirteen reasons why by jay asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

I’m going to be biased right off the bat. This book is beautiful, simply beautiful in the way that sad rainy days can be poetic.  It has such a misleading title (makes you think of the horror movie) but it some ways it is a horror story, and a mystery story, and a sad love story with a tragic ending.

Hannah Baker is dead, there’s no denying that. But it seems like she lives on anyway in the form of seven tapes she left behind; seven tapes containing thirteen reasons why she took her own life. Now, Clay Jensen has these tapes and he is wondering what he did so wrong that he has to listen to Hannah’s final words.

What I liked about the book:

The narrative. I have not yet read other books that have done this—weaving two narratives into one story without sounding cheesy or forced. The way the story unfolded was perfect. The way Hannah’s thoughts were presented and the way Clay reacted to her stories were so believable. Nothing complicated at all. It happens in about an evening, and you really do lose your sense of time, which brings me to…

The story. I got lost in this book. I read it in one sitting and I kid you not, had to stare into space for about five minutes as I allowed the goosebumps to subside. It’s that good. This story affirms that these days, the lives of teenagers are so complicated. It can take one shameless act to completely destroy a person from the inside, moreso a series of unspeakable sins that can scar someone so deeply.

The message. The book is about suicide, yes, but it advocates people reaching out to others who may be suicidal. There is this definite call to action, as evidenced by Clay who tries to talk to another suicidal girl. Don’t wait until it is too late to help someone, and tell someone how you feel. Suicide is not something to be treated lightly, but can be prevented if people are informed about what it is.

What I didn’t like about the book:

Nothing! Well, I do have one tiny qualm, but it’s about the movie version which is going to be released soon. Selena Gomez is going to be playing Hannah Baker and I honestly don’t believe she’s a good fit for the role. As much as I love Sel, she’s too beautiful to play this girl who became so insecure about herself. I think a better fit would have been Jennifer Stone—someone beautiful, but in a quiet way, who does look like she has reason to… do what she did.

Anyway, movie version or no movie version, this book is BEAUTIFUL. It has helped so many teenagers stop from taking their own lives and help others find their purpose again. Plus, it’s been translated into about twenty languages, so when you’ve got this much of an international blockbuster on your hands, you know this won’t disappoint. I look forward to Jay Asher’s next book. 

[onehundredinone]

18. little pink slips by sally koslow

Little Pink Slips by Sally Koslow

This was a gift from my friend when she found out I joined the workforce. Yes people, I’m employed! It’s hard for me to believe I’m finally in an industry which I have loved for so long. Naturally, my friend gave me a book centered on the magazine world.

Magnolia Gold is the head honcho of a popular ladies’ magazine, but things go awry for her when an obnoxious celebrity decides to take over the scene, undermining all her hard work and putting Magnolia’s reputation, as well as the magazine’s, on the line. This is sort of based on a true story, according to the author.

What I liked about the book:

It was different. Normally, you’d hear about girls or women rising the ranks, but this was the first time I heard of someone actually getting demoted. It paints the picture of a harsh reality where someone can be disposable, even after years of being on top. I liked that the main character was not your stereotypical Editor in Chief who is completely self-assured. I rather liked the fact that Magnolia had her insecurities, and admitted them to herself.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There were some elements that were too formulaic chick lit in my opinion, such as the romance which transpired between Magnolia and Cameron. It felt a little bit forced and a bit unnecessary to me. I would have appreciated the story more if their relationship was left ambiguous rather than painting a clear-cut happy ever after for the reader.

This is one piece of chick lit I wouldn’t mind rereading, simply because it was written so well and offered more than the usual fare. I would have liked, however, if it didn’t offer the usual as well. I would recommend this to the chick lit enthusiast who may appreciate it, but it definitely doesn’t offer something radically new. 

[onehundredinone]

Oh goodness Jas, just the thought of reading one hundred books in one year tires me like crazy!!! My attention span has greatly diminished since we finished college - I can't even begin to reread HP Deathly Hallows even if I really want to! And that's Harry Potter we're talking about! Anyway, good luck! I know YOU can do it! (no such hope for me though) :)

Thank you! Man, I have a backlog of twenty reviews all written up but i haven't got posted. ;P I shall upload them tonight. 

[onehundredinone]

17. the pilot's wife by anita shreve

I'm kind of kicking myself for not reading this immediately when I bought it a month ago. I guess I was intimidated by the author and the fame that preceded her name, but that isn't even an excuse. 

The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve completely entranced me; I finished it in a six-hour drive with room to spare for sleep. It tells the story of Kathryn, whose pilot husband Jack is killed in a plane crash which leaves her and her 15-year old daughter behind. As she uncovers the mysteries behind her husband's death, she finds that the man she has been married to is not the person she thought he was.

Eventually, she unravels the mystery that is her husband and the double life he lived that hurts more than the pain of losing him. 

At the risk of sounding like an obsessed broken record, Shreve's writing is so captivating; I would definitely compare it to Jodi Picoult though Shreve came first. I was so captivated by the story that it felt like the events were unfolding too fast for me. 

What I liked most (and what sets the book apart from any Picoult novel) is that Shreve assumes her reader is intelligent. She does not offer any clear-cut ending, nor does she completely supply all the answers to the mysteries presented. The implications are left to the reader to make sense of. 

Shreve also does not go weepy-sappy emotional the way Picoult tends to do sometimes. The events she relays are enough to egg the reader into feeling, and there is no exact feeling either. 

The topic raised in the novel is primarily infidelity, or mistrust. The matter is handled so delicately that the reader isn't even sure what is the worst of the mistakes made. 

I would read this over and over and I have. Definitely recommending this to anyone who loves to get lost in words. 

[onehundredinone]

i saw one of your posts, and i LOVE jodi picoult too! :Dsorry, i just wanted to tell you, cause i can never find anyone else that reads her books! :)

Thank you! :D She is a captivating storyteller! You found a Picoulthead (?) in me too. :) I'm reading The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve at the moment; they write of similar topics but with different styles. Have you read any of her books? :)

[onehundredinone]

16. pictures at an exhibition by sara houghteling

Houghteling's first novel is the story of a young boy who is part of a family dealing in art. He is not set to inherit the family business, however, because he grows far too attached to the paintings. As a young boy, he cries whenever a painting is sold from the family gallery, and so he reluctantly takes up medicine when he turns 17, without losing the love for his family's precious paintings. 

With the onset of WW2, his family loses most of the collection, and Max Berenzon makes it his mission to get it all back, or at least try.

What I liked about the novel:

Captivating, but I may be biased. I love art, and it's interesting to read about the background of these paintings and the way they are described in beautiful detail. 

It's one of those stories where the journey is the destination. In a sense. Max doesn't recover all the paintings, but his experiences help define and redefine what he has been looking for all along (I really don't want to give much away!).

Real in all it's emotions. The way Max pined for the object of his affections only to be left with love unrequited was absolutely true to life; one can definitely imagine it playing out. The way Max was trivialized as a boy and teenager were also very well-written and as he looks back on his experiences, they provide for very thought-provoking insights. 

It's about life, and love in all it's forms. The book will leave you filled with a sense of being so small in this world. In a good way. 

What I didn't like:

It can get dragging and boring at times. It took me three days to finish this. 

The ending is kind of anticlimactic, but then again, they were my expectations and with books, you shouldn't have expectations and just let the author tell you the story the way they want to. 

I'm not sure if I would read this again. Maybe if I am in a nostalgic sort of mood, I might. It's a very serious read, admittedly, and has a lot more to do with the human psyche rather than the plot itself. 

[onehundredinone]

15. cracks in my foundation by marian keyes

Since I enjoyed Marian Keyes' other anthology (Under the Duvet) so much, I just had to get this.

Cracks in my foundation is a collection of essays and short stories by Irish author Marian Keyes. I've written about her before, so I'll just cut to the chase and list some highlights/faves from this book.

ALL THE SHORT STORIES. I mean it, they are just lovely! Bordering on the unusual, but always realistic, these short stories talk of things like the perfect couple and soulmates to shoes. My favorite was A Woman's Right to Shoes which was both hilarious and sad in a way.  

Shorter essays which makes for easier doses of reading. All are extremely addictive, as usual. I laughed out loud at her experience with massages. 

More insider information of the time she worked at Marie Claire UK. Lots of experiences at fashion shows, shopping and strolling down 5th Avenue. Definitely a magazineholic's interest. 

I guess there's not much else to say! Keyes is still Keyes, so you won't be disappointed with her hilarious way of storytelling. If you're looking for a light read and don't mind reading about mud tans, this is for you. 

[onehundredinone]

14. wide awake by david levithan

I am an avid fan of David Levithan. Of course, I've only read Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and Naomi and Ely's No-Kiss List, but I am absolutely smitten with the way he writes. He is, after all, kind of a pioneer in the young adult gay literature field, and has been bringing wonderful stories to the table from the moment he started writing. 

It was with high hopes, therefore, that I picked up a copy of Wide Awake at my local bookstore. I was immediately drawn to the beautiful cover and started it on the same day, but I confess it was just not my cup of tea. 

The book is set in the near future, where a gay Jewish man runs for president of the United States and wins by a margin--sparking controversy. The story is told in the person of 16-year-old Duncan, who is in a gay relationship and is surrounded by religious people who are either gay/lesbian or accepting of them. There are however, the racists who do not come to terms with these developments. 

The book is a coming-of-age story that shows the developments in these gay and lesbian relationships alongside the developments in the campaign. 

Honestly, I had to force myself to finish this book, and to think it's only 200+ pages. It took me three days to turn the last page, and when I did, I felt nothing. Normally, Levithan's books leave me with this profound feeling that gets me thinking about life. This one? Nada. 

I guess this book is more for the politically-oriented teen. Maybe it's a manifestation of the pathway to an ideal society in Levithan's point of view. There was just too much idealism in the book--more than I could handle, I guess. 

Don't get me wrong, the prose itself is brilliant as per usual, but this is definitely not one of his best. 

I would encourage Levithan fans to read this only to give it a shot, but I won't be enthusiastically recommending this to anyone. Needless to say, I won't be picking it up soon, either. 

[onehundredinone]

13. vanishing acts by jodi picoult

Okay. I promise this will be my last Jodi Picoult for a while. 

I just couldn't resist this because it was half-off and a pristine new copy. 

Vanishing Acts is about Delia, a woman working in search-and-rescue who was raised by her father, Andrew, and has had a peaceful life for twenty-eight years, until the day she finds out that her father kidnapped her and changed their names and is now wanted by the state. 

Needless to say, she feels like her life is a lie and she wonders if the reason she is so attached to her job is because she has been lost all her life and is now being found. She asks her fiancée and best friend since childhood Eric, to represent her father and to find out what compelled her father to take her away from her mother all those years ago. 

Again, brilliant storyline. It's funny that I bought this around the time I wrote that drabble about being lost (over on my project tumblr, onehundredwords) since the book is essentially about that. 

And once again, Picoult manages to keep the reader in two minds, blurring the line between what is lawful and what is the right thing to do. As issues of alcoholism and abuse come up, it is a wonder to me why this book didn't do as well as her others because it certainly kept me up half the night! 

Go read this. You will not regret it. And I promise, no more Picoults for at least ten entries. Cross my heart. 

[onehundredinone]

If you like Jodi Picoult, DEFINITELY read the Love Pact and Picture Perfect. (My two favorites) and House Rules is really amazing as well. As for other authors, the Hunger Games series is really good, as well as anything by Emily Giffin. Elizabeth Chandler has a good series called "kissed by an angel" and it can be bought as one book at walmart. I enjoyed that series too. It seems like you aren't reading too many literature class type books, so if you want recommendations for those, I was a lit major in college, so I could recommend some of those too. :)

Thank you for the recommendations! I'm listing them down and will be on the lookout for these. I so regret not getting the copy of The Pact which I saw in this bookstore I frequent; I still have one Jodi Picoult to read and I wasn't so sure!

I'm looking into more modern classics and young adult books, but the truth is I'll read anything I get my hands on. I bought a copy of Pulitzer Prize-winning Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt as well as The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve. I went to a high school where I had literature classes thrice a week for four years, and they pretty much covered all the literary classics so I'd like to try reading something different. :)

Maybe something along those lines? Thanks so much! :)

[onehundredinone]

12. scoot over, skinny by donna jarrell and ira sukrungruang

T: Scoot Over, Skinny

300 pages, paperback

I haven’t read a lot of anthologies this year, and I think it should be remedied. The first one I read was Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes (still counts as an anthology even if it’s all by the same author) and this is the latest.

Scoot Over, Skinny is a collection of essays about being fat. There’s really no beating around the bush here. It’s like Chicken Soup with a lot of heavy cream. It tells of experiences the authors have had with being fat or being around fat people.

Many of the stories are probably hard to share. One that stuck out in particular was of a Thai-American’s visit to his homeland where he felt embarrassed because at a temple, there were no pants that fit him well.

Then there’s the story of a woman who thought she was fat, but wasn’t. She became obsessed with her weight, eventually becoming bulimic.

There’s also the story of a large man whose father has judgmental views on weight and women and looks. In his dad’s eyes, it’s fine for men to gain weight, but if women had so much as an ounce of fat on their hips, they’re destined to be alone forever—and this was supposedly a bad thing.

The book is a testament to how skewed society’s expectations of people are. Especially their standards on weight for women. I’ve always said before that it’s disgusting how beer-bellied men can go around and no one will bat an eyelash, but if a woman shows an inch of flab, she’s screwed for life.

Scoot Over, Skinny is so inspiring because its bottom line is that fat is a personal human condition. It does not need to extend culturally, socially, or even politically, because it is not exactly a problem in the entire sense of the word. People make too much fuss about it when the truth is a lot of people are big, and it’s not their fault. In medieval times, plump women were artists’ muses, and they were beautiful.

This anthology is eye-opening, to say the least. We should remember that a person’s weight is a personal thing. Making cruel remarks about their flab or pressuring them to lose weight doesn’t help at all. There’s nothing wrong with being heavy, if you don’t let it become a problem.

If you know anyone who has made their weight their problem, please get them this book.

I’ve been struggling with my weight for as long as I can remember, and it is only a couple of years ago that I finally reached the normal/slightly-plump range and maintained it now. (It was for health reasons.) This book is my personal reminder that no matter what weight I am, my talents will never diminish. 

[onehundredinone]

11. eggs by jerry spinelli

Love the cover. Hello, Tumblr!

T: Eggs

A: Jerry Spinelli

220 pages, paperback

No matter how hard I try, I can’t help but smirk when I see the title of this book. Banay, you know why. This was a graduation gift from the aforementioned girl, and I loved it (Thank you!).

Jerry Spinelli is a personal favorite;  his Stargirl books are forever etched in my mind as some of the most thought-provoking volumes about growing up.

Eggs, however, is not just about growing up, it's also about letting go. It tells the tale of a nine-year-old boy and a thirteen-year-old-girl who are dealing with things they probably shouldn’t have yet, which makes them quite mature. David and Primrose seem to be in their own universe most of the time, separated from everyone else, and at times, each other. This is by choice.

There are number of ways you can approach this book. You could see this as a friendship story, about two young souls looking for comfort in other things and each other, building on shaky trust that had a very unusual beginning.

You could also see it as a story of loss and healing. David lost his mother in an accident, and Primrose grew up without a father. It is the love they seek but absent from their lives that drives them to retreat further from other people, forcing them into a shell. However, as their friendship develops, they find themselves facing the emotions they needed to come to terms with.

I like that the author doesn’t tie up all the loose ends at the end of the book. As per usual, the book is teeming with metaphors and life lessons one could only understand after thinking about it for a bit. Definite Jerry Spinelli.

Even if the title reminds me of a certain something that has captured my heart completely (♥), I see myself reaching for this book again in the near future. 

[onehundredinone]

10. naomi and ely's no-kiss list by rachel cohn and david levithan

I think, if you asked me to pick my top ten favorite books/authors, half of them would easily be Young Adult/Teens and I really don't care what you think about it. The thing is, I find that the quality of YA novels have significantly improved since I was, well, a young adult. The simple language and captivating plots make for easy, light reading that does not compromise on depth. 

I don't know if this is cheating (since I did promise to read 100 books this year, but I never really specified if all of them should be new). I read Naomi and Ely's No-Kiss List last year, I think, but in e-book form. It was such a lovely read that I didn't mind straining my eyes reading 200+ pages on pdf in one sitting. However, admittedly, in my haste to read it and rest my eyes, I probably missed a few good parts. 

So the book version of this lovely lovely story found it's way into my birthday stash, and I picked it up last night and was immediately entranced. Naomi and Ely are best friends--Naomi is a straight girl and Ely is a gay guy. They have a friendship that really cannot be defined actually. They're so close. 

Things go awry however when Ely kisses Naomi's boyfriend. World War 3 escalates, as they make sense of their love for their significant others and their love for each other. 

I don't want to give away too much of the story because out of all the books I have read and will probably read, this definitely takes one of the top spots of my favorite books list. Thusly, I want you to read it for yourself. 

What I love about this book is the simple moral lesson teenagers of my generation overlook. Friendship, as much as any other love, is still love and still important. It's just as beautiful, just as scary, and requires just as much understanding to make it work. After all, friendship is a love that's so unique. How else do you love someone so unconditionally without needing to have sex with them? 

Just because you don't plan to marry your friend doesn't mean you can't spend the rest of your lives together too. It's one thing to be able to find a partner who will stay by your side and help you raise a family one day. It's another thing to be able to find a partner-in-crime who probably already was your family. 

Beautiful. Just beautiful. If you haven't read this already, go read it now. :) 

[onehundredinone]

9. the color purple by alice walker

(Say hello to my red nails and laptop!)

This was a gift from Clyde for my birthday (thank you, Clyde!). I think I know why she got this book for me; it was probably I loooove the color purple. Haha. 

Before reading this book, I did some background research. The Color Purple was published in the '80s and won a Pulitzer Prize. Apparently, it is very controversial because of the present themes of sexual abuse and violence.  It's also very symbolic, and assigned for require reading in Literature classes for some schools, which explains why there is a film and a musical adaptation! (So that students will watch that instead and pretend they read the book. Haha!)

TCP had the feel of To Kill A Mockingbird, another literary classic, but with a lot more harsh reality. It also tells the story of female African-Americans living in the '30s. The story is told in letters and diary entries which makes it very personal. Celie, the main character, tells her story through these missives, of how her mother died, how she was raped, how she gave birth twice but never saw her children, how she was married (sold?) off to a man who kept a mistress, and how she and her sister were separated and eventually reunited. 

This book is very radical in more ways than one; Celie and her husband's mistress become lovers, something that was unspoken in the conservative era. The reader is privy to her emotional maturity (and her intellectual growth as well) through these letters. 

This is definitely a serious book. I can see why it won a Pulitzer, and that should be reason enough for you to read it. I do acknowledge, however, that the themes discussed may not be for everyone. And it may take more than one read to understand this. 

I liked it, but I don't see myself reaching for it anytime soon, unless I'm in an intellectual sort of mood. 

[onehundredinone]

8. nineteen minutes by jodi picoult

I remember wanting this book in 2007 when it first came out. Wanting, but not wanting too much that I would go to the bookstore and get it. Like I said before, my first Jodi Picoult was My Sister's Keeper, and that got me hooked. 

Nineteen Minutes was part of my birthday stash, and I'm glad I finally got it. It took me a while to finish because of graduation practice (did I mention I'm graduating?) but I regret nothing. It's the story of the lives of high school students left deeply affected after an act of violence shatters the peace in their town. 

Peter is a teenager who has been bullied and tormented by his peers since the age of five. Josie is his once-friend who drifts away from him as the years go by. Alex Cormier is Josie's single mom who happens to be a judge as well. 

The three are primary characters in a novel that depicts the realities of bullying. Basically, Peter goes on a rampage after the final straw of being humiliated with the intent of killing those who have wronged him. The book shows, in flashbacks, their lives leading up to the day of the shooting, showing just how these small violent acts can affect someone so deeply and horribly. Peter is a product of his environment which did not care so much about the bullying, and did not give hm protection when he needed it. 

This book takes a lot from real life; it is very well-researched in terms of similar school shootings that have happened in Columbine and Virginia Tech. It raises a lot of moral issues, the primary question being can one blame Peter for the massacre when he has been tormented and shunned on purpose for no reason his whole life? All six hundred pages of the book is very dramatic, and you are definitely going to be rethinking your actions during your high school years, thinking about that kid you always used to pick on. In this case, actually, it shows that not standing up for someone is just as worse as bullying them. 

I don't need to tell you how beautifully Picoult wrote this; I've said before how brilliant she is. This is a beautiful novel and I recommend this to anyone who would love a stimulating read. 

[onehundredinone]

7. under the duvet by marian keyes

(Yes I am so unable to sleep.)

T: Under the Duvet

A: Marian Keyes

314 pages, paperback. 

This was a lovely birthday gift from Maui who totally understood my need for new books to read. I had never encountered Marian Keyes before, and if I had I guess I just glazed over her. But oh boy oh boy do I regret doing so now. 

Under the Duvet is a peek into the life of the Irish author of more than a handful of international bestselling books. It is a compilation of articles, short stories and (I daresay) diary entries. It's all about anecdotes, inspirations for Keyes' books, and little secrets that feels you're talking to the author herself. 

The book is lovely, just lovely. Keyes recommends reading the articles one at a time, but I read all of them in one go. Her tongue-in-cheek comments and self-deprecating humor are so enjoyable to read. Not to mention her witty narrative. Honestly, she can make something as mundane as looking for a house sound so exciting!

Keyes is not exactly a chick lit writer; her books deal with serious themes like abuse, alcoholism and hardship. In fact, Keyes herself was an alcoholic, and she narrates her experiences very candidly in UtD. So you know it's not all roses and chocolates. 

I particularly loved her essays about her husband and work. "The Nicest Thing That Ever Happened to Me" was such an enjoyable and funny read. I was laughing to myself at 1am. I'll be hard-pressed to pick a favorite from all the stories of her husband, but I think "Til Debt do us Part" stands out. 

I would recommend this book to those who want a light read (and those who won't judge Keyes for her character and rather crass language). I would think others would go through the book an article or a section a time (don't follow my example!) because then you don't get tired of reading about her experience. 

Two thumbs up! Can't wait to get my hands on more of her books. :)