Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Every child should be given the same opportunities in life. 

Junior grew up on the rez with his parents, sister and best friend Rowdy. He was contented with his life until a teacher convinced him to switch to a town school. Not only is the community turning against him now, but Rowdy no longer speaks to him, his sister gets the impulse to wed, and the kids at the new school aren't eager to accept him. 

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is based on Sherman Alexie's life, and he doesn't spare us the details of the injustices the kids on the rez suffer: healthcare once a year, no bus to and from the city. And worse, the opportunities they have compared to the city community. 

Although, there is very little romance in the book, subjects like child abuse, alcoholism, and racism take over and make it worth the read. 

November Welcomes Nanowrimo

50,000 words in 30 days.

A challenge many are willing to take this month for a creative writing project called Nanowrimo. Started in 1999, Nano encourages writers all over the world to unite, and write for the love of words. Authors like Rainbow Rowell and Sara Gruen wrote their masterpieces during Nano with great results.

Yours truly is participating this month , and attended a start-up party in Montreal for advice. Here are the top three:

1) To keep you from editing while you write -- keep a notebook -- you will have time to go back later on and will thus avoid unnecessary changes. 

2) Participate in Word Wars/ Sprints. Joining other Nanowrimos via the regional website or facebook and giving yourself time challenges, like 10 minutes writing non-stop, will keep you going and entertained. 

3) Relax. Type the words as they come to you without pressure. Remember you also need to enjoy the experience. 

Review: You Against Me

Can a perfect couple be destined not to be together?

"Blood is thicker than water" doesn't apply to Mikey, when he sets out to gain Ellie's trust and make her confess her brother is lying about having consensual sex with his sister. Ellie was in the house when it happened. She knows the truth. But will falling in love with Ellie force Mickey to desist the cause and put family second?

Jenny Downham concentrates on showing her story through dialogue, making it more personal and entertaining to read. If only both Mikey and Ellie weren't so confused. Same as Romeo and Juliet's relationship was overtaken by their family's hate, Mikey and Ellie aren't given enough time to fall in love "properly" with good flirting and laughs and all the closeness we are searching for in a couple. 

You against me, is a realistic story, although the situation is nightmarish to the point where it doesn't feel like a romance story at all.

Top Ten Tuesday: Scream and Shout

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP CREEPY COVERS

Here are the top books I'd rather read with my kindle, than see the terrifying cover on my nightstand.

                             

                            

Review: Wild Born

Put aside the vampires! The supernatural genre just got more interesting as beasts and humans connect in a special spiritual quest to save the world. 

Rollan, Meilin, Abeke and Conor, all drank a cup of nectar at their eleventh birthday. It is tradition; a rite of passage that will determine which children in Erdas are chosen to carry on a bond with a spirit animal. Not all of them are happy with the results. Rollan, for instance, is hesitant of drinking the nectar and joining the chosen ones. While, Meilin -- a young girl with secrets up her sleeve -- is disappointed to be paired with a panda. Can't blame her, really, compared to the others she got the most docile of animals. 

As they begin to understand the importance of their mission, the story takes a darker tone. Bradon Mull used cleverly written fight scenes, misleading characters, and a visual scenery reminiscent of Africa and Asia. 

A great story that will delight fans of The Golden Compass.