should stick to picoult

I love reading autobiographies, and this is probably the only reason why I bought Adeline Yen Mah's Fallen Leaves - The Memoirs of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter. Obviously its a true story, about the author who was born into a rich and privileged family, but is considered to be bad luck due to the death of her mother during complications in giving birth to her.

Sure, its moving and heart-wrenching. Probably well worth the read, especially with the author's excellent explicit protrayal of society, cultural and religious values during the time of the Second World War. Plus, alot of excellent Chinese proverbs. But there was alot of self-pity and complaints, one too many. I have the feeling this book will turn me off autobiographies for awhile.

I guess if you're having a bout of self-pity, this book should put things in perspective from page one.

The fact is, without being sexist, the book is a "girly-book". Another fact is, somehow, I bought it.

benny lava

It's funny.

minah is his name

This book makes you realise you know bugger all, but you may now astound your friends with how much stuff you know. It's not like any other normal book, more of a coffee table book or one to read while taking a dump. Mine's on the table. Good to dip into every now and again.

Funny, well researched and packed with "wow" moments, everything you thought you knew will be brought into questions. As well as everything you were ever taught in school. Lots of little useless facts, my favourite kind.

i haz a youse too

"One small fact: You are going to die."

If I was Oprah Winfrey I would say The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is the book of the week, month and year and I would be one of the richest celebrity. It's bee awhile since I've read a book that I thought deserved 5 stars, and hands down this book deserves all 5 of them. It's hard to say what exactly it is about this book that you fall in love with, you only know that you have and you dread reading the few remaining pages because the ride will end. The story will be over. And you will feel empty without something so refreshing to read.

I was continually amazed with the way I almost liked the narrator, Death. Not at all like the sterotypical Grim Reaper. Let Death take a firm hold of your arm and let him pull you into the bewildering yet heartbreaking aura of Second World War Germany. The setting, Nazi Germany, was raw and almost Aryan. The girl, Liesel, is the protagonist of the book. A lover of words. The author, Markus Zusk weaves a captivating book. Well written and evenly paced. There were some passages that I read over and over again.

I'm now officially blind but loved every word on the pages. Verging on excellent, very beautiful. I'm truly grateful.