 Talk about 'magical'. An absolutely unique story which just left me thinking and over-thinking every time I had to stop reading. [Yeah, I'm compelled to take breaks in between :P]. This story actually can make even a realistic reader believe that miracles can happen. As Cecelia says, that in her stories, the happy endings do not have to be about the heroine finding the 'perfect man' at the end of the day - it's about finding yourself through the path of self-discovery. In the starting, when Joyce loses her child, she finds her whole world to be crumbling around her. An acquaintance with an unknown man, which leaves her with a deja vu feeling, pulls her through. Little she knows that Justin has been thinking of that unknown yet familiar connection. Such an interesting story, packed with humorous lines, I must say that Cecelia has done it again. :)
 How can you know someone you’ve never met?
Joyce Conway remembers things she shouldn’t. She knows about tiny cobbled streets in Paris, which she has never visited. And every night she dreams about an unknown little girl with blonde hair.
Justin Hitchcock is divorced, lonely and restless. He arrives in Dublin to give a lecture on art and meets an attractive doctor, who persuades him to donate blood. It’s the first thing to come straight from his heart in a long time.
When Joyce leaves hospital after a terrible accident, with her life and her marriage in pieces, she moves back in with her elderly father. All the while, a strong sense of déjà vu is overwhelming her and she can’t figure out why …
 But sadly, I cannot rate it more than 3.5 hearts due to some reasons.
The stories of Joyce and Justin are woven but not quite well in the beginning. I literally had to make an effort to keep reading it, the starting few chapters. It caught my interest after one-fourth of the story, when finally they crossed paths.
Other than that, it's just magical. No other word.
With a magical feeling of fairy-tale happiness,
Love,
Dawn <3
 I never knew self-help books could be so funny. Before I recommend this book to anyone else, I would like to inform that it's a book written for the 'working-dating-women'. So it may not be of much help, but it's awesome-ly funny ! In this book, Greg and Liz unwind the so-seemingly-complicated-male brain :P Greg tells us that all those signs women have been discussing over coffee and cocktails just mean one thing - "he's just not that into you" - he also says that a guy who loves you will do everything he can. He says a lot more but you'll have to read it all :P
What I love about the book - how the chapters are arranged. They start with a title on what sign means he's not into you. They go on with Greg's explanation. They get really funny when Greg answers mail by different women, wanting to know the meaning of some sign. The chapter ends by Liz telling us why the particular sign can be hard to not believe and then a small exercise [really hilarious].
Another thing I loved - the guy's sense of humor ! I love the names he invents for the stupid women who ask him advice for obvious signs and the way he motivates them. [I'll post the funniest quotes in our quotes section].
A self-help book with an edge - it's a light-hearted, funny read - it sure made me laugh my head off. [Also, gave us the explanations to a particular guy behaviour :P ]. I rate it 3 hearts. :)
With a big laugh :D
Dawn <3
 Where Rainbows End [ also published as Love, Rosie or Rosie Dunne ] was an epic win as far as epistolary novels go. I'd read a few of them before, but they always seemed to lack the continuity and made readers wonder about what happened. Not this one. Cuteness, romance, best friendship and hard lessons of life - packed in one along with humorous conversations - the best one could ask for ! :P It is a story that each one of us experiences themselves or sees it happening to a friend - that is, falling for your best friend, caring for them more than the rest and not realizing that they may be the one you're looking for [not that it's always love, but sometimes we may fail to see it before our very own eyes]. The story is presented through the eyes of Rosie, who is sitting in her hotel-turned-house, reading all those passed class notes, email printouts, saved texts, letters, invitations, newspaper articles and chatroom printouts, after her best friend Alex, admits his feelings for her, after being the best-est of best friends for more than 45 years ! I accept that it may be a bit slow for the readers who love the fast-paced reads. But for the people who just love the friendship-turned-love-stories, you'll love this one. What's best about the story is that it's very realistic - it seems as if the incidents could happen to you or any of your friends. The book made me laugh, made my heart melt at some places and the epilogue sure got me teary-eyed.
 From naughty children to rebellious teenagers, Rosie and Alex have stuck by each other through thick and thin. But just as as they're discovering the joys of teenage nights on the town and dating disasters, they're separated. Alex's family move from Dublin to America - and Alex goes with them. For good.
Rosie's lost without him. But on the eve of her departure to join Alex in Boston, Rosie gets news that will change her life forever - and keep her at home in Ireland.
Their magical connection sees them through the ups and downs of each others lives, but neither of them knows whether their friendship can survive the years and miles - or new relationships. And at the back of Rosie's mind is whether they were meant to be more than just good friends all along. Misunderstandings, circumstances and sheer bad luck have kept them apart, but when presented with the ultimate opportunity, will they gamble everything for true love?
All in all, with the happy ending, it leaves a happy feeling in the minds of the readers too. I wouldn't recommend it to the people who are looking for a literary classic or a serious book to critic. But - It's a fun read - funny and not too serious. Completely 'my' type of book. :P 3 hearts. Hope you enjoy it :)
Happily believing that miracles can happen :P
Dawn <3
“The Earth, My Butt & Other Round Things” is really a work of pure genius. Carolyn Mackler has really put a lot of thought into this story. It deals with issues like body image, self-respect and how to find your identity. It helps us understand how to cope when things go wrong, when someone you really respect and think highly of isn’t actually that saintly, when parents try to keep that “perfect family” image even when the truth is far from that. It is all told through a protagonist, Virginia Shreeves, who has a larger-than-average body type and dying self-esteem. It is quite a delightful read and I recommend everyone to read it.
Feeling-good-about-myself-ly yours,
Kira :)  Virginia thinks the world of everyone but herself…………
Virginia Shreves has a larger-than-average body and a plus-size inferiority complex. She lives on the Web, snarfs junk food, and obeys the "Fat Girl Code of Conduct." Her best friend and stuttering soul mate, Shannon, has moved to Walla Walla, Washington. Froggy Welsh the Fourth has succeeded in getting his hand up Virginia's shirt, but she lives in fear that hell look underneath.
Then there are the other Shreves. Mom is an exercise fiend and a successful adolescent psychologist. Dad, when not jet-setting, or golfing in Connecticut, ogles skinny women on TV. Older siblings Anais and Byron are slim, brilliant, and impossible to live up to. Delete Virginia, and the Shreves are a picture-perfect family. . . until a phone call changes everything.
I just finished reading Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella and all I’ve got to say is – it was worth my time.
It was a pleasant read from start to end and I simply loved Emma’s character. She’s your normal 20 something with heapfuls of secrets! I can’t stop laughing at her over-reactive imagination, always thinking about the worst or how she can’t stop blabbering when she’s nervous, how she deals with the everyday stresses of her life, how she copes with colleagues, friends and family.
What I didn’t like was that Jack’s character was shadily and at times it gets annoying because, even as a reader, you wish to know about him but you never really do right to the very end. In fact, other than Emma’s, all characters have been deprived of the proper attention and detailing that they deserve.
Sophie Kinsella has perfectly themed the story, but the execution was a little weak according to me. I would suggest this book only to avid readers seeking out to pass a little time, not to those just starting to read or those looking for a five star entertainer. But yes, for those of you who appreciate Ms. Kinsella’s writing and are looking for a light, good-humored read, this is the book for you.
I rate it 3 hearts :)
luv,
Kira
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