Book Review

One of the perks of being a PCV, is the ample amount of free time we have. I have a list of books I hope to read while I am here, but instead of showing you the list that is to be read, I'll just make a list of what I have read.

Books Completed

• Heaven Shop- This is a good book for Girls Empowerment Club or English Club. It was an easy read, but very touching. It was about a girl in Malawi who lost both of her parents to HIV/AIDS and it displays the stigma that follows.
• The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing- If you are a Sex in the City fan, you'll love this book. It's about a girl's life and her journey to find love.
• In the Kingdom of Roses and Thorns- If you're interested in Swaziland and what I am doing here, PLEASE READ!! Each chapter is a different story about a Swazi woman who has overcome challenges. It is rich in Swazi culture and give you a very clear picture of what life is like here.
• The Sweet Potatoes Queens- Love this book! It is about 5 best friends raised in the south and continue their friendship for many years. The book kept me laughing the whole time.
• Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim- This was the first book by David Sedaris that I've read. He is hysterical. This book was several essays about his family and his encounters growing up.
• Twenties Girl- Author of the Shopaholic series, this book is written in exactly the same witty style. Breezed through it in a day... great beach read.
• Can You Keep A Secret- Once again, in love with author Sophie Kinsella of the Shopaholic series. Basically anything by her is a good bet.
• Pretty Little Fat- Book had me laughing the whole time! The write is so sarcastic and ridiculously honest about her weight loss journey. If you've ever been on a diet or if you are a typical woman, you can easily relate to her. 
• Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12- eish... it was ok. I would only read this as a beach read. Found it in the books of donated books, and wanted to go through it before school started. Completed, but would have rather read something else. Maybe I should get back to my list of half read "currently reading" books. 
• The Host- author of the Twilight series, thought I would give this book a try. Actually enjoyed it. Was entertained and like the plot, though I would have preferred there to be more action. This is a unique love story about an alien living inside a human. Weird- but worth the read.
  
• Sarahs’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay- It is a beautiful well written book about a historical event that happened in Paris during the Holocaust. The book includes two story lines intertwined with each other. Could not put this book down, from chapter one I was captivated.
• Belong To Me- This book is pretty much the TV show Desperate Housewives minus the far fetched ridiculous drama, and a bit more thought provoking. I really did enjoy this book, and would read more by the author.
• Bossy Pants- I just fell in love with Tina Fey even more after reading this book. It's an autobiography of her life and stories about being on SNL and 30 Rock. Must Read- if anything you'll have a good laugh.
• Diary of a Mad Bride- Cute book, but this just reaffirmed how much i don't want wedding. I want to be married, but the whole idea of a big wedding is very unappealing to me. Vegas anyone?!
• Wicked- by Gregory Maguire. The book is MUCH better than the Broadway music, though i love the songs obviously. Anyways, this book is so vivid and well written, I loved the story line. For those not familiar with the plot, it is the accounts of the Wicked Witch of the West from the story Wizard of Oz. Basically if you want to revisit your childhood- read this.
• The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi Durrow- Loved this book, though I wish the story was longer. It is about a girl who is biracial (black and white) and she experienced a horrible tragedy as a child. The books talks about some of the struggles she had to go through in the 1980's and how society tried to fit her in a certain box, like being only black. I would suggest you to read.
• Hunger Games Trilogy- I read these books back in the states, but with the new HG movie out in theaters, I wanted to reread the books. Seriously probably my favorite trilogy by far. For those who haven't read them because they think they are stupid- give them a chance. You won't regret it.
• Shopaholic and Baby-  This is 5th installment from the Confessions of a Shopaholic series. As always, I whipped through this in about a day. Love this series and love author Sophie Kinsella. I am Rebbecca Bloomwood. 
• Yellow Raft in Blue Water- Great book about 3 generations of Native American women. As the story unfolds you learn more about each character and understand the story more. Its a good read. 
• Black Boy- I read this autobiography by Richard Wright in high school. Was good, but I didn't relate, so I wanted to read it again. So glad I did. I'll never know what it's like to be black, but from this Peace Corps Experience, I now know what it is like to be judged by the color of my skin. 
• The Undomestic Goddess- once again, another book by Sophie Kinsella. Its about a girl who leaves her lawyer job to cook and clean, though she can do neither. She sounds a bit like me, career minded and whatnot. It was enjoyable to read, funny and romantic.  
• Kite Runner- Love this book. Completely honest and heart-wrenching. I've never read a story with so much emotions and themes as I have this one. Read. It. 
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks- This is a non-fiction science book; as boring as that genre sounds, I loved this story! It was about a lady who had her cells used for science back in the 50's. She died, but her cells kept living- in fact, we've seen them in our science text books. The punch to this story, is that this woman has done SO much for science (polio vaccine and more), but her identity was disclosed and her family never knew. Very good read. 
• Running with Scissors- I knew it was a movie, so I wanted to give the book a chance. WOW. This story is so messed up. If you want to shake your head and have your jaw drop, then read this book. It... interesting. 
• The Gap Year- This is a cute book about a relationship between a single mom and her daughter. It made me appreciate my mom. The author Sarah Bird is also a very good writer. Loved her style. 
• Little Women- Who doesn't love this classic? I couldn't remember when I last read this... or did I just watch the movie? Either way it is always an enjoyable read. I also love how Jo breaks the traditional gender norms of her time by not getting married so early and wanting to write instead. 
• 5 Love Languages- This a good book for anyone who is in a relationship or wants to be in a relationship. It teaches you how to fill your 'love tank".
• Challenge for Africa- So basically if you have a heart for Africa and are concerned with the situation of this continent- read it. The author, Wangari Maathai is now my new role model. She is born and raised in Kenya, went to university in America, has a PHD and a Nobel Prize. She is honest and enlightening about the challenges her home faces.  
• Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood- Ok so I never saw the movie, but I can see why they made this book into one. The tales of the women in this book are amusing, just as much as they are emotional. I loved the relationship between the mother, Vivi and her daughter Sidda (I'm a sap when it comes to mother/daughter stories). I however didn't like the layout of the book.Too much jumping around and back and forth in no particular order. It made the book seem a lot longer than what it was.
• Brave New World- An American classic, I loved the complexity of this book. There were many themes you could take away, but what I got out of it, is how important individuality is, and how if we're not careful, we'll let society tell us what is good. It also talked about the importance of God, of pain, and of emotions. But one thing I liked about the brave new world was that they said everyone needs everyone. As an individualistic society, its hard for us to depend on others, but that's not so bad is it? We have a phrase in Swaziland that says, "a person is a person, because of people". It is the community that makes us.
• Things Fall Apart.- this is a true African novel. This is something a lot of children here have grown up reading in schools. It's simple- but brilliant. 
• Eat, Pray, Love- Why haven't I read this book before?! As always, the book was waaaaay better than the movie. I love Elizabeth Gilbert's writing style- felt like I was traveling with her through Italy, India, and Indonesia. Though I disagree with her religious views, I think we all can take away something from it. There is power in prayer, there is power over controlling your thoughts. When we learn how to listen and be still, we can open ourselves up to God and let Him  move through us. "Prayer is talking, Meditation is listening."
• The Red Tent- Ok, so I have mixed emotions about this book. It's about the Biblical women, Leah, Rachel, and Dinah. It is a fiction novel, based loosely on the Bible. I believe the Bible to be true, so this novel contradicts the story of Jacob and Joseph. The story is very good though.... I just think you have to read this with an open mind and keep reminding yourself that it IS fiction. Thing I liked best, was that it gave a voice to the women on the Bible who typically have a silent role.
• 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa- This book is a collection of stories from 28 people in Sub-Saharan Africa who are affected by HIV in one way or another. This books puts a face to the HIV virus and shows that you can't stereotype this disease.
  
• Love Wins- I first picked up this book because I loved the title. It's by Christian author, Rob Bell; however judging by his theology in this book, it makes me wonder what doctrine he is basing his thesis of off. I understand where he is coming from, God is a God of love, and Jesus' message was all about love. I fully support that. What I can't agree with, is his idea of "universal salvation". Ultimately, Bell seems to believe that even after people die, they can still make the decision to go to Heaven; because after all, God doesn't want anyone to perish. This book does a lot to make you reaffirm your own doctrine of belief.
• A Thousand Splendid Suns- written by the same guy who wrote Kite Runner. I loved how he wrote a book about Afghanistan women. The book takes you through a rang of emotions, and despite the book having a heavy emphasis on inequality, war, and oppression, the overall theme is love.
• The Shack- So I don't understand what the whole commotion was about. I heard a lot of Christians saying this book was bad. But I loved it! Ok, so maybe I didn't like how they portrayed God the Father as an African American woman and called her Papa. That was too confusing and weird, but I liked everything else about it! It changed the way I talk to God.
• Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang- Written by my favorite female comedian, Chelsea Handler, her sense of humor kills me. Love it.
• I Hate Everyone, Starting with Me- My beloved Joan Rivers, I will miss you dearly. This book will be a constant reminder of just how awesome you are.