The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Title: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Genre: Fiction- General

This one is on almost everyone's "must-read" lists, which is the ultimate reason why I had to put it on mine. Having read only one other book by Coelho (quite some time ago) I forgot what it was about his writing style that made him so special.

Not knowing exactly what to expect when I started reading, I was surprise at the simplicity of the book. I was under the impress (I guess because of my educational readings) that as a renowned good-read it was going to have to be complex and intense. I was glad that it was not.

This story takes on the tone of a tale. A legendary tale passed down from generations. As I was reading, I felt as if I was sitting by a fire listening to an Elder tell a story that would capture you and teach you about your own self. Coelho creates this by neglecting the use of chapters. It's a constant flowing story, separating moments by stars.

Santiago, the protagonist, is a Sheppard boy from Spain who sets out on a journey to the Pyramids for treasure that he has dreamed of. He meets many people who change the course of his journey and life through insights of the inner workings of the world. He is taught to look deeply into his heart, his soul, for answers and guidance on his journey.

Now, I know my summary doesn't do it justice and believe neither does the blurb on the back of the book. This book is one for those who are on a quest. Who travel the world searching for something they're not even aware of yet. For the past couple of years, I have become one of those people. It's the belief that there is more to this world than just working 9-5 in the same city for your whole life. It is the feeling that you want  the wind to take you anywhere because there is something to learn everywhere you end up. And this is why Santiago leaves his monotonous life as a sheppard to follow his Personal Legend.

If you're looking for a good book to take on your travels, this one would make great company. There's something about reading a book that doesn't just fill the down time but actually provides wisdom that is relevant to your time and space. This read does not bog you down, ask too much of you, or even drone on. There is a clear cut point, and you're only there for the journey, but with 167 pages, you leave with much more.

Favourite Quote:

"We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity."

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk.

Title: Fight Club
Author: Chuck Palahniuk
Genre: Fiction- General

Once you've watched a movie, it's hard to forget anything about it. The characters are ingrained in your memory forever. Although many people will not have a problem with the Hollywood casting, some readers (like me) become slightly annoyed that these faces of Brad Pitt (however good looking), Edward Norton (however talented), and Helena Bonham Carter (personal favourite) take over your mind without asking or at least a fight (no pun intended).

For this review I will try my hardest not to make it a comparison essay about what was included and excluded and why. All I will say is that David Fincher did a great job translating Palahniuk's unique writing technique into a screenplay. Heavily reliant on narration, the voice over was crucial to make the audience understand anything that was happening.

Now, for the book itself, I must say that I loved Palahniuk's writing. It's satirical, sarcastic, dark and pretty gross, but that's what makes it so appealing. The way he crafts his sentences makes them a punchline after a punchline. They're heavy hitting. They're crazy confusing, all over the place. They're a train of thought. Who ever thinks straight and coherently anyways? One other thing about his writing that you need to pay attention to is the use of punctuation. Throughout my university career, there was much emphasis put on grammar and punctuation. Everything in the writing, what's on the page, means something. Palaniuck likes to play around with quotation marks. He sometimes uses them and most times doesn't often within the same conversation/scene. Pay attention to what it means to use and not use them.

Another great thing about his writing is that there are hints all over the place about what's going to happen in the end. It's the narration coming full circle on many occasions, constantly linking back and forward in the protagonist's mind. This is what got me the most. Nothing is really a secret in this book. Everything is pretty much laid out for the reader from the first couple of pages, yet you have to keep reading. You're propelled to see it through. Maybe a little deep reading is needed for the 'twist', but it's all there before anything really happens.

Fight Club is really not just a story about fighting. If you have not seen the movie and decide wisely to read the book first, do not go into it believing that. It's also not just a story. Take the time to appreciate his writing skill, his sentence structures. His metaphors are completely attached to the setting he wants to portray. You will not find any images of butterflies and snowflakes
to link to a character's happiness. Only crude images await. Just make sure to read the Afterword. Not always do you have the luxury of reading what an author thinks about their story after the fact. It's only a couple pages long and really makes you think about his intentions and the aftermath of his novel.

Favourite Quote:

"I don't want to die without any scars."

"I've met God across his long walnut desk with his diplomas hanging on the wall behind him, and God asks me, "Why?"
Why did I cause so much pain?
Didn't I realize that each of us is a sacred, unique snowflake of special unique specialness?
Can't I see how we're all manifestations of love?
I look at God behind his desk, taking notes on a pad, but God's got this all wrong.
We are not special.
We are not crap or trash, either.
We just are.
We just are, and what happens just happens.
And God says, "No, that's not right."
Yeah. Well. Whatever. You can't teach God anything."

Speechless by Hannah Harrington.

For my first review I will begin with the book I finished just this morning.

Title: Speechless
Author: Hannah Harrington
Genre: Teen Fiction

With quite an intriguing cover, it was hard to walk past this book everyday at the bookstore I was working in. I wasn't really sure what I was getting into, but once delving into the story I was glad I listened to my coworkers.

While reading Speechless,  I was constantly transported back to my days in high school with girls just like the main character, Chelsea. Snobby, rude, popular and bitchy. The interesting thing about Chelsea is that she is not the most popular girl in school. That's her best friend Kristen, who is right up there with Regina George from Mean Girls.

After one disastrous night, Chelsea ends up spilling a secret that almost kills a classmate. This is enough to wake her up from her gossiping, conniving self and she decides to take a vow of silence. Quite interesting for a teenage girl to decide to stop talking, which I think saves this story from becoming too much like Mean Girls. Chelsea's vow opens her up to many attacks from her now ex-best friend Kristen, and seriously makes you believe that total silence may not be such a good idea either.

Chelsea goes through many mini enlightenments throughout her silence but what becomes the driving point of this story is her breaking point. The longer she stayed silent, the longer I began to realize that something huge was going to have to happen for her speak again. Unfortunately, the build up was there, but blew over anticlimactically.

The story ends on a bittersweet note, concluding that high school is not the be-all and end-all of life.

As an avid teen fiction reader, this by no means is a novel that slips under the radar. Although cliche at times, the concept of a silent teen for any amount of time is worth reading, even if the themes of rumors and gossip have become somewhat exhausted.

Pick it up and give it a try. Definitely a good fast read during a busy time.

Favourite Quote:

"I walk to my car without looking back, and as I drive away, I'm hit with a sudden wave of sadness. But it's a distant kind of sad-- like when you look at your Barbies and realize you don't want to play with them anymore, because you're growing up and you've moved on, and in your heart you know it's time to make room for other things."

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