Sometimes I like to read other people's journals...
Not in real life, I promise. But I do wonder what's going on behind the scenes in others' lives. Instead of being a creeper in real life, I love reading books that are written like journals. Here's a list of my top five kind-of-real-life journals:
5. Cathy's Book: If found call (650) 266-8233
This book is crazy interractive. Call the phone numbers, check out the websites, and try to figure out what in the world is going on with Cathy's creepy (and possibly 200-year-old) boyfriend. There's also two sequels : Cathy's Key and Cathy's Ring.
4. Chopsticks
Another super interractive book but it's written totally in pictures. Glory is this amazing piano prodigy who, after meeting and totally falling for her new neighbor Frank, breaks down and completely loses the ability to play anything but 'Chopsticks.' This book is totally immersing - I figure out new things about the characters each time I read through it.
3. Why We Broke Up
Breaking up with someone is never easy, and Min's letter and series of tokens from her relationship with Ed doesn't really make it any easier. As Min breaks it off with Ed, she's using these objects as sort of guideposts for how they started falling apart. It's beautiful - really and truly.
2. Anne of Windy Poplars
This is an oldie but a goodie. Anne Shirley, orphaned red-head turned beloved daughter of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, is off at her first real teaching position away from her fiance, Glibert Blythe. This is a collection of the letters they share while he's in medical school and she's teaching and staying with a most eccentric pair of old ladies. Yes, the language is old-fashioned (what do you expect when it's almost one hundred years old?) but it's beautiful and you truly feel so much love. You can't feel bad when you read the letters between Anne and Gil.
And my top pick:
1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
This has got to be one of my favorite books - EVER. Charlie is the middle child: quiet, shy, normal, invisble. He's starting high school, is pretty awkward, but is totally wise and intelligent beyond his years. It's all about trying to take control of your life and discover your life before you get put on auto-pilot and lose control.
Check out more titles like these at CoolCat.org, and be sure to check GreeneTeens' book blog for more reviews about the latest books.
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