Jerry Spinelli's 'Stargirl' is my grownup bedtime story

re-read "Stargirl" last night, and it was magic all over again. i smiled, cringed, and cried like i've never read it before. this is one book you just have to revisit from time to time, in case you find yourself trying to blend in to the ordinariness again.

summer's so bright

Oh, summer.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

the perks of reading 'Perks'

I did not enjoy reading "The Perks of Being a Wallflower".

Why? Because it reminded me of me.

It started out innocently enough -- just as any other story does. Protagonist "Charlie" (that's his alias) writes a letter to an unknown friend-figure, and this first letter serves as an introduction to the bittersweet series of stories about Charlie's life.

But Stephen Chbosky's coming-of-age novel turns out to be more than just a teenage portrait. It's not just about crushes and parties and high school cliques. It takes you deeper and deeper into the dreary side of the 15-year-old's life: from social alienation, to sex and drugs (and a teeny bit of rock'n'roll), to buried pasts and the mental/emotional disturbance they make. Yes, it sure gets heavy.

'The Girl', the book, the movie

Much has already been said about Stieg Larsson's acclaimed book, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo". It has garnered well-deserved praise for being a thrilling mystery novel and a remarkable jumpstart to the equally-remarkable "Millennium" trilogy.

Now here's a view from a woman's perspective.