Author: Vidya Samson
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Self-published
Publish Date: 2012
Source: I received a copy from the author; however, this did not affect my review.
Why You're Reading This Book:
- You're a Young Adult fiction fan.
From Goodreads.com: "What’s a girl gotta do to get her first bra, her first kiss, her first love?
If you thought the Middle East was all about fatwas and burkhas, think again. Join the fun as Veena, a naive teen from India, bungles her way through adolescence on the island of Bahrain. Laugh out loud as she deals with the intricacies of stubborn bras, crazy parents, racist classmates, first love, and the No-No Club, an abstinence club that degenerates into the Yes-Yes Club.
If you’ve ever struggled with body image issues, ever wanted to be different from what you are, ever wanted a hot guy or girl you couldn’t have, or if you just want a good laugh, this novel is for you, whether you’re nine, ninety, or anywhere in between."
My Two Cents:
Perhaps you all know by now that I love an exotic location. So off the bat, I was intrigued by the setting of the book. I don't think I've ever read a book about Bahrain. You get only a small taste of the country but it was intriguing all the same.
What this book made me realize is that teenage girls are teenage girls, no matter where in the world they live! They all face the same issues with boys and growing up. In a way, it's sort of comforting to see that indeed, you are not the only one in the world facing these issues. I know that as a teen, I would have definitely liked a book like this. It's nice to be reminded that you're not the only one going through these issues that seem to feel especially huge at the time.
The book focuses a lot on race and nationality, two very important topics to cover. Veena, the main character, attends an international school and so nationality is something she deals with a lot. Being an Indian in the school, she gets made fun of a little bit, which she is incredibly hurt by and who wouldn't be?
I found the book enjoyable but I wish that the ending felt a little more finished. It just seemed to stop really quickly and nothing really felt totally resolved. I wish there would have been a little bit more to the closing.
This is the second book that I've read by Vidya Samson. While I liked this book, I thought that Samson's adult book, "Indian Maidens Bust Loose," was a little more to my liking.
I love that this books takes something that most would consider Western teen issues and puts them in a different culture.
ReplyDeleteHmm -- I've definitely never read a book set in Bahrain, though I haven't been too into young adult lately! Sounds like an interesting read all the same.
ReplyDelete