July 29, 2005
August's fun summer read: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Okay, you can now all see my reading and thinking level--I'm still 12. I'm actually teaching a young adult lit class at BYUH right now and so I'm quite in the mode--and the mood--for another good young adult read. Plus, it's a great summer book (I'm guessing; I haven't actually read it yet)--so take it with you to the beach, the pool, or if you're in Utah, a reservoir. It's written by Ann Brasheres, and my hope is that it will bring us closer together as sisters in Zi...oh, I mean as sisters in an online bookclub. If nothing else, it should at least give you something good to read while eating that fourth bowl of ice cream. Enjoy!
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3 comments:
Hi I am Jen, a new "member", Sharon recommended me to this book club. I just finished reading Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It was a good book, and a really easy read. There are some funny parts that I could relate to such as Tibby wearing The Pants, and feeling confident in front of her crush, and then realizing she is wearing the horrible smock. The quotes in between chapters were really amusing. However, I think the author would forget periodically through out the book that they were young teens, and not older than they were.
(First of all, I can't believe the book actually GOT to me in time to read it this month. Miracle.) I liked this one. I was expecting a light read, but I wasn't expecting any real depth--so I was pleasantly surprised. I liked the hope in it. (And I'm so relieved it wasn't all about crushes on boys.) And what the heck would that be like, to go through high school so completely bonded to a few girl friends? That might have been kinda nice...
I read what you said, Sharon, about the pants, and I guess I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Guess I haven't read enough books with an article of clothing in a starring role? I don't know. But I did find the pants magical (I mean, how hard is it to find that perfect pair of jeans? And there is no possible way in the WORLD that if you did find a pair of jeans that fit you so perfectly, they would also flatter three of your friends with different builds than you, puh-lease) and even functional. This is a novel, after all, about coming of age, about facing up to your fears (which most adults don't do, so maybe a little more universal than coming of age?), and the exchanging of the pants a ritual in that coming-of-age...oh what the crap is the word I'm looking for? Whatever. The pants were a catalyst for each of the girls--without them, I don't think that they would have made the choices they had--y'know, without the physical reminder of the the love and support of friends, or duty owed to friends, or even the love you owe to yourself--blah blah blah. What I was trying to say isn't happening, and the more I ramble, the more I start to see your point, Sharon. Okay, I'll stop then.
My biggest gripe? Rule 1: You must never wash the Pants. Eww. Also, there was a quote from Henry Rollins in the book, and I couldn't help thinking, weird, how does Mr. Rollins like being quoted in a YA novel written for girls? And for that matter, it seemed sometimes as if the quotes had almost nothing to do with what followed them. But whatever. I guess what mattered was the font.
I liked it. Thanks for the happy read, Kim!
It's been long enough since I last wrote, don't you think? Me too. I really, really like this book. I read it some time ago and have since read the two following books, as well. They are all enjoyable, but I think that I like the first one the best because of how much it makes you feel like you are a part of this foursome. I think it would have been fantastic to have that kind of support group as a teenager too. I had some good girlfriends, but nothing like that. But then again, it is a book.
Also, even though this is a YA book, I agree with Wynne that it has plenty of depth. The friendships seem real (even if it may at times seem too good to be true) and very nurturing and their faults are equally as real and annoying. I kept getting so fed up with Carmen and her inability to express her anger towards her dad...until she did, of course. One small problem I saw, and this could just be because I wasn't the most eloquent teenager, they almost always know exactly what to say and when to say it. If only I'd been given that kind of gift! What I liked about each girl is that I can identify with at least one strength and one weakness in all them. Either I aspire to have a quality of theirs or I loathe the fact that I already have it.
I kind of disagree that the author forgot her audience. I think that teenagers are a lot more sophisticated than we might give them credit for. Plus, I think she puts in enough funny pop-culture references to keep things light and at the right level for her audience.
In short, I love chick books, especially those that highlight good, strong female relationships, as well. And this certainly is a book that fits both criterion! Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'll probably read it again.
Oh, by the way, if any of you go to see the movie...it's cute, but the book is MUCH, MUCH better! Certain aspects and even people are left out or changed in the movie. That always annoys me and it annoyed me here...although, I must say that I still enjoyed it. So, if it comes to your local dollar theater or you see it at the video store, pick it up...it ain't that bad!
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