Book Title:

The Maze Runner

Author:

James Dashner

Publisher:

Delacorte Press

“The Maze Runner” is a fast-paced and action- filled trilogy which discovers the themes of survival, identity, friendship, global warming and human intelligence. Readers would be continuously asking questions until the end, with various plot twists and some unpredictable surprises.

The story circles around Thomas who abruptly wakes up inside a lift having no memory of who he is or where he is. Thomas is dragged by a group of boys, the Gladers, who similarly have no memory of their previous lives either. Although the teenagers stranded in the Maze have no memories left, they are still alert that they are being caged and threatened by adults. Thomas is informed that a new boy is sent up in the lift every month so as to solve the maze. It is not a usual maze, but an intricate labyrinth with immense soaring walls that move every night. There is never a way to get out.

If you associate The Maze Runner to other novels in the genre, there is dissimilarity between the amounts of character development included. Nevertheless, it is a trilogy and therefore has sufficient amount of time for the characters to grow.

Readers need to stay patient, the abundant questions and frustration will be clarified throughout the story, along with mysteries persisting towards the sequel. The language may be somewhat off putting since a new dialect has been formed. This sense of confusion further elaborates Thomas’ feelings of isolation and misunderstanding. Once Thomas is accustomed to the new language, readers do too. Despite the new dialect, this book is simple and fun to read.

By Ms. Jasmine Lau

Book Title:

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Author:

Stephen King

Publisher:

Hodder Paperbacks

If you love horror novels, then you must have heard of the well-known author of horror fictions, Stephen King. Most of his horror fictions are best-selling and outstandingly horrified, and the book that I’m currently reading is called Doctor Sleep, which is a sequel to The Shining. Those who read The Shining already know that it is a chilling novel that will haunt you with nightmares, and in Doctor Sleep, the first chapter already gives you the frights! I personally prefer Doctor Sleep more than The Shining because the fright in the prequel doesn’t begin until halfway through the book, so when you are reading the first half, it doesn’t really get too exciting or fearsome which might be a turn-off for some. I would recommend Doctor Sleep to horror fans, and it is not necessary to read the prequel if you just want to enjoy some gruesome chills.

By Ms. Jessica Zee

Book Title:

Life's Greatest Lessons

Author:

Hal Urban

Publisher:

Simon & Schuster New York

Why could't I feel comfortable with myself? How can I make time? How can I become wiser and happier? What are the reasons for being good? What are the ways to become rich and powerful?

To pursue the answers to the above questions, what you need to do is to learn to think for yourselves deep-down inside the skin while reading along this book and you will discover your good qualities, optimize your inner resources and kindle your desire to live a good life. You will also be fascinated and enlightened by numerous inspiring quotations in it.

In Life's Greatest Lessons, Hal Urban presents you twenty time-honoured principles and practical suggestions and they can definitely help you find the best – in the world and in yourself. This book is also a right tool for you in developing the right attitudes and skills necessary to establish satisfying relationship, achieving personal goals, and enjoying feelings of self-worth. Most importantly, these twenty things will help you figure out how life works.

Read it and grow!

By Mr LO Chi Kin Wilson

Book Title:

A Peacock in the Land of Penguins

Author:

BJ Gallagher Hateley and Warren H. Schmidt

Publisher:

Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

This is the story of Perry the Peacock – a bright, talented, colorful bird – who comes to live in the Land of Penguins where is governed by a vast array of bureaucratic rules. He soon runs into troubles since his different and unusual style makes the penguins feel uneasy; new ideas and thinking challenge the status quo, require taking chances and push everyone out of their comfort zone. This enlightening fable follows the adventures of Perry the Peacock and other exotic birds as they make their way to the Land of Opportunity where they live and work when they choose to see with new eyes, live from their hearts, and allow themselves and others to be what they truly are ….

Through the medium of a fable, this book can bring you important insights into the issue of creativity and innovation in the workplace in a simple and inspiring way.

If you’re interested in new ideas for making yourself and your organization successful, read this little book!

By Mr LO Chi Kin Wilson

Book Title:

The Present

Author:

Johnson Spencer

Publisher:

Doubleday New York

I'm very glad to have this opportunity to share a book with you here.  I picked it up at a bookstore one day and leisurely read through it in a few hours.  It's a very moving book which really opens my eyes to the world.

"The Present", by Spencer Johnson is a great little book of only 104 pages that is packed with more fruitful advice than most books twice its size.  For those of you who haven't read this great book, here is a summary of the concepts that you may like to digest and keep in mind when you might hit some bumps in the road of life.

It's all about the present that enables you to disclose the secret to enjoying your work and life.  Unlike the present that someone gave you on your birthday or other special occasions.  In fact, it's the present that you must aware of its existence in your daily life.  No one can give you the present that brightens your every moment in life.  In order to discover what the present is and where to find it, always remember that you live neither in the past nor the future. You only live in the present.  Therefore, you will be the happiest and at your most productive when you focus on what is happening at the current moment in time.  That is the essence of the simple principle.

Always focus on what is "right" in the present moment. Never focus on the negative in any situation.  Focus on the positive and you will likely make good things happen.  You will never make a positive choice or create a positive result in the present if you focus solely on the negative thoughts and feelings.

Speaking of focus: Always focus, focus and focus.  When you are having lessons, focus on what the teacher is saying.  Eliminate the thoughts of other things, put away the comic that you are reading under your desk, stop chatting with your classmates, and pay attention.  That's it!  I'm sure your school life will be more meaningful and much happier.  You will probably learn more and have a better academic result.  In return, your parents and teachers will appreciate you much more.

However, it doesn't mean that you can entirely eliminate the past or the future from your day-to-day life routine.  In fact, you should learn from the past.  Remember your mistakes and take steps not to make the same mistakes over and over again.  Also, remember to recall the good things of the past and try to recreate them.  In times of trouble, always think of the good memories and positive thoughts.

Do not make the mistake of wasting your present by dreaming of an imaginary or unrealistic future.  You must always plan for the future and do positive things in the present in order to achieve your goals.  "Plan your work and work your plan."  Do not wish your life away by making impractical assumptions that the future will be better than the present unless you have done the work wholeheartedly and laid the plans proceeding steadily to make your dreams come true.

The Present is all you have right now.  Enjoy it and live it to the fullest!

By Miss Christine Cheung Kit Ling

Book Title:

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Author:

John Boyne

Publisher:

Oxford University Press

Even though my most favourite books of 2009 are the ‘Twilight’ saga by Stephanie Meyers, I would like to recommend ‘The Boy in Striped Pyjamas’ as another excellent read, for our students.

The Blurb of the book quotes” If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn’t a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence.

Fences like this exist all over the world. We hope you never have to encounter such a fence.”

This profound message was what enticed me to buy the book and start reading it.? I love to read about the holocaust, and see what people have experienced, and this heart wrenching book shows us the holocaust thorough the innocent eyes of Bruno, the main character of the book.

The people and events are vivid due to good description, and you are provoked to make clear maybe even accurate images in your head.? The book gets you to think and ask questions, and the end leaves many open doors for the reader to think about what occurred after.

I don’t want to talk abut the story as this might spoil the reading of the book. ?I would just like to invite you to read it and come back to me on whether you feel the same way I do.

By Ms. Nalini Kima