Having read 350+ books and securing myself a comfortable place on the Neopian
Book Award's High Score Table, I feel somewhat qualified to share my
humble opinions about some of the books I have had the chance to read during
my time in Neopia. Check out my Pet
Page if you want to see some more details about my quest for knowledge.
This week I am reviewing three books that rank higher on my list of books I've
enjoyed.
Caring For Your Neopet Volume 1
Since I have been living in Neopia since June 2001 and it is now March of the
following year, I thought I should pick up this book and make sure I REALLY
knew all I needed to about taking care of myself.
I use to be an only pet, because my owner wanted to give all her attention,
caring and love to just one pet, but this book has reinforced all we have learned
together through trial and error, and I wish I would have picked it up earlier!
It also made us see that having a brother for me isn't so bad!
Basically the book is divided into the following sections: General Care, Feeding,
Grooming, Playing, Training, Socialising and Other Developmental Issues. It
is very easy to read and covers the most basic issues from how to build a special
diet for your special pet to more complex issues like how to get a shy pet to
interact well with others.
One area that my owner and myself often failed to consider until I read this
book was the area of Grooming. Since I visit the lab ray everyday (it doesn't
really hurt THAT much!), I do not bother much on grooming myself, but the chapter
on Grooming made me understand that grooming isn't so much about making me look
better as it is about making me FEEL better.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any pet and their owner, whether they
have been in Neopia for 2 week or 2 years. I am anxious to see what the rest
of the books in this series have to offer!
Overall, my rating for Caring For Your Neopet Volume 1 is: 4 stars
Know Your Collectable Cards
Getting into Collectable Cards in Neopia may seem like a daunting task, but
this book make it easy as collecting Usuki Playsets!
The first few chapters give the basics on the cards. It explains the rarity
values of the different cards and explains why certain cards are more sought
after, and therefore more valuable. It also provides an up-to-date Spoiler List
of all the cards in Neopia, complete with pictures. I particularly liked this
section because it organised them by card type and colour.
Another valuable feature of this book is the section describing card condition,
and how to properly store and preserve your cards. It describes all the methods
used by collectors, from bubble gum adhesive to clear card protectors and hard
case top-loaders. In this section it also provides an easy to read chart of
card condition ratings, so you can properly describe your card to a buyer.
Overall, I think this is one of the best Collectable Card books I have read
in a long time. I totally recommend this book to anyone starting out with their
collection, or to the die-hard collectors who is looking for a new reference
book to help them organise their collection.
Overall, my rating for Know Your Collectable Cards is: 4 1/2 stars
Long Neck Lucy
I found myself nearly giddy as I read the press release that this book was going
to hit the market in Neopia. I am a true sucker for stories that tug at the
heart strings, and this one had me running to the cupboard for my jumbo box
of tissues within the first three chapters.
Often, when I read "true story" books, I find myself wondering if everything
in the book really happened, or if some of it has been made up to make the central
figure's life more exciting, amazing, awe-inspiring, or in this case…sad. After
reading this book, I had no doubt in my mind that Lucy the Chomby was different
and truly had a hard life because of it.
The first half of the book focused on Lucy's struggles in Tyrannia as she
worked to fit in with the other Chombys. Something set her apart from the others,
and it wasn't until her teen years that she realised it was her long neck that
was the big difference. Written without the help of a ghost writer, Lucy tells
us in her own words what it felt like to constantly put herself out there and
continually be shot down and shoved out of the "crowd". As I turned the pages,
I could truly feel her pain and it made me very aware of how I have treated
others who were different from me.
The book was not a total sob-fest however. I really liked the last half of
the book where Lucy told us how her adult life has been and how she has been
able to overcome adversity and is even beginning to find love with a cute male
Chomby who is mature enough to see past any differences she might have. She
gives us many words of wisdom that are inspiring to not only other Chombys,
but to any Neopet out there, including myself.
Overall, if you are looking for a book to help you open your eyes to the struggles
that others have overcome, or if you are just looking for a good tear-jerker
with an upbeat ending, this book is for you.
Overall, my rating for Long Neck Lucy is: 5 stars | 
