Picking up the Pieces

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have read this year!
Review: My girlfriend and I read this book at the same time, we could not put it down. We talked on the phone daily about the plot, characters and writing style. We both loved this book, however, we enjoyed some characters better than others. The writer did a great job in developing the characters. The book catches your interest in the first chapter with Senida acting crazy! The book touched on a lot of topics - love, pain, friendship, careers, and initimate relationship. There was much drama in this book, which kept you turning the pages & staying up late reading the book. Looking forward to the next book by Sungee.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Debut Novel.
Review: Picking Up The Pieces was a pretty good debut novel. Sungee did a good job of balancing the various character's stories, and then tying them all together. The two main characters, Senida and Maya, who are best friends, both knew how to stay in trouble with the men! Senida had some deep-rooted problems, though, and at times, I found her very unlikable because of her trifling behavior. Maya was a much more likable character. But all of the characters in the book were interesting, and even though the book moved a little too slowly for me, I stuck with it because I wanted to know how things would turn out for everyone. There were some very funny parts (like when Senida got just what she deserved at the beginning of the book, and the church scene). There were some sad scenes (like the funeral, and when Maya confronted Jelani about his past). There were some hot sex scenes and massive amounts of drama. All of these things made Picking Up The Pieces a very good book. But I couldn't give it that fifth star because there were some less-than-successful aspects of the book. For instance, I know Sungee tried to make Senida's lover a surprise that we find out about at Mandla's party, but anyone who read the book probably already knew way before they got to that scene in the book. Also, the thing with Jelani's hidden career: Maya should have known she was dealing with some type of celebrity when those boys came asking for his autograph! And with all of the negative press he had gotten in his past, how could she NOT know who he was! That made her look stupid. And Maya and Senida were supposed to be best friends, yet they didn't even contact each other when both of them had gone through some serious drama in their love lives! In fact, after all that happened to both of them, they don't even speak to each other again at the close of the book. My best friend no longer even lives in the same state that I live in, but if what happened to Senida or Maya happened to me, I'd be on the phone crying to her about it in a heartbeat! But even with those flaws, I still thought it was a pretty good first book. As several other reviewers pointed out, the ending left a little something to be desired, but that always leaves the door open for a sequel! I agree with another reviewer who said the sequel should be named Picking Up The Pieces, and this book should have another title (perhaps All The Stuff Has Hit The Fan!).

Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: This is a great debut novel. Picking Up The Pieces has a little of everything: happiness, sadness, family, relationships, careers, you name it. The author did an extrordinary job of developing the characters and bringing it all together. The end is shocking, which makes the book a page-turner. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something to hold their interest. I don't want to divulge too much about the book and give it away, so I'll close by saying reders will be totally shocked by its ending!

Rating:
Summary: Drama...
Review: This was a good book that kept me turning. I liked the characters and found them well written. There seemed to be something happening all the time which keeps your interest level high. Senida was something else. The ending was a surprise to me. I am looking forward to Sungee's next project. Keep up the good work.