Slam by Nick Hornby

This is Hornby’s first Young Adult novel, and it’s good. It tackles teenage pregnancy, and there’s some honest truths there but it doesn’t come across as an after-school special.

This is the story of a young skater (not skateboarder, that’s not what the cool kids call it) who knocks up a girl. The story is funny, and realistic, and it’s full of the stuff you’d want your teenager to know about having a kid.

Or an adult having a kid. Either one.

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (translated by Reg Keeland)

The second in Steig Larsson’s The Girl series, continuing into the story of The Girl with a new mystery or two.

Purportedly, he had planned 10 books, but only three have been published, a fourth (or fifth) sits on his laptop, and sketches for one or two more exist.

It’s disappointing, because they’re engrossing, addictive books.

I would wish to ask him, were it possible… why the constant references to brand names? There’s an entire chapter where the main character shops at IKEA, and in it details what exact items she purchased. We always know the complete specs on whatever computer she’s using, and cellphone capabilities… it’s just a little strange.

Maybe he just felt it was important to promote Swedish products to the world.