I’m on a blogging streak for book reviews! Sorry if I’ve been plaguing everyone with my uninteresting reviews. Back in High School, I hated reading and writing book reviews especially when dealing with those classical literary pieces. Years after, I’m quite surprised that I’m enjoying the task I used to hate. I now turned out as the person who bores everyone with literary reviews. Haha

I have two book reviews lined up. I’m finally done with Cecelia Ahern’s One Hundred Names. I checked my pile of unread fiction and chose Life on the Refrigerator Door as my next read. For those who can still remember, I was able to acquire an electronic version of this book months ago. Despite the convenience and cheaper price, my heart still longs for the feel and smell of a real paperback. In the end, I went to Fully Booked and purchased the lone and expensive hardbound copy.


Life on the Refrigerator Door relates a mother-daughter relationship story. The intriguing title arises from the means of communication between Claire and her mother. Since they rarely catch each other at home, they exchange letters and notes on the refrigerator’s door. Hence, the entire text was presented in the form of informal letters.

Claire’s mother is a dedicated and committed doctor who tries her best to balance both roles. Claire was single-handedly raised by her mom and is transitioning from being a teenage kid to adulthood. Claire was portrayed as the typical teenage kid who battles growing up issues within the grounds of a broken family. What used to be a typical mother-daughter relationship was rattled when Claire’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. The journey of battling this traitor disease and Claire’s struggle of growing up with separated parents gave structure and meaning to the entire story.

The book was a short read. You can finish it one sitting. I started last night and finished everything on the way to work. Despite the fact that it was too short, the story didn’t lack the substance to move me. What I thought as a book that merely compiled letters changed when I reached the last chapter. I got teary-eyed when I read Claire’s last letter. I was reading it inside the train and tried my best to hold back my tears. The words used were so raw and simple. It appeared as a real letter that only a kid who speaks from her heart could write. While typing this post, I felt the urge to hold the book and read the heartwarming letter again.

I highly recommend the book to all mothers, daughters and those who have loved ones battling serious illnesses such as Cancer. The book made me feel that everyone has a right to weep and feel weak even on those instances that demand strength.

I hate to admit it but I lack the words to express my appreciation to the novel. I guess my 5 out of 5 stars rating can compensate.

PS I think I made a stupid mistake of deleting my previous book review on Paul Arden's What Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite :(