Where She Went: A Review

As soon as I finished 'If I Stay', I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book. Although nothing like this was the sequel that I was expecting for it. If you haven't read the book then you should definitely stop reading any reviews or this mere book. It would definitely spoil the fun of reading 'If I Stay' (which is one of the few YA novels that I really enjoyed).

<spoiler> Yes, it was refreshing to read Adam's POV this time but I have to admit that the first-half was as slow and cliche as it could get. The story, for the most part, was about the reality of being well known (well in the case of Adam, of being a rock star). A gloomy reality of loneliness, panic attacks and invasive paparazzi. I kept having this question in my mind, 'What happened?'. I was getting frustrated until finally Mia showed up in the story. It was disappointing that they broke up (Why???) because I really thought they had a connection in the first book so strong, even Mia's family was closed to Adam. Did the connection ceases when her family died? I couldn't seem to understand why they have to separate just because Mia was going to pursue her dreams in Julliard while Adam was left behind. Then Mia dropped the bomb by saying he hated Adam because he made him stay and that he made a promise he didn't live. That seems unfair for Adam.

They they finally talked about it. About the past they left behind I knew how hard it is to left something behind without a proper good bye then opened it again like some unhealed wound.

As Adam said it 'Closure. I loathe that word.' Yup Adam, I loathe that word too. For what it seem something easy for most to say good bye to a relationship, it turns out that sometimes it is not. Especially if you were left behind clueless. If you were still clutching to some frail thread of hope that someday she/he would come back. That's how I understood Adam's grief.

The last-half of the story gave Mia and Adam the opportunity to explain their sides. It was the most frustrating part of the book. I mean, from their words, I knew that the connection was still there but they kept on cutting it with all the excuses they could get to defend their own side. Then finally, rekindle romance and all, they kept their guard down and practically ran back to each other's arms. 

So it was all about pride! They started to adjust their time for each other and do everything they could even if it means flying halfway across the globe just to made up for the lost time. Why didn't realize it in the first place? Why did they had to sunk in the otherworldly of fame before realizing what was really important? 

Oh right, this book was written with 'reality' all over it. And I praised the author for putting up with it without losing the creativity of the story. Gayle Forman is such a good storyteller and I couldn't wait to read her other works. 

As much as I'd wanted to pull my hair in frustration, I still bitterly realized and admitted a lot of things. Thanks to the bittersweet love story of Adam and Mia.</spoiler>

Flipped: A Review

Eeep, this book is just soooo adorable in a good-giggly-teenager way. I should have read this earlier when I was still *ahem* teenager, not that I enjoyed it less. The story is just cute, really cute is all I could say. And I couldn't help reminisce my own sappy high school memories. It was a 'he-said-she-said' kind of story which made it more interesting and again, cute.

Though it was not only about first love and the immaturity of it, there were also subtle hints about the importance of family (The Bakers are definitely the loveliest fictional family ever) and respect for others who are not our own.

And who wouldn't love Juli Baker? She was the most stubborn yet cheerful girl with a strong will even at her young age. And yes the love interest, Bryce Loski was the dumbest LI I ever read but who didn't sigh the most girly gush and fell in love with him in the end? The ending was just magical. I'm also a weenie when it comes to tree climbing but it was definitely one of my favorite ending ever.

I think this book was definitely more than the sum of its parts. It was not only a love story of two ordinary teenage girl and boy but also holds a lot of lessons about life that will make you realize that there's more to the surface of everyone than your bare eyes could see.

If I Stay: A Review

Before I read any book, I tried for the most part to avoid reading any reviews for the fear of getting spoiled or losing any will to even bother out of someone's negative view. But there were also times when I scrolled down the page after reading the premise just to see what other readers think about it. Thank goodness most of the goodreads people gave this book thumbs ups. So I gave it a chance.

And I didn't regret it.

I've been reading a lot of YA novels but this one is special. Why? Put music and medical in one book then you surely got my attention. It's been months since I read a book so good, I didn't care if I would go to school, sleepless. I was almost done with it by morning but then I had to fix some papers, go to my dentist blah blah. By the time I had a free time, I was so restless. I finished it the next day, reading the half-end in a salon while my hair was being snipped and rebonded. Which was a bit bad idea because I nearly cry there. Nearly.

Anyway, I love the book. From start to end. I totally enjoyed it.

It was a story about love and grief, set between life and death, but it was miraculously not burden with a lot of heavy emotions and cliches. Yes, it was tearjerky but it was lite, too easy to read, just enough details to take in.

And the characters? Given the brevity of it, the author managed to put the limelight not just to the main characters but also to the secondary ones, one at a time. And I think Mia's parents were the coolest fictional parents ever.

Mia and Adam's love story was ordinary which made it more achievable for those who wish to have their own rockstar for a boyfriend, founded around the magic of music. And oh, was there any sexier than their sole love scene in the story? I nearly melt you know.

The author wisely interchange the story between present happenings and flashbacks which made it less slow and more interesting.

I don't have anything left to say that was not told by anyone who read it but all I can say is it's YA novel for a change. Just read the book to see for yourself.