Bests of 2013

My top ten reads for 2013 (and the reason/s why I swoon over it.) in at-the-top-of-my-head order:

1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Way to end 2013. This book is a work of genius. Well for those who writes, fangirls over anything/someone and/or struggles in college.This made me revert to Rainbow Rowell works.
2. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. Ahhh, the feels. First love and all. Yes, I did say that I was fairly disappointed (note: never over-expect a book. or in anything for that matter) but I also did enjoy it (thanks to cute ol' Park,hihi). Really. Definitely not your conventional YA novel.
3. If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern. Ahern is one of the... (continue reading)

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.

Obsidian: A Review

What's up with the name Daemon really? Hot, bad guys with 'trouble' stamped all over them, that's what. I'm actually referring to Damon of Vampire Diaries too, btw. When I read the first part I couldn't help thinking about The Vampire Diaries. Same Daemon-character, same place (Virginia, really that makes that place double creepy with all the myths/writings around it), and the aliens, Luxen i mean, have almost the same power, though way cooler, with the vampires. Obsidian, in some ways, was like a fan fiction of TVD for me, wasn't it? Though that didn't make me hurl the book, obviously more than most of the fan fictions made me do.

And yes, aliens that are god and goddess- looking? Insane right? We all have grown up in to thinking that aliens are green, slimy creatures with large head and slender extremities. But with this novel, the author made aliens look like magical creatures from other galaxies. That made me read this novel, it's originality. And I love that it didn't bore me by second. The book was a thrilling, fast-pace, page-turner that I simply couldn't resist (in fact, I've given up reviewing for a compre exam just to finished this lol). And even after I lay down the book, despite some flaws on the writing, my curiosity over the Luxens especially *ehem* Daemon hadn't fade. 

This was the first novel that I've read that has alien protagonists in it and i couldn't help being fascinated by the idea when a friend recommended this. If I am younger, I would have gone mad, fan-girling about Daemon (though yes, I should admit he's one of the freaking hottest fiction guys I've read) and eventually would give this a rating of 5 stars but anyway, I will surely read the 2nd installment!

Anna and The French Kiss: A Review

First book to finished during the very hectic schooldays. Twas actually a miracle that I had to manage to pull off reading in between clinic works and subjects. I am finding books this time that are easy-reads. Something that would take the stress out of my system.

Anyway, I read this out of recommendation from YA and NA Romance group that's why I was confident enough that this would be a good book. And yes it is. Though I still wonder how such a chic-lit YA novel obtains a 4.20 ave.rating here. To put it bluntly, it's an overrated book. Yes, it was a fun read for me and I enjoyed a few giggles and rushes to Anna and Etiene's love story (not to mention that Etienne St.Clair is such a perfect guy and I am so going to name my future baby Etienne) but it wasn't that the story holds an unique characteristic at all. It's a typical chic-lit that any college student will enjoy. I actually thought that their attractiveness towards each other is purely physical. They are both good-looking and they are almost always their for each other. Maybe it is the fact that the setting was held in the most romantic city in the world that made the readers sigh and fall in love with their story.

Still. I love it like a guilty pleasure book for its shallowness and straight-forward style.

Something Borrowed: A Review

I'm torn on how i am going to rate or even review this book. First, i was fairly disappointed with Emily Giffin's writing style. There were so many unnecessary (or red herring as they called it) scenes that should have been eliminated. Then the characters. I think Rachel is one of the worst fictional characters I've ever read, second to Anastasia Steele. She's definitely a spineless woman in her age. Then Dexter. At first it was very unbelievable that Dex had fell in love with Rachel in compromise to his seven years relationship with Darcy. What kind of guy would put with a woman he's not in love for that long? Same with Darcy's and Rachel's friendship. To be honest, sometimes I wished Darcy was the main character. How did Rachel ever stick up with Darcy forever if she's envious and mad on her all along? There were just so many unreliable sides in this novel. Plus, it was only on the last part that Dex and Rachel's affair had me thrill. 

If there was one thing that made me love this book then it was its brutal honesty. The way the author narrate the story was beyond the frankness I've expected. Plus I like the originality of the theme.

I think this was one of the rare novels wherein the movie was way better than the book itself.

The Notebook: A Review

If you want a book that tells 'Happy Ending' in bold, capital letters then read this. Well, there were some conflicts, yes but as I read the story, I felt like Allie and Noah is the luckiest (fictional) couple I know.

The story started with them sharing a childhood, puppy love that didn't last long(well only a summer) and the inevitable happened as they separate apart. Then they met again. After 14 years. I couldn't help relating to the story on that part and twas actually hard for me to read it as I relived my own memories. Twas like swallowing a bitter medicine to me. I knew from that point that I need it. I need to read this and decide for myself.

And then during the mid part, when the story was running smoothly and quite predictable, the author suddenly shifted the steering wheel to an abrupt, hard turn, making me felt flummoxed for a moment. One chapter they were young and Allie was about to choose between Noah, her childhood love, and Lon, her lawyer fiance, and then the next they were old. A bad fast forward. twas like two standalone stories entwined into one. Sparks should have explained further the part after Ellie chose so that it didn't looked like Noah and Allie got their happy ending in a snap.

Then the last part, there were already old and sick with two different disease. Noah had arthritis and Allie had an Alzheimer's disease and she kept on forgetting Noah la la la. That made me think that there were two different stories in one. Sparks could have produce two stories out of this one if he had extended the novel. Twas both a good and a bad thing. Good because it spare the reader from boredom and let them have the happy ending they want sooner. Bad because it felt more of a summary rather than storytelling. The reason why I only give 4 instead of 5 stars.

Nevertheless, the story is beautiful as expected from Sparks. If I couldn't had relate to it, I would be so neutral. But it struck me. And I couldn't help crying and mustering a bittersweet smile as I finished it.

Mockingjay: A Review

I used to love the series with [book: Hunger Games] and [book: Catching Fire] but with what came out of Mocingjay, I was just disappointed. First, there were a lot of happenings twas sometimes hard for me to catch up. The whole book wasn't memorable. Then there were a lot of sacrifices just for the utterly stubborn girl like Katniss. To think she should be at least grateful enough for all the killings that happened just for her to survived. The only character I loved was Johanna Mason. I would be happier if she was the Mockingjay.

Then I hated the love triangle. Katniss should have chose between Peeta and Gale from at least the middle part of the book. But wisely the author keeps everyone hanging until the very end. Til the last three pages. A piece of trick to keep the readers turn the pages. But it didn't work for me like that. I just finished this one for the sake of the first two books. And she ended up with Peeta! I was really against it 'cause it just reminded her of the Hunger Games and she was better with Gale (but maybe not Gale  with Katniss. Come to think of it I would be happier if she did end up with neither).

The ending wasn't satisfying enough. It didn't make me think that it settles everything. It just ended the story for the sake of ending it. The words were happy but the tone wasn't, almost tragic. Did the author intended that way? Katniss sounded sad and exhausted in the epilogue.

Maybe I did expect too much from this book and my mood as I read it didn't help either. Oh well, good thing the series ends here 'cause I wouldn't bother to read another installment. 

PS I Love You: A Review

Third book that I've read from Ahern and I already feel like I know her style. Of course it's obvious that this is the young version of her that have mature in her two latest novels that I read--- Thanks for the Memories and Love Rosie. And know I should have read this first as it's already almost a decade old novel.

There were countless times that I've giggled and then sniffed. She knows how to touch a nerve. Although there were moments that I loved the book then hated it and back again. Maybe because there were times that the author herself was a bit unsure for her MC.

Whenever I read Holly's banter with her girlfriends, I kind of picture them as the girls in the Sex and the City (the movie, not yet read the book).

Then of course 'the list'. I have mixed feelings for each of the monthly 'request' from Gerry. But in general, it hadn't grip the necessary emotions for the story to be sympathetic enough. Yes, the story revolved around the list but I didn't feel much fond for it. At least not all of it.

And oh the ending quite surprised me, not really what I expected. I was sure myself that Holly would somehow end up with Daniel although when his ex returned and snatched him back, I was actually happy for Holly because Daniel's true color showed up in the last part. I thought he was this goody-goody guy who knows how to sympathized but when he 'forced' Holly to be with him and said that he's competing with 'the letter' (referring to Gerry) I thought 'oh he's an asshole. he and his beetch gf really should be together'.

Twas kind of a cliffhanger when Robbie suddenly appearing in the scene but nevertheless the ending underscored the story. With the possibility to love again, I'm very much happy for Holly.  

I put it in my favorite shelf since I'm sure that I will read this again.

Safe Haven: A Review

2nd book I've read from Sparks. I don't know how will I make a review without giving spoilers. 'Cause this book is full of surprises. It will literally make your mouth hang open in shock. So if you don't want any spoiler better stop reading now.

As I said, this is only the 2nd time I read his novels but I already found similarities between this one and Nights in Rodanthe --- letters, someone close to MC or LI  had died and/or is emotionally distress. I don't know if it also goes with the rest of his novels.

Another thing is almost all his characters are matured people which make them reliable enough to hold the story. Although sometimes they're too good to be true like for example Alex. There were times that I wondered if a father like him do exists.

Then Kevin, the villain. I couldn't remember hating a character so much, I wanted to skip the part of his story. And if the author didn't describe him as 'handsome'I actually pictured him as a waddling guy with a beer belly. ugh

I found the ending a bit of non-closure particularly the part after Katie (btw, felt like the name Katie suits her more than Erin) killed Kevin. Twas a self-defense but she should have at least been interrogate especially she killed a cop, if you know what I mean. Twas like she just killed an annoying fly and then 'haha, we can eat peacefully again'.

Nevertheless I enjoyed this novel (you see, I always try my best to read any book as a reader and then make a review as an *err* writer). This novel is a helluva of emotions. If you're up for one with romance and thriller then give this one a chance.