CRAZY RICH ASIANS by KEVIN KWAN

Rachel Chu caught herself overwhelmed upon discovering that her boyfriend Nick Young was crazy rich - as in rich beyond belief.  During their stay in Singapore for his best friend's wedding, she was exposed to the culture and lavish lifestyle practiced by his family. But more than the extravagance, what would turn Rachel’s emotions upside down was  the  interference by those who were against the relationship and the thought that maybe keeping their relationship would not work for long.

Crazy Rich Asians has become abuzz again lately since the shooting for its motion picture has begun. Everyone's going crazy over the actors who will be playing the roles, especially for many Filipino fans ever since Kris  Aquino  has become a part of the cast. Also, it's always an intrigue anticipating how a book's movie version is going to turn out regardless of whether comparing is a good idea  or not.

It only takes a spark,

to get the fire going.

And soon all those around,

can warm up in its glowing.

- Botticelli's Venus

This is just a quick review since it's been quite a while when I finished reading this book, and I thought I would give this book a spur-of-the-moment kind of reflection.

The reason I wanted to read this was mainly because some say it's a lot like Gossip Girl, and, well, I love Gossip Girl. I had been missing  GG, and I thought to myself this was the cure I needed. They were indeed similar with all the over-the-top showing off, the bratty gal pals and the nonstop bullying. There were even bullying scenarios that almost bordered to being high school-ish  which I am still not sure how I feel about.  

It was also in many ways personally relatable because I am Asian and familiar with some names, places and superstitions mentioned here. I like how it felt so real, especially their conservativeness  and the preservation of their traditions. I mean, it could not get any more Asian than that.

Perfection comes at a sacrifice. - Jacqueline Ling

Romance was there, of course, but not all over the place which was refreshing. The love story was cute and gave me butterflies sometimes. That said, it was still good to read a novel that, despite having sweet moments, does not impose so much of it to the reader like it was the only thing about the book.

This place is very real. You're the dream. - Nick Young

As for the conclusion, I was surprised to find out that it already ended when it did. I was so ready to read more because the situation was only starting to get better. I would say there was no real solution to the complication. In my opinion, the resolution could've been explored a bit more instead of just leaving it at its tip. The weight and intensity of the story could've also been played up a bit more.

While I enjoyed my time reading this one, I would still say that there was not anything unique here. Except for the twist in the Asian flavor, honestly, I have read the same plot in another book.  I guess all the hype did not help because even when I did not expect too much, I still expected something from it. 

That said, I would still read other Kevin Kwan works because I think they would make for a relaxing escape.

Photo source: https://www.goodreads.com/

FANGIRL by RAINBOW ROWELL

Cath had been a Simon Snow fan ever since she could remember, she and her sister actually, but she was not just any fan. Her fan-fiction had a huge following.

The shift to college overwhelmed Cath with a lot of new things including a new school and an advanced class. Then there were also her dad’s health issue and her sister who wanted to distance herself from Cath to selfishly enjoy college. She was stuck with her roommate and their resident pesky friend who would later turn out to be trying to be pesky on purpose. Cath would struggle to juggle real life matters, but worse, even her escape which was fan-faction would also prove to be a challenge.

“It means...I really like you.” “Like, really like you. And I want that kiss to be the start of something. Not the end.” – Levi

Fangirl is a major chic-lit. It is all that one would expect from college – the adjustment drama, the boys, the social anxiety. Beyond all these though, it could still be labeled a good read for a good rest.

As already mentioned, Fangirl was bits and pieces coming from different aspects. Despite this, one would not lose focus as to what the story was really about. It didn’t have a complicated plot which made it such a breeze to go through. There was not much frowning moment for me.

I would’ve appreciated it more if the Levi development had not been tackled a bit late in the story. I was thinking time spent with Cath dealing with Nick could’ve been used wisely for Levi instead. I didn’t appreciate Nick’s role in the story. I didn’t understand his character. I’d even go as far as saying maybe if Nick had been left out, it wouldn’t have any effect on the whole story.

"I mean, I spent four months trying to kiss you and the last six weeks trying to figure out how I managed to fuck everything up. All I want now is to make it right, to make you see how sorry I am and why you should give me another chance." – Levi

I loved how the romance between Levi and Cath was all bright lights and soaring hearts. I would say this book wasn’t all cheesy content, as I figured it was only a bit later in the story when cheesy Levi and Cath happened. I loved how refreshing it was to read romance on a wholesome, plain-hearts level. You know, just the basic handholding, hugging, kissing, and cuddling. Just cute. It was so nice to just feel the sweetness through straight-from-the-heart metaphors, genuine conversations and meaningful little actions.

“Don't make me angry-kiss you.” – Levi

Being a story extracted from this modern day was among the things that made this one for the entertainment. The new plot concept allowed me inside two new worlds, that of fandom world and fan-fiction writing. I enjoyed how it made me see the way fangirls actually feel and act. I mean, I already had an idea, but I didn’t know how extreme it could get for them. And as for the fan-fiction part, it was really interesting to learn how it works. I mean, wow, really admirable and hardcore stuff going on right there. I dig all those geeky things. Also, it was like Rowell was working on three stories in this book alone. Wild!

Since I’ve already brought up the fiction and fan-fic topics, I enjoyed the passages taken out of the two alternatingly. The bits would sometimes be cliffhangers or something that would put questions to bed altogether. Simon Snow and Baz Pitch were both such interesting characters. Although, I have to admit that I was always more excited to read the fan-fic spinoff since it was more intriguing with the Simon-Baz affair.

“The ultimate act of heroism shouldn’t be death. You’re always saying you want to give Baz the stories he deserves... So you’re going to kill him off? Isn’t the best revenge supposed to be a life well-lived? The punk-rock way to end it would be to let them live happily ever after.” – Wren

The ending was a bit hanging for me in aspects relating to both the main story and the Simon Snow fiction. I felt like there wasn’t any sort of resolution or closure as per Cath’s mother. The maternal issue was brought up but to no avail. As for the Simon Snow series, I was hoping there was a bit more to it not just in the end but in general, so I could have had more background and have better differentiated. But with the fan-fiction, I was contented with that clip where the story closed. It was short but gave me all that I needed to read.

Aside from being hanging, I felt that the ending had also been quite uneventful than expected. The final book launch was a goody. That winning piece from Cath was really nice too, but I just really wanted more from Levi and Cath.

“But there’s nothing more profound than creating something out of nothing.” – Professor Piper

What really confused me most of the time was the third person point of view. I had no idea why the author decided to narrate through this person. From time to time, I would be lost mid-sentence as to who was being talked about. It also somehow made the characters feel detached and far from the reader.

All in all, I would say I still had a nice time indulging myself with sweet romance and college life drama in this book. It was something I decided to read to get out of my reading slump, something not too intense but still not boring.

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below!

Photo source: http://www.rainbowrowell.com/fangirl/

FORBIDDEN by TABITHA SUZUMA

Ever since their childhood, Lochan and Maya had always been the closest among the five siblings, for they had gone through all the ups and downs of their lives together. The moment their dad left and their mom slowly lost interest in them, Maya and Lochan took it upon themselves to raise and look after their younger siblings which led the two to become even closer. This closeness would turn into something more intimate revealing a deeper feeling, that which was beyond fraternal love, that they had for each other all along.

Seeing you, being with you every day but not being able to do anything – it’s like cancer, it’s like this cancer growing inside my body, inside my mind! – Lochan Whitely

Upon reading Forbidden, not to brag or reduce my impression of this book, first thing I realized was how this book was mainly intended for a much younger audience. One could easily tell this by way of the themes, the characters and the writing. This caught me a little off in the beginning, but it’s worth pointing out that this was also why it became such a breeze for me to read. I may have thought this was a little too young a writing for me, but it eventually got me wanting to sink deep in Lochan and Maya’s lives.

It’s always nice being fancied. It’s always nice being wanted. Even if it’s by the wrong person. – Maya Whitely

Finding out what the story was really about made me feel uncomfortable and unsure because incestuous relationships don’t particularly make for an appealing topic. It was sometimes harsh, sensitive and complicated reading this story. I would even catch myself frowning. It didn’t quite feel all right. Of course, it didn’t. As the story progressed though, I became a more open-minded and accepting reader until the awkwardness paled and paled while other emotions broaden and prevailed. 

More than love or equally, Forbidden is also about family. This aspect made the story a whole lot more interesting, relatable and complicated. It got me boring a deep sympathy for Lochan and Maya. Anything and everything in it that has an effect to the familial aspect surely had a great impact and was really heavy.

It’s horrible, being ashamed of someone you care about; it eats away at you. – Lochan Whitely

The buildup until the climax was really nice. It had gotten to the point of all good things, and bam – a major heartbreak. It had been progressive. And when it finally peaked, the emotions stayed for a while longer. It had been a long-enduring pain, as the details and events unfolded. And as with the mentioned heart-wrenching scenes, they absolutely were! Some pages of agony never failed to give me that pinch while bigger scenes effectively showed the incomprehensibility of the situation.  

I couldn't come up with my own theory as to how the story was going to end for both characters. It was too complicated a situation. But when it ended the way it did, I was taken aback. I wasn’t expecting it to take that path for a conclusion. But the more I think about it, what other possible ending could there have been?

There are no laws, no boundaries on feelings. We can love each other as much and as deeply as we want. No one, Maya, no one can ever take that away from us. – Lochan Whitely

Forbidden is a balance between an easy read and a serious page-turner. It leaves something to the readers – an invitation to put themselves in the shoes of the characters and be lost and confused there.   

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below!

Photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabitha_Suzuma

MONDOMANILA by NORMAN WILWAYCO

Tony de Guzman was raised in the shanties. He and his family barely had a home and food to eat. Lucky for him and a real smartass that he was, he got out of the squatters when he graduated in college and scored a corporate job after. When he was no longer in his company though, he avenged himself from all the oppression he had gone through. All of this he narrated in flashbacks of specific situations that shaped his personality.

Anuman ang sabihin nila, wala akong pakialam. Alam ng Diyos o ng kung sino mang nakatataas sa atin na masyado nang mahaba ang nilakbay ko. Putang ina, kailangan kong magpahinga. Kailangan kong tumigil, humimpil. – Tony de Guzman

Also known as Kung Paano Ko Inayos Ang Buhok Ko Matapos Ang Mahaba-haba Ring Paglalakbay, Mondomanila is as real as real could get. It’s the mean thing, the crazy, the bad, the sad. In short, WASAK.

Mondomanila has received numerous recognitions of which I’d say the most important being the Carlos Palanca Award. As if to prove just how good this book is, it got the Palanca Award twice but for different categories. Those awards speak volumes about the kind of book that this is.

Mahirap talagang magpahupa ng galit. Lalo na iyong ganitong klaseng galit na bunga ng pagkaagrabyado at walang katiyakan kung paano makakaganti. – Tony de Guzman

It was exploratory of life in the slums, specifically growing up in slums. It was about poverty, drug use, violence, and leaving the slums but not really.

It hurt to read such a sad novel. It was so ugly, so broken, so obscene. As a local writing, it has been relatable in all its ways. What’s more is I felt really connected with the story in a way that somewhere in many of Wilwayco’s words, I was part of it. It was as if Wilwayco put me in the story like I either caused the problem or I may have contributed to the scenario because I embody the locals; I am a face of the locals; I am them. That was how personal it has gotten for me.

Content-wise, this one was obviously compelling, what with all its subjects being serious societal concerns. It was not just gripping that way, though. It was also compelling narration-wise. It was always moving back and forth but making sure that, while this was how the story paced, there was always this continuous and growing progress until it peaked.

Part of what also made this compelling was the crazy depiction of characters, setting and situation. Wilwayco’s attention to detail was uncanny. A lot happened, and there was so much experience in the book. The writing was casual, unpretending and natural. He did not limit himself. He used lewd words to show lewdness which, I admit, got me hooked in an instant. He did not try to blanket what was ugly into nicely covered phrases. Some of the content may come off as something difficult to process, but none of it was exaggerated. The reader would know.

Malakas pa rin pala ang tawag ng mundo. Ngayon alam ko na na hindi lang ako ang nagdedesisyon para sa buhay ko. Nariyan pa rin ang lipunan, ang ibang tao, ang mga pangyayari, ang mga babae. Kahit na isara ko ang sarili ko sa lahat ng bagay, hindi pa rin pwede. – Tony de Guzman

There was so much I got to take home in my heart from this book. My most important inference was the way it showed me just how much effect where one comes from, how one has been raised, how much of both one carries with him/her until he/she has grown old. That and the other important fact that there’s no escaping this impact which can either be a scary or good thing depending on how one’s life has been. This is the truth about human behavior. It was good reading about it for once, from an unbiased and uninhibited point.

It was an extraordinary experience immersing myself into the story and finding a solid understanding and tighter grip of my surrounding as I get out of it. It was like diving deep in my own soil, in that place people don’t enjoy talking about. Many things about the story hit home, only naturally because this is about my home.

This novel has already been adapted for film which I have yet to watch. Moreover, three other books, Rekta, Gerilya and Responde, have already been published. I’m really looking forward to reading these novels, as I can already tell by their title that a lot is going to happen again. Tony de Guzman is a very interesting character with a very interesting life. If anyone here has an idea how I can get a copy of the said writings, please let me know. :)

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below! 

Huge thanks to my eldest bro for telling me about this book. He told me if I really want to read something that means something, I should read this. Of course he was right!

*Huge thanks to Blink for the e-book copy!

Photo source: http://absurdrepublic.blogspot.com/

THE BEST OF THIS IS A CRAZY PLANETS BOOK 2 by LOURD ERNEST H. DE VEYRA

The Best of This Is A Crazy Planets Book 2 is the second collection of Lourd de Veyra’s most popular published essays on his blog of the same title at SPOT.ph.

This is to say it’s alright that I skipped to Book 2 because it’s not really a continuation of Book 1 but just another separate compilation.

Someone once said that the root of all comedy is pain, and that the line separating humor and hurt is dangerously thin. – Lourd de Veyra (The Thin Man: There Has Never Been Another Palito)

The Best of This Is A Crazy Planets Book 2 is intended for the Filipinos, as the essays are reflective of Filipino culture and attitude (from the mundane like TV viewership, censorship and daily life choices to critical like political views). Only that the articles expose the absurdities and ironies of the populace’s actions, words and beliefs; hence, the book title. Or, this book maybe intended for other readers too, so they can better understand the Filipinos as a people.

Ganun talaga ang kabalintunaan ng buhay. Ang mga namamatay nang maaga ay nabubuhay nang walang hanggan. – Lourd de Veyra (In Defense of Lito Lapid)

The writing was brilliant, so effective. Lourd de Veyra did here what he does best. He has always been known for his use of the comedic approach in relaying rather important, eye-opening messages across so casually. His words in his articles hit home. He had also put a word, a definition to the things others couldn’t seem to put a finger on, or afraid to do so. That said, even more amazing was when the comedic approach was let go to turn straightforwardly all serious and crucial with his observations, situations and questions.

I noticed the questions. There were lots of them actually. Some were literal questions, but some were rhetorical. Some sounded simple and easy to answer, but some were just impossible to.

I like how there are articles aptly written in English, in Filipino, sometimes in a mix of both, often with the appearance of the most slang form of the vernacular. The language variety adds an extra appeal to the book, as this clearly sets one article apart from the other. This makes them so conversational and easy to understand. As per the tone of the articles, like the language choices, it takes on different kinds as well depending on the subject, but it is playful more often than not and unapologetic almost all the time.

The thought of an indifferent universe is the most frightening of all. What, then, would be the use of all that sacrifice, the repression of the most basic appetites, the denial of profound pleasures? – Lourd de Veyra (Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?)

Personally, many of the essays hit home in both a positive and a negative way. It would be positive when I would come up with an understanding of or be in agreement with a particular sentiment. It would then be negative when I would realize how those realizations were most of the time about either bad practices, wrongdoings or ugly truths. Among my favorite essays were Dolphy: May Liwanag ang Buhay, The Thin Man: There Has Never Been Another Palito and A Night at the Comedy Bar.

I was always looking forward to the closing sentences of each article. They were always snappy and witty. Sometimes the point of the entire article is only set in the end with either a rant, a blow, a ridicule, or just a statement of the fact. Even better is when the last sentences change the way one understands what has been read. Even better is when they are short, pointed and hurtful.

Some things stuck with me like how people, including me, can just turn indifferent all of a sudden, how their short attention span can be dangerous, how they like putting the blame to others, how sometimes they are just too sensitive for their own good, how while they keep on blaming the system they forget they are the ones who make it up.

I closed this book with renewed awareness of myself and my environment. :)

I should probably visit his blog for more. :)

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below!

Photo source: https://www.summitmedia.com.ph/

ALL AMERICAN BOYS by JASON REYNOLDS and BRENDAN KIELY

#rashadisabsentagaintoday

It was just another day for Rashad. He just finished ROTC, and it was a Friday, so he was bound to party. He first stopped at the convenience store to get himself some chips until he fell over and was accused of shoplifting. The misconstrued situation would get out of hand that would bring Officer Paul Galluzzo to the scene and get Rashad sent to the hospital. From then on, the issue would drag on as something beyond just a mere case of petty theft, teenage rebellion or police brutality, surely way beyond.

Our silence is another kind of violence.

First things first, I’m happy to have read such an important writing. All American Boys is in every bit a writing made for every person in this world. It bears social relevance, as it is evidently all about racial discrimination in America. Although it is not in the local setting, I’d say it is still something that may be enjoyed and brooded over by anyone from anywhere.

This was no love story or family drama. The writing was simple and direct.  And without so much of the crazy turning and twisting of events, I was able to focus more on the content and message of the story. And even without the said twists, the book still remained to be a serious and heavy drama because of the intensity of its subject. It was impossible not to get caught up and drawn in the book.

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. – Desmond Tutu

It provided awareness. It made me see things in an angle that was really descriptive. And more than providing awareness, it was also such a thought-provoking piece. It encouraged weighing in on the matter at hand.

It was one compelling read. With powerful statements, it was able to send really strong messages across. It made me realize how bad the situation is and how it is not yet a thing of the past. I’ve chanced upon some articles and shows about this issue before, and I thought I already know how bad things are. But after this, I saw just how worse everything is. It still shocked me to read about this specific situation which, though fictional, is still based in real life events.

This is yet another novel taken from the point of view of teenagers, two high school students, one being the victim himself and the other being a witness, a schoolmate who also happened to be really close with the accused officer. Like I said before, I’ve always appreciated the power of using a teenager’s perspective to make an impact because it’s always so effective. When a young character comes to a realization, it says a lot about how gravely real, serious and clear something becomes.     

If I didn’t want the violence to remain, I had to do a hell of a lot more than just say the right things and not say the wrong things. – Quinn

Mostly what I liked about this novel was how it ended at such a hopeful and positive note. It was a little bit hanging, but it ended really well. It didn’t have any concrete end or solution to it, but what’s anyone to expect? Because how can anyone do that, right? And when you really reflect on it, it was actually more melodramatic that way.

Based on what I was presented with in this book, I knew which side I was on. That said, it also kind of got me feeling confused in a way because there was also another thing about a person’s call for judgment and perception. On this matter in the book, I was also shown that anything could’ve happened. Points of view would mean all the difference. Things could mean anything. It could be anyone’s fault. There would always be more to the story.  

All American Boys may be treated as a protest, a plea, a reality check, or a call for action. There are different ways of looking at this novel, but whichever angle a person chooses to see, one thing’s for sure, it should not only be deserted after it has been read.

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below!

Photo source: http://www.simonandschuster.ca/

MY HEART AND OTHER BLACK HOLES by JASMINE WARGA

Aysel and Roman became suicide partners. One was skeptical she could follow through with her plan and the other one needed someone whom his mother could entrust her son with, so they were the perfect pair to assist each other in carrying out the act. On the days leading to April, they would see each other, plan the when, where and how of their act, and learn about each other’s lives. Aysel would then ask Roman to accompany her while she sought closure. In the process, Aysel would become more and more unsure of herself which would cause Roman to doubt her.

It’s like your sadness is so deep and overwhelming that you’re worried it will drown everyone else in your life if you let them too close to it. – Roman

My Heart and Other Black Holes is both a heartbreaking and a hopeful book about two troubled teenagers who couldn’t take living in the shadows of their family’s history anymore.

What first got me hooked was its unique plotline. Don’t get me wrong; I have already said a few times that suicide stories have become a trend lately. As for me, all the books I have opened just this year related to the same subject, but this one was quite different. I had no idea about suicide websites and suicide partners. They never even crossed my mind, so I was really intrigued when that new concept welcomed me the moment I opened this novel.

The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven. – John Milton

I have to admit that I could not find the story’s appeal at first, though; it started out a little dreary. I was waiting for the story to get to the point. It was only when I was on the first quarter of the book when I got its grip. Though this was the case, it didn’t mean I dragged on reading. It was actually quick to finish that it only took two sittings for me to get it over with.

What was nice about this one was that even when it didn’t have the grandest gestures of love, the supposed relationship still had the romance that triggered something more than just cuteness, something more along the feeling of hopefulness. The relationship didn’t even become real concrete up until the end, but I still felt that same level of sweetness just like I did in other books wherein characters were more intimate when it came to their interaction and connection. I felt the same even during the seemingly sad instances. It was magical like that.

I know you didn’t. And I didn’t want you to. I care about you too much to watch you die. I want you to live, Aysel. So I did it alone because I wanted to save you. – Roman

If anything, I felt that the climax had less impact than it should’ve had. This, based on observation, was because the buildup wasn’t enough to prepare the reader’s emotions for when the story peaked. It didn’t establish much worry, fear and panic. Maybe worry, fear and panic got a bit late in the picture or happened too quickly.

Did I like My Heart and Other Black Holes? I did. It was an easy read despite its being a bit heavy content-wise. The characters and the situation were easy to understand as well. Still, I think it would have been better if the author developed and elaborated the pain of the characters more and began with the buildup earlier on to add weight.

Sometimes it takes watching someone else observe how you live to realize exactly how you live. – Aysel

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below! 

Photo source: http://www.goodreads.com/

ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES by JENNIFER NIVEN

It was on the school’s bell tower ledge where Finch and Violet met and somehow saved each other’s lives. As they took on a project together, not only did both wander around Indiana discovering landmarks, they also got to know and discovered truths about each other. From then on, they eventually fell in love forgetting about their brokenness when together. But as everything has a built-in life expectancy, it could only last depending on how much time could spare them.

May your eye go to the Sun, To the wind your soul… You are all the colors in one, at full brightness. –Violet Markey

All The Bright Places was a beautifully written sad love story that made me fall so madly in love and crushed my heart in pieces all at once. It had the elements that would make me stifle a smile one moment and almost shed a tear for another. Attachment to the story happened because it couldn’t be helped. Besides, good books were written to yield that effect.

You have been in every way all that anyone could be… If anybody could have saved me it would have been you. –Virginia Woolf

Finch and Violet, though dysfunctional, were such likable teenage characters. They weren’t in the best place the whole time, both of them, but they managed to make their scene sweet on their own. It would be worth pointing out that Finch is his own kind of romantic as well. I know you’ll understand what I mean when you read this.

Though the narration was candid, casual and light, it always, always had that looming sadness and brokenness. I treaded carefully along the pages bearing those warnings in mind. There were so much emotions going on in the unsaid and unknown. I was always bracing myself for what could happen since I couldn’t tell how it would go between the two central characters up until the ending. It was riveting from start to finish.

We do not remember days, we remember moments. – Cesare Pavese

And since we’re already talking about the ending, I just would like to say how heart-wrenching it was. Decisions were made, and characters had to take and deal with them. It was perfectly timed. Seriously, it hurt and gutted me inside somehow leaving me feeling uneasy and heavy afterwards. I’ve always been uncomfortable reading sad stories, but even then, I was glad I took my time leafing through this novel.

All The Bright Places was left open-ended for the readers to come up with their own version of what should fill in the blanks. There were still questions left unanswered and dots left unconnected. These things and the fact that the story ended the way it did were rather lonely and jarring for me.

I may not be the biggest fan of sad novels, but I will still encourage people to take time to open this one and be enamored by an infectiously heart-melting and heartbreaking love story.

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below!

Photo source: http://nexusmag.co.nz/

I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by JANDY NELSON

Twins Jude and Noah lost bearings on their fraternal connection the moment they thought they destroyed each other’s lives. Young and reckless, they did stupid things that distanced themselves from each other with their secrets kept away to just themselves as well. While art would find a way to set them apart and reunite them, so will the revelations of their secrets when they come undone with the help of the new people in their lives.  

When twins are separated, their spirits steal away to find the other.

A story about family, love and the coming of age, I’ll Give You The Sun is an all-in-one heartwarming read that would very well be interesting and insightful for all ages, from teens to young adults to adults. It is in more aspects than one a moving story.

There was that sensitive issue of homosexuality too. It was rather extra sensitive and more complicated since it was taken from a teenager’s point of view. It was a beautiful part and definitely one of the highlights of the novel with a very eye-opening and dramatic storytelling.

Or maybe a person is just made up of a lot of people. – Jude

I’ll Give You The Sun was so descriptive. It was fascinatingly made up of concrete and abstract at the same time. There were mentions of natural elements, biblical notions, superstitious beliefs, earth colors, and art forms. There was so much of these things that they sometimes felt weird, but they served their purpose well. There were parts left to the imagination while there were also things discussed in utter detail when it comes to representation. They were all a part of the story and were truly connecting with the characters’ back stories.

I would say I enjoyed how this novel was more dramatic than romantic. This one, though it didn’t make me cry, was undeniably good. The emotions felt real, too real actually. A lot of things also happened here that kept the story moving. Though it was sometimes back and forth, but still, it was always moving.

Mothers are the parachutes.

Furthermore, despite having a very specific story, it felt as though it was very easy for any reader to identify with the characters or think of something that may somehow be similar to the plot situation.

For me, what was so amazing about this book was how the narration managed to still be gravely serious and profound while also using the voices of teenagers. This was I guess where the power and depth of the story came from. And now that I think about it, this isn’t the first book I read that used this storytelling approach.  

After reading I’ll Give You The Sun, I realized this is either a reflection or an invitation for reflection for anyone reading to evaluate or re-evaluate how he/she is doing in life, with the family, with the self. There are a lot of lessons to be extracted from Noah, Jude, Brian, Guillermo, and Dianna. Additionally, the point is, this book is an explanation as to why people do what they do, and in every way, how people are given another chance.

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below!

Photo source: http://jandynelson.com/

NOVEMBER 9 by COLLEEN HOOVER

Fallon and Ben found a way to turn their November 9, that date every year they used to despise, into something they would both look forward to. They both agreed to only meet once each year to spend the whole day all to each other. As an aspiring writer, Ben used their unusual arrangement as an inspiration for his debut novel. But as their meetings progressed, Fallon became unsure about how much he knew about Ben and how much Ben actually knew about her.

You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else. – Fallon’s mother

There were two things that stood out for me in November 9. First, the unique plotline that gave birth to the book title. It was really interesting and hooking that I even caught myself looking excited for that date to appear again in the book because it entailed new possibilities and unexpected things for Fallon and Ben. Second, I liked its concept of this exact novel being also the novel in it, some sort of book inception, cool stuff. It got me feeling extra immersed in the story.

Because when you love someone, you owe it to them to help them be the best version of themselves that they can be. And as much as it crushes me to admit this, the best version of you doesn’t include me. – Ben Kessler

As usual, the heart-melting romance that made me like Colleen Hoover’s other works in the first place was ever self-evident. The modern knight in shining armor approach was a good starter for one while the little sweet gestures and the huge actions of love combined would make every reader want to have the same guy. That and the fact that Ben’s character also had a way with words – a romantic and a writer, kill me now.

I liked how likable and relatable Fallon and Ben were. It was easy to say they were all nice and good-natured people despite all that they had done and been through. It was also a plus for me that with all the misfortunes they faced, it didn’t feel as though everything that happened was too much for their age and situation. The story neither overworked nor barely worked the central characters. And it could all be actually associated into reality.

My flaws are draped in her mercy

Revered by her false perception

And with her lips upon my skin

She will undress my deception. – Ben Kessler

And in fairness with the plot twist towards the end, I didn’t see it coming. It was a good twist coming from a romance novel. It had a good foundation related through the characters’ background stories. It was the extra zing this book needed that made it more than just a love story.

When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it. – Ben Kessler

While this novel is basically about love, it also discussed family issues and self-esteem issues as well. Suffice it to say I had tons of fun following Fallon and Ben’s story. From their unusual relationship arrangement, over-the-top displays of affection, unanticipated twists and beautiful reunion in the end, they were exactly what I wanted in a romance.

As much as I’d hate to admit this, cheesy novels are my thing. They are such light, fun-filled, sweet, and hopeful reads, and there are days when those are all I want in my life. Colleen Hoover has won me over several times through the aforementioned elements. And for the same reasons, I am excited to read more from her.

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below!

Photo source: http://colleenhoover.com/

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by PAULA HAWKINS

Every day and night, Rachel Watson took the same train ride. She had been doing it for a long time that she already developed a fixation for some things she would come across while in transit, particularly Meghan and Scott, her favorite trainside resident couple who she thought was perfect. After finding out about the infidelity going on between the two, she got so affected that she just had to involve herself. Still in the midst of her depression and alcoholism, she would accidentally mix her personal post-divorce issues with her new obsession only to later find out that things were actually not an accident and that everything was really engrossed with each other.

Life is not a paragraph, and death is no parenthesis. – Rachel Watson

The Girl on the Train is a unique and twisted story about members of three families related, separated and interconnected by human nature’s misfortunes. It’s crazy to think about how many novels right now are written about marital and familial breakdowns and tragedies. This is yet another dark venture into how much such things can affect someone.

Though the twist in the end was not the ultimate shocker for me, it’s not to say it hadn’t had an impact. I mean, I kind of already figured out who did what, as it became easy for me to connect the dots, but I was still surprised when everything unfolded because I was like hoping I was wrong.  It’s always the good ones, right? Hehe.  

There was a good play on perspectives and time frames also. They gave me the intended confusion to lead me to different possibilities, just enough kind of crazy, without totally boring or misleading me. They were careful and well-thought of, in fairness.

He never understood that it’s possible to miss what you’ve never had, to mourn for it. – Rachel Watson

Being a psychological thriller, the book was all sorts of haunting even when there wasn’t much brutality displayed. The novel invested on building and implanting horrendous ideas inside the readers’ head through patches of provokingly horrible thoughts in between chapters. There would always be something creepy about not knowing or barely knowing, and the story was written around such principle.

It became unputdownable for me because of the interesting plot and the flow of the story. It was so unlikely for something like such a thing to ever occur. It was this unlikelihood that made me want to go on immediately. I was on it after meals, before bed or just about anytime I had nothing to do.

Being the other woman is a huge turn on, there’s no point denying it: you’re the one he can’t help but betray his wife for, even though he loves her. That’s just how irresistible you are. – Anna Watson

I’d say it was also this unlikelihood that made the book less relatable. And because it was like a one in a million scenario for me, it became hard to put myself in the same situation, as I wasn’t sure if I would be doing the same things the main character did. I was a detached reader in this novel, distant and separated. That was a bit off-putting for me because as a reader, it’s important for me that I connect with what I’m reading, not necessarily seeing myself in the characters but at least holding onto the story.  

I enjoyed The Girl on the Train. It was not something I thought about long after I finished it, but I was consumed while I was at it. There was always something to look forward to. It was dark and twisted, and that’s something I always find amusing, a sure win on my reading list.

Are you done reading this book? What are your thoughts? I’d like to know them! Feel free to share them below!

Photo source: http://paulahawkinsbooks.com/