On The Shelf: Looking For Alaska

Disclaimer: The content ahead may or may not contain spoilers for the said book. Any opinions or thoughts are personal, neither the author nor the seller has any influence in this review.

Miles Halter's whole life has been one big non-event, until he meets Alaska Young.

Gorgeous, clever and undoubtedly screwed up, Alaska draws Miles into her reckless world and irrevocable steals his heart. For Miles, nothing can ever be the same again.

I love the transformation of Miles Halter in this story, from the invisible kid to one who wants to be something in someone else's world. I guess you can't really say for sure how your future life will really be like. Anyone can be meeting their room mates naked for the first time like how Miles did in meeting Chip Martin. Maybe not naked, but you get my point.

To be honest with you, throughout the story, I was totally rooting for a possibility between the beautiful wreck Alaska Young and Miles. Even if she was so madly in love with her boyfriend. I remember telling myself "Ok, that percentage is totally over" when he asked Lara Buterskaya to be his girlfriend. You could imagine that crazy happiness pumping inside me when she said "To be continue" before the plot drift to a whole new gear. Now I will never know if they would ever be together if given the chance. Maybe what Takumi Hikohito said was true, it was hard not to love her.

Another part of the book I love is how religious are being introduced. Don't get me wrong, I don't see myself as someone religious nor spiritual. The fact that some pointers tinkered me to ponder on life do meant something, that feeling is rather refreshing too.

How will you get out of the labyrinth of life?

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On The Shelf: The Lake

Disclaimer: The content ahead may or may not contain spoilers for the said book. Any opinions or thoughts are personal, neither the author nor the seller has any influence in this review.

While The Lake shows off many of the features that have made Banana Yoshimoto famous—a cast of vivid and quirky characters, simple yet nuanced prose, a tight plot with an upbeat pace—it’s also one of the most darkly mysterious books she’s ever written.

It tells the tale of a young woman who moves to Tokyo after the death of her mother, hoping to get over her grief and start a career as a graphic artist. She finds herself spending too much time staring out her window, though... until she realizes she’s gotten used to seeing a young man across the street staring out his window, too.

They eventually embark on a hesitant romance, until she learns that he has been the victim of some form of childhood trauma. Visiting two of his friends who live a monastic life beside a beautiful lake, she begins to piece together a series of clues that lead her to suspect his experience may have had something to do with a bizarre religious cult....

With its echoes of the infamous, real-life Aum Shinrikyo cult (the group that released poison gas in the Tokyo subway system), The Lake unfolds as the most powerful novel Banana Yoshimoto has written. And as the two young lovers overcome their troubled past to discover hope in the beautiful solitude of the lake in the country- side, it’s also one of her most moving.

- Synopsis taken from Goodreads

As much as it was tough to be in the shoes of Chihiro, being rejected in silence by paternal relatives, it was relieving to know her family had acquired the skill to be self sufficient emotionally despite not being recognised in the eyes of the law. For her to finally get out of hometown and subconsciously learning what independence without her mother really is like, knowing Nakajima at this phase of life seems to be so right. Learning about the awful past of Nakajima and understanding more of his present self kind of make Chihiro appreciate the goodness in hers even more.

I strongly believe hiding something such big awful past was not easy for Nakajima. At least it won't be easy for me, in fact I'll live in dilemma everyday. If it is something I am avoiding mentally, why should I share it with the rest of the world? Besides, telling might scare that someone who anchors my life away. It might be selfish of Nakajima, but I believe he would do the same thing if he had to do it all over again.

The characters of Mino and Chii did concern me a little. I was a little skeptical on whether Chii can really speak to Mino like that, using him as a form of vessel to communicate.

Banana Yoshimoto's writing style for this book is one I have never encountered before, it sure was refreshing for me. I was glad I didn't give up reading the book in the first few pages because the introduction and initial build up were a little draggy for my case. Finishing the book made me hope Paris did both of them good and they ended up being that weird-but-perfect family.

Oh, also, I'll admit about wishing to try a cup or two of the tea made by Mino.

This is a book review written for Book Club discussion by Dreams, etc. See how others think of this book!

Would you have hidden an awful past if in the shoes of Nakajima?

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On The Shelf: Landline

Disclaimer: The content ahead may or may not contain spoilers for the said book. Any opinions or thoughts are personal, neither the author nor the seller has any influence in this review.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it's been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply - but that almost seems beside the point now.

Maybe that was always beside the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her - Neal is always a little upset with Georgie - but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts....

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

You guys, I fell in love with this book. I fell in love with how the spark between Georgie and Neal went off, all the teasing and heartache, all the assurance and promises. Their simple yet passionate love made me think about certain parts of reality.

Part of us would say whatever, anything, to make the other half still want us. We might even got to a point where we take whatever we have for granted, assuming it will always be there waiting, never a second thinking it will be gone.

To know that your action, no matter from the future to the past or vice versa, will create a certain consequence is scary. For this point, I am so thankful for the author not to elaborate too much on this time travel and complicate the whole feel in the book. As I read on, I went on the emotion ride with Georgie and even rooted in the end when she knew what she wanted.

Seriously though, if your phone needs a battery change, just go get one. Like, now.

Books like this never fail to make me wanna give J a tight squeeze after the reading session. I got hooked on in the last few chapters and that hanging feeling didn't really help when I'm trying to sleep. Well, I can do this to him later on then. ;)

What would you do if you have a magic phone that allows you to time travel?

This is a book review written for Book Club discussion by Dreams, etc. See how others think of this book!

Would you recommend this book to anyone? What other books of the author have you read?

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On The Shelf: Imaginary Girls

Disclaimer: The content ahead may or may not contain spoilers for the said book. Any opinions or thoughts are personal, neither the author nor the seller has any influence in this review.

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. After a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away - away from home, away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns home at last, she finds a precarious and deadly balance waiting for her. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

In to the first chapter, I had thought Chloe was that baby sister living in her well-loved sister's shadows. Well, in a way, she was. People see Ruby in Chloe, except she don't shine as bright, but Ruby loves her baby sister more than anything. They are important to each other, they live for each other.

I pitied Chloe when she was sent away from her sister, forced to live a life without someone precious. I hated how it took so long for Ruby to get in touch with her. I rooted for their reunion. I got as puzzled as Chloe when she finally return to her more than before protective sister, but understand the same way she consoled herself to. What I couldn't be on the same page was how Chloe accepts every reasoning given by Ruby on things she saw with her eyes, things that were not meant to exist prior her departure two years ago.

As I read on, I realised I was trying to find logic between each events and reasons. It was only until the accidental and very last party Chloe threw then I realised what book I am reading. I really hate how the book ended, leaving me in suspense and burning questions. How did Ruby managed to warp Chloe away from the outside world, leaving it impossible for her birth father to contact her? Why did Owen forgot the existence of whom Chloe was fighting with the moment they went out of the bubble? Is Ruby who I think she was?

This book is not a bad read, but definitely one I immediately chuck to my shelf and hoping to never pick it up again. I do not want that rage in me to resurface.

This is a book review written for Dreams, etc Book Club discussion. See how others think of this book!

Would you recommend this book to anyone? What other books of the author have you read?

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April Directive

Time to set some goals for another month of The 2014 Directive!


APRIL OBJECTIVE: JOURNAL

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Just when I was fretting over what I should be aiming for in the month of April, Jessica became my life saver of the month with her 50 Ideals for Goal Setting post which gave me that eureka moment. Sort of.

To be honest, I have no idea how to.... journal(ing). I mean, I have seen bloggers talking about journaling and stuffs. Is it like diary? Is it like a list in a book form? I won't deny my best pal Google tried to help by sharing how to make a journal and I am still as confused as I was ten minutes ago.

In any case, I am still going to journal a shot! I got this lovely book from Josra, my Etsy Swap Spring Fever partner. Looking forward to see how far this will bring me!


PROGRESS REPORT: MARCH OBJECTIVE

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I gave me such fearful images (I have really good imagination when it comes to reading) of Singapore's security being tested and breached, chaos and panic across the island, the angel and demon inside each and everyone of us. The only interesting part was how the author briefly lead his readers through psychology knowledge. His writing method no longer surprises me, but I definitely has the most abrupt ending compared to the other novels of his.

I am only in the first few chapters of A Singapore Love Story, so it will be commented further when I'm done with it.

Like many of his other novels, Low Kay Hwa left me feeling spaced out after reading A Singapore Love Story. I felt deceived by the cover page and the prelude. There was motivation to strive for what one wants the most, the harsh fact on how previous generation (or maybe a handful in the current) yearns for a match-to-match marriage. Just when I thought it would be a happily ever after, the author brought in his usual twist. The last chapter once again convey how sacrificing for the person you love is necessary at times. I just wanna hug J so badly when I was done with the book.

Yes, yes. Instead of one book per week, I only finish up a thin novel. Though I might qualify for the worst reader ever, I really like how it feels to be lost in thousands of words again. This habit is definitely a keeper.


PAST DIRECTIVE:
[X] January: TIDY AND NEAT
[X] February: WORK OUT


What is the main goal you are targetting next month? I would love to hear about it!

Take a look at what others aim to achieve this month!

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On The Shelf: The Fault In Our Stars

Disclaimer: The content below might contain spoilers.

As mentioned in my resolution, I've been trying to get a good reading habit by starting a quarterly read. I didn't really start until almost end of the first quarter, no thanks to procrastinating-self really.

The curiosity in me got tickled by the quote posts flooding around Tumblr, got more interested after seeing Intan's review and Rasyidah's touching tweets about the book. Yes, we're talking about The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.

To be honest, I kinda judged the book by its back cover initially.

 

(Image Credits: ~HarpyMarx)

I didn't expect to see such a strong, or rather, frank girl with such illness. The first twelve chapters brought out the girly hopeless romance of me - lots of awww and giggles - such as "Maybe okay will be our always." [Chapter Five, Page 73] The frankness of Hazel Grace, the sweet gentlemen of Augustus Waters. Not forgetting the jokes revolving around Isaac, especially the part on the "breast exam" when ex-girlfriend Monica and him are making out. [Chapter One, Page 19]

 

(Image Credit: imyouthimjoy)

The story outcome took me by surprised. It wasn't who I thought it would be that was taken away first. Knowing that many had cried, I thought I will breakdown just as bad. Surprisingly, I only had tears welling up in the frames with an ache in me as my canvas put me in the shoes of Hazel Grace.

Okay, okay. I did cry after relating the story to The Boy over the phone.

 

(Image Credit: lolaloslas)

The talks about having a film made on this book left me skeptical. What if the cast for hot guy isn't as hot as I felt from the book? What if the characters suck so badly at conveying the feelings of the characters? What if.... what if it suck?

Overall, I've enjoyed reading the book unexpectedly. I wonder if the rest of John Green's books will be as good (or even better). What do you think?