This is a novel set in post-war Germany. The main character is a fifteen year old boy who fell in love to a thirty six year old wo...moreSpoilers everywhere!
This is a novel set in post-war Germany. The main character is a fifteen year old boy who fell in love to a thirty six year old woman. The first part of the book is mostly about their sexual relationship. It is pages and pages of sex after sex after sex. What makes it different from the books I've read before is that this is about a forbidden sexual romance of a young boy and a mature woman whereas in most books it is old man and young girl. The sex scenes are written pretty well and even if it is a weird and controversial one I enjoyed reading it from the boy's point of view. (I saw the movie trailer by the way and it felt gross and wrong to see Kate Winslet's touching a teenager).
The second part is about the meeting of the boy and the woman in a court room (they have been separated at the end of the first part). The woman was charged with murder because her past job was a guard of a camp. If you are familiar with the Holocaust these camps are where the German guards placed the Jews and then after some time they will kill the Jews using the gas chambers. So this is the woman's work, she was alleged to be the leader of the guards and the one who was responsible at the accident that happen. That night of the accident the church where the guards kept the Jews was bombed. The bomb caused the fire. It started on the church's roof. The Jews inside the church started yelling but the guards outside the church did not help them escape. The gates of the church remained locked. Then the Jews inside the church were burned to death. She confessed that she did not unlock the gate because she decided that it might cause panic and maybe they can't control the Jews if they open the gate. She also admitted that she's the one who wrote the report (the boy who is narrating the story will reveal that the woman can't write that report because she's illiterate). The woman chose to admit that she committed murder rather than blew her cover-up that she's illiterate.
Continuation...
It's hard to understand the character of this woman named Hanna. While reading it I tried to analyze why did she make that choice. I'm trying to put myself on her situation and I'm still wondering if I would do the same thing given that I love reading books. Would I chose to admit that I'm illiterate to prove my innocence? It's a hard decision but I think maybe the character believed that she will be charged guilty no matter what she say so she chose to at least retained her cover that she's literate.
I only gave it three stars because I felt that the idea of the book is excellent but somehow the author didn't execute it well. I wished there are more dialogues and the characterization is more in-depth. Sometimes the narration is too lengthy and I felt like I'm distanced from the character's feelings. The monologue of the narrator is too long it felt like reading an essay rather than a novel. The author will spoon-fed the reader with a lot of ideas it makes it boring and irritating. It seems like he wants to say something but I felt lost with his words. It is false eloquence, I think the author thinks the longer he explained something the better ;p. However, I still recommend this book or (maybe watch the movie.)
This is my first time reading a John Grisham novel. Based on what I read from book reviews here in goodreads wherein sometimes reviewers compared auth...moreThis is my first time reading a John Grisham novel. Based on what I read from book reviews here in goodreads wherein sometimes reviewers compared authors or they sometimes mentioned their favorite authors, I had this idea that John Grisham wrote serious novels. I'm surprised to find out that this one was not a serious type of novel, but more of a light and humorous one. For me it is a light reading wherein you can read and enjoy it and not be stressed out (compared to Jodi Picoult's). There are parts that for me are really funny like there's this scene that they need to put a Russian doctor on the witness stand out of desperation.
What I really like about it is that I learned a lot of things about the legal system and about lawyers in America. How was it like working in a law firm and all these things lawyers do to make money. And the book also shows continuity because it does not stop from one case. So, I learned that in being a lawyer sometimes you will lose your case, but you can learn from your mistakes and win your next case. I also like the realistic portrayal of lawyers wherein there are lawyers who are almost perfect and there are lawyers who are not that good in litigation. Some only care for money and there are some who genuinely care for people. I still don't know if this is the best book from John Grisham, but this is the latest one so maybe if you are a John Grisham fanatic you really should read this. (less)
The story involves a very interesting rape case. This is my first time reading a rape case wherein there's a big part of me who thinks that the rape v...moreThe story involves a very interesting rape case. This is my first time reading a rape case wherein there's a big part of me who thinks that the rape victim is annoying and I am actually rooting for the rapist. The sweetheart defense is really strong and it's hard to tell who's lying and who's telling the truth. Jodi Picoult is really good at this and it really makes me think hard about what is really going on. There are a lot of twists and turns that makes the story more exciting and engaging.
I already read four of her books (My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, The Pact and the Plain Truth) and it feels good that although there are a lot of elements that are still the same I still find this one interesting from her other works. What I like about it is that the plot is well thought out compared to Plain Truth, indeed its plot is very fluid. I like the comic strip parts of the books even though they are fillers, they are nice fillers. I like the Dante's references and how it connects with the storyline.
My only complaint is that I find the ending not satisfying because it lacks closure. I think Jodi Picoult's novels are limited with word count because the story is already really long and maybe she can't write the continuation anymore so it ended that way. I feel bad that there is no court drama in this novel and majority of it is focused on investigation. However, I still find this novel thought-provoking and well written. (less)
The book started a bit slow. Compared to the other Jodi Picoult books that I've read (My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, The Pact) this seems a bit...moreThe book started a bit slow. Compared to the other Jodi Picoult books that I've read (My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, The Pact) this seems a bit dragging and you probably be bored reading the first half of the book. The thing that I don't like about it is some of the parts of the book is irrelevant and is only there as fillers. Like for example, the paranormal aspect of the story wherein Katie can see her sister Hannah's ghost in the pond. The love story of Katie and Adam is also written poorly. Also, the flashbacks are written in italics that you can hardly read it.
Despite of those flaws, the second half is really interesting and fast-paced. The thing that I really look forward to is reading the court drama in every Jodi Picoult book. It makes you think hard and sometimes it's hard to not really get into it even though you know that it's just fiction. The ending of the story is probably one of the most disturbing and shocking endings that I've read. It is open-ended and it leaves a big question in the mind of its readers.
Spoiler....
At the end, we learned that Katie's mom was the one who killed the baby and she confessed it to Atty. Hathaway after Katie's trial (the decision of the court: Katie is guilty but she will not be put in jail but will suffer a sort of experimental house arrest). Technically, Katie is still free despite the fact that that was the verdict (seems like a victory in the part of the defense) but after the shocking confession of Katie's mom the lawyer was put in the pressure of telling the truth or just keeping it for the sake of everybody. And the story just leave it there with a little bit of hint that the lawyer might just keep it a secret because she has developed a bond in the family.(less)
Salamat sa classmate ng kapatid ko na indirectly ay nagpahiram sa akin ng book na ito. Masasabi kong sakto lang ang libro. Kung nabasa mo yung mga blu...moreSalamat sa classmate ng kapatid ko na indirectly ay nagpahiram sa akin ng book na ito. Masasabi kong sakto lang ang libro. Kung nabasa mo yung mga blurbs nila Bb. Joyce Bernal at Boy Abunda, etc. maaaring maiisip mong exaggerated at OA na ang mga puri nila. Maganda naman ang book. Minsan napapangiti niya ako. May mga pagkakataon lamang na medyo corny at pilit ang mga jokes na ang sarap nang ibato ng libro sa pader. Kung naging natural sana ang mga cheesy na biro o di na niya tinangkang magbiro ng corny mas mataas pa sana ang rating na ibinigay ko.
Note: I'll post more this weekend. I'm just too busy to write a review. :)(less)
I read this short dictionary novel in my nook (thanks to Aldrin). Actually I started reading it while on a jeep going to the mall and because of the b...moreI read this short dictionary novel in my nook (thanks to Aldrin). Actually I started reading it while on a jeep going to the mall and because of the bad traffic, I already read half of the novel when I came home. Then, just this morning I finished it.
It was a short read (200 pages long) and what I really liked about it is that it has a unique style of writing. It was arranged like a dictionary so there's a word and then if it is a verb, noun or adjective it was written beside the word and then the description is like a journal or a diary entry and the word is almost like a title to that diary entry.
The story is not chronological and it seems like you're reading jumbled moments of these two characters who were in love with each other. There are entries wherein they were like sweet to each other and there are also entries wherein it seems like they broke up. However, the style of writing is really engaging and unique.
I actually knew a lot of new words because of it like quixotic, quintessence, zenith, etc. because the nook has this dictionary thingy. Actually you can't get the exact meaning of the word in the lover's dictionary especially if it is a highfalutin word.
Also, I really like how the author play with words and I really like the part wherein sometimes there are parallels like how he described ephemeral and ethereal. It was also funny like I really laugh at how he described celibacy, candid, etc.
So, highly recommended for everyone who loves to read a book that is a short read and has a unique attack.
This book has a very interesting protagonist/narrator. He loves prime numbers. He hates brown and yellow. He knows a lot about capital cities of diffe...moreThis book has a very interesting protagonist/narrator. He loves prime numbers. He hates brown and yellow. He knows a lot about capital cities of different countries. He finds it hard to understand human facial expressions, jokes and metaphors. Etc. Etc.
Actually if there's a real crime (not just a killed dog) and a bigger mystery and somehow a more complicated plot I'll give it 5 stars. But the story is very simple so just 3 stars. I still like it because I learned a lot about Math, Science, Sherlock Holmes, etc.
Also the atheistic comments and the dry humor makes it more compelling and enjoyable. (less)
I'm quite surprised reading this because I thought this book will be like The Litigators (the first Grisham book that I've read) wherein the focus wil...moreI'm quite surprised reading this because I thought this book will be like The Litigators (the first Grisham book that I've read) wherein the focus will be the courtroom and a trial. However, this book is about this rookie tax lawyer who was hand-picked to work in this law firm in Memphis. The firm gave him a high salary, a house with a low interest mortgage and a brand new car. He was offered a lot of material things and because he was not that rich he accepted the offer. Later on he found out that the firm was secretly governed by the Mafia and the law firm was only a facade. He cooperated with the FBI and he tried to gather evidence, but in the end the firm knew about what was he doing and then it became a chase in the end when he escaped the firm.
Even though I am a little bit disappointed because I wanted a plot focused on courtroom dramas this book is still thrilling and has a strong message (money is not everything and will not make you happy). Also, I like John Grisham because compared to Jodi Picoult his novels are centered on lawyers not the clients. I'm looking forward to read more of his works. (less)
Compared to the other Kowalski books this book is not that enjoyable. There are times that my head aches because of too much drama. The girl became pr...moreCompared to the other Kowalski books this book is not that enjoyable. There are times that my head aches because of too much drama. The girl became pregnant because of a condom malfunction and then after that one night stand they have to help each other out for the baby. I think the story is predictable and a way dramatic at times.(less)
I'm starting to really like Shannon Stacey and her books. It's like Perfect Chemistry Series for Adults.
This book is more about second chances. I real...moreI'm starting to really like Shannon Stacey and her books. It's like Perfect Chemistry Series for Adults.
This book is more about second chances. I really like that is very humorous, light and addicting. It is a very short read and you can finish it in three hours in one sitting.
I really recommend it to all who like to read light romance happily-ever-after novels. I gave it four stars just for comparison's sake because Yours to Keep is better.
Note: This book is given free courtesy of www.netgalley.com for book review purposes.
It's been a while since I downloaded this galley and transfer it...moreNote: This book is given free courtesy of www.netgalley.com for book review purposes.
It's been a while since I downloaded this galley and transfer it to my phone to be read, but unfortunately I didn't have enough time to really read it. Then, came the time that my mother got hospitalized and I'm taking care of her 24/7 that I finally have the time to read it in my phone during the hours that I do not actually do anything.
At first the e-book started with a short summary intro of the book and I really thought at that time that it would suck because the synopsis sounded very generic. It's like a story about a pretend engagement and I know this is so not an original plot to begin with.
However, the book was really funny and it was addicting. It's very rare that I read this kind of romantic comedy that I really like the humor and I can't help, but smile and hide my face in a pillow to laugh my heart out.
The story kind of remind me of a mix between The Proposal and Friends with Benefits.
The one part that I really laugh my ass off is the Newly Wed Game kind of game, but not really. There's this part that the couples are writing answers from a question and then after that they should have matched answers to win. And then the last question in the game was like "If you have a sex motto with each other what would it be?" and the lead girl's answer was like "Size doesn't really matter." But of course it's not that it was true, but it was a pretend engagement so at that time they don't really had sex yet.
The ending was also sweet I really like what the guy did at the end of the novel. This is a very light, sweet, and funny novel. I read it in one sitting and it's very addicting and I think I should read the other books by Shannon Stacey.
"I can well imagine an atheist's last words: "White, white! L-L-Love! My God!" - and the deathbed leap of faith. Whereas the agnostic, if he stays true to his reasonable self, if he stays beholden to dry, yeastless factuality, might try to explain the warm light bathing him by saying, "Possibly a f-f-failing oxygenation of the b-b-brain," and, to the very end, lack imagination and miss the better story."
This is a very typical story of faith against adversity and faith still manage to triumph in the end. What makes it unique is that Pi, the main character is a Hindu, a Christian and a Muslim at the same time. His trial of faith and survival starts when the ship that he and his family together with their animals (because they are zookeepers) sink in the Pacific.
He found himself inside a lifeboat together with his animals orangutan, hyena, zebra and a tiger. It was similar to the movie Castaway, but instead of being totally alone he has animals with him. It was actually pretty similar to National Geographic and you will learn a lot about animals and their behaviors.
I think this book is really informative and thought provoking and very brutal. There are scenes that are really horrendous like cannibalism, etc. However, all in all I think this is really a must read. Its get kind of weird and boring sometimes, but it's not really preachy.
I think it has a lot of symbolism that I just can't interpret yet. I think the tiger and the other animals maybe symbolize something.
What I learned from it is that sometimes we really need to believe in the unbelievable and believe in something, whatever religion it is. This book actually acknowledges Atheism, but not Agnosticism. I think what the author tries to point out is that better believe than doubt and just make a stand. Believe in Science if not Religion or believe in Religion than doubt both Religion and Science.(less)
I never would have thought that I'll have the chance to read this book, for the reason that I don't even know that this book exist. However, when I on...moreI never would have thought that I'll have the chance to read this book, for the reason that I don't even know that this book exist. However, when I once again attended a meet-up by The Filipino Group in Goodreads last April 10 2011, which was also a celebration of the first anniversary of the group, Kwesi and I had the opportunity to swap books.
I have given him the book 1st to Die by James Patterson and he gave this book to me, which I don't have any idea what the book is all about. But judging on the title "Godless" I have a feeling that it will delve on Religion and Atheism.
Reading the backcover of it I was already fascinated, a teenage boy bored of his parent's religion (Catholicism) decided one summer to create his own religion, which was Chutengodianism, a new worship which fundamentally believe that the Town's Water Tower was the one and true God.
A big part of me immediately relate to that kid. I would say that I also found going to churh, listening to priest, praying rosary, reading the bible etc. boring. Most of the time, I believe I am a non-believer, an atheist, but no I think a Skeptic is the perfect word for me. I want to believe in God but I wanted proof, I want to see it before I believe it.
I find it really funny that this book is so natural. There are a lot of things the character said about Religion specifically Catholicism that are really offensive. I'm thinking if you're a believer of Christian Faith you might find it blasphemous or the book was like questioning Religion and it puts Religion on a bad state and there are a lot of the propaganda but for me it doesn't felt contrived or it doesn't felt like I was forced to believe in it. It's like here's the thing, think about it and it's not like here's the thing, believe in it. If that even makes sense.
I also love that the book is very funny and sarcastic. It's like reading this, I laughed out loud and I can't stop it. I even think about it's like a long time ago a book made me feel that way. And yeah I found books that made me laugh, special. It's like a very nice friend that could lighten up your mood and will give you a stomachache for its dry wit.
It's a very nice read and I really recommend it, just be open minded especially if you're a Catholic. I don't find questioning faith and God wrong or even found Atheists bad people. It's a very thought provoking and imaginative book that would really got you thinking about your own faith as well.
I also find the ending of it satisfying and it's a great way to end the book. Jason, the main character ended it with an epiphany or a reflection about himself, and there is that uncertainty about him and what he really believes in, that I find amazing and haunting.(less)
This book reminds me so much of Pretty Woman. A man and a prostitute falling in love with one another.
However in this one the male protagonist was ov...moreThis book reminds me so much of Pretty Woman. A man and a prostitute falling in love with one another.
However in this one the male protagonist was over ninety years old and the female protagonist was about fifteen years old. The book was an easy read, I read it in one sitting. Good somewhat philosophical and it talks about life, aging, love and death. Nevertheless I was a bit disturbed with the age difference of the main characters so I'll just gave this one three stars.
Extra: This book was banned in Iran because a group of conservatives thought the book was promoting prostitution.(less)
I love this book. It's easy to read, straight-forward and memorable. I immediately fell in love with the story because of the characters. Atticus Finc...moreI love this book. It's easy to read, straight-forward and memorable. I immediately fell in love with the story because of the characters. Atticus Finch, Jem and of course Scout. It brings you back to your childhood when life is easy and you're always playing with your siblings, friends and neighbors. The time when you always look up to your parents and your parent/s will be your teacher, friend and role model. If you liked Tom Sawyer or the first half of The Book Thief you might like the first part of "To Kill a Mockingbird."
To be honest, reading the middle part becomes tedious and I just want something big to happen. So, I stopped reading for a while and watched Nikita (American TV Show). After I finished that, I resumed my reading and right then I couldn't stop reading because it became really interesting.
One thing that haunts me and angers me is that it doesn't end the way I liked it to be. Reading the first part, it felt like a fairy tale. I was really hoping that it will be a happy ending for Robinson. I felt like I was slapped by the author. This is the sad reality that she wanted me to read and to experience. I knew that it was obvious, the title itself is a foreshadowing. It's a tragic story of injustice and racial discrimination. I just felt really bad reading it especially the parts when a child read a current event about Adolf Hitler and what he's doing in Germany. In America the Whites discriminate the Blacks, in Germany the Germans discriminate the Jews.
This book is an eye-opener and I learned a lot of things. I hope that I'll be able to treat everyone equally without prejudice and discrimination. (less)
At first I was like WTF did I put myself into. And then somehow I liked it and then I hated it again. And then the ending was Meh and I can't believe...moreAt first I was like WTF did I put myself into. And then somehow I liked it and then I hated it again. And then the ending was Meh and I can't believe I just finish the whole thing.
I'm giving it three stars because of the Shakespeare reference. More on it later.
The more on it later part
Part I: How on earth did this book arrived at my doorstep?
Actually I never really thought that I will be able to read this book which was recommended by these three people in Goodreads(Iyah, Kwesi and Rollie) since 1.) It's not available on 4shared.com and 2.) It's not available in any bookstores here where I live.
However, just weeks ago some guy here in Goodreads (come on, you know who you are) asked me if I'm interested in a bookswap and he offered this book. I can't remember if I'm the one who asked for it or he was the one who recommended it since I think he believed I'm a sex addict. o_O? (Lol, I'm just kidding)
So yeah we agreed on a bookswap and my book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson arrived first on his house and he texted me if I received the copy which at the moment I haven't received yet and I'm thinking at that point maybe the book was swallowed by the ocean, you know some kind of force majeure.
But no, the next day it did arrive at my doorstep.
Part II: Book Review
I never really planned to read it immediately because I'm currently reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. However that book bored me to sleepiness and I finally decide to read another book.
So I read the first pages and I was surprised because there's an immediate sex scene and this is between a fourteen year old girl and her English Teacher. And the one that really disgusted me is the way the teacher kind of moaned...which is like a Buddhist mantra? (just click the spoiler tag)
And I was like what the f*ck is this book? I mean the first chapter was already creepy and crazy. Just. What. The--
However what I found somewhat amazing in this book is that it managed to mix poetry and literature to the erotica/ sex part of the book, for example
(view spoiler)[She had assumed all obstacles would be overcome, that love was an ever fixed mark, that looks on tempest and is not shaken.(hide spoiler)]
Oooooooohw...Did she just quote Shakespeare? Come on how cool is that eh? And she also quote something from Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, and some sonnets from people I don't know.
However the characters, the plot itself I didn't like it at all. There's a point wherein I like the book it's when Mr. Carr leave but when he came back again the book just got worse and worse. Reading this book remind me of watching a car crash. The characters all of them self-destructs, I can't even say that I like even one of them or I care for them. I actually hated all of them.
This reminds me of Wuthering Heights (a book which I didn't like) and School Days (an anime that I like). It's hard to rate a book like this actually and not all people will like it.
I recommend it to people who are okay with strong and violent sex scenes, language, rape scenes, sexual and physical abuse, pedophilia, polygamous risky relationships, adultery and all the filthy, dirty things.
I can't even say that this book has a powerful message since the plot and the characters are very superficial, shallow and plain stupid. But if you like to be disgusted or shocked, read this. (less)
Okay, I've read Saving Francesca after I've read On The Jellicoe Road, which was also a book by Melina Marchetta. These two books I borrowed from anot...moreOkay, I've read Saving Francesca after I've read On The Jellicoe Road, which was also a book by Melina Marchetta. These two books I borrowed from another goodreads member, his name is Veneficus and last July we swapped books. I gave him The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan and he gave me the two Marchetta books.
When I'm deciding which one to read first I picked On The Jellicoe Road over Saving Francesca, because I've read a lot of glowing reviews about the former and when they talked about Melina Marchetta, it's always read On The Jellicoe Road.
Unfortunately I was disappointed after reading On The Jellicoe. It's not that I didn't like it, I think I still gave it three stars (which means in goodreads' perspective--I liked it)however I thought that I would love it and gave it 5 stars like majority of my friends here, but I think three stars were enough. Sorry.
However I was not discouraged to read her other works, thus I've read Saving Francesca still. And uhm before I read the book I looked into the back cover because after reading On The Jellicoe I was a little bit hesitant I will be disappointed again.
From the back cover it says...
ST. SEBASTIAN'S Pretends it's a coed school by giving the girls their own toilet.
I don't know if I'm a little bit high with coffee that day but that made me laugh and from that I somehow have a feeling that maybe I would like this book more.
I would say that the book is your typical Teenager book.
main character is an outcast, new girl on a school, have no friends yet
and there's the feeling of "School Sucks"
and of course the never dying "Self discovery and where do I belong?"
and I know, I know it is a little bit predictable
but nevertheless
I still loved it because even though the plot's simple its a story about a teenager, her family, her struggles, her friendships and finding more about herself as I've said it's very typical but the characters are very memorable, they are very diverse, and what I really like also was the dialogues, it's funny, it's entertaining, it's sweet, and when you read the lines you'll be smiling, laughing or having a "goofy grin" in your face. I think it's special in its own way and I can't believe I'm saying this now, "Hey Marchetta, I'm a fan!"
I recommend it if you like Sarah Dessen's The Truth About Forever, if you like Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles and the likes. :)
And btw I think I should end this review by thanking Veneficus for giving me a chance to read Marchetta's works. Don't worry I'll probably return it on Wednesday. Maraming salamat.(less)
It is really hard to rate this book since it seems that this is a mix of cheesiness and cliche but it is also unpredictable and thrilling. It has som...more
It is really hard to rate this book since it seems that this is a mix of cheesiness and cliche but it is also unpredictable and thrilling. It has some terrible parts but there are also amazing parts.
Pros: 1. I love the title 1st to die and my assumption to who will be the "1st to die" is wrong so I guess that is a plus point for the book.
2. I really like the murder scenes it is very grotesquely describe that it made me shiver just imagining them.
3. The twist in the end about who's the true murderer is something that I totally didn't see coming and I think it is a great twist, very shocking indeed.
4. Even the epilogue of the book is exhilarating, I thought it is all over but there's still some heart-stopping action at the epilogue of the book.
Cons: 1. The characters and their relationships felt very awkward and contrived for me. The dialogues are very cheesy that it actually made me gag a couple of times.
2. Even the Women's Murder Club thingy felt a little bit push, it is just there for the sake of a bad ass title for the series but it is really lazily written. The parts wherein they're talking or even when they first met each other is very unnatural. They're like BFF's all of a sudden.
3. Lindsay's "blood disease" is a little bit cliche even the coughing of the blood part.
"I coughed a raw, burning stinging in my chest, then I shook and coughed some more. Gradually, I felt the spell recede. I took a breath, opened my eyes. I shuddered. There was blood all over the sink."
--What I mean is that this is really cliche when you watch those drama series on tv, you'll always have this scene.
4. The romance is a bit cheesy too, especially at the beginning of the book. Even their first night together is written in a very cheesy way it just made me puke.
5. Also another thing that pisses me off is how the chapters are really short and guess what this book has a total of 126 chapters and one epilogue. I am so not kidding.
6. Here we go again with James Patterson's ridiculous deux ex machina. This is not my first J. Patterson book and I've read the first two books in his Maximum Ride Series and that's what I notice about both of these books is that he uses deux ex machina all the time to just move his plot.
Like for example in this book, Jenks was inside the van and he is there because he's already a prisoner and then he have these handcuffs and some police who were watching for him etc. Then a GOD DAMN EARTHQUAKE came and he's free. I mean come on James Patterson this is just too convenient isn't it?
Okay ranting over, all and all I did enjoy this book and I really am grateful that someone from The Filipino Group here in Goodreads gave this book to me last December. Though now I'm not sure who's the original owner since I just pick it up on the giveaway pile. Nevertheless thank you whoever you may be :).(less)
Before I'm going to write my review I want to greet all of you Happy Valentines Day!
Yep I just finished reading this today, on Valentine's Day. Can...moreBefore I'm going to write my review I want to greet all of you Happy Valentines Day!
Yep I just finished reading this today, on Valentine's Day. Can you believe it? And what can I say it's a nice treat to read something like this in the Month of Love.
Anna and the French Kiss reminds me so much of High School. I mean come on! Have you not experience falling in love with a guy who happens to have a girlfriend and worse he's your best friend? *Awkward silence* (Whatever, maybe it was just me.)
Moving on, this is purely teen entertainment and teen drama. So if you're a teenager or an adult who just loves to feel like a teenager all over again read the book.
The romance is powerful and will definitely give you a high feeling after you read it. It's like there are moments while you're reading it and you just want to squeal or simply hug your pillow and roll over on your bed. It's so sweet and romantic it'll make your heart flutter, will make you blush, and grins like an idiot.
I don't know what else to say but this book made me want to go to Paris and kiss St. Clair(if only he's real), and I'd like it to be on the usual way French kiss. (Don't mind me saying this, I'm still giddy.)
"Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place?" (less)
My Book Review (Note: This review is not for Gale fans and certainly will have Mockingjay Spoilers.)
So I just happen to go in a bookstore and saw thi...more My Book Review (Note: This review is not for Gale fans and certainly will have Mockingjay Spoilers.)
So I just happen to go in a bookstore and saw this pinkish sort of orangery book and I thought it look like a candy and I want to eat read it.
Then before I read this I search the book on Goodreads because I've no idea what's this book is all about and who was the author Lisa Kleypas.
So I found out that Kleypas has so many psycho fans that I was really excited to read it and I was jumping up and down(usual stuff I did when I get uber-excited).
I'm doing this review by fractions okay(Wow it sounds so geeky >.< Eeeeek)
1/3
Okay reading the 1/3 of the book I was already hooked and a little bit giddy by the romance between Hardy and Liberty. It was really cute sort of childhood sweetheart kind of high school romance kind of stuff. Your first crush, first love, first infatuation, young love yada yada. It was really entertaining and sweet that while reading this I have an idiotic smile on my face. Like this one.
2/3 of the book by this time Hardy was long gone and Liberty was sort of being an independent woman raising her sister Carrington all by herself since her mom died. Then he met this really old guy 63 years old who was rich and all that his name was Churchill Travis and they were kinda flirting with each other. That really tips me off because I have this hunch that Churchill and Liberty will hook up and have sex as the title implied (Sugar Daddy). And I felt like this book is SICK, why was many of GR peeps like this stuff are they crazy weirdos. Then I just skim the story because I'm eager to find out if my hunch was correct and if it did I decided that I will not finish this one.
3/3
Now there's a new character introduced to the story Gage, Churchill's son and by then I surmised that my hunch was wrong and Liberty and Gage where the one going to be lovey dovey not LibertyxChurchill. So Gage, what can I say, I fuckin' hate him because of his name.
See Gage= Gale
Am I really weird/psycho but every time I've read Gage in the book I want to burn it down! It's just that Gage reminds me of Gale and just just don't start me up with Gale now, when I think of him I swear it will make me cuss like J. R. WARD like there's no tomorrow. (Screw you Suzanne Collins for ruining Gale Gage for me!)
And I find myself uttering I hate you Gale I mean Gage whenever he's in the book.
But it's really weird like after a few scenes I found myself falling in love with Gale Gage which was really bizarre since I hated him my whole life ever since I've read Mockingjay. Me falling in love with Gale Gage who heartlessly bomb people from District 2, killed sweet sweet Prim and who fucking ditches Katniss in the end because some job on District 2. Screw you Gale! Screw you! I mean screw you Suzanne Collins for hating this character Gage because his name sounded a lot like Gale. :P
Confusing much? Sorry I guess I mixed up this two books, well anyways
I'm just bitching but I really love Gale Gage in this book. (muffled voice)
So what made me gave this 5 stars? (You may ask) 1. It's funny and entertaining, the scenes that really crack me up is the 68 thingy and when Carrington swallowed a penny. 2. The story delves about issues like Racism and Parenting. 3. The twists in the end about Carrington surprised me like, "WTF It's Like A Fucking Jodi Picoult Novel." Though I figured out before it was revealed that Hardy was a betrayer since it was fucking predictable. 4. Love the characters, they are relatable and real. 5. I love that it's very feministic and this books makes me happy that I am a woman. 6. Very informative about the pregnancy, business, love life and I'm surprised that this author knew about Defense Mechanisms (which was actually one of my fave topics in Psychiatric Nursing) I love how she can put the "projection" on the dialogues. 7. This also made me cried btw the part wherein Liberty realizes how hard it is for parents when they're children became rebellious and ingrate. It dawned on me that yesterday I shouted at my mom and now because of this book I feel sorry for what I did. This made me realize that we shouldn't shout at our moms because we really owe them so much things that it's unfair to really hurt them.
Okay I'm going to shut up now. Just read this folks, highly recommended!
***Movie Update: I just saw the movie today and I have to say that it was so much better than the book! The pacing was great, the actress who played...more
***Movie Update: I just saw the movie today and I have to say that it was so much better than the book! The pacing was great, the actress who played Lisbeth Salander nailed the role and all the Financial Journalism nonsense was obliterated. Even the Blomkvist-Cecilia love affair was not seen. The movie has awesome camera shots and it was a very good adaptation of the book. Even made the book amazing in my eyes. Now I'm really confused why I don't think that the book was awesome when I read it. Well I'll just blame it on the author's writing. I'll caution on some disturbing rape scenes, nudity, foul language and violence on women though. (R-18 and not for sensitive audience.)***
Book Review: Caution: The book contains rape, incest and misogyny, if you don't like to read a book that sick and disturbing don't read this. Review may contain spoilers.
Pros: 1. The book is a mystery/crime/suspense/thriller ergo a breath of fresh air for a reader of paranormal, fantasy and romance genres.
2. The book has an interesting heroine in the name of "Lisbeth Salander" who was four feet 11, antisocial, anorexic and has no boobs, but inspite of that was an exceptional hacker with a photographic memory. Not to mention she got piercings and tattoos that's why she's so bad ass. (She's the girl with the dragon tattoo so to speak.)
3. Cool thing was the murderer uses Bible verses and then parodied it into his crimes.
4. The book also talks about hacking and you will also learn a thing or two about poisons.
Cons: 1. I hated books that have slow pace and definitely this book was slow as a slug. The action sets in only on the second half of the book.
2. Pointless, pointless details! The author would describe clothes, sandwiches, and writes just anything the character was doing (drinking coffee, jogging or reading a particular book).
3. The casual sex! Blomkvist would have sex with Berger and then later on would also have sex with Cecilia and then much later on would have sex with Lisbeth. Surprisingly no one got Syphilis at the end.
4. The book talks a lot about Financial Journalism wherein from the first chapter had irritated me because I don't have a f****** clue what they're talking about and I don't even care about Financial Journalism that it really makes me bored to sleepiness (I even skimmed on the epilogue because I really don't give a damn).
5. Plot too many (to put it simply).
6. Rape scenes of Lisbeth was SICK!
7. Predictable and cliche: - Blomkvist go to Martin's House - Martin locked Blomkvist on the basement - Martin was the murderer. - Just as about the murderer would kill Blomkvist, Lisbeth came. - Blomkvist was saved of course. - Martin escaped. - Lisbeth followed Martin's car on the road using her motorcycle. - Martin's car was hit by the truck (talk about ANTICLIMACTIC!)
8. The Mystery ended with this: Gottfried was a sick murderer, he loves killing women, he taught his son Martin about it too. Martin also loves killing women too. Gottfried rapes her daughter Harriet. Harriet killed his father. Martin witnessed the incident. Martin rapes her sister. Harriet cannot tell anyone about it because Martin would tell everyone that she kills their father. Harriet was not murdered when she disappeared on Hedesby Island, she only escapes, she was alive and she was living on Australia using Anita's identity. (I was disappointed by it because I was really expecting she was murdered and the murderer was a genius to hide the evidence, but it was just Harriet escaping WTF!) ___________________________________________________________________ I'm so happy I've found a copy on Booksale for only Php130.00!(less)
I've recently read The Catcher in the Rye and there's a really nice quote there that I really like and it's like this:
"What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though."
That quote simply states my feelings toward this book and this author Markus Zusak. Markus Zusak was such a good writer that I'd really wish that he and I are friends(^_^).
He's the type of person wherein sometimes I wish I could marry him and be the father of my babies.(Whut?) *kidding, I'm already married*
Okay marriage and babies aside, this book was really amazing though I still think that The Book Thief was his masterpiece. I am the Messenger is really different from The Book Thief that it was almost indiscernible that the same author wrote this.
I am saying that because totally the writing style was different.
The Book Thief:
"Hair the color of lemons,'" Rudy read. His fingers touched the words. "You told him about me?"
At first, Liesel could not talk. Perhaps it was the sudden bumpiness of love she felt for him. Or had she always loved him? It's likely. Restricted as she was from speaking, she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted him to drag her hand across and pull her over. It didn't matter where. Her mouth, her neck, her cheek. Her skin was empty for it, waiting.
Years ago, when they'd raced on a muddy field, Rudy was a hastily assembled set of bones, with a jagged, rocky smile. In the trees this afternoon, he was a giver of bread and teddy bears. He was a triple Hitler Youth athletics champion. He was her best friend. And he was a month from his death.
Of course I told him about you," Liesel said."
I am the Messenger:
"Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are."
To put it simply The Book Thief has an odd writing style because the descriptions used by the writer is not common and he'd be like describing for example the hair is like lemons or feathers something like that.
While in I am the Messenger, Zusak was fond of using "One word sentences" or sometimes "Three-word sentences." He has a lot of paragraphs which only contains one sentence or sometimes one word. It seems to me that his writing here was a mix of simplicity and complexity because he'll just use a spare amount of words but if you try to look at it deeply it's not as simple as it looks like because it has a deeper meaning and message on it.
Another different aspect was the book genre.
The Book Thief: Historical-fiction I am the Messenger: Contemporary fiction
And I'd like to say that Zusak was a YA author but his books are definitely different from the YA norm nowadays and it's the type of YA book that can be enjoyed by adults. And also Zusak was very different from a lot authors since he's not formulaic and he can even as I said before write in different writing styles and book genres.
Some points I want to add up:
1. The book is pretty much very Australian and I just want to say that somehow I like it that way because it is different, there are words and expressions used differently. Like for example instead of "Pharmacist" they used the word "Chemist" and "arse" was used instead of "ass."
2. The book has a very nice structure. It was divided into four parts which is the Diamonds, Clubs, Spades and the Hearts and we had an additional which is the Joker Suite. And each part was subdivided into chapters but we don't have that Chapter 1, 2 yada yada instead we have Aces to King Chapters.
3. The ending was really brilliantly plotted and I really like it. I really like how it ended. How Ed Kennedy will be able to know who's the one behind all of that messages and aces in his mailbox. The ending is very reminiscent to Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist because the answer(view spoiler)[was there right on the beginning of the book (hide spoiler)].
4. The book was phenomenal, Zusak's books have the ability to change your life or rather change your perspectives. It can always touch your soul and it just leave a beautiful mark and it was simply amazing how can he touch you with the mere use of words. For me he'll always be the master of language, he uses words very beautifully and just I'm a big fan. *Completely hands down*
Caution : This book review was ridiculously self-absorbed and will not be entirely wholesome (R-16 will do).
*************************************** (You can skim this through, these are just self-absorbed anecdotes, scroll down for the Pros and Cons )
First off I'd like to say that I've seen like this book Looking for Alaska for so many times in Listopia( a feature here in goodreads) and when I've met The Filipino Group in Goodreads last last week John Green's Abundance of Katherines and Paper Towns were the buzz of the day.
However what really motivates me to read it is when I've watched a vlog by the vlog brothers, I think it was Hank (John Green's brother) and he's promoting his brother's books Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns and Abundance of Katherines. And I was really shocked since I've watched few of their videos and it was a lot of fun but it never came to my mind that John was John Green the author. I thought he was just a normal guy who loves to make geeky vlogs and all that.
So after watching the video I was really excited to read his works and was like Fuckadoodles I need to buy all his books. However I didn't find his book in National Book Store even when I go to SM Megamall (it's like one of the biggest malls in the Phils.)so yeah I just ranted about it on TFG on GR saying...
Note: to protect other users, I'll just post Unknown and I deleted the tagalog posts because I don't have time to translate them :)
Forum Talk Start Now!
Joyzi:Is it that so annoying when you want to read a book and then you go to the bookstore and then they don't have a copy and then you'll find friends here in Goodreads already buy and read it...come on life you are so unfair >.<
Unknown: Don't blame life, blame the publishers particularly their marketing (distribution) department. Joyzi LOL.
Joyzi: well I blame Life in general. Yep I'm looking for Looking for Alaska or any other John Green books, hey I do so many illegal things just to read them!
Unknown: Huh? Holden Caulfield teenage angst? Life sucks? Joyzi LOL!
Joyzi: yeah life sucks, that's pretty much sums up my mood today
Joyzi: and who the hell was Holden Caufield?
Unknown: Google him, Joyzi LOL.
Joyzi: I hate it when people say google it, well it's cute at first but then ahhhhhhhh *lazy to google whoever this guy is*
Unknown1: joyzi,and what kind of illegal things you do just to read them? Haha Unknown, I saw who he is. Lol
Joyzi: Ha *evil laugh* dumb me, I just downloaded Looking for Alaska at 4shared.com, why do I ever not thought about it before, Oh 4shared I am so in your debt right now! Geeez 4shared.com don't have any Paper Towns and neither Abundance of Katherines. Unkown1 who was that guy, care to tell me?
Unknown: Additional knowledge, Joyzi. Since you read a lot, it pays to know this well-known fictional character. LOL. Just like the same feeling I have when somebody attaches a link (like YouTube or blog) in a thread and I click on it but it either hangs or blocked by our IT. I also hate long reviews, old reviews sent repeatedly many times and reviews with lots of pictures not or only slightly related to what the reviewer is saying. They clog my inbox. LOL!
Unknown1: haha so your one of the 4shared loyal download-ers. haha. do you also read ebooks on phone? or in pdf form?
Joyzi: @ Unkown1 I’ve read only on .txt formats and epub formats, I don't read pdf they're so excruciating to my eyes @Unknown so you hate my reviews then they're like bombarded with pictures
Joyzi: @Unknown if he is well-known fictional character why don't I know him? My guess is he was in the "classic-that-Joyzi-don't-read" category. Oh Hail Hail 4shared they already got Finnikin of the rock *evil laugh*
Unknown: lol
Joyzi: Unkown answer my questions, don't just laugh
Unknown2: Know what? Joyzi LOL is one good meme. Ahaha! :D Just sayin' folks...
JoyzI: yeah totally agree with you Unknown2, like it was so cliche already from now on I'll type lolasaurus whenever there's something funny
Unknown: Joyzi LOL!
Joyzi: aaaaaaaaaagggggh Unknown lolasaurus!
Unknown1: joyzi, as Unknown says its fictional character in The Catcher in the Rye. though I dont know the book. Lol I also have an account in 4shared. i think i saw that two books in other downloading websites.
Joyzi: I don't have an account in 4shared, I just go there to do illegal downloading. Oh Catcher in the Rye, Unknown3 and Unknown4 says it's a good book, they say it's like a dick-lit or something
Okay Forum Talk Over... ***************************************** Okay Intros Over, Book review time now...
Pros: 1. A Guy Character POV from a Guy Author. I think this has to be the most amazing thing about Looking for Alaska because if I remember right this is my 1st time reading a YA book that have this element. I’ve read like Uglies by Scott Westerfield (guy author but Girl Character *Tally* POV) and I’ve also read The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (guy author but Todd POV, the Guy Character was a little bit juvenile). Of course I’ve read Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (that was from Ethan’s POV *guy character* but the problem was it was girly and I blame that on the authors being girls) and also Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver (Sam’s POV *guy character* was also girly).
I’d like to say that Miles POV was realistic, like for example when Alaska was using his lap for like a pillow so Alaska could sleep; this was what he thought about:
Layers of cloth that obstructs Alaska’s face from his private parts and having a penile erection maybe is not a good time.
2. The Teenage Life portrayed here was also realistic like: >bad vices >pranks >unrequited love >sexual curiosity >friendship etc.
3. In some parts the book was actually written in a very clever way: My favourite quotes are:
"Ya'll smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die." (Alaska)
and this one
If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was hurricane- Miles (Pudge)
4. It was very informative. You’ve got to learn about Suicide, Philosophy, Famous Last Words of Famous People, Feminism,*coughs* how to do BJ properly*coughs* and many more.
5. I also love the game that they played here which was called Best Day, Worst Day.
6. I also loved how he used foreshadowing in this book and the mystery aspect surrounding *SPOILER ALERT* Alaska’s death.
Cons 1. Stereotyping and Teenage stories clichés.
Miles- the geek stereotype Alaska- the rebel girl stereotype Colonel- the cool friend stereotype Takumi- the Asian stereotype Lara-*coughs* the girl who love to do BJ stereotype*coughs*
Okay I’m not going to elaborate with the Teenage issues cliché stories like with family problems and seeking your true identity and such but I’d like to say that that’s the reason I only gave it 3 stars because the plot was too familiar and ordinary(maybe it was just me).
But I’ll just rant about the BJ scene in this book which I really think was unnecessary, I actually got no problem with it because it was not that detailed when you read the book but still it kinda turned me off knowing that the book was YA(maybe it was just me).
And seriously this was the 2nd YA book I’ve read that have BJ on it the 1st was Marked by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast, it was just too annoying, do these authors really think that teenagers doing BJ was entirely common? Come on we don’t do BJs and stuff like that!
***WTH is Pinocchio doing here? *kidding* ***
2. It was boring and draggy at some parts and a bit preachy too.
3. I just think that all in all it was a good book but it’s not that amazing or great, but it’s more than okay. Some parts I think was also written very poorly because I actually expected that I will cry in this book but I didn’t feel attached to the characters too much to grieve about them (that was just how I feel about it).
But still I’m going to read his other books Abundance of Katherines and Paper Towns and will see if there’s an improvement in his writing :)
I’ll buy them next time for sure! Hope it will be available next time I book hunt for them ^^ ____________________________________ Thoughts before Reading Geeeezus!
I really love books that made me laugh my ass off and Rules of Attraction was definitely one of those. I think it's better than Perfect Chemistry (mor...moreI really love books that made me laugh my ass off and Rules of Attraction was definitely one of those. I think it's better than Perfect Chemistry (more comical moments and less drama) and I love most of the characters. I love Carlos, Kiara, Tuck, Brandon, Dick and of course Alex and Brit.
It's a book wherein the plot's not that great (cliche, predictable, slow) but the dialogues and the characters made up for that, that it turns out you love the book despite the flaws.
I think the part where I really hardly stop laughing is when Carlos and Tuck argues (Carlos mistook Tuck as Kiara's boyfriend but truth is Tuck is Gay and Kiara's best friend). I also love the part when Carlos substitute as a soccer player for Tuck's Gay Soccer Team and he needs to wear a pink shirt and most of the gays from the team were crushing on him, that was really funny too. I also love Brandon haha, he's so innocent, funny and cute.
This is also heavy on the romance just like the first one and actually the book cover was a scene from the book (I think it's also one of my favorite part in this book).
I would probably recommend it to 16 years old & above because the book has foul language, drugs, sex, violence in it.
So if you like Perfect Chemistry, read this! If you haven't read Perfect Chemistry, I recommend to read that first and then read this one to avoid confusion, amigo.
___________________________________________________________________ Haha I now have an e-book of this, can't wait to read this ^^.(less)
That I think would be the perfect word to describe what I felt after reading it. At first it was very confusing and the plot was so slow...moreDisappointing.
That I think would be the perfect word to describe what I felt after reading it. At first it was very confusing and the plot was so slow that it bored me to death.
I think there were parts that I still like but as a whole I don't think that it deserved all the blurb and all the awards.
I like the idea of the two stories and how these two were intertwined in the end but its the cheesiness and melodrama and how things were written that turned me off.
The only thing that made me rated this book 3 stars was Jonah Griggs, all I can say about him is he can be the perfect boyfriend. He's really tough outside but inside he's really sweet. I can't help but smile when I read the TaylorxJonah parts.
Also, one more thing, while reading it I can't help but feel that it was a little bit like an Ecchi Anime and there was also a Sex Scene and several vulgar language, so I recommend it for more mature teenagers. (less)
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