Hopefully one of these days, time will allow me to write a book review that this tragically beautiful story truly deserves. Stephen King you are a gen...moreHopefully one of these days, time will allow me to write a book review that this tragically beautiful story truly deserves. Stephen King you are a genius.(less)
The only lesson I learned out of reading this book is that one should not set high expectations from an author despite loving one of their previous wo...moreThe only lesson I learned out of reading this book is that one should not set high expectations from an author despite loving one of their previous works. I had so much high hope for Twisted to be at par with Speak, my first Laurie Halse Anderson novel. Yet no matter how hard I find reasons to like the story, the more I begin to doubt myself. Ostentatious car references, really? Star Wars? Premature erections on all the wrong places? It’s pretty obvious that writing a male lead is not Laurie Halse Anderson’s strongest suit. Twisted had a lot of promise, mind you. And it’s easy to read. But somehow everything went downhill after a hundred pages. One minute it’s like you’re in a light episode of One Tree Hill, the next it’s like everything went grim.
I’m sure she’s aiming for a quintessential look on the high school life of suburban America, but everything just seemed trite and apathetic. 2 out 5 stars. (less)
“So he actually had no proper college background?” was probably my initial reaction after reading the first few passages of Dry, Augusten Burroughs’s...more“So he actually had no proper college background?” was probably my initial reaction after reading the first few passages of Dry, Augusten Burroughs’s follow-up to Running With Scissors, his much acclaimed semi-autobiographical memoir. In Dry, the crazy life of Augusten Burroughs continues now set in the busy world of advertising, and features what happens next to a much older version of himself as well as his alcoholic days in New York City. It essentially resembles as a sequel and although I have yet to read his earlier work, I never felt like I am missing something.
At present, Augusten now works as an advertising copywriter in a New York agency. Despite seeing his career skyrocket, earning a five-digit salary every year and receiving various trophies for his advertising ingenuities, Burrough’s personal life is still a disaster. His apartment is a mess of empty Dewar's bottles, he drinks out all night, he even dabs cologne on his tongue in an unsuccessful attempt to mask the stench of alcohol on his breath at work. So when Eleanor, his boss insists he seek help, Burroughs ships out to Minnesota for detoxification, counseling, and amusingly told anecdotes about the use of stuffed animals in group therapy. But after a month of such treatment, he's back in Manhattan and tenuously sober. And while it’s one thing to lay off the sauce in rehab, Burroughs learns that it's quite another to resume your former life while avoiding the alcohol that your former life was based around.
For one, I actually thought Dry will be all about Augusten’s stay on rehab. But as it turns out, his days on Minnesota lasted only two chapters long. The heart of the book actually lies on what happens next after he went to rehab, the boring AA meetings, the group therapy sessions, as well as the interesting people that he encountered along the so-called “road to sobriety.” Everything oddly reminded me of James Frey when he wrote A Million Little Pieces, although for one Dry was actually cleverly written and funny and it involves an interesting set of characters. Brimming with a unique self-deprecating humor from start to finish, Dry is a hilarious read that I highly recommend both for the alcoholic, sober, gay, straight, sane or insane. 3 out 5 stars. (less)
To cook up something that is both horrifying and intellectual takes only a man of high caliber of experience. So it wouldn’t come to no surprise that...moreTo cook up something that is both horrifying and intellectual takes only a man of high caliber of experience. So it wouldn’t come to no surprise that Ira Levin, the man behind Rose Mary’s Baby came up with something equally haunting and beautifully crafted. At once a satire and a savage social commentary on a patriarchal media-driven society that suppresses woman empowerment and liberation, The Stepford Wives takes its readers on a horrifying look on suburban life. The book created so much cultural impact, that the title itself left an indelible mark in our consciousness. After all, there is a reason why popular culture used the term “Stepford Wife” as a reference to a submissive and docile housewife.
We begin when Joanna and Walter Eberhart moved from the busy lights of the city to a sleepy little suburban town of Stepford, Connecticut. Everything about the town seems to be an ideal paradise for couples - perhaps too ideal. For behind the Stepford's cheery and idyllic façade lies a dark terrible secret – a secret so shattering that no one who encounters it will ever be the same. In a race against time, Joanna must outwit the people behind this horrible plot, or she will end up just like the housewives she feared and despised – “a mere actresses on commercials, pleased with detergents and floor wax, with cleaners, shampoos, and deodorants. Pretty actresses, big in the bosom but small in the talent.”
I specifically liked Levin’s straightforward narration. It was fast paced and very easy to read. He didn’t give too much flowery details as the focus wasn’t on the prose but on the actions taking place. The precision of this form of writing, I feel is very important, as it can be oftentimes mistaken to as haphazard writing. A wicked deadpan humor apparent in the story is also something I quite enjoy. Readers will often find Joanna, the story’s heroine, in witty conversations inside her head. Her interactions with Bobbie, a Stepford neighbor and friend, were also something I found entertaining. With all of these, I became more and more sympathetic for Joanna’s character. After a hundred pages, you’ll find yourself rooting for her to escape. A literary tactic of Levin, I feel which brought a more horrific close to the story (oops, spoiler).
As I found out, The Stepford Wives was first published the exact same year when Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment. The year when conservative males begin to think that the feminist movement was much more than a minor nuisance. I don’t know if Levin did this on purpose because it’s an impeccable timing, if you ask me. But whatever you might think, the book successfully created a near dystopian look on male chauvinism and the measures that men will do to keep it that way. True to its promise, the Stepford Wives is a timeless modern classic. (less)
When you come across a book that tackles about anxiety and depression, you oftentimes expect a lot of chapters filled with moping, dialogues soaked in...moreWhen you come across a book that tackles about anxiety and depression, you oftentimes expect a lot of chapters filled with moping, dialogues soaked in gloom, and possibly an overall storm cloud sitting comfortably above your protagonist’s head. Not if the book that you’re reading is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, who taught me that it is possible for a book that touches a very sensitive issue to be enjoyed and well-remembered through its unique voice and story-telling.
Exhibit A: The Central Character. For someone who has undergone a very traumatic experience, Melinda Sordino sure has a very wicked sense of humor. From the way she thinks towards the people around the book as well as her amusing way of naming them. Since I am hearing the story solely from her, I can never know the real names of the other characters in the story. I can only recall them based on Melinda’s interesting naming scheme. Names like Hairwoman, her English teacher, Mr. Neck, the stern Social Studies professor, Principal Principal, no explanations need, Rachel/Rachelle, her ex-bestfriend and so on.
It is also quite interesting to point out that despite talking very seldom throughout, her voice as a narrator left an indelible mark in my head. There were the occasional fits of melancholia but overall, her way of thinking undeniably reflects how my mind sometimes works. It's also kind of fun being inside her head. Regardless of her very low esteem and the depression that she's been going through, it was done not just to make it relatable, but to make the story interesting. Definitely a book that brims with depression, that doesn't bring you to tear yourself in half.
Exhibit B: The Narrative. Another thing I surprisingly found enjoyable. Chronicling Melinda’s entire freshman year in high school, Halse Anderson found a way to make Melinda’s journey quite engaging through straightforward narration, quick exchanges of dialogue and deadpan language. Not only did it make the story stand, it also underscored the impact that Melinda had gone through that summer – something that I won’t be revealing as it might spoil future readers.
The book sends a strong message not only for girls but for teenagers in general, especially those of us struggling to find that inner voice inside. No wonder, I was not surprised when I found out that Speak was a Printz Honor Book, alongside many book gems like Looking for Alaska and The Book Thief. It is one those stories that leaves a dent in your consciousness and a makes a special room inside you. Definitely a must-read that I recommend for girls and boys alike. 4 out 5 stars. (less)
First of all, I would give anything to have a cool name such as Shakespeare. Shakespeare Shapiro however hated it, as bearing the name carries with it...moreFirst of all, I would give anything to have a cool name such as Shakespeare. Shakespeare Shapiro however hated it, as bearing the name carries with it a spotlight alongside. And he hates being in the spotlight. Being in the spotlight would be the last thing that he wanted. For Shakespeare, his name is nothing but a nightmare that plagued his whole existence; a sick joke given by his neurotic parents that prompted a series of one embarrassing scenario after the other.
But here’s the funny thing, Shakespeare happens to be a good writer. A funny witty one at that. And he is chronicling every embarrassing moment of his life in a memoir for his senior project. Alternating between the months of his entire senior year is his memoir with the title 17 Down. It depicts Shakespeare’s hilarious and raucous journey through adolescent. From a childhood friend who turned lesbian after seeing his private parts when they were in kindergarten, to a horrible plane ride with a perverse old woman, getting caught with a pornographic magazine in math class, visiting a sex doctor at sixteen, down to an embarrassing drunken night with his father in Rome. Alongside his memoir is his struggles as a socially awkward senior: his problems with girls, his weird friends and a girl that he couldn't seem to ignore.
Before I say anything else can I just say that I. FREAKING. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. Shakespeare is such a strong male protagonist that his insecurities and introspections were written so genuinely well that it really connected with one of my own. It’s very apart from John Green’s male archetype which is “smart, funny and dorky.” Wizner’s formula feels more like “funny meets smart and horny,” which I believe feels a lot like what normal eighteen year olds are like with all the hormones and stuff. I also like the fact that Jake Wizner’s didn’t take that so-called social paradigm on highschools that much of a deal. Yes, there are cliques within Hemingway High School, but he wrote their parts without making it look forced and unrealistic.
Overall, Spanking Shakespeare is a hysterical and hilarious peak into the life of a funny gifted writer and his socially inept life as a senior in high school. Jake Wizner’s narrative will have you laughing in the most inappropriate of places. I think I just met one of the most memorable fictional character there is in the young adult scene. 5 out of 5 stars. (less)
There is no denying that fifteen-year-old Dominic Smith is a huge fan of Plastic – a pop group headed by an attractive slash style goddess slash lead...moreThere is no denying that fifteen-year-old Dominic Smith is a huge fan of Plastic – a pop group headed by an attractive slash style goddess slash lead singer, Lisa Void. He doesn’t just know every word and every note of all their songs, he devotes most of his time on all things Plastic. To Dominic, becoming a part of Plastic fandom makes him part of something special, something great and good. So when he got stuck inside the elevator with none other THE Lisa Void, Dominic became this ball of euphoria and excitement. There is, however something different with his version of Lisa and the actual Lisa standing in front of him. Turns out, the girl that he idolized all those years is completely far from how he pictured her.
It’s a bit cliché, the plot, if you’re going to ask me. What a surprise, the artist is far different in camera than in person. What I think, on the other hand backs the story up is Simon Cheshire’s ability to string his words and the overall structure of the entire novel. Alternating between the events on the elevator is Dominic’s hilarious but oftentimes philosophical backstory leading up to the moment: how he became obsessed with everything Plastic, his oddly lovable yet embarrassment of a family, his two quirky friends, and even his clueless dealings with a potential love interest.
At times, it can be confusing to follow, as I feel the flashbacks sometimes doesn’t follow a chronological linear fashion. Nevertheless, the story is packed with insightful introspections care of Dominic about music, fandom, and becoming a part of a tight community. Cheshire’s words will just tug the inner fanboy and fangirl in each and every one of us. It’s that effectiveness to tap into the most intimate part of us, I think, really what makes the entire story remarkable. This lighthearted tale is a fast read that I recommend for everyone who has experienced being a fan at least once in their lifetime. 4 out 5 stars.(less)
One thing that I can really commend Nick Hornby is his vast, deep and oftentimes funny knowledge of the male psyche. He simply utterly understands the...moreOne thing that I can really commend Nick Hornby is his vast, deep and oftentimes funny knowledge of the male psyche. He simply utterly understands the male mind so much; I suggest women should grab a Hornby novel if they’re having problems understanding how a guy’s mind works. About A Boy is my second Hornby novel, High Fidelity being the first and it just made my point even firm. After exploring pop culture and breakups in High Fidelity, Nick Hornby then puts the concept of children in About A Boy. It’s quite true how adults sometimes overlook the children’s opinion. How despite the age difference, children do speak of substance sometimes. The book also touched a couple of sensitive matters, suicide for one, but Hornby manages to give light to the subject by ingeniously fusing the serious and the hilarious with ease.
Another thing I absolutely enjoyed in this story was the minor characters. I noticed how Nick Hornby likes his protagonists surrounded by a wide array of interesting people; from Marcus’s hippie, suicidal mom, a couple of Will’s sexual conquests down to a blacklisticked, Nirvana-loving goth named Ellie. I just wished it was written in first person point-of-view with chapters alternating between Will and Marcus. The story could’ve taken more shape, for my opinion, if it was written that format. Also, I had a bit of a problem with Will in the beginning as I feel he lacked character motivation. I struggled to get past his act that half of the time I was reading I found it hard to understand the motivations of his actions. This again brings me back to my point of why I wished it was written in first person.
Lastly, this novel is ostensibly screaming British, I must warn future readers. So make sure you have updated your British jargon before picking up this title. Overall, the book was funny and touching with a thoughtful and satisfying ending. I give it 3.5 stars. (less)
Roadtrips are my weakness. Take any book, horribly written or intricately plotted, and put the element of a car with nothing but the endless asphalt a...moreRoadtrips are my weakness. Take any book, horribly written or intricately plotted, and put the element of a car with nothing but the endless asphalt ahead and I am bound to love it. I guess since I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of hitting the road off to an uncharted, unknown destination, with nothing but a few friends beside me and enough money to spare. This probably is the reason why American Gods by Neil Gaiman and John Green’s Paper Towns hold a special place in my bookworm heart. So it wouldn’t come to no surprise that despite my initial qualms about Going Bovine’s central character, I admittedly found myself eating my own words at how amazing this book has turned out. Perhaps I should always remind myself that the first few chapters do not define a book’s entirety.
The story begins with Cameron Smith, your quintessential quote, unquote modern day Holden Caulfield and his pursuit to get through life with zero attachments, whether from the people around him or from his own emotions. Sounds like a good plan, right? That is until he gets diagnosed with a complicatedly named illness called Creutzfeldt-Jakob, or more commonly known as Mad Cow disease. And just when Cameron thinks his life is going downhill, a pink haired angel clad in plaid and combat boots shows up to tell him that there is a cure, if he’s willing to find it. And thus begins, the craziest roadtrip ever conceived.
This book’s rather a stretch, I’m telling you. But a stylistic one in my opinion, because while some complained at how Cameron’s adventure seems tad too long, I feel cutting the story short will eliminate a huge element present in the story. Every pit stop that Cameron ends up to has contributed into something substantial for his overall character. From being annoying, apathetic and nonchalant toward everything, Cameron grew into a better person that cares and enjoys life. Every tiny event became missing puzzle pieces for an imperfect and incomplete individual, that along the process, I became more and more absorbed by his story. So from hating him, I started rooting for Cameron to prevail to hopefully find his cure.
I also loved how Libba Bray’s palpable narrative transformed every unusual character of the story (from an angel, a dwarf, and even a Norse god) into accessible fictional beings. Despite being in an almost crazy and surreal version of America, the secondary characters feel real and three dimensional. Bray’s ability to shift gears when it comes to being philosophical to being downright hilarious is also something I absolutely commend. Only very few authors can pull that off without it looking forced and she did quite an effortless job doing it.
With interesting parodic allusions about pop-culture, religious obsession, and human materialism, Going Bovine jumps from theme to theme with such ease that you couldn’t quite believe all such elements exist in just one story. And while I’ve somehow predicted how the end will turn up, still, its how I got there that matters (no spoilers!). I guess that is the whole point of the story, anyway. All roadtrips are somehow designed like that. So if you ever feel like reading something hilarious/profound/crazy/surreal/ then this is the right book for you! 4 out of 5 stars. (less)
The brothers, John and Gully aren't exactly bad guys. They’re just not the type of person that you can rely on when there is an emergency. Despite bei...moreThe brothers, John and Gully aren't exactly bad guys. They’re just not the type of person that you can rely on when there is an emergency. Despite being in their early twenties, the Gullivan brothers demonstrated a remarkable amount of immaturity, lack of work ethics and a knack for always getting them into trouble. So when a massive snowstorm disabled the entire of Boston, John and Gully found themselves disguised as rescue volunteers from Red Cross. Their mission? To score a rare kind of pot from their friend in Braintree. The problem? Almost everybody in the neighborhood seemed to believe it, stalling the Gullivan brothers from their elusive high.
Written under the funny voice of John Gullivan, Puff, although at first glance poses as a raucous tale about pot and the tongue-in-cheek misadventures along with it, definitely has a lot of depth and emotion at its heart. It really took me by surprise as a reader. The author, Bob Flaherty manages to juxtapose the characters’ wit and humor with, I think, the overall theme of the book. Embedded throughout the story are flashbacks of John and Gully’s younger days while growing up in a suburban town in Boston. Though, at times it was hilarious, I think the flashbacks were a form of childhood yearning. A yearning for a life and a family that they once had and now slowly fading. Other themes such as religion, faith and family values were also subtly touched by the book. I think Flaherty’s penchant for using funny jokes throughout the novel is just his tool for giving light to a more sweet and oftentimes more serious matter.
The book has a lot of character, I assure you that. Even the dilapidated van they used on their adventure had a lot of spunk in it. Despite being a bit slow on the beginning, Puff definitely picked up its pace during the middle, where they broke into their old school to crash (my favorite part). As I finished the book, I became less and less interested if they score the bag of pot or not. For me, that was not the point of the story. It was not the point of the story to begin with. Packed with passages and dialogues that will make you crack, Puff is a beautiful, coming-of-age book that will make you laugh and sigh in the most unexpected of places. Highly recommended. (less)
It was supposed to be just any other night. Nick, recently dumped, is just starting to piece together his life back through music. After having his he...moreIt was supposed to be just any other night. Nick, recently dumped, is just starting to piece together his life back through music. After having his heart crushed, the last thing that he wanted to see is the girl responsible for the crushing with another guy. And what’s the most rational thing a non-queer bassist in a queer-core band can do but ask the random girl next to him to be his girlfriend for five minutes. Enter Norah; a straight-edged passionate music fanatic with sarcasm the size of Manhattan. After one unexpected, electric kiss, the five-minute couple of Nick and Norah found themselves on uncharted adventure across the magnificent landscape of the New York nightlife only to realize that what started out as a spontaneous ploy can be something surprisingly real.
It was a short read–the events of the book spanning for a whole night–and if it wasn’t for the heinous amounts of schoolwork, I can actually finish it in one sitting. At the same time, I found myself stalling it as admittedly, I was smitten by two lead characters. Never have I purposely slowed my reading pace since Looking for Alaska. I just fell in love with this book so much; I was enamored by the book’s prose. Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is such an exquisite pair of authors, having a deep and intimate knowledge about how a teenage mind works. I just laud Cohn’s way of writing Norah’s character. She was so frigid and so fragile all at the same time. From Norah’s view of things, her introspections and even her potty mouth, Cohn has managed to flesh out a beautifully imperfect character that I actually found myself connecting to. Nick, on the other hand, written by David Levithan is just as charming. I wouldn’t be surprised if girls went head over heels for him. He is like this wounded soul propelled by music to keep him moving – a genuine young boy bursting with words and lyrics. This is the second time Levithan impressed me with his words. After writing my favorite half of Will Grayson, Will Grayson, I think it’s about time I explore more of his works.
Overall, the book’s simplicity, considerable depth and sensitivity are what I love about Nick & Norah’s. Readers will just be captivated of the book’s message; about being vulnerable to another person, about making wrong decisions, about missing your chance and finding it again, about falling and crashing hard, about letting music be your guide in life, about risking and possibly having everything. It’s about being real, and being in love. Truth be told, I actually stopped and think of when was the last time I became vulnerable with another person. That’s how pervasive this book is. Despite expletives flying fast and hard, I actually think that just added to the book’s overall charm. I can continue how much I love this book, but I am going to stop there. Just throw yourself inside the book, take a leap of faith, plunge yourself, make that risk and see where it gets you. Highly recommended! :) (less)
Contrary to most, Paper Towns is my first John Green novel. I heard very much of him here on Goodreads. And admittedly, I had my doubts about him as I...moreContrary to most, Paper Towns is my first John Green novel. I heard very much of him here on Goodreads. And admittedly, I had my doubts about him as I wasn’t really a fan of young-adult fiction. But man, did all my doubts about him disappeared after I was done reading the book. Never have I thought that Paper Towns would have such depth in it. A beautiful well-wrought story of self discovery, perception, friendship and love, indeed.
The book tells us the story of Quentin Jacobsen, who has lived his entire life next door to the beautiful and enigmatic Margo Roth Spiegelman. They may live next to each other and to go the same school but Quentin and Margo hardly breathe the same air. So when Margo suddenly shows up on his bedroom window for a night of scheming and revenge, Quentin found himself on a night he will never forget. Everything felt perfect and Quentin thought things would change between the two of them. But reality took a sour turn when Margo disappeared all of a sudden the following day, leaving a compelled Quentin to search for answers.
At first, the plot sounds like an obsessed kid’s pursuit in finding the girl of his dreams, but mind you, there is more to the storyline than meets the eye. Paper Towns perfectly illustrates the classic case of loving the idea of someone rather that actually loving the person itself. Quentin’s initial perception to Margo can attest to that. The book also tackles about discovery, about life and our relentless quest for meaning. Throw in a couple of adorable well-written and three-dimensional characters and you have got yourself a perfect piece of young adult novel. Green manages to balance every thing out by maintaining that genuine teenage spirit with sharp and witty writing while balancing it out with the characters’ deeper insights.
Overall, Paper Towns quickly climbs as a part of my favorite novels of all time — and John Green as one of my favorite authors. No doubt everyone is raving about him. The book is funny, cleverly plotted, highly intelligent and beautifully written. An easy read with a very sophisticated story, it is almost undeniable not to love John Green’s books. Perhaps I took the young adult section for granted, maybe it isn’t so bad after all.(less)
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