Because, what was I supposed to say? I've waited my whole life for her? She was the opposite of death? And now I am still here, waiting?
Break my heart, why don't you, Nicole Krauss.*sniffs*
When I started reading The History of Love, I was laughing. I was humored by Leo's eccentricities. A few minutes later, I was quiet. I was gently wishing for the tears to go away. I must me mad, I thought. And it happened many times as my reading progressed. Smiling here, being bitter there. It was unimaginably heartbreaking.
There are two types of people in the world: those who prefer to be sad among others, and those who prefer to be sad alone.
Leo Gursky was a lonely man, his only friend Bruno's existence was even questionable in his life. In his old age, he wants to be seen, because he doesn't want to die alone. So he create scenes: in the coffee shop, in the streets. This old man's greatest fear was to leave this world with someone not knowing. Or someone he loved not knowing.
Nothing makes me happier, and nothing makes me sadder... than you.
Leo's life was hard. I was wary when I stifle a laugh while reading his POV, because I know I will have my heart broken soon after that. Loving someone was powerful. But loving someone even after hope is lost? It was magnificent. And Leo managed to thrive because of it.
Alma's POV was like a mirror to Leo's. Here's a girl who only wants for her mother to not be sad. While in search for her namesake, she found something worthwhile for her own. And the scene at the park where she met the author of The History of Love? It rendered me speechless. I was trying so hard to not cry. Oh, the triumph they both felt...!
Loneliness: there is no organ that can take it all.
I found The History of Love profound in many forms. But it's take on the simplicity of love made me adore it so much. I thought I was brave when it comes to love. But Leo was braver. To literally have loved and lost, Leo gave me hope that even the saddest endings have the happiest memories.
Gilead. Here's a book that I would like to keep in my shelf. In years to come, I wo...moreI recommend Gilead.
How I wish you could’ve known me in my strength.
Gilead. Here's a book that I would like to keep in my shelf. In years to come, I would like to reread it again, and again. For there is so much power in Robinson's words, so much love in Ames' narration.
John Ames is a minister, so I began reading with apprehension. Would this be a spiritual teaching? I hope not, else I will be bored in a snap. And my hope was not in vain. Ames narrates his journey in life, and how these circumstances shaped him as a man, son, husband, and father. I sometimes forget that he is a man of cloth. All I often see is a person who knows his time will be up soon, so he recalled his past, so that his son might pick up something that will remind him how his father loved him so.
Avoid transgression. How's that for advice?
I especially liked the parts where Ames was talking about his love for his second wife. I could feel the giddiness in his voice when he described his feelings for Lila. I could feel his devotion to the quiet strength she exudes, for him and their son. It was something to smile about, really. Finding love late in his life, and for the second time! Truly encourages one's soul to persevere, to hope that that kind of relationship will be his/hers to deserve.
I guess I will not be coherent enough to write a review for Gilead. Reading it was enlightening. I keep seeing my son, and how much I wanted to leave a legacy to him. I keep seeing my dad, on Ames' grandfather, on how he helps other people even if his family has none to give already. What a beautiful experience Marilynne Robinson has given me.
I remember him those days, loving God for the existence of love, and being grateful to God for the existence of gratitude, right down in the depths of my misery.
I had no illusions about love anymore. It came, it went, it left casualties or it didn’t. People weren’t meant to be together forever, regardless of what the songs say.
So, that’s Remy. Such a bucket of sunshine, right? *snorts*
This Lullaby is my second Dessen book… and I liked it. Not bad, see? This is because The Truth About Forever damaged Dessen’s first impression on me. It was not my cup of tea, really.
Last January, I was tweeting about my plans to read romance for February. Tina hinted, “Why not try Dessen again?” And I say, why not! I was feeling gracious that day, I think. When I added This Lullaby in Goodreads, I was surprised that some of my friends wanted to read it as well. And so we decided to buddy read. And I thought it was awesome, right guys? =)
Moving on. Tina told me that I will like Remy than Macy (from TTAF). Well, I did not like Remy a whole lot (sorry, Tina!), but Dexter… he’s my funny surprise! Well, I’m not asking to be his girl anytime soon, but there’s something… magnetic and charming in Dexter that just seemed to rub off me. His antics in trying to goad Remy were just plain funny. I’m not even offended by the silliness of them all (because normally I would). Every single time that I want to throttle Remy with her washed-out ideas on relationships, Dexter almost always saves the day. His flippancy more than made up Remy’s run-down attitude. And I really, really liked that.
Remy is complicated. How can she not? Seeing love as a weakness. Just look at her mom! Already at her nth-time marriage. But… maybe I see myself in her? Thus, my hostility to her bullheadedness? I hate that she’s too scared, too rough, too tapped out on her life. And how old are again, Remy? *deep sigh*
I still think Dexter deserves better than Remy. That Remy’s mom is indeed stronger than her, jadedness included. That Dexter might not be the most responsible among his lot, but I adore him anyway. That Remy, despite all her flaws, deserves to be treasured.
The ending was open, not quite satisfying for me (as I rarely feel good about open endings) but it felt right. Not forced. Or formulated.
This Lullaby was an amusing read. I’m still getting there – on being a Dessen fan – but for now, I think it’s enough that I gave her work another chance.
I will leave you with this:
But wasn’t it better to just be brutally honest? To admit that your feelings for someone is never going to be powerful enough to justify taking up any more of their time?
I didn't like American Gods, but I love The Graveyard Book. Now, I am trying another Gaiman book to tip him in my favor (I hope). Ha! Thanks for the r...moreI didn't like American Gods, but I love The Graveyard Book. Now, I am trying another Gaiman book to tip him in my favor (I hope). Ha! Thanks for the reco, friend =)(less)
How will I rate a non-fiction book?... When I've always rated a book based on how I enjoyed the story. In Cold Blood is...moreI recommend In Cold Blood.
*****
How will I rate a non-fiction book?... When I've always rated a book based on how I enjoyed the story. In Cold Blood is not an imaginative tale, but a grisly true account of a senseless murder of a family living a simple farm life. So, tell me. How do I rate this?!!!
I didn't like how the layers of stories were told in Part I. I felt I was being led into a wild goose chase (from one character to another) when all Capote wanted to tell me was how the Clutters lived for the last day of their lives. I was like, just get to the point, please.
But when I reached Part II, my reading was smooth sailing already. It fascinated me how the killers have other facets of their lives other than being the murderers of the Clutter family. Capote keenly captured my interest. I was mesmerized with the storytelling.
I only wanted to know the reason behind the murders, I really do. The killers' psyche was what I wanted to delve on, and I got that. Only... the reason why Dick & Perry killed the Clutters was simple and shallow that it deflated my interest a bit. Still, people kill for less obvious reasons, right? Oh, well.
So... 3 stars? 4?
To say the story was not impressive is harsh (since this is non-fiction). Because Capote gave life to a story that could have been another senseless crime. The portrayal of the killers was distinctive but there was a point where I thought Dick & Perry were being glorified...?
I love crime stories. Add to that the ugly reality of In Cold Blood since it happened in real life, I was hooked. Between Dick & Perry, the latter is more dangerous for me. Perry was the one I'm a little scared of. His indifference in taking a life gave me the creeps.
In Cold Blood is a must read for crime fiction fanatics, if only to discourage us, even for a while, that senseless deaths do happened in real life. It can touch us with a single thought of greed and malice.
This is probably the first time that I liked a book with a lead character so disagreeable. I thought Cracked Up to Be is...moreI like Cracked Up to Be.
*****
This is probably the first time that I liked a book with a lead character so disagreeable. I thought Cracked Up to Be is a story of a girl so used to perfection that she decided to trash her life just to feel different. I was wrong. So wrong.
You wouldn't like Parker. She's rude, arrogant, and downright b*tchy. But me? Surprise, surprise. I like her. Summers wrote Parker's inner conflict without having written the actual words. I just have to read between the lines. And it's there. The guilt, confusion and remorse.
Jake is persistent. He faced Parker's verbal assaults with brutal honesty. He's someone who grows on a reader, on me. Jake's crushworthy in the end. and he likes it against the wall. *evil glee* Well, Parker asked it!
The truth behind Parker's fall from grace? Not what I had in mind but it became apparent it's going there when I hit the first half. I was not comfortable about it in the sense that I felt it lacking, or forced. Or maybe that's just me.
Cracked Up to Be is a good realistic read. Ask for help - that's the bottomline.(less)
The winter loves me, I mean as much as you can say a season can love. What I mean is, I love winter, and when you really love something, then it loves you back, in whatever way it has to love.
... it cannot be. *still in denial*
In another time that I might've read this, I would've hated A Separate Peace. I do, and I believe that. It was my first time to read a classic out of my own volition, I finished it, and I felt unhappy. Grieved. So by now you should know, this is a sad story (at least for me).
Gene and Phineas or "Finny" have an unusual friendship. It was amazing when Gene realized that there's an underlying tension and rivalry between them (or not). So a simple act of defiance to gain ground against his best friend Finny is all it took to change their lives.
Finny was a charmer, as in he can get away with everything. Everything, I tell you. But even the most confident of boys feel suffering at one point of their lives. And when that happened to Finny, how my heart went out to him. He could use a hug!
A Separate Peace is an awakening of sorts. To Gene, who discovered what he's capable of. To Finny, who found out that he can only avoid the ongoing war for so long. and with a cost.
Okay, then. I think I am entitled to sulk for a while.
You have to do what you think is the right thing, but just make sure it’s the right thing in the long run, and not just for the moment.
I don't believe in Love At First Sight. Lust, maybe. But Love? Hardly. Now, why am I saying this? I picked up The...moreI recommend Remains of the Day.
*****
I don't believe in Love At First Sight. Lust, maybe. But Love? Hardly. Now, why am I saying this? I picked up The Remains of the Day with little love. That's a fact. Because Ishiguro and me are not friends, due to my utter dislike for Never Let Me Go. And yet, i made an effort to read it. Perhaps it will be different this time? I give second chances to an author's works should I have a terrible reading experience the first time I read from that author. Take John Green, for instance. I didn't like Looking for Alaska, but i took my time before i tried one from Green's again. I read Paper Towns, and wow, now I am a convert.
Is it the same case with Ishiguro?... Yes. I guess Ish and I have to start all over before we became friends. And I still don't like him even if we're friends already (Mr. Stevens irritates me). By the time I finished The Remains... i was stupefied. i was stunned. i am in love. :) Oh, Ishiguro, you sneaky b*stard.
I couldn't care less for the musings of an old, English Butler. Much less of him reminiscing about his greatness of being a butler. So what?!! But when the scenes unfolded between him and his father, i held my breath. i held my heart until it was wrung with weariness and despair over the father-son relationship. i seethed with fury when Mr. Stevens chose to uphold his 'dignity' and 'service' as a butler instead of attending to his ailing father. He says something about impropreity. Well, you can suck it, Mr. Stevens! What an awful son you must be.
Regrets. I usually don't have them. Why should I? Life's too short to postpone living it. So when the final meeting of Miss Kenton and Mr. Stevens came, I was sad. I was shaking my head over Mr. Steven's loss, but what's done is done. I spaced out when he got his heart broken, I was still. It's as if i was the one who lost his life over something he thought was of value: being the greatest butler to his master. Mr. Stevens, what an idiot you are.
So. In the end, i have to succumb to Ishiguro's brilliance. Really, to have my emotions evoked so strongly in such simple situations is something of a feat. And to detest the main character but still managed to get drawn and emotional on the book, that's one hell of storytelling.
The Remains of the Day. Man Booker Prize. Totally deserving.
Me. Reading Ishiguro for the second time. Totally worth it.(less)
For parents who are expecting a child (whether their first or not), normally what would they fear at that stage?
Me? When I was pregnant, my big worry is that my baby will be abnormal. deformed. I did not wish for a beautiful child, I only wish that he will be healthy when he's born. When I saw my son, not only is he perfectly healthy, but he is beautiful. whole. normal. so much more than the things i prayed for.
Auggie's parents were not so lucky. But despite his facial deformity, Auggie is as normal as it gets. he's smart, witty, and hilarious. I love Auggie! His personality just leapt from the pages and tickled my fancy. I thought this is a depressing story. It's not. Just a lot of reflections from a boy who just want to be remembered (and loved) but not because of his horrible-looking face.
I want to embrace his Dad! The most striking scene he has with Auggie is this. In two years, Auggie wore a helmet and never took it off. one day, the helmet has gone missing.
Oh, Auggie, don't be mad. I'm sorry. I just couldn't stand see you wear that thing on your head anymore, you know? i didn't think it was good for you.
Come on, Auggie, please try to understand, you were wearing that helmet all the time. and the real, real, real truth is: I missed seeing your face, Auggie. I know you don't always love it, but you have to understand... I love it. I love this face of yours, Auggie, completely and passionately. And it broke my heart that you were always covering it up.
What a WONDERful father. :)
You're gonna love all the characters here (well, except Julian, maybe). Wonder is heartwarming, heart-wrenching, heart-everything!
People can be cruel to Auggie almost every time. But he found comfort, love and triumph in his family, and his new friends. He never expected the universe will be kind to him. but it did. (less)
The only book i read that dealt mainly with necromancers is The Reckoning. It was new to my paranormal taste and yet i like its theme.
Morbidly funny - that's what comes to mind when I remembered reading Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Two-thirds of the book was information download, so i found that part okay if not a little boring. I'm waiting for some action! But the dark humor did cover for that.
Sam is somewhat a loser. So to think that he has these "necromancy" powers is laughable. How he dealt with this bizarre news is even funnier. =) And it seems that everyone wants him dead, but Douglas got the dibs on him. How can he defeat the most powerful necromancer in town when he is just a college dropout turned diner cook?
I love his friends! Frank, Brooke, and that Latino guy (man, i can't remember his best friend's name!). Brid and her family is way cool. There are also witches and werewolves here; just little touches, but enough to create the paranormal setting in Seattle believable.
Hold Me Closer, Necromancer is an enjoyable read. Rarely does a paranormal book possesses both humorous and dark content. Wish this was a series, but I think this is a good enough to be a standalone. (less)
...Yeah! I enjoyed OASIS! Ready Player One reminded me of Under the Never Sky (Aria's world has the Realms which is the equivalent of OASIS).
Okay. So I knew half the nerdy games and 80's trivia that Ernest Cline kept on babbling about throughout Ready Player One. I was an 80's baby, after all. But I am telling you.. you don't need to be acquainted with the 80's stuff to enjoy this book! It was entertaining to the max. =)
The middle went flat when Wade retreated to his shell after a romance flop. But overall, the adventure of Parcival in OASIS in search of the prize is addicting. I kind of want to have an avatar, too. Ha!
I liked Wade's relationship with Aech (I was surprised with Aech's true identity). It made me think of true friendships I found throught the net (mostly because of reading and blogging). Sometimes, you just know if a person is a friend even though you haven't seen him/her yet, right? Well, Wade and Aech are like that. They are best friends in OASIS, but in real life? They haven't even met!
The challenges that every avatar need to pass in order to unlock a gate was thrilling and fun! I love puzzles and solving riddles (well, only in books!) and Ready Player One is full of that (about 80's trivia and games, of course).
More often than not, people escaped reality by creating an alternate life online. Here in Ready Player One, Wade forgot how it is to live outside of OASIS. It made me smile that in the end, he has a reason to unplugged from the virtual world, and look forward to returning to his real life, no matter how uncertain it is.(less)
You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.
POIGNANT.
I didn’t expect to like The Road. It...moreI recommend The Road.
*****
You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.
POIGNANT.
I didn’t expect to like The Road. It was so depressing. But amidst the hopelessness, I found salvation in reading it. Obviously, the characters drove the story rather than its plot. The bond was strong between the father and his son; the love between them was incomparable.
The setting was desolate. Without food, water and shelter constantly, the father and his son need to watch out for other travelers. There are the “good guys” and the “bad guys” – The “bad guys” being those who would kill them for the blankets at their backs alone. Who would eat them after being killed (I know, gross and morbid). It was a tiring battle. Not to mention the father’s memories of his wife. Not to mention the son’s fight over despair. Not to mention the countless times they are both at the brink of their deaths.
This is not action-packed, but the terror lied in escaping the dangers of the road. It will never be safe, and that makes it so creepy.
The Road almost made me cry in the end. It was not fair! But I loved the son, loved his father even more. The portrayal of their unconditional love to each other gave me goosebumps, it left me reeling.(less)
I am not an easy person to scare. I like horror books; more so on movies. The Monstrumologist is not that really...moreI recommend The Monstrumologist.
*****
I am not an easy person to scare. I like horror books; more so on movies. The Monstrumologist is not that really scary to begin with, but with the overall creepiness of the story, it gave me this horrific effect that i should be scared of monsters. real, eat-you-alive-in-the-grossest-way-possible monsters. Mr. Yancey, I was afraid of the Anthropophagi, not because of the monstrosity, but because of the cunning and intellect that came with that monstrosity. *shudders*
Will Henry's life was not easy. Watching your parents burn to death is not something short of a nightmare. Then, you spend your life with a man whose eccentricity and brilliance shuns everybody around you. including you. not to mention your services are indispensable to this (sometimes) crazy scientist. your services, not you.
I like Yancey's writing. With a story so unique, his characters and monsters became vibrant through his easy storytelling.
Kearnes is my favorite character! His madness is infectious. Oh, he has faults, yes, but i can't help but admire him. he's a formidable hunter, but as a person? Ha! Better ask Will Henry. or Dr. Warthrop for a more definitive response. Also, the Sanitorium scenes are alive! Sanitorium: that one place that i'm the scariest. :)
If you are into horror and gore, you're gonna love The Monstrumologist. Monsters both literal and psychological, you will find it here. To those who have read this: whose life is sadder, Will Henry's or Dr. Warthrop's?
Full of fascinating lore and heart-buckling scenarios, Will Henry will make your nights worthwhile. Read this at night time! it adds to the suspense. *winks*
Impossible; for how many people did you know who refracted your own light to you?
I picked up Fahrenheit 451 with apprehension. Somehow, I'm dreading that the same crappy ending in 1984 will happen here... but I'm a happy camper! I liked Bradbury's short story since page 1. Liked it even more as it progresses. I thought, "yeah! that's what I want to happen, too"!
I was in a trance while reading the book. Bradbury's broody and flowery writing appealed to me for his dystopian theme. It made me pause, think, and agree.In the end of Part 1, I thought Guy was a hypocrite, but my sour feeling towards him didn't last.
For such a short read, Fahrenheit 451 was packed with a lot of punch. Never mind that I fear the world they are in, without books?!! But the spot-on not-so-impossible future crated by Bradbury was quite impressive. Well, he did write this fifty years ago! He has some inventive imagination going back then, and I applaud him for that.
The war was sketchy to me. It conflicted with the message being repeated by the Captain on why their Society is such in its current state: it's because people want to be "happy". So the Society gave them happiness. So what's with the war?
Fahrenheit 451 didn't disappoint. Finally! A classic that is right for my taste. =)(less)
I am not a classics reader, but I like Jane Eyre just fine. Brontë's writing is okay, but there lots of times where she was too...moreI like Jane Eyre.
*****
I am not a classics reader, but I like Jane Eyre just fine. Brontë's writing is okay, but there lots of times where she was too descriptive. too long, even. Oh well, at least now i get to bash Mr. Rochester. LOL
Jane is admirable when she was eleven years old. She's got spunk, to say it so bluntly. i like that she says what she wants to say. When she was already a governess, she's mindful already of her words and actions. Was it because of her education? Maybe. While i abhor her stoicism during the church scandal, i liked Jane in the end. Strong, stubborn, with principle.
I believe Mr. Rochester has no redeeming qualities. Rude, arrogant, manipulative. Oh, and he's a liar as well. You'd think for an ugly gentleman, Brontë will make him likeable by writing him with a good and commendable personality. I guess she's going for unconventional? While i do not like Mr. Rochester (at all), i did not delight in the plight he was in when Jane Eyre sought him at the end of the book.
The story was simple. The ending, too neat.
Jane Eyre tried (and succeeded) in defying the conventions of her time. For that, I applaud her.(less)
Loading...
