One of Us Is Lying (One of Us Is Lying #1) by Karen M. McManus // BOOK REVIEW

“I don't know why it's so hard for people to admit that sometimes they're just assholes who screw up because they don't expect to get caught.”

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Book: One of Us Is Lying

Author: Karen M. McManus

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery

Synopsis: Pay close attention and you might solve this. On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.

Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.

Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.

Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.

And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?

Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.

What I think about it...

The Characters

I like the characters especially Bronwyn and Nate, the pull is so strong that I didn’t miss a beat. I always look forward to their POVs. I also like Addy’s character development. I was once in her position, like losing yourself in the process of loving someone, a yes-girl, a people pleaser. But the ending for her? Atta girl!

Now Cooper, the hot, handsome athlete… his story is so intriguing that I didn’t expect that that is the secret he’s been keeping. Actually, his is the most surprising of all. The other three? Not much.

I don’t feel the indifferent feeling towards any of the characters here – even with the background characters like Jake. They’re just all okay with me.

The Story

The plot was so intriguing like when I first read the synopsis I started looking for the book and didn’t stop until I have my hands on it. It was intriguing in a way that I was curious as to how McManus will execute this kind of plot. I’ve read books with promising plots but failed miserably in the execution. This book, however, delivered it perfectly well but…

What went wrong…

The execution of the plot was good but I guess what I find absurd in the end was the fact that a group of young teens solved the mystery and the police - the experts - who have all the means (technology, skill and stuff) didn't crack the case. I mean, how lame was that. It's funny and unbelievable in so many levels. And if I live in the same town as them I would totally freak out because the police can’t do their jobs. Also another thing I hate about this book is the confusing change of point of views. I know it's necessary so we can all see what's right inside each of their minds and of course for the story to progress but dang, it's hella confusing like I need to backtrack every single time cos I forgot who's who already and it's irritating.

My Verdict

It was an okay read. Would recommend? Yes. Read the second book? Maybe no. I'm not curious about Maeve's story and the plot was quite sketchy and shallow. On second thought, if Addy and TJ (I’m rooting for them) has an appearance in that book I might read it. I really want Addy to be happy. But I guess I wont know til I started reading it. So yeah, might read it.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne // BOOK REVIEW

"It’s amazing how much one person can change the world, even if they don’t know they’re doing it."

Book: The Wrong Side of Right

Author: Jenn Marie Thorne

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

Synopsis: Kate Quinn’s mom died last year, leaving Kate parentless and reeling. So when the unexpected shows up in her living room, Kate must confront another reality she never thought possible—or thought of at all. Kate does have a father. He’s a powerful politician. And he’s running for U.S. President. Suddenly, Kate’s moving in with a family she never knew she had, joining a campaign in support of a man she hardly knows, and falling for a rebellious boy who may not have the purest motives. This is Kate’s new life. But who is Kate? When what she truly believes flies in the face of the campaign’s talking points, she must decide. Does she turn to the family she barely knows, the boy she knows but doesn’t necessarily trust, or face a third, even scarier option?

What I think about it...

The Characters

I adore each character in this book, even the bad ones – I mean; they’re so good at being bad. I love Kate Quinn, the twins, Meg, grandma, the inner circle and the staffers. Then there’s Senator Cooper, I feel hurt for Kate when her dad didn’t stand up for her but I know deep within his heart and soul that he loves Kate. It is sad but I guess we needed that for the story to progress. Up until the end I was slowly losing my hope on Cooper and I'm completely in awe at how wonderful Meg is. I can't imagine how painful it is for her to know that her husband fathered a child. But it turned out Meg was more accepting than Cooper. Then Andy, I loved his quirkiness and naughty attitude… but I don’t like him for Kate. I liked them individually.

The Story

I didn’t expect that I will love this book as much as I did. This is not the kind of young-adult genre that I read but I actually liked it, no scratch that, I loved it. The story seemed a little slow but I didn’t mind it at all. I rarely fall in love with books that aren’t romantic or cute but this one is, again, an exception. I don’t have anything in common with Kate but I do feel like I can relate with her. I used to feel awkward when the book is about a father-daughter relationship, I just find it overly emotional and cringey but, again again, this book is not like that. I actually crave for more Kate and Senator's interactions more than Kate and Andy's. It's their time!

My Verdict

I love it. I absolutely adore this book. I’m recommending it to everyone.

MY RATING

★★★★☆

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver // BOOK REVIEW

“Maybe you can afford to wait. Maybe for you there's a tomorrow. Maybe for you there's one thousand tomorrows, or three thousand, or ten, so much time you can bathe in it, roll around it, let it slide like coins through you fingers. So much time you can waste it.
But for some of us there's only today. And the truth is, you never really know.”

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Book: Before I Fall

Author: Lauren Oliver

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Fantasy

Synopsis: For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12—"Cupid Day"—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is … until she dies in a terrible accident that night.

However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.

What I think about it...

The Characters

Well, I can’t say I like them or I can relate to them but they have their own struggles. They’re unlikable and they did things that made me resent them. They are their own bullies. Sam, Lindsay, Ally and Elody are the popular girls in school but that popularity doesn’t spare them with the harshness of reality. Also, I want more background story of Lindsay and Juliet’s character. Why was Lindsay the person she was? Because I kind of don’t understand why she’s such an a-hole to Juliet.

The Story

Unique and captivating though I was not really that excited in reading it, the plot motivated me to continue reading. What I regret though is when Sam only realized the horrible things she did when it's too late. Ironic because she told Juliet, 'It's never too late,' but it is... at least it is, for her.

I’ve learned…

I’ve realized a whole lot of things about life. That we can only see through people's life what they want us to see and that most of the time they’re just faking it. Also one of the lessons that speak to me the most is that we have to be kind to everybody because everyone is fighting a hard battle we know nothing about. What broke my heart here is when Juliet narrated the mean and horrible things that Sam and Co. did to her and what was Sam’s reaction? She’s sorry or she doesn’t remember that or she didn’t know that. You see, we have to be careful how we treat other people because we don’t know how it will affect them or worse they might bring it with them for the rest of their lives. We might not remember the nasty things we did to other people because for us it’s just a small thing, but to them it’s a whole lot of big deal.

My Verdict

There was a question in Part One where Sam said, 

“But before you start pointing fingers, let me ask you; is what I did really so bad? So bad I deserved to die? So bad I deserved to die like that?
Is what I really did really so much worse than what anybody else does?
Is it really so much worse than what you do?
Think about it.”

Well, you know what Sam, no righteous person should ever tell you that you deserve to die in whatever way but I can tell you now and look you straight in the eye that what you did is worse (no used in comparing if what others did was worse, because a sin is a sin no matter how small) and I did no such thing against anyone (like what you guys did to Juliet). Don’t ask people if what you did was worse than anyone elses just to make you feel better.

Now, apart from the four mean, feeling entitled, horrible main leads here, I recommend it because the message of this book is so touching and true - growth and development.

MY RATING

★★★☆☆

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins // BOOK REVIEW

“Hollowness: that I understand. I'm starting to believe that there isn't anything you can do to fix it. That's what I've taken from the therapy sessions: the holes in your life are permanent. You have to grow around them, like tree roots around concrete; you mold yourself through the gaps”

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Book: The Girl on the Train

Author: Paula Hawkins

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Thriller

Synopsis: Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar. Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train...

What I think about it...

The Characters

Okay, so we have a bunch of rotten characters here.

First, Rachel. She is a divorced, drunkard woman. I don’t know how many times I’ve read books in this genre with a kind of protagonist like her. But I’m sure I’ve read a lot and it’s exhausting. Drunkard, divorced woman who is unstable enough to be unreliable. This kind of protagonist is so cliché it already becomes exhausting. I resented Rachel. She’s so pathetic and petty. I understand her need to help but she can help without compromising her safety. I resented her so much because she knew herself very well – that she’s vulnerable when she’s drunk, that she’s not herself and she have this blackout episodes and yet she drinks because (according to her) it will keep her mind clear. What?!!! How does it make her mind clear when she can’t remember a thing? Again, I hate her. I can’t construct a concrete sentence to describe how much I hated her character. I also understand that she can’t let go of Tom, her ex-husband, but gurrrrl, it’s been two years and you’re still so pathetic. Come on, pick yourself up and dust-off.

Then we have Anna. The home-wrecker turned wife. I hate her as well and I don’t understand her character. In the confrontation scene, the scene where the truth was revealed, I don’t understand why she’s acting like it was okay for her and her daughter to still live with the person with a very questionable character. Is it because she’s afraid to be alone? And what makes her think that she’s special? That Tom is not gonna cheat on her like what they did to Rachel?

Then Megan, the whore. She’s also a hateful character. She made mistakes, no scratch that, sin. She sinned and looked like she was happy with it. That’s it.

Then Tom and Scott who’s both detestable. Then there’s the police. Like in The Woman in the Window, I hate the female detective here, they are so quick to judge. Actually I was more curious about how they would react once the truth was revealed and I was disappointed because it was not emphasized here. I love to see the reaction of bad people when they realize they are wrong.

The Story

Cliché. Actually, The Woman in the Window is so much like this. The protagonist are both divorced, unstable, unreliable and both a drunkard. They both witnessed a crime and it’s tiring to read, but what can we do but read, right?

What went wrong…

I knew who the culprit is once I’ve read Anna’s point of view. It is tiring to read because of Rachel’s repeated abuse of herself and pettiness. I hated all the characters.

My Verdict

It’s a meh. I don’t like it at all. If you've read or watched Gone Girl, it's so much like that so don't bother.

MY RATING

★☆☆☆☆

The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness // BOOK REVIEW

"We are the choices we make."

Book: The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2)

Author: Patrick Ness

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Synopsis: We were in the square, in the square where I'd run, holding her, carrying her, telling her to stay alive, stay alive till we got safe, till we got to Haven so I could save her - But there weren't no safety, no safety at all, there was just him and his men...

Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor's new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode...

"The Ask and the Answer" is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure.

What I think about it...

In all honesty, I only continue reading this series because I love Patrick Ness and I vowed that I will read all his work because again, I love him. There.

I also read the The Wide, Wide Sea (Chaos Walking #2.5) after reading The Ask and the Answer because they are related and we are supposed to read it first before Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking #3) because there are hints written here of the things yet to come in the final book. I actually think that there are characters here that will make an appearance in Monsters.

The Story

The story is, of course, a continuation of the ending of book one. It revolves around the development of Haven under the new President - known as Mayor Prentiss to Todd - but some people are not happy with how the way things are so there's a war between Mayor Prentiss' followers and the terrorist (as Mayor Prentiss puts it) who calls themselves as Answer.

I’m tired of this series. It’s a struggle for me to pick it up and continue reading. I mean it when I say I don’t like it. But hey, that doesn’t mean that it’s not a good book cos actually it is a good book. The plot is unique. It is intelligently and creatively written. But the problem is with me.

I get tired with the continuous (and actually never-ending) exchange of arguments and killings. It’s survival of the fittest, I know, but it’s exhausting. I don’t like how weak these characters are and how irrational they think. That fight (war of the minds) between Mayor Prentiss and Todd towards the end was absurd, lame and horrible, for me.

The Characters

Even though this bores me to death I can’t say the same with what happened to the characters because I love their character developments. Todd Hewitt became a Lieutenant, Viola became a healer and Davy became kind of friends with Todd. There’s the appearance of the Spackles and we are introduced to more characters here. As what is hinted in the first book, there was the return of Mayor Prentiss – now President Prentiss – and the rest of the Prentisstown men.

My Verdict

I didn’t like it but that doesn’t mean that it is not a good work. This ending has left me very intrigued as to how this series will end therefore I will finish it along with its sidestories.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart // BOOK REVIEW

“We are liars. We are beautiful and privileged. We are cracked and broken.”
“Be a little kinder than you have to.”
“Do not accept an evil you can change.”
“Always do what you're afraid to do.”
"Never eat anything bigger than your ass."

Book: We Were Liars

Author: E. Lockhart

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction

Synopsis: A beautiful and distinguished family.

A private island.

A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.

A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.

A revolution. An accident. A secret.

Lies upon lies.

True love.

The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it.

And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

What I liked about it...

It is very easy to read. It’s short and though I find it less intriguing, I didn’t lose my focus. It was an okay read for me.

What went wrong…

Well, I don’t know. I don’t have any strong feelings for this book. Though I might say that the plot / story is not typical, I know deep within me that it’s not quite brilliant or remarkable. I mean, the book is good but I was not surprised with the plot twist because I saw it coming. When I started reading this (or any book), I don’t read reviews because I know it will spoil the book for me and I know that this will have a really unexpected twist. But again, I knew it from the start so I was not surprised (maybe because I’ve read books with the same twist) and I didn’t feel anything except regret for the young lives that was lost. I resented Cadence.

My Verdict

If you’re in for a nice story, go for it. Again, this is a good book but it’s just not for me and I feel bad for not liking it cos a lot of people loved it lol.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs #2) by Kate Stewart // BOOK REVIEW

“The smile on my son’s face and the awe in his eyes when he runs into the living room makes it worth it. He’s worth every sacrifice I could ever make.”

Book: The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs #2)

Author: Kate Stewart

Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, College

Synopsis: It started with a lie. A night of blurred lines between a teacher and a student.

I wasn’t her student, yet it was the single most defining night of my life.

I’ve never been the man she thinks I am.

Most people have no idea about the life I’ve lived or the words that ring true when it comes to me—still waters run deep.

But you’d be hard-pressed to find a coed on the TGU campus who knows otherwise…because I’ve never corrected them.

The clock is ticking down, it’s Fourth and Inches with the ball inside the one-yard line and the focus is on me, The Guy on the Left. I’ve never felt like a football god, inside I’m…just Troy.

It’s time to set the record straight.

For my son, I‘ll find the strength.

In her eyes, I’m determined to gain redemption.

I will have them both, even if I have to take my eye off the ball.

All books in the series can be read as a stand-alone.

What I think about it...

The Characters

I love Dante! So smart, cute, little baby boy.

Troy, well, he’s hot and all but he’s not your typical jock. He’s determined in life. He works hard and studies hard too. He is a family guy. I love it that he loves his mom so much and he has a strong sense of responsibility when it comes to being a father. Though I kinda don’t like the fact that when he’s stressed with Clarissa, he turns to other girls for sex – I don’t like that about him.

Clarissa, on the other hand, was a strong-willed woman. I understand that Troy lied to him but he was obviously willing to be a father to their son and she didn’t give him that.

I like Parker as well. I think I’m gonna be that kind of aunt to my friends’ kids. She’s cool and is a lot of fun.

What I liked less…

I’m a sucker for love story of second chances and so I loved it. I think the one thing that I hate about this is Clarissa’s deprivation of father-son relationship to both Dante and Troy for six years. Six long years that they can never get back. Also what I don't like is they both obviously love each other but why can't they compromise and get back together?

My Verdict

I don’t know how many books are left in this series but I know is the next book is about Lance. So I recommend to read all the books because it’s all worth it!

And same as The Guy on the Right, this book’s Epilogue is so satisfying.

P.S. It also has playlist on Spotify!

MY RATING

★★★★☆

The Guy on the Right (The Underdogs #1) by Kate Stewart // BOOK REVIEW

“He didn’t show up on a white horse declaring that she hops on before he gallops away. No, this prince got off his horse, fell on his ass, and stumbled in the mud with her until she could mount her own stallion. And then, in one last act of bravery, he gently trotted beside her into the unknown.”

Book: The Guy on the Right (The Underdogs #1)
Author: Kate Stewart
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, College
Synopsis: Strike One-My mother named me Theodore after her favorite chipmunk.

Not cool, Mom.

I‘ve spent most of my life answering to Teddy, because I couldn’t make Theo work.

Except for here. College. The place where all bets are off, and I’ve managed to redeem myself.

There’s only one problem, my new roommate, Troy, is football royalty and looks like he stepped off the set of an Abercrombie shoot.

Doesn’t matter, I cook a mean breakfast for his panty parade, and we get along well.

And anyway, this year I got the girl. And she’s perfect.

That’s right. Theodore Houseman, former band geek, now marching band rock star has finally landed the girl of his dreams.

Everything is perfect.

That is, until Troy takes a good look at her.

I’m not going down without a fight. As a matter of fact, I’m not going down at all. As glorious as these days may be for my all-star roommate, Laney is my end game.

I may not know much about play strategy, but I’ve been the good guy my whole life. I’ve been listening and I know exactly what women want. Framed in a picture standing next to me, Troy may seem like Mr. Perfect, but he’s underestimating the guy on the right.

Spoiler alert: In this story, the underdog is going to win.

What I think about it...

The Characters

I love them all, from Theo down to her sisters, they’re all lovable. Theo is so sweet and likable as well as Laney. Theo’s roommates – Troy and Lance – are equally hot and mysterious though they don’t have much exposure here because they have their own books. Theo’s sisters are hilarious and I can totally relate with that because me and my sisters are bullying our younger brothers the same way. I can’t say much about the other background characters but I like them all. There’s really no unlovable character here except for Nora.

The Story

This is what a slow-burn novel should be like. And I love this; New Adult Romance is my new favorite genre. It’s not cringey like Young Adult Romances. It was so funny and cute and lovely. I was giggly all the time. It’s crazy how a book make you feel this elated. Their breakup was so, obviously, heartbreaking. It was so sad that I feel like I’m a part of their relationship lol. Also gah, that Epilogue, now, that’s how you end a book right.

What I liked less...

I love this book but what I kinda don't like is Theo being so pessismist. It was like he was just waiting for Laney to mess up so he can prove himself right. I don't like that he's judgemental about Troy - although he really is a fckboy - but you know, give him the benefit of the doubt, Theo.

My Verdict

Guys, do yourself a favor and read this. Kate Stewart is definitely in the list of my favorite authors now. I absolutely love this book and this author.

P.S. It has playlist on Spotify

MY RATING

★★★★★

The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) // BOOK REVIEW

Life ain’t fair.
It ain’t.
Not never.
"It’s pointless and stupid and there’s only suffering and pain and people who want to hurt you. You can’t love nothing or no one cuz it’ll all be taken away or ruined and you’ll be left alone and constantly having to fight, constantly having to run just to stay alive.
There’s nothing good in this life. Not nothing good nowhere.
What’s the effing point?"

Book: The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1)

Author: Patrick Ness

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Synopsis: Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him -- something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd's gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is.

What I think about it...

I wish I can say that I enjoyed it cos, come on, Patrick Ness. But I didn’t and I hate it that I felt this way cos I love this author.

What went wrong…

I think I'm too dumb for this. There are parts that I tried so hard to understand and parts that I just skipped. I find it very uncomfortable to read because I thought that it's so messed up. Imagine every one hearing what you're thinking, right? How can Patrick Ness execute this kind of story, I thought. But he did it anyways. But I would say that I can find so much connection in this book with what's happening today in this society. Informayshun (information). Lots of it.

Also there are characters I effing loved and effing hated. Loved Manchee and Ben and Cillian and Todd. Viola, I kinda don't care about her. I effing hate Aaron so very much like he’s that 0.01% germ that can’t be killed with even the strongest cleaning and disinfecting products and it's irritating.

My Verdict

I kinda don't like it. But I effing love Patrick Ness so I will effing finish this series.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn // BOOK REVIEW

“If there's one thing I've learned in all my time working with children, if I could whittle those years down to a single revelation, it's this: They are extraordinarily resilient. They can withstand neglect; they can survive abuse; they can endure, even thrive, where adults would collapse like umbrellas.”

Book: The Woman in the Window

Author: A.J. Finn

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Synopsis: Anna Fox lives alone—a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times . . . and spying on her neighbors.

Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother, their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble—and its shocking secrets are laid bare.

What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one—and nothing—is what it seems.

What I think about it...

Saw its movie trailer on YouTube. Saw Amy Adams and Julianne Moore in it. So what more can I ask for? I immediately added it on my shelf and read it hours later after seeing the trailer.

The trailer was captivating and once I’ve set my eye on a book / movie, I need to immediately start with it. And I did.

What went wrong…

It disappointed me though. A bit. Titles like these are so common these days. How many books have women somewhere... In the cabin. In the window. In the train. Wherever. Anyways, it's so frustrating to read this because Anna Fox kept drinking every time and I don't know what's the deal with it. I mean, I drink occasionally but in this book I don't understand why she kept drinking and drinking even though she knows that it's bad for her and that's only gonna make her more unreliable. And she already is sick and on meds but it didn’t stop her from becoming an alcoholic.

One more thing that irked me here are the police, particularly that woman detective. How I wanna see her face when the truth was revealed. I wanna see her reaction in the movie.

My Verdict

I've lost my faith in her. Lost my patience. And all my sympathy for her vanished after it was revealed what happened to her family. After what she did. I know people make mistakes but gurrrrl, why you did that to yourself.

I might still watch the movie. Let's cheers to that, Anna.

MY RATING

★★★☆☆

Have You Seen Luis Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde // BOOK REVIEW

“Living long is a gift denied to many, and so it comes with a responsibility to make the most of it. At very least to appreciate it. People gripe about growing older—their aches and pains, how much harder everything is—as if they had forgotten that the alternative is dying young.”

“We just made the mistake of putting it off. We thought we would lose nothing by putting it off. We thought we had plenty of time. I guess that was our key mistake, right? We thought there would always be more time. Why do we do that? I mean, not just Luis and me. Everybody. Why does everybody do that? Think we'll have more time?”

Book: Have You Seen Luis Velez?

Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary

Synopsis: Raymond Jaffe feels like he doesn't belong. Not with his mother's new family. Not as a weekend guest with his father and his father's wife. Not at school, where he's an outcast. After his best friend moves away, Raymond has only two real connections: to the feral cat he's tamed and to a blind ninety-two-year-old woman in his building who's introduced herself with a curious question: Have you seen Luis Velez?

Mildred Gutermann, a German Jew who narrowly escaped the Holocaust, has been alone since her caretaker disappeared. She turns to Raymond for help, and as he tries to track Luis down, a deep and unexpected friendship blossoms between the two.

Despondent at the loss of Luis, Mildred isolates herself further from a neighborhood devolving into bigotry and fear. Determined not to let her give up, Raymond helps her see that for every terrible act the world delivers, there is a mirror image of deep kindness, and Mildred helps Raymond see that there's hope if you have someone to hold on to.

What I think about it...

This book is both heartbreaking and heartwarming for me.

Heartbreaking because, even though I know its fiction, I know there really are children / kids who feel out of place inside their own home – that one place where they should feel they are loved and wanted. It is so saddening to see that the person who’s most suffering in the separation of a husband and a wife is their child. I felt so sad for Raymond for being in that situation. I was kinda happy, though, that at least his Dad cares for him but I also don’t think that he has some balls to stand up for his own son.

But it is so heartwarming for me because Raymond found his family in Mrs. G and in other Luis Velezes. It’s just so ironic that sometimes people who are not related to you are the ones who make you feel like you’re family. I’m tearing up just by recalling how wonderful this book is.

The Ending

Wow. I thought I was not really gonna enjoy what’s gonna happen in the end but you know, Catherine Ryan Hyde didn’t really promised anything in the end and that made it more realistic. It is so realistic that it may be happening to someone right now. It’s just so amazing and it’s really not the kind of ending I was hoping but it’s as good as it gets. There are so many things that’s gonna happen in the future and who knows what’s in there until we get there, right? We just have to be positive and hope for the best.

My Verdict

Amazing. Must-read. Most recommended.

There are so many great takeaways here that I kept highlighting here and there. Guys, if you’re looking for a book that will give you the feels… This. Is. It.

It taught me that we can’t really change the world, alone, especially for the people we care about for them to like it better or for them to not feel any more pain/hardships. But what we can do is to let them go through whatever it is they have to go through and just be there for them.

“The world is terrible and wonderful at the same time. One doesn’t negate the other, but the wonderful keeps us in the game. It keeps us moving forward.” 

MY RATING

★★★★★

The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz // BOOK REVIEW

“If someone is not treating you with love and respect, it is a gift if they walk away from you. If that person doesn't walk away, you will surely endure many years of suffering with him or her. Walking away may hurt for a while, but your heart will eventually heal. Then you can choose what you really want. You will find that you don't need to trust others as much as you need to trust yourself to make the right choices.”

Book: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

Author: Miguel Ruiz

Genre: Self Help, Non-fiction, Spirituality, Philosophy

Synopsis: In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best.

What I think about it...

This book has given me great insights that I will definitely treasure. I finished reading it and I will read it again and again until it’s imprinted in my mind. There are so many takeaways from this book and I’ve read serious accusations against the author but personally, I can’t comment/respond to what Miguel Ruiz did or did not do. The teachings I’ve found in this book are so powerful and inspiring. This book talks about the four agreements that we need to adopt to transform our lives:

• Be impeccable with your word

• Don’t take anything personally

• Don’t make assumptions

• Always do your best

This is a must-read book for everyone. And if you’ve read this already, what agreement coincides with you the most?

MY RATING

★★★★★

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch (Love & Gelato #2) // BOOK REVIEW

“Do you know what I love most about humans, pet? It’s our utter dogged stupidity. When it comes to love we never learn. Ever. Even when we know the risks. Even when it makes much more sense to relocate to individualized climate-controlled caves, where our hearts have at least a fighting chance at remaining intact. We know the risks of opening our hearts up. And yet we keep doing it anyway. We keep falling in love and having babies and buying shoes that look incredible but feel like death. We keep adopting puppies and making friends and buying white sofas that we know we’re going to drop a slice of pizza facedown on. We just keep doing it. Is it ignorance? Amnesia? Or is it something else? Something braver?”

Book: Love & Luck (Love & Gelato #2)
Author: Jenna Evans Welch
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Synopsis: Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding, and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing she did that left her miserable and heartbroken—and threatens her future. But her brother, Ian, isn’t about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once inseparable siblings. Miserable, Addie can’t wait to visit her friend in Italy and leave her brother—and her problems—behind.

So when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind and Ian’s criticism.

And then their travel plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tale forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother.

That is if they don’t get completely lost along the way.

What I think about it...

The writing / story

This book is written in Addie's point of view and at the end of each chapters there are excerpts from Ireland for the Heartbroken: An Unconventional Guide to the Emerald Isle, third edition that Addie is reading. And I enjoyed reading it more than I did with reading Addie's story. I think the whole book is written nicely (but not nice enough to hold my attention). It was a lighthearted story and a quick read.

The Characters

Oh God I admire Addie's brothers! They are so hilarious that I always look forward to their parts in Addie's stories. There was a cameo of Lina and Ren as well, in the end. On the other hand, I don't know what to feel about Rowan. He was just like a background character although he was always there. He didn't give me the feels Ren gave me during the first book. He was there but was kinda not there. 

And Addie, oh Addie... is very annoying and childish and a pushover. I was really annoyed with her that I think if I have a younger sister like her, that complains every single time, I will definitely slap her to sanity.

Oops, I think I'm being too violent. But Addie is annoying. Like there was a part where she, her three brothers and her mom was inside the car and they were talking about the fight Addie and Ian had during their Aunt's wedding, she just won't shut up. It felt like I was inside the car with them.

Why it didn't work for me...

I thought I'm gonna like it, at least, because I lurve Love & Gelato but this was utterly disappointing. I just kept skipping everything. I did not enjoy this story at all. And Addie is just so stupid. 

Like why she didn't think of the consequences of her actions?

Her brother warned her and yet she continued whatever it is she's doing.

And then she messed up.

Serves her right for being so hard headed!

She wanna be more than just the little sister of her three superstar-athlete brothers but if that is her way to be more than just the little sister, she really is bound to get doomed. Also there was a part where Miriam asked her to go on the stage and shout, "I am the hero of my own story," and I thought it was overboard, shallow and absurd. 

I don't find the significance of this scene in the whole story just like how I don't get the point of the whole story.

My Verdict

I don't like this at all. And this has a lot of positive comments on Goodreads but I just can't seem to like it.

I don't like it at all.

Addie ruined this for me.

And the only thing that gave me emotions in this book are her brothers and Lina. Her brothers made me laugh and Lina made me cry. And Addie, well, she irritates me. So, no, this book is...

But wait, just to be fair (after all I've said above, I wanna be fair LOL), I started reading this at the same time I started reading Everlost but Love & Luck didn't catch my attention as much as Everlost did so I finished the trilogy first then I decided to finish this. I binged-read that trilogy and started this but I found my focus still not in this book. Maybe if I was in a different mood, I might have enjoyed this. Maybe.

MY RATING

★☆☆☆☆

Everfound by Neal Shusterman (Skinjacker #3) // BOOK REVIEW

“We can lie to ourselves, saying we believe one thing, and sometimes we convince other's it's true, with the hope that by convincing others, we can convince ourselves. Wars are often waged not because of what we believe, but because of the things we want others to believe.”

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Book: Everfound (Skinjacker #3)
Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction

Synopsis: While Mary lies in a glass coffin aboard a ghost train heading west, her minions are awaiting her re-awakening by bringing lots of new souls into Everlost to serve her. Meanwhile Jackin’ Jill has met Jix, a fur-jacker—a skin jacker who can take over the bodies of animals, most notably jaguars. Jix serves a Mayan god who collects Everlost coins, and has his own agenda. In the concluding volume of The Skinjacker Trilogy, Neal Shusterman reveals new sides of the characters of Everlost, who are pitted against each other in a battle that may destroy all life on Earth.

What I thought about it...

This one is painful. I have to bid goodbye to my newfound friends.

Though I've only met them a few days ago, I felt like I know them all and ending this series, I kind of felt sad and happy. 

Sad because for that short amount of time I felt like they became a part of my family and being away from them made me feel incomplete.

But happy because finally, they're going to the light. They're going somewhere they need to go.

So I'll try not to be selfish and let them all go.

Anyways, back to the story. As I've said in my Everwild review, this is kind of depressing. It bothers me that kids are dying and I tried so hard to convince myself that this is just a fiction, not real and I don't have to fret. But it felt so real, I just can't help it.

Also, that ending. I know just because it's not the kind of ending that I want doesn't mean it's a bad book. I was actually kind of torn with the ending. It's still beautiful though. I was kinda teary-eyed when Mikey bid Allie goodbye and I was even more emotional when Allie said her goodbye to Nick. I don't ship them anymore, but I admire the kind of bond they have. As Allie said, Nick is like her ghostly twin and Mikey is her soul mate. It warms my heart that Nick will always be in her heart. And with that I'd like to share that ending between them...

     "I remember the first time I saw you," Allie said.

     "I thought you smelled me first."

    "Right," said Allie. "The chocolate. But then I saw you as I sat up in the dead forest, thinking I knew you. At the time, I thought I must have seen you through the windshield when our cars crashed... But that wasn't it. I think, way back then, I was seeing you as you are now. Isn't that funny?"

     "Not as funny as the way I always complained, and the way you always bossed me around!"

They embraced and held each other for a long time.

    "Don't forget me," Nick said. "No matter where your life goes, no matter how old you get. And if you ever get the feeling that someone is looking over your shoulder, but there's nobody there, maybe it'll be me."

    "I'll write to you," said Allie, and Nick laughed. "No really. I'll write the letter then burn it, and if I care just enough, it will cross into Everlost."

I'm also sad that Nick was left there, not totally alone, but all his friends either sunk in the bottom of the earth, gone into the light in the tunnel or gone back to the living world. He was left there and it is very uncomforting to think why can't he cross that tunnel? Although I know he still have his mission, but still...

Again I felt bad that I was kinda sad that Allie chose to come back to the living world and not be with Mikey. But maybe they'll see each other again at the end of the tunnel. So I was kind of hoping that Neal Shusterman will write at least something about the Afterlights' life beyond that tunnel? In the light?

My Verdict

I like this series. Amazing. Creative. Very, very good.

I was just so happy I finished a trilogy in less than a week!

MY RATING

★★★★☆

Everwild by Neal Shusterman (Skinjacker #2) // BOOK REVIEW

“...And perhaps you can sense, in some small twisting loop of your gut, the convergence of the wrong, of the right, and of the woefully misguided. If you do, then pay sharp attention to the moment you wake, and the moment you fall asleep...For maybe then you will know, without a shadow of a doubt, which is which.”

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Book: Everwild (Skinjacker #2)

Author: Neal Shusterman

Genre: Young Adult, Fiction

Synopsis: Everlost, the limbo land of dead children, is at war. Nick the “Chocolate Ogre” wants to help the children of Everlost reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Mary Hightower, self-proclaimed queen of lost children and dangerous fanatic, is determined to keep Everlost’s children trapped within its limbo for all eternity. Traveling in the memory of the Hindenburg, Mary is spreading her propaganda and attracting Afterlights to her cause at a frightening speed.

Meanwhile, Allie the Outcast travels home to seek out her parents, along with Mikey, who was once the terrifying monster the McGill. Allie is tempted by the seductive thrill of skinjacking the living, until she discovers the shocking truth about skinjackers.

What I thought about it...

Whenever I read fantasy books, the gears in my head started turning looking for plot holes...

And I become suspicious...

But this book or series is different. Maybe it has plot holes. I don't know or I'm not sure because I don't mind.

Because...

The Characters

Many characters were introduced here like Jackin' Jill, Milos, Moose and Squirrel to name a few. I dreaded that I have to keep up with a lot of names every time I read something in the fantasy genre but I find it not a problem in reading this book.

Also, I like the character progression of each leads but can I just add that it sadden me to see Lief go. And now I felt bad for seeing someone go somewhere they need to be just because it doesn't make me happy. Goodbyes are difficult when you get attached to people... be it in real life or in fiction.

Back to the character progression...

Nick became the Chocolate Ogre and it's saddening. Like he really became a mud of chocolate in the end. 

Can I also add that I shipped him with Allie in book one til the second half of this book. But then Mikey McGill appeared and he now became my most favorite character (with Nick closely behind). I was so brokenhearted, though, with what he saw between Allie and Milos. And with that I hated Allie. I thought she is so insensitive and that she deserved it when Mikey left her.

My Verdict

I read Everwild as soon as I finished Everlost because I was afraid that boredom will get the best of me. I enjoyed Everlost but I felt like it was just okay even if I don't finish the series. But good Lord, I picked up Everwild and I can't put it down. I didn't regret one bit.

But this series is kinda depressing. It was like survival of the fittest. The living world is in danger with Afterlights - beings that they cannot see. And it scared me because, really, what if there really is another world out there?

Anyways, I recommend this book. Oh my gosh, it's good.

MY RATING

★★★★☆