November 16, 2014
November 04, 2014
Book Review : Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I really want to write this book review the day I finished it, but I don't have the time. I have all the time in the world right now to write. And this post has been collecting dust in the draft for like a month before I actually post it. Don't forget that I usually write some spoilers about the book in this review. Reader's discretion is advised. So this is it ...
I enjoyed reading this book. I really do.And when I really enjoy a book, I read it in a flash of time. I consider myself as a slow reader. I never finish a book in a day. The fastest I ever read a book was when I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I read it in three days. Fangirl? I read it in four days. I think I can actually read it in three days too, but I was sick so I can't beat my personal best record.
It's been awhile since I last write a book review, so it kinda hard to try writing one again xD
Here it goes,
The thing that I love the most from reading a young adult book is this, it relatively easy to read (*except for The Hunger Games trilogy, I think? ). And this book is no different.
I like the character. I think Cath is really relatable as a main character even though I'm not actually feel connected to her in anyway. I love her world that she live in. The world where Simon Snow is a thing. I imagine Simon Snow thingy as Harry Potter from the beginning of the book. The first page that I read is basically a slightly altered version of Wikipedia article about this whole Simon Snow stuff. It's really awesome! This whole fanfiction thingy is a really good thing to be a story.
I love the time setting. Freshmen year of College. I think I will totally related to this story more if I read it on my freshmen year. The awkward situation of not having any friend? I really understand that. Didn't get a proper lunch / dinner because she doesn't know the dining room and she has no one to ask? I can actually see myself in Cath's character x'D
I really like Cath's relationship with Reagan. I think it's really realistic. She's her roommate, and it's really awkward and anything, but as things progressed, she become Cath's friend. I really like reading about this kind of thing. Reagan and Cath is a totally different person. Cath is super shy while Reagan is that kind of outgoing person. Reagan is sorta cold, but she's actually a nice person. I like her confidence, and somehow Cath got some sort of her confidence too.
I really love Cath's relationship with her dad. The way she cares about him. All the phone calls that she made because she's worried about his being alone and anything. Especially that part when he's sick. It really breaks my heart when I'm reading about that one time when she come home after her dad is submitted to the hospital. That part when she cleaned the house, and she realized that if she's home, she can prevent this whole mess. A little manic is okay, but ... *sigh*
I'm really annoyed with Cath and Wren's relationship.If I have a twin brother, I will definitively hang out together at all times. Whenever I watch a movie or read a book that have a twin character, I was hoping that the twins will have that kind of cute relationship with each other, like Fred and George in Harry Potter. But at the beginning of the book, they're already separated. Like they're 'fighting' in some way. I don't really like Wren's character. She's like "I want to make a lot of friends and drink a lot of booze. Will you stay out my way, Cath?". Or when she won't even visit her father when he's sick? I really don't like her. Thankfully, things got better in the end.
Family is such a great deal in this book. Throughout the book, I was wondering what the deal is with her mother? where is she? Later on, we learned through various flashback that she left that family. Thus, leaving Cath with some sort of mommy issues. That explained why she really cared about her father so much.
Let's talk about Levi! I know that the whole internet is loving this character. For some reason, I don't. I'm not sure why either. I mean, he's like a good character. He smiles to literally everybody, and he's been a great friend (*and later on, boyfriend) to Cath. Maybe their relationship is too cute for my liking. It's too lovey-dovey to me. I just can't stand it. Is it maybe because I'm a guy? But I've read some romance book before, and I'm fine with them. It just feels awkward to read their story for me~
I actually like Cath's and Nick relationship in the beginning. But it all change when it seems like he's using her for his own good. And he indeed did that. I'm really glad to read the part when Cath refused to publish the story that they write together. I'm like "You get what you deserved, a******!".
I love all the references that Rainbow Rowell made throughout the book. I don't remember much, but I do remember that she made a Harry Potter reference! A book that made a Harry Potter reference is really cool in my opinion. (*Robyn Schneider also made a Harry Potter reference in her book... maybe someday I will write the review of that book too!).
The last point of this review. I literally made this review, solely because of this point. IT ENDS ABRUPTLY!!! IT ENDS WHEN I WANT TO READ MORE!!! IT'S REALLY ANNOYING!!! It leaves me with a lot of questions! What will happen with Cath and her biological mother? What will happen after she read the last book of Simon Snow? What will happen to her short stories? I know that she'll turn her short stories, because there's a page that stated that she won it. But I hate it that it ends like that. I want more closure, but that kind of ending gave me none. I literally got a massive book hangover after reading that last chapter. I keep thinking about the characters from this book, and I have to wait for two days before I start reading another book.
Memorable quote :
"The conversion was her favorite part. 'That moment', she told Cath, 'when you realize that a guy's looking at you differently - that you're taking up more space in his field of vision. That moment when you know he can't see past you anymore'. "
Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl, page 35 - 36
It's a great book, I love the overall story, and the main character's relationship with every character. One of the most enjoyable book that I ever read. I'm thinking about reading another book from this author. I'm thinking about getting Eleanor & Park next month.
So, what about you? Have you read this book too?
November 02, 2014
September 19, 2014
The Maze Runner Movie Review
My review will contain spoiler for both the book and the movie. Viewer discretion is advised.
Where do I start? hmmm... okay..
I'm usually have an unusual high expectation when it comes to a movie adaptation from a novel that I like.But by now, I have accept the fact that the book will always be better than its movie adaptation and the only way to actually enjoy the movie is simply by enjoying the movie as it is and not comparing it to the book. (*I'm still working on that, but I think I'm doing a pretty good job this time.)
I read the book last year. I bought the whole series on my birthday (*except for the prequel). The book was delivered one day before Christmas and I finished reading all of them on January. Since then, I've read like 14 book, so I didn't quite remember exactly how the story went.
I didn't say that it's the best books-to-movie adaptation (*for me, that title is reserved for Catching Fire), but it is the first time I've ever watch a movie adaptation and not disappointed by it. There are some changes of course, but let's talk about that later.
I love the fact that the movie captured all the momentous moment from the book into the movie. Every. Single. Thing. Ben's banishment, the night in the maze, "she's the last one ever" , the doors isn't closing, etc. I'm actually pretty impressed when I watched the part when they spend the night at the maze. It's true to the book. I really love it when the scene in the movie matches with the scene in my head when I read the book. The movie maker is doing a really great job on this movie.
I like the cast. Everyone's role is just perfect. Dylan O'Brien portrayed Thomas perfectly. Kaya Scodelario made a great Teresa, Thomas Brodie-Sangster made a great Newt, Ki hong Lee made a great Minho, Will Poulter made a great Gally and Blake Cooper made a perfect Chuck.
I was kinda hoping that Gally will be more annoying. Movie-Gally is kind of annoying but book-Gally is what you'll find on the dictionary when you look up the word 'prick'. But he's annoying enough, though.
I really like Chuck. He's just plain adorable...which made me really sad because I know what will happen to him at the end of the movie.
And let's talk about The Griever. This creature looks more menacing in the movie than the creature that I imagined when I read the book. I imagined the griever as a slug combined with some metal, but the movie interpretation of The Griever is really amazing. Slimy, mechanical, toothy, fast, and dangerous. Just like the book described it.
Thomas' dream sequence is also one of my favorite scene. A glimpse of Thomas' past which consist of the faces of the 'doctors' of some sort, the operating room, the futuristic equipment, and that woman who keep saying WICKED is good.
Okay, now I'll write the things that are missing from the movie / changed from the book.
There isn't any memorable quote from the book, so there isn't any direct book quote that is used in the movie.
I've heard on the internet that the whole telepathy thing between Thomas and Teresa will not appear in the movie. I really hope that they did, though. It's one of the thing that I really like about the relationship between Teresa and Thomas.
And the ending of the movie is quite different in the book. They didn't solve the puzzle that is the pattern from the maze like they did in the book, but I like their alternative password for the maze's exit. And if I recall correctly, they should sliding down in some sort of a slide, but they didn't. It's just some minor thing, so it's not really matter to me anyway.
And in the book, when they finally find the exit, they stumble into a room and they saw a lot of guys in white coat watching them from behind a glass. No interaction. But in the movie, they entered a room which is filled by the dead body of said guys in the white coat and then they watch this video of a woman explaining about the whole environment changes and a disease called The Flare.At the end of the video, she committed suicide (*that's pretty dark, but that scene is really good too). Then it's the scene when Chuck died.
When I watch the movie, I was kinda hoping that they will make some changes, like keeping chuck alive or something. But unfortunately, this movie is true to the book and just like the book, Gally killed Chuck in his attempt to kill Thomas. I knew that this is going to happen, but I really really hate the fact that Chuck
died when the help is almost there. So close, yet so far.
And then some soldier burst in and escort the survivors into a chopper (*instead of bus). And then the movie ended when when the woman who supposedly die by suicide called a meeting about the phase two of the trial. This ending that suggest that there's more of this story. I like this kind of ending. In the book, it ends when they're all 'held' in some sort of dormitory or something. Maybe it's better to end the movie just like the movie maker intended.
I heard that The Scorch Trial is already on production, I can't wait to watch the sequel.
So that's it, my review to The Maze Runner movie. Have you watched it? What do you think about the movie?
September 07, 2014
20 unuseful facts about me
20 unuseful facts about me :
1. I can be extremely quiet or extremely raucous depending on which group of people I hang out with.
2. I love books! I collect books mostly because they look beautiful. There's a word for it : Bibliophile!
3. I want to move in to New York someday.
4. I'm considerably tall, but I never feel that way.
5. I'm sucks at almost every damn sport that humanity has invented.
6. I love to sing at the top of my lungs when there's nobody around.
7. Coffee is not my favorite beverages, tea is.
8. I can solve a Rubik's Cube in under a minute.
9. I love reading dictionary. It's fun to look up the definition of words that I haven't understand yet.
10. I'm in a love-hate relationship with the country I live in.
11. I'm a big spender. I don't mind to blow all my money for stuff that I like.
12. I have a serious internet addiction. I get agitated really fast when the internet is not working.
13. Whenever I see a green car, I can't help but stare. Green is my favorite color.
14. I'm trying my best not to complain to people about stuff, and when I do, I just told a best friend or rant about it on my journal.
15. I keep a journal. It's fun to read my past's thoughts in the future.
16. I have some silly rules that I made to myself. Some of it are gold, but most of them are just some ridiculous rules.
17. I wanted to choose English Literature major, but my family opposed to that idea. Thus I ended up studying about computer codes and stuff.
18. In the 6th grade, I got into a small fight with a friend. It escalated quickly when he grabbed a scissors and cut my arm with it. Ended up with six stitches and a traumatic experience with scissors. Can't help but flinch at the sight of scissors when I saw someone running around with it.
19. I love playing video games, but I clearly didn't spend too much time playing it due to the lack of the game systems.
20. I hate picking up the phone because somehow, my voice sounds just like my mom. I once have a full conversation with a bank teller where I pretended to be my mother. She has no idea that I'm a guy.
1. I can be extremely quiet or extremely raucous depending on which group of people I hang out with.
2. I love books! I collect books mostly because they look beautiful. There's a word for it : Bibliophile!
3. I want to move in to New York someday.
4. I'm considerably tall, but I never feel that way.
5. I'm sucks at almost every damn sport that humanity has invented.
6. I love to sing at the top of my lungs when there's nobody around.
7. Coffee is not my favorite beverages, tea is.
8. I can solve a Rubik's Cube in under a minute.
9. I love reading dictionary. It's fun to look up the definition of words that I haven't understand yet.
10. I'm in a love-hate relationship with the country I live in.
11. I'm a big spender. I don't mind to blow all my money for stuff that I like.
12. I have a serious internet addiction. I get agitated really fast when the internet is not working.
13. Whenever I see a green car, I can't help but stare. Green is my favorite color.
14. I'm trying my best not to complain to people about stuff, and when I do, I just told a best friend or rant about it on my journal.
15. I keep a journal. It's fun to read my past's thoughts in the future.
16. I have some silly rules that I made to myself. Some of it are gold, but most of them are just some ridiculous rules.
17. I wanted to choose English Literature major, but my family opposed to that idea. Thus I ended up studying about computer codes and stuff.
18. In the 6th grade, I got into a small fight with a friend. It escalated quickly when he grabbed a scissors and cut my arm with it. Ended up with six stitches and a traumatic experience with scissors. Can't help but flinch at the sight of scissors when I saw someone running around with it.
19. I love playing video games, but I clearly didn't spend too much time playing it due to the lack of the game systems.
20. I hate picking up the phone because somehow, my voice sounds just like my mom. I once have a full conversation with a bank teller where I pretended to be my mother. She has no idea that I'm a guy.
Agustus 21, 2014
untitled.txt
I clearly have problems, and I don't know who I'm going to share this with. So I decided to post it on my blog. I'm sorta furious about something, so please pardon my french.
I learned the hard way that you just can't please everyone. Sometimes, there's this jerk who just hate your guts. This jerk just hate you for something that you can't even understand and whatever you do to fix that will make the situation even worse. These kind of people is the worst.
The only solution that I come up is this : Just pray to god that whatever circumstances that brought the two of you together will pass, and avoid these jerks at all time.
There's this prick who appear to like you, but talk shit about you behind your back. These guys can go fuck yourself. You're the reason that I have some sort of trust issues. If you dislike someone, just tell them. If you pretend to be their friend, the guy that you hate will think that you like him, thus spending more time with you. And the more time they spend with you, the more reason for you to hate him. This whole thing won't happen if you established your friendship early on. You'll save everyone's time.
And there's this fucktard who tried to change you. They talk shit about the thing that you like and they want you to change. They actually like you, but they hate everything that you like and s/he want you to change it for them? Fuck that. I can like whatever I wanted to like, I can listen to whatever songs that appeal to my ears, and I can read whatever book that I want to read. Don't tell me what to do!
There's also this guy who appear to dislike you, but s/he's to polite to point out to you. Just take a few hint that these guys just don't want your presence, and spend less time with these guys. You'll both will be glad that you did.
Those guys who liked you simply because you're an valuable asset for them? Unfortunately, these bastards existed too... After you gave them what they need, POOF! They will disappear. But at least they treat you somewhat better than the other guys that I listed above.
I believe that everything in this world is 'balanced' somehow.
Those guys who just being kind with you for no reason? They exist too...
Those guys who pretend to hate you but they secretly like you? They exist too...
Those guys who like you for who you are? These guys are rare, but they exist too...
Those guys who will help you without expecting stuff in return? They exist too...
Those guys who will laugh at your dumbest joke? They exist too..
And if you can find any of these guys? Keep them. Surround yourself with the person who embrace who you are. After all, A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself (*A quote from Jim Morrison).
I guess that's all.
Bye.
I learned the hard way that you just can't please everyone. Sometimes, there's this jerk who just hate your guts. This jerk just hate you for something that you can't even understand and whatever you do to fix that will make the situation even worse. These kind of people is the worst.
The only solution that I come up is this : Just pray to god that whatever circumstances that brought the two of you together will pass, and avoid these jerks at all time.
There's this prick who appear to like you, but talk shit about you behind your back. These guys can go fuck yourself. You're the reason that I have some sort of trust issues. If you dislike someone, just tell them. If you pretend to be their friend, the guy that you hate will think that you like him, thus spending more time with you. And the more time they spend with you, the more reason for you to hate him. This whole thing won't happen if you established your friendship early on. You'll save everyone's time.
And there's this fucktard who tried to change you. They talk shit about the thing that you like and they want you to change. They actually like you, but they hate everything that you like and s/he want you to change it for them? Fuck that. I can like whatever I wanted to like, I can listen to whatever songs that appeal to my ears, and I can read whatever book that I want to read. Don't tell me what to do!
There's also this guy who appear to dislike you, but s/he's to polite to point out to you. Just take a few hint that these guys just don't want your presence, and spend less time with these guys. You'll both will be glad that you did.
Those guys who liked you simply because you're an valuable asset for them? Unfortunately, these bastards existed too... After you gave them what they need, POOF! They will disappear. But at least they treat you somewhat better than the other guys that I listed above.
I believe that everything in this world is 'balanced' somehow.
Those guys who just being kind with you for no reason? They exist too...
Those guys who pretend to hate you but they secretly like you? They exist too...
Those guys who like you for who you are? These guys are rare, but they exist too...
Those guys who will help you without expecting stuff in return? They exist too...
Those guys who will laugh at your dumbest joke? They exist too..
And if you can find any of these guys? Keep them. Surround yourself with the person who embrace who you are. After all, A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself (*A quote from Jim Morrison).
I guess that's all.
Bye.
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