The Name of God is Mercy by Pope Francis Review

So I've been feeling down lately because one and the other things in life and then this book showed up in my mail on last Friday. It was really unexpected and perfect time to shows up. I only ordered it like two weeks ago and usually, my order only comes in the third weeks or later. This is really one of those weekends I really need a book like this.

The Name of God is Mercy covers an interview conversation between Pope Francis and Andrea Tornielli, a veteran Vatican reporter. The topic in this book is centrally about mercy and forgiveness. 

He identified mercy as a God's giving himself to us, accepting us and bowing to forgive. He came not for those who were good but for the sinners, not for the healthy who don't need a doctor but for the sick, mercy is God's identity card. 

One thing stuck in my mind after reading this book is when he quotes Bruce Marshall's novel To Every Man a Penny. When one young man confesses his wrongdoing, and ask how can he repent when he thought if he had a chance, he would do it again. Then the abbot ask to him, "But are you sorry that you are not sorry?" In other words, said Pope Francis, he apologizes for not repenting. The door was opened just a crack, allowing absolution to come in. His mercy is infinitely greater than our sins, His medicine is infinitely stronger than our illness that He has to heal. 

The most important thing is we need to recognize ourselves as a sinner. The more we acknowledge that we are in need, the more shame and humility we feel, the sooner we will feel His embrace of grace. He waits for us, He goes ahead of us, He extends his hand to us, He is patient with us. 

Pope Francis address all of the topics thoughtfully and enlightening. I really gratitude I could read it in this particular week. 

God never tires of forgiving, it is we who got tired of asking Him for forgiveness.

Rating 5/5 stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, April 24, 2016.

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover Review

very moving and life-changing story

Colleen really did amazing work for this book. Everything in this book was truly beautiful. Lily, Ryle, Atlas, Allysa, Allysa's husband (sorry I forgot his name), Lily's mom, Ellen DeGeneres, and even Dory from Finding Dory. I felt in love with Ryle just like Lily did and I really feel how deep Ryle's love to Lily. 

“It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”

Actually, before I read this book, I feel like the title is cliche. Like, it ends with us? Okay... *cringe* *insert fluffy teddy bear and cotton candy here*, plus all of the previous CoHo's books left me a similar taste like that. But after finish reading it, it turns out that I was wrong! THAT CLICHE TITLE WAS NOT MEAN FOR CLICHE AT ALL! It was totally different and left me a bitter taste and raw feeling in my heart every time I think about it. This title is so powerful! At some point in this book, it was quoted by Lily and I just couldn't think there are any different words that deserved more than 'IT ENDS WITH US' for this book title.

Below is the spoiler part, please do not continue reading if you don't want to be spoiled. ☺✌

Let's talk about Ryle and Asa from Too Late, another Colleen's book. They are both have abusive tendencies but they are way too different! While Ryle purely loved Lily, I don't feel Asa loved Sloan. I think he just saw Sloan as his property, not a life-partner.

As I said before, I instantly felt in love with Ryle just like Lily did and it makes everything's hard for me to read the second part of this story. Even when my heart a bit waiver at Lily's past memory of Atlas, my heart still craving for Ryle more. Atlas is Lily's past and now Ryle is the one at the present here. My heart was broken over and over, I was disappointed with Ryle but I still can't undo my love for him. I keep on reading because I want them to fix their relationship especially when I found out Lily's pregnant. And I was like, that's it, I 100% ship them together!

Until the very end, I was still rooting for Lily and Ryle. So when I got to the ending, everything was quite unexpected but it was understandable. In my wishful thinking, I don't think Colleen could do a harsh ending because I expected no less than some cute rainbow ending, judging from her previous works.

And now when I'm thinking about it and writing this review, two weeks later, I'm still rooting for Ryle. That's why I can't bring myself to give a 5-stars ending.

I know if I happened to be in the abusive relationship I won't root for Ryle. And I hopefully never in the future because I think I couldn't let myself move away just like Lily did in the end. That's a very brave action!

There's a small chance to have a different ending, there are some treatments nowadays where maybe Ryle could try it to heal himself for the sake of Lily and Emma, but yeah, we will never know. :')

When I read the note from Colleen, I sort of understand that this is the most real ending we could get from Lily and Ryle story. I didn't cry for the whole book but her note made me sobbed. Knowing this is her mom's personal story, I guess a reality will hit you harder than the fiction and Colleen really did pour her heart out for this book.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, December 22, 2016

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli Review

Me after finishing this book:

I take a sip of my beer, and it's-I mean, it's just astonishingly disgusting. I don't think I was expecting it to taste like ice cream, but holy fucking hell. People lie and get fake IDs and sneak into bars, and for this? I honestly think I'd rather make out with Bieber. The dog. Or Justin. Anyway, it really makes you worry about all the hype surrounding sex.

Oh my gosh, I freaking love this book. So much giggle, joy, and smile was always on me when I read this book. I re-read this beautiful thing again right after I finished it in the first time. That's what I can say if you ask me how hard I really love Simon and Blue.

I fell in love with the characters again and again throughout this novel, though I don't get to guess who is Blue correctly. After reading it at the second time, I realized the clues was in there and it should not that hard to guessed who is Blue exactly. 

Yes, I'm a shameless person to say that I'm a HEA hard craving. If you love HEA and adorable book, this is a perfect story for you. Definitely a must read! Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is definitely my no. 1 favorite book so far this year. 

P.S. I love the way you smile like you don't realize you're doing it. I love your perpetual bed head. I love the way you hold eye contact a moment longer than you need to. And I love your moon-gray eyes. So if you think I'm not attracted to you, Simon, you're crazy. 

Rating: 5/5 stars, purfecto!

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, May 6, 2016

Angelfall by Susan Ee (Penryn & the End of Days #1) Review

Penryn & the End of Days #1

His beautiful face blurs as my eyelids get heavier. I haven’t slept in two days, afraid to miss the one chance I might have if the angel woke, only to die on me. Asleep, he looks like a bleeding Prince Charming chained in the dungeon. When I was little, I always thought I’d be Cinderella, but I guess this makes me the wicked witch.But then again, Cinderella didn’t live in a post-apocalyptic world invaded by avenging angels.

I found a new genre that I missed this whole time. My two favorites genre in one book. Who knows a mix of dystopian and paranormal world would bring a great story. She absolutely knew how to combine those things. 

Penryn lost her little sister when she caught up in the middle of angels battle. She blackmail Raffe, an archangel who lost his wing during battle to help her found Paige, her sister. Susan really could deliver feeling perfectly through her writings. I feel for Penryn. She would do anything to bring Paige back.

I take another deep breath and let it out slowly, making sure all residual feelings are under control. All that matters is finding Paige.

Another positive note from this book is the romance is just side story. I love how Penryn isn't blinded by love. She's smart girl, knows exactly where she's standing, and doesn't let her feeling shut her brain. 

Just a perfect heroine figure that I've been looking for.

Well done, Susan Ee!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, March 24, 2015

Girls in the Dark by Akiyoshi Rikako Review

Bertahun-tahun dan masih sampai sekarang, saya selalu berhasil dibohongi oleh Aoyama Gosho dan Agatha Christie *baca: tidak

pernah benar menebak siapa pelaku kejahatan di setiap kasus. 

Yeah, I'm on that stupid level when we talk about finding clues at a mysterious case, I know, hands down, Shinichi Kudo.

Tapi untuk pertama kalinya, saya bisa menebak siapa pelaku sebenarnya di buku ini. Jadi mohon maaf kalau norak, tapi saya harus menampilkan gif di atas. Yaaaassssss.... :"

Saya tertarik untuk membaca karya Akiyoshi Rikako sensei karena akhir-akhir ini Goodreads dan socmed lainnya dipenuhi oleh pujian kepada Rikako sensei dan plot twistnya yang tidak dapat ditebak, membuat saya gelisah dan langsung mencari buku-buku beliau.

Diceritakan dari sudut pandang enam orang anggota klub sastra dimana ketua klub mereka baru saja meninggal. Gosip yang menyebar adalah salah satu dari mereka adalah pembunuhnya. 

Cerita pun bergulir dari potongan cerita pendek yang di tawarkan oleh masing-masing personil dan ternyata itu adalah analisis mereka mengenai siapa pelaku pembunuhan itu. 

Saya mulai bingung setelah membaca dua versi cerita pendek dan dugaan saya makin menguat setelah membaca semua cerita mereka. Dan ternyata dugaan saya benar untuk pertama kalinya! This is a huge history for me. >.<

Overall, buku ini lumayan menghibur untuk saya.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, November 22, 2016

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab (Monsters of Verity #1) Review

Book 1 on of Monsters of Verity duology

Monsters, monsters, big and small,
They're gonna come and eat you all.
Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
Shadow and bone will eat you raw.
Malchai, Malchai, sharp and sly,
Smile and bite and drink you dry.
Sunai, Sunai, eyes like coal,
Sing you a song and steal your soul.

Meet August Flynn and Kate Harker. One of them is a monster who has a soft heart and the other one is a human who wanted to be as cruel as a monster.

I devour their friendship, (I don't know if Victoria would advancing their friendship to romance stage in the book two, hopefully, yes!!! If not, then that's okay too for me) ;).

One thing that bugs me before was the way they advertise this savage song as 'no romance plot' and because of that, I had a slight doubt to pick it (I'm always craving for more romance, sorry not sorry). Thankfully my faith on Victoria Schwab's world building is still huge and I'm glad to read this book.

For you, a big fan of romance plot, don't worry, even if there's no romance you still can read and love this savage song a lot!

And about the cliffhanger, I think I'll survive another year with this kind of ending. The ending was not as bad as her A Darker Shade of Magic book 1 and 2.

As usual, this is Victoria Schwab's work and she never let me down.

Why would you even want to be human? We're fragile. We die.""You also live. You don't spend every day wondering why you exist, but don't feel real, why you look human, but can't be. You don't do everything you can to be a good person only to have it constantly thrown in your face that you're not a person at all.

Rating: 4/5 stars.

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, July 6, 2016

Why Do I Open a Book Blog?

My name is Vie, 26th years old, an Indonesian book nerd who loves to lose her time on books.

For these past years, I always post reviews about my reading material on Goodreads but I've been contemplating to open a blog for this past month.
I very much love reading book blogger, watching booktuber and following bookstagram.
Watching and reading about book haul, book tag, and book review excites me!
But my lack of creativity is the reason why I was afraid to open one. ;)
I guess this is the time I have to abandon my fears and try to making one.
I will start to pour my random thoughts about books in English as well as my mother language, Bahasa.
So, here I am.
Hi, fellow Friends, please to meet you. :)