Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West Review

Book Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Abby Turner’s summer isn’t going the way she’d planned. She has a not-so-secret but definitely unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper. She hasn’t been able to manage her mother’s growing issues with anxiety. And now she’s been rejected from an art show because her work “has no heart.” So when she gets another opportunity to show her paintings Abby isn’t going to take any chances.

Which is where the list comes in.

Abby gives herself one month to do ten things, ranging from face a fear (#3) to learn a stranger’s story (#5) to fall in love (#8). She knows that if she can complete the list she’ll become the kind of artist she’s always dreamed of being. But as the deadline approaches, Abby realizes that getting through the list isn’t as straightforward as it seems… and that maybe—just maybe—she can’t change her art if she isn’t first willing to change herself.

This is the first in a set of three standalone books with crossover characters.

My Thoughts

This is my first reading in 2018 and I don't regret it!

I always trust Kasie West's works because they always success to make me warm with her those adorable cute scenes. Having to read all of her novels, unfortunately, it also has a downside. It made her predictable for me. I got bored with her previous book, Lucky in Love which I only rated 2 stars. No, it was not terrible, it was far from terrible actually. But I got bored, it was like reading the same book over and over with the only difference at the characters name. Nevertheless, my faith for Kasie West has not crushed completely. Thankfully, she picked her pace forward. This book offers me something different yet it still holds Kasie West's magic.

It has mental illness subject, a piece of heart-broken, normal friendship, and unrequited love. For the first time, I didn't know where Kasie West heading with her characters, she told us a story about how to heal a broken heart, how to get move on, and I got a bit teary in the middle of her books (!!!) and it was everything I didn't know I needed. Thank you, Kasie West! I'm glad, she still my auto-buy author because this one is my favorite so far.

My rating: 4.5 stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page on January 4, 2018

Crocodile Man by Graham Wilson (Crocodile Spirit Dreaming #2) Review

Crocodile Man is the second book in the Crocodile Spirit Dreaming series. Although I don't read the first book, I still able to understand what happened in the first book, thanks to the one-page first book summary the author given in the beginning of the novel.

The setting of Crocodile Man took place mainly in Northern Australia with few chapters in the UK.

By the end of the first chapter, I was having goosebumps and this is a good sign for me to continuing it.

In this book, we follow several people throughout the discovery of unidentified head in a waterhole in Northern Australia. We follow Charlie, the first person who found the "head", Alan and Sandy as part of the police interrogation team, and Susan.

I enjoy reading about Alan's journey and how he went to discover who actually this dead man was.

My issue is at Susan's POV. I didn't really connect with her and sometimes I got confused when I read her part. I want to know her story better and feeling deeper than the author wrote. Or maybe it was just because I don't exactly know what is she afraid of from the first book and about what exactly happened at that night.

The author creates the setting very vivid and because of that, I can feel the atmosphere of Northern Australia clearly when I read Crocodile Man. If you want to feel someplace different, I will recommend this book.

All in all, reading Crocodile Man is like reading a fictional story mix with crocodile spirit folklore. It was a unique experience. 

I won this book through Goodreads giveaway. My opinions in this review are entirely my own.

My rating is 3 stars. 

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (Wayward Children #1) Review

Hope hurts. That's what you need to learn, and fast, if you don't want it to cut you open from the inside out. Hope is bad. Hope means you keep on holding to things that won't ever be so again, and so you bleed an inch at a time until there's nothing left.

I always wonder what happened when all of those Narnia kids go back to our real world, how they continue their regular life, how they trying to re-adjust their relationship with other people after they discover and live in such a magical world. 

And the idea of this book offers the answer to my question.

She was a story, not an epilogue. And if she chose to narrate her own life one word at a time as she descended the stairs to meet her newest arrival, that wasn't hurting anyone. Narration was a hard habit to break, after all.

Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children is a school for those kids who went to that magical world and now has come back into the real world. The problem is, most of them didn't want to go back, they have changed and somehow their parents couldn't understand why and want their kids to be "normal" again.

At the beginning, everything went smooth and I have no issue with this book. I was intrigued how will Nancy, our main protagonist will survive in her new boarding school. 

And then, the issue came... Nancy's roommate got murdered on her second day of her arrival. Suddenly the story shifts to "what's going on in this peaceful school?" and everything just went down from this point.

Because hope is a knife that can cut through the foundations of the world

Every Heart a Doorway had so much potential to be loved by me. Sadly, it may work for some people but it just didn't work for me.

 You shouldn't close doors just because you don't like what's on the other side 

My rating is 2 stars. 

What I've been missed in my life?

I know this is blog related to my book reviews but excuse me for this personal one. :)

I've been thinking lately about what I've been missed in my life.
For several reasons, I always satisfied with my own life condition right now.
You can say I'm Hufflepuff, while I enjoy learning things, I'm not really a competitive person. I have super amazing parents, I have a decent job in a reputable multi-national company, I have super understandable managers, I have some good true friends who I can talk and joke around, I have a very great boyfriend who I love and a steady relationship. I love to manage my own shop, I always able to spare my time to read or to watch K-dramas or just binge-watch booktube in the night.
So... I can say, I have plenty enough things to be grateful.

Why this "what I've been missed in my life" thought has been bothering me lately?

I'm starting to questioning myself over: "Am I living my life to the fullest?"
Being twenty-seven years old, some of my friends already starting their married life and while the others continue to pursue their dream, take their chance to embrace the youth life by continuing their master degree abroad.
I don't say if you decided to marry then you would have to give up your dream, but to some extent, your personal dreams would slowly change to another direction, wouldn't they? You are not as free as when you are single.

I always say I don't need the master degree, especially now when I learn how to make money and I, 100% honest about that answer.
I don't really have the interest to get the master degree because what I saw in the industry, it isn't something that you must have. The experience is the more important than how higher your education. Right?

But...
What if I fearless?
What if I have better English skill? (My English is crap if you don't know me)
So many what ifs I could think about.
And maybe I could try to let myself dream about some things
That I forgot I have
Like continuing my study
Or trying to submit LPDP or at the other organization to see if I'm capable enough to get the scholarship
In the better Uni outside this country
Not to just get my degree done
But also to have invaluable experience
That I won't be sorry nor forget.

Some will say, it's not too late for me to try, I only twenty-seven.
For me, twenty-seven is the mature number for someone like me to realize.
To realize that excellent in math and accounting in school isn't everything.
When I wrote this, I just feel really foolish and an innocent person I was.
Maybe I will relive this dream.
But most likely I will forever live vicariously in the shadows of someone else.

One thing for sure
I will tell and encourage my future children
To fearlessly live their dream
Because you only live once


Sincerely,
Vie 

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon Review

Sandhya Menon was playing safe for this book, everything was going in a smooth way. 

Start from the beginning, Rishi was already interested with Dimple. We only need Dimple to falls in love with Rishi and that's why Rishi became a lovable character in my eyes. 

Another letdown point that I would like to state here was their personalities. 

I often think Dimple's behavior to Rishi was unfair so many times yet Rishi's crush to Dimple still going strong. As a guy, I really wanted to see Rishi could stand up for himself, to showing Dimple her mistakes not just let her be as she likes to be and covers her mistakes. Rishi was just too 'agreeable' with Dimple and I don't like it.

The 90% setting of this book took place in the coding summer program but we don't really get to see what's Dimple and Rishi's project throughout the book. 

Instead of whole pages of they are trying to create their app, all we got is a whole drama of how to win the talent show. 

I felt like the majority plot of this book was lost from the original direction.

Yes, this is a diverse book and I appreciate it. 

But I don't think we got to know much of Indian culture from this book, it was only from the parents' conversation. I got to know Indian culture better from that Indian drama series that my aunt used to watch every night.

What I expected to happen when Dimple met Rishi was...

... a huge explosion with some absurd scene where I could shock and laugh. 

What I actually got when Dimple met Rishi was...

Maybe my disappointment comes from a highly praise this book got from ARC reviews and I had a high expectation for this book.

Will I read her next book? Maybe. Honestly, I don't know.

My rating for this book is 2.5 stars.

Always and Forever by Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3) Review

Always and Forever, Lara Jean. Always and Forever.

The third and final (hopefully it really is, this time, Jenny Han?) book in this trilogy. 

This year is Lara Jean's final year and the main focus of this book is how Lara Jean decided about her future University life and figuring out her relationship with Peter as University couple.

Peter has got in the early acceptance at UVA because he plays lacrosse for their school team and Lara Jean still waiting the good news from UVA. She didn't apply early like Peter did because her guidance counselor advises her against applying early action.

Mind you, I don't understand about University acceptance process in the State but hey, why didn't you take every single chance you can if this University is your first choice? You can get the news early, whether it was good or bad. If they didn't accept you, yeah it's a bummer but you can move on early too, right? 

I feel slightly disappointed with Lara Jean on this one. 

Even after a whole year of being together, it can still feel so new. To love a boy, to have him love you back. It feels miraculous. 

Peter Kavinsky, still being likable, a perfect material boyfriend, as always. Their relationship is steadier than ever but still far from perfect. In this book, we got to know Peter's fear of losing Lara Jean. It's interesting because Lara Jean was usually the one who got that feeling. All of Peter and Lara Jean's fear was very natural and I like how Jenny Han presented them. 

Peter learns how to open up his feeling to Lara Jean not close them to himself. 

Peter being insecure was a humanly understandable and all of his struggle just made me love him more than before. 

Kitty is always my most favorite character from the beginning and she continues to awe me on this book. I'm going to miss her smart and sassy's side. Being a youngest Song girls, she's the most mature one compared from her two older sisters. 

We got to meet Margot here and there and I'm so sad she felt being left out of the family. But fortunately, Margot can be reasonable in front of her family, especially her father and Kitty. Like Peter said, it took time for Margot warms up to the new people and I hope she can fully accept that she's no longer need to be the 'mother figure' for Lara Jean and Kitty. 

Always and Forever, Lara Jean is my least favorite of the three (let's say I'm crying a lot when I read this book, not so when I read the previous two) but it's the most important one. Throughout Lara Jean, I can relish my own senior year experience. Like Lara Jean's, the glow feeling school's over, that stupid year book photos, excitement for University life, the nervous feeling waiting for the good news from our first choice of Uni, fear of 'it's really that time' leaving our childhood home, fear of what our future will hold, fear of ended losing our forever best friend and our high school crush. 

Jenny Han did a wonderful job to portray all of that senior's feeling and it's time to say good bye forever from this series but at the same time, I can't wait for what's next from Jenny Han. 

I still get that nervous dip in my stomach when I see Genevieve, but not as bad as it used to be. I know we'll never be friends again, and I've made my peace with it. 

Heed my advice, Lara Jean. Never say no when you really want to say yes. 

I don't want to forget any of this. The way he's looking at me at this very moment. How, when he kisses me, I still get shivers down my back, every time. I want to hold on to everything so tight.

4 adorable stars rating

Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy (Edited by Ameriie) Review

Reading period: 19 July - 19 August 2017

IT TOOK ME A MONTH TO FINISH THIS BOOK T_T 

Some of them are gems and the others are meh. I didn't want to skip over those 'meh' story, thus I went to reading slump in the middle of reading this book.

The Blood of Imuriv by Renee Ahdieh 2.5 stars

- boring

- slow pace

- The action only happened in the last 20%

- Christine's weird additional writing contribute nothing to the Renee Ahdieh's story. I was highly anticipated for tasting Xtine's writing for the first time because her channel was entertaining but this is total let down :(

Jack by Ameriie 2 stars

- flat, meh

- Where's the evil side? I didn't really see the princess as an evil character

- Good explanation from Tina Burke. Actually, I enjoy Tina's writing more than the actual Amerie's words

- After reading Tina's part, I finally understand the meaning behind Jack story. It was actually deeply wonderful thoughts but Amerie's execution was just weak

Gwen and Art and Lance by Soman Chainani 4 stars

- interesting opening, topic, and character

- Instead of long unnecessary explanation at the beginning, Soman Chainani gave us his story in the text messages format. I think his choice was just right, I like it. The format works for me.

- Good additional thoughts from Samantha Lane

Shirley & Jim by Susan Dennard 4.5 stars

- Oooh, Holmes and Moriarty? First impression: intrigued!

- After reading: I loved it! Can Susan Dennard continues to write this amazing piece into one whole novel, pretty please?

- Susan knew how to mess her reader's feeling in the only short pages

- Sasha's part? Hm.. just like Christine's, I was disappointed. Sorry, I had high expectations for them.

The Blessing of Little Wants by Sarah Enni 1 star

- Ummm? I didn't understand the whole plot and I even went to reading slump because of this short story :(

- Sophia Lee's explanation was basically just her dotted points about what she wanted to read

- I was glad when it was over 

The Sea Witch by Marissa Meyer 4.5 stars

- Finally! Of course, I had high expectation from Marissa Meyer. The way she told us about her story was beautiful

- I was craving for the Villain story like this. Nerit was truly has a villain's heart but deep down I quite intrigued with her background. How the others, like Lorindel and Samuel were having part of shaping her evil. 

- Zoe's writing was cute

- Great collab between these two, hands down!

Beautiful Venom by Cindy Pon 4 stars

- Never heard of Cindy Pon but immediately her story won my heart

- Not only one villain presented, she successfully portrayed the others' ugly side

- Wow, Ben, wow. Such a deep thoughts! No wonder he has built his own publishing company nowadays! He knows how to find a needle in the haystack.

Death Knell by Victoria Schwab 4.5 stars

- My most anticipated story from BYLTHM because it's collab project between VE Schwab & Jesse the reader! My two favorite persons in this book/booktuber industry.

- And yeah, once again, VE Schwab continues to awe me. 

- Jesse's letter was brutally honest, I fall for it.

Marigold by Samantha Shannon 3 stars

- It was entertaining setting but not so much action happened

- Regan's writing was okay

You, You, It's All About You by Adam Silvera 5 stars

- Yass, I always know what I would get from Adam's story. A modern futuristic life setting in the near future.
- It took me by surprise that Adam didn't write about LGBT in this one.

- Lover/enemy story? This is my weaknesses problem, thus this is 5 stars approved from me ;) 

Julian Breaks Every Rule by Andrew Smith 2 stars

- Where's the bad guy huh? I didn't see Julian as a villain. We all ever hated someone so much till we wished he/she would die. But it was just in our creative thinking right? What I get from this story, Julian never once did murder those people he hated. It was just on his mind, I assumed.

Indigo and Shade by April Genevieve Tucholke 4 stars

- more beauty and the beast reverse retelling? Oh yas, please

Sera by Nicola Yoon 5 stars

- Bang, bang, bang! What a great story to end this novel. 

- I feel for Sera, she feels different yet she holds her 'bad' light for her sister. When she understood that no one wanted her, she embraces her 'evil' side. I kinda like it and cheering her, go all the way you want, Sera. ^___^

My ultimate favorites are Sera and You, You, It's All About You, I just wish they were longer than a short story.

My average rating for this short stories compilation is 3.5 stars.