The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I wasn't planning on reading a John Green book again since I didn't liked Looking for Alaska that much and I can't force myself to finish reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson. But this book suddenly appeared on my Goodreads homepage and asked if I could read it. Out of curiosity, I checked it out and see if I would like the description of the book. I actually liked it so I marked it as to-read and downloaded a copy in the vast world of Internet.

I din't get the chance to start reading it until last night, when I'm desperately searching for something to do. And then...

After 10 pages or so, I was smiling like an idiot because it's a John Green book and it was just so good. I didn't stop reading until midnight and continued reading it the next morning and when I finished... I. WAS. SO. SMITTEN.

The characters, the story, the theme, the everything. It's perfect. I only read 1 and a half books by John Green and both heroes of the novel seems to be wimpy and cute, so it's quite refreshing to see the hero of this book to be quite... vain. In a good way. I love Augustus Waters in every way that's possible. The wittiness, the leglessness... everything.

And of course, Hazel Grace. I don't even know how to describe my thoughts toward her. She's strong, smart, selfless, lungless... I know, how can a heroine be so selfless?!

And... shit. THIS BOOK MAKES ME WANT TO MAKE A REVIEW IN TAGALOG!!! Urgh. Haha. But well, you know you've read a good book when it left you speechless in the end. And this book made me speechless indeed.

Rating:

A+

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

This was the second book that I've read about death and loss and I can only say one word: Superb. And to top it all off, this is the author's debut novel which makes it double amazing.

I read this last November, a week after my Dad's burial. Having the memory fresh, I think that's one of the reasons why I really can relate to this book. I can feel the pain and grief of Harper. The feeling of emptiness, when questions start to bubble up and you don't have answers to any of them. I had a connection with that.

The other thing is the music. I love rock music. Although I don't play any instruments, I'm really a listener and totally loves music. And that also gave me another reason to love Jacob. My God. I love Tolan. I dunno why, but I do, from the moment when he and Harper first met at her house, and until the end when Harper went to see him again. I love his bluntness and honesty. Then there's Laney. She deserves a round of applause for being so strong and for standing up to Harper at all times, being the bestfriend that she is.

And if some people hated the twist of the book, I liked it and thought of it as brilliant. It balanced the building passion between Harper and Jacob.

What I also like about the book is how you can feel the author's love for music and how you can automatically recognize that she knows what she's writing. I love her for that. Kudos to you, Ms. Harrington! Saving June is definitely one my favorite books this 2011 and I am looking forward to read another book by the author. ;)

Grade:

A+

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

When my Dad passed away, I started reading books about death and loss. I want to know the people who knew and felt the pain and grief that I am experiencing. To know what their point-of-views are. To connect.

This book was a recommendation of a very dear friend, whom I knew since grade school. So I know that this is going to be a great read because I really value her opinions.

What I like about this book is how light it is for a teenager like me. Mia has cool parents, nice kid for a brother, a musician for a boyfriend, and is waiting an acceptance letter to Juilliard. She has a life that most people will admire. And Adam, her steady boyfriend, is a guy whom you could fall in love with easily. Who the hell buys two eighty dollars worth of concert tickets just to impress her? He does. I loved him from start until the end of the story.

And then there's the part where Mia is contemplating if she should stay or not. She's thinking it over that if she stays, her family - Mom, Dad, and Teddy, is gone.

I like how Mia tells the story of every person that she loves in book. My favorite parts are:

1.) When her Gramps told her that she has a choice. She has every right to stay or to leave. “So I just wanted to tell you that I understand if you go. It's okay if you have to leave us. It's okay if you want to stop fighting.”

2.) My second favorite part of the book is when Kim, Mia's bestfriend talked to her. "She stops now. Leans over me so that the wisps of her hair tickle my face. She kisses me on the forehead. 'You still have a family,' she whispers.”

3.) And finally, the last scene with Adam. I was reading this last night at 3:14AM and I was crying like shit because of this. “If you stay, I'll do whatever you want. I'll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I'll do that, too. I was talking to Liz and she said maybe coming back to your old life would be too painful, that maybe it'd be easier for you to erase us. And that would suck, but I'd do it. I can lose you like that if I don't lose you today. I'll let you go. If you stay.”

It's not the typical drama-slash-death-slash-YA-novel that you think it is. It's just wonderful, from start to finish. The music, the flow of the story, the characters, the love. I even liked the Acknowledgement part of the book. I'm really happy that my best friend told me about this because this book deserves a place in my heart.

Grade:

A+

Looking For Alaska by John Green

John Green, for me, is a proficient author and is very good. But Looking For Alaska just didn't give off any sparks to interest me. But nonetheless, I finished reading the book because somewhere in my mind, I know that this is a great read.

Miles Halter is a wimpy, timid, cute teenager - all the typical John Green character. I liked him, how he thinks and talks in the book but I find his character lacking. I dunno. Probably because I didn't found a development from him throughout the book.

And then there's Alaska. Smart, witty, sexy, and mysterious. I really didn't like her character, to be honest. I hate how she can manipulate Miles, and still at the end of the day, she keeps telling him that she has a boyfriend. I hate how she flirts with him, but still kept her distance even after the end.

The book's full of the same teenage problems. Dealing with school, peer pressure, family problems, and the lot. Too much smoking and drinking and pranking and sex and bullying and flirting and lying.

I didn't loved it but I liked it, which is very confusing. Well, I liked it probably because of the second characters especially his room mate and his professor in spirituality. I also didn't felt the "romance part" of the book, although it's categorized as such. It's an ok book for me and I expect more from the author.

Grade:

B+

For One More Day by Mitch Albom

I love this book, because 1.) I can relate to it. 2.) I also lost someone I love. and 3.) I also wish to have another minute with that person.

For One More Day for me was a real tear-jerker with some funny lines that will kept me reading for more. Although it's a short read, I enjoyed every minute of it and cried at the appropriate parts.

Just like Chick (the protagonist), I also lost a parent and it really sucked. It still hurts like hell and I connected with him on that.

One thing that I disliked about the book was the secondary characters. His ex-wife is one example. I hate how she left her husband all alone to cope with a loss of a loved one. I understand that Chick wasn't a good provider for them and lost himself by drinking alcohol when his mother died, but I think he deserved another chance.

But instead, she divorced him and made sure that their daughter's far from him. I really felt the pain that Chick was feeling when he learned that his daughter was married and he didn't get invited. He was only sent a photo of her and her new husband with his (Chick's) ex-wife and her new boyfriend.

At that time, when he decided to kill himself because he can't take the pain anymore, I was crying really hard because who does that? Right? When he called her ex-wife and asked,"You couldn't stand up for me?", I was just in tears, really, and couldn't continue to read because my vision was all blurry.

And of course, the scene after the crash when he finds himself with his mother for another day and all the letters he wrote for his mother were previewed. Those times when he didn't stood up for his mother, and the times when she did. You can feel the heartbreak in those letters of him, and I also find myself wishing that I can rewind and correct all the mistakes that I've done to my Dad.

All in all, it's a very great book and the author was great. I loved it and will read another book from Mitch Albom in the future. ;) :-bd

Grade:

A+