Book Review: The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

2/29/2016 Ezza TheBookDragon 0 Comments


Title: The Smell of Other People's Houses
Author: Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
Amazon Link: Buy now
Book Depository Link: Buy now
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Contemporary/ Historical/ Coming of Age
Buy: No. Netgally Advanced Reader's Copy
Review: Goodreads


Synopsis
In Alaska, 1970, being a teenager here isn’t like being a teenager anywhere else. Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she’s always known on her family’s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away than to stay home—until one of them ends up in terrible danger.

Four very different lives are about to become entangled.


Review

The Characters

The story revolve around the four main characters which are Ruth, Dora, Alyce and Hank. 

Ruth: She's coming from a very loving family. But it didn't last long when she lost her father in a plane crash that leave her mother in a devastated state and make her incompetent to take care of Ruth and her little sister. Because of the tragedy, Ruth and her little sister had to live with their strict and unloving grandmother. She had to deal with the loss and had to adapt to her new life that is very different than before. She envied other people's houses because she didn't feel the loving environment in her house.

Dora: Dora has to deal with her abusive parents (physically by her father, and mentally by her mother). One event had make her leave her family and live with her best friend, Dumpling's family. She needed to escape from where she coming from and she really want to be part of Dumpling's perfect family. She loves the smell of Dumpling's house and don't want to go back to her real life.

Alyce: Alyce is trying her best to make the best decision for her own life. Coming from a divorced parents, she was afraid that anything she choose from will hurt her father's feeling. By choosing her dream, she would have to give up the life in a fishing boat that she have known forever and the life that her father loves.

Hank: Hank and his brothers run away from their house. His father passed away and her mother wants to marry a new man. Thinking that the best decision is to run away in preserving the memory of their father, they encounter with a terrible thing that happened to one of the brother.

The Plot

This book is told from multiple points of view. I enjoyed every character's voice and their own perspective. The way that this book written and the plot is really engrossing and make me feel the need to know what happen next. This book is full of emotion rather than just teen romance. 

The smell of other people's houses is a perfect title as the book itself is focusing on how as a person we occasionally judge or think that some people had better than us and we hated where we come from because of it. However, behind of those nice smell, there are so many heartbreaking and hurtful things happened that we didn't know.

This book deal with lots of difficult topics such as poverty, teen pregnancy, abuse and mental illness. There are so many issues that this book focus on without being too serious and heavy. It's amazing how the author can conclude this book with positive ending despite all the heavy issues that have been focused on.

Overall

I love the cover, the title and how emotional this book are. How could you not love the cover and the tittle? It's perfect. And the story is making me emotionally involved. I love every bit of it. To be very honest, I love Dumping the most in this book. Although she is not the main character, her character is vital to give a very good ending. Thank you, Dumpling.


Book Quotes

(may contain spoilers)

We don't have to be blood to be family.
Sometimes you can be inserted into another person's life just by witnessing something you were never really supposed to be a part of.
Because isn't that how forever happens- instantly?

Further Reading Suggestion

Eleanor & Park 



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Book Review: The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne

2/23/2016 Ezza TheBookDragon 0 Comments


Title: The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket
Author: John Boyne
Amazon Link: Buy now
Book Depository Link: Buy now
Genre: Children Fiction/Contemporary/ Fantasy
Buy: Yes
Review: Goodreads


Synopsis
There's nothing unusual about the Brockets. Normal, respectable, and proud of it, they turn up their noses at anyone strange or different. But from the moment Barnaby Brocket comes into the world, it's clear he's anything but ordinary. To his parents’ horror, Barnaby defies the laws of gravity - and floats.

Desperate to please his parents, Barnaby does his best to keep both feet on the ground – but he just can't do it. One fateful day, the Brockets decide enough is enough. They never asked for a weird, abnormal, floating child. Barnaby has to go . . .


Betrayed, frightened and alone, Barnaby floats into the path of a very special hot air balloon – and so begins a magical journey around the world, with a cast of extraordinary new friends.


Review

This book started with the introduction to Barnaby's family. His family is perfectly normal and Mr and Mrs Brocket hated all those abnormal and weird people. Both are them have these ideal life where everyone should be normal. That include doing average in class, working in normal job, live in a normal house and have a perfectly normal family. Mr.Brocket especially hate people who  made show of themselves in public (loud and crazy people in the train for example) and he love normal routine such as eating at the normal restaurants, ordering normal menus and so on. Same goes to Mrs. Brocket. She is a normal tidy women that not impressed with people behaving unusual and you know..not normal. They fall in love and got married (which is very normal) and have two normal children. But then, came Barnaby the third child of the family and the funny thing is, he is the exact opposite of normal. He floats and that is not normal.

This book is pretty funny and sad at the same time. I really dig on children fiction because there are so many important things that I can learn from it. And the story can be really interesting and unique because it's children book. Anything can happen..like a boy who can float. 

The main character, Barnaby is really a sweetheart. From the beginning, he learns that he is not normal and somehow feeling unwanted by his parents. But his older brother and sister accept him the way he is and really find him as interesting little boy. Looking at him, they actually learn that there are so many extraordinary things they want to try but they can't. Because it's not normal according to their parents.

Throughout his journey of finding himself, Barnaby met lots of different person that have a different story of being abnormal,unusual and unique just like himself. From there he learns that normal is not really a good thing. You can be different and be yourself if that is who you are. To change and to be somebody that is not yourself because that is what people want, is not worth it. Love the awkward you or the floating you or whatever state you are. 

This book is very close to my heart and I learn a lot from this book. It's good book to read whenever you feel sad and lonely or just want to be remind that being you is okay. For a children book, the plot is interesting and really fit children perspective. The story about a boy who can float and his journey in finding himself throughout all the confusion and acceptance is really a good story for children and for me of course. 


Book Quotes

(may contain spoilers)

Just because your version of normal isn't the same as someone else's version doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with you.
It is possible, you know, to drift off to an unknown world and find happiness there. Maybe even more happiness than you've ever known before.
We all are. Their idea of normal just happens to be different to some other people's idea of normal. But this is the world we live in. Some people simply cannot accept something that is outside of their experience.


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Book Review: Tell The Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

2/20/2016 Ezza TheBookDragon 0 Comments


Title: Tell The Wolves I'm Home
Author: Carol Rifka Brunt
Amazon Link: Buy now
Book Depository Link: Buy now
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Contemporary/ Coming of Age
Buy: Yes
Review: Goodreads


Synopsis
1987. There's only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that's her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn's company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June's world is turned upside down. But Finn's death brings a surprise acquaintance into June's life--someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

At Finn's funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn's apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she's not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.


Review

First, I need to warn everyone that this book is too sad for poor heart like mine and anyone. I actually did not expect it to be this super sad and heartbreaking. 

The main character June just lost her one and only uncle, best friend and godfather to AIDS. She has to deal with the lost and heartache. Along with that, she discovered so many secrets, misunderstanding, complex and complicated issue that happened with the lost. Her only sister, Greta finally become more friendly after Finn (the uncle) left and there is one person that she never knew before, suddenly become one of the important person in her life.

Finn death affected June so much that she feel lost and lonely. When she finally learns that there was someone else other than her that was very close and significant to Finn, She realized that maybe, just maybe she didn't really know Finn as much as she think she was. But, that is when she discovered everything, every single thing happened for a reason.

I love June's character so much because she's such a strong character. She was lost, sad and lonely but that doesn't stop her to be so kind, good listener and very open to the cruel fact. She learn so many heartbreaking situation, but she remains strong and kind.

This book is about finding yourself in the loss and finding your way through it. Being strong doesn't mean that we have to deal with everything by ourselves. Sometimes, all we need is someone that will always be beside us and guide us through it. Even though, the person who understand June the most is gone, she realized that she just have to open her eyes and see that there are still someone who love her and understand her. 

I'm not ashamed that I was crying too much because of this book. My heart is shattered to millions pieces so many times while reading this book. I can't put it down because, well I don't want to miss anything. 


Book Quotes

(may contain spoilers)
Maybe I was destined to forever fall in love with people I couldn’t have. Maybe there’s a whole assortment of impossible people waiting for me to find them. Waiting to make me feel the same impossibility over and over again.
That's what being shy feels like. Like my skin is too thin, the light too bright. Like the best place I could possibly be is in a tunnel far under the cool, dark earth. Someone asks me a question and I stare at them, empty-faced, my brain jammed up with how hard I'm trying to find something interesting to say. And in the end, all I can do is nod or shrug, because the light of their eyes looking at me, waiting for me, is just too much to take. And then it's over and there's one more person in the world who thinks I'm a complete and total waste of space. The worst thing is the stupid hopefulness. Every new party, every new bunch of people, and I start thinking that maybe this is my chance. That I'm going to be normal this time. A new leaf. A fresh start. But then I find myself at the party, thinking, Oh, yeah. This again. So I stand on the edge of things, crossing my fingers, praying nobody will try to look me in the eye. And the good thing is, they usually don't.
You could try to believe what you wanted, but it never worked. Your brain and your heart decided what you were going to believe and that was that. Whether you liked it or not
…there’s just something beautiful about walking on snow that nobody else has walked on. It makes you believe you’re special, even though you know you’re not.
The sun kept on with its slipping away, and I thought how many small good things in the world might be resting on the shoulders of something terrible.


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Yell Standing- Egg (Eng|Han|Rom)

2/20/2016 Ezza TheBookDragon 0 Comments


Sometimes you just wanna yell at the higher place. Shouting at the top of our heart "I'm gonna be okay!!" "I'm beautiful!!". You'll be okay and everything's gonna be alright.






Biseuthan naldeul oneuldo jinakajiman
비슷한 날들 오늘도 지나가지만
Another day, just like any other,
passes by

Hancham dongan jejariraseo geobina
한참 동안 제자리라서 겁이나
Scared I might be going nowhere

 Mwonga jakku buranhage mandeuljiman
뭔가 자꾸 불안하게 만들지만
I keep getting anxious but

 I'm fine jamsi meomchwo seoseo geoureul bwa
I'm fine 잠시 멈춰 서서 거울을 봐
I’m fine, take a moment to look in the
mirror

 Ddo neoreul bulleobwa
또 너를 불러봐
And call your name again

Take me higher

Nuga bieuseumyeon eottae
누가 비웃으면 어때
So what if they laugh at you

Take me higher
Naega midgoitneun neonde
내가 믿고있는 넌데
I have faith in you

You’re so beautiful
You’re so beautiful

Deulyeodabwa geoeul suge
들여다봐 거울 속에
Look into the mirror and see

Nuga utgo itna nuga nalgo itna
누가 웃고 있나 누가 날고 있나
Who’s smiling, who’s flying

 I wanna love me now

Iksukhan naldeul ttodasi banbokdoejiman
익숙한 날들 또다시 반복되지만
Another day, just like any other,
passes by

Hancham dwichyeo jineungeotgata geobina
한참 뒤쳐 지는것같아 겁이나
Scared I might be falling behind

Mwonga jakku buranhage mandeuljiman
뭔가 자꾸 불안하게 만들지만
I keep getting anxious but

I'm fine jamsi meomchwo seoseo geoureul bwa
I'm fine 잠시 멈춰 서서 거울을 봐
I’m fine, take a moment to look in the
mirror

Ddo neoreul bulleobwa
또 너를 불러봐
And call your name again

Take me higher

Nuga bieuseumyeon eottae
누가 비웃으면 어때
So what if they laugh at you 

 Take me higher

Naega midgoitneun neonde
내가 믿고있는 넌데
I have faith in you 

 You’re so beautiful
You’re so beautiful 

Deulyeodabwa geoeul suge
들여다봐 거울 속에
Look into the mirror and see 

Nuga utgo itna nuga nalgo itna
누가 웃고 있나 누가 날고 있나
Who’s smiling, who’s flying

 I wanna love me now

Take me higher

Nuga bieuseumyeon eottae
누가 비웃으면 어때
So what if they laugh at you 

 Take me higher

Naega midgoitneun neonde
내가 믿고있는 넌데
I have faith in you 

 You’re so beautiful
You’re so beautiful 

Deulyeodabwa geoeul suge
들여다봐 거울 속에
Look into the mirror and see 

Nuga utgo itna nuga nalgo itna
누가 웃고 있나 누가 날고 있나
Who’s smiling, who’s flying

 I wanna love me now

 Eng: http://www.tartfroyo.com/
Han: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iod8r1yiTAM
Rom: TheXezza

No copyright infringement intended.

0 comments:

Book Review: When I Was Me by Hilary Freeman

2/16/2016 Ezza TheBookDragon 1 Comments


Title: When I Was Me
Author: Hilary Freeman
Amazon Link: Buy now
Book Depository Link: Buy now
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Mystery/Thriller
Buy: Yes
Review: Goodreads



Synopsis
One girl, two lives. Which is real?

When Ella wakes up one Monday morning, she discovers that she is not herself and that her life is not her own. She looks different, her friends are no longer her friends and her existence has been erased from the internet. Even worse, years of her history appear to have been rewritten overnight. And yet, nobody else thinks that anything weird has happened. 

A tense and dark psychological thriller full of unexpected twists and turns about the random events and decisions that make us who we are. If you can't trust your own memories, then who can you trust?

Review

I actually did not expect anything from this book at first. I picked up this book because of two reason: 1) It's on sale. 2)The cover is pretty. Anyway, I'm glad that I picked up this. Sometimes, I'm lucky when it comes to pick a random book. Sometimes, I don't. But this time, I'm lucky. 

This book started with Ella waking up one day feeling like not herself. I do sometimes..like where am I? Who am I? But this is not the case for Ella. Because she literally waking up as a new and different Ella. Her room, her mom and her appearance looking so much different than yesterday. Maybe she loses her mind or maybe she just need to calm down and sleep a bit. But nope..even after calming down and all, she still not herself. It's really crazy.

There's so many things Ella needs to find out. The truth, her real self and someone who can really understand her confusion. And she also needs to adapt to her new life now. As she going through with all that emotion and experience, I feel her sadness and loneliness. She actually is a strong girl mentally. Yes, she cried and break down..but there's something in her that I admire. Especially when she was supposed to major in filmography and the next day she's majoring in chemistry/science..I can't even. How am I supposed to feel about this? It's break my heart, like I was picturing myself as her. What will I do if I was her? I can't think. She adapted very well, bravo Ella. 

Apart from that, she's trying her best to get back to her real self with the help of this one person who knows everything. And because of that, she discovered something really complex and she had to made a decision for herself. This book is really interesting and I cannot believe how thin this book is. Like I need explanation. I need more. Please, how's Ella doing after everything? I really get attached to Ella and don't want to leave her.

I don't want to review a lot about this book, because I might spoil it without realizing. The vital part to enjoy this book is by not knowing anything about it. I enjoyed it very much and really recommended this book to anyone..and everyone. It's fast paced book and very thin book (I don't like this part), so yeah.

Book Quotes

(may contain spoilers)

Either I have lot my memory.
Or I have lost my mind.
And if I'm not me, fully me, then who am I?
Like the radiographer, she seems delighted that my brain is 'perfect'. Some people have great legs, others great hair. Apparently, I have beautiful brain. It's just my luck that nobody else will ever be able to appreciate its gorgeousness unless I leave my body to science and it ends up in a jar on someone's desk. 
The truth is, I have already lived many lives in my lifetime; there have already existed more versions of me than I can count. I have been constantly changing, little by little, cell by cell, pore by pore. All these other transformations were so slow that I simply didn't notice them happening. This one is different because it was so violent and sudden, because it happened overnight. 
 

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