TheXezza: contemporary

Showing posts with label contemporary. Show all posts

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

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.

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.

Title: Stolen
Author: Lucy Christopher
Amazon Link: Buy now
Book Depository Link: Buy now
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Contemporary/Thriller
Buy: Yes
Review: Goodreads

Synopsis

IT HAPPENED LIKE THIS.

I was stolen from an airport. Kidnapped. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Imprisoned by sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him.

This is my story. A letter to my captor.

Book Review

Gemma and her family went vacation to Bangkok when she first met her captor/kidnaper Ty at the coffee shop in Bangkok Airport while waiting for her flight to go back to London. She's sixteen years old girl who's really kind hearted and friendly and that's the reason why she accepted Coffee from Ty thinking that he was just being friendly. They talked for a while (Gemma being friendly) and suddenly she was in another continent. This is a story about how Gemma coped in that situation. At first she was terrified of that event and was really scared that Ty gonna kill her and all those nightmares. However, she then adapted to her current situation and finally accepted (I guess) that she won't be back home anymore.

First what I like about this book is Gemma's character. The author definitely portray how Gemma felt through all things that happened to her in a realistic way. She was scared at first and by the end of the book, she develop a comfortable feeling towards Ty. This is really possible because she doesn't have any choice but to be dependent on her captor although she hated him at first. But in real life situation, you'll eventually will be attach to Ty when all you can see is how good Ty treat you and somehow you'll forget that Ty is the reason you there (and all the bad things he done). They called it Stockholm syndrome: a psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending and identifying with the captors.

I hate Ty character. I just hate him. The moment I start reading this book, all I want to do is burn this book or punching someone face. Because, I hate him. I can't understand him at all. He just some psychotic man and I don't really care about him. I don't want to know anything about him..at all. There are some parts where he discussed the first time he met Gemma and how he was really attracted to her, hence planning on kidnapping her that make my blood boil. Like seriously man..you need help. He's like a villian character from the drama that you hate so much and convince yourself that the person is real and you don't want to watch anymore because you hate him. It's positive kinda hate when you can't distinguish between reality and fiction.

I haven't really read lots of book that involve my emotion especially hateful emotion. Sometimes I do feel emotional while reading but always like happy, sad or terrified but never hate. I think this is the first book that I felt quite disturbed by the fact that I hate the character so much. Apart from that, this is a good book to understand the Stockholm syndrome. I just wish that Gemma will eventually find her own happiness and forget about all those traumatized event that happen to her.

Book Quotes

(may contain spoilers)

'Camels just make a lot of fuss.' You ran your hand up heck, and spoke gently to her again. Her ears flicked back to listen to you. 'As soon as she understand what we wants, she'll do it. Camels are like that.' I wondered if you thought the same thing about me.

What you did to me wasn't this brilliant thing, like you think it was. You took me away from everything-my parents, my friends, my life. You took me to the sand and the heat, the dirt and isolation. And you expected me to love you. And that's the hardest bit. Because I did or at least, I loved something out there. But I hated you too. I can't forget that.

But what else I can do, other than to plead with you like this? Other than to write down my story,our story, to show you what you've done..to make you realise that what you did wasn't fair, wasn't right.

Title: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Amazon Link: Buy now
Book Depository Link: Buy now
Genre: Adult Fiction/ Contemporary
Buy: Yes

Synopsis

On the faded Island Books sign hanging over the porch of the Victorian cottage is the motto "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World." A. J. Fikry, the irascible owner, is about to discover just what that truly means.

A. J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island-from Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who's always felt kindly toward Fikry; from Ismay, his sister-in-law who is hell-bent on saving him from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.'s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, A.J. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.

And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It's a small package, but large in weight. It's that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn't take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J.; or for that determined sales rep, Amelia, to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light; or for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.'s world; or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn't see coming. As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love.

Book Review

From the very first page, I was hooked by how the story line is. I always love books with lots of life values that I can learn from. Magical books about real life just like Cecilia Ahern's books. Yes, I do love most of her books. There's so many points in our life that we need to read about someone else's life to be inspire and to be strong. I realize that this book is one of the book that you can read whenever you need something as a reminder that you're not alone and how lucky you are.I'm lucky that I was attracted to this book when I was in the bookstore. I don't really have any thoughts at first and I rarely understand synopsis very well. I just trust my guts to read this book without knowing what its offer me. I was mesmerized at the very first page and was thinking to myself that this book is what I need, Felt very weird like you've met the long lost best friend. And I was excited for one whole day reading this book.

First the character A.J. is totally awesome guy. He's very strict and stubborn person. But the way he's thinking is beyond my level. When he was encounter with some strange situation, he didn't avoid it. Instead he's thinking that there's a reason for that situation happen to him. And gladly accept it. If I'm in the same situation as him, I'll be scared to death and trying my best to avoid it in any costs. Because of the unexpected situations that he's been through, he became someone new. Better person. He learns to be a better man. I love this part and I really cried in joy while reading it because I know it's hard for him to change the way he is. I'm really proud at his growing character. From stubborn and mean personality to a reasonable and lovable man.

And there's Amelia looking for love. I see myself in her character. She's really inspired me to try my best in everything I do. I love how this kind-hearted woman finally found her happiness. I really rooted for her happy ending because she deserve it.This book is funny as well. There's so many parts in this book really touch my heart. I'm thinking that maybe if I try to look everything in positive light, I'll be happy and settle just like A.J. and Amelia. And yeah a bookstore, that's all I want.

Book Quotes

(may contain spoiler)

She is thirty-one years old and she thinks she should have met someone by now. And yet. Amelia the bright-sider believes it is better to be alone than to be someone who doesn’t share your sensibilities and interests. (It is , right?)

The things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also life.

“I worry for you.If you love everyone, you’ll end up having hurt feelings most of the time. I suppose, relative to the length of your life, you feel as if you’ve known me a rather long time. Your perspective of time is really very warped, Maya. But I’m old and soon, you’ll forget you even knew me”.

Once someone had asked A.J. if Maya was his. “You’re both black but not the same kind of black”. Maya remembers this because the remake had made A.J. use tone of voice she had never heard him use with a customer. “What is the same kind of black?”. A.J. had asked. “No, I didn’t mean to offend you”, the person had said and then the flips flops had backed their way to the door, leaving without making a purchase.

She thinks he’s about to hug her, but instead he shakes her hand, the way he would greet a colleague- perhaps an author visiting the store. A sentence occur to her: The day my father shook my hand, I knew I was a writer.

He will try again. He will never stop trying. “Maya, we are what we love”. Maya is shaking her head. “Dad, I’m sorry. I don’t understand”.”We aren’t things we collect, acquire, read. We are for as long as we are here, only love. The things we loved. The people we loved. And these, I think these really do live on”.

Further Reading Suggestion

A place called here, If you could see me now, My best friend's girl.

p/s: Goodreads review

Title: Life in Outer Space
Author: Melissa Keil
Amazon Link: Buy now
Book Depository Link: Buy now
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/ Contemporary
Buy: Yes

Synopsis

Sam Kinnison is a geek, and he’s totally fine with that. He has his horror movies, his nerdy friends, World of Warcraft – and until Princess Leia turns up in his bedroom, he doesn’t have to worry about girls.

Then Sam meets Camilla. She’s beautiful, friendly and completely irrelevant to his life. Sam is determined to ignore her, except that Camilla has a life of her own – and she’s decided that he’s going to be part of it.

Sam believes that everything he needs to know he can learn from the movies … but now it looks like he’s been watching the wrong ones.

Book Review

I totally in love with this book. The main character in this book is Sam Kinnison. However, this book is not only about Sam. It is more than that. Every character in this book have it’s own story, problems and issues. Lets begin with our main character. He’s super intelligent (nerd) person who has his own circle of friend. He’s not popular and often bully by the jock and the popular kids in the school. I’m sure everyone think that this book will eventually turn Sam into popular kid blaa blaa..well he’s not. And I ensure you that Sam won’t be someone else he’s not by the end of this book. That’s why I love this book because it gives Sam freedom to be himself despite every issue and problem he’s going through.

Next we have three of Sam’s best friend which are Mike, Adrian and Allison. The three of them have totally different personality. Mike is more quite type. Adrian is super-loud and he likes to say whatever he wants. Allison is a girl who is more outgoing and she like to try something new. I love their friendship so much. I’m glad that they have each other because somehow I feel like in our life we do need someone that understand us especially when we don’t understand ourselves. I love how Mike understands Sam so much.Then we have Sam’s love interest which is Camilla Carter. She just a perfect girl. She’s outgoing and friendly to everyone. She’s got totally awesome personality. I do look up at her and feel like why can I be like her? She’s so positive and always happy. Although she has her own problems, she just doesn’t show it.The way Sam talks to her and calmed her down when she’s nervous is so cute. I wish someone will say the same thing to me.

It's good book about friendship, love and all the awkward stage that we've been through, It kind of remind me of when I was a simple minded girl and all I need is friend to talk to about those 'big' problems I had. For someone who loves Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, this is a perfect book. Oh..I'm looking forward to read Melissa Keil's other work. She's awesome!!

Book Quotes

(may contain spoilers)

Mike snorts. “ Doubtful. You aren’t exactly Mr Open Book. You forget, though – I know you. And I can’t watch you make yourself this miserable anymore. What hurts you hurts me and all that. Believe me, it’s the only thing that’s stopped me from punching you in the face for being so hopeless”