living in between pages.

[hannahreads]

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Publication Date: May 23, 2006

Pages: 183

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

Rating: 2/5

Synopsis:

Nick & Norah, both hurt from their past relationships, find themselves together connected by music for a one night that may give them a chance to finally move on and find new love. 

Review:

This story contains the interchanging POV of Nick and Norah. The characters and plot is too typical for me and the only unique element that I can pinpoint is the amount of references to music in this book. Unfortunately, I’m not into the type of music that was included in this book so I couldn’t relate to anything. 

Reading this was hard for me as I didn’t like the writing style of it. Maybe if I have read this years ago, I could have related to this more. Maybe the writers just want this to be as close to teenager’s thoughts as they could get. But for me, it just feels like really bad writing. 

I don’t think it suits for 20+ years of age, but it also isn’t suitable for young teenagers because of the amount of curses in this book. But I guess you just have to read at your own risk. 

[hannahreads]

All of the good men are either gay or the sons of gods with martyr complexes. I swear, we heterosexual women are a doomed lot.

Matthew Quick. Love May Fail

[hannahreads]

We’re all stronger than we give ourselves credit for. We can cope with more than we think. Survive the worst and, somehow, still find a way to smile.

Ali Harris, The First Last Kiss

[hannahreads]

I Wrote This For You #4 - pleasefindthis

Publication Date: December 20, 2011

Pages: 194

Genre: Poetry, Romance, Fiction, Short Stories, Photography, Art

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis:

A collection of poems and short stories with respective photographs about life and mostly about love. 

Review:

It’s been a long time since I’ve last read a collection of poems but I remember loving Lang Leav’s books and promised myself to read more of poetry. Even though the title literally says that this book was written for the reader, I think that this was written more for the author itself. While reading this, I feel like I was intruding into something so personal. Like reading someone’s personal diary. 

It’s hard to review a collection of poems and short stories unlike a novel where you can review its entirety since it’s just a one whole story. I have mixed opinions in reading this. There are other poems that I like and can relate to it well. But mostly, I just quickly read the other poems since I couldn’t relate to it. The photographs attached to each poem/short story are very artistic and a nice touch but I didn’t appreciate them enough because it just seems like random photos for me. Others connected well with the title and the content of the poem. but mostly I didn’t see any connection. 

If you love poems and nice quotes, you can bet that you’d enjoy this. But if you’re like me who enjoys a good story more, then I suggest you find another book to read.

[hannahreads]

Children become adults but they don’t change much.

Kazuo Ishiguro, A Pale View of Hills

[hannahreads]

What a terrible feeling to love someone and not be able to help them.

Jennifer Niven, All the Bright Places

[hannahreads]

Love May Fail  - Matthew Quick

Publication Date: June 16, 2015

Pages: 398

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit

Rating:3.5/5

Synopsis:

Portia Kane has her life in shambles. After leaving her cheating husband with a girl nearly half his age, she decides it’s time to have her life back together again. And it starts with fixing her old english teacher’s life. 

Review:

This story has been divided into four POV’s of characters that are interestingly connected with each other. It starts with Portia Kane reminiscing her old self then Nate Vernon, Portia’s high school english teacher, followed by Sister Maeve Smith, and lastly, Chuck Bass.

Out of all the POVs, my favorite would be the one from Sister Maeve Smith. I loved how the story was going with her part but the story suddenly went on a different direction when it got to Chuck Bass’ POV. The redemption of Mr. Vernon was a good plot of the story but at the last part, Mr. Vernon seemed nonexistent and it was all about Portia’s new life. 

It was also hard for me to connect with the characters especially Portia. Maybe her one-part only in the story didn’t help and made her more distant. 

The challenges and struggles of the characters were a little underwhelming that it made the story anticlimactic. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing that this story feels like you’re in a very steady ride without much ups and downs.  

[hannahreads]

He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

[hannahreads]

The truth will set you free. But first it will piss you off.

Matthew Quick, Love May Fail

[hannahreads]

I think it’s more about learning that in life it begins and ends with you. I mean, yes we all need love and seek support from others, but we need to find it from within first.

Ali Harris, The First Last Kiss

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The Girl You Left Behind - Jojo Moyes

Publication Date: June 24, 2014

Pages: 480

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

A story of two struggling women living in different eras and situations but are connected with each other through their hardships.

Review:

As a person who reads a lot of books, there’s nothing more satisfying than reading a refreshingly unique plot and this is what this book delivers. This book is divided into two parts, one of a woman named Sophie living in the horrific World War I and another, Liv, in the present times in UK. I love Sophie’s story so much, I wished there was a book solely for her. But I love both Sophie and Liz’s characters. This book shows an accurate depiction of how real faith and hope is even when all odds are against you. 

[hannahreads]

It doesn’t matter how old someone is, it’s what they’ve experienced that counts. People can get to be a hundred and not experience a thing.

Kazuo Ishiguro, A Pale View of Hills 

[hannahreads]

1Q84 - Haruki Murakami

Publication Date: October 5, 2011

Pages: 925

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Japanese Literature

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis:

A story about two people destined to be with each other who are pulled into a different world in the year 1984.

Review:

This might be the longest fiction novel I’ve ever read (excluding In Search of a Lost Time since I never got to finish it and I don’t think I ever will). Even if it’s a long story, it’s an easy read. The story tickles your imagination and curiosity just enough for you to continue reading it. It’s a right mix of the superfluous storytelling of In Search of a Lost Time and 1984′s dystopic elements. 

Although 1Q84 is mostly fantasy, its core is the love story of Aomame and Tengo. The fictional world of 1Q84 with its little people and air chrysalis is more like both a stumbling block and a bridge for Aomame and Tengo to get together. 

I don’t know if its the length of this book or the way Murakami writes but this is one of the books that makes you feel included in the book’s world. It’s a refreshing experience that I recommend for those who don’t mind a lengthy read. 

[hannahreads]

Your hope lies in accepting your life as it now lies before you, forever changed. If you can do that, the peace you seek will follow. Forever changed.

Jennifer Niven, All the Bright Places

[hannahreads]

Confess - Colleen Hoover

Publication Date: March 28, 2017

Pages: 320 

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Drama

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis:

Auburn Reed starts to rebuild her life in Dallas, Texas. She has her life on a routine and doesn’t allow for any slips that could disarray her life. But one visit to an art gallery and she may be on the brink of losing everything she’s trying to build just by meeting the charming artist, Owen Gentry.

Review:

There comes a time wherein the rose-colored glasses you’ve once work is stripped off of you and suddenly things are clearer. This is what I felt reading this book. This is the third book I’ve read of Colleen Hoover and I’m afraid the Colleen Hoover magic didn’t work well with me this time. The story felt so rushed that there wasn’t enough time to build-up the chemistry between the two main characters. It irks me how fast they were attracted to each other and think that they were fated to each other. (I don’t really believe in love at first sight.)

One good thing about this book is that you can never guess what comes next. Problems after problems came after Owen & Auburn that you yourself becomes hopeless reading it. I’m amazed by how Hoover found a solution to this however a one-solution-for-all kind of thing doesn’t sit right with me. I wish they could have given more story to how each problem would be solved. What happened here is that one action happened and *POOF* all problems are solved which isn’t realistic. 

I LOOOVEE the artworks included in this book. It’s a great touch to the story.

I still love Hoover’s writing style which makes any book of hers easy to read. The plot is just not my cup of tea but I’d still gladly read more of Colleen Hoover. :)

[hannahreads]

- Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha

[hannahreads]

Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist