First Phone Call From Heaven - Book Review

"But the very first telephonic conversation, between Bell and Watson standing in separate rooms, contained these words: Come here, I want to see you.” p.21

"Had it not been for a man’s love for a woman, making him jump abroad a train, Bell’s phone might never have found an audience. Once it did, life on earth was altered forever." p. 79

"Fear is how you lose your life.. a little but at a time.. What we give to fear, we take away from.. faith." p. 111

"When you know you are loved, thats the light." p. 182

"It doesn’t make me sad I love hearing his voice, but i have.. / what? / I don’t know.. / Doubt? / Maybe.. / Doubt is how you find God." - p. 210

"If you find one true friend in life, you’re richer than most. If that one true friend is your husband, you’re blessed." p. 216

"If it believes, it behaves better." - p. 273

"Moments later it rang again.. ‘Sorry," Sully said, answering, ‘Did I lose you?’ / "Never" a woman’s voice said softly. He stopped breathing. Giselle. - p. 283

"I am so sorry / Why? / I wasnt there when you died / Thats not your fault / I never said good-bye / Such a needless word, she said, when you love somebody." - p. 292

But this was not a new idea. We call out; we are answered. It has been that way from the beginning of belief, and it continues to this very moment, when, late at night, in a small town called Coldwater, a seven year old boy hears a noise, opens his eyes, lifts a blue toy to his ear, and no soul remembered is ever really gone. - p. 308

greetings to the latest book of my all time favorite writer, Mitch Albom. I’ve been following his book since “Five People You Meet in Heaven”, a friend of mine lent it to me and i was felt like i didn’t want to give it back to her. as usual his writing is such a piece (sorry for being such a fan girl here, i know i should be objective, i am trying, okay? hehe)

i don’t know if its just me but compared it to his earlier books, like 5 people you meet in heaven or tuesday with morris, i felt the plot is a bit slow so you need to catch a breath while you're reading. its a different time patch for me when i read this one compared to "Five People You Meet in Heaven" or "Tuesday With Morrie". That unique part from Mr. Albom is still there. Surprise you with his deep quote and putting it somewhere you won't expect that it'll come.

A simple answer, by the end of a chapter, a paragraph, an explanation about something, saying from someone who you didn't pay attention at first. Those spots, often i found the best quote and life lesson from him. Talking about life lesson, i found out all of his book is mainly talking about life and that's why it's very connected to all of us.

And again he delivered the message so well in simplicity by the end. Wrapped the question why he has to put “the First Phone Call from Heaven” as its title so you can close your reading journey in peace.

Title: First Phone Call From Heaven

Published: 2013

Author: Mitch Albom

Rank: 3.5/5

By:

Joyce.

Crazy Rich Asians (Book Review)

Title: Crazy Rich Asians

Author: Kevin Kwan

Genre: Fiction (Novel)

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Year: 2013

Total Page: 403

Price: $29

Rate: 3.5 out of 5

If you have ever read something like Pride and Prejudice or Hanafiah Story by Sitta Karina's and like it, you might as well like this one. The cover might be a bit look shallow, the tittle even more, but as i finished it, it was light yet entertaining to spend some times and its not that shallow.

It is very modern, a lot of characters inside yet each one of them popped out beautifully. I think Kwan made it to speak out about how Asian (especially Chinese) culture is still there even though we move in this era. But don't worry, there is a family tree map inside just incase you have a bit of problem memorizing names and characters.

Yet in this four hundreds and three pages, the time range of the story is pretty much short. Unfolding too much truths for me in a period. It makes me want to know more sides because i still have a lot of "why" inside my head. Even better, if he had an idea to make it a sequel, family sequel kind of novel. The most disappointing part is the ending. As i started reading it, i feel like i chew a lot of words, a lot of characters and all. For me personally its just too "cut-off" i need more in the ending to finish such a book. Maybe like something certain, not just something that looks like its certain and i need to conclude it myself after all the reading. Orr... again, a sequel might be a good idea?

But after all, this one is really entertaining to read. Like one of those book when you finished reading it, you want to meet each characters inside, wondering how they look like if they're real. If they say book is kind of magic that could make you see another world? This one proved it right, a window to a Crazy Rich Asian's life.

By: Joyce

Pieces of You - Tablo

“These are the pieces of my youth,

the small secrets and the not-so-great expectations

that defined my coming of age.”

― Tablo, Pieces of You

The English version of this book had been released from early 2009, not long after its Korean version. Yes, it’s not a fresh book, but I just found out about it recently, after I started listening to this Korean hip hop group, Epik High. Tablo, the author, and the leader of this group have this such of cold and brutal realist sense on writing lyrics for the group. “Pieces of You” consists of ten short stories, all written during his college life in Stanford University from 1998 to 2001 – giving him honors in English Literature and Creative Writing.

“So here I am,

choosing to kick away the ladder

so that I may remain at your side.

I understand your solitude I see your shadow."

The stories aren’t happy. They are rough, dark, yet dazzling - those kind of stories that is so realistic without clean ending, enough explanation, and obvious chronology. Complex, just like reality itself.

The topics are vary, relationship between a sick mother and a weed-smoker son, the life of a porn movies casting director, until story about two old pals who just lost their best friend. My favorite is the first story, “Andante”. It’s about a pianist whose father was a maestro before it all taken away by a chronic Alzheimer.

Well it might sounds like a gloomy book review, eh? It’s not a common kind of genre, but can be as well an oasis for those who bored of typical drama or romance novel. It’s kinda tricky to find this book nowadays, I searched all over Kinokuniya, Aksara, or Periplus, but they don’t seem to have it. So I best recommend you to order from yesasia.com for the English version or just get to Toko Gunung Agung for the Bahasa version for IDR 40.000 (but I didn’t refer to it, since the Bahasa one is written by a translator). You also can buy the English version on www.yesasia.com for $25.

Here’s my favorite quotes from the book:

“Cowards,

I believe, are people who are afraid to embrace what they want or need

in a natural, honest way.”

“It didn’t rain for you, maybe,

but it always rains for me.

The sky shatters and rains shards of glass.”

“He laughed.

I suddenly wanted to laugh, to laugh with him, to sit here,

or maybe outside in the rain, and just laugh with him.

But I couldn’t. I couldn’t even smile.”

“When I stop at a stop sign, I don’t think about the distance I’ve crossed.

I just wish I never had to stop.”

By: @taniayosephine

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

Author: Erin Morgenstern
Year: 2012
Publisher: Vintage Books (www.vintage-books.co.uk)
Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary
Total Pages: 496
Price: $12.17 (www.amazon.com)
Rate: 4/5

I don't know since when I changed my reading genre. Used to read any romantic fiction and currently i am not that curious to read any. Then i stumbled upon this book. To be honest the word 'circus' that catched my attention the most at first. The way the author describes the detail is one that i should praised, really. She describes it that detail and precise until i feel like i am watching a movie than to read a book.

The story plot itself also another thing that i like. One that keep you question about whats this book about? How it will going to end? Once i stopped on page 50-ish, i was questioning about the genre because i find no clue about the story that i read. In the end it saved by the detail and the curiosity themselves.

It doesnt only talk about the circus, like the show but the story slides and crumbled everythings. At first i didnt expect that i'll get any good point but it turns out i am wrong.

Here are some of my favorite lines:

• "The finest if pleasures are always the unexpected ones."
• "There may be decissions to make, and surprises in store. Life takes us to unexpected places sometimes. The future is never set in stone, remember that."
• Secrets have power. And that power diminished when they are shared, so they are best kept and kept well. Sharing secrets, real secrets, with even one other person will change them.
• I supposed it depends on how much you like the place you're trapped in
• "You asked me after she died? How could i ever be certain that was a choice you made or one that was made for you?"
• "Esse quam videri" - "To be rather than to seem"
• Trying to control what cannot be controlled. I am tired of denying myself what i want to fear of breaking things i cannot fix. They will break no matter what we do.
• You cannot stop things, you can only be prepared for them to happen
• The most difficult thing to read is time
• Youre in the right place at the right time and you care enough to do what needs to be done. Sometimes thats enough

Overall this one didn't make me regret that i changed my genre. The plot was brilliant, so does the character making. Forget to say there were quite much character in there yet they're all made strong so you won't get confused. My favorite? Marco Alistair ;) 


By: @joycesandraa

"5 cm." Book & Movie Review

The Book

Before I write my review about the movie, I want to show you what I did write before on my personal blog, the review about 5cm books. This is one of the books that after you’re done reading it, you’re willing to keep it your entire life, and guessing that there’s a chance in the future you’re going to re-read it all over again.

it can makes me cry just for because 1 chapter. or two? :) i mean, usually a writer needs a whole book to make their readers cry in the end after they read that whole chapters rite? but this guy, Donny Dhirgantoro, doesnt need that:)

page 362:

        "Betul! Begitu juga dengan mimpi-mimpi kamu. cita-cita kamu, keyakinan kamu, apa yang kamu kejar taruh disini." Ian membawa jari telunjuknya menggantung mengambang di depan keningnya...

"Kamu taruh disini..jangan menempel di kening.

Biarkan..

dia..

menggantung..

mengambang..

5 centimeter..

di depan kening kamu..."

bukan ditaruh di kepala, nanti termakan habis oleh pemikiran rasionalmu yang kadang tak rasional, tapi taruh 5 cm depan kening, mengambang disana, selama matamu membuka, yang kamu lihat adalah mimpimu. more you see, more you focus, more you want it, more you catch it, more you live!

there are so MANY, live lessons here for teenager. like a lot. 

chapters that i love the most are:

chapter 5 ; dont stop me now
chapter 9 ; 5cm

The Movie

“ 17 Agustus di puncak tertinggi Jawa, 5 sahabat 2 cinta, sebuah mimpi mengubah segalanya”

Soraya Film Production

Out from 12.12.12

Producer: Sunil Soraya

Director: Rizal Mantovani

Duration: 01.01

it’s a brand new standard for Indonesian movies for me. From the angle, picture quality, framing, plot, script, its just awesome. Most important, it is able to deliver the book’s message too! It shows people about another sides of Indonesia, the way they captured every spot in the movie is lovable. Wide range, underwater action, close up, expression, Bromo. They even captured Jakarta prettily. Crowded and packed, in a good way.

If you want to support local movies, please, this is the kind of movie that you should watch rather than the other horror-semi porn kind of movies that also has no clear story plot.

It also succeeded in blowing you away, every time they show a new place during their hiking journey. combined with good actings from the actors its just great.

Totally one kind of a movie when you went off from your chair, you'll get a bit blank and some of the scenes still flying inside your head and the main message or some lines would be your new favorite lines.

Rate: 8 out of 10

By: @joycesandraa

Hush-Hush

Still stuck with the drug-like addiction over Meyer’s famous Twilight Saga? Rather than re-reading the four books, let me recommend another saga that you need to watch out for – ‘Hush, Hush’ by Becca Fitzpatrick. Following Hush, Hush as the first book, there’s Crescendo, Silence and Finale (which is not out yet).

If you’re into Twilight, you will easily fall to the charms of ‘Hush, Hush’. The main character of the story, the Isabella Swan, is Nora Grey. Nora’s life is nothing but typical. Spending her days with best friend Vee Sky, the biggest problem in Nora’s life is planning a perfect payback for her eternal enemy, Marcie Millar’s sophisticated torture…until she met Patch. Having to work together for an assignment, Nora had to endure all the harassment and talk Patch out of his unwillingness to cooperate. During that time, Nora noticed a few quirks about Patch, and becomes – surprise, surprise – attracted. The attraction grows bigger, until Nora can no longer mouths the word ‘no’ to Patch. Having a new mysterious guy, Elliot, clearly asking for her attention, will Nora resist Patch and realized what he’s actually is? No, not a vampire – but you’re welcome to take another guess, or better yet, just read the book.

One advice, do not skip the prologue. Yes, it goes way back at the year of 1565 and the names are unrecognizable (no Patch or Nora in sight), but the prologue is vital in understanding the whole mystery of Patch – and Elliot. One thing that you can learn after uncovering their mystery: slavery is not a good thing to do. Not only it creates pure hatred from the slave towards the master, but the hatred also becomes a fiery fuel to something called revenge.

As for the writing style, other than the prologue, which is written from the point of view of a third person – the rest of the story is written clearly from Nora’s head. This I have no problem with, especially with all the detailed information of how Patch made Nora feel. I find the addition of Nora’s endless speculation entertaining to read, like ‘His mouth held a neutral line, but I detected a speculative smile trapped behind it.’ (taken from page 49).

I personally read the buzzing comments online about how ‘Hush, Hush’ is hitting way too close to Twilight. Like how Patch and Nora met in Biology class, Nora’s willingness to stick around Patch even when she knows something is dead wrong and mainly Patch’s ability and swiftness – very Edward ish. But other than these accidental resemblances, I find ‘Hush, Hush’ very enjoyable to read, although it is sometimes a bit predictable. If you end up liking this saga, know that according to Fitzpatrick, ‘Hush, Hush’ movie rights is not yet sold. Too bad, eh?

Rating: Three and a half stars (out of five) J



By: @ivanachristabel
www.thedonkey-lady.blogspot.com