Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Wishlist Wednesday #31



Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some tile, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.
This blog meme is hosted by Pen to Paper, if you want to join please visit here to find more about this meme.


The Wrath and the Dawn
by Renee Ahdieh
Summary from Goodreads :
One Life to One Dawn.

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?

Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end.

The Wrath and the Dawn has been around since last year while I was in reading-slump and so many people love this book. The story seems very interesting and intriguing, and the cover is very pretty too, so I'm kinda curious to know if it lived up the hype or not.
Although maybe it would be stayed for a little while after I got it, I certainly cannot wait to see this beautiful book on my bookshelf =D

So what's your Wishlist Wednesday this week?
Have a nice day everyone! =D



Monday, January 11, 2016

2016 Greetings + blabla + SJ KRY INA CONCERT' GLIMPSE



Holla~! =D

HAPPY (BELATED) NEW YEAR 2016~~~!
I hope everyone will have another great life and accomplish one or two or more target(s) this year! *AMEN*
I've stopped making resolution list since forever ago and just walk my life as how it flows. I'm the most unambitious girl, I know =p and a thing about my life is : things I've planned tend to not work really well, most of them fail miserably coz there are always spontaneous things happen in between and I'm kinda mood-swinger and bipolar person =__= . But yeah I still hope i can do my best in life (again) this year, and especially related to this blog, I hope I could read more books and *maybe* write some things here. I have abandoned my shelf and practically my dearly blog for quite a while and suddenly I started reading around 2 months ago and I realized how I missed this T^T.

I've read some sexy books in last 2 months : Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits and Dare You To, which are VERY GOOD and I REALLY love btw ♥ (finally found a new favorite contemporary series, yay!) 8D, and the last book of the sexy Sweet Tetralogy, Sweet Temptation
Because I enjoyed them a lot I have plan to write reviews of them, maybe in summary to tell you why I love these books =D

As for my kpop and fandom life, on 2nd day of this month my sister and I attended K.R.Y concert, YAY!
So let's talk about this a 'bit' =)

(I'm taking some photos and fancams but since I sat a bit too far and my fancams are too shaky it's better for me not to share them, huhu)

I've never thought they would come and hold a concert here in my country as an SJ sub-unit so I was pretty much excited, because in my opinion 3 of them have the best and most distinct vocals in industries. And I really love SJ's ballad songs which mostly sung by them. You can call me biased coz they are from the most beloved group of mine but in reality you barely could find voices like theirs in any other idol group ;)). Especially I really love Kyuhyun's voice since I heard him on his debut days ♥. He's not my bias but I have this spot softer than marshmallow here inside me for him.

We bought the cheapest tickets which located at the most far section ^^; Well, we thought this concert would be the chilled one because their songs are entirely ballad so we just needed to sit and enjoy the show altho it's a bit far from the stage; and we were so lucky to get them because when the time ticket was sold, the website was crush pretty badly it took me around 30 minutes to access it, and that cheapest section was immediately sold out in the very day. Maybe this was the most tiring online-ticket-reserving I've ever done in my entire life lol

Unexpectedly, the section we were sat on was not that far from the stage (unlike at SS4 which I practically used big screens to see them in big picture). I was quite hyped up in a ballad concert with no dance or explosive performances like the usual Super Show. I was not disappointed though for unknown reason my body was really hurt so bad afterward. In fact it's fantastically very satisfying for me and maybe it's the most beautiful concert/stage I've ever seen ♥. The visual effects for each stage are very very amazing 0A0 (especially for Lunar Eclipse stage, just wow ♥) and also the floating light bulbs which kept changing their color and formation, it was so beautiful and added some magical atmosphere on the stage. The 3 of them showed their best vocal performance especially Yesung because people have missed him like crazy and this was his first performance in my country after he finished his mandatory. Moreover we also got Teuki oppa joined this concert and gave his best singing Huh Gak's Hello, also he added some funny and cheerful atmosphere on the stage xD. All of them showed their best performance on this last KRY tour, but for me the memorable ones were from Ryeowook and Kyuhyun, maybe because this was their last concert here before their enlistment this year so I felt a bit emotional :')

Ryeowook moved me hard by adorably using a lot of Bahasa Indonesia; in his speech, his cute letter and songs, and he's really good in it ♥. I've expected they would sing at least one Indonesia song, instead we got Ryeowook singing 2 songs ; "Separuh Aku" by Noah (one of the most popular band in my country, btw) and "Bunga Terakhir" by Bebi Romeo which he has ever sung at last SS6 here. AND HE SANG THEM AMAZINGLY IN PITCH PERFECT I STILL CANNOT MOVE ON FROM THEM ;A; ♥. I'm not really listening to my own country songs but I really like this Ryeonggu's version, hahaha xp.

Then for the ballad prince Cho Kyuhyun, he's so evil to make me cried several times, and this time was not exception. I had a hope he would sing his last beautiful single "멀어지던 날 (The Day We Felt the Distance)" but instead he sang his very famous cover song from Park Hyo Shin, "야생화 (Wild Flower)" which I also really love so much. I was not expecting that and it hit the soft spot in me, seeing him sang it with my own eyes then unconsciously my eyes shed a LOT of tears TTTwTTT. Bad you but ♥ you and your heavenly voice, ChoKyu TTvTT

Though I feel so thankful I decided to attend KRY INA, it was still a bittersweet moment. This concert is the last SJ/KRY tour in my country before they take quite a long hiatus (3-effin'-years start last year) and Ryeowook-Kyuhyun will soon join the other 5 at the mandatory service sometime in this year. I've been missing the enlisted members so bad and soon gonna miss the vocalist magnaes T^T
But well they're still here and there was a news Ryeowook and Kyuhyun (AGAIN) will soon release a solo album. YAY! Definitely cannot wait! 8D
People actually have anticipated Yesung's solo album since he released from the army but I think I can understand why they plan to release KyuWook's instead. Like... Kyu is really using this 'group-resting' moment very diligently huh but I definitely not against it ♥

So yeah what a great thing to start a year for me! =D
I really hope I can back active in here, writing some reviews or stuffs. Well I've stated this won't be only a book review blog tho so if maybe if you don't like the content of my blog, although it might sadden me... well u can do thing you want to do ;)

Have a nice day, everyone! ^^



Saturday, July 26, 2014

K-HAUL #01


Hi there! =D
credit as tagged, gonna make a proper banner for this post haha~ enjoy the cute BAP for a while ;)
Probably this is my first post about KPOP in this blog. Yay for meeee~ \0/

Okay, so today before I go to vacation for 10 days ahead, I want to show you some K-goods I've gotten this month.
My sister and me ordered like tons of things and have expected to get most of them in the end of July, but we got only less than a half of the total *lesigh*. Well, at least they're nice though and I especially really happy to get them.
So yeah, here they are! =)

Pirate Roulette
Not exactly a K-pop thing, but if you like watching Running Man, this thing must be familiar for you =D. I've really wanted this since the first I saw Running Man playing with it and finally we can get it with a quite reasonable price. We have so much fun playing this game xD

INFINITE - Evolution and INFINITE - Paradise (Repackage)
I've grown loving INFINITE so much this year after I watch "Diss is INFINITE" and finally decided to collect all of their albums (where I've been all these years????). Originally I didn't plan to buy these two albums but I was sold by some unboxing videos and yeah I got this, YAY!
... and I got Myungsoo (a.k.a L) and Hoya PC! =D
I know I'm lucky, but actually I wanted Sungyeol one because he is my bias and looks really good in this album and also I already got Hoya from Second Season, ah but well it's okay, they are both look good though =). Too bad Evolution doesn't come with photocard, I bet the PC would be really awesome.

From EXO Planet #1 Official Concert Good - Lightstick
EXO will hold their first concert "From EXO Planet #1" here in Indonesia! OH YAY! So I bought myself an official lightstick to cheer them up. Can't wait!

Henry - Fantastic
YAYAYAYAY MA BOY! =DDDD
This just came yesterday and I'm really really happy! The songs are fantastic, the photobook is oh-so-gorgeous as well and aaaawwww they give Baby Henry as the photocard xD. It also came with a huge poster which sadly has a kind of rubber mark at the middle =( But well nothing i can do about it.

Those are all I got until this end of July =D Expecting a lot more to come next month, hopefully in early August *pray*
So what you think about things I got above? Do you have any of those? Or maybe you're still waiting for your K-goods to be arrived?

And yeah, have nice day everyone! =)



Saturday, February 1, 2014

Stacking the Shelves [07]



Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosting by Tynga from Tynga's Review. It's about sharing all new books, physical or e-book form, you're adding to your shelf. They could be bought, borrowed or given to you.


My first Stacking the Shelves at the first day of February, yay! Gosh time surely moves vary fast, where did January go???
So, here's my new babies this week :


The Bronte Sisters Three Novels (B&N Leatherbound Classic)
Burn for Burn - Jenny Han, Shiobhan Vivian
Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher
The Essence - Kimberly Derting
Boundless - Cynthia Hand
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Well they're not new books, only paperback version of The Essence and Boundless that just released last couple months but they are all very pretty! Can't wait to read them!

Those are on my Stacking the Shelves this week. What's on yours?
Have a great weekend guys =)



Thursday, January 30, 2014

REVIEW : Insurgent by Veronica Roth


Insurgent (Divergent #2)

Author      : Veronica Roth
Publisher   : Katherine Tegen
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 525 (Hardback)

Summary from Goodreads :

Fighting for survival in a shattered world… the truth is her only hope.

The thrillingly dark sequel to No. 1 New York Times bestseller, DIVERGENT.

I have done bad things. I can’t take them back, and they are part of who I am.

Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.

Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.


Book Trailer :


review

So you may ask, if I have read Insurgent like ages ago, why I make a review just now?

Simply because, you know, how hard it is to write a review for a book you absolutely, hardcore-ly adore, even though I've read it twice, my mind could not arrange right words for it (so I choose to procrastinating, okay I'm a bad, lazy ass-hat girl). But since I've finished Allegiant, the last book in this series, I feel so wrong if I don't write any reviews of Divergent's sequels, which one of the most beloved series of mine. So here I am, pouring down my thoughts about this book =). I think most of people already read the first book, Divergent. Nevertheless, I still have to warn you that this review might contains spoilers, though I'll my best to minimize it. I've already warned you in the beginning.

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"I wake with his name in my mouth. Will."

Okay, here's the fact : reading Insurgent was pretty tiring for me, pity my little brain.

I seriously got a massive headache once I finished this book (at the first time) because of the never-ending tension and adrenaline rush inside my head. My brain was lacked of oxygen (I held my breath a lot), it was nearly exploded into some ugly lumps. Okay I'm exaggerating, almost. Also this book is mostly depressing, self-destructive thoughts, sadness and grief which was altering my mood that day. But thankfully I still could keep my mind intact, could not put this book down once I started because I was so anxious yet super curious to know what would happen next. Even that massive headache I've got didn't prevent me to LOVE this book and read it once more, (and more in the future) because, well, it's still a FANTASTIC sequel from one of the most amazing series I've read.

Ms. Roth successfully put the whole things in a new different level in this sequel. The story develops more complicated and intense, danger seems constantly lurking, the stakes are higher that made my heart pounding very hard in every scenes. Seems there's no safe place for Tris, Four and the rest survivors of the tragedy that have happened at the end of Divergent. Most of characters step on the next stage of difficulties, especially Tris whom we see the whole story from.

Tris is tortured by grief and a guilt she could not tell anybody including Tobias, she blames herself and many times she acts recklessly and puts herself in a dangerous situation. Because Tris can't tell the whole ugly truth yet, she's also facing a great crisis in her relationship with people who are important to her, Tobias and Christina. Also because she's a Divergent, she's hunted, her life and automatically people who is sided her are in a great danger so she tries to protect them though it costs her own life. Sometimes it was pretty depressing, to see Tris facing so many problems in a time and acting so suicidal but it was quite understandable for me since Tris witnessed the tragedy herself and lost so many because of it. Tris is just an average 16 years old human girl after all.

Like I've said before, the relationship between Tris and Tobias also enters a new level. They face a big mistrust issue which puts their relationship into a bad condition. But thankfully it doesn't add a deep scratch on Tris' already-bleeding-wound and it is still so wonderful and respectable. I loved when Tobias isn't only loving and respecting Tris, he also doesn't hesitate to scold Tris and put their relationship in an edge. They also still maintain some sweet moments , not too explicit but enough to soften the hard tension I've felt through the entire book.

While Divergent told us more about Abnegation, Dauntless and a tiny bit of Erudite, in Insurgent we learn more about Aminity, Candor, Erudite and even Factionless. I really enjoyed those part and made me admired Veronica Roth more, how thoroughly she created this dystopian world, the factions and each characteristics, the politics and regulations in each faction also the reality that there are still an internal friction no matter how neat and structured it is, as realistic as what have happen in nowadays.

Insurgent, like I've said, is a fantastic, solid sequel for Divergent. It's better not to miss this if you're a fan of Divergent because it doesn't only give a great action, characters and drama, but also serves a story about struggle and forgiveness, how you forgive others and most importantly struggles to make a peace with your won self, then responsibly move on. Sounds cliche but I think it's a good thing to get from reading what you love =).
This book, like another great sequels, has quite a surprising ending which would make you questioning what is actually the whole 'Faction System' about and makes you definitely can't wait to read the next book, like I've felt half a years ago. Since I have finished Allegiant, I definitely can't wait to share my thoughts about it, hopefully very soon.

Happy reading! :)



Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Wishlist Wednesday #30



Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some tile, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.
This blog meme is hosted by Pen to Paper, if you want to join please visit here to find more about this meme.



Alienated
by Melissa Landers

Summary from Goodreads :

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.


Alienated receives such a stellar reviews, everyone seems loving this book so much.
I actually have set my eyes on this book since the news was announced, and it does sound very interesting like a mixing between contemporary and sci-fi. I also need to read more story about alien so I think this book is a great choice.
I can't wait to get this book and devour it! =)

What's in you Wishlist Wednesday this week?



Thursday, January 23, 2014

REVIEW : Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins


Lola and the Boy Next Door

Author      : Stephanie Perkins
Publisher   : Speak
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 368 (Paperback)

Summary from Goodreads :

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.


review

"I have three simple wishes. They're really not too much to ask.
The first is to attend the winter formal dressed like Marie Antoinette. I want a wig so elaborate it could cage a bird and a dress so wide I'll only be able to enter the dance through the set of double doors. But I'll hold my skirts high as I arrive to reveal a pair of platform combat boots, so everyone can see that, underneath the frills, I'm a punk rock tough."


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Because I had soooooo much fun with Anna and the French Kiss last time (Etienne luv luv!) and have already fallen in love with Stephanie Perkins' writing, I was both excited and terrified to read this book because my expectation were somehow already high. I was afraid I would not enjoy Lola as much as I've enjoyed Anna.

And after I finished reading Lola, I have to admit I still love Anna much more.
It doesn't mean Lola is bad. Generally I enjoyed this book quite much so I still give it 4 shining stars (you know I'm kind of too generous in giving stars =p). The story, the characters are still very lovely, relatable and realistic, about a unique girl named Lola who lives with protective two fathers (I loved them by the way) and a lovely dog with attractive name; has a loyal Korean best friend and also befriend with Anna and Etienne (LOVE THEM SO MUCH HERE), loves to wear not just an ordinary clothes as her usual attire, but a full costume; and out of the blue she's torn between 2 attractive boys in their own way. I was happy to meet different circumstances and unique people in this book. I also loved the relationship between Lola and people around her, and especially with her biological mother which develops more and more every page. I can say that somehow this book is more complex, if you compare to Anna's which seems common and normal. But because this book is very relatable and realistic; like I've said before; I could not help but analyzed and made several personal judgements based on my personal values and I found some of Lola's were not very suitable to me.

My problem with Lola was somehow I found a double-standard in Lola's wearing-costume habit---which actually the most unique point of her---as her daily attire. Actually this was a thing that made me a bit nervous to read at first. For me, wearing costume could have two meaning : you just like to be stand out and have a plenty confidence of it, or you don't have enough confidence of yourself without costumes covers it. And Lola is most likely the first and then develops to the second. So while I read this whole book from Lola's head, I also thought which was the real Lola. Thankfully Ms. Perkins vocalizes this question of mine through Max, Lola's former boyfriend so I could feel it wasn't only me who disappointed with her. And maybe a love triangle which involves 2 people who are already a couple, lies and cheating is really not my thing. Quite personal, eh? =)
Nevertheless, beside all the fuss about self-confidence, Lola is still a lovely girl and I really admired her guts to be different and very passionate about it. I also loved to read how she grows maturer and willing to give a chance to people who have ever hurt her in the past. She definitely stood out, unique and unforgettable.

Yes, of course this book has several fabulous side characters!
I was really happy when I heard Anna and Etienne make some appearances in here and was grinning like an idiot when I met this lovely couple. They stole my attention though they briefly shown up because.... THEY'RE JUST THAT LOVELY! *emotional*. And Ms. Perkins created a unique and fabulous boy for Lola, Cricket Bell *can you guess from who he gets the 'Bell' name? :)*.
I found Cricket was very very different from the other YA contemporary love-interest who is usually super popular hotty with hot body, nice hair, a party-go-er, a bad-boy, and another droll-worthy qualities; that made him unique. Cricket maybe has not fully developed his physical qualities yet (well, who knows?) but he was certainly hot in his own brainy way, I definitely agree with Lola for this one. Though sometimes I like, okay, love to read about bad-boys, in reality I appreciate good-and-smart-boy much more and Cricket is one of perfect good-and-smart-boy image for me (after Etienne). He's literally an inventor, very nice, slightly shy and awkward which makes him more adorable, and I LOVEEEEEEEEEED his preppy style (THANK YOU SO MUCH MS.PERKINS), it accentuates his smartness more. Fashionable brainy is new sexy =).

Lola and the Boy Next Door is a fun, cute and fabulous contemporary reading with realistic, imperfect but lovable characters you could not help but in love with. Despite my very personal issue, I still fully recommend this book if you love realistic contemporary story. Stephanie Perkins is officially my favorite contemporary author and I can't wait to read the next companion book, Isla and the Happily Happy After which (finally) will be released this year, silently hope I could meet either Anna-Etienne nor Lola-Cricket.

Happy reading! =)