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__ceecee__'s Reviews (414)
This was exactly the kind of light reading I needed while I sludged through the grand book that is [b:Dune|234225|Dune|Frank Herbert|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349105964s/234225.jpg|3634639].
Meet Gretchen Yee, a relatively ordinary girl in a school where everyone is "different" and everyone is "special". She eats lunch mostly alone now, since her best friend is always busy hanging out with the Art Rats, also she doesn't have the nerve to talk to her crush, Titus. One day she wishes she was a fly in the wall of the boy's locker room, then literally becomes one, and the fun ensues.
I found it funny that most of her schoolmates, in being outspoken in their individuality, lost their individuality. (I actually pride myself in being "different" but in a world where everyone strives to be different - by shocking people - suddenly I don't want to be different. Nonconformity-conformity makes sense to me.)
It is ironically Gretchen who maintains her individuality by sticking to what she loves and who she is. How can you not like a girl who's finally figured out who she is, and decides to live her life? The kind of girl who doesn't just think:
but actually gets it.
I'm a little dissatisfied with the resolutions, though. Everything was tied up neatly, except for the bullying part. So it doesn't count as a completely happy ending to me.
Overall, *3.5 stars. It was funny and sweet and just feel-good. Perfect for light reading.
Meet Gretchen Yee, a relatively ordinary girl in a school where everyone is "different" and everyone is "special". She eats lunch mostly alone now, since her best friend is always busy hanging out with the Art Rats, also she doesn't have the nerve to talk to her crush, Titus. One day she wishes she was a fly in the wall of the boy's locker room, then literally becomes one, and the fun ensues.
I found it funny that most of her schoolmates, in being outspoken in their individuality, lost their individuality. (I actually pride myself in being "different" but in a world where everyone strives to be different - by shocking people - suddenly I don't want to be different. Nonconformity-conformity makes sense to me.)
It is ironically Gretchen who maintains her individuality by sticking to what she loves and who she is. How can you not like a girl who's finally figured out who she is, and decides to live her life? The kind of girl who doesn't just think:
“I love the idea of the big life - the life that matters, the life that makes a difference. The life where stuff happens, where people take action. The opposite of the life where the girl can't even speak to the boy she likes; the opposite of the life where the friends aren't even good friends, and lots of days are wasted away feeling bored and kind of okay, like nothing matters much.”
but actually gets it.
I'm a little dissatisfied with the resolutions, though. Everything was tied up neatly, except for the bullying part. So it doesn't count as a completely happy ending to me.
Overall, *3.5 stars. It was funny and sweet and just feel-good. Perfect for light reading.
Like [b:The Book Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352395325s/19063.jpg|878368], Nodame Cantabile is a series of books I would love to read, savor, read again, and sing about. If it were a person, I would marry it.
This is the image that started it all:
At the time, I wasn't into anime and manga the way I used to be in highschool, but then I saw this photo and fell in love with the guy. Yes, I happen to have a penchant for falling for bishounen (those gorgeous men that plague anime whatever genre). I mean, look at them:
Besides, Chiaki is a gorgeous classical pianist/conductor! Gimme!
From the synopsis:
The son of a famous pianist, music student Shinichi Chiaki dreams of studying abroad and becoming a conductor like his mentor. Unfortunately, his fear of flying grounds his lofty plans! As he watches other classmates achieve what he has always wanted, Shinichi wonders if he should quit music altogether.
Then one day he meets fellow student Megumi Noda, also known as Nodame. This oddball girl cannot cook, clean, or even read a music score, but she can play the piano in incomparable Cantabile style. And she teaches Chiaki something that he has forgotten: to enjoy his music, no matter where he is.
It looks like your typical disillusioned guy meets manic pixie dream girl. But it's so much more than that.
What I got from this series is that to be successful, one must work hard and never let go of your dreams. It's going to be a hard road, but it'll be worth it. If you really love something, you strive hard to improve upon it. I know it's a little cliche, but it's true: When you love, you strive to be better.
This series is quirky funny, with a lot of quirky characters. And yet, I felt the realness of their problems. I was pleasantly introduced to the world of classical music and the people who want to make it in this industry. Being a frustrated musician myself, I was thoroughly invested in this world. I didn't even think I could enjoy classical music, but Nodame Cantabile made me appreciate it. But it's not just about the music.
The thing I loved most in this is how Tomoko Ninomiya created her characters. They all felt real and flawed, yet they were people you wanted to aspire to be. Be they minor or major characters, they come alive from the pages; you like them, you hate them, you don't forget them.
Chiaki and Nodame's relationship is strange, yet it works. Personally, I think it's perfect, because they bring out the best in each other, they challenge themselves and each other, and as a result, they become two very admirable characters. That goes with the other pairs in this series. They're the kind of relationships I just want to have. *queue severe frustration*
I could go on and on. What can I say? I loved the weirdness! I read the manga, watched the anime version for this, and the drama version, downloaded all episodes and movies, listened to almost every soundtrack, I have a stuffed toy of Nodame as a mongoose, and the only thing that's missing is the complete collection of the Nodame Cantabile manga. I'm a crazed fan.
It's been three years since I started this series, and two years when it ended. If I could, I would read the whole mange online again if it wasn't so bothersome to read manga online. I still rewatch the series, and it still brings tears to my eyes. Seriously, if you love this series like I do, I think we would be great friends.
This is the image that started it all:
At the time, I wasn't into anime and manga the way I used to be in highschool, but then I saw this photo and fell in love with the guy. Yes, I happen to have a penchant for falling for bishounen (those gorgeous men that plague anime whatever genre). I mean, look at them:
Besides, Chiaki is a gorgeous classical pianist/conductor! Gimme!
From the synopsis:
The son of a famous pianist, music student Shinichi Chiaki dreams of studying abroad and becoming a conductor like his mentor. Unfortunately, his fear of flying grounds his lofty plans! As he watches other classmates achieve what he has always wanted, Shinichi wonders if he should quit music altogether.
Then one day he meets fellow student Megumi Noda, also known as Nodame. This oddball girl cannot cook, clean, or even read a music score, but she can play the piano in incomparable Cantabile style. And she teaches Chiaki something that he has forgotten: to enjoy his music, no matter where he is.
It looks like your typical disillusioned guy meets manic pixie dream girl. But it's so much more than that.
What I got from this series is that to be successful, one must work hard and never let go of your dreams. It's going to be a hard road, but it'll be worth it. If you really love something, you strive hard to improve upon it. I know it's a little cliche, but it's true: When you love, you strive to be better.
This series is quirky funny, with a lot of quirky characters. And yet, I felt the realness of their problems. I was pleasantly introduced to the world of classical music and the people who want to make it in this industry. Being a frustrated musician myself, I was thoroughly invested in this world. I didn't even think I could enjoy classical music, but Nodame Cantabile made me appreciate it. But it's not just about the music.
The thing I loved most in this is how Tomoko Ninomiya created her characters. They all felt real and flawed, yet they were people you wanted to aspire to be. Be they minor or major characters, they come alive from the pages; you like them, you hate them, you don't forget them.
Chiaki and Nodame's relationship is strange, yet it works. Personally, I think it's perfect, because they bring out the best in each other, they challenge themselves and each other, and as a result, they become two very admirable characters. That goes with the other pairs in this series. They're the kind of relationships I just want to have. *queue severe frustration*
I could go on and on. What can I say? I loved the weirdness! I read the manga, watched the anime version for this, and the drama version, downloaded all episodes and movies, listened to almost every soundtrack, I have a stuffed toy of Nodame as a mongoose, and the only thing that's missing is the complete collection of the Nodame Cantabile manga. I'm a crazed fan.
It's been three years since I started this series, and two years when it ended. If I could, I would read the whole mange online again if it wasn't so bothersome to read manga online. I still rewatch the series, and it still brings tears to my eyes. Seriously, if you love this series like I do, I think we would be great friends.
At last, I finished this grand novel! The incredible world-building alone deserves 5+ stars, but in the end, I can only bestow 3.5 stars based on my reading experience.
Honestly, if you like to immerse yourself in a completely different and well-imagined world, you should give Dune a chance. Frank Herbert has managed to think even the agricultural aspect of his desert planet, let alone the political complexities in his interplanetary universe. I have to admit, though I was impressed with how he thought up the political and agricultural aspect of the book, they all went over my head. I can't even begin to understand politics in the real world, let alone in Dune.
What I admired was the religious/mysticism aspect of the novel. Of reading about people responding to superstitions and prophecies, and then finding out there wasn't really mysticism in it, it was all manipulated. Wait, not all. In the end, even Herbert admitted to an "unexpected variable", easily open to speculation. I guess this is what I liked most: the blending of science and mysticism.
Oh, and I almost forgot my utter admiration for the Fremen tribe's(the natives of the Desert Planet) discipline.
You see, the Fremen's dream is to see their home planet nurturing plants that thrive, to see "green" in all that dust. But they are well aware that this could not happen not for a hundred years, or even a thousand years. But it's possible. So they live day to day, sacrificing what they could to achieve their dream, for the future, for their children's children. If only everyone on Earth acted like that, eh?
Even though it was a struggle to read, I'm pretty proud of myself for reading this all the way through. Was it worth it? I think so.
Honestly, if you like to immerse yourself in a completely different and well-imagined world, you should give Dune a chance. Frank Herbert has managed to think even the agricultural aspect of his desert planet, let alone the political complexities in his interplanetary universe. I have to admit, though I was impressed with how he thought up the political and agricultural aspect of the book, they all went over my head. I can't even begin to understand politics in the real world, let alone in Dune.
What I admired was the religious/mysticism aspect of the novel. Of reading about people responding to superstitions and prophecies, and then finding out there wasn't really mysticism in it, it was all manipulated. Wait, not all. In the end, even Herbert admitted to an "unexpected variable", easily open to speculation. I guess this is what I liked most: the blending of science and mysticism.
Oh, and I almost forgot my utter admiration for the Fremen tribe's(the natives of the Desert Planet) discipline.
“The Fremen were supreme in that quality the ancients called "spannungsbogen" -- which is the self-imposed delay between desire for a thing and the act of reaching out to grasp that thing.”
You see, the Fremen's dream is to see their home planet nurturing plants that thrive, to see "green" in all that dust. But they are well aware that this could not happen not for a hundred years, or even a thousand years. But it's possible. So they live day to day, sacrificing what they could to achieve their dream, for the future, for their children's children. If only everyone on Earth acted like that, eh?
Even though it was a struggle to read, I'm pretty proud of myself for reading this all the way through. Was it worth it? I think so.
People who have come close to seeking death don't understand its promise of an end to life's struggles. They don't understand the precarious teeter-totter on which a suicidal person balances, shuffling reasons to live and reasons to die, back and forth, to avoid hitting rock bottom. They don't understand that when you're that low, when you can't see beyond yourself and your fallen-apart world, it's the little things that send you over the edge, not the big things.
Suicide is such a hard topic to write. Or even discuss. There's always some resentment, ill-feelings, of the ones left behind. And for quite a time, I struggled to be on good terms with this book. After reading the underwhelming Thirteen Reasons Why, I was a bit skeptical reading books about suicide, and I wanted to find out if Aimee was better than the aforementioned well-known book.
And then I finally began to understand. Sometimes, the promise of an end to life's struggles through death can be so tempting. When people are so low, they cannot see beyond themselves and their desperation. Should we hate our loved ones or acquaintances that committed suicide and left us behind because they were so weak to help themselves?
In Aimee, Miller has managed to capture the voice of a torn teenager, who has just lost her best friend, and who believes that she was responsible for her death. Don't we all blame ourselves one way or another for another person's death? Zoe, the narrator, used to be happy, though not without problems of her own. But Aimee's death changed her life, and accounts for the dark tone the book follows. Everybody believes she helped Aimee kill herself,and eventually Zoe is cut of from her friends and old life. In Aimee, Zoe will have to face her struggles and reconcile herself with her friend's death.
I think this was a very good book on suicide, albeit my limited experience with books about troubled teens. I'm only giving this 3 stars because I'm a rainbows and sunshine kind of girl, and this book was dark and angsty for me.
Like [b:The Book Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352395325s/19063.jpg|878368], Nodame Cantabile is a series of books I would love to read, savor, read again, and sing about. If it were a person, I would marry it.
This is the image that started it all:
At the time, I wasn't into anime and manga the way I used to be in highschool, but then I saw this photo and fell in love with the guy. Yes, I happen to have a penchant for falling for bishounen (those gorgeous men that plague anime whatever genre). I mean, look at them:
Besides, Chiaki is a gorgeous classical pianist/conductor! Gimme!
From the synopsis:
The son of a famous pianist, music student Shinichi Chiaki dreams of studying abroad and becoming a conductor like his mentor. Unfortunately, his fear of flying grounds his lofty plans! As he watches other classmates achieve what he has always wanted, Shinichi wonders if he should quit music altogether.
Then one day he meets fellow student Megumi Noda, also known as Nodame. This oddball girl cannot cook, clean, or even read a music score, but she can play the piano in incomparable Cantabile style. And she teaches Chiaki something that he has forgotten: to enjoy his music, no matter where he is.
It looks like your typical disillusioned guy meets manic pixie dream girl. But it's so much more than that.
What I got from this series is that to be successful, one must work hard and never let go of your dreams. It's going to be a hard road, but it'll be worth it. If you really love something, you strive hard to improve upon it. I know it's a little cliche, but it's true: When you love, you strive to be better.
This series is quirky funny, with a lot of quirky characters. And yet, I felt the realness of their problems. I was pleasantly introduced to the world of classical music and the people who want to make it in this industry. Being a frustrated musician myself, I was thoroughly invested in this world. I didn't even think I could enjoy classical music, but Nodame Cantabile made me appreciate it. But it's not just about the music.
The thing I loved most in this is how Tomoko Ninomiya created her characters. They all felt real and flawed, yet they were people you wanted to aspire to be. Be they minor or major characters, they come alive from the pages; you like them, you hate them, you don't forget them.
Chiaki and Nodame's relationship is strange, yet it works. Personally, I think it's perfect, because they bring out the best in each other, they challenge themselves and each other, and as a result, they become two very admirable characters. That goes with the other pairs in this series. They're the kind of relationships I just want to have. *queue severe frustration*
I could go on and on. What can I say? I loved the weirdness! I read the manga, watched the anime version for this, and the drama version, downloaded all episodes and movies, listened to almost every soundtrack, I have a stuffed toy of Nodame as a mongoose, and the only thing that's missing is the complete collection of the Nodame Cantabile manga. I'm a crazed fan.
It's been three years since I started this series, and two years when it ended. If I could, I would read the whole mange online again if it wasn't so bothersome to read manga online. I still rewatch the series, and it still brings tears to my eyes. Seriously, if you love this series like I do, I think we would be great friends.
This is the image that started it all:
At the time, I wasn't into anime and manga the way I used to be in highschool, but then I saw this photo and fell in love with the guy. Yes, I happen to have a penchant for falling for bishounen (those gorgeous men that plague anime whatever genre). I mean, look at them:
Besides, Chiaki is a gorgeous classical pianist/conductor! Gimme!
From the synopsis:
The son of a famous pianist, music student Shinichi Chiaki dreams of studying abroad and becoming a conductor like his mentor. Unfortunately, his fear of flying grounds his lofty plans! As he watches other classmates achieve what he has always wanted, Shinichi wonders if he should quit music altogether.
Then one day he meets fellow student Megumi Noda, also known as Nodame. This oddball girl cannot cook, clean, or even read a music score, but she can play the piano in incomparable Cantabile style. And she teaches Chiaki something that he has forgotten: to enjoy his music, no matter where he is.
It looks like your typical disillusioned guy meets manic pixie dream girl. But it's so much more than that.
What I got from this series is that to be successful, one must work hard and never let go of your dreams. It's going to be a hard road, but it'll be worth it. If you really love something, you strive hard to improve upon it. I know it's a little cliche, but it's true: When you love, you strive to be better.
This series is quirky funny, with a lot of quirky characters. And yet, I felt the realness of their problems. I was pleasantly introduced to the world of classical music and the people who want to make it in this industry. Being a frustrated musician myself, I was thoroughly invested in this world. I didn't even think I could enjoy classical music, but Nodame Cantabile made me appreciate it. But it's not just about the music.
The thing I loved most in this is how Tomoko Ninomiya created her characters. They all felt real and flawed, yet they were people you wanted to aspire to be. Be they minor or major characters, they come alive from the pages; you like them, you hate them, you don't forget them.
Chiaki and Nodame's relationship is strange, yet it works. Personally, I think it's perfect, because they bring out the best in each other, they challenge themselves and each other, and as a result, they become two very admirable characters. That goes with the other pairs in this series. They're the kind of relationships I just want to have. *queue severe frustration*
I could go on and on. What can I say? I loved the weirdness! I read the manga, watched the anime version for this, and the drama version, downloaded all episodes and movies, listened to almost every soundtrack, I have a stuffed toy of Nodame as a mongoose, and the only thing that's missing is the complete collection of the Nodame Cantabile manga. I'm a crazed fan.
It's been three years since I started this series, and two years when it ended. If I could, I would read the whole mange online again if it wasn't so bothersome to read manga online. I still rewatch the series, and it still brings tears to my eyes. Seriously, if you love this series like I do, I think we would be great friends.
To sum up my feelings right now:
Seriously. It's unlike any I've ever read, but that's not necessarily a good thing.
It started out just fine. Helen is a 130 year old ghost, cursed to haunt this earth for a reason she hides from herself. She clings to hosts, and it has taken her to different places, until the day she met another being like herself. You'd think that ghosts can see other ghosts, but, no, Helen has passed her time alone and unable to feel or talk to anyone.
This was an incredible and intriguing concept to me, and the reason I wanted to devour this book as soon as I can. Helen then meets James, a Light being like Helen herself, who had been haunting for years, alone, until he sees a boy, dying from a drug overdose, and took over his body.
Now, the first part was pretty alright. I loved how these two people, er, ghosts, met after long years of being alone and lonely, and fell in love. How can they not? If you really like stories where the two protagonists were "destined to meet", then I think you'll like this one.
Things spiraled out of control when we find out that the bodies that James and Helen eventually take over have troubled lives. It just seems that they can't be together as humans. There are all these conflicts. And then, there were the mysteries of Helen and James' past lives, and the reason they can't enter heaven. A lot was going on, and I felt like they didn't coalesce.
I really like endings where everything is tied up neatly, if not happily, and this one just felt...rushed. And it was definitely not tied up neatly.
Also, how is Jenny going to reconcile with the fact that she had sex without her knowing and remembering it?
In the end, I think this book didn't end up like what I expected it to be. The romance was not my cup of tea. I was shocked with how irresponsibly James and Helen used Billy and Jenny's bodies, and probably ruined the lives of those around them. But other concepts, like the idea of God and his reasons, and the idiocy of people who cling to religion, were points that I liked.
The romantic in me would give this 4 stars, but the rational part in me, which dominates, deduces one star because of how everything was handled quite callously.
Seriously. It's unlike any I've ever read, but that's not necessarily a good thing.
It started out just fine. Helen is a 130 year old ghost, cursed to haunt this earth for a reason she hides from herself. She clings to hosts, and it has taken her to different places, until the day she met another being like herself. You'd think that ghosts can see other ghosts, but, no, Helen has passed her time alone and unable to feel or talk to anyone.
This was an incredible and intriguing concept to me, and the reason I wanted to devour this book as soon as I can. Helen then meets James, a Light being like Helen herself, who had been haunting for years, alone, until he sees a boy, dying from a drug overdose, and took over his body.
Now, the first part was pretty alright. I loved how these two people, er, ghosts, met after long years of being alone and lonely, and fell in love. How can they not? If you really like stories where the two protagonists were "destined to meet", then I think you'll like this one.
Things spiraled out of control when we find out that the bodies that James and Helen eventually take over have troubled lives. It just seems that they can't be together as humans. There are all these conflicts. And then, there were the mysteries of Helen and James' past lives, and the reason they can't enter heaven. A lot was going on, and I felt like they didn't coalesce.
I really like endings where everything is tied up neatly, if not happily, and this one just felt...rushed. And it was definitely not tied up neatly.
Spoiler
What about Mr Brown? His reputation was ruined. He'll eventually have to resign from teaching and move to another town, but his name will always be tainted by a crime that he didn't commit. Dammit. Give Mr Brown a little justice! urghAlso, how is Jenny going to reconcile with the fact that she had sex without her knowing and remembering it?
In the end, I think this book didn't end up like what I expected it to be. The romance was not my cup of tea. I was shocked with how irresponsibly James and Helen used Billy and Jenny's bodies, and probably ruined the lives of those around them. But other concepts, like the idea of God and his reasons, and the idiocy of people who cling to religion, were points that I liked.
The romantic in me would give this 4 stars, but the rational part in me, which dominates, deduces one star because of how everything was handled quite callously.
