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elaineandbiting's reviews
175 reviews
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
5.0
I have to admit that my first reading of this book was not very critical. Then again, I tend to dislike a book after a first read, unless of course it was an easy read. But alike many confusing books I've read, this one made such an impression in my mind that it didn't leave it until perhaps a week later after I've talked to my friend about the book.
Confusion struck me early from page 1 of this book. The simple syntax of a 15 y/o first year high school student who sees the world in such innocence was too ... simple. The repetition of lines, over-used sentences, and even the repetitive events and reactions of Charlie was frankly a bit irritating at first.
Halfway through the story, curiosity seeped in me, deeper that I couldn't put the book down. I know I've prepared myself for something quite deep and hard but the almost light manner of narration intrigued me. And the personal approach of the writer through Charlie's letter hooked me in more.
By the end of the book, I realized that I'm more confused as ever, but like I said above, the book had left such an impression on me. I just couldn't point it out by then. After sometime though, it sunk in me what impression was that. Charlie's innocence was very much present in everyone, including me in some way or another.
His innocence, the trauma that he had received when he's young, everything fell into place. Perhaps it was not the exact thing that happened to me, or to anyone, but someway or another, we've seen things new and just take it in. We've seen things and we learn. We experience things and we feel. Its simply not a journey of a kid through a new phase of life. Its a journey of everyone in a new phase, a new school, a new beginning. And there would always be a moment when you'd feel success and contentment.
"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite." -Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Confusion struck me early from page 1 of this book. The simple syntax of a 15 y/o first year high school student who sees the world in such innocence was too ... simple. The repetition of lines, over-used sentences, and even the repetitive events and reactions of Charlie was frankly a bit irritating at first.
Halfway through the story, curiosity seeped in me, deeper that I couldn't put the book down. I know I've prepared myself for something quite deep and hard but the almost light manner of narration intrigued me. And the personal approach of the writer through Charlie's letter hooked me in more.
By the end of the book, I realized that I'm more confused as ever, but like I said above, the book had left such an impression on me. I just couldn't point it out by then. After sometime though, it sunk in me what impression was that. Charlie's innocence was very much present in everyone, including me in some way or another.
His innocence, the trauma that he had received when he's young, everything fell into place. Perhaps it was not the exact thing that happened to me, or to anyone, but someway or another, we've seen things new and just take it in. We've seen things and we learn. We experience things and we feel. Its simply not a journey of a kid through a new phase of life. Its a journey of everyone in a new phase, a new school, a new beginning. And there would always be a moment when you'd feel success and contentment.
"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite." -Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
4.0
There really was nothing creepier than receiving a pile of letters, or in this case, audiotapes from a person who committed suicide and somehow blames you why he or she did it.
Logically, I'd say I did nothing wrong and she should blame herself because it was her decision. But why reading it, I tried to put myself into her shoes.
It was like when I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I had to remind myself time and time again that I'm putting myself in the shoes of someone younger, someone in a different situation, someone of different culture before I could see how I relate, how I actually fit into their lives.
And it took me less than a day to do that. Quite unlike Perks. But perhaps it was easier because Hannah was full of emotions, was full of inquisitiveness and naivete and somehow I pictured myself quite like her when I was her age.
I don't know American High School, but I knew of it based on what I read and what I heard and what I watched. It wasn't much unlike ours but in a way it was different with ours... and yet I found myself in deep with her story, hooked in with it. Curiosity kept me going, like Clay perhaps. It was different type of curiosity but I'm pretty sure that in the end, I felt what he must have felt
Logically, I'd say I did nothing wrong and she should blame herself because it was her decision. But why reading it, I tried to put myself into her shoes.
It was like when I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I had to remind myself time and time again that I'm putting myself in the shoes of someone younger, someone in a different situation, someone of different culture before I could see how I relate, how I actually fit into their lives.
And it took me less than a day to do that. Quite unlike Perks. But perhaps it was easier because Hannah was full of emotions, was full of inquisitiveness and naivete and somehow I pictured myself quite like her when I was her age.
I don't know American High School, but I knew of it based on what I read and what I heard and what I watched. It wasn't much unlike ours but in a way it was different with ours... and yet I found myself in deep with her story, hooked in with it. Curiosity kept me going, like Clay perhaps. It was different type of curiosity but I'm pretty sure that in the end, I felt what he must have felt
Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
5.0
I'd be honest and say that I haven't read the book again in quite a long time. I lost my copy but anyway that is totally beside the point.
I gave it five stars, not because I'm a kid and understood it, nor I'm a grown-up and denies that I'm one. I gave it five stars because I truly believe that it deserves it, at least for me.
Yes, this is meant for kids, and the like, but I believe that every one had and still has that little child inside of them and would appreciate the little prince in this books. I agree that it's quite charming, witty and whimsical, but I think its more than that. He's a child who knew a lot but is still quite naive. And the pilot was quite like him, a child with his naivete.
It not just because he's very profound, nor was the pilot one too. But their differences shown in the book made me realize how similar were they. And it made me think how similar I am to any other person, whether they're a child or a grown-up.
It wasn't that quote "What's essential is invisible to the eye," that I think was very important. I think that the point that even the grown-ups make mistakes and everyone has their own biases and ignorance. And one shouldn't take pride that they know everything. This book taught me how to be humble, because in a way or another, I know I don't know everything and I don't own everything. And I'll meet someone who would know these things and just remind me that I'm still human and that my feet should always be on the earth.
I gave it five stars, not because I'm a kid and understood it, nor I'm a grown-up and denies that I'm one. I gave it five stars because I truly believe that it deserves it, at least for me.
Yes, this is meant for kids, and the like, but I believe that every one had and still has that little child inside of them and would appreciate the little prince in this books. I agree that it's quite charming, witty and whimsical, but I think its more than that. He's a child who knew a lot but is still quite naive. And the pilot was quite like him, a child with his naivete.
It not just because he's very profound, nor was the pilot one too. But their differences shown in the book made me realize how similar were they. And it made me think how similar I am to any other person, whether they're a child or a grown-up.
It wasn't that quote "What's essential is invisible to the eye," that I think was very important. I think that the point that even the grown-ups make mistakes and everyone has their own biases and ignorance. And one shouldn't take pride that they know everything. This book taught me how to be humble, because in a way or another, I know I don't know everything and I don't own everything. And I'll meet someone who would know these things and just remind me that I'm still human and that my feet should always be on the earth.
Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
3.0
I think its a cute rendition of my favorite Pride and Prejudice. A little cliched if I may add, but I like it. I'm a sucker for romance like that. But the author got the humor of Miss Austen, at least, which I like very much.