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sebby_reads's reviews
242 reviews
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
3.0
It wasn't a sad read, it was inspiring and hopeful. The key message the writer wants us to take is to be kind. Like when we were little, we don't say things to try to hurt other feelings. But as we age, even when we become big kids, we started to harm others by saying mean stuff. The writer also reminds me that there are more good people on this earth than bad people, and the good people watch out each other and take care of each other. As much as I like dystopian theme books, I'm always in awe and aspired when book like this gave me such beautiful message about life.
One character mentioned a quote by J. M. Barrie which says 'Shall we make a new rule of life ... always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?' The character added, "What a marvellous line, isn't it? Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed."
I've been seeing this books in most people's reading list but I procrastinated in reading it. A couple of months, I guess, I saw a trailer of its movie adaptation. With A-listers in the lead, I was worried it might be another way-too-Hollywood film. But then I saw who directed it. It's Stephen Chbosky! If Stephen directed it, I believe it is in good hands.
One character mentioned a quote by J. M. Barrie which says 'Shall we make a new rule of life ... always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?' The character added, "What a marvellous line, isn't it? Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed."
I've been seeing this books in most people's reading list but I procrastinated in reading it. A couple of months, I guess, I saw a trailer of its movie adaptation. With A-listers in the lead, I was worried it might be another way-too-Hollywood film. But then I saw who directed it. It's Stephen Chbosky! If Stephen directed it, I believe it is in good hands.
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
4.0
When a fellow book nerd said "You have to read this book. It will break your heart," I simply caved in and picked the book. Cause I'm such a woeful person looking for something to be melancholic about.
Call Me By Your Name is about a summer fling between an Italian boy, Elio, and a visiting American scholar, Oliver, who stayed at his house during one summer of 1980's. But it wasn't just a fling, not for Elio at least. From the beginning, he had strong affection for Oliver and had fought his feelings to subside and only to find out they grew stronger. The story was narrated by Elio mainly on their time in that particular summer. The last few pages are about the following years and I won't spoil you with the ending.
It is such a beautiful story written in full eloquence. It reminds me how sweet it was to have a crush on someone as much as how fun it was to flirt with that person. As much as it takes me back to some sweet memories, it CRUELLY brings me back some tormenting pains, too. It made me feel like a teenager again. Oh, how naive and easily broken we were.
I welled up with tears in some parts and I guess I was sobbing when I read the ending paragraph of the book. The last paragraph of this broke me. I was totally smashed. I adore how understanding Elio's father was and his speech for young Elio was gorgeous. It was an immensely affecting book apart from some explicitly written scenes. Oh, by the way, this book has adapted to movie and hope they did with subtlety on this exceptionally beautiful book.
Call Me By Your Name is about a summer fling between an Italian boy, Elio, and a visiting American scholar, Oliver, who stayed at his house during one summer of 1980's. But it wasn't just a fling, not for Elio at least. From the beginning, he had strong affection for Oliver and had fought his feelings to subside and only to find out they grew stronger. The story was narrated by Elio mainly on their time in that particular summer. The last few pages are about the following years and I won't spoil you with the ending.
It is such a beautiful story written in full eloquence. It reminds me how sweet it was to have a crush on someone as much as how fun it was to flirt with that person. As much as it takes me back to some sweet memories, it CRUELLY brings me back some tormenting pains, too. It made me feel like a teenager again. Oh, how naive and easily broken we were.
I welled up with tears in some parts and I guess I was sobbing when I read the ending paragraph of the book. The last paragraph of this broke me. I was totally smashed. I adore how understanding Elio's father was and his speech for young Elio was gorgeous. It was an immensely affecting book apart from some explicitly written scenes. Oh, by the way, this book has adapted to movie and hope they did with subtlety on this exceptionally beautiful book.
Birthday Stories: Selected and Introduced by Haruki Murakami by Haruki Murakami
3.0
Birthday Stories was previously published in a Japanese translation by Haruki Murakami. In this anthology, Murakami selected 12 stories with Birthday theme and added one of his own short story. He also written a special introduction in which he shared about one of his own birthday experiences.
I immensely like "The Moor" by Russell Banks, "The Birthday Cake" by Daniel Lyons, "The Bath" by Raymond Carver, and "Close to the Water's Edge" by Claire Keegan. The rests are interesting read, too, including Murakami's Birthday Girl. But I just feel like they are not as gripping as the above mentioned stories.
I immensely like "The Moor" by Russell Banks, "The Birthday Cake" by Daniel Lyons, "The Bath" by Raymond Carver, and "Close to the Water's Edge" by Claire Keegan. The rests are interesting read, too, including Murakami's Birthday Girl. But I just feel like they are not as gripping as the above mentioned stories.
Date & Time by Phil Kaye
4.0
I found out video clips of Phil Kaye reading his poems through Button Poetry and I was instantly in love with his works ever since. “Date and Time” is a beautiful collection of his works touching various aspects of life with such evocative proses.
My absolute favourites in this books are Beginning, Middle & End, Camaro, Repetition, Numbers Man, Summer / New York City, and Yellow Bouquet.
I’d rate 4 out of 5 and will definitely be picking it up again from time to time.
My absolute favourites in this books are Beginning, Middle & End, Camaro, Repetition, Numbers Man, Summer / New York City, and Yellow Bouquet.
I’d rate 4 out of 5 and will definitely be picking it up again from time to time.
Find Me by André Aciman
3.0
Find Me has three main parts: 1) Samuel, Elio’s father, and his encounter with second love after his wife, 2) Elio and his failed relationships with others cause he’s still clinging onto his first love, 3) Oliver and his years without Elio.
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The chemistry Samuel and Miranda is brilliantly written. There was a change of air between Elio and Oliver but you can sense the lingering love between the two of them. The writing is as eloquent and explicit as the first one but I find it lacks something. An extra character or a sub story? I don’t know. Perhaps I don’t like how Find Me ends or maybe how CMBYN ended was permanently imprinted in my heart and hence I liked CMBYN better than Find Me. I’d rate 3 out of 5.
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The chemistry Samuel and Miranda is brilliantly written. There was a change of air between Elio and Oliver but you can sense the lingering love between the two of them. The writing is as eloquent and explicit as the first one but I find it lacks something. An extra character or a sub story? I don’t know. Perhaps I don’t like how Find Me ends or maybe how CMBYN ended was permanently imprinted in my heart and hence I liked CMBYN better than Find Me. I’d rate 3 out of 5.
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
4.0
Reading this book was an emotional ride. A powerful storytelling indeed. OEWBG tells the coming of age story of Vietnamese-American boy, Little Dog. Written in a style of journal entries or letters addressed by himself to his mother who cannot read. OV described vibrantly in words about his troubled family, abusive childhood, drugs and losing his first love, etc.
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Little Dog wasn’t just a bitter person who would have hatred towards his mother for her abusive behaviour during his childhood. As he aged, he learned why she acted the way she acted and he understood. He forgave. He appreciated his mother. Maybe that is why he wrote this novel.
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I love how the author bravely explored the issues like race, class, sexuality, masculinity, addiction, violence, trauma, grief, and language from the point of view of a Vietnam-American. The eloquence of OV’s proses is beyond beautiful, needless to say he’s a genius poet, too. One of the best I’ve read recently. I’d rate 4 out of 5.
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Little Dog wasn’t just a bitter person who would have hatred towards his mother for her abusive behaviour during his childhood. As he aged, he learned why she acted the way she acted and he understood. He forgave. He appreciated his mother. Maybe that is why he wrote this novel.
.
I love how the author bravely explored the issues like race, class, sexuality, masculinity, addiction, violence, trauma, grief, and language from the point of view of a Vietnam-American. The eloquence of OV’s proses is beyond beautiful, needless to say he’s a genius poet, too. One of the best I’ve read recently. I’d rate 4 out of 5.
Helium by Rudy Francisco
5.0
Through Button Poetry, I found out new contemporary poems and the beautiful poetry reading by the own poets. I’m instantly in love with a few of them.
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helium includes poems with various aspects but all have three things in common: simplicity, honesty and articulateness. I couldn’t help but admire Rudy for the way he tells us about pain, loss, anxiety, hope, love, and courage through his poems. I believe this is one book you shall put it on your nightstand and read occasionally or as needed. I’d rate 5 out of 5.
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helium includes poems with various aspects but all have three things in common: simplicity, honesty and articulateness. I couldn’t help but admire Rudy for the way he tells us about pain, loss, anxiety, hope, love, and courage through his poems. I believe this is one book you shall put it on your nightstand and read occasionally or as needed. I’d rate 5 out of 5.
အီယန် by နွေလ
3.0
An ode to Ian by the main protagonist, Puu. It is filled with love and reminiscence as well as with affliction and painful past. I love how it was written. The writer expressively wrote the state of vulnerability when one is hopelessly and helpless in love someone. Crestfallen for Puu, yet empathetic for Ian, as well. Although there were wrongdoings by Ian and it’s not that easy to forget, I felt the need to listen Ian’s side of the story, as well cause we all know there are more than one side to any story. However, this is a beautiful ode to Ian by Puu so I won’t ask for more.
I have two issues with this book. One is with the writer dropping many names (props I’d like to call) in the story. I felt it’s unnecessary to add that many in order to make the reader feels connected with the story. A couple of books and songs should be sufficed. Another thing is its punctuation. (is there even a word for it? I want to mean စာအဖြတ်အတောက် but there’s no such thing in English writing, right?) Not sure if it was erred by the printing house or the writer deliberately wanted to convey this type of writing. Even his writing is fluid, it is discomfort to read with such odd ‘punctuation’.
Regardless of those two points, I enjoyed reading it. I’d rate it 3 out of 5.
I have two issues with this book. One is with the writer dropping many names (props I’d like to call) in the story. I felt it’s unnecessary to add that many in order to make the reader feels connected with the story. A couple of books and songs should be sufficed. Another thing is its punctuation. (is there even a word for it? I want to mean စာအဖြတ်အတောက် but there’s no such thing in English writing, right?) Not sure if it was erred by the printing house or the writer deliberately wanted to convey this type of writing. Even his writing is fluid, it is discomfort to read with such odd ‘punctuation’.
Regardless of those two points, I enjoyed reading it. I’d rate it 3 out of 5.