La Fille de Papier

Our first French book for this year was one we could choose! The teacher has some copies of 5 books and I picked La Fille de Papier by Guillaume Musso. I didn't know that this book would turn out this good to be honest. Of all the books I've read for my French classes in all those years, this one was the most surprising and best one I've ever read. I'd even recommend it to read it in French! 


Tom Boyd is a writer and the first two books of his trilogy are a big hit! Above that Tom has two good friends and falls in love with the lovely Aurore who is a celebrity too. Yet Aurore doesn't feel like it can last and leaves the famous writer. 
Devastated and torn Tom decides not to finish the last book in the trilogy. The story ends in the middle of the book with an unfinished chapter. He's just done with it and meanwhile gets on the wrong path of life. That it until a mysterious women arrives in his house, one that looks very alike the main character of his book. Soon decisions he once made will change or there will be consequences. 

The synopsis was the thing that really captured my attention because it creates a lot of mystery and many questions come in mind to who the girl might be. Especially with the title! So I was very keen on this book in comparison with the rest. Also the cover isn't ugly at all, on the contrary it's actually quiet nice. 

But not only the synopsis and cover are nice, also each and every character in this book. There are 4 important characters which are Tom, Carole, Milo and the mysterious girl. Those 4 will help each other even if it means to help them with weird affaires. 

Tom is a writer and it's also through his eyes that the story is written. In the beginning I was a little bit offish towards this character because he was bad. This devastated that keeping himself locked up and stop writing was the only thing there was for him. 

Though we soon see a change in his character and ever since then we see the real side of him. He snarks at times, defends himself but also questions a lot. And yes, he's still into Aurore who we'll see in this book too. 

Then Carole and Milo. Both characters are best friends of Tom and are also very nice characters to read about. It's actually the parts where these two were that I enjoyed the most because they affect each other a lot. On the one side we have Carole, who's a police officer and also very serious while Milo is the one who makes weird statements, and isn't the serious one of the two. I also feel like Milo is more the funny guy in this story but he has his serious and sincere moments in the books.

Both care a lot about Tom and that's reflected in the book. They both want Tom back on the good path, back to what he loves in his life which isn't Aurore but writing. That means both will go very far (which you can interpret figuratively but also literally) to save Tom. So I'd say friendship is a theme in this story that's very important. The three of them will lean onto each other and need each other through this very surprising adventure. 

When I mean surprising I'm actually referring to the fourth and last important character in this book which is the mysterious lookalike of Tom's main character. She also is acting as if she really is Billie. In the beginning I thought she was just some crazy fan infiltrating in Tom's house but soon the story will make you doubt it and question a lot of what happens. Especially around "Billie". 

The characters are very nice to read about but also very approachable, with that I mean that you can really understand how they feel and maybe even can relate to them. Also I was happy that there were 4 important characters. Many times there are 2 main characters and the others come around but aren't that important. These four will be needed to complete the story and find out what to do next. 

I might have already made it look like this is more of a mysterious story. I have to say yes but only partly. There is some sort of mystery especially around the mysterious girl. But with that I don't only mean the superficial of "who is she" but also what will happen with her, and if things are real. 

The story is also very adventurous because they see many countries such as the US, Mexico but also France (Paris). The original plan for Tom and Billie was to go to Mexico. Billie would try to convince Aurore to come to Tom and Tom would write his story but that was after "Billie" 'conducted' Tom. There's a whole story around this but I don't want to go into details because it's actually pretty funny. 

Anyway they go to Mexico but are followed by Tom's best friends for a reason that'll become clearer after reading the funny part that lead Tom and Billie to Mexico. Plans are disturbed when things go wrong with Billie. It's actually really weird what happens and first I thought it was something philosophic with a deeper meaning that I didn't got but then... Wow. It was real... or seemed serious business at least.

Things change a lot in this story only to build towards the ending which was also very surprising in my opinion but also a little predicable. Well, I have to come back on that statement, you could think it's a predictable end but the story isn't the end by then. And what happens next really surprised me in a very good way. I was flabbergasted, felt like I missed something very important here. The big lines of the ending were predictable but there was a nice turn in it which I found very surprising and was very keen on. 

Now, I read this story in French and I'd recommend it in French too not because I think that reading it in English would be more difficult but it's just very nice to read it in French. I understood almost the whole book with exception of some details and bigger parts but it didn't bother me at all. 

Also something that I was in love with in this book was every beginning of each new chapter! There was a quote at each beginning and I really like quotes so I was happy that the author used that to begin something new with! 

This book was very surprising and an easier read. It wasn't boring at all and each and every character was just so open and had its own character which I was a great fan of. The story is also very thrilling as well as adventurous in my opinion. I really enjoyed reading this book because I couldn't stop reading in it, and I just kept turning those pages. For short? I recommend this book to everyone who wants something special and refreshing as well as something that will make you feel so much at the ending.

"Les liens se font et se défont, c'est la vie."

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Lately I've been rereading books... it's crazy! I normally don't do such things because I still know the plot by detail so it isn't a lot of fun. Yet I did find myself grabbing back to a book I read years ago, for school. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, yes I know it's weird because I'm never really that positive about books I read for school. This one was different though and I really enjoyed reading it. Now my brother has to read it and hearing him talk about it just made me read the story again. 

Bruno and his family have always lived in Berlin. It isn't until a day in 1942 that they have to move out due to his fathers job. Bruno isn't happy about that but doesn't have another choice than to move with his family and keep his mouth shut. When he arrives there, without any friends, he feels lost and irritated in the new house they all soon will be calling 'home'. 
There are no other kids around, or so he thought because when he looks out of his window he sees them. Weird kids in striped pajamas who look filthy. That doesn't stop Bruno from going on an exploration in his new environment, even though he's been told not to. As he's walking by the fence he sees out of his window, he meets a boy that's very different but also very interesting. The two boys soon find themselves meeting each other more and more by the fence. A friendship is created but not without devastating consequences. 

First of all I want to point out that I really fell in love with the cover of this book. My niece has another version but when I compare them, this one is my favorite. The two boys on the cover are also the boys who played the characters Bruno and Shmuel in the film which I'll talk about later in this review. 

First of the characters, I was so interested in both Bruno and Shmuel! Bruno is only 9 but does already question a lot that he sees. After I read the book I also wouldn't say he was one of the easiest kids there are in the world! But that aside I really enjoyed this character because he loved to explore and question everything he doubts. He's also a boy who always tries to be honest and we really see that in the book. But as an explorer kind of kid, he's also very observant which I was keen on most because we also read into his thoughts and he makes some good statements. 

Yet he still is very unaware of what's going on and who the people in the striped pajamas are and I liked that about him because I believe that many kids didn't know what was going on. Also his father doesn't bother to try and explain it to him so Bruno stays with a lot of questions which do create suspicion at a certain point in the story.

As for Shmuel, I felt with him from the beginning! He's not happy and who would be happy? Shmuel really created a lot of emotional feelings in me and really made me feel like I was him. I felt sad, I felt anger because of what he was going through, what other went through. He's more aware of the situation, still in the dark for other parts, but he doesn't explain that to Bruno. I don't really know why he didn't, maybe because he was scared that Bruno wouldn't understand. 

We do see a big contrast with these two characters and I was really happy about that. Both come from another environment and each have their own good things and bad ones. Which also created parts where Shmuel was irritated by Bruno and vise versa because they couldn't understand each others world and feelings. They both grew up differently and the book really reflects that.

Another character that I'd like to discuss is Gretel. She surprised me most in this book! Bruno talks about her before we meet her and tells us she's really irritating and thinks she's the boss and everything. I thought that was normal sister behavior and in the beginning of the book I also don't really know what he's talking about because she really seems friendly. She irritates him but there was a moment in this book, when they just arrived in the new house, that I was really intrigued by her because she seemed so nice. Yet that changes...

After a while I can see what Bruno was talking about and in my opinion, she was also that one character that changed the most. I really liked her so much yet she only disappointed me and made me dislike her so much due to her changes. A little remark I've made in my head while reading, I think it'd be a great book with her as the main character and to see how she reacts on this all. Bruno gives us many hints to how she changes and I think it'd be a whole different type of book if it were written in her perspective. And if it was a book, I'd be really interested in reading it because I feel like she'd handle it a lot more differently.

Some side-characters I'd love to discuss are Maria and Pavel. They're both servants for Bruno's family and each have a different background which will be explained in the book. I just wanted to mention them because I do feel like they contributed to this story. 

They might not be there a lot but when we do read about them, you can see how difficult the situation is for them too. They shouldn't talk about it, especially not to Bruno and then we really see them struggle with their feelings as I think many did during that horrible time. Both characters know so much and feel so much pain and anger but weren't allowed to talk about that out loud without facing consequences. So I think that was a great asset in this story!

As for the plot, I was really surprised. I don't like reading books that are based on war but this book obviously concentrates on World War Two. In the beginning I didn't know if I'd really like this book but I really did like it because it surprised me.

I never thought that a stunning friendship like this would capture so many hard emotions from that time. I've felt so much during this book from sadness to anger and also happiness that both boys find each other. The consequences of this friendship though were absolutely surprising as well as devastating! I had never expected for this to happen after everything I read in this book. It really touched me and I didn't know how to react afterwards for a while. 

I wouldn't say it was very thrilling but this book doesn't leave you untouched! I've never had a part in this book where I thought "God this is boring!". It's a book that reads very easily and isn't hard to understand. It also doesn't really focus on the horrible things that happened because we see this story through the eyes of a very young boy who doesn't know and understand what's going on. And I think that's what, for me, really made this a very good read. It doesn't focus on what happens, it focuses on the ignorance of people and the many questions that weren't answered in that time. 

So I was really happy that my English teacher made us read this book! I also saw the movie during his classes and even though I really loved the book, I kind of liked the movie a little bit more. For me personally it was easier to visualize and even gave me more emotions because I could really witness it in a way. I still recommend the book to everyone but I'd also think many would appreciate the movie! 

"You're my best friend, Shmuel,' he said 'My best friend for life."

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

In a past review I said I was going to review To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, and I guess it's time to do that now! I've got the book for my birthday and had my eyes on it very long. I didn't get into it very fast. It then lingered some time on my bookshelf before I started reading it again. I must say that I did find it hard to get into but if you hang on, it'll only get better!

This book is about Lara Jean, she has two sisters and a wonderful dad. Her one sister is like her icon, she looks up to her as if she's the statue of liberty. As if she'll learn you how to be a proper and good women. Lara Jean has a good life until the struggle comes. Her sister has to leave for college and she's the one that needs to take care of the family now. That's a lot of pressure for her, but the weight only adds up when her love letters are send out. 
Lara Jean is a girl that never admitted to her crushes. Her letters are for when she doesn't want to be in love anymore. It's some sort of goodbye to her. If love is like a possession, maybe my letters are like my exorcism. My letters set me free. She keeps the letters hidden in a box she got from her mother. Though waking up and finding out that all her letters are out in the open and send to all her past crushes, isn't such a good thing for her. Especially when a letter is sent to someone very special to her. 

As I already said, this book was very hard for me to get into. Mainly because in the beginning I didn't feel really connected with the main character, Lara Jean. But also because of her older sister that's her icon. 

To be very blunt and fair, I hated Margot. I felt like she was such a bossy type and that she always looked down on her other sisters but mainly on Lara Jean. I was kind of glad that she was sent away to her college, very far away. I understand that she felt like she had to take care of her family, as the eldest but also because there's no mom. I get why she does it but I don't get why she looks so down onto Lara Jean. Especially, later in the book when certain things happen. It was not Lara Jean her fault but her own. So yeah, I didn't like Margot at all and she bothered me ever since the first time we met her in the book.

Her other sister is really funny though. She's the youngest among them and wants to be a grown-up. You can see that she's trying really hard. When Margot was still around she wanted to make decisions too, together with her older sisters. When Margot is gone she's treated more responsible and can participate more. Kitty also wants a puppy really badly which makes her funny at times because she tries very subtle to change her father's opinion on having a dog. Sometimes she fails at being subtle and you really laugh at it. So I did love Lara Jean's other sister!

As for Lara Jean, she had me focusing. At some times I wouldn't agree with her or feel differently about her but for most of the time I did understand what she was doing. In the beginning of the story I wasn't really feeling a connection but later on I did. I also think she's really responsible and tries to be her best self when she has to take care of the family, of Kitty. So afterward I really appreciated her. 

The neighbor, aka the oldest sister's boyfriend, is also a character that I was fond of. He seemed very funny and cared. Josh has been around the sisters ever since he moved next to them. Of course things happen with Margot moving away, they change and then we get to see less of Josh. I wished he didn't go away though. I felt like he was a part of that family and then letters are being send out and Lara Jean starts taking distance from all the boys she knows. God, I wish Josh kept close! I really liked his personality! I might also wanted to ship him and Lara Jean, instead of Margot. Is that wrong of me? ;)

Of course we get to see more boys through this book and I wasn't really fond of one particular in the beginning. But let's just say that he started to grow on me too and I couldn't decide which team I was on. Team Neighbor or Team Boy you'll get to know through the story?! When I eventually guessed I made up my mind, the book ended. I didn't expect that ending at all. I was shocked, I was surprised and I couldn't understand it! Which is a good sign!

The plot was also very surprising and intriguing. As I said, in the beginning I wasn't really fond of the story and put it aside but I'm glad I didn't decide to just put it aside forever. I liked the story because for me it was very refreshing. I hadn't read any book that had a story like this. Of course I suspected love would be around but not the kind like this. I mean, this love made sure that there was drama all over the place. And that all because of some letters, who would've guessed that'd ever happen? The drama caused a very original plan to solve it all which I was excited about.

I might not have enjoyed Margot's presence, I might not have enjoyed the beginning at all. But I only can say that you need to push through it and hold on because it gets better! Of course it can be that you don't have any difficulties with anything I said, all the better. 

After I was confused by the ending, I thought it was really the ending but I only just found out that there's a second book to this and let's say I need to get my hands on it. I need to know a real ending, not the surprised one I got because as you know I'm a sucker for real endings. Because what if my imagination is too far fetched? I just can't wait to get more adventure out of Lara Jean. So I do recommend this book


because it had an original and refreshing plot, it has romance and drama, it's in some sort also adventurous in my opinion. If you read this book what was your opinion on it?

“I don’t have to be so afraid of good-bye, because good-bye doesn’t have to be forever.” 

My Heart and Other Black Holes

On Christmas Eve, I finally started My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga. I received the book 2 weeks ago when I finished my exams. I had to put him on hold because I was reading in another book I wanted to finish first. On Goodreads there are mostly good things written about it which made sure the expectation started to grow with each review I read. This book met all of those expectations... It was even better than what I imagined or dared to dream. It's also why I'll be writing a non-spoiler review and a spoiler review. It's written so well and stunning, emotional even. And for once I really want to spill the beans so that's why there is a spoiler review for the ones that already read the book. If you DIDN'T read the book, please DON'T spoil it for yourself! You'll regret it. Do me this favor, if you haven't read the book, only read the non-spoiler review and go pick up that book. As for the ones that did read the book, you don't need to read the non-spoiler review because I'll say everything that's in there, also in the spoiler review. 
Merry (1 day late) Christmas to you all!

Aysel loves physics. She loves to know things about it, she'd love to know how it'll explain what happens to energy when someone dies. More specifically, when she dies. Ever since the crime her father committed, her mother can't look at her without being reminded and everybody on school is talking about it. Everybody simply keeps reminding her what happened, what her father did.

It only makes her question her life and if she doesn't cause any problems to her mother. If she isn't a danger, like her father. Is it growing inside of her? Will she become the same monster? She wants to spare everybody on earth and to make that happen she needs to die. 
She can't do it on her own, she's scared she'll back out when it'll happen so she goes on a site where she finds a suicide partner: FrozenRobot aka Roman. The boy has faced his own problem and is drowning in guilt. Also he thinks he needs to die. Both teenagers are in their own depression, both teenagers decide to do it together, they'll get each other to an end. The End. 

You'd think from what you read that this is going to be some hard, dark stuff to read but actually it isn't that hard as you think. It's very light written en really captures every part of the thoughts that might go through a teen's head when he or she is suicidal. 

Both main characters want to die and find each other on a site. This story was written so beautifully and stunning it was hard to stop reading. Especially because the two characters each have their own problem that makes them suicidal. I had a lot of questions because the 'why' isn't fully explained until further in the book. I was fond of the mystery around the sad characters, they kept their family in the dark but also the reader.

Aysel's reason will be explained very late in the book. Of course you get aspects and clues to why she wants to die but what happened to make her think this way stays a mystery for later in the book. I was really fond of this character because of the way she was. You'd think she'd be sad all the time, boring and dreadful but it wasn't like that. She'd say stupid jokes and ask stupid questions that did give you a smile on your face, she'd see things a little bit brighter and that's why I really liked her. Naturally she'll have moments in the book where she's really sad and doesn't understand the universe. 

She's also a physics geek and whenever she gets the chance to daydream a little, she'll use science questions to keep her busy. As for her family, they try. She doesn't experience it but during the book some characters really make an effort and tell her that they really are trying but that she's just too blind to see. 

As for Roman's family, they're really nice. His mother is very happy but also very protective. She wants to make everybody feel as if they're at home. He's a little bothered about it some times and so is Aysel. Roman is a character that in the beginning made me have a lot of questions. When the characters meet, he seems very handsome, he has friends that walk around him. He seems to have a good life. I guess that's what the author was trying to make us see, that in reality the person just let's you see what you want to see but deep down is actually all broken. 

What I was really fond of in this story is their connections. In the beginning they're each very distant, they get mad or irritated. But later in the book they get closer and I really liked that in this story. That if it's going to be the end, you don't need to be alone. You can try and find someone. I really loved the way their relationship grew into a friendship while each of them needs to face their own inner demons. One of the characters eventually does face them because of the other's unspoken words.

The author also left a note at the end of the book:
"To me, My Heart and Other Black Holes has always been a story about the people who understand you, all of you, even the scariest and weirdest parts of you. It's about those people who come into your life when you least expect it, in the strangest of ways, and change everything--it is about the importance of letting those people in, of opening up to them. It is about the people in your life who help you to see yourself differently and the true power of human connection."


This part of the author's note was something that I found in the story too. She illustrated it beautifully in the book and when you read the author's note, you know exactly what she's talking about and see the moment back in front of you. I also thought you could easily imagine the story since it's a topic that's very accurate in this generation.

This book was well written, was fluent and very emotional but also very realistic. My expectations have all been met and then it was still better than what I could've ever imagined. I recommend this book not only because of how moving it is but also because it's a problem very nowadays and it gives you perspective on it, in some way. Did you read any other books by Jasmine Wanga that you'd recommend? Leave a comment or message me!

“I will be stronger than my sadness.” 

Aysel loves physics. She loves to know things about it, she'd love to know how it'll explain what happens to energy when someone dies. More specifically, when she dies. Ever since the crime her father committed, her mother can't look at her without being reminded and everybody on school is talking about it. Everybody simply keeps reminding her what happened, what her father did.
It only makes her question her life and if she doesn't cause any problems to her mother. If she isn't a danger, like her father. Is it growing inside of her? Will she become the same monster? She wants to spare everybody on earth and to make that happen she needs to die. 
She can't do it on her own, she's scared she'll back out when it'll happen so she goes on a site where she finds a suicide partner: FrozenRobot aka Roman. The boy has faced his own problem and is drowning in guilt. Also he thinks he needs to die.  Both teenagers are in their own depression, both teenagers decide to do it together, they'll get each other to an end. The End. 

You'd think from what you read that this is going to be some hard, dark stuff to read but actually it isn't that hard as you think. It's very light written en really captures every part of the thoughts that might go through a teen's head when he or she is suicidal. 

Both main characters want to die and find each other on a site. This story was written so beautifully and stunning it was hard to stop reading. Especially because the two characters each have their own problem that makes them suicidal. I had a lot of questions because the 'why' isn't fully explained until further in the book. For example, Aysel's father did something really bad because he's in prison right? But I just kept asking myself why that'd be something to kill herself for. What did he do? How did he do it? And how affected her that? Of course later on we get to know that her father was acting strange and then murdered someone. She just felt like she'd become something like him, a monster and do monstrous things. I was fond of the mystery around the sad characters with their own reasons, they kept their family in the dark but also the reader.

I was really fond of Aysel because of the way she was. You'd think she'd be sad all the time, boring and dreadful but it wasn't like that. She'd say stupid jokes and ask stupid questions that did give you a smile on your face, she'd see things a little bit brighter and that's why I really liked her. Naturally she'll have moments in the book where she's really sad and doesn't understand the universe. Then she starts talking about something black inside of her that takes away every feeling she has and when she said those things, it was explained so well that you were moved by it. I wished she didn't have to feel this way.

She's also a physics geek and whenever she gets the chance to daydream a little, she'll use science questions to keep her busy. As for her family, they try. She doesn't experience it but during the book some characters really make an effort and tell her that they really are trying but that she's just too blind to see. At the end she also confronted her mother, she wanted to see her dad. Aysel shared a part of her that she never wanted to say out loud and all because of Roman. That guy, I knew it from the start, was the one that'd keep her from doing the stupidest thing of her life.

As for Roman's family, they're really nice. His mother is very happy but also very protective. She wants to make everybody feel as if they're at home. He's a little bothered about it some times and so is Aysel. Roman is a character that in the beginning made me have a lot of questions. When the characters meet, he seems very handsome, he has friends that walk around him. He seems to have a good life. I guess that's what the author was trying to make us see, that in reality the person just let's you see what you want to see but deep down is actually all broken. And he is all broken, he feels guilty for what happened to his sister and is so determined to die and leave this earth because he doesn't deserve more. My heart ached for him! So many feelings and thoughts were in my mind and I wished he just didn't think like that! 

What I was really fond of in this story is their connections. In the beginning they're each very distant, they get mad or irritated. But later in the book they get closer and I really liked that in this story. That if it's going to be the end, you don't need to be alone. You can try and find someone. I really loved the way their relationship grew into a friendship while each of them needs to face their own inner demons. Aysel eventually does face them because of the Roman's unspoken words. Love saved them both! I mean those moments where Roman reached out for Aysel, they were fantastic! I was so happy in that moment and was so eager to see more of it. And the moment where they were camping, that whole part... it made me smile so much! It was fantastic and I loved their connection! 

The ending was the most moving in my point of view. I knew things were going to change, I knew one of them would flake out. But then I also knew that Roman knew and now he'd do something stupid on his own. I remember seeing the date about the chapter "Thursday, April 4" and I knew it, that's the day he'd do something stupid. 

I was surprised that he used a car though, but my heart was racing very hard when she was trying to find him. I just kept praying he wouldn't die and that this book wasn't going to end with someone dying. The ending... you'd think the ending would've been really their end. It wasn't, thank God!

The author also left a note at the end of the book:
"To me, My Heart and Other Black Holes has always been a story about the people who understand you, all of you, even the scariest and weirdest parts of you. It's about those people who come into your life when you least expect it, in the strangest of ways, and change everything--it is about the importance of letting those people in, of opening up to them. It is about the people in your life who help you to see yourself differently and the true power of human connection."



This part of the author's note was something that I find in the story too. She illustrated it beautifully in the book and when you read the author's note, you know exactly what she's talking about and see the moment back. They understand each others sadness. 
Roman is the one that changes everything for Aysel because of his drawing. And can I say that that was absolutely cute? She let him in and she saw that it could be different. That they could fix each other and you could really feel that with each page you turned, they were fixing each other.

I found it very moving and was very pleased by that! I also thought you could easily imagine the story since it's a topic that's very accurate in this generation.

This book was well written, was fluent and very emotional but also very realistic. My expectations have all been met and then it was still better than what I could've ever imagined. I recommend this book not only because of how moving it is but also because it's a problem very nowadays and it gives you perspective on it, in some way. Did you read any other books by Jasmine Wanga that you'd recommend? Leave a comment or message me!

“I will be stronger than my sadness.” 

Dance on My Grave

So every year we get a list of books out of which we may choose to read for school. This year for my Dutch class, we're assigned to read 4 books of the list. The first one was from the author Floortje Zwigtman and I enjoyed it. My second book was Dance on My Grave by Aidan Chambers. 

It's about two boys, Henry Robinson and Barry Gorman. They meet at some rather weird circumstances. Let's just say Barry comes to the rescue. They immediately get along and grow a strong friendship. But Barry wants more and Hal (Henry's nickname) already knew it from the start. And they fall in love. It's simple but! Yes there comes a "but".  
One of the two dies and the book concentrates on the thoughts about the one that's left behind. These observations, thoughts and sometimes heartbreaking feelings are revealed in the book by little sketches, his own writings, press clippings and scattered noted of the social worker that has come to observe him. Why? Because he danced on the grave of his beloved one and is now being sued.  These various perspectives contribute to an extraordinarily sensitive portrait of the intensity of first love.

The book is divided in 4 parts, to be honest I really started to enjoy the book from part 3. It's not that I didn't enjoy the first two parts but it just went slow. Too slow in my opinion. He wasn't to the point but talked a lot around what he wanted to say. That changed in part 3 which I'm glad it did.

As for both of the boys, I loved them. You had Henry, who doesn't like his name so he wants everyone to call him Hal. He's insecure about himself, doesn't know what to do with his life and isn't that adventures. Whereas Barry is totally different, Barry's dad died some years ago and ever since then he's working in his father's shop with his mom. Barry is confident, knows how to sail and ride a motorcycle. He loves to go fast and go on adventures. But you know what they say, opposites attract each other and that's shown in this book. 

Another character in the book is the social working. We see her notes in the book too and I liked that they were there. If they weren't there it wouldn't have mattered but the book from is told from past events and then evolves to the present. And her notes make sure you know how she and the judge, teachers, parents think about the situation in the present. How he's doing, how he's coping with it and everything. It gave me as a reader some room for thought. Is it normal how he behaves? Isn't he overreacting when he did that? Is she doing the right thing? Or should she try to talk with him on a different manner? And as I already said there are also sketches in the book, room for detail? Excellent. The sketches are often used to show what he means with what he says and sometimes I found that come in handy because he uses terms I didn't understand. The author also makes use of explanations from dictionaries and gives more information about for example: the Thames. No it's not there likes a lesson, it's presented elegant and plain.
And something I loved the most in the book were the press clippings. There were two press clippings, one where was being told why the character was being sued and at the end, where was explained what was said at the jurisdiction. So you know how it ends, will he go to prison? Will he go to a psychologist? Will he go into an institute? Does he just get help and get supervision? You'll know at the end of the book and I like that. You'll know if all of his hard work (saying what happened and why he did what he did while it was hard for him to talk about it), will have payed off. 


But I do have something negative about the book. The first thing that it went slow but the second thing is that I found it rather weird how the next chapter was indicated. If you entered a new chapter, there was the number of the chapter just at the begin of the first sentence. And it was in the same character size and that did cause irritation within me because I'm the kind of reader that can't stop in the middle of a page. I need to finish a chapter and start with a new page. Here the new 'page' started in the middle of the page and I often didn't know if I was already in a new chapter because I basically read over the number. 

Though if you have this book on your reading list for school or reading list in general: the story is beautiful. I did have an emotional moment because you know he has to dance on the grave but he just has a mental break down while he does it. But I do like the story because it shows you how people react after someone dies, especially when it's your beloved one. A nice book with room for thought and details but with some remarks, not that bad! 
The cover that you see now on the picture isn't the most beautiful one I know, but it's from the library and it seems like it's been tortured by a lot of readers. There are other covers that I liked more but it is what it is. Take what you can get, right? So don't judge the book by it's cover. It's better than that. 

"No matter which one of us both dies first, the other one promises that he will dance on his grave. No but. Just promise it."

Lola and the Boy Next Door

I think every girl dreams about a boy next door. A best friend, maybe even more than just a friend and that’s why I was so curious about: Lola and the boy next door by Stephanie Perkins. I wanted to know if it was just as pleasant as in my dreams. And I also read the book because it was the second book in the series of Stephanie Perkins. The first one is Anna and the French Kiss which I also wrote a review on. You kind find that one here: Anna and the French Kiss Review

So what it is about: Lola and a boy next door. It’s kind of obvious right? But there’s more to the story. Lola Nolan is the daughter of a gay couple and her life is pretty perfect. She loves designing but not in just a normal shirt or a normal dress. Lola likes it a little more... different. The more expressive the outfit, which basically means more sparkles, more wild, the better the outfit will be. This causes a lot of attention and comments from bystanders and not always the positive kind of comments. But Lola doesn’t care, her parents love her, she loves herself and her rocker boyfriend loves her just the way she is. Right? 

But the perfect life starts to shake when the Bell twins come back. There was a time that Cricket and Calliope lived in the neighborhood but they moved some years ago. It left Lola a broken heart and she thought she was over it until Cricket comes back into her life. Lola must finally face up to a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. 

I liked the book. I didn’t love it like I loved Anna and the French Kiss but it was okay for me. I enjoyed that there was a gay couple. I haven’t read a book where the parents are two dads or two moms and I found it very refreshing. Also it’s not that the two dads their personality was the same. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses. 

Lola, I couldn’t really identify with her. I’ve had moments in the book where I was like wow! And where I was surprised and glad I was reading the book anyway but some parts with Lola were not necessarily boring but maybe a little bit dreadful. I did like that she has this expressive personality and that she doesn’t care about what others think. Stephanie does underline this multiple times which made it seem for me that there was a life lesson in it. And also that I find very refreshing!

As for Cricket, he wasn’t the Étienne from Anna and he wouldn’t be my best book boyfriend either but he wasn’t wrong. He is smart, thoughtful and funny but I think it could’ve been a much more interesting character if there was more about his inventions. 

The story line was interesting. It’s not pure romance and I did have some frustration with some parts but overall: it wasn’t that bad. I’m not saying I didn’t like it because I did. I enjoyed it but I just didn’t love it as much as I did Anna and the French Kiss. Personal tastes is what you can call it. It was harder for me to identify with this character than with Anna. Also I started to enjoy it even more when the end was near, there are also very thoughtful and nice passages! So I do recommend the book but if I had to choose between Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door: I’d choose Anna's story. I enjoyed that one just better. Now that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it! Or that I think that you’re wrong when you like Lola better than Anna! It’s just personal thoughts. 

If you haven’t read these books and you want to read them but you can identify more with Lola or you just like the story better: You can read Lola first or only Lola. But mind that as well in this book as in the third (because yes there is a third book), there will be references to Anna and the French kiss. These references DO CONTAIN SPOILERS! So if you’re planning on reading all 3 books, I highly recommend reading them in the order they’ve been published. Unless you’re like ‘Hey, I don’t mind that. I just want to read this one first and then that one, as I please.’ I didn’t read them in the order they’ve been published. Simply because I wanted to read Anna in Paris so I started with the latter in the series because the story sounded more exciting than Lola's. So I’ve been spoiled for Anna. That kind of sucked but also didn’t because I love it that the writer makes the other characters reappear but if you didn’t read it in the ‘right’ order: you’ve been spoiled for the other books. So beware!

"Could the boy from Lola’s past be the love of her future?" 

Anna and the French Kiss

My eye was on this book for a long while and last year I was going to Paris. It would’ve been the perfect situation: I'm in Paris with a book about Paris. It was also reality, I opened my suitcase and there it was: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. My parents bought it for my birthday and it was with me in Paris.

Anna’s moving to Paris! Her dad decides to send her 4383 miles away and left her there alone. Starting on the School of America in Paris, Anna finds herself making new friends despite of her not speaking a word of French. One of those friends is Étienne but everyone calls him St. Clair. He’s the boy from the floor above and sadly has a girlfriend. Soon Anna finds herself swooning for his charm in the city of romance. The only remaining question is will she end with a French kiss? 

This book was not what I expected! It was better than I expected. I thought that it was going to be a total romance, swooning over the main characters and wishing you’d find a guy like Étienne. Well the latter is correct but it wasn’t just romance. It were frustrations and funny moments all combined with the romance part. Which I love!

The characters were so good! Anna can’t speak any French which sometimes make it so awkward for her but so funny for us to see how she struggles to get what she wants. Speaking of her funny side, she’s also very funny when she’s frustrated or angry. That makes it more interesting for the reader, because we can laugh a lot during the book. 

Étienne? For Christ’s sake he’s just adorable! Smart and maybe a little mysterious which AGAIN make it such a good book. You can see how he likes being friends with Anna and enjoys helping her out with her lack of French. You see them bonding and I really liked that in the story.

Also since it’s about Paris, we get to see a lot of the city of lights itself. Anna goes exploring and tells about how it all looks like, what it makes her feel like. Those details make you feel like you’re really there with her. I was in Paris and I could see so many similarities which made me want to read more because it made me think about the book. Anna and the French kiss just makes you want to go to Paris. 

If you’re looking for a read during a holiday in France? I recommend this book but also if you’re seeking for an escape of your own boring city. This book will take you away on a voyage full of beautiful culture, romance, funny moments and an unexpected ending.

“I wish for the thing that is best for me.”

Beautiful Disaster

It’s been waiting on my reading list for half a year and I finally dared to buy it. I heard positive things about it but the most comments were negative which is why I waited so long. I have no idea why I waited so long because it was such a good and addictive book: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire.

It’s about a girl, Abby and a boy, Travis who meet in a very awkward moment. There’s blood, a smile, a stunned expression and it all begins. They meet again and it’s pretty obvious Travis likes Abby. He won’t take no for an answer but Abby only  wants him to leave her alone. He’s a bad boy and she can’t fall in love with him. Everything in her head tries to keep the defenses up while her heart is only growing closer to Travis. Who can resist a bad boy whose so good looking, has tattoos and a motorcycle? He’s the only person she thinks about. It only leads to frustration, anger, despair, love, broken hearts. Especially when the past comes knocking on Abby’s door. The only question is will it bring them even closer or only rip them further apart?

The feels in this book are just huge. I never felt the same emotions through this book, I felt everything the main character felt and above that more emotions. One emotion that kept coming back were frustrations. I’m so team Travis! I guess I have the feels for bad boys ha! I just love books where I can pull my hair out one moment but totally melt inside the other, only to be angry 20 pages later. It just makes sure the book isn’t boring. 

A word about the characters? God, where to begin. I could totally relate with Abby! She wants to be good, pay attention in class. She dresses as she pleases, is ugly when she wants to be. (With that I just mean that she doesn’t care about how she walks in her own room. If it’s with sweatpants and a messy bun or a dress that’s too short, she does as she pleases.). She does care when there are rumors about her which only makes her vulnerable and would keep her from doing what her heart really wants. She’s not only vulnerable at times where rumors spread but also when it comes to her past. She ran away from it, started fresh but her past decides to come visit and get her in trouble. 

Travis on the other hand, would do everything to get what his heart wants. He got a hard past with his family but now they’re pretty close. He doesn’t care what others think about him. But if it comes tho his pigeon, which is his nickname for Abby, it's different. If a boy even looks at her, he’s in a protective mode. You’d say he’s a bad boy because he’s covered in tattoos and does things that are irresponsible but when it comes to Abby he’s such a nice boy. Protective, sweet, concerned. I’m in team Travis, especially when we meet other boys in the book. Like Parker, he’s a Parker. Rich, sweet, predictable and he doesn’t make Abby feel like Travis can, in my opinion. 

Another boy I did like in the book was Shepley. He’s a cousin of Travis and into a relationship. He’s responsible, the good boy if we compare him with his cousin. He has a relationship with Abby’s best friend: America, Mare for short. And yes, I also liked her in the story. Why? Because she’s protective. She wants her best friend safe but sometimes knows better than Abby. Another positive thing about her is that she’s funny at times and says certain things that can only make you laugh out loud. I enjoyed her presence in the book. 

I liked the story because as I already said it gave me a lot of feels but also because of the theme. A bad boy, a good girl. Will they fall for each other? Will they not? You could say it’s such a cliche but it’s not. In cliche stories you can predict the things that come but I couldn’t predict what happened throughout the book. The good girl with a past catching up? The bad boy not being that bad after all but has a soft side for this girl. There are so many aspects that you can’t predict and which caused the many, many feels I got. 

I do have a negative aspect but it’s nothing major. At some point in the book it went a little fast. Too fast in my opinion because we didn’t have any background about what just happened. It just walked into the story without any warning or a little context that leads to it which I found a little disturbing. Especially if it ends as fast as it came, and that was that. It felt like it wasn’t anything important while it was. So in my opinion, the writer could’ve written a little more about that aspect to make a more smooth transition. Though the good aspects outweighs the bad one. I recommend the book and if it has been on your reading list for quite a while now, I’d say just go get it. It’s totally worth it, I promise! I’m even going to get the second book soon. (It’s the story but in Travis POV. I’m a sucker for the books with the POV of the boy. It just gives the story two sides and I like that.) 

“Good girl, bad boy. Imminent disaster? Or the start of something beautiful?”

My Life Next Door

I’ve heard it’s the perfect romance if you wanted a book that said “Two worlds and first love” so I just tried it out. Above that it was summer and I just needed a good summer read. Lucky me, I found a good summer read: “My Life Next Door” by Huntley Fitzpatrick.

Samantha Reed lives together with her mom, next to the Garretts. The family her mother warned Samantha about. She needs to stay away from them at all costs. Samantha never understood why and secretly keeps her eyes on the family. Just watching them. Over the years she learned a lot about the Garretts, who was who, who did what,... and wishes that she was a part of that family. Until one summer night, things changed. One of the Garretts, Jase, climbed onto her rooftop to have a little chat with her.

Of course everything in her life changes. The two of them walk into each other all the time since that one night, and both of them fall fiercely for each other. The Garretts embrace Samantha while she keeps it a secret for her mother for a while. A first love is described in the book which makes it all so new, pretty and sometimes awkward. But to all good things come an end because of that one evening and Samantha doesn’t know what to do or which family to pick. Choose her first love or the side of her mother.

First thing I want to say: I. Love. Those. Garretts! I’d just be the same if my mother told me to stay away from them. I’d watch them closely, get to know them even though I don’t live there and then hope one day a Garrett shows up onto my balcony. Samantha has everything in her life while the Garretts struggle with money because of the family that's so big. As you see it's a story about two different worlds but one unique love.

I just loved how their relationship grew during the book. You can just feel the happiness they get while exploring all the things in their relationship. Huntley Fitzpatrick just makes us feel like we’re in love for the first time (again) which is one of the things I loved most about this book.

I loved the plot twist the most though, I can’t say too much since it’d pretty much ruin the surprise. But as it’s said in the summary of the book, she’ll have to choose between her family and the Garretts and you can feel the mixed emotions Samantha has while overthinking who she’ll pick. While the emotions were running higher with each page for the reader. We obviously pick sides while we read but that doesn’t always mean that it’ll be like we want it to be. She longs for her first love but also feels like she’ll betray her mother if she doesn’t choose her. Decisions will be made but will the odds be in our favor?

That, my friends, will be something you’ll have to discover yourself! It’s the perfect romance with a twist and her writing style is amazing. You won’t struggle because sentences are too difficult. It’s smooth, easy and a good read. I enjoyed it so much, even more because it was summer and I had the vibes of a perfect summer read. Even though it’s not summer, I swear, readers who want a first love kind of book with more than just love (mystery, making heartbreaking decisions,...), you’ll enjoy this!

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."