Reading Spree!

During the holidays, between the youtube and movies, and hanging out with my friends, I managed to read 18 books! :D
My initial target was to finish 15 books, but on my last few days in Bali I managed to read some more :)
Now, I don't think any of these books were heavy books that require you to think hard. These were fun, quite thin books, nevertheless some would induce you to think and reflect.

Here's the full list! (& what I think of them)

1. Unreasonable Hope by Chad Veach
LOVE IT. Absolutely recommended. The flow of the book is very smooth, and it teaches a powerful lesson. 

2. As It Was
Now, I don't actually know who wrote this one. I found the book on a book sale, and I thought the format of the book is very interesting :) It's poetic, but narrative at the same time. Almost biographical, I would say. I'm not a huge fan of poetry, but this one I can still manage to finish xp .

3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
I LOVE SHERLOCK HOLMES, and I'm a secret fan of Doctor Watson. The way Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote these stories was amazing. It's very good from a writing-wise and story-wise. And it got me thinking about the various adaptations already done on Holmes. I think they are all great - peeling the manymanymany layers that Doyle managed to write. Amazing.

4. The Hobbits
Amazing how I finished the book on 1 lazy day xD And, I don't get all the fuss! I think it was an interesting journey, but it wasn't that cool. Bilbo was not a 'hero'. Smaug was just a dragon. Idk. Maybe I just don't get science-fiction and historical books. But I enjoyed it :)

5. Mary Poppins: Anything Can Happen If You Let It (A Disney Theatrical souvenir book) by Brian Sibley & Michael Lassell
THIS. I just fell in love with Mary Poppins & with theater all over again. The book shows how Mary Poppins was brought to stage,  and some pictures from the production :)

6. In A Blue Moon by Ilana Tan
I finished the book as my parents were giving a seminar in Salatiga. I enjoyed all the 'cheesy-ness', yet from Ilana Tan, I expected more :') Also, the story I found was a little weak.

7. Padang Bulan by Andrea Hirata
I LOVE THIS. A Ling & Ikal is back! I read this on the way to Jogja, and finished it on the balcony of the hotel. Perf.

8. Cinta di dalam Gelas by Andrea Hirata
Now, I expected a different theme with this book, as it was the sequel of Padang Bulan (I immediately went to the bookstore just to get this book). So I was a bit disappointed upon reading this one and discovering that a.) A Ling was nowhere to be found; b.) It focuses in a great length in this chess match; and c.) I don't get what the book's trying to say. Maybe I should give it a second go.

9. Winter in Tokyo: When Another Winter Comes
A book about the making of Winter in Tokyo the Movie, containing all the casts profiles, AND 1 short story about Kazuto and Keiko :D Happy with the development of their relationship xD BUT also a bit weird xp

10. Architecture of Love by Ika Natassa
I enjoyed 'traveling' to New York through this book. But I find the characters are a little unbelievable, although I enjoy the premise of the story. But 1 thing that I will say, is Ika Natassa managed to capture the essence of being a writer xp

11. Remember When by Winna Effendi
I get the story, but I don't get the title. And I don't know if this story is necessarily satisfactory, but I find the characters strong & believable. Somewhat. A little to similar to "Refrain", perhaps?

12. Jingga untuk Matahari by Esti Kinasih
FINALLY! The 3rd installment of the novels :D I love the 1st & 2nd one, but this one felt a little 'lenghty'. Secrets that don't need to be that secretive. AND the story that still doesn't come to its end. :p

13. Kisses from a good God by Paul Manwaring
As I'm doing a leadership course, I am required to read this book & I enjoyed it very much! How believing in God's plan does not mean surrendering that easily. You fight your sickness (or situations) by proclaiming that God is good. By constantly praying and believing, and having a victorious attitude. You fight as hard as you can, and whether winning means healing or coming back 'home', you will truly be more than a conqueror. It helped answer some questions I have regarding this issue :)

14. Habibie: Si Jenius by Jonar T. H. Situmorang
President Habibie is one of the people I look up to in Indonesia. Just like me, he studied abroad, but his heart is set in his homeland. I hope to one day be as influential and make a change in my beloved country, but in the meantime it's an honor to learn from and be inspired by such a figure!

15. Some Kind of Wonderful by Winna Effendi
THIS, this is my 3rd fave Winna Effendi book after "Melbourne: Rewind" & "Refrain"! I love the 'mature' tone of the book. This is the 'Winna Effendi' that I've been looking for! The characters were more believable, the settings were alive, and although the ending was 'dreamy', the way it was set up was satisfactory and real. Not too cheesy, just full on!

16. Catatan Najwa
I've noticed that Najwa has a very optimistic tone, and that's what we all should fill our minds with. She is not saying that this country is perfect - in fact she critically points out to our weaknesses. But she keeps on inviting young people and every body to contribute and celebrate this wonderful country of ours. We need more Najwas!

17. Menemukan Indonesia by Pandji Pragiwaksono
I didn't plan on buying this book, but I was bored, so I did xD Reading this over the rooftop of Zest Hotel Legian was an incredible memory :) AND I was inspired by Pandji, how he refused to be blindsided  by his love for Indonesia. Just like Najwa, he was quite critical and very optimistic. He showed us through his travels around the world, which aspects of Indonesia are comparable to other countries, yet why we are not as successful in inviting tourists and develop as quickly as other nations. I honor his work and opinion, and I hope more people will have this open-mindedness.

18. Then She Smiles by Makna Sinatria
I enjoyed this book, surprisingly! Read in Ubud and on the way to Kuta. Reminded me of my polaroid dream :')



BONUS: Antologi Rasa by Ika Natassa
I read this book on the plane to Melbourne and finished it here in Melbourne within a few days (since I started uni already :))
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK! The pace was perf, the story - advancement of each act - was beautifully timely, the characters were amazing, and it stayed true to Ika Natassa's story telling realm. Oh I enjoyed this book so much. Although, now that I think of it, the story was not that complicated. The characters made it complicated; but this is a love story, and love stories revolves around the same things. :)
idk. That's what I think.


What about you?
What have you read?



Currently reading Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks,
and Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child et al. !!! :D

I LOVE LIBRARIES xD

CHEERS!
-*^^*-