Reading 'Red Queen'

I first saw the book cover and blurb in my newsfeed a few months or weeks ago but easily dismissed it as some typical dystopian novel which is all over nowadays. I even thought that it was already published then. Then a few days ago, I saw National Bookstore's post in my feed again announcing that the book is finally out. This confused me and somehow prompted me to look for the book in Goodreads. As obsessive-compulsive as I am, I read the author's short bio first, then the book description, and finally bought the kindle edition. Then all readers would surely know what will follow next, right?

Oh boy was I sucked into reading. I stayed up all night and until noon the next day(?) just to finish it. Somehow I am not even sure when I finished the book because my mind was still reeling when I fell asleep and my dreams were all filled with Mare, Cal and Maven.

Here's the book's blurb in Goodreads:

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the center of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

To me, the story was definitely engaging and I think this is one of the most important things in YA books. That feeling that where you would want to keep turning the next page, wanting to find out more. And it also helps that the sentences were not long, droning, and yeah, boring. 

After reading the book, I even hunted down the author's twitter and blog. It amazed me that this is her debut novel. Congrats Victoria! I also read her entire blog (it wasn't that long) which chronicled her way from being a new BFA grad to being signed to a literary agent and to the book being published and the fun craziness and everything in between. Perhaps it's because I also want to write that I find her blog inspiring and very informative.

Now, for the spoilers.... I am sorry I just can't help myself... all book nerds can't huhu. So you can close the page now if you haven't read the book.

Reading My First Non-Fiction Book This Year (And Rediscovering Ada Lovelace)

The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As part of my 2015 Goodreads Reading Challenge, I decided to read more nonfiction books this year. Then I also read about the book's synopsis from National Bookstore's Facebook page. I do not know what struck me with that post, but I purchased the ebook.

I have learned most about computer history stuff at school; but, sadly, it wasn't taught as interestingly as how the author wrote it in the book. It made me wonder, how I would've wanted to become a computer engineer or theoretical physicist if I had read this book or was taught this way in high school. The book made me look back at the different figures, forgotten footnotes, and figure out how the connections between them all fit together. At some points, I felt like I was reading a script from a very interesting kdrama.

Yet, perhaps it is with the storytelling and the narrative I was hooked with.

This is honestly my first foray into nonfiction reading in the past years. (Sadly, I was a book snob like that). But I resolve to be otherwise from now on. :D



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At Least We Can Apologize, A Review

Kindle Edition

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine this : One day suddenly waking up inside a mental institution. You do not have any memory of how you got there nor why. But somehow you managed to adapt in the environment as if it was like a home where you were fed, medicated, given sleeping accommodation and assigned everyday tasks. One of these tasks is to apologize of the wrongdoings of other residents. What is more is that you do all these things as if it is the most natural thing in the twisted world that is of the institution.
This is what happens to Sibong and Jin-man, two young men who were brought to a mental institution at an early age, and then forced to adapt at such demanding place.

The story At Least We Can Apologize penned by Lee Ki-Ho begins in a light, somber tone. One could chuckle and smile a bit at the silliness of the premise. But one will also know that there is something foreboding about it.

Admittedly, I purchased the ebook after being intrigued by the book’s synopsis. I was like: ‘Who, in their right minds, will apologize for any wrong of my own doing?’

Yet, unknowingly, with that question, I also found the answer. Who in their right minds will do such thing? Presumably, the antagonists in the story were not of right minds because they were admitted to a mental institution. But were they?

This is what the narrative explores. Through Jin-Man’s thoughts and voice, I began to empathize, relate and explore what really is being mentally-ill and what it is not. For there is a fine, thin line between that on some, maybe most, people.

I like the book because it does not dither and dawdle on what it truly can be in the world of mental health care (or lack thereof). I do not wish to reveal more of the plot but I can say that the story makes this known in such peculiar and gripping ways.

I also found the narrator’s voice curious, candid and sincere. Though warped and nonlinear may the narrator’s way of thinking is, the reader will come to understand and justify why this is so.

I find this story highly recommended if you prefer to read less-talked about topics or issues intertwined in the plot with an air of mystery. It is not an effort to read at all. This was one of my apprehensions at first but, gladly, it was all easily overshadowed with further reading.

Altogether, it’s an engaging read because the story can be real to any one person. We do not have to be mentally-ill to relate to it. Nor we do not have to be thoroughly sane to realize the foolhardy ways with which we live unapologetic lives.

To end this review, I leave with my favorite quote from the book:

Because sometimes your wrongs only go away if you pretend you never knew them.

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