Book Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

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Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Date Read: Jan. 6 - 7

Rating: ★★★★★

The one thing that was clear to me, right from the start of that 3-page prologue, was that I really like her writing style, from start to finish. It's light and easy to read through, and I'm thankful because then I wouldn't need to bring out the old dictionary.

I was afraid though that this would not turn out well. I kept thinking how you could fit, or more appropriately, stretch into a 230+ page book a story which has a 24-hour timeline. I was afraid that it would just turn out dragging and be full of nonsense just to fill out the pages. I’m glad it did not turn out that way. The story flows, and quite amazingly so; recounting past events(those that mattered anyway) that compliments the events of present day.

I don't so much as love Hadley and Oliver but I do like them a lot. What I do love is when they talk because it is always these fun and witty conversations thrown around, cute but not ones that would make me want to cringe. What I do love is how their relationship had a slow and nice build up to it, which is ironic considering this transpired all in a day. The first time they held hands, I was waiting for them to kiss, and I was wishing on that so fervently, but it never happened. But I was not disappointed because when that moment finally came, it felt more right.

And although the title suggests a story centered on romance, which I guess half of it is, the other half was dedicated to a perfectly-made tale of a child's heartbreak over her parents' separation. All the while, like Oliver, I think it's pretty brave of her to come to the wedding and reception; I wouldn't be able to do that if I went through what she did. But while I never had to deal with a problem such as a broken family, I felt the same hurt, pain and anger as Hadley did. I was even a little surprised when she was ready to forgive her father and accept her new stepmother because I wasn't, and those acts are what makes her even braver to me.

Book Review: Every Day

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Title: Every Day

Author: David Levithan

Date Read: Jan. 1 - 5

Rating: ★★

First of all this was supposed to be a 1 star for me, but because of the last two chapters, it went up a notch.

Even before I read this, some of my friends have already told me that this would have a cliffhanger. I never minded. I've never been one who becomes frustrated, or irritated even, by a cliffhanger. In a way, I kind of like its vagueness. Though I do want to question why exactly did he run away? Was it just because of Reverend Poole's response to him or that plus everything that has been happening, meaning the hopelessness of not being with Rhiannon? That's the only thing I questioned, or care to question, about this book.

Another thing my friends told me was that this a good book, a bit boring, but still good. I have been tricked. I feel so disappointed. They were right about the boring part, it really was. It was that and the fact that I do not find it "good". The story feels to drag on and on and on, and I just really wanted it to stop but I can't seem to find an end to it. The amount of times I convinced myself into finishing this is remarkable.

Lastly, and I really want to say this, I never liked Rhiannon or A, except for that time when A was Alexander, again the only reason why this got 2 stars. I was never convinced that they really do love each other – even as I read the words "I love you" throughout the book, I was never convinced. And to even quote the book, "...I feel I’ve already lost if we’ve gotten to the convincing stage." Yeah, I really do think this book has lost me.

Messed Up

So we were supposed to go to Enchanted Kingdom tomorrow(as I have gushed about on an earlier post) and, at the last minute, it didn't push through because of a problem on my part, which is rather big (it obviously put the whole plan down).

I know I shouldn't totally blame myself for it, well according to my friend that is, but I can't help it. Plus, I can't bring myself to blame my parents either. For the few hours I had to think it over, I never saw how any of it was their fault, which is kinda messed up in my opinion.

Anyway, the plan changed into a meet up in our house for a final get together before Christmas break is over, plus we have this exchange gift thing that really needs to be done.

PS. Give me strength tomorrow to explain this whole situation without breaking down and/or tearing up like a broken dam.

[UPDATED]Back from Vacation

I haven't mentioned before but from the 18th up til the 21st, I was out of town. Our family went to Basco, Batanes for a holiday and a pre-birthday celebration for me and my mom.

Just to sum it up, the trip was wonderful. Everything about the place was wonderful. It's this whole cluster of islands filled with much greenery, and the sea that surrounds it is so clean and clear. It had this peaceful calmness about it. They all practically knew each other and treat each other as families, so there wasn't nearly any hostility, and everyone was so welcoming. I swear I could live there, if it weren't for cable TVs and fast internet connection. Oh, and the local food was delicious – I ate a snail!

Anyway, I would love to post photos of the place but were not allowed yet, our parents said so. So until then, just got to rely on my words.

PS. It was my first time on a plane. I hate it. And I may have puked on our boat ride to the other island. Maybe 5 times.

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So here's the promised pictures, just a few and most are landscapes since I don't want anyone to see my face here. . .

Book Review: Sweet Evil

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Title: Sweet Evil

Author: Wendy Higgins

Date Read: Dec. 4 - 8

Rating: ★★★★★

Anna Whitt has joined my very short list of 'Main female characters that I love' and because of that this book has turned into one where I give no fucks about the male love interest and all the fucks to the female protagonist, which is way easier because I know I'll always be hooked to the story since I'm in it for the one whose life the story revolves around. I mean, I like Kaidan, just not when he's being indecisive about his feelings for Anna because it hurts to see her getting hurt because of it. She's just this really sweet, genuine, all around wonderful girl so I strongly believe she doesn't deserve all that emotional pain. I guess another reason why I love her is because she reminds me so much of myself. Like honestly, I have never met a character who is so like me, I can feel heaven opening up to introduce her as my twin soul. 

I like how Wendy made it out that Anna already has special abilities, unlike most fantasy/paranormal/dystopian/whatever-genre-possible YA Heroine who has to find out about it first. But apart from that it's mostly the same with everything else: she has a 'great gift' separate from the other characters' and that gift could turn out to be humanity's salvation from evil and yes, she is still introduced into this new world of angels and demons and learns more about what her life really is from a boy she 'coincidentally' met one night.

Also, I think her writing needs to improve because it’s a little tacky at some parts.

However, despite all that I still love this book. I didn't think I could be in love with a book and main character just by reading the 1st chapter but here I am. This still was amaaaazing. I didn't get why people had to use extra vowels to show emphasis on a word but now I do. This book was extra A's worthy. Okay, but seriously, I do love this.

Now for the sort of spoilery part of my review.

I really want to talk about Anna's depression, the one after the Halloween chapter where Kaidan rejected her, and this quote in particular:

"I’m letting you go but only because I have to. I need to move on with my life, but I’ll never hate you.”

I know a lot people would think she was being too dramatic and too desperate for him and all that. I did too, a little bit. But then I remembered when I was in the same position as her. The time when I fell in love with someone, the first and only time I did, and it broke my heart to pieces. He’s a nice person, just not to me, and that’s because he knew I liked him. I was hurting for a long time, months actually. I tried to tell myself countless times that I need to let it go, let him go, and just move on with my life but I couldn’t. This eventually led to my depression.

When I hit college and maturity came crashing down upon me, I realized I needed to let go completely, to save and fix myself. And with time I did. But never did I hate him for anything. I was angry with the way he treated me but more with myself because I let him hurt me that badly. The thing is, the same with Anna, it’s not easy to let go of someone you love. Even if you’re hurting because of someone, it’s not like you can just turn off your feelings for that person in an instant. It takes time and the will power to do it.

In the end, she did manage to let him go because she knows it's for the best, but she also knows in her heart that she will always love Kaidan no matter what. My love and respect for her skyrocketed at that point.

And speaking of endings, why? WHY? Was that really necessary? Well, of course it was. It kind of reminds me of the feeling I got after finishing Delirium: sad, heartbroken, slightly in denial. But no worries, there is a second book, and if Pandemonium didn’t let me down on the Alex/Lena, then Sweet Peril won’t let me down on my Anna/Kaidan. 

Super fun night

It seems to me every 18th birthday party of ours turns out better and better than the one preceding it. First, it was Abby's surprise Karaoke party, where I practically sang my lungs out. Then Leigh's birthday, refer to this post. Now it's my best friend's turn, and in celebration, we went to Pizzahut and ate our hearts out over the amount of food she ordered(and paid for!). A bowl of Caesar salad, two plates of pasta, three pans of pizza, and two chocolate fondue. It may not seem a lot but if you were there you would understand. I think that's the first time in a long while since I've felt so full and, as sad as I am to admit it, gluttonous. The only thing that put a damper on the evening was the realization that Jade wasn't with us.

While having dinner, we talked about a lot of things, seeing as we haven't seen each other for a whole month then. We also finally made a group bucketlist, which had at least 10 things written down, and was signed by all of us, a silly gesture but doesn't make it any less fun. And it seems decisions were flying through the air because we've already planned what to do for Christmas break.

Seeing as a lot of us can't meet up during Christmas week, because some of us would be out of town during that week, we thought it would be best to have my birthday celebration + post-Christmas party on January 4. We'll be going to Enchanted Kingdom for the first time as a group so I'm really looking forward to it, not much on the fact that I'll be paying for the transportation fee since you know, 18th birthday and all. Plus we're gonna have exchange gifts, something they really wanted to do. It's fun so I won't object.

Before we went home Leigh and I tried out dresses as a possible reference for the one we might wear to Patchi's debut. The one I tried was so beautiful and it looked good on me(something rare) and I really wanted to buy it but what can I do when I have no money to spare. Sigh...

Well, that's it. I guess I should be calling posts like these as 'UWO's adventure part ...' because let's face it, there's going to be a lot of this. God, I missed these girls more than I imagined, and seeing them again made me feel so happy. Now, I absolutely can't wait for January. I just hope we'll all be there.

Book Review: There's No Place Like Here

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Title: There's No Place Like Here

Author: Cecelia Ahern

Date Read: Nov. 12 - Dec. 3

Rating: ★★★


This has got to be the Cecelia Ahern book I like least of all. It was a slow and boring read(if it isn't yet obvious from the above). Sandy Shortt isn't likeable to me and her I-don't-give-an-F-about-you attitude is so frustrating, like if I could go into the book, I would have slapped some sense into her in most chapters she was narrating. The only time I liked her was when Jack was talking about her bringing his hopes up of finding Donal. Actually, I would have liked it better if it just focused on Jack finding Sandy, but then that wouldn't explain the story very much.

Her monologue at the end, about always being found regardless if you were lost by choice or by circumstance, I liked quite a lot. Although it doesn't make up for my disappointment with the events that led up to that ending, the one where only Sandy came back, because the whole time I was thinking she stumbled into Here to bring everyone back(or maybe just Bobby), so it was pretty much a let down for me.

Not exactly a 3 but more of a 2.5 stars, on account that I loved it when Sandy was talking about Gregory or retelling their story or just the two of them being together in a scene.