Book Review: The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

“It was a mistake,” you said. But the cruel thing was, it felt like the mistake was mine, for trusting you.”

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37th – The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

Rating:  (BEST, GREAT read!)

What is it about: How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

What I Love: A book is great when I somehow wished I who wrote it. That’s how I feel for this masterpiece.

It is indeed a dictionary of love and you really have to decipher the story in each and every word (beginning from a to z).That’s what I love about it. It’s engrossing and intriguing.

Plus! Heart breaking!

What I Don’t Love Much: Nothing

Wise Words: “People often say that when couples are married for a long time, they start to look alike. I don’t believe that. But I do believe their sentences start to look alike.“

“You can be separate from a thing and still care about it.”

“Trying to write about love is ultimately like trying to have a dictionary represent life. No matter how many words there are, there will never be enough.”

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©2016 Rosemawrites@A Reading Writer. All Rights Reserved.

Photo and Story Summary: Goodreads and Unsplash

Titles in Love: A Book Spine Poetry*

Titles in Love: A Book Spine Poetry*

All the Bright Places
All the Light We Cannot See
Shatter Me
Unravel Me
Ignite Me
Everything, Everything
Every You, Every Me

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©2016 Rosemawrites@A Reading Writer. All Rights Reserved.

Photo credit: Josh Felise

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In response to Napowrimo Day 10.

 

Today’s prompt comes to us from Lillian Hallberg. She challenges us to write a “book spine” poem. This involves taking a look at your bookshelves, and writing down titles in order (or rearranging the titles) to create a poem.

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*Book Spine Poetry

It’s a kind of poetry that you don’t really write from scratch – instead, you “find” it by arranging book titles to make a poem. This type of poem can be serious or funny, just like in regular poetry.

Some fun images of book spine poems can be found here.

Ten Valentine Reads (with *kilig* excerpts)

“There is no mistaking a real book when one meets it. It is like falling in love…” ― Christopher Morley

Today is The Broke and the Bookish‘ Valentine’s-inspired Top Ten Tuesday! Funnily, though, I published my own Top 10 Novels to Read on Valentine’s last year (plus Top 10 movies!).

So… for a change… I will be sharing with you my ten recent reads perfect for the love season plus words from each book that made me grin and of course made me *kilig*! ❤

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FYI: 

kilig (A Filipino word with no direct English translation).

1. noun. It is the sudden feeling of an inexplicable joy one gets when something romantic or idealistic occurs.

When kilig, one may experience the following:

*butterflies in one’s stomach
*heart melting
*shivers down one’s spine
*irrepressible noises from one’s mouth
*uncontrollable smiling
*an inner conflict between hope of something wished for and reality

—

Here are the Ten Valentine Reads with some heartfelt excerpts! ❤

1. Love & Misadventure by Lang Leav

First Love

Before I fell

in love with words, 

with setting skies

and singing birds-

it was you I fell

in love with first.

2. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

“Letters are just pieces of paper,” I said. “Burn them, and what stays in your heart will stay; keep them, and what vanishes will vanish.”

3. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

“…Why would I want to watch other people kissing,” I say, “when I could be kissing you?”

4. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

“I miss you.”
“That’s stupid,” she said. “I saw you this morning.”
“It’s not the time,” Levi said, and she could hear that he was smiling.” It’s the distance.”

5. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

“You have been in every way all that anyone could be.… If anybody could have saved me it would have been you.”

6. See Me by Nicholas Sparks

In the end, the only one you can ever really please is yourself. How others feel is up to them.

7. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

In my head I know I’ve been in love before, but it doesn’t feel like it. Being in love with you is better than the first time. It feels like the first time and the last time and the only time all at once.

8. Every Day (Every Day, #1) by David Levithan

The moment you fall in love feels like it has centuries behind it, generations – all of them rearranging themselves so this precise, remarkable intersection could happen. In your heart, in your bones, no matter how silly you know it is, you feel that everything has been leading to this, all the secret arrows were pointing here, the universe and time itself crafted this long ago, and you are just now realizing it, you are just now arriving at the place you were always meant to be.

9. Stargirl (Stargirl, #1) by Jerry Spinelli

“You liked me.”
I smiled.
“You were smitten with me. You were speechless to behold my beauty. You had never met anyone so fascinating. You thought of me every waking minute. You dreamed about me. You couldn’t stand it. You couldn’t let such wonderfulness out of your sight. You had to follow me.”
I turned to Cinnamon. He licked my nose. “Don’t give yourself so much credit. It was your rat I was after.”
She laughed, and the desert sang.”

10. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

“He was contemplation and enthusiasm. Ambition and strong coffee. I could have looked at him forever.”

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Words and photo credit: Goodreads

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What are you reading this love month?

Have your read some of these?

Let’s talk!

🙂

❤

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Best Read Books of 2015

Out of 48 books read last year, only eleven (11) were given five stars. And they are…

Mystery/Thrillers

The Pelican Brief  by John Grisham

With twists and turns I have never predicted, this book made me an automatic fan of John Grisham.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

A book I have written a full-length review is surely a special one. I just love the melancholic and creepy story told by a unique storyteller.

Defending Jacob by William Landay

Insanely creepy yet touches realistic emotions of a family. The ending will surely give you goosies!

1st to Die (Women’s Murder Club, #1)  by James Patterson

I’ve been a Patterson fan and this book surely did not disappoint. With red herrings all over the place, he’ll surprise you with a twist you didn’t see coming.

Contemporary Fiction

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

I am not actually a  fan of medical drama novels but this one really moved me. Lisa Genova was able to tell the horrors of Alzheimer’s disease with candor, braveness and emotional softness. It’s just exquisitely done, definitely moving.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

If you think this is a typical infidelity/love affair novel, think again. Liane Moriarty’s well-told story about a broken marriage without the usual cheating issues will make you a fan.

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

The ending of this Jodi Picoult masterpiece still lingers on me a year after I finished it. As my 100th read book and with its special story about motherhood and elephants, this is indeed one of the best novels that I have read last year.

Young Adult

Every Day (Every Day, #1) by David Levithan

The unique premise and the subtle complexity of the characters will really grip you and make you read this mysterious yet heartwarming novel in one seating. David Levithan is surely an author worth reading.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Its cover will pique your interest but it is the rawness of the story inside that will give you a major book hangover. It took me two days to brush off the roller coaster of emotions that Jennifer Niven has given me. P.S. Get tissues once you reach the last chapters.

Historical/Adult Fiction

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

A book worthy of its Pulitzer Prize award. A novel written in eloquent prose poetic paragraphs equipped with vivid imagery and breathtaking metaphors. Every readers should brave the more than 500-pages, because this is a novel truly worth reading.

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

I am definitely a Mitch Albom fan, but that is not the sole reason why this book gained five stars. It’s how the simple words were written in such a gorgeous way. It’s how every paragraph breathes the story. It’s how the end of each chapters that’ll make you gasp with surprise or melancholy. This book is great, really great.

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©2016Rosemawrites@A Reading Writer. All Rights Reserved.

Photo credit: Favim and Goodreads

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What are the best books that you’ve read last year?

What book in this list piqued your interest?

I would love to know!

❤

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’m Dying to Read

You’ll be counting every second of the day once your favorite author announces the release of his new book. – rosemawrites

The Broke and the Bookish said today’s Top Ten Tuesday is FREE! So I browse their previous list and here’s what I’ll be doing today:

September 15: Books I’m Dying to Read

You all know that I am really really excited for the last quarter of 2015 as my two favorite authors Nicholas Sparks and Mitch Albom will be releasing their new books in the coming months!

So before I get too giddy… here’s the 10 books that I am dying to read!

1. Eyes of Justice (Triple Threat, #4) by by Lis Wiehl and April Henry

This is the fourth novel of Lis and April’s Triple Threat Series!

2. Another Day (Every Day, #2) by David Levithan

I have said for so many times how much I loved Every Day (Every Day, #1) so I am super excited to know what happened to ‘him’ and to Rhiannon.

3. Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike, #3) by Robert Galbraith (Pseudonym), J.K. Rowling

Now on its third novel, Robert Galbraith or should I say J.K. Rowling have engrossed me big time with Cormoran Strike’s story! So please come soon, October 20, 2015!

4. Never Never: Part Three (Never Never, #3) by by Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher

This book has no cover photo yet and the expected release is on 2016! After 2 books, Colleen and Tarryn just left us reader with more questions about Silas and Charlie!!!

5. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

As a debut YA novel, I am quite intrigued on what this book is all about. 🙂

6. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews  

I have watched the trailer of this book’s movie version so I am quite interested on this book. I have read a lot of great reviews about this novel as well! 😀

7. The Small Backs of Children by Lidia Yuknavitch

This book has its own fair share of great raves and too negative feedbacks. That’s what makes it more intriguing.

8. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

This book caught my attention after I have read reviews from my fellow book bloggers Jenna and Arianna. After reading their thoughts, I think I would want to try this new YA! 

And of course! You all know the last two slots are for Nicholas and Mitch. (Fangirling, yes oh yes!)

9. See Me by Nicholas Sparks

I voted for the cover of this book and I just can’t wait anymore! This will be released on October 13!

10. The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto: A Novel by Mitch Albom

I have signed in an exclusive email for Mitch Albom books called Shelved with a hope of winning an advance signed copy of this super great novel! This will be This will be out on November 15!

This photo explains what I am feeling now! Right now! 😀

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Share your most anticipated book releases with me too! 😀

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2015 Reading Challenge Update: A (photo)graphic novel (35th)

“You don’t know me. You know one me, just like I know one you. And you can’t know every me, and I can’t know every you.” – Evan

Here’s another update for my 2015 Reading Challenge!

A graphic novel (35th) –  Every You, Every Me by David Levithan

I am not really fond of graphic novels/comics. I have also a hard time in picking a book that will suit this category.

Until I read this novel. Every You, Every Me is supposedly my book with antonyms (me and you are antonyms right? :))

But when I read David Levithan’s acknowledgement part, I have confirmed that this is indeed a photographic novel. So, voila! (If you have violent reactions that will be fine with me ;))

So there.

I will be writing a review for this awesome novel soon!!!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Finished Series I Have YET to Finish

It takes a lot of interest and patience to be able to finish a book series. – rosemawrites

I know a lot will agree with me on that. Unless you are really so engrossed with a book, you will not be able to finish a whole series.

Today’s The Broke and the Bookish Top Ten Tuesday is related to these thoughts.

September 8:  Ten Finished Series I Have YET to Finish (topic first done in 2012)

I have some ‘abandoned’ book series and I also have some unfinished sequels because there are just a loooot of ’em. (I’m talking about James Patterson’s.)

I am not sure if I can supply 10 unfinished series, so I consulted my ever-reliable Goodreads account.

So here’s the result:

1. Triple Threat Series by Lis Wiehl and April Henry

READ: Face of Betrayal (Triple Threat, #1), Hand of Fate (Triple Threat, #2) and Heart of Ice (Triple Threat, #3)

TO BE READ: Eyes of Justice (Triple Threat, #4)

I enjoyed this murder mystery series and the only reason I was not able to finish this yet, is because I am wrapping up my 2015 Reading Challenge. 🙂

2. East Salem Series by Lis Wiehl and Pete Nelson

READ: Waking Hours (East Salem, #1) and Darkness Rising (East Salem, #2)

TO BE READ: Fatal Tide (East Salem, #3)

This series is also engrossing. Well, Lis Wiehl is actually one of my favorite mystery writers.

3. Every Day series by David Levithan

READ: Every Day (Every Day, #1)

TO BE READ: Another Day (Every Day, #2)

I consider Every Day as one of the best books that I have read this year so I will definitely read its sequel! Soon!

4. Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld

READ: Uglies (Uglies, #1) and Pretties (Uglies, #2)

NOT READ: Specials (Uglies, #3) and Extras (Uglies, #4)

I have nothing against Scott Westerfeld and those fans of this YA series but I have no plans of finishing this novel any more. I loved the premise, but Tally, the main character, is just annoying. This is just my opinion, though. 🙂

5. Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith (Pseudonym), J.K. Rowling

READ: The Cuckoo’s Calling (Cormoran Strike, #1) and The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike, #2)

TO BE READ: Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike, #3) (will be out on October 20, 2015!)

J. K. Rowling is indeed a genius writer. I cannot help but admire her. I haven’t read, or watch, any Harry Potter yet but this mystery and crime series is enough for me! 🙂 (I don’t mean any harm to those Potter fans. 🙂 )

6. Roy Grace series by Peter James

READ: Dead Man’s Time (Roy Grace, #9)

TO BE READ: Dead Simple (Roy Grace, #1), Looking Good Dead (Roy Grace, #2), Not Dead Enough (Roy Grace, #3), Dead Man’s Footsteps (Roy Grace, #4), Dead Tomorrow (Roy Grace, #5), Dead Like You (Roy Grace, #6), Dead Man’s Grip (Roy Grace, #7), Not Dead Yet (Roy Grace, #8), Want You Dead (Roy Grace, #10) and You Are Dead (Roy Grace, #11)

Woah! I was not aware that the Dead Man’s Time is part of a series, big series I mean! It seems I have a lot of reading to do after the 2015 reading challenge… 😀

7. Fifty Shades series by E.L. James

READ: Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1) and Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades, #3)

NOT READ: Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty Shades, #2)

Yep. I have read half of Fifty Shades of Grey and the entire Fifty Shades Freed. But that doesn’t mean I am a fan. It’s curiosity plus the teenage me that fantasizes a ‘rich-knight-in-shining-armor’ thing. But I am done with that and I will not read any book from this series. #NoJudgment 😀

Here comes the never-ending list of book series by the mystery/crime/thriller master, Mr. James Patterson.

8. Women’s Murder Club Series with Maxine Paetro

READ: 1st to Die (Women’s Murder Club, #1) and 12th of Never (Women’s Murder Club, #12)

TO BE READ: 2nd Chance (Women’s Murder Club, #2), 3rd Degree (Women’s Murder Club, #3), 4th of July (Women’s Murder Club, #4), The 5th Horseman (Women’s Murder Club, #5), The 6th Target (Women’s Murder Club, #6), 7th Heaven (Women’s Murder Club, #7), The 8th Confession (Women’s Murder Club, #8), The 9th Judgment (Women’s Murder Club, #9), 10th Anniversary (Women’s Murder Club, #10), and 11th Hour (Women’s Murder Club, #11)

9. Private series

READ: Private L.A. (Private, #7)

TO BE READ: Private (Private, #1), Private London (Private, #2), Private Games (Private, #3), Private: #1 Suspect (Private, #4), Private Berlin (Private, #5), Private Oz (Private, #6), Private L.A. (Private, #7), Private India (Private, #8), Private Vegas (Private, #9), Private Sydney and Private Paris (Private, #11)

10. Alex Cross series

READ: Cross My Heart (Alex Cross, #21)

TO BE READ: There’s a lot! Here’s the Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/40543. 🙂

I am a huge fan of James Patterson but I’m afraid it will take me a loooong time before I can say that I have read all his novels! Every piece is worth your time, though. 🙂

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Woah! I’m surprised that I was able to complete those 10 spots! Whew!

I am really enjoying this book meme!

How about you? 🙂

Till next time!

~

2015 Reading Challenge Update: 32nd and 33rd books

A book with non-human characters and a book with more than 500 pages.

It has been a long time since I published an update for my 2015 Reading Challenge. It is because my reading pace has slowed down 😦 because my writing job is just so draining.

On a positive note, here are my recent reads for these categories:

A book with non-human characters (32nd) – Every Day by David Levithan

Synopsis: Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

I consider the main character of this awesome book a non-human because I can’t even determine what should I call him/her or it.

But that doesn’t mean this novel by David Levithan is not great. It is actually unique and thought-provoking. I cannot wait for the sequel, actually! 🙂

A book with more than 500 pages – The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Synopsis: It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

It took me also a month to finish this book because of my busy schedule and because of its more than 500 pages.

On the other hand, The Book Thief is not short on sense and depth. It is one of those few books that can move you not in a so blatant manner.

Zusak has subtly described the violence during the Holocaust era in Germany and his main character, Liesel, and his storyteller, Death (yes, you’re reading it right), makes this story an emotionally gripping novel.

(I will be posting my review for this book soon.) 🙂

So there!

Till my next update. 🙂

~

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Auto-Buy Authors

First impressions are meant to last, especially with books and authors.

I have proven that after I first read a Nicholas Sparks novel, A Walk to Remember, and a Mitch Albom book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

Because the first Sparks and Albom novels that I read were both great, these two have become my favorite scribblers since then.

On the other hand, there are also some authors that I will not read again after a not-so-good first read.

Now, here are my top 10 auto-buy authors who like Sparks and Albom, have written awesome novels that made me want to read more of their stories.

I also included the first books that I have read from these authors as well as my top recommended reads from them.

Credits to The Broke and the Bookish for hosting this awesome book meme! ❤

(This list is not ranked.)

1. Alice Sebold

Genres: Literature & Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs
First read: The Lovely Bones
Books read: The Lovely Bones
Recommended: The Lovely Bones
What I love about her: Her unique way in presenting her story. Her so realistic yet so moving description of lost, grief, love and peace.

2. Colleen Hoover 

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Humor
First read: Never Never
Books read: Never Never, Never Never: Part Two and Ugly Love
Recommended: Never Never
What I love about her: She knows how to leave you hanging, in a good way. Engrossing, oh yes.

3. David Levithan

Genres: Literature & Fiction, Young Adult, Gay & Lesbian
First read: Every Day
Books read: Every Day
Recommended: Every Day
What I love about him: He can pull-off a seemingly impossible yet gripping premise that will keep you reading until you’re done. His words awake the if’s and how’s of your reading mind.

4. Lisa Genova

Genres: Literature & Fiction
First read: Still Alice
Books read: Still Alice
Recommended: Still Alice
What I love about her: Her expertise in the field of medicine and her in depth knowledge of expressing diverse emotions. She can mix these two and translate it into a beautiful masterpiece.

5. Graeme Simsion

Genres: Fiction, Romance
First read: The Rosie Project
Books read: The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect
Recommended: The Rosie Project
What I love about him: He can create a not so normal but so loveable character. His stories have the right amount of “cheesiness” and quirkiness.

6. James Patterson

Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Young Adult, Romance
First read: Mistress
Books read: Mistress, 12th of Never, The Christmas Wedding, Cross My Heart, First Love, Private L.A. and 1st to Die
Recommended: Mistress and The Christmas Wedding,
What I love about him: He is indeed a master of on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrillers but he can also write touching stories of love.

7. Jojo Moyes

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fiction
First read: Me Before You
Books read: Me Before You
Recommended: Me Before You
What I love about her: She can make me cry.

8. Lis Wiehl

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Fiction
First read:Face of Betrayal
Books read: Face of Betrayal, Hand of Fate, Heart of Ice, A Matter of Trust, A Deadly Business, Waking Hours and Darkness Rising 
Recommended: Heart of Ice and A Deadly Business
What I love about her: Her knowledge in police and investigation technicalities and her expertise in law make her novels thrilling and informative at the same time.

9. Rainbow Rowell

Genres: Literature & Fiction, Young Adult, Romance
First read: Eleanor & Park
Books read: Eleanor & Park and Landline
Recommended: Eleanor & Park
What I love about her: Her imperfect yet relatable characters. Her witty yet compelling storytelling technique. Her books are just so relaxing to read.

10. Paulo Coelho 

Genres: Literature & Fiction, Nonfiction, Biographies & Memoirs
First read: The Alchemist
Books read: The Alchemist, Brida, Aleph, Eleven Minutes, The Devil and Miss Prym, The Winner Stands Alone, Manuscript Found in Accra, The Zahir, Veronika Decides to Die and Adultery
Recommended: The Alchemist, Eleven Minutes and Manuscript Found in Accra,
What I love about him: Genius in writing wise words. Most of his books are spiritually moving.

BONUS

Yep. I know you know this is coming. 🙂

Of course, Albom and Sparks will be included in this list! ❤

Mitch Albom

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Literature & Fiction, Sports
First read: The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Books read: For One More Day, The First Phone Call from Heaven, Have a Little Faith: a True Story, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Time Keeper and The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Recommended: Tuesdays with Morrie, The First Phone Call from Heaven, Have a Little Faith: a True Story
What I love about him: Moving. Truthful. Inspiring. May it be fiction or non-fiction, Mitch Albom always has a full-of-sense words that go beyond the pages of his stories. It sinks into your mind and into your heart.

Nicholas Sparks

Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
First read: A Walk to Remember
Books read: The Last Song, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Best of Me, The Longest Ride, Dear John, The Choice, Message in a Bottle, The Notebook (The Notebook, #1), The Wedding (The Notebook, #2), The Guardian, True Believer (Jeremy Marsh & Lexie Darnell, #1), At First Sight (Jeremy Marsh & Lexie Darnell, #2), The Rescue, The Lucky One, Nights in Rodanthe, A Walk to Remember, Safe Haven, and A Bend in the Road.
Recommended: Message in a Bottle, Safe Haven, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Longest Ride, The Choice, The Wedding (The Notebook, #2), At First Sight (Jeremy Marsh & Lexie Darnell, #2),  and Nights in Rodanthe
What I love about him: Master of love and lost stories. Master of heart-tugging lines. He is that one author that you can love and hate all at the same time. Prepare yourself for that unexpected ending, because he is also an expert in writing surprising twists.

So there!

Please share me your thoughts! ❤

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