je m'aime

I see the term Weekend Reading on pinterest or bloglovin so often so that I am wondering that... if it's legit post to write?

via UO

For me, weekend reading is the kind of reading to help you release the stress. Weekdays are packed with meetings and deadlines. The only time you get to do what you love is.. weekend time? I, myself, like to read something that I can easily relate to. Like the one I read a while ago Fahrenheit 451, boiling time for governor election in Jakarta. I could peek behind the scene since a lot of people write about it online. What we don't see on the media is the one that shaking me to the core. The greed, the lies, the propaganda, the absence of moral compass. 

Anda Fahrenheit 451 showed the similar terror of the situation at the time. It was totally mind-blowing that the book was released on 1953.

read also: book review

Weekend reading for me this week is Note to Self by Connor Franta. He is known as a vlogger. He's gotten an award for Favorite YouTube Star by People's Choice Awards. Amazing! His favorite vlog reached 2M views. It is hard-earned by a mere vlogger on youtube if not for his high quality video content and his personality.

I don't really watch vlogs from a vlogger that I'm not familiar with. I will list vloggers that I watch sometime in the future.

Since, I am drawn with cinematography mixed great content, I love his video: The Old Me. He's done a great job for that. And then I found out that he released a self-written book (whoa) and I thought why not?

So, my weekend reading is Note to Self by Connor Franta. So far, I've highlighted more than 10 quotes on Bookmate and that's how I know I can relate so much to a book. I just read 2/10 pages. 











And I will continue to read later. 












What is your reading list? Mine is here.









playlist:
Glee - If I Die Young
Dean - Instagram
Anna Kendrick ft. Justin Timberlake - True Colors
NF ft. Britt Nicole - Can You Hold Me
H.E.R - Focus

Lala Bohang just released the second book but I only read the first one. Yet.
The first one is THE BOOK OF FORBIDDEN FEELINGS.

Can you stop being so basic?

It's not uncommon that we, now generation, copy paste someone's style into our own. I understand. But seeing the similar style or vibe in wide spread of people, it's just... making me cringe. Like, you're born to be different but do you try to blend and be the same like others? Basic for me is the term that I'd use to refer to the people who follow the majority of society do or make, because it's just how it's supposed to be (according to the majority of society).
We're born differently, why blending in? As long as you don't do any harm or violate other people, why don't you do it? Why bother to cover your stripes and use matching colors as everyone? Then, when someone is brave enough to wear their stripes, society bash them because 'it's just wrong' or 'that is not our style, where are you from? just go back to where you're from, we don't acknowledge you here'.
That is just sad.

Consist of monochrome color and black pages here and there; sometimes, inner feelings can be projected into a book, with complete with dark color and bitter tastes in the tongue.
Lala Bohang's sketches in this book is too good to be true. She drops her talent into the pages, she bleeds her inner demon onto these papers. Her style, preference, and imagination blends into one. Seeing that she released the second book of this installment, I have to say it's a success!!

Since this book compiles of forbidden feelings, I think you'll find your inner demon in this book. It would make a great weekend read.


Playlist:
Blackbear cover by Manu Rios - Idfc
Salt paper - Satellite
Bruno Mars - Grenade
Frank Ocean - Ivy

I finished reading Fahrenheit 451 last week and I could say that I liked it.
But today, someone on tumblr reblogging the post that they don't like it. And I am like, what, with my eyes almost jumped off the socket. I literally try to see it from different perspective, how can you not like from the book?
Btw, I read it on Bookmate, so I don't have the image of the hard copy. 

quote: I'm going yo do something. I don't know yet, but I'm going to do something big.

The book is classic one. Dated back in 1953. Pretty old huh? But unlike Catcher of the Rye, I can still enjoy the writings. Sorry if I offend anyone, but the writings on COTR is pretty much the same like Princess Diaries. I don't mean to be disrespectful to the COTR (because it's the pioneer and all, it is included on Books That Everyone Should Read At Least Once) but the writing flows too wide that my head cant handle at the moment.
Plus, I cant relate to the character at all. So, I ditch it after finished 14% it.
So, Fahrenheit 451 is the book that is compiled from 3 different short stories. I respect the writer so much because he can mix his different stories to be one great book. Actually, I usually don't do spoiler but I will change my mind now.

Montag, the main character, is a fireman of his times. Instead of putting out the fire, Montag and his crew is starting the fire. The fire to burn the book, the house, and the owner. Book is recited as the virus, the plague, the beginning of something catastrophic. The firemen, under the government order, burn all the books and throw the owner into the jail. But most of the time, the owner choose to die along with their books. 
Book, fiction or not, is deemed as the one who makes people think and act upon their own benefit. And it is unforgivable to have one. 
Government rules on their brain-less citizen who only do things based on what they're told to. If the government say the citizen wear green on Monday, simply because they say so, the citizen will do that. The firemen put the spy around the neighborhood and hunt down anyone who posses books. Any kind of book. 


I see that this country has recruited some citizen to think like this. Even, I got goosebumps from reading this book. Because I could relate sm on this. This critical idea was born on the 1953, it's like Bradbury had the vision of the future. 
We enter the dangerous era. I wish every one of you, who read this review, can pick the right choice. Read more or swallow whatever the authority tells you to.

I've been searching for this book everywhere. I'd buy the hard copy but it's out of my league. I'd search for the kindle edition but no luck. After I installed Bookmate and bought the membership for a year, finally I'd be able to read this gem.





The author is a Canadian poet with Indian blood. She wrote about women and the problems surrounding them; childhood, puberty, abuse, and how to heal. I admit it, it's kinda cringing me to read the earlier chapters. Because I didn't get used to read something so raw and hurtful.
But when it's gotten to following chapter, I know that this book is meant to heal the hurtful experience in the past (the previous chapter and overall life experience).

The book is packed with any kinds of emotion, be it blue, grey, or maroon; that you'll find a piece of you in it. Whether you like it or not, you'll stumble across the quotes inside that will heal your soul that you don't know it's been bleeding all these years.

Enjoy.




Here's my favorites:

you are resilient and you are extraordinary
(rather than i compliment you that you're pretty)
not because i don't think you're pretty
but because you are so much more than that

loneliness is a sign you are in desperate need of yourself

you only belong to yourself

you are the faint line
between faith and
blindly waiting

Spending much times on askfm several years ago (we speak of 2-3 years back), I prettt much know the people with a little bit more famous than average askfm user. Anwita Citriya is one of them. She is known as a girl with  'different' taste in art. She likes this dark enchanting things. People who come to her page, usually ask for manga and movie recommendation and she'll give them that evokes eerie feelings. I dont think I've come across someone like her in any platform that I use. Askfm has this bunch of diverse people with unique traits. But not the kind who just boast around and give negative vibes (at least not the one I follow) but the ones who know what they talk about. And I think, well she's good. Plus, her drawing is flawless. 

She occasionally shares her artwork, piece by piece. Until now, 2017, she releases her self-produced graphic book. Consists of 3 stories that most of you normally experience in life.

I become curious whether she drew it manually or something. Because as long as I follow her askfm, she always had this pen on her hands then made something. Citriya admitted that she drafted the pictures manually, scanned them, then edited them together digitally.
Citriya wanted to test the water by self-producing this very first book. Before I purchase, I was hooked by the mentions of 'free postcard'. I love postcards! Seems like so many people were interested buying the book.

This is what you got when you read it at night with dim light.






My friend scolded me because scared her. I updated instastory reading this book and zoomed in the pictures. Well,  this is how you read it! Thursday night , alone in your bedroom.

Anyway, it is really something to purchase the 1st book of your favorite author. Should I call her author? Or artist? Anyhow, she put her own autograph inside the book. I was thinking to ask her to do it but I kinda forget about it. Thank goodness, she did it. *grins*

Unfortunately, she's closed the 1st batch of the book. And she's eager to make new artwork for her 2nd book. Soon, I hope. She's really gifted with the talent of drawing. Not the cute drawing, but the one that gives you goosebumps. I really like the twist! 

Take a peep of her artwork in instagram (she usually announces her works here), tumblr, and askfm.


PS: I am currently obsessed with graphic book so yeah.

Reading Human of New York (HONY) gets me thinking if I live in wrong city. You know what eccentric shoes, attires that scream freedom, youngsters with unique way of thinking, and all that.



Brandon Stanton, the photographer and sole writer of HONY, meets diverse people with diverse mindset. It's like you get many intersting input into your way of thinking. Unlike in the place where I live, having different mindset means other people can bombard you and try to instill their thought into you so you will think like them. Not everyone does that, I admit that but majority of them. It is frightening how it becomes common thing here, shoving one mindset into someone else. 



I've always wanted to be a photographer. Wander alone, with a rusty backpack, blend into the crowd, observe time, place, an people. No wonder when I found out about HONY (humansofnewyork.tumblr.com) is like meeting an old friend. There is someone who think alike and he even makes it publicly. I am glad that someone able to touch people lives (the ones he took pictures of) and give it to othet people (the ones who see it). So that we know there are people out there with different lives, experinces, and preferences. And that it is okay to be different. Mindset is one thing that changes, but shoving your mindset into someone else is not right. 
Enjoy while you can and give out whatever you want.
These are the top 3 favorite stories of mine.

Finding Raven Cycle book is like finding a diamond. It's an eye-opening and I really really adore the characterization. 

The one where Blue, the female lead, is involved in 4-ways-love, it sounds like regular teenage story. But it is not. On the contrary, the main characters all fall in love a little bit, and at the same time, with each other. 

I read the first book with admiration. I continue to second book with a little bit envy (because Blue has the coolest squad). I finish the third book with a relief breathe. I am now on my fourth book. I don't think I'll finish it anytime soon. I'm busy with... my own mind. I guess.

There is this longing, desperation, attachment, above all, psychic story inside the book. 

I think I have hard time departing with Raven Cycle book. I love it too much. My mind scheme is taking the responsibility: I busy myself reading Sycamore Row recently. Not enough, my left hand is unknowingly reaching to Royal Wedding. I get far and more farther, from Raven King (the fourth book of the series). 

Tumblr has the best fandom of this #trc (the hashtag for The Raven Cycle). They're all an part-time daydreamer and full-time aesthetic lover. For an infp like me, it is practically heaven. I can camp on the hastag for the rest of my life. Because the sprinkles of unicorn dust on each posts with that #trc hashtag. The big three tumblr blog in that fandom (my version): bleuczerny adampairrsh patroiclus.

Magie Stievfater is so genius in writing. I'm not talking about the plot (although it's beautifully polished tbh) but she makes it so easy to write some situation. Like this:

"We need to go," Blue said to Gansey.

Gansey did not question it. Instead, he seemed to instantly divine that this was private and to be left untouched. 

------ Raven King (#4)

The situation happened when Gansey dragged Blue to Aglionby toga party. Gansey could be asking why Blue wanted to leave the party but he didn't. It's like he recognize something from her tone that it was final and he moved so fast to grant her wish.

Favorite quote:
She recognize the strange happiness that came from loving something without knowing why you did, that strange happiness that was sometimes so big that it felt like sadness.

Blue Sargent was pretty in a way that was physically painful to him.

When Gansey was polite, it made him powerful. When Adam was polite, he was giving power away.

                                                         bookswideopen from instagram

As you can see, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz is not about the famous scientist that we learn on high school. No, it is about Aristotle who is half-Mexican going through his high school year. Maybe, it seems like it's not your actual book. I cannot make you read this book. I read the book via Bookmate, and I gave impression: worthwhile. It means that I truly enjoy the book. It takes 2 days to finish because I'm curious how the ending would be. This is the perfect book for you if you're taking a break from reading a thick book but still want to read something light.

Okay, so, the book begins when Ari (the nickname for Aristotle) sitting on the swimming pool. Some guy offers him how to swim (turns out to be Dante) because Ari looks so reluctant to go into the water. Being a Mexican which is marginal race in US and also weird name, Ari and Dante become close in no time.
The book indeed lead us to discover the secret of universe through Ari's eyes. It is perfect to be read in summer time, well that is for another 10 months, I suppose. Simply because it takes place in summer time. But, no, you can read it anytime.
I must say I'm impressed with how laid back Ari is but he definitely clutch something dark inside him. He has nightmares because of it. Well, who doesn't? But knowing Ari's nature, it is almost impossible for his friends to find out the depth of his mind.
Sounds familiar *smirk*.
I can say I finally find the boy version of myself through Ari. It's true. I can relate to most of his thought and conduct. I constantly read books because I hope I find a piece of myself inside the book, to understand myself better (typical INFP).
(whisper) I read Post Office written by Charles Bukowski and I hate it. I cant relate at all.

The family problem, parents' trauma and understanding, mix with sincere and kindness, is the theme for the book. I truly am glad for Jonghyun lead me to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz.
I find 24 worth quotes teehee. These are my top 5:

I have a theory about why moms are so strict, it's because they love us.

Sometimes pain was like a storm that came out of nowhere. The clearest summer morning could end in a downpour. Could end in lightning and thunder.

You could smell the rain the desert even before a drop fell. I closed my eyes. I held my hand out and felt the first drop. It was like a kiss. The sky ws kissing me. It was a nice thought.

I think you love him more than you can bear.

We all fight our own private wars.

Playlist:
Oohyo - Youth (Night)
Tory Kelly - Paper Hearts
Twinbed - Trouble I'm In
Skylar Grey - Coming Home Part II
Love Like This - Kodaline

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I'm so friggin excited. I got the link to read Curse Child on Bookmate App from my aunt. We're an ebook maniac. We often exchange ebooks. Most of our reading list is available digitally. The paperback is too expensive and I cant afford most of it.


These past few months, I've been going to Gunung Agung store and admiring The Last Star hard copy with longing eyes. I cannot read it yet. After finishing Infinite Sea, I supress my need to read the 3rd one. You know, the #1 The 5th Wave, #2 Infinite Sea, #3 The Last Star. The adventure of Cassie and Ringer and the squad to survive in (man-made) apocalypse continue to the third book. Rick Yansey is successful to absorb me into the madness and I'm going crazy because I am not able to read the #3 book. Yet. Everytime, I went to Gunung Agung, the book stares me like crazy. I would go to the shelf, look at the book, and stroke it like it's an expensive jewelry. Yeah, I'm far too broke to buy foreign-published book.

At last, Aunt gives me link about Bookmate App on Android and my life is not the same again. /laugh/ I'm not being dramatic. It is dramatic. I'm grinning like mad when I find that The Last Star is available on Bookmate. I also find a few books that I've been stored under the to-read list (excluding The Last Star):

• Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (I so freakin love her Nephilim story)
• Jenny Han's summer series
• Jennyy Han's Lara Jean series
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Oh, I've been following this tumblr and I often find my fave book written as the book of the week. If I find a post from book quote that I haven't read yet, I'll add the title under my to-read list. And that's how my list is getting big and bigger. I love to drown myself into stories that I'd never have. Reading books is like having adventure around the world in your own place.

Human lacks of good mirrors. It’s so hard for anyone to show us how we look an so hard for us to show anyone how we feel.

When you’re older, you start to see them—the bad kids and the good kids and all kids—as people. They’re just people, who deserve to be cared for. Varying degrees of sick, varying degrees of neurotic, variety degrees of self-actualized.

You keep expecting people not to be themselves.