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The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
Intriguing! (8/2/2020)
Scandalous and intriguing, this book tells the story of Thelma and her life with romance, family, friendship, and high society. The story was woven smoothly with exciting details, the book was hard to put down. Every scene was characterized in such detail that one can imagine it comes to life. I don't follow royal issues and news and I started this book with a sad heart, knowing that Thelma and Prince Edward won't be together, but this book gave me a different perspective. This book gave a perspective in the life of people in high society, the social pressures and problems within. Highly recommended to readers who like anything royal and to those who like scandals and intrigues.
Catherine House: A Novel
by Elisabeth Thomas
Nonsensical Story, Waste of Paper (4/2/2020)
I really tried to read the book until the end. At first, it was fine. The author is just narrating the Catherine House and Ines' time with it. There is something going on inside the House and the author made it clear and dragged me all down to the end. I thought there's going to be a strong revelation but it fell flat. It is so stupid. The main character didn't have any development at all. Sorry, this is not a book I would recommend.
American Dirt: A Novel
by Jeanine Cummins
Both sensitive and strong, a must-read! (11/9/2019)
También de este lado hay sueños. On this side, too, there are dreams.

This has become one of my favorite books of all time since The Storyteller of Jodi Picoult. Cummins wants to tell a story of the victims more than the perpetrators and she successfully delivered it well. American Dirt narrates the plight of migrants from Mexico and Central America, about running away from the life they didn't know they will have to leave behind. Beautifully written with a crisp understanding of the cartels and the migrants' journey to el norte, the novel moves emotions with tales of horror, suffering, love, friendship, loss, and hope. 378 pages of solid skillful storytelling that depicts humanity in its core. Both sensitive and strong, this novel is a must-read!
Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson
A books that makes me ponder (10/31/2019)
Amy is not a lovable character, sure, but her actions were understandable. I like how the story was told. The characters are realistic for me and this book was an easy read/listen. It just flows. Some issues were left out there in the open and the ending is a little lacking but it still felt right for me.

Overall, I like the book and the questions it poses and the issues it left behind. It makes me ponder.
Ordinary Girls: A Memoir
by Jaquira Díaz
Tough to read, non-linear story (10/1/2019)
I struggled to read this book. It was tough to read than I thought it would be because there were a lot of parts that, in my opinion, could have been left out. Storytelling within the chapter was a little bit rough and it could have had a better transition. The story is non-linear, which is fine, but for me, it was really hard to care for the character as much. There are good parts that made me laugh and smile because I could imagine how her adventures and experiences happen as they were told. Overall, I still consider it as a good read.
The Storyteller
by Jodi Picoult
Beautifully written; heartbreaking. (8/10/2019)
The Storyteller tells the stories of Sage, Minka, and Josef and how their lives are intertwined in this greatly written novel. The book has two timelines - the present and the time of the Holocaust. Sage, a baker whose grandmother was a survivor, got befriended by a former SS officer in hopes that she could forgive him and assist him to die (because she is the closest thing to a Jew around the area). I enjoy reading this 460p novel. It comes in 3 parts. If you want to read what happened to the Jews, how they were treated during the war, their lives before the war til the day of the liberation, go to Part Two. It is heartbreaking til the last page of the whole novel. It is beautifully written, I couldn’t say anything more.
Crazy Rich Asians
by Kevin Kwan
Astrid’s story is far better than the main characters’ (8/10/2019)
I expected that I would indulge in decadence of these crazy rich Asians, however, as the story goes it did get a drag to read. The story I liked the most here is Astrid's. It is heartbreaking and good, but the supposedly main characters here... omigosh sooo annoying. I couldn't connect with Rachel. She is an annoying character for me. I mean, I know she experienced a lot but as a smart person she doesn't act so smart at all. Maybe it just goes with the overly dramatic touch of this novel? I don't know. Anyhow, it was nice knowing how crazy rich others can be. Such a waste. :))
The Cuban Affair
by Nelson DeMille
Good book! (8/10/2019)
I really like this book, from beginning to end. The audiobook is very good too. The book's protagonist, Mac, has a very good sense of humor and the character has been very consistent throughout the story. There are annoying characters like in real life, of course, but they are very true to the nature of humans.

There's still open-ended question which I want an answer (more like because I am concerned if Mac and Jack got the money... they deserve it!), however, in life a lot of people don't get what they deserve. Oh well. Overall, I really like this book and you should give it a chance! Very fresh, funny, and an interesting read
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone: 1st Published in UK as Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone
by J.K. (Joanne) Rowling
Waited a decade to read this. It is surprisingly good. (8/10/2019)
Years ago, my classmates were all excited about the Harry Potter book series and I thought it was just a fad. Then came the movies... and surprisingly, until now HP is still very famous and a lot of the people I know speak highly of this book. I got curious and started to read this book.

I was surprised. It is really a good book. It is very nice and easy to read and very enjoyable. I didn't get bored reading every page of the book, which is surprising because I easily get bored with most of the books out there. I even rewatched the movie before I continued with the remaining chapters of the book. The writing is excellent. It answered some of my questions in the movie. Well, of course, the movie just shows highlights of the book. I gave it only four because there are still some questions which are left unanswered, but I think it will be given light in the next books or not... I wouldn't know if I don't read all of them!
Gone Girl: A Novel
by Gillian Flynn
Beautifully written (8/10/2019)
--------- May contain spoilers, maybe? --------

It is beautifully written... and messed up. I feel a little bad for the guy, but he cheated on a sociopath so he kind of deserves it. I know, Amy is a real sociopath and crazy and I feel sorry for the her "victims" (i.e. Hilary and the other guy). I also feel bad for Desi but he is a creepy covertly pushy dude. Did he deserve to be murdered? No. Poor Andi too. It is wrong to have a relationship with a married man, but she is young and naïve and the older man should've known better. She stuck with him but since she is young... she got clingy during the rough hard time for Nick and the relationship had to end.

She is very manipulative and Nick got what was coming for him (since he cheated and he's an asshole). Amy went way too far but you got to admit, she has the balls to get justice from a cheater. Of course it takes two to work on a relationship but you don't just give up. I think Nick is intimidated of Amy cause she's popular thanks to the Amazing Amy and her family's wealthy, on which he was the opposite - he's worked his whole life, etc. What I don't get is why get married with a woman you are intimidated with? Is it just because you think you couldn't do better? Then when everything went wrong, he let his guard down.

It is fked up, okay? But you got to admit that they deserve each other.
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