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text 2017-08-05 12:10
#51 - Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna and the French Kiss (Anna & the French Kiss 1) by Stephanie Perkins (2014) Paperback - Stephanie Perkins

This book is really popular on Booktube and Goodreads and last time I ordered some books, it was kind of cheap so I decided to finally give it a try. I was not disappointed!

 

If you don’t know about this book, it’s the story of Anna, a girl from the States who is sent to study in Paris for one year. I started this book two days after my trip to Paris so it was even better; Anna was discovering many things about Paris that I had just seen the week-end before and it was even more magical. I love it when characters are going to places I’ve seen, which don’t often happen as I’m reading many books taking place in the USA and I’ve never been there (well, I’ve never left Europe actually…). It was so great being able to identify the places she was going to.

 

The story in itself is pretty basic: Anna makes some new friends and one of them is really hot, but the problem is, he has a girlfriend, but Anna kind of starts to fall for him anyway, and she knows it is bad, but she cannot help it. Really typical. But it is written in such a beautiful and simple way, you cannot help but fall in love with this book and its characters. It’s just a story of teenagers falling in love and learning about life and betrayals and disappointments etc.

 

It also approaches the subject of studying abroad, in a country you don’t know, where people speak a different languages and where you do not know anyone; a really amazing but scary experience. I kind of experienced the same myself, well not really as I was older and already knew the language (and stayed in my country), but I studied 6 months in Flanders, which is another region in my country where people speak a different language. It is a different culture, a different language and I did not know anybody there. But it was some of the best months of my entire life and I met some dearest friends there that are so important for me today!

 

Anna’s story is beautiful and heartwarming. I love every page of it and I can’t wait to read the other stories in this series. I really recommend this if you want something exotic (well, Paris may be exotic!) and beautiful.

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review 2017-07-30 20:17
#50 - Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed
Written in the Stars - Aisha Saeed

I saw this book in the new release section on a website one day and decided to give it a try, honestly, just because the cover was pretty. I was not so sure what it was about, but it seemed great so I put it on my Amazon wish list, then I got it for my birthday. I read this for Booktube-A-Thon because it fitted different challenges. I read it in one day, it was so great and so captivating I could not put it down.

 

It was not at all what I expected. It was way better. If you are searching for a nice and beautiful book, do not read it. It is a really dark book but such an important one. I definitely recommend this.

 

This book is about Naila, a girl from Pakistan who lives in the US with her family. Her parents let her choose many things, but they won’t let her choose who she dates (= her husband). Naila is in love with Saif, who is also from Pakistan but there is a scandal surrounding his family and Naila’s parents do not agree with their daughter dating him (or dating anyone in that matter). They then decide to fly to Pakistan to visit their family because they think Naila lost herself. Naila enjoys Pakistan, she finds it great to learn a new way of life, to meet her family and she is having a great time. But she wants to go back home because she misses Saif and her friends.

 

Things will not go as plan during these holidays in Pakistan and Naila is trapped, scared and she cannot believe what her parents did to her, even if they keep on saying it is for her own good.

 

Naila’s story is not unusual, and I loved every page of it. The beginning of the book is so light, I was expecting a book with some teenage drama, but it was not the case at all. It was so dark and so hard to read. I was feeling more and more anxious, and trapped just like Naila. It was scary and made me open me eyes about this reality I’m not familiar with.

 

There was also the question of the parents, are they so bad? Is it a “cultural thing’? Could forced marriage be justified by a culture? Really, I’m not so sure about it. In my opinion, nothing can justify what they did and what is still done every day in some regions of the world. But who are we to judge and to make decisions for other people? It is actually what they do, making decision for other, because they think it is best. Aren’t we doing the same thing? It is a bit confusing and a really hard and complex question. Naila’s relationship with her parents was contentious because of this and you can’t just not hate them for what they did. However, they think they are doing what’s best for their daughter…

 

I definitely recommend reading this book, it will raise many questions in your hear, I’m sure of it.

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review 2017-07-15 09:20
#48 - The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Help - Kathryn Stockett

I feel like I'm reading so many interesting and important books these days. This one was definitely not an exception. 

Seeing the world through Aibileen and Minny's eyes was truly exceptional, I was scared for them, angry at how they were being treated, disgusted by people. And I was impressed by their courage and their will to change something, even while knowing it could be dangerous for them and their family. And I should not forget Skeeter, who is a privileged white lady, and is ready to put these privileges in jeopardy to help those maids. It was truly beautiful. 

Understanding the relationships between the maids and the children they care about was also something. They care about them as if they were their own, even if the parents of these child treat the maids like shit. They are trying to make a difference while educating these children because they know they will turn out like their parents if they don't. 

Mississippi in the 60's was not a good place to live as a colored person. This book is about racism: white people are so sure they are better than black people. It seems so natural for them, it is scary to think it was like that. I do not mean there is no racism anymore today, but it seems so natural in these days. Some people were trying to make a difference, but the majority of people still think black people and white people should be separated. 

Mississippi in those days was neither a good place for a young woman, colored or not. Skeeter is ambitious and wants to pursue a career. She has the privilege of going to college but it seems like she won't be able to use her education, she is destined to be a good little wife, like every woman. They are supposed to live for their husband and reading this as a young woman myself, living in a rich country in 2017, I am so glad it is not the case anymore. I am so grateful for all those people who fought for women's rights, and that thanks to them, I could go to University and start a career. Or I could stay at home and bring up children if I wanted to. 

The main subject of this book is racism and segregation. But there are also other subjects like women condition, upbringing of children, young love, dealing with sickness, betrayal, friendship and so many many more. 

I loved every second of it and I totally recommend this if you haven't read it yet. 

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review 2017-07-12 10:30
#47 - Horizon by Tabitha Lord
Horizon - Tabitha Lord

***Copy provided by Wise Ink Creative Publishing and Netgalley in exchange of a honest review***

 

A book about space, two people coming from different planets falling in love and empathic people who can heal other with their minds. Seems like a lot of fun!

 

And it was. I loved the first part when Caeli meets Derek and she tells him her story. The change between present and flash back was well done and easy to follow. I loved learning more about Caeli's past. 

 

I only gave 3 stars to this book though because the second part was less interesting. I could not really follow what was happening between the different people and why it was happening. I'm not sure if it was not well explained or if I was losing interest, but I did not particularly enjoy the second part.

 

I liked the ending and how it makes you want to know what is going to happen next. But unfortunately, I’m not that excited about learning more. I love the world created by the author, all the different planets, how their societies work etc. but in my opinion, it lacks something to keep my interest.

 

Great characters and great idea behind this book!

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review SPOILER ALERT! 2017-07-11 10:01
#46 - Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas (re-read)
Crown of Midnight - Sarah J. Maas

This was my first Free Friday read and I got 6$ for it, yay!

Bank: 87$

 

This is my second time reading this book and I liked it as much as the first time. There were so many details I forgot, I'm so happy I re-read it. In this book, there are way more hints about how Celaena really is and I don't understand how I did not get it the first time reading it. It seems obivous now (well, of course, I know the answer so it helps...).

 

Celaena has some annoying reactions but she is in pain so that is understandable. We get to know her a bit more but we still don't have a lot of information about her past. Her relationship with Dorian is evolving and I love what they are sharing, I know it will get even better later on so I'm excited. I still don't ship Celaena and Chaol, like at all.

 

So many details about the Witches as well and I need to read Heir of Fire now! The witches storyline is one of my favourite in the entire series. I can't wait for Celaena and Manon to meet...

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