#Review: Turtles All the Way Down - John Green

Rating: 

5/5 Book Emojis!

A post shared by Ａｒｊｕｎ　Ｒａｎｄｈａｗａ (@bookreviewtemple) on Oct 16, 2017 at 8:44am

 Format(s) Used-

-Hardcover

Publisher - Penguin Random House

Pages - 286

-Audiobook

Publisher - PRH Audio

Length - 7 hours 12 minutes

Review:

"One of the challenges with pain - physical or psychic- is that we can really only approach it through metaphor. It can't be represented the way a table or a body can. In some ways, pain is the opposite of language."

Turtles All the Way Down is an exceptional book narrated by Aza Holmes, a teen girl who struggles with OCD while finding the whereabouts of the missing billionaire Russel Pickett in return for a cash reward of $100,000. It revolves around the important issue of mental-illness that is not talked about, enough, due to the stigma. 

I can't stress enough on how much I loved this book. This is definitely one of my most favorite books of all time without a doubt. The writing style is absolutely perfect and really different. Surely, John has written this better than all of his other books. Turtles... is the best book I've read in years and I am so very grateful to the author for writing this brilliant story. I laughed, cried and felt emotions that I didn't even know I existed!

As a reader, I could absolutely feel the kind of pain and agony Aza was in, thanks to the talent that John Green holds. Every sentence in this story is so quotable and immensely poetic that I am still in awe to realize that this is written in the very same century as me. Characters like Aza's best friend Aza, the billionaire's son Davis etc are really well-written. More than just a book, this felt like a classic theatrical performance. Not once in the story did I feel like I was even slightly bored. Instead, with every chapter, I just praised the flow of language.

 

]Sentences like "And as I sat beneath fluorescent cylinders spewing aggressively artificial light, I thought about how we all believed to be the hero of some personal epic. when in fact we were basically identical organisms colonizing a vast and windowless room that smelled of Lysol and lard" made me sigh with affection and amazement. 

There's nothing that could've been better in this masterpiece. I just hope that I come across more books written at least a fraction like this.

CONCLUSION: I want this book to get so much recognition and awards that it truly deserves. The six years spent in writing this were worth every second. I definitely recommend this to any person who can read and can appreciate quality literature. 

#Review: The Secret History of Us - Jessi Kirby

Rating:          

                                  3/5 Book Emojis

A post shared by Ａｒｊｕｎ　Ｒａｎｄｈａｗａ (@bookreviewtemple) on Sep 9, 2017 at 11:41am PDT

Format Used:

- Paperback

Publisher- HarperCollins India

Imprint - HarperTeen

Pages- 288

Review:

*Note: A physical copy of this book was sent to me by HarperCollins India  for an unbiased review. The views expressed below are solely my own. Thanks to the publisher for the copy!

"I died for a few moments and came back missing years of my life. That there are years of my life I've lived that I do not remember. Years that still feel like they're ahead of me. Days I was looking forward to. Big moments I've already had. They're gone. Like they were never mine."

The Secret History of Us is a book about a teen girl named Olivia who wakes up in a hospital after a near-fatal drowning accident with absolutely no memory of the past four years. The most important high school years. 

Liv has to piece whatever information she gets about her past self that has shaped her into the person she sees in the mirror, while understanding that there's nothing she can do to change it. Then, there is Walker. The guy who saved her but now has suspiciously distanced himself from her. The more she tries to investigate, more the image gets blurry. 

The book is a quick read with no significant quotable lines which is a major drawback. However, not once during the course of my reading did I feel the need to give up. That's only because the reader has that undying thirst to find out why things are they way they are. The characters are good and strong in their importance in the story. But, they're unfortunately not that greatly written. From the blurb, anyone would've bet that this story would be phenomenal but is let down by the time they reach the back cover.

The ending is also not that amazing, per se, but provides enough closure to the reader. Writing style is a major aspect of a good story which lacks behind with great margins in this case. 

CONCLUSION: Being a short read, this qualifies as an ideal book for someone looking for a contemporary Young-Adult for some lite-reading... But, I suggest you to not have great expectations from the blurb.

A post shared by Ａｒｊｕｎ　Ｒａｎｄｈａｗａ (@bookreviewtemple) on Sep 4, 2017 at 9:31am PDT

#Review: They Both Die at the End - Adam Silvera

Rating:

4/5 Book Emojis!

A post shared by Ａｒｊｕｎ　Ｒａｎｄｈａｗａ (@bookreviewtemple) on Aug 20, 2017 at 6:27am PDT

Format Used:

- Ebook

Publisher- HarperCollins US
Advance Reader's Edition
Pages- 384

Review:

*Note: An e-copy of this book was sent to me by HarperTeen (via Edelweiss) for an unbiased review. The views expressed below are solely my own. Thanks to the publisher for the copy!

"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live." - Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor

They Both Die at the End is the story set in a world where you are alerted by 'Death-Cast' on the day you're going to die. It, however, can't tell how you're going to meet your end. The book is narrated by two boys - Mateo and Rufus who've been alerted on September 5 at midnight that at any point within 24 hours, they're going to die.

Mateo is an eighteen year old who lives with his dad and spends most his time in his bedroom. On the other hand, there's Rufus, who is a bisexual seventeen year old living in a foster home with his friends to a tough upbringing. Their worlds collide through the Last Friend App they both seek to find someone to give them company on their final day alive.


Being a super-fan of Adam Silvera, getting to read anything he writes- from his books to even Instagram captions, is a pure pleasure. They Both... is no exception. The book is written with so much love and from such a pure place of the author's heart, that it reflects with each chapter. The special traits, likes, dislikes, back stories etc of each character is so well-thought and lovingly detailed that it is almost impossible to not get instantly attached to each of them. The plot takes place on a single day, but still Adam has managed to make it progress appropriately fast or slow wherever required. The concept of this book is absolutely brilliant and there's no way anyone who reads the blurb wouldn't feel the need to get a copy of this book.



For me, the writing style seemed pretty well, but not as poetic and perfectly worded as I expected from an Adam Silvera novel. The book started off with a perfect pace that was enough to keep me hooked for long. The character development is brilliant and commendable. I expected this story to be told alternatively by the protagonists, but to my delight, there were chapters revolving around other characters. Each and every character leaves an important mark in the story. The timing of every important event in the book is perfect and leads the story to it's poignant end.


By the end of the book, we understand the importance of each character and their respective depths in the story. As for the bigger picture, a reader understands how we're not fortunate enough to get as many perfect moments with loved ones and how unreliable time is. When I finished the book, I could feel what message the author wanted me to get - loud and clear. The ending of the book isn't as thrilling or soul-crushing as I would've wanted it to be. But still, it is powerful.

CONCLUSION: There's absolutely no way that you should miss out on reading a book about a world like this, especially when it is written by my bookish husband/ruler of the kingdom of broken hearts. :)

A post shared by Ａｒｊｕｎ　Ｒａｎｄｈａｗａ (@bookreviewtemple) on Sep 5, 2017 at 10:39am PDT

#Review: We Are Okay - Nina LaCour

Rating:                       3.5/5 Book Emojis!

 

A post shared by Arjun Randhawa (@bookreviewtemple) on Jun 3, 2017 at 3:22am PDT

Format(s) Used:

- Paperback

Publisher- Dutton Books (Penguin)
International Edition
Pages- 234

- Ebook

Publisher- Dutton Books
Pages- 240

Review:

*Note: A copy of this book was sent to me by Penguin Random House (US International) for an unbiased review. The views expressed below are solely my own. Thanks to the publisher for the copy!

"These are all the things that change a person. If we endure them and we aren't changed, then something is wrong."

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour is the story of a teenage California girl named Marin who lived with her Gramps, after her only parent - her mother- drowned when Marin was very little, until something happened that changed everything and turned her life upside down. She's forced to leave everything behind except her phone, wallet and a photo of her mother, without even letting her only best friend - Mabel - know the gory details.


Through the course of the book, the reader gets to know how badly Marin has been hit by the haunting of her tragic past that she always seemed to pretend to be absolutely normal until she's faced with the reality of her absolute loneliness. After her entire college leaves her behind for winter break, Marin tries to finds out ways to escape the slow-killing solitude. Months after ignoring the hard efforts of Mabel trying to contact her best friend, she's finally coming to visit whatever's left of Marin after the incidents. Now, she's forced to reveal everything.


The story of Marin's past runs parallel with the one of her present but not exactly - as they are not alternatively placed as chapters in the book- which is a negative point. The writing style is very good but not quite exceptional which seems like injustice to such a wonderful story. But, it doesn't change the fact that Marin's state is something that very strongly gets to the reader. Certain elements of the story are quite personal and very appealing. These are perfect enough to get you hooked.


This book gives a very important message too, that loneliness isn't all that glamorous as the media shows it to be. The way poets describe it, isn't too accurate either. Loneliness is a state of mind triggered by various other events like the ones Marin reveals in the book. This is followed by the constant tiredness, hopelessness and guilt that she is inevitably come to terms with. I'm absolutely sure that any reader who's sensitive enough to understand this, will appreciate the book just as much as I did, or hopefully even more.


CONCLUSION: We Are Okay is a very good story which could've been written a bit better but what it also is, is an important story, as a result of its realistic nature. I know that somewhere down the lane, I'll be reading it again with the exact same hole in my heart that it left the first time.

A post shared by Arjun Randhawa (@bookreviewtemple) on May 26, 2017 at 4:29am PDT

#Review: Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher

Rating:  + 

                 5/5 Book Emojis 

A post shared by 📚Arjun Randhawa•⚯͛Hufflepuff⚯͛ (@bookreviewtemple) on Apr 8, 2017 at 3:44am PDT

Format:

- Paperback

Publisher- Penguin Publishers

Pages- 288

Review:

"As the stories go by, one by one, I find myself relieved when my name isn't mentioned. Followed by a fear of what she hasn't said yet, of what she's going to say, when my turn comes. Because my turn is coming. I know that. And I want it to be over with. What did I do to you, Hannah?"

Thirteen Reasons Why is the story of Hannah Baker, a new girl in High School who commits suicide after a series of tragic events that took place in her life. She doesn't leave a note or any goodbye. Or is there something? It all comes into play when Clay Jensen receives a wrapped shoebox on his doorstep with seven cassettes tapes and a total of thirteen reasons that led her to taking the decision of swallowing a handful of pills to end it, once for all. A rumor, based on a kiss, is just the beginning.

Thirteen stories about thirteen people in her life. The rules are pretty simple. There are only two. Rule number one: you listen. Number two: you pass it on. Hopefully, neither one will be easy for you (from Cassette 1: Side A)

I started reading this book after getting notified about the Netflix adaptation that got released on March 31st. The excitement was all the more thrilling when I decided to watch each episode along with each chapter. Unfortunately, by the fifth episode, I realised that the show is pretty different from the book and I shouldn't let the show change my opinion about the book.

The writing style is quite exceptional and the author is able to tell the very important story to us all in less than 300 pages. Jay Asher has aced in dealing with such an important issue like Teen-Suicide through the means of this fast-paced and thrilling plot. The book is definitely a perfect combination of what a Young Adult book should consist of - humor (wherever possible), moments gushing with the power of adrenaline, grief, romance and most importantly, the hope for a better tomorrow.


Hannah surely strives hard to make her way out of the mud in high school and to the utter sorrow of all of us readers, she fails miserably. Clay's character is also perfectly written as a high school wallflower boy who tries too hard to figure his place out in the fast-paced life that revolves around him. The rest of the characters that come into play in this book are really very strong and Jay hasn't compromised at all in making their importance felt. By the end of this book, I'm sure, the readers will sympathise with Hannah and be left with hope for every other person mentioned in this story. The inevitable aftermath of this book will be much-required conversations about mental health and our need to curb the stigma surrounding it.


CONCLUSION: Not only did I absolutely love this book, but also, I want to share the love with everyone. This is a very important story that I believe every person should read, to understand the need to deal with Mental Health, High School bullying and also that depression is not a fault in a person's character but in their chemistry.

A post shared by 📚Arjun Randhawa•⚯͛Hufflepuff⚯͛ (@bookreviewtemple) on Feb 21, 2016 at 8:56am PST

#BookishMerch from Create Explore Read

Hello reader fam!

Today, I want to tell you about this amazing company called 'Create Explore Read' by the also amazing - Emilie, where you can satisfy all your bookish needs for bookmarks, mugs, tote bags, t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases and many more items with BEAUTIFUL bookish prints.

I'll never tell you to get something unless I've used it myself and hence, this store is #ArjunApproved. 

A post shared by 📚Arjun Randhawa•⚯͛Hufflepuff⚯͛ (@bookreviewtemple) on Jan 3, 2017 at 3:46am PST

As you can see in the photo above, I've tried (and loved) the book mark, the sticker and the mug. Expecto Patronum bookmark is absolutely gorgeous and it has a canvas-like texture to it. The 'Always' mug is perfect for all coffee lovers and Harry Potter fans.

You can get the merch for yourself from her following stores:

1. Society6 - (Join Society6 using THIS LINK and get FREE $10 on a purchase of $40) 

2. RedBubble

3. Etsy

___________________________________________________________________________

• Follow Emilie on her Instagram page where she is currently hosting her 13k giveaway! 
• Also, check out her super cute YouTube channel where she makes really great bookish videos. 

Happy Reading! :)

#Review: History is All You Left Me - Adam Silvera

Rating: 

5/5 Book Emojis 

Format:

- Advance Uncopyedited Edition (ARC)

A photo posted by 📚Arjun Randhawa•⚯͛Hufflepuff⚯͛ (@bookreviewtemple) on Jul 10, 2016 at 9:17am PDT

Review:

*Note: This book was provided to me by Penguin Random House for an UNBIASED review. The views expressed below are solely my own. Thanks for the copy!

"You left us alone. Your death made us each a piece in this awkward puzzle that doesn't completely come together, but it's enough to make out this image: two boys in love with someone who is never coming back." (*quoted from the advance copy: may have been subjected to changes in the final copy)

History is All You Left Me is the story of Griffin who's ex boyfriend Theo died in a drowning accident. Griffin is mourning his death along with Theo's boyfriend Jackson, who might be the only person who'd understand what Griffin is going through. But, Griffin and Jackson have their own versions of the history that Theo left them, that they need to share.

The story runs parallely between History and Today: History being the memories of Theo with Griffin and the story of first love; Today being the time where grief stricken Griffin is going through the period of mourning over the loss, while talking to deceased Theo. The book starts with the funeral as 'Today' and Griffin and Theo falling in love as 'History'. Because of the way the book has been written, you're loving the relationship between the two, at one point and in another you're left to grieve alongside Griffin.

What I feel is that you always need to mentally prepare yourself before starting an Adam Silvera novel because he is an expert in making you smile and sobbing within the course of a few chapters. I was in tears in the first 40 pages, because the author was able to make you understand exactly what Griffin was going through. There are moments of wit that are appropriately placed and there are moments where you just don't want to damage the book with tears. The loss of a loved one is too much for anyone to bear. This is a kind of a book that you've got to read in sittings that you've got to read in sittings that don't have gap days between them because you might risk your interest.

As the story moves forward in time and as we reach the time where Griffin's history with Theo and his death come close, secrets are revealed and Griffin gets to know more about his first love, helping him to move on in life. By the time you near the ending, you're feeling all of these emotions like shock, grief, love, happiness and contentment. You're sad but are left with some hope in your heart that is a perfect way to end this book.

CONCLUSION: I definitely recommend this book. Give Adam Silvera a chance to grab your emotions and take you on an exhilarating ride of #TheFeels!

A photo posted by 📚Arjun Randhawa•⚯͛Hufflepuff⚯͛ (@bookreviewtemple) on Sep 11, 2016 at 11:37am PDT