Holy Cow

Hi, Assalamualaikum

Holy Cow, written by the famous David Duchovny; follows the story of Elsie who starts the tale as an ordinary happy cow. However, everything changes for Elsie one night; the night when she and Mallory went out to meet the bull. Through the window of her owner's house, she sees the family gathering around a Box God (a TV) and this Box God reveals the truth about what really happens to cows, including her mother. This shakes Elsie's understanding of her world to the core.

Motivated by fear and anger, Elsie plans to flee from the farm; this happened after she learned that in India, cows are worshipped and considered to be a sacred animal. Then, after some times, two other farm residents decided to join her in a bid to obtain a better life after they discovered her plans. 

Eventually, a motley crew is formed. Elsie- the once happy cow, Jerry- a grumpy pig who has recently converted to Judaism and change his name to Shalom; and Tom- a suave Turkey who cannot fly but can use his beak to work an iPhone. Toting stolen passports and slapdash human disguises, they head for the airport.

And that is the starting point where everything doesn't make sense. But hey! Who ever said anything like reality upon this book?  This book is really a good book. Elsie is a wise-cracking, pop-culture, reference-dropping, slyly witty narrator; Shalom (Jerry) rejected by his adopted people in Jurusalem that ends up uniting the Israelis and the Palestinians; and Tom, who does eventually learn how to fly - dispenses psychiatric advice in a fake German accent.

I was honestly hooked up with this book like for hours non-stop; thanks to Elsie the narrator. Her character is fabulous and it is entertaining throughout the whole book. I can't stop myself for reading it out loud, especially the part where Elsie condemned humans and their poop. 

Another thing about humans I don't quite get is how disgusted they are with poop, even their own. They can't get away with it fast enough, and whenever they step in ours, they curse and try to get it off their boots really fast. Plus, they think poop is totally funny. Like it's the setup of all these jokes they tell one another. I don't get it, man, it's just poop. Poop and farts. What? That make you uncomfortable? That's your problem, Cochise. We all do it. We all do it lots. No big deal.

Beneath all of the giggles and fun that David Duchovny gives me, he leaves an underlying notion that animals are more than mindless creatures there to serve and feed human race; they all have feelings too. This book, a light-hearted; self-aware; funny; and have so many messages inside- that can makes anyone think deeply about this life;- is a really must have. All the charismatic creatures inside the book will point the way towards a mutual understanding and acceptance that the world desperately needs.

p/s: Sometimes I think David Duchovny is really a cow. He blew me off with the book. I love him more now :p Until then, xoxo :)

Grey

Hi, Assalamualaikum.

I've found it's hard to know a person that doesn't know about the sexy trilogy 50 Shades Of Grey - written by E L James. After her huge success in the book trilogy and the movie itself, she finally made this - Grey; the book as told by Christian Grey.

We all know the backstory behind Christian's need for Dominance, and I was hoping for more insight from Christian's perspectives. I mean, we know about his current world already; neat, disciplined and utterly empty; until the day that he met Anastasia Steele. I just hoping that ELJames wrote more; let me know more about him.

I appreciate it that I am now know a bit deeper about Christian's nightmare, and what occurred in his few years of life- before meeting Anastasia but I found there was something lacking in retelling of all the events; it's somehow blurry to me. The details; supposedly told from Christian's perspectives are limited. And inadequate; for a four years old him to comprehend. 

The author should let the readers know more about Christian's relationship with Leila and Mrs Robinsan a.k.a Elena. These kind of history in his would have made the storyline a little more exciting and revealing as to the how and why he is as he is now. The past events should be as important as the current event and the details are limited to what the readers are exposed - given that we are supposed to be in his thoughts and emotions.

Christian with Anastasia - the current event. We can see to what extent Christian's jealousy and insecurity control a good portion of his needs to dominate, to build up his current lifestyle , his needs and all; I am sure anyone who bought this book expected it to be a man's thoughts full with wanting and all ; but sadly, all ELJames gave was repeated sex scenes from her first book and to me, honestly is so dull. Repetitive description about the sex scenes are not sexy.

The great thing about the book is only the ending. The original story ended with Anastasia leaving him after he whipped her with a belt but in this book, it carried on showing him falling apart and then try to resolve on how to win Anastasia back. I love the trilogy, yes I do; so much - but there are no new revelations in Grey and I am honestly disappointed with it.

I hate to give a bad review about a book from an author that I like, but it is what it is. I don't recommend anyone to buy or even read this book. Because reading the trilogy is enough if you really need to understand Christian's mindset. The original trilogy was quite revealing enough and Grey, in my opinion; adds nothing new to the original plot.

You can read the original trilogy here :-

Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Freed

p/s: If ELJames did want to publish another two books from Christians's perspectives, I hope she can do it better than Grey. Until then. xoxo

Memories

Hi, Assalamualaikum

Memories is the third poetry compilation book written by Lang Leav. A bit different from her past two books, Memories presented with a gorgeous hardcover gift book, ribbon marker and cloth spine! This new gorgeous looking compilation form includes 35 new poems that have not been published anywhere; also featuring her hand-picked pieces from Lullabies and Love & Misadventure. The author's original arts are also presented in a different way - lovely four color illustrations.

Lang Leav always makes me drowning with her words and thoughts. Upon opening this book, I saw only me and my past experiences; it feels like reading them again and again with all the memories that we once had together. It really feels like someone actually wrote something for me; of what I really feel inside.

Aside from Lang Leav's words that are never fail to strike me, there are also some issues occur in the book. 

Firstly, Lang Leav brought in along the poems from her other books. To me, this is unnecessary. She has 35 new poems and proses, why not just let it be a new book? She doesn't has to include her past write-ups just to make a thick book; which lead to the second issue. 

The pricing. Personally, I think this book was a little overestimated and overpriced because of the success of her previous books. But, because of my deep feelings on - a great poet should not write just to succeed in marketing; I am honestly somehow in between joy and regret about purchasing the book.

Below, is one of my favorite from the 35 new poems.

The Rose

Have you ever loved a rose,

and watched her slowly bloom;

and as her petals would unfold,

you grew drunk on her perfume.

Have you ever seen her dance,

her leaves all wet with dew;

and quivered with a new romance,

the wind, he loved her too.

Have you ever longed for her,

on nights that go on and on;

for now, her face is all blur,

like a memory kept too long.

Have you ever loved a rose,

and bled against her thorns;

and swear each night to let her go,

then love her more by dawn.

p/s: My favorite is a little bit dirty, I know :p Until then, xoxo :)

Lullabies

Hi, Assalamualaikum

"Strange how it mattered so much, 

when now it matters so little." - Lang Leav

Lullabies is the second poems related book; a sequel to a popular bestselling Love and Misadventure, written by an amazing writer; Lang Leav. Lang Leav continues to explore the intricacies of love and loss in this book. The major form of the book is non-fictional and the techniques used are both poetry and prose; a bit different from her first book, which; she only use poetry - as a medium to make her readers drunk deep with her words.

The theme is musical, it is divided into three parts which are; Duet, Interlude and Finale - with an Encore popular piece from the best selling Love and Misadventure. Same like the first book, an illustration accompanies the beginning of each new chapter. There are two kinds of poetry and prose in the book.

i) Lyrical : Intense, short, personal and passionate; usually to express deep feelings

I drew him in my world

I write him in my lines

I want to be his girl

He was never meant as mine.

I drew him in my world

He is always on my mind

I draw his every line

It hurts when he's unkind.

I drew him in my world

I draw him all the time

but I don't know where to draw the line

ii) Narrative prose : Telling stories in verse. It is short but deep.

If a boy ever says, you remind me of someone-don't ever fall in love with him. You will never be anything more than second best

The pattern, same like the first book, is a free verse which means that it does not have a regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables;- all the poetry in the book set in a free verse. Some of it did show how Lang Leav attempts to put her words to sounds alike and familiar; but most of it, none. When you read some of her poems deeply, you will know and feels instantly that her writing styles becoming more like a classic poetry style such as Emily Dickinson; but, with a modern tone.

There are times where she breaks from rhyming frustration over lost love in a poetry to being a storyteller ; breaking away from a traditional rules to weave tales of lover; which I pretty much sure that some of it- she experienced it herself while other just some good acts being in her head; her original imagination. This clearly shown in her final poem in Lullabies entitled The End.

The End

I don't know what to say, he said. "It's okay,"she replied. "I know what we are - and I know what we're not."

Personally, I think that sometimes Lang Leav seems evident to her reader that she is well aware of her own romantic tendencies and she did an amazing job in putting her feelings into words. This show that Lang Leav is a truly strong modern poet; aside from being truly herself, she has the ability to write about an array of romantic experiences that a variety of people can relate to.

There's a disclaimer in the beginning of the book that the poems and proses can be read in any order but there is a story Lullabies if we read it in order; from the beginning to the end. There is not much I can say about the book. The poems speak for themselves; it can make us appreciate our feelings more than we should.

Until then, xoxo !

Love and Misadventure

Hi, Assalamualaikum.

Love and Misadventure is the first book written by Lang Leav. She is a poet and internationally exhibiting artist. Her work, this book expresses the intricacies of both; love and loss. This book will take you on a rollercoaster ride through its' ups and downs as it is beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully conceived. There is no doubt in Lang Leav's devotion in this book, as she shows to all; her true talent - translating complex emotions with astonishing simplicity of hearts.

Personally, to me; Lang Leav shows such a beautiful works of art when she pouring down all those words inside her heart onto the book. It is fascinating to read as the words are beautifully expressed with simplicity; but also can give a great impact on its' readers. All the words to me, are relatable. My personal favorite would be "Just Friends". 

As literatures' lover; especially poems, I found that this book can touch my soul. I can relate it to my life; especially my past experiences. I can't put it down after I opened the first page; which hours later I found that I'd already finished the book and devour for more.

Eventhough this book is great in many aspects, but it is not perfect. Despite of many beautifully written poems, there are some flaws in it too.

One of the issues pop-up in Love and Misadventure is that; I wish Lang Leav can spend more time thinking about more suitable tittle for her poems as some of the title either don't suit the poems or being too obvious. Afraid To Love is one it. She's being too obvious with the tittle, she makes me think that she doesn't really want her readers to relate the poems with non other than love. Which I think is not good as a writer of this kinda book should expand her perspectives and able to make her readers think deeply and interpret the meaning behind it by reading it with soul.  

There are also some poems that are lacking which is clearly to me 'just odd'. I'm saying so because the words are out of place and the rhymes just to fit to a rhyme scheme; which make it odd. A Betrayal is one of the odd poems.

A Betrayal

I cannot undo

what I have done;

I can't un-sing,

a song that's sung.

And the saddest thing

about my regret -

I can't forgive me,

and you can't forget.

To me, this poem is totally out of place. I know and understand the words but this is not a poem that an adult should write. I think she can write it in a better way with a better rhyme scheme. 

The most obvious flaw in this book is that - it's all sad and dismal. Yes, I did expect a sad poems in it as the book itself entitled 'Love and Misadventure' but love shouldn't be all sad. Even the section for good love; which I think should bring the beauty of love in the readers' heart ends which a sad note.

First Love

Before I fell

in love with words,

with setting skies

and singing birds-

it was you I fell

in love with first.

First love should be beautiful and indeed, she shown us that but try read 'before I fell in love with words' and 'it was you I fell in love with first' slowly, deeply with souls. You can feel like there's something sad in it; like - don't you think it's awkward to only bring sadness in love when the love itself is beautiful? Why only bring only sadness in beauty? She seems to bring the 'I'm not enough' feelings in some of her poems which I think, is not a good thing to read; eventhough it is relatable.

p/s : Eventhough the book has some flaws, Lang Leav just being Lang Leav. Who knew what is she really think about when writing this book :) Until then, xoxo!

Red Queen

Hi, Assalamualaikum

"Aveyard's compelling debut is richly imagined, addictive, chilling and suspenseful. She breathes new life into her own unique Game of Thrones story enlivened by exciting, character-driven plot twists that have me clamoring for more. This scintillating tale of betrayals and blood-spattered crowns is not to be missed" - Vilma Gonzalez, USAtoday.

As stated by Vilma Gonzalez, Red Queen, written by Victoria Aveyard is indeed a new fresh things in town, newer and fresher than Game of Thrones. The story is set in a fantasy world where human beings are divided by the color of their blood. The ordinary people; poor and live a devastating life; have a red blood while those with super powers or some of us call it - magic; have a silver blood. 

The story is about a low caste girl named Mare Barrow. She always steal what she can to make her family survive and always troubled her parents. But when her best friend is conscripted into the army, she gambles everything that she has in order to win his freedom. 

A twist of fate had led her to the royal palace instead; where, in front of The Silver King and his nobles, she discovers a power of her own - an ability which she doesn't know she had before. A power that is far better than what the Silvers' always have.

Since Mare Barrow is only a mere red-blooded girl, The King and Queen have no other choice - they have to keep her locked up in the royal palace; all is to avoid any scandals because they knew there will be chaos if others know about - a red with super power.

To cover up this impossibility; the red blooded with silvers' power; The King forces her to play the role of a lost silver princess and betroths her to one of his sons; Maven; his son with the current silver Queen.

As time goes by, the news about her dead brother broke her and it leads to her involvement with The Scarlet Guard; a growing red rebellion - even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. She risks her all as one wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays; the only certainty is one; betrayal.

I honestly can not believe it then the truth reveals - Maven is actually the bad guy. And I thought he is someone that I should lay my sympathy on! Oh, poor Cal; The King's eldest son with the late silver Queen - poisoned by the current Queen without anyone knowing - he would make a very fine king if Maven and his wicked mother don't put the blame of his father's death on him.

This book, as a whole is .. let say .. 'hands down' ! It was so good. The writer shows that no one is exactly alone in this world, even if you feel like you are. Not only that, the author also marked that anyone can betray anyone and here is my personal best morale in this novel - bad judgements can lead to poor decisions which later on can lead to massive destruction in something.

These marks, all the morales, shows that we shouldn't stop fighting for our cause if it's for a better future. Even if the cause if a miracle to fight for, don't stop fighting and keep hoping; because in the end; we can change the end result of any matters. We control our own fate!

To wrap things up, this book is superb! It should be in your must-read-list books. You can't really expect what will happen next; chapter after chapter as it keeps surprising you and you will want to know more. For now, I just hope that the next book will not let me down.

p/s : I can't wait for the Glass Sword! Until then, xoxo :*