SanWa Library: 2018

Judul: Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Rilis: 11 September 2018 (USA - 15 Aug 18)
Genre: Comedy, Romance

Distribusi oleh: Warner Bros. Pictures
Durasi: 121 menit

Bahasa: Inggris

Rating: PG-13
Berdasarkan: Crazy Rich Asians - Kevin Kwan

Sutradara: John. M Chu

Pemeran: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

Info Film:

Siapa disini yang sudah nonton film Crazy Rich Asians? Ayo ngacung!!!

Film ini merupakan salah satu film adaptasi buku yang saya tunggu-tunggu di tahun 2018. Saya pecinta buku fantasi garis keras, namun ketika melihat trailer film ini, saya buru-buru membaca bukunya sebelum menyaksikan film yang rilis di bulan Agustus 2018. Namun apa daya, rupanya di Indonesia, film ini baru masuk di bulan September 2018.

Saat yang di nanti-nanti akhirnya tiba. Dua hari sesudah rilis di Indonesia, saya langsung bertekad untuk menonton sepulang kerja dengan ataupun tanpa suami saya (ehehe suami saya bukan pecinta film komedi romantis soalnya). Jadilah, film ini ditonton oleh saya dan suami di tanggal 13 September 2018.

Crazy Rich Asians karya Kevin Kwan ini menceritakan tentang kehidupan mewah dan glamour para konglomerat di Singapura. Dikisahkan sepasang kekasih Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) dan Nicholas Young (Henry Golding) yang tinggal di Amerika berkunjung ke Singapura untuk menghadiri pernikahan teman baik Nick (nama panggilan Nicholas Young). Nick menjadi bestman dari teman baiknya tersebut.

Tidak disangka-sangka oleh Rachel, bahwa pacarnya yang sangat humble tersebut adalah pewaris harta konglomerat paling terpandang di Singapura. Selama menjalin hubungan di Amerika, mereka menjalani hubungan romantis layaknya pasangan pada umumnya tanpa mengetahui bahwa Nick ternyata anak orang kaya! Semua konflik bermula ketika Rachel menginjakkan kakinya di Singapura.

(Rating berdasarkan penilaian pribadi saya, berdasarkan apa yang saya suka dan saya tidak suka)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Sama seperti bukunya, saya berikan world building dalam film ini 1 bintang. Kenapa?? Ya karena apa yang digambarkan jelas dibuku juga tergambarkan jelas di film tersebut. Warner Bros dengan sangat apik menyuguhkan betapa kontrasnya kehidupan di pasangan ini di Amerika dengan di kehidupan keluarga Young di Singapura. Mereka dengan baik mengeksekusi betapa orang kaya tersebut bukan “orang kaya biasa” melainkan “orang kaya turunan” atau disebut “old money”.

Banyak scene yang menggambarkan dengan gamblang betapa kayanya keluarga Young. Tanpa penjelasan yang terlalu panjang lebar, sudah sangat digambarkan bahwa keluarga besar Young memang konglomerat. Beberapa contohnya adalah scene didalam pesawat dimana Rachel menikmati indahnya suguhan first class dengan piyama yang bahkan lebih halus dari baju tidurnya sendiri. Ada juga pesta lajang Araminta yang dilakukan di pulau pribadinya!! Pesta lajang Colin yang dilakukan dengan menyewa kapal pesiar juga WOW!! Tidak percaya? Yuk, segera tonton :-D.

Plot: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Berbeda dari bukunya, saya memberikan satu bintang pada bagian plot. Mengapa? Karena sesungguhnya ada beberapa bagian yang berbeda yang dikisahkan dari bukunya tapi justru dieksekusi dengan sangat syantique. Salah satu perbedaan yang paling saya sukai adalah dibagian saat Peik Lin ikut bergabung di pesta tan hua di Tyersall Park. Karena scene ini, Peik Lin akhirnya mengenal Oliver dan justru mereka yang memilihkan gaun pesta untuk Rachel saat pernikahan Colin dan Araminta.

Walau begitu ada perbedaan yang tidak saya sukai yaitu dibagian ke-private-an keluarga Young. Pada buku dikisahkan betapa keluarga Young walaupun konglomerat tapi sangat private sehingga tidak banyak yang mengetahui siapa mereka. Pada filmnya, mereka sangat terpublish di dunia luar. Well, sebenarnya memang kelihatan lebih realistis di filmnya siyh. Nggak mungkin keluarga paling terpandang sampai ke London, sangat privat di Singapura. Tapi tetap saja, keprivatean keluarga Young itulah yang menjadi daya jual mereka bahwa mereka memang old money dan berpengaruh hingga bahkan dikelas “Negara”.

Walau ada perbedaan yang saya tidak sukai, tetap saya berikan plot 1 bintang. Untuk perbedaan-perbedaan lain yang saya tangkap terangkum dalam video yang saya buat dibawah ini.

Character: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Sama dengan buku, saya memberikan rating yang sama pada bagian karakter. Tapi alasannya berbeda. Banyak karakter yang dibuat berbeda dan ada karakter yang menurut saya cukup penting tapi hilang. Salah satunya hilangnya karakter Fransesca Shaw pada saat pesta lajang Araminta. Di buku justru ia yang sangat menjatuhkan Rachel namun di film ia tidak ada. Digantikan Amanda Ling yang merupakan mantan Nick yang sangat menjatuhkannya.

Padahal didalam bukunya dikisahkan Amanda Ling justru tidak begitu peduli. Perbedaan lainnya lihat video diatas ya. Yang membuat saya tetap memberikan setengah bintang adalah karakter Nick. Henry Golding sangat PAS memerankan seorang pria Asia kaya raya nan romantis namun down to earth. He is such a prince in disguise, lovable.

Scene: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Terkadang sebuah novel yang bergenre komedi romantis akan memiliki eksekusi scene yang biasa saja menurut saya. Tidak seperti film fantasy atau action yang memang banyak ornament menarik disana-sini. Tapi tidak dengan film yang satu ini. Film ini sangat ramai ornamen. Saya tidak membicarakan tas, perhiasan, ataupun barang mewah lainnya.

Namun penggambaran setiap scene tanpa barang-barang mewah itu sendiri pun sudah mewah. Yang paling saya ingat dan berkesan adalah scene pernikahan Colin dan Araminta yang kecil tapi WAHHHHHHH. Beberapa dari yang sudah nonton pasti setuju dengan saya. Mau lihat? Ya tonton saja filmnya. :D

Others: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Mengubah buku ratusan halaman dengan font kecil-kecil menjadi film hanya berdurasi dua jam sangatlah tidaklah mudah. Apalagi sudah tertulis bahwa ini cerita adaptasi pastilah memiliki perbedaan. Namun banyak perbedaan dalam film ini cukup membuat saya agak gimana gitu saat menonton filmnya.

Well, tapi tidak menyurutkan kecintaan saya akan film ini. Bagi yang tidak suka baca buku, film ini sangat entertaining dan wajib ditonton. Yang suka baca buku apalagi sudah baca buku ini, FILM CRAZY RICH ASIANS WAJIB DITONTON!!

"It was never my job to make you feel like a man. I can't make you something you're not."

"I'm so Chinese. I'm an econ professor that's lactose intolerant."

"I'm not leaving because I'm scared, or because I think I'm not enough - because maybe for the first time in my life, I know I am."

(Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Tomatometer - 83% Audience Score - per September 19th 2018)

Film ini pasti akan kutonton berulang-ulang apalagi ngeliat wajah Henry

Sangat menunggu sekuelnya!!!! (Eh baca bukunya dulu deng belum kelar :D)

Untuk merayakan kesenangan saya terhadap film ini (jiahh lebayyyy), saya membuat giveaway untuk semua netizen. Syarat dan ketentuan ada di postingan giveaway Instagram SanWa Library dan SanWa Journeys. Gampangnya klik saja gambar dibawah ini. Jangan lupa ikutan ya. Ada hadiah menarik menantimu lowh.Bagaimana menurutmu yang sudah nonton? Menarikkah film ini?

Regards,

Sandrine JB

Source of movie poster: IMDB
NB: *Kriteria rating: untuk setiap kategori yang saya suka akan saya berikan satu bintang. Jika tidak suka, tidak ada bintang. Jika setengah-setengah, akan memberikan setengah bintang. Total ratingnya adalah penjumlahan bintang dari masing-masing kategori tersebut.

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Title: Legendary (Caraval #2)

Author: Stephanie Garber

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: May 29th 2018

Pages: 418 pages

ISBN: 1473629187 (ISBN13: 9781473629189)

Format: Hardback

Start Date: July 22th 2018

Finish Date: July 31st 2018

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

Synopsis:

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.

Legendary was the second book of Caravel series. Second book was more of the journey of Scarlet’s sister, Donatella Dragna. If in the first book was about Scarlet’s journey to search her sister in the game, in Legendary it was about Tella’s journey to release their mother by playing the game.

This time it was Tella who played Caraval which was a special Caraval that held closely with the first one. Because it was special, the journey tailing Tella was also special. She got to meet the Prince of Hearts who apparently the one that kidnapped her mother in a card. And in order to release her mother, she needed to present Legend, the master of Caraval himself to the Prince of Hearts. So then the Caraval once again begun.

(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

As a Caraval lover, I was once again amazed with the new world that Stephanie Garber brought. Legendary pictured a whole different world in the same Caraval taste. If Caraval was full of colorful scene, Legendary was full with a more circus scene in a real world.

I loved how the Fate cage was portrait. I also loved the sky carriage that brought Tella here and there. I also loved the dark side of the Valenda city. Moreover, I loved how those scenes were related or connected (really I don’t know how describe this because I was love it to the maxxxxx!!!

Plot: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Somehow the story line was predictable. I could predict of who Legend was. But I got perception that the author wanted us to predict at the beginning same as Tella did but in the end felt heartbroken when we were finally shown the true Legend.

There was only a few unpredictable twist but the plot went up and down that made me hard to put the book down for a single moment. Another thing that I liked that this was darker than Caraval the first book and pack with emotional tension. I love Legendary more than Caraval.

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Meet Tella and Dante. These two characters are my favorite especially Dante. I used to love Julian in Caraval but then when I know the true personality of Dante in Legendary, I changed to him because suddenly I remember Rhysand my ultimate book boyfriend (hahahahaha). Well I guess I am the typed who easily fell in love with a bad boy character.

Moreover, Tella was not as weak as her sister. Tella was strong which the character of female lead that I like in a book. I also met Jacks, the Prince of Hearts that was also charming. In the end I still didn’t get whether he was the antagonist one or not.

The end of the book gave me a book hangover really!!! Aside of them, I met another character (beside Scarlet and Julian of course) that felt magical. Well, they only got small part but it was hard to forget. You will know more if you read it.

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Stephanie Garber was a debuted author when she wrote Caraval. I fell in love with her writings since her first book because she had a unique flowing conversation style. Her writing style was easily to read in a young adult fantasy novel. It was good for them who was like me, a non-native English speaker. I can understand the conversation easily but unlike reading a middle grade book.

Others: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

I loved the UK hardback version so much. I bought the UK also to match with the first book. In the second book I got the “Shattered Crown” hardcover design. But I don’t know the color quality of the second book seemed not as flawless as the first. The blue color was fade not strong as the black in Caraval book. Moreover, there were some mis-typed in the book and I felt like the printing of the content was a bit slanting. So I could not give this a full five stars.

"Every story has four parts - the beginning, the middle, the almost ending, and the true ending."

"Every good story needs a villain.
But the best villains are the ones you secretly like."

"If you can convince yourself it's true, you can convince anyone."

(Goodreads: [star rating="4.31" numeric="yes"] from 11,006 Ratings per August 10th 2018)

This is something that I am gonna reread in the future

I am not definitely gonna unhaul this one :-D.

Regards,

Sandrine JB

Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.

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Title: Crown of Midnight

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Publication Date: August 27th 2013

Pages: 418 pages

ISBN: 1619630621 (ISBN13: 9781619630628)

Format: Hardback

Start Date: July 16th 2018

Finish Date: July 22th 2018

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

Synopsis:

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Crown of Midnight was the second book of Throne of Glass the series. In the second book, Celaena Sardothien continued her journey as the King’s Champion. She had the task to eliminate King’s enemies based on the order from the King himself. Initially she did all her job smooth without any particular obstacles. But then came new target which leads to a lot of situations even death.

In Celaena journey to Kill new target named Archer (who apparently was someone in Celaena’s past), she developed new affection with Chaol, the captain of the guards. But their love was tested in several circumstances. Not only that, she was also opened to the history of Adarlan and how the magic disappeared in the first place which made her doubt to kill her new target. With her new knowledge of magic and also friendship in the castle, she tried to conquer any riddles that were faced upon her.

(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

My most favorite setting scene in a book is the Kings era such as in The Lord of the Rings movie. Crown of Midnight had the equal ambience with LoTR. So basically, this story can easily be in my preference. Moreover, there was Fae and magic in it. But something bothering me was that the world building was too much. It took almost 2/3 (two third) part of the book. I bit boring in the middle. However, I couldn’t say more beside I LOVE THIS BOOK.

Plot: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

I read this series after I read the ACOTAR series. I could say that the plot was Sarah J Maas typical. However, Ms. Maas could package them differently. There were also twists everywhere which her marks also. Those twists were not a mere twist but led one event to another. Some might said it was a plot hole, but you would not know the answer until you read the next book. But parallel to the category above (World Building). I was a bit bored in the middle. There was too many psychological war (which was not my book type preference).

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

All the characters in Crown of Midnight were lovable in my point of view, especially Chaol. I loved him so much and very sad of the outcome of him. Chaol needed a proper hug and friends who cared for him 100% (e.g. MEEEEE!!!!! X-D). I loved Dorian in Throne of Glass. But the in Crown of Midnight I loved Chaol more. Some of my friends told me that Chaol’s attitude will change in the fourth book, but I will embrace it later. Let me fangirling with Chaol till then.

Then there was also Nehemia, the character who actually I loved the most then Celaena in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight. She was so brave. Although she was dead (yup, this is very spoiler – warning stated above), I still loved her because she was also one of the key for Celaena to change herself and fight for freedom of everybody.

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Sarah J Maas, was my second most favorite author. She knew how to write neatly but simple. As a non-native speaker of English, I found this book easily to read with its own flowing conversation. I couldn’t say more beside I love her works, her writing style, her developed characters, and her whole package of books. Although she liked to “change” OTP but I guess it was not incoincidence. I believe she did it with consideration as she already plotted it at the beginning of the series.

Others: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

These series came with two editions. First Hardback US edition and second Paperback UK Edition. Although the cover picture is same, but I like the hardback cover version the most since it had dark color in it and the picture was detail than the paperback one. Especially Crown of Midnight had an orange-maroon color for the cover, lovely…

"Stronger Together.
Together Forever."

"Your past doesn't make calls on your future. It doesn't matter who you were. Only who you are."

"This is not the end of me.
This is just one more enemy."

Although the hardback version in pricey but I did not regret it.

I am not definitely gonna unhaul this one :-D.

Regards,

Sandrine JB

Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.

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Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: June 1st 2017 (first published June 26th 1997)

Pages: 368 pages

ISBN: 1408883805 (ISBN13: 9781408883808)

Format: Hardback - Hufflepuff Edition

Start Date: July 11th 2018

Finish Date: July 16th 2018

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

Synopsis:

Celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter magic with four special editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw … Twenty years ago these magical words and many more flowed from a young writer's pen, an orphan called Harry Potter was freed from the cupboard under the stairs – and a global phenomenon started. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has been read and loved by every new generation since. To mark the 20th anniversary of first publication, Bloomsbury is publishing four House Editions of J.K. Rowling's modern classic. These stunning editions will each feature the individual house crest on the jacket and sprayed edges in the house colours. Exciting new extra content will include fact files, profiles of favourite characters and line illustrations exclusive to that house. Available for a limited period only, these highly collectable editions will be a must-have for all Harry Potter fans in 2017.

Harry Potter stories had always been a Hit for every readers in a wide range of age. The magic of Hogwarts never failed its particular readers over years. 2017 marked the 20 years of the very first published Harry Potter series. In the past 20 years, there were so many re-publishing with various cover. When it hit its 20 years anniversary, Bloomsbury made a wonderful re-publishing by releasing the story in Hogwarts houses edition. It did not only contain with the original story, but also the background of each house.

Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley were the three main characters of this book. They have their kids journey throughout Hogwarts to fight evil and grow up into a strong and good witches and wizards. But they were not alone, (not literally) the whole school helped them to grow together. This story was not only about magic and fighting bad, but it was also about true friendship, love, loyalty.

(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Hogwarts vibe never failed me to feel amaze. J.K. Rowling surely had talent in bringing her own type of magic. Its first book was showing enough of how capable a group of friends in doing their own magic. Magic was not only about spell or charm, but also about hardworking, logic, and cooperation. This kind of world building really suited to kids in their elementary school. Did you remember the Mirror of Erised? I Believe you did. And I always awed in wonder how the author came up with that word, “Erised” was desire. Some parts that amazed me were the Forbidden Forest, the journey of Harry Potter and Hermione to the highest tower, and of course the riddles the three should conquer to win over the bad (the sleepy fluffy lullaby, the devil snare, the human sized chess, and the mirror itself).

Plot: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Its first book offered an easy plot for kids. It started on how Harry ended up in her bad aunt’s family until he reached enough age to learn magic in Hogwarts. There were no endless torments for Harry, but still it was painful for orphan like Harry to be treated bad. Then in its right time, Hagrid came to pick up Harry for his first time studying magic. After that, Harry’s world got 180 degrees turn when he met Ron, Hermione, Malfoy, Neville, and others. Harry with his innocence and new to anything about him at first always tried to meddling other people’s business and did not care of himself but others. Then finally he started to know who he really was when He with the two others try to capture the bad which later known as Voldemort.

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

What I like from this book that I could meet bunch of characters but not in one shot (so it would not confuse me). Aside from the characters that I had mentioned above, we could meet, my favorite, Professor Dumbledore, Prof. McGonagall, Prof. Snape, Prof. Quirell, Filch and Mrs. Norris, Oliver Wood, Crabbe and Goyle, Firenze and Bane the Centaurs, Madam Pomfrey, the dead Unicorn, and so on. Although they played only small parts, but their stories linked to one another and took important parts in it. Although this story basically talked about Harry Potter, but the other two had the same proportion of plot that made Harry Potter character strong.

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

My first favorite Young Adult author was J.K. Rowling. She surely had ability to connect short phrases into light reading paragraph. For its first book, back in 2000’s I read the translated version. And now I re-read the original version. I admit that the translator was very talented to deliver J.K. Rowling writing style into Indonesian Language. So the taste of Rowling’s did not replaced. It has easy-to-understand conversation style. We could find so many new terminologies but she (and our Indonesian translator) could describe it well and easy.

Author: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

J.K. Rowling is always on my favorite author list. Aside of that, I love this house edition. I bought Hufflepuff in Hardback which came with stripe black-yellow line and black cover. It was wonderful. I also collect its illustrated edition in English. For you Indonesian, all version of Harry Potter that had been sold in our local bookstore were wonderful. There was the illustrated version in Indonesian too. Do not forget the latest Indonesian paperback edition (or box set) with Indonesian illustrator cover that awarded as the best Harry Potter cover illustration. (Below is the picture of the latest Indonesian version).

"Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."

"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

This is always in my all-time favorite book to read when you are alive.

If I have enough money, I am gonna buy all the house version in hardback format.

I am not definitely gonna unhaul this one :-D.

Regards,

Sandrine JB

Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.

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Heyho everyone. This is the first time I joined the Top 5 Wednesday #T5W that I saw in goodreads group (click the link and you will go directly to that group). In a way of reactivating my blog again, I want to start it with blogging about book more often including this top five. So without further ado, check this one out.

The measurement of classic for every person and every category is different. But in my point of view, classic can mean 50 or more years ago. Even hundreds. So here are my top five future classics in based on my favorite genre which is fantasy.

HARRY POTTER

I believe some of you will choose J.K Rowling masterpiece. I grew up with this book. The first book is already 21 years old and its first movie will be 17 years this year. I am pretty sure that this book will stand of all time. Those re-publishing with pretty covers are attracted audience especially for young readers who hasn’t been born in my era. Moreover, the characters in the movie will also be the main factor of this story attractiveness. So, for young readers, if this is the first time you know about Harry Potter, you should buy it right away because it is worth to read.

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE

Who doesn’t know this series. We knew it with “Game of Thrones”. To be honest, I haven’t read any of this series neither watch the TV show (feel free to mock me :-D :-D :-D xD xD) but don’t get me wrong I collect three pin sized funko of the main characters. Looking at the hype of the stories and characters (even in figurines and any other crafts), this George R.R. Martin masterpiece can be well-known through decades ahead. So I still have years to read it without feeling old.

THE HUNGER GAMES

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are two characters that people talked back then and still talking about in the present. There are many books in the same genre put this tagline “Perfect for The Hunger Games fan” in their cover. I am one of the lover of this Suzanne Collins’ trilogy. I have read it and watched the movie. Their gimmick in the books and movies are well-known throughout the millennial generation. Don’t forget to mention the fashion that is presented which is epic.

CITY OF BONES

Another book that I haven’t read. Well, I read though but only a few chapter years ago. By seeing how Cassandra Clare’s book has so many editions it means that people love it. Now it has already passed a decade. It can become like Harry Potter especially this series has its own TV show even up until now. Who haven’t read this one? I guess we should and still have time to dig it.

THRONE OF GLASS

It sounds lame, but I love this series and the author behind it. This one is the newest than the others above, but it has so many faithful readers (including me). Sarah J Maas has its unique writing-style that can hypnotized their readers even make them faithfully waiting for her next book related to this series. You should try to read this one though :-).

Those are all my version of 5 top future classics. What are yours? Just leave your comment below.

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Regards,

Sandrine JB

Source of the book covers: Goodreads

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Title: Crazy Rich Asians

Author: Kevin Kwan

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary

Publisher: Doubleday

Publication Date: June 11th 2013

Pages: 403 pages

ISBN: 0385536976 (ISBN13: 9780385536974)

Format: Hardback

Start Date: July 1st 2018

Finish Date: July 6th 2018

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

Synopsis:

Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season.

When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back.

Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.

Crazy Rich Asians was the first book of Kevin Kwan’s bestseller series. It was a story about having a relationship with a conglomerate scion. Basically this book told a story of an Asian girl named Rachel Chu which had a relationship with a wealthy man named Nicholas Young. At first, Rachel who had a relationship Nick – nickname of Nicholas – for two years, didn’t know the family background of him. They met in America due to their job as lecturers which then fell in love and live together.

One day, Nick should attend his best friend wedding as a best man. So, he decided to take Rachel in hoping to have a wonderful vacation with her while attending his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Unexpectedly, Rachel realized who Nick really was and she got a bit shocked with the family culture that surrounding Nick. So all of the conflict began after Rachel met the Young’s big families and friends. As a whole, this book was not told in Rachel and Nick point of view only. But there were other characters as well. There were Astrid and her husband point of view, Nick’s mother, and other crucial family members.

A post shared by Sandrine Tungka (@sanwajourneys) on Jul 6, 2018 at 8:42pm PDT

(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

If you want to know how high class Singaporean lives, you should read this book. Kevin Kwan clearly described how all of those conglomerates relate to the others which were above or below them. I was amazed on how detail Mr. Kwan’s portrait Singaporean with their spotlight. I could easily see how money come and go in those wealthy families. I also realized that it was possible for them to travel from one country to another was just like in one or two hours driving by car. Even I know how designer’s brand was cheap to them. These conglomerates did not only live in money and lifestyle, but they lived in a power of a country.

Plot: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

I was not a big fan of contemporary books anymore (I used to when I was in my senior high school), but this one was an exception. At first I thought the plot would be flat same as those similar theme books. After several pages, I kept saying “oooohhhh” and “aaahhh” until the end of story. There were some predictable parts which were realistic. But somehow a bit boring in the middle (this book has 500 pages long in its translated version with tiny font size!!!). I also felt like the climax had a forced ending. Aside of that, I still like this book because it was very funny. I could not stop laughing.

Character: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Crazy Rich Asians had it owned family hierarchy. It did not consist of one family pattern but more!!! I was bad with names even in reality so I found confusing with names in this book. Even until now I did not remember well their names only the main characters and the supporting roles which always showed up. As for the main characters itself, I LOVE THEM SOOOO MMUUCCCHH, especially Nick (I was weak with gentle man) :-*. Ahhh, the movie, please come faster :-D.

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

The version of the book that I read was its translated one. But, I did a short reading of the original version in English. I should say that it had good style. The original one had flowing with conversations and the translated version did not fail to portrait the author’s taste and culture. I just love both of them. Specifically, I wanted to praise the translator for making it good. Yes, there was some parts that we should read it in original version since it has “Singlish” in it that could bring us going deeper to the book, but to me the translators did their job very well.

Author & Others: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Good praise for Kevin Kwan. This was his first International bestselling books that I read. So, well done. I can’t wait to read the next but I need to put aside until next month. My TBR is getting higher!!!!!!

By the way I want to give you another glimpse of the the book version. The cover shown above was the first edition in hardback. Nowadays, mass market paperback edition is sold especially in Indonesia. The cover of Mass Market Paperback is shown below.

As for the translated Indonesian version (for you who lived in Indonesia), the cover and ISBN of the book is as below. I loved very much this translated version cover. Very bold and red!!

“Remember, every treasure comes with a price.”

"Doing nothing can sometimes be the most effective form of action."

"Just because some people actually work for their money doesn’t mean they are beneath you."

So funny!!! So funny!!! So funny!!! Even I could not believe that I could reach this 500 pages book in 6 days!!! What a progress, ekekekke. Need to watch the movie in the cinema (Ehh, bakal masuk bioskop Indonesia serempak ga ya?

Although I liked this one, but I was satisfied enough with the translated version. FYI, the cover for our Indonesian version was very simple yet gorgeous. I liked it very much than the original cover.

I will not gonna unhaul this one :-D.

Regards,
Sandrine JB

Source of the book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.

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Info Film:

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Plot: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Character: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Scene: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Others: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

(Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Tomatometer - 83% Audience Score - per September 19th 2018)

Synopsis:

(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Plot: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Others: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

(Goodreads: [star rating="4.31" numeric="yes"] from 11,006 Ratings per August 10th 2018)

CURRENTLY READING

RECENTLY FINISH READING

NEXT READING

Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

Synopsis:

(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Plot: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Others: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRET

WARCROSS

A COURT OF MIST AND FURY

STRANGE THE DREAMER

GEMINA

Source of the book covers: Goodreads

BLACK COFFEE

PEPPERMINT MOCHA

HOT CHOCOLATE

DOUBLE SHOT OF ESPRESSO

STARBUCKS

THAT HIPSTER COFFEE SHOP

OOPS! I ACCIDENTALLY GOT DECAF

THE PERFECT BLEND

GREEN TEA

CHAI TEA

EARL GREY

Source of the book covers: Goodreads

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

Synopsis:

(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Plot: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Author: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.

HARRY POTTER

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE

THE HUNGER GAMES

CITY OF BONES

THRONE OF GLASS

Books we've read

Source of the book covers: Goodreads

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

Synopsis:

(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Plot: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Character: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Author & Others: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Source of the book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

Synopsis:

(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Plot: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star