Book Review: Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

Goodreads Description:

From the author of The Beginning of Everything: two teens with a deadly disease fall in love on the brink of a cure.

At seventeen, overachieving Lane finds himself at Latham House, a sanatorium for teens suffering from an incurable strain of tuberculosis. Part hospital and part boarding school, Latham is a place of endless rules and confusing rituals, where it's easier to fail breakfast than it is to flunk French.

There, Lane encounters a girl he knew years ago. Instead of the shy loner he remembers, Sadie has transformed. At Latham, she is sarcastic, fearless, and utterly compelling. Her friends, a group of eccentric troublemakers, fascinate Lane, who has never stepped out of bounds his whole life. And as he gradually becomes one of them, Sadie shows him their secrets: how to steal internet, how to sneak into town, and how to disable the med sensors they must wear at all times.

But there are consequences to having secrets, particularly at Latham House. And as Lane and Sadie begin to fall in love and their group begins to fall sicker, their insular world threatens to come crashing down. Told in alternating points of view, Extraordinary Means is a darkly funny story about doomed friendships, first love, and the rare miracle of second chances.  

Title: Extraordinary Means
Author: Robyn Schneider
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, Coming of Age
Format: E-book, Arc
Pages: 336
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK/Australia
Source: ARC was received in exchanged for an honest review from NetGalley

In a nutshell, if John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska had a kid, and the kid is a huge Harry Potter, anime and Doctor Who fangirl who loves spontaneous adventure and Butter Beer Latte from Starbucks, Extraordinary Means is the beautiful offspring!

Robyn Schneider's previous book The Beginning of Everything (Review Here) is one of my all time favourite and most influential book, not to mention a book that 'Saved my life' so when I heard that she was coming out with Extraordinary Means I knew I have to have it in my life!

Extraordinary Means is a coming of age story told in alternate POV, follows Lane and Sadie who used to go to the same summer camp when they were younger, reunites years later at Latham House, a boarding school specialized in treating teens with tuberculosis (which both of our MCs have been diagnosed with).

First off I enjoyed the woodsy setting of the school and how its pictured to be like summer camp or a sky lodge. Obviously the students are there to take it easy like they are on a vacation in order to recover.

I love with Robyn Schneider's writing style on how one moment its intelligently written with its the medical talk and the metaphors the next its light hearted, sweet & touching and laugh out loud funny followed by emotions and feels.

From the synopsis and the theme of the book it sounds like a book full of feels and though it was a rollercoaster ride emotions, I laugh and awe with the book more than sit in a corner and let the feels flow as the author is good at balancing the seriousness of the situation with quirky and random events and dialogs.

The plot was fun and well paced out. There was never a dull moment and I devoured the story within a day! I love reading their adventures and shenanigans as it was trilling watching them break the rules around the school. One of my favorites involves Sadie and her friends causing mischievous in their French class which I laugh so hard for a good 10 minutes that I had tears in my eyes!

Though I had fun reading most of the book the 'final act' was where emotions started following. The ending was a well rounded conclusion though it RUIEND ME!!! Bittersweet and heart-breaking that I did cry buckets and was not pretty. Also the last few pages was beautiful, provoking and poetically written that reminded me of the last pages of Robyn Schneider's previous book The Beginning of Everything and any the ending of most of John Green books. Its that kind of ending where I want to read it over and over cause its stuck in my head days after I am done with the story and really makes me think.

I love reading the main characters! They were realistic and relatable characters that I definitely see myself friends with. I found myself attached and cared for them especially Sadie.

Lane, an overachiever and straight A's student with a perfectly mapped out future of going to Stanford University takes a detour in life when he gets diagnosed with tuberculosis and is sent to Latham House, putting high school, AP classes and SAT prep on hold. At the start, Lane was very uptight, play by the rules and ambitious, always working instead of resting and ignoring Doctor's orders which at one point made his condition worse. While I like reading about his optimistic and ambitious character at the start, once he go on overload, I wanted him to slow down and smell the roses as he's the kind of person who is rushing to get to the future instead of living and enjoying the present.

That is what eventually once befriend with Sadie and her friends. His character arc was my favourite. He developed, changing himself for the better. He eventually loosen up, got out of his comfort zone and experience what life have in store!

Lane took a couple of chapter for me to warm up to though then again he kind of reminded me of my high school self. Even so I enjoyed his character nerdy yet witty narration.

Sadie's personality is opposite of Lane. Having a terrible past of fitting in at both school and the summer camp, she fits in well at Latham House, transforming from being a shy outcast to a free spirit trouble maker. I adored Sadie from the start! She's sarcastic, sassy, fearless and spontaneous. She also have been at Latham House for the longest of all the characters, neither getting better nor worse. I love reading her crazy ideals and adventures even if it means sneaking around and breaking the rules. The only time I was not a fan of her character was that one time when she did something stupid (not gonna say too much as its a spoiler!) that annoyed me but eventually made up for it.

Their relationship was what made the book for me! I love their bantering and connection which made me smile and giggle with awe at their adorableness but also pulled my heart, making it fall into a million peace's. Lane was freaking sweet and a gentlemen with Sadie which made me swoon even more reading them together

The story is heavy on the romance and is well paced out! The romance started as a love hate relationship which is my favorite kind of romance. It was not one of those that took FOREVER for the ship to sail, so we got a good amount of romantic fluff between them. However when the ship hit a rock... *cries*.

It was also heavy on friendship and I love the diverse cast of side characters. Nick, Charlie and Marina were awesome friends to read about! They are the kind of 'cool nerds', with a lot in common but also have their own distinctive personality and interest. My favorite of the bunch is Nick who have some of the best and laugh out loud hilarious moments in the book.

I freaking love this book and though it does sounds like a TFIOS/LFA mash up (FYI I've read both book and love them and know enough about them for this compare), this is not a rip-off! Robyn Schneider has a distinctive style and narration that when I read her books I instantly know its her writing. From the geeky yet well planned Harry Potter and Doctor Who references to the easy to read and well written and researched medical narrations, the author has a unique and refreshing way of telling a story and I enjoy it!

Both of the author's books are 'medical narration' which is something slowly growing in the YA genre.

Like the The Beginning of Everything, Extraordinary Means is a sweet and touching yet a tragic love story. Its a book about finding hope and strength, second chances even if its a miracle, friendship and first love even when death is around the corner.

Its also a coming of age story about enjoying life to the fullest, taking spontaneous risks and taking things slower as we might missed what that road not taken have in store for us. 

I think, laugh and cried with this book, wanting more of this author's awesome stories!

When this post goes up I'll have already gotten my lovely hard back of the book in the mail and am gonna re read it and devoured it into pieces... okay I'll keep it in one piece :P !

Highly recommend this book especially to the John Green fans patiently waiting for his next book and needs something fill that void along with Rainbow Rowell fans, PotterHeads, Whovians and secret menu Starbucks lovers.

READ-A-THON #4 : #RYBSAT Round 5 TBR!!!

Heya!!

So I'll be participating in RYBSAT Round 5 from 18 MAY 2015 to 25 MAY 2015

The Read Your Bookshelve-A-Thon aka RYBSAT is hosted by Miranda from Bookss101, Gary from BookNeedLove, Lainey from gingerreadslainey and Nahomy from Cassiopeia's Books

Check out their links for more detail of the RYBSAT Read-A-Thon. Also check you the RYBSAT twitter and Instagram account @RYBSAT15

I'm choosing 4 books this round from The Heir to All The Bright Places.

Follow me on Twitter @rotanrm and Instagram @rotanrm as well as Goodreads @Rou Min Tan where you can follow my reading progress.

Also check out my Youtube channel where I chit chat about the books I'm gonna read.

If you're taking part in the Read-A-Thon don't forget to put in the hash tag #RYBSAT

Good Luck and Happy Reading!!!

Book Review: The Beginning of Everything /Severed Heads and Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider

 Goodreads Description:

Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.

Title: The Beginning of Everything (published as Severed Heads and Broken Hearts in the AU/UK)
Author: Robyn Schneider
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Coming of Age

Format: Paperback
Pages: 335
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Source: Purchased at MPH Bookshop at KLIA (just before boarding :P)

Golden boy Ezra believes that life does not start till you get yourself into a tragedy. For him that was the summer before senior year when he gets into a car accident, shattering his leg and ending her career as a star tennis player. The book follows the aftermath of his accident as Ezra discovering who he is and what he wants to do in life with the down fall of his athlete career and losing the status of being one of the "in crowd" with the help of the new girl Cassidy.

I love this story so freaking much and connected with it instantly! A way to describe this book is as if its written by a best friend who knows me well and incorporated all the things that I love in a book. It’s intelligent, witty and spontaneous! The synopsis was what  intrigued me and the moment I picked up the book I could not put it down as I was captivated with Ezra and his story. There were some parts where I foreshadowed in the book but the way the plot twisted was very different from what I expected. There was a good hint of mystery where it feel like there were missing clues which all ties up in the end.

While it was well paced out, I had mix feelings about the ending. It was not a picture perfect ending it was bittersweet and was happy with where Ezra was at the end of the book and the final few pages were beautifully and poetically written as well as ultimately satisfying. 

The characters were really fun to read! They relatable characters that I want to befriend with. Also 50 points to Gryffindor for the awesome Doctor who and Harry Potter references! They were great Easter egg and I had fun fangirling to it. 

Ezra's character development made the book for me. I was charmed with him from page one and the more I read about him the more I swoon over him! He’s a ‘Nerd in a Jock’ body which I love stories like that. He’s intelligent, sarcastic and quirky who cares a bit too much about what people think and feel insecure. 

No joke I wanted to jump into the book and shake the dude silly shouting ‘Don’t give a crap about them’ or ‘Stand up for yourself’.

He started out at the low point, self-cautious and trying to blend in with the crowd but at the end he realises his potential, grew in confidants, stand up for himself, move away from the stereotype and his ‘friends’. Even though Cassidy's was the one who pushed him change in the end it is himself who made him change for better and be true to himself. Also he learns to let go of the past in order to move on with life.

I love reading from his POV with his brainy, snarky and unique narration along with the random puns throw here and there. Also I never swoon over a MC guy character but Ezra is one of my ultimate bookish boyfriend!

Cassidy remind me much of a lovelier of John Green characters Alaska and Margo where they are this pretty, smart, funny with a hint of mysteriousness. She is under the love hate section of the book where I adored her but was frustrated with her! Like the cover of the book Cassidy was a roller coaster to read. She comes out as happy-go-lucky, free spirit and intelligent but deep down she has her secrets and is broken.

I enjoyed her character’s spontaneous adventure and energetic yet mysterious personality which was fun to follow but when the book hit a certainty point, I became not a fan of her because her secretive personality drove me NUTS. I like her relationship with Ezra as she influence him to change his mind-set. Their very different personalities fitted together very well which made their interaction very entertaining to read about.

The romance was a roller coaster to read about! I adored Ezra and Cassidy relationship trough the book! It was fun watching their relationship and there were some really cute and sweet moments between them. Then it hit a certainty point I felt the boat shattered! *cries!*

The cast of side characters was amazing! I love reading about the Debate club gang where they are a smart, intelligent and diverse group of kids who do well in school yet knows how to kick back and loosen up. I love reading about the 'cool nerds' and kinda identify myself as one.. well sorta :P! 

Toby is one of my favorite characters to read! Won't mind a full book about him. Freaking cool guy and one of those loyal friends who'll always be there no matter what. Also he's freaking cute when he make references and fanboys about Doctor Who and Harry Potter. Like Ezra he has been trough his own tragedy when they were younger, though it involves a Disneyland roller coaster incident which made him an outcast in school. Even so he is confident, hilarious and know his motives and what he wants to do in life. I also like how he addresses about his sexuality when he confesses about being gay but does not want to come out in high school. 

His friendship with Ezra is one of my favorite bormance in YA. He welcomes Ezra's friendship at his downfall with open arms and was there to be his voice of reason when Ezra needed a hit in the head!

Also there is Pheobe who I adored! An aspiring journalist with a cute yet edgy personality. I love reading an Asian character who diverge from stereotype 'asian kid'. I also don't mind reading a full book on her. 

As for Ezra's old friends I am just going to say they are all fishing self centered potholes (trying to keep swearing pg-13) Especially Charlotte!!! gosh!!! i wanted to jump into the book and strangle that BEACH cause she acted like she is the flipping queen and annoyed the heck out of me! Long story short they were the stereotypical jerky jock/popular kids that kinda annoyed the heck of me. 

Overall I enjoyed it! I love the story and writing style as well as the pop culture references! Its filled with both beautiful poetic quotes and funny witty moments that made me laugh out loud. Also the quote above is my fav of the bunch.

I not only connected with the story and the characters (especially Ezra) but related to the scenario of moving on in life after a tragedy as I too faced a 'tragedy', on a few things including health wise (which I am not gonna go into too much details as its just something too personal and kinda emotional. FYI I am better now) when I was eighteen and it kind of change my life drastically. 

This book seriously have a special place on my favorites shelve! It helped me during my low times as what Ezra felt with his health condition and how he moved on in life motivated and inspired me! Long story short its one book that influence me and 'saved' me not to mention turn my perspective on life. 

I've re read this six times ++ and counting. Its the one book I push to friends when they want a book to read especially when they were recovering from a John Green/TFIOS book hangover. 

The Beginning of Everything is an optimistic, realistic and moving coming off age story of self-discovery and moving on with life after a tragedy along with moving from exception that one was expected to live up to after a downfall. 

I laugh with this book till I cried (of both happy and sad tears as Cassidy is kind of a heart breaker). A book for fans of Doctor Who, Harry Potter and John Green!

 

Quick note: When I first read the Beginning of Everything I was at a low point of my life where I had 'tragedy' after 'tragedy' happening to me that affected both my health, studies and life wise. I related to Ezra on what he was going through and the book inspired me to be a bit more spontaneous, pick up the pieces and move on with life. I mentioned this book over and over and over again that its one of my most influential books of all time cause if I were to choose a book that 'Saved my life' this will be the book.

For the UK/ AUS readers, the book is published under a different name and cover called Severed Heads and Broken Hearts which to be honest kinda suits the plot of book more. Even so I like the original US cover which is the one that I owe, more than the new cover which is blue instead of yellow.

Also the Author is coming out with a new book this year on May 28 2015 called Extraordinary Means which I was lucky to get an ARC of from Netgalley so a full review COMING SOON closer to the release date. 

FYI I already read the arc and have a 'little review' on my Goodreads and all I can say is I LOVE IT AND MY MIND IS ALL OVER THE PLACE!!! And I might have pre ordered a lovely hardback of the left cover from the book depository... Okay I did pre ordered it with another anticipated YA! :D

Also I feel like a Russian spy with secret hidden information as there is so much I want to say about Extraordinary Means but have to hold back till closer to the release date.

So till then I re-read The Beginning of Everything to hype myself (and to get over a bad book hangover) for reading the physical copy of Extraordinary Means which kinda explain why I'm now reviewing it even though its been over a year since I first read it.

Long story short then just PICK UP THIS BOOK! 

Also Check out my Anticipated YA releases for MAY 2015 (Click Here)

Till Next Time 

Book Review: Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang

Goodreads Description:

On the day Liz Emerson tries to die, they had reviewed Newton’s laws of motion in physics class. Then, after school, she put them into practice by running her Mercedes off the road.

Why? Why did Liz Emerson decide that the world would be better off without her? Why did she give up? Vividly told by an unexpected and surprising narrator, this heartbreaking and nonlinear novel pieces together the short and devastating life of Meridian High’s most popular junior girl. Mass, acceleration, momentum, force—Liz didn’t understand it in physics, and even as her Mercedes hurtles toward the tree, she doesn’t understand it now. How do we impact one another? How do our actions reverberate? What does it mean to be a friend? To love someone? To be a daughter? Or a mother? Is life truly more than cause and effect? Amy Zhang’s haunting and universal story will appeal to fans of Lauren Oliver, Gayle Forman, and Jay Asher.

Title: Falling Into Place
Author: Amy Zhang
Genre: Contemporary, Mature Young Adult, Coming of Age
Format: Paperback
Pages: 296
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Source: Purchased from Popular Bookshop

I usually don't like to read about books that have a very depressing scenario like mental illness, depression, self harming or even eating disorders as I've seen too many of this things in real life and want to escape to a 'happier world' in books, but the last contemporary I read came out overly sugar coated (*cough *cough Girl Online) and need something emotional and deep as a 'detox'. Gosh I never thought I'll see myself  saying this words in my book reading life! lolz

Emotional, haunting and honest story about a mess up popular girl.

Told trough a mysterious narrator, it jumps trough time before and after Liz Emerson tried to crash her car by driving off an icy motorway.

Characters

The characters here are all very flawed, complexes and messed up but also some of the best and most realistic people I've read.

Liz was a character that I thought I'll hate especially with some of the things that she does but the more I read about her the more empathize what she's going trough. She's a very flawed character. Stereotypical popular mean and Queen B who parties and binge drinking her problems away (this is one of my biggest life pet peeve!). I hated reading about her bulling and what influenced her to bully others. Though what makes her feel real was the fact was that she see the aftermath of all her deeds and feels the guilt. Liz bottles up all her secrets and guilt to a point it drives her to depression (and off the cliff).

Liz friends Kennie and Julia are both as mess up as she is with their own issues in their own ways. They were well though out characters but like Liz very flawed and messed up yet of all of Liz's friends they are the ones who will stick by her side no matter what.

As for their class mate Liam Oliver and Liz's mum, they were a great addition and I liked their point of views especially Liam's but I wish that we got to read more about them. 

Plot/Writing

The story follows not just Liz but everyone in her life and how her crashing her car effects them. 

I love how the author intertwines the different timelines of before and after the car crash and multiple POVs especially the mystery narrator. It flows really well and it makes me think a lot trough and after i was done with the book. 

It deals with all sorts of issues like high school drama, bulling, family problems, teen pregnancy, drug addiction, mental illness like depression and eating disorders but also the side effects/ outcomes.

When I was reading the story I keep thinking I've read something like this in the past. Then while clearing out my high school books it clicked! The story reminds me a bit of An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley which I studied in for SPM in From 4/5. 

As for the writing, I was blown away as its sarcastic and snappy but also very beautiful, complex and deep to the point I was staring at the ceiling thinking of this book after I was done with it! Its well written and paced out! I love how honest and haunting without going too overboard!

The plot twist were really good especially about the mystery narrator!

Which we later learn that the mystery narrator was Liz's childhood imaginary friend.

As for the ending was bittersweet and was not what I expected yet I still like it. I was actually caught off guard with how it ended but like the direction it took. 

The romance element in this book is very light but the friendship and family elements is strong and I think its very fitting with the scenario as if they added too much romance it will have turned out cheesy.

Other than that, this book is a great example that a book can have a very unlikeable and flawed cast of character to make a good story! 

While I'll say check this book out, I won't recommend this to everyone as some of the stuff that happen is quiet emotional and graphic (I mentioned in my review for This Song Will Save Your Life that I can't deal with book with super graphic scenarios especially if it involve cutting ). 

Recommended to those of you who can handle mature YA topics and if you like a refreshing and provoking storyline. 

ARC Review: The Pretty App (App #2) by Katie Sise

Goodreads Summary:

Poor Blake Dawkins! She's rich, she's gorgeous, and she's the queen bee of Harrison High. The girls want to be her; the boys want to—okay, enough said. But it turns out Blake’s life is not so perfect—just talk to her dad, who constantly reminds her that she's not up to par, or to her ex-bff, Audrey, who doesn't even look her in the eye.

Then Harrison—and every other high school in America—becomes obsessed with posting selfies on the ubiquitous Pretty App. Next: Leo, an adorable transfer student, arrives at Harrison and begins to show Blake that maybe being a queen bee doesn't mean being a queen bitch. And though Audrey suspects somebody’s playing foul, Blake finds herself catapulted to internet fame after being voted one of the prettiest girls in the country. She's whisked away to star in a reality show—in Hollywood, on live TV. 

But she doesn’t know who to trust. Because everybody on the show wants to win.

And nobody is there to make friends.

The Boyfriend App author Katie Sise spins another irresistible tale of technology, secrets, and big-time romance in this story of what it takes to be #trulybeautiful.

Title: The Pretty App (App #2)
Author: Katie Sise
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit
Format: Paperback, ARC

Pages: 352 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: ARC was received in exchanged for an honest review from the publisher

 

Mirror mirror on the wall who's the prettiest of them all?

I read The Boyfriend App last year (Review Here) and loved it! So when I saw The Pretty App coming out I was intrigue as we get the point of view of Blake, the mean girl in the last book who I felt like there there was some missing plot holes about her friendship with Audrey.

While this book can be read as a stand alone, though I think its better to read The Boyfriend App as you get a better the story and character building that was established in the first book. Also there are minor spoilers for The Boyfriend App.

This book takes place the following semester from the event in The Boyfriend App where the company Public (their version of Apple) has a new app contest called the Pretty App. Think of it as Americas Next Top Modal meets Instagram.

In The Boyfriend App, it is established that Blake is a pretty, rich and popular mean girl with a lot of power in her hands as her dad is a politician and her uncle is the principal of the school. I hated her trough most part the boyfriend app as she was a flipping bully (physical, verbal, you name it she did it) and a MEGA B!TC#! Noticed I say the word MOST as there was this one part where she see a bit different side of her that I assumed was foreshadow her story aka this book.

I surprisingly like this sequel and Blake's character more as we see this self-centered mess up mean girl turn her life around.

No I didn't like her from page one as I already know her character in 'The Boyfriend App' but she grew on me as the book progresses. The more I read about her the more I feel pity for her. We learn that underneath that mean girl she's actually very insecure and feels abandon by the one she loves (her sister and best friend). With that she bullies other kids as because she's 'the popular girl' and feels guilty with her actions and even makes up for some of her bad choices.

She's a more than meets the eyes character as thought she does not think of herself as smart as her sort-of-ex-bestfriend Audrey, she's still intelligent and have some of the snarkiest lines in the book (and you know me, I love a good snarky narration).

I like the part where she talks about make up and how it gives her confident as I'm a make up girl and I agree make up can make you feel confident. But I love the part when she looks in the mirror at her naked face and talk about how she feels. That's beauty! You feel pretty when you feel confident in your own skin. This is a powerful message that I hope that everyone will take from reading this book is to be comfortable in your own skin. 

We learn more about Blake's family, her dad who is a 'clean' politician who only has no faith in Blake and values her for her good looks, her mum who lives as her husband 'trophy wife 'and in his shadow and her sister older sister Samantha who cut her off from her life when she went to college has problems and secrets of her own. Reading more about her family makes me feel bad for her as she longs for her parents to love her unconditionally and attention. I like reading about her relationship from her sister who she adores and looks up to.

Also we got to know more about her friendship with Audrey. It's establish that they used to be best friends in the last book but I felt like something was missing. We didn't know much about their history and what caused them drift apart so it was great that this book covers that loose plot hole I was looking for in 'The Boyfriend App'.

I adored Audrey in the last book and was so glad to see more of her and her computer science genies friends in this book especially Nigit as he's awesome ( and I kinda wish there was a book about him *hint *nudge *wink to the author). What I found very off was how Audrey's friends were very supportive of  Blake entering the pretty app as Blake was horrible to them in the last book.

Speaking of computer science genies friends, New Guy alert and he's swoon!

Leo is the new kid who befriends Audrey and her gang. Swoon worthy, good looking and has the brains of Audrey and her friends computer coding skills combine. Yup I like this guy the moment I first read about him. He also has a secret that I didn't see coming and made my eyes poke out and my hands drop the book.

He's flipping working for Public to spy on Audrey and the gang as well as to make sure Blake enters The Pretty App competition. To top that he is a flipping computer science child prodigy and is a judge on the pretty app pageant. Did I mentioned that he's 19 years old and is done with High School??? Dang that was a good twist I didn't see coming!

I like Blake and Leo's romance. Its very fluffy and feel good but also a rocky thanks to Leo's secrets. still I shipped them!

I like Katie Sise's style of storytelling where she intertwines our generations of obsession of technology. In 'The boyfriend app' she shows the dark side of technology. In this book she pokes fun on our love for the fifty million filters on Instagram to the iconic '#'.

Also like 'The Boyfriend App' the book was split into two parts, before and during the Pretty App competition. I like the way this book is paced out though I wish that the competition part was longer. Even so it was entertaining in a 'oh the ridiculous eye rolling things they make you do on a reality show to boost the ratings' sorta way.

Its like watching American Idol when the contestant get out of their comfort zone to film those Ford commercials.

Also reading the result of the competition was nerve wrecking as I seriously didn't know who's gonna win.  The ending was a Taylor Swift 'How You Get The Girl' song playing in my head. Happy, heart warming and feel good sweetness. I like how it ended but I still feel like something is missing from the book (again) though I'm hoping this is not the last App book! Yes the ending left me wanting more from the author!

Overall I like how tables have turn for this installment in the 'App' series and that we get the POV of an unlikely main character. Apart from this I've only read one YA that is told from the POV of a mess up mean girl (the other one is Anatomy Of a Misfit). I like Blake's character development as who she is at the end of the book is so different from start.

Its a book about real beauty, second chances and out generation's obsession for social media.

Check out The Pretty App for a fast pace, feel good fluff and laugh out loud snarks!

Also just for fun here's a #NoFilter #NoMakeup pic of me and my copy of The Pretty App!! Lol I don't know how people manages with selfies as most of mine needs like 50 million snapshots to the point my arm hurts from holding the phone still!

Till Next time

RowLife: Bullying is not fun... This is my experience.

Note: As mentioned in the title, this is not a bookish blogpost. I'm gonna get personal on what's been going on in my life . If its something that you don't want to read than you don't have to read it.

As a reader of YA and books in general we come across a variate of topics from diversity to mental illness.

Today I'm gonna cover a topic that I'm sure most of you are familiar with and maybe (I hope not) experience.

I'm gonna talk about Bullying.

Bullying is a topic that we encounter in YA in ways and forms like cyber bulling to slut shaming.

I mentioned in the past that I had a history and have witness bullying. Reading a character in a book going trough bullying is painful to read as it brings back unpleasant memories and for me sometimes trigger anxiety.

I am not one to have anxiety but place me in a situation as such I'll get panic attack.

Since I could remember I was always the target for being picked on. From my race to how I look to who I am to even the school I went to. I've been picked, provoked and bullied in many ways form and means and each time does not get easier.

I never understand why I'm such an easy target as I never did anything to this people but as mentioned in one of my book reviews for This Song Will Save Your Life, there was a time where I let the bullies get the best of me and wave the white flag.

Being bullied is like a a nightmare that I can't wake up from though over the years I learned how to deal with it, open up to people I'm close to and ask for help.

In a way I'm very a very straight to the point person. If something or someone is bothering I'll talk to my parents or an adult figure about the problems I have. I'm lucky to have two loving and open parents that I know I can turn to for help and for me it ease the situation. Even so it still does not prevent it.

Now you guys will be wondering why am I suddenly writing this post and revisiting unpleasant events of my life. Well as for the last couple of weeks this nightmares have came back to 'haunt' me.

I'm writing this blog post not for sympathy or that it will get people to read it cause Bullying is Drama and people love drama. I'm writing this to open up with my friends, family, blog readers or anyone going trough this about my experience and hoping this could help give those of you who are having a hard time the courage to step up to the bullies and even ask for help at the same time to anyone who doing such to stop whether they are contentious of what they are doing or not.

I started this as a little essay on my words and after talking with my friend 'PJ' I decided I'm gonna post this here as who knows, maybe this might help someone out there going trough what I went.

Like in the book 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before', as the main character pours in her though and feelings of a guy she likes in a letter and moves on with her life, I'm writing this in order to move on with life.

I'm 21 and when I left high school I thought Uni was gonna be this safe zone where I don't have to face such situations. Sadly as mentioned the last couple of weeks have been one of the hardest in my 'university career' as on top of assignments, presentations and midterms the kids at my dorm have in one way or another been bulling me.

It started on one of the days the dorm had a fancy dress party where the theme is to wear white so everyone in my dorm got decked out in white sheets and outfits. On the night of the party I came back into my room after washing my dishes and set them on the shelve without closing the door as I was gonna do that after. Seconds later a group of my floor mates barge in without knocking and scared the heck out of me. Like trip and fall scare the heck out of me.

They wanted chips so I gave them my only packet of corn chips and they left. 

The next day when I was studying heard a weird swiping sound from my door and I turn to see a key tag being toss and pulled back from under the door. At first I thought it was my key tag but I realized I had mine on the door.

It didn't bother but after a while it got annoying. I opened the door hoping it was a friend playing tricks but just as I open the door I heard people scramble on their feet and running out of my hallway.

A while later I heard more swooping sounds. This time I saw them tossing under my door random posters that were suppose to be hung up on our wall for like safety reason and as floor decorations. I was in rage that I opened the door and once again heard people scrambling away.

In rage I mumbled 'Inconsiderate children' and in Malay 'Budak Bodoh' and went on with my night

The next night I was near my door when a random person knocked really loudly like door shaking loud. At first I thought it was one of my friends as he too knock like that but when I open the door, guess what??? I heard scrambles of feet and no one was there.

Fortunately I'm opposite the RA's room this year and one of the guys chilling in the common room saw the whole thing so I reported to my RA the incident and went on with my night.

Now in some universities they have a thing call 'stalker space' and 'confession space'. A couple of nights ago I got a message from a friend who remembered I mentioned on facebook about the poster incident. She screen shot me this confession just before it was deleted where they say something like:

"To the girl in ABC Dorm, we are sorry not sorry for throwing those posters under the door in attempt to hit you. You shouted you will kill us blah blah blah ... Be ready for round two #rezlife"

I was with a friend when I got that message and its a good thing too as this triggered the nightmares and I broke down into a panic attack. As mentioned I rarely get panic attack. The last time it happened was when I was on a plane with my mum years ago (probably when I was 11) as I was scared of the turbulence.

I was scared. Scared for my safety and what this people had the potential to do to me. But another part of me think 'oh this are just kids who are really bored and decided to pick on the random kids'.

Still I feel violated in terms of my privacy so I called my parents for advice. As mentioned I have a very open relationship with them and I know I can turn to them whenever I need help. Its part of my personality where thinking logically if something is bothering me I will turn to my parents for guidance.

Its also comforting not just because I am handling this situation away from home but but to hear the assurance that 'everything will be okay' in my parents.

Their advice was straight forward and simple. Talk to the Residents Office which was what I did. I immediately sent an email and got an appointment set up the next day.

I went to the office the next day with the same friend (well call him S'Boy for now) I was with last night to talk to the coordinator for health and well being. There I gave them a full timeline of what's been going on, not leaving or sugar coating any information. I was straight to the point and told them what's been bothering me to help them resolve this problem.

The meeting was fast and nothing complicated was needed apart from leaving it to the coordinators to talk to this people and advice my RA about the situation. I was offered counseling but felt like I didn't need it at that time as this compared to what I faced in the past was not as drastic.

I also requested for them to keep my name out of this (good thing my door does not have a name tag) and to not punish them. I know in situation as such you will want your bullies to be punish in the worst way possible (even S'boy, PJ and a few other friends I later told about the situation wanted them punished). That's not my nature or upbringing. I was bought up to resolve conflict as peaceful as possible. My only request was for them to leave me alone and and for them to realize what they are doing is wrong.

So yah the situation got resolved and comparing to the situations I've been trough in the past, this isn't the worst though it still affected me.

Now some of you guys will think 'Hang on... it got resolved THAT FAST?"

Keep in mind guys I've faced this for years in many ways trough different forms whether its a classmate or a teacher (yes that happened too both primary and secondary) to even on YouTube. I've learned how to handle and resolve this sort of situation as fast and peaceful as possible over the years and a part which I guess this time I got lucky as I acted fast as soon as it started bothering me.

Bulling is not fun. It never is. No one deserve to be bullied physically, verbally, cyber etc.

Noticed how I never mentioned myself as the 'victim of bullying'? That's because in every situation I tried not to victimize myself and try to resolve it as quick as possible. I find calling myself a 'victim' makes me feel week and helpless which is not what want to feel in such situation. I hate to be the 'damsel in distress' (blah I hate just thinking that word) and hoping someone will swoop in and save me.

At the end of the day I always remind myself that I have to make that change to make things better. Each experience I been trough I learn from it and keep in mind what were the right or wrong choices I made. Its like a choose your own adventure game where the choices you make will affect the outcome. You can have a good ending, a okay ending or a bad ending.

I got lucky this time and got the 'good ending'.

There are a few 'good choices' I've used over the years that really helped me get trough bullying and move on with my life.

1) Write - 'Take that pain, Put it on a page'

Like what I'm doing now, I find something therapeutic on writing what's going on. You can journal it, write a poem, song or story, just write. Yes its very painful at first but once you're in the zone, let the emotions, hurt, anger, rage, sadness etc. flow as you write your pain on the page.

It helps when you want to move on but also documents what's been going on for future events.

Also as I mentioned TIMELINE of the situation is important. By knowing the timeline of the events happening it helps alot when seeking help.

I recalled from memory the timeline of the events when talking to the coordinator and this helped them ALOT for finding a way to resolve the situation.

2) Talking - 'There's somebody out there'

I like talking. I'm a very talkative and chatty person.

Talking to someone who you can trust and are close to or even someone who is a good listener helps. I find talking to someone and expressing what's been going on helps a lot and lifts this weight off my shoulders.

While I'm lucky and bless to have friends and family who cares and that I can open up to. Sadly this is not the case for everyone.

It could be they don't have the courage or are even embarrassed of what they are going trough. If you are feeling anything along the lines of such listen to me....

Don't feel this way! Its only gonna make it worst (trust me it will). Lift your chin up and talk to someone who you think will listen to you. You'll be surprise as they might care about you more than you think.

If you still are not up to talking to them then try counseling or if you are still at school try your teacher.

By talking to someone and voicing out what has been bothering you, it not only helps you deal with the situation but could maybe stop this from happening to others. Also you'll feel better and probably more confident when you know someone is on your side.

Don't feel alone as there is someone who does care for you. All you go to do is raise your voice.

Also be honest and straight to the point. Don't go all ring around the roses and tell them the story from the moon and back. It will take a longer time for them to find a way to resolve the situation. 

3) DON'T GIVE A DAMN - 'Shake It Off'

Mind my language but  SCREW WHAT THOSE PEOPLE DO OR SAY TO YOU!

Ignore what they say or as they got nothing better to do than to waste their time and effort on provoking you. Maybe deep down they might be going trough some even worst SHIT and this just make them feel better of themselves or maybe they are secretly JEALOUS of you.

Don't give a DAMN as when you do you give them more power and reasons to pick on you especially if you did nothing to deserve this. They are not the 'king/queen/boss' of you.

Ignore them. Who knows they might eventually get bored and move on.

Or else do what I like to do. Show some empathy and kill them with kindness.

I was often called the 'ASIAN NERD who loved to SHOWOFF'  in first year economy as I always do my homework (cause duh we have to and I'm not gonna let 10 bonus marks go down the drain) and got top in my class by a group of kids and guess what??? One of the classmates who gave me the title is also Asian but an Aussie Asian.

To some people its offensive but to me I embrace it with a smile and say 'Thank you and sorry this offended you'.

I worked for it. I did nothing wrong but did what I was told and was rewarded with high marks.

So get that 'EMERGENCY TAYLOR SWIFT DANCE PARTY' playlist on and 'SHAKE IT OFF'

Let whatever they say go in one ear and come out the other as what they say is TOTAL BULLSHIT!  
  

4) Move on - 'Gone is any trace of you, I think I am finally clean'

An experience like this can leave scars, bruises and wounds both metaphorically and physically.
But like a battle scar, each one of this will make you stronger and more confident.

It will not happen over night. It might take days, weeks, or even years before this nightmares can be buried and you can move on.Take your own time and move at your own pace. Be comfortable with yourself.

Facing bullying is like facing your fears. You need to take your time but at the end of the day its you who is facing this fear.

Take a deep breath and take that jump.

But also remember, let what's in the past go and move on to the future as things WILL get better.

To those of you who are going trough tough times, stay strong. It sucks but suck it up as it will get better.

To those of you who know anyone who is bullying or are doing this to others, stop doing it. You're not only ruining others but probably yourself. If you are bullying others out of boredom, than get a hobby and put your energy into something positive.

If you are doing this out of jealousy, maybe make friends with that person. I know this sounds weird. But gain their trust and make friends with them as they will help you improve you in whatever you're jealous at. If you're jealous at them for being good at math or even bullying that kid for their math homework, instead of bringing their spirits down, take a deep breath, suck up that ego and ask them for help. Who knows, you might make a friend or two.

If any of you have faced bulling, share in the comments how you deal with it. 

If you made it to the end of this blog post, thank you so much for reading what I've been going trough. I really appreciate it.  

Also to my friends and family who helped me trough this, thank you for your support and always being there for me. I love you guys.

The last 2 weeks ++ was tough but I'm thankful that this situation has settle. And when I press that publish button I'M READY to put this ordeal to the past and and let it go.

I'm ready to move on with life.

   







STAY STRONG, 

Luv,