On Adventures We'll Go

Writers from various backgrounds came together in the book launch of In Our Words, an anthology of works by the writers in the Young Writers Hangout by Where the Write Things Are.

Where the Write Things Are is an organization that aims to promote creative writing. With workshops for kids, teens, and adults, it culminates its workshops for teens and kids with the release of In Our Words, a compilation of notable works written throughout the year.

This year, the book launch was held at Fully Booked BGC, where writers small and tall gathered to read aloud and celebrate the works of their young peers.

Being asked to submit my short tribute to Roald Dahl, following my participation in the Roald Dahl-themed workshop, was an amazing experience. I was able to narrate my love of Roald Dahl’s books, and how they shaped my imagination and creativity.

Seeing my words printed alongside other young creatives’ was a spectacular treat to cap off the year. Reading my piece aloud to the book launch’s crowd gave me a sense of belonging—an indefinable feeling that I wasn’t alone in my words.

During the book launch, other writers got to read their pieces to the audience as well. Stories about epic battles and poems about self-discovery reverberated in the room as the authors gave voices to their words.

Throughout the event, I had the opportunity to reflect on the impact of literature on the young, and how it shapes them to be the people that they will grow up to be. As a teen who grew up reading Geronimo Stilton, I can say that I’ve come a long way from cheesy adventures, but still appreciate what those books taught me.

Growing up, I never fully realized how much books and stories meant to me until I started practicing what they had taught me. Through Geronimo Stilton, I learned about being courageous, and alongside Neville Longbottom, I stood up for what is right.

Just like kid and teen authors from In Our Words, I will continue to advocate for my love of the written word through promoting literacy in any way that I can. So I encourage you to pick up a book, or a pen, and go on adventures as vivid and spectacular as those of the young writers of In Our Words.

This review was originally posted on mb.com.ph. 

Love and Light

An ecstatic crowd gathered around the stage that greeted Addison Timlin, Harrison Gilbertson, and Lauren Kate—the stars of the first ever Fallen movie premiere. Lauren Kate, author of the New York Times bestselling Fallen series, describes her Philippine reception as something that she wants to “bottle up.”

Jeremy Irvine as Daniel Grigori and Addison Timlin as Lucinda ‘Luce’ Price (Manila Bulletin)

Fallen tells the story of Lucinda “Luce” Price, a girl who sees shadows that bring death and destruction along with them. When accused for a crime of the shadows, Luce (portrayed by Addison Timlin of the film Stand Up Guys) is sent to Sword and Cross reform school for her senior year. In the eerie and gothic campus of Sword and Cross, she meets the troublesome Cam Briel (Harrison Gilbertson of Need for Speed) and the mysterious Daniel Grigori (Jeremy Irvine of War Horse). She is inexplicably drawn to Daniel and how she can’t shake off the feeling that they had met before. Despite rude encounters and awkward conversations, Luce is determined to find out more about Daniel and how he ties into her past.

Filled with romance, heartbreak, and friendships, Fallen is a film that gives a fresh perspective on falling in love with someone that you can’t have. The poignant storytelling and beautiful scenery (the movie was filmed in stunning Budapest, the capital and largest city of Hungary) compliment the plot perfectly.

Cameron “Cam” Briel played by Harrison Gilbertson with Luce Price in the Sword and Cross campus (Manila Bulletin)

But besides matters of the heart, the friendships in the movie are just as meaningful. When Luce befriends Penn (Lola Kirke of Gone Girl), they hit it off and lean on each other during tough times. Penn helps Luce process the tragic event that led her to Stone and Cross, while supporting Luce throughout her journey to understand her odd visions and her past. Their friendship shines light and humor on the film through Penn and Luce’s banter and witty remarks.

The writer with Lauren Kate, author of the book Fallen (Manila Bulletin)

As an audience member who has never read the book, the Fallen film makes me want to pick it up right away. The hardcore fans that watched the premiere squealed in delight in particular scenes, making me want to read the novel to find out if it was a faithful adaptation.

The movie’s plot twists and turns make for for an exciting, mystical, and interesting ride for moviegoers. Religion and beliefs tie in to the movie as well, as one of the characters chooses love above all else.

Fallen teaches you to stand by your beliefs and dreams—no matter how crazy they may seem. All her life Luce has been called “crazy,” only to find out that the shadows and visions that she sees are completely real. Who knows, maybe with the right friend who supports and brings out the light in you, you’ll find the Penn to your Luce, too. Although I don’t have visions and shadows like Luce, she’s taught me that no matter how outlandish and bizarre your dreams or beliefs are, staying true to yourself is the most important thing that you can do.

Watch Fallen in Ayala Cinemas near you.

Repost: Manila Bulletin (http://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2016/11/11/love-and-light/)

Happiness Comes From Within

Small bodies and long, flowing hair characterize the multi-generational doll known as Trolls. From the creators of Shrek, the Troll toys were given life and were reimagined as characters in a new movie with all-star voices and stellar art.

Enter the world of overly optimistic Trolls, whose sunny personalities and incessant singing and dancing bring joy to anyone who eats them. The Bergens, miserable creatures who consume Trolls for happiness, keep the Trolls in a caged habitat that they soon escape. For years the Trolls lived in happy and carefree existence, until a Bergen found their new habitat and kidnapped many of their kind. The film narrates the journey of two Trolls, iridescent Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) and pessimistic Branch (Justin Timberlake), who together go on a wild adventure to save their friends from being eaten by the Bergens.

At first glance, it’s easy to dismiss Trolls as a purely kiddie movie. But it’s so much more than what meets the eye. The protagonists of the film, Poppy and Branch, symbolize optimists and pessimists, respectively. As they journey to find the kidnapped Trolls and work together to achieve a common goal, the audience learns about teamwork and what it means to make sacrifices for the good of all.

The premise of the film’s conflict is how Trolls are eaten in order to give happiness to the perennially miserable and grumpy Bergens. Throughout the plot, the characters of the film display in a subtle—yet thoughtful—way how joy comes from inside and not out. Food doesn’t equate to happiness, and materialistic things are not true sources of joy. The Trolls taught me that joy comes from friends, family, and the meaningful relationships that you share with others.

Throughout the film, the audience gets a sensory experience (especially when watched in 3D). The top-notch felt and scrapbook animation style of Trolls is a cross between cute and creative, as each component of the film looks equally interesting and well thought of. The musical performances are frequent in the film, as they narrate pivotal scenes through covers and original compositions. Parents should recognize the classic tunes of Lionel Richie and Cyndi Lauper.

Overall, Trolls is a great movie for all ages, as its plot foreshadows important morals and its music can bring a smile to anyone’s face. Sing along to a song or two, look on the bright side, and enjoy a whirlwind adventure with Trolls in cinemas near you.

Trolls opens on Nov. 2 in cinemas (also in 3D) from 20th Century Fox and to be distributed by Warner Brothers.

Repost from: Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph) http://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2016/10/28/happiness-comes-from-within/

I Made a Bookstagram!

A couple of weeks ago, I created my very own bookstagram (aka books + Instagram). In this social media account, I've been perusing photos of beautiful books and have gotten quite inspired to up my book photography game!

 Check out my profile here: https://www.instagram.com/abookishgirl14/

What really inspired me to do this were two extremely talented bookstragrammers, @blueeyedbibilio and @bookishnessandcoffee. Their posts made me think, "Sure, we shouldn't judge books by their covers, but I would love to have beautiful books on my shelves!" 

I hope that you all are as inspired by their photos as I am, and will pick up a book very soon. Spreading literacy through photography has never been this pretty! Hope you're having a great day and if you want to check out more updates, please do follow me on Bloglovin' and Instagram! 

Bloglovin': https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/crinkled-spines-unfolded-pages-12632333

Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/abookishgirl14/

The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding

Blurb: 

Things I know about Reece Malcolm:

1. She graduated from New York University.
2. She lives in or near Los Angeles.
3. Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week.
4. She likes strong coffee and bourbon.
5. She’s my mother.

Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much.

L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love.

But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything?

The Reece Malcolm List is a coming-of-age novel that appeals to YA contemporary fans of various backgrounds. As the author, Amy Spalding, writes about growing up and adjusting to new environments, she also dabbles into what it's like to find yourself amidst the halls of high school.

What made this book stand out from other YA books are the friendships formed throughout its plot. The main character, Devan, used to be what some would call a "loner" in her old school. Upon moving, she gains a bunch of friends. Why? It's because of their shared interests and experiences. If there's anything that I learned from the friendships in this novels, it's that real and sincere relationships (both platonic and romantic) stem from a shared understand and passion about anything. For Devan, her new friends formed from their shared love of theatre, performing, and music. 

The second aspect of this novel that I enjoyed the most was the dynamic of Devan and her mother. Amy Spalding crafted a mother-daughter relationship that was not sugarcoated. She encapsulated teenage angst, doubt, and frustration within Devan, while portraying her mother as a figure who took a very little part in the preceding years of Devan's life. And when Devan reunited with her mom, it wasn't melodramatic. In fact, I find a scarce number of their conversations together melodramatic because they felt so real. 

If you're looking for a YA novel that has a realistic mother-daughter portrayal with a hint of comedy and a whole lot of theatre kids, then pick up The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding. 

“It's hard to do that, to completely let go of who you are, even for only a few minutes. I'm not even completely sure of who I am sometimes and I still find myself hanging on to me when I act.” 
― Amy Spalding, The Reece Malcolm List

*photo is from Goodreads

Bodacious Book Covers

"Don't judge a book by its cover." Now, how many times has this been quoted to you? Or, how many times have you heard it? Well, although that may be true, the covers can be what may lead you to or to not buy a book, regardless of how good it is. To help you out, I've created a list of novels that have covers that are equal to their inner amazingness. Let's begin!

1) The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

For those of you who haven't heard of this series, you better hop on the band wagon! This series is one roller coaster of a ride! 

In my humble opinion, words cannot truly encapsulate how much I love this series. From the characters to the setting and the dialogue, Marissa Meyer has crafted a world that will forever burn into my memory. 

2) To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

No matter how many contemporary YA books I read, TATBILB always has a special place in my heart (and shelf). 

Told from the point of view of a girl who writes love letters to boys, this book may seem a tad bit too girly for some. But reading through it made me realize that it was so much more than a love story. It's about family, friendship, and growing up. 

3) Very Good Lives by J. K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling wrote this. Need I say more? 

4) The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

TFIOS (you've probably heard of it so I won't put a description on that) 

5) P. S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that it's the sequel to TATBILB. 

6) Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Set about 20 years ago, Eleanor and Park is a story of two teens and how they go through how they are treated in high school. Filled with music, comics, and witty dialogue, this book is one that any YA lover shouldn't miss.

That's all for today! DFTBA! 

TechClash 2016: Into the World of Technopreneurship

Last month, I participated in TechClash 2016, a competition that encourages the youth to come up with the next successful startup in the tech world. Having attended both the orientation (where representatives from companies such as Uber and Thinking Machines spoke) and the competition day, I can say that TechClash was definitely a fun-filled, 2-day event.

Having never joined a tech competition before, I was amazed at how diverse and supportive its community is. From college students to startup CEOs, TechClash’s volunteers and speakers gave us high school participants an array of resources and knowledge on how to enter, work, and succeed in the tech industry and make our product pitches stand out.

the two teams of the Multiple Intelligence International School (MIIS)

After long days of planning and research, my team and I made it to presentation day and successfully delivered our pitch. Upon making it to the top three groups, we presented again and nabbed first place for our product, EduGo, an online app that empowers both students and mentors.

The entire team was ecstatic that we won and our school and families showed their support. And now, a month later, I tell myself that my passion for tech and entrepreneurship won’t stop from there.

Currently, I am learning how to code so that one day I will be able to make my ideas a reality. With the help and inspiration from organizations such as YouthHack, Girls Who Code, and Code.org, I am working towards speaking (or more like typing) the language of creators, dreamers, and coders all around the world.

Team EduGo

Thank you to The Garage PH for all of the great photos! 

This was originally posted in: http://youthhack.net/blog/2016/03/20/techclash-2016-world-technopreneurship/

Smart Girls Rule the World

High school sophomores Gigi Dubois, Bea Honeycomb, and Neerja Padwami are straight-A-overachievers who aim to enter an Ivy League school upon graduation. They aren’t that concerned about their popularity status, or the parties that they’re missing. After all, they have each other. But when an unexpected twist (which you’ll have to find out for yourself) occurs, the trio faces a reformation like no other.

Upon making a pact to tackle their biggest challenge, Gigi runs for student rep, Bea joins the ski team, and Neerja steps out of the sidelines and into the spotlight in the drama department.

With high-flying ambitions and a bunch of homework to do, will this triumvirate be able to achieve their goals, score high GPAs, and rock their sophomore year in high school? Read the book to find out.

I picked up Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer thinking, “Overachievers, best friends, and girl power—what’s not to love?” But oh, it was so much more. The book deals with your typical high school hierarchy, but from the point of view of fabulous and goal-oriented Gigi, who dreams of getting into Brown. Not only was I in love with her extremely relatable and comedic character, but I also enjoyed the personalities of her best friends. Bea, the brimming future-lawyer, had hilarious amounts of sass. No conversation was boring with her in it while Neerja, whose “golden” sister is now studying in Princeton, impressed me with how she strived to leave her sister’s shadow and sterling reputation and make a name for herself. The three main characters were a powerhouse like no other, each with equally interesting and witty dialogues, problems, and great attitude.

image: http://www.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Sarah-Strohmeyer-238x300.jpg

The author
Sarah Strohmeyer

What struck me most about Smart Girls Get What They Want was how relatable the book was. The scenarios were very realistic—Gigi’s late-night homework sessions and Bea’s debates on feminism reminded me of how my high school experience has been so far. The author, Sarah, gave readers a peek inside the brain of overachievers. She perfectly depicted Gigi and her friends’ needs to be more than just pretty faces, and to excel not just academically but also in extra-curriculars. Throughout the book, the rollercoaster that were the lives of Gigi, Bea, and Neerja would not fail to put a smile on anyone’s face.

So if you are looking for a fun, lively, and inspiring read, Smart Girls Get What They Want is just for you. Who knows, maybe you’ll even want to hit the books, too.  Available at National Book Store.

Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/smart-girls-rule-the-world/#DIgPSpJ16tqcQC6h.99

What I Learned At Harvard Model Congress Asia

CX Harvard Model Congress Asia—those four seemingly intimidating words stared back at me as I stepped into the campus of Seoul National University. Little did I know that when I leave the campus, several days after, my brain would be filled to the brim with amazing experiences and lessons that would last a lifetime.

At the HMCA newsroom, I met tons of people who have different interests, culture, and personalities. Despite those differences, we were one with our passion for writing and covering the news. As member of the media committee, my fellow delegates and I worked ‘round the clock to publish updates on meetings, delegates, and debates. This did not only challenge our ability to produce quality articles in such a short time but also tested our interview skills. It also taught us how to have grace under pressure and be cool-headed even in the face of deadlines. Being in the media committee gave me the opportunity to go out in the field and look into the works of other committees, watch debates, and share the news with everyone in the conference immediately.

The 21st century has redefined what it means to write good and informative news articles. When the Gutenberg press was invented in 1440, more people, not just the upperclass, started to have access to the Bible. In 1844, newsprint was born and it opened the gates to the field of media, giving people greater and easier access to information and news. For over a century, people have been taking journalism for granted. Few are able to understand and appreciate the hard work, research, and analysis that journalism entails. It is more than sharing your thoughts but sharing it in such a way that others can benefit and be better people.

In the modern world, practically anyone can write a blog and share their thoughts on social media but not everyone can call themselves “journalists.” Famous writer Ray Bradbury once said: “Journalism keeps you planted in the earth.” Reporting current events and worldwide problems may be one thing, but understanding the issues in our society and striving to find solutions for them is another thing. And I challenge people to do more than just flipping the pages of newspapers or clicking on sites. Use our accessibility to media and information today to contribute to society.

At HMCA, I have learned a lot on how to be a future-ready leader. On-the-spot writing and doing introductions are two things that I was able to practice at the conference. Being surrounded by delegates who are passionate about society and solving its problems really inspired me to seek and continue to make a change in any way that I can. After all, the aspiring young leaders of today may be the future leaders of tomorrow and its future.

Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/what-i-learned-at-the-harvard-model-congress-asia/#UZfr2xw1EcucKRqU.99

An Afternoon with YA Royalty (Kiera Cass interview)

Last week, we had the rare opportunity to meet Kiera Cass, the author of The Selection series, those books with a girl on the cover wearing a different colored gown in every book. The New York Times bestselling author is back in the Philippines to promote her new book The Heir, which tells the story, this time, of America and Maxon’s (the hero and heroine in The Selection series) daughter Eadlyn. Thankfully, after the initial shock (we were both starstruck!), we recovered quickly and managed to get her to reveal her writing style, her favorite characters in The Heir, and yeah, her favorite Directioner.

WELCOME BACK! WHAT HAVE YOU MISSED MOST IN THE PHILIPPINES?

I remembered last time that everybody was super sweet and really kind, so it’s nice to see that it’s exactly the same. They took me last time to Cebu and I tried lechon with the rice and bamboo. It was so good.

HEARD THAT THE SELECTION  IS GOING TO BE MADE INTO A FILM. HOW TRUE IS THAT AND ARE YOU GOING TO DO A CAMEO? INCIDENTALLY, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

Yes. It’s true but it is still in the planning stage. No concrete details yet. Yes. I want to do a cameo. I’m kind of hoping that I’d get to dress up as a maid and be in the background.

As for my favorite movies, I think That Thing That You Do is precious. (It’s) kind of about a boy band, which makes sense considering how much I love them. I also love the new and the old version of Pride and Prejudice. The one with Kiera Knightley is really lovely, visually. I really like Disney movies. We watch a lot of Frozen, Cars, and Tangled in our house. I really love The Wedding Singer. Callaway, my husband, used the song “I Wanna Grow Old With You” which Adam Sandler sang in the film, to propose to me. That one’s got a special place in my heart.

SPEAKING OF BOY BANDS, DO YOU LIKE ONE DIRECTION?

Yes! I am a Harry (Styles) girl. I am a hard core Harry girl.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUIRKS, OR A ROUTINE, WHEN YOU WRITE A BOOK?

There’s always a lot of music playing. This is the first year I’ve had to go back and forth between two narrators.  I was working with Eadlyn for The Heir in book 5 and Kahlen for The Siren. I also have lotions for each of them. Depending on the day, there’s a different smell depending on who I am writing about. I also draw blueprints, design clothes, and whatever else it takes to sort of make things fun.

NOW THAT YOU MENTIONED MUSIC, WHAT SONG COMES TO MIND WITH THE SELECTION SERIES?

“Fairytales” by Sara Bareilles is probably the song for The Selection series. In a way, it kind of also works for Eadlyn.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE PLOT, DO YOU BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND OR DOES IT USUALLY PROGRESS AS YOU GO?

I’m usually asking my characters: “So what happens next?” I have to wait to be told.  Every once in a while, I can kind of write with a piece of the end in mind because sometimes they would share that with me, but a lot of times no. It’s almost inconvenient sometimes because I don’t find out about certain things until the very last second and I’m like, “Oh, maybe I could have added that in the previous book if I had known this was coming.” Like I could have foreshadowed or talked about this person, and I don’t necessarily get the opportunity to do that. Sometimes I have little peeps of things, but not always.

WHILE WRITING THE BOOK, DID YOU REALLY SEE AMERICA ENDING UP WITH PRINCE MAXON?

 In the beginning, I got America wrong. I thought I knew exactly who she was and what she was all about. And so I wrote the book to kind of put words in her mouth and make choices for her. But by the time I got to the end of the first book, I got to know her. I realized I had written it wrong and I had to go back and redo it and when I did that, I realized that the end would change. The ending that you know now is not the original ending.

SO WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL ENDING?

Originally, Clarkson was supposed to die. Maxon would die, too. Amberly would live and she would adopt America because she always wanted a daughter. America would eventually choose Aspen and they would become king and queen, which I was fine with because I think Aspen would be a great leader, I thought he would’ve done a great job but I realized that Maxon was the harder choice for America. In order for Maxon to even have a chance, he had to be alive. I know it’s a lot to take in, but it happens the way it happens, on paper.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON WE CAN LEARN FROM THE SELECTION SERIES?

I don’t go trying to make a lesson happen, but there are little things that pop up. One is being yourself and accepting and respecting others’ individuality. Someone says that bravery hides in amazing places and that’s true. I think sometimes, we get stuck on thinking, we have to be a certain thing or that we can only be a certain thing, and then we step out of that and get to know the people around us and we stop judging. We stop seeing life like what we’re supposed to see it and it changes us. So I think just be more open minded and kind to other people

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SCENE TO WRITE IN THE HEIR?

It might’ve been the group date with the cooking scene. A character in the book got into a fight over a vegetable. That’s still funny to me. It’s the funniest part for me and my favorite line is “It was asparagus. He literally punched someone over a vegetable.”

WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER TO WRITE, AMERICA OR EADLYN?

I love my girls, so it’s hard to pick. I guess maybe, America has an edge because she’s been with me longer, far longer than my actual children have been with me. So I love her. But I do love Eadlyn even though she is so headstrong and difficult at times.

WHO INSPIRED THE CHARACTER OF EADLYN?

No one. She just kind of came out of the blue. I remember sitting down to sort of write about this girl and she has this first couple of paragraphs where she’s talking about “I don’t like having all this responsibility necessarily” but whatever. Like she just came out really sassy and very, you know, opinionated, very strong. And that’s exactly who she was right out of the gate. Almost 100 percent of the time, characters are just based on themselves. Sometimes you pick up little ticks of things from other people but they are who they are and I’ve got to roll with it.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE WRITERS OUT THERE?

I think that you should read everything you can get your hands on. It helps you sort of understand and develop your own voice. Grow a thick skin because people will be mean when you start sharing your work. And daydream. I think that it’s imperative to find time to let your mind wander.

WHAT BOOKS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO THOSE WHO LOVE THE SELECTION SERIES?

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Adieh is very nice. There’s a royal element to it, but it’s much more diverse. I think people have been asking for this, so it’s pretty great. There’s a book coming out soon from Amy Tintera called Ruined. It’s another sort of royal book with a lot of action and drama. It’s up and coming, so I’m going to recommend that now so you can watch out for it.

Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/an-afternoon-with-ya-royalty/#DqEbJG1SXYu7fJC5.99

Make A Difference

Hi there! Lately, I have been pretty busy with school, exams, and an international competition that I participated in (more on that in an upcoming blog post). In celebration of the closing of my home country's month (Buwan ng Wika) here is a poem that I wrote about contributing to society, and overall, making a difference. 

Time will come

when questions will rise

about life,

and how it may tip the scales

in favor

of another.

But one must have tenacity

against the blunders

to be able to catch on

about how equilibrium

will work in its own time.

Although, that shouldn’t

stop us from

chasing our dreams,

achieving our goals,

and making a difference.

I pledge to this generation,

to place my best effort,

into helping make the world

a better place.

We are the children,

the leaders,

the hope of tomorrow.

And with that power

as well as responsibility,

we can lead

the future.

Book Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Lara Jean Song writes love letters to boys. They are letters that she will never send. She pours her heart into them by writing all the thoughts and feelings (for the guys) that she would never reveal or say to anyone. Her system goes like this: fall for the guy, write the letter, and slowly get over him. But one day, all of the letters get sent, including the one to her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. In a desperate attempt to convince Josh that she doesn’t like him anymore, Lara Jean creates a “fake” relationship with one of her past crushes, and letter receiver, Peter Kavinsky. From there on, Lara Jean’s (love) life turns upside down.

            In my opinion, this is one of the best young adult contemporary novels in the business. This is because of many, many reasons. The characters are realistically flawed. They’re not perfect, far from it actually. But when you read their dialogue or immerse yourself in their persona, one can’t help but think that s/he can relate to each and every single character in this novel.

            Jenny Han, the author of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” has set her story in contemporary America, while still adding on to her main character’s Korean roots. Although Lara Jean Song lives in the USA, she very well incorporates her Asian culture into the food that she eats and clothes that she wears. But aside from the iridescent setting and resilient characters, the most outstanding things about “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” are the morals that you grasp throughout the book. Similar to the other people in the novel, Lara Jean is flawed. But what makes her such an amazing character is that she embraces her imperfections and insecurities while striving to set a good example for her little sister, Kitty. When faced with rigid times and perplexing decisions, Lara Jean always thinks of her family, and does whatever it takes to support them. Her ability to empathize with her siblings and do what is right are two traits that we should all strive possess. After all, boys and crushes may come and go, but family is forever.

FUN FACT: The second book in this duology, entitled P.S. I Still Love You, comes out this May 26^th! 

Points that I Liked:

-diverse characters

-unpredictable plot

-page-turning dialogue

-witty humor

Rating:

5/5 hearts