Book Kaleidoscope #3: Top Five Best Books of 2012

 TOP FIVE BEST BOOKS OF 2012

The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green

Do I really need to say anything about why this book successfuly made into my top five best books of 2012? Heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and such a tear-jerker, this book is no joke. The conversations was clever, although sometimes too much or too cheesy, yet the world of Hazel and Augustus was so beautiful I can't help but truly envied the love that they had.

Blood Red Road, by Moira Young

Blood Red Road is actually a page-turning book which filled with lots of fun! The Free Hawks was so badass x) But another reason why I love this book is because of the unique writing (with acertain accent of the characters and no quotation mark). Once you go in, you will feel as if you're experiencing the story yourself, along with Jack and Saba. The translated version of BRR by Mizan Publisher was not disappointing, either. :)

Every Day, by David Levithan

A is such a wonderful character. He told a lot, he taught a lot, he gave a lot and he opened up my mind a lot about things in our life. I felt as if I was being showed the world with a new and fresh perspective of him. He's wise, and he doesn't judge. I learnt a lot from him.

The Sea of Tranquility, by Katja Millay

The reason why I choose this book is because I cried TOO MUCH when reading. Seriously. I cried for, like, five minutes non-stop T_T The writing is so beautiful and I feel so much for Nastya & Josh. Also, the turn of events was almost too much to handle. I couldn't stop thinking about the story for two days after reading, so...

Partikel, by Dewi Lestari

There was some controversy going around on Twitter caused by an article some days ago. The article stated that Partikel is one of the books that doesn't deserve to be published this year. I strongly disagree. Partikel filled with a lot of science, myth and yes it's not an easy read, yet Dee somehow succeeded to make the story came out to be fun, moving and really entertaining. Zarah's journey brought us from Bogor to Kalimantan, Africa, Bolivia, England and I discover a lot from the story. Some illustrations given inside was also a plus point. I only hope that us readers won't have to wait for 8 years for the next book! :)

That's my top five books of 2012 in no particular order. What do you think? What's yours?

Book Kaleidoscope is a meme hosted by Mbak Fanda from Fanda Classiclit. Click here to read other entries from various book-bloggers/to join the fun ;)

Book Kaleidoscope #2: Top Five Best Book Covers

TOP FIVE BEST BOOK COVERS

I think everyone would agree that book covers plays a really important part to a book. When you go to a bookstore, you most probably picked out a book from its shelf because you were interested in the cover (although the element that interest you may varies: its title, illustration, or the name of the author). Here's my favorite book covers from all of the books that I've read this year (click on the picture to go to its Goodreads page/my review of the book):

Across the Universe, by Beth Revis
The outer space theme is truly amazing in print, for real.

Incarnate, by Jodi Meadows.
One thing: simply breathtaking. Too bad the story isn't as good as the cover, though :|

Kastil Es dan Air Mancur yang Berdansa, by Prisca Primasari
It's true that I bought this book purely because I was encaptured by its cover. Blue, icy, but also sweet. :)

The One that I Want, by Jennifer Echols.

The two models doesn't exactly fit in the descriptions of the two main characters, but alas, the photo is really beautiful. Seems like the photo was taken in Central Park or some place similar to it... And the title was nicely put.

Kukila, by M. Aan Mansyur

The tosca color in the cover is so prettyyyy. I think the cover gives some insight about the stories inside, somewhat mysterious but also tickles our interest to read further. It doesn't put much but captures the feeling well. Simply beautiful

That's my top 5 favorite covers in no particular order. What do you think about the covers? What's your favorite? Tell me :)

 

Book Kaleidoscope is a meme hosted by Mbak Fanda from Fanda Classiclit. To read other entries/join, please go here.

Book Kaleidoscope 2012 #1: Top 5 Book Boyfriends

 

I started 2012 by signing into Goodreads and set 85 books as my 2012 Reading Challenge goal  (then changed it to 100) and was kinda surprised when I passed that goal. In the end, I succeeded reading about 107 books in total (woohoo) :D #ughforgivemeforbraggingIknowitsannoyingbutIcanthelpit

Book Kaleidoscope 2012 is a meme hosted by Mbak Fanda from Fanda Classiclit. In this event, your goal is to choose your own version of top five book boyfriends, top five book covers and top five best books from all the books that you have read in 2012. If you want to join/read other entries, you can look up in the master posts here.

TOP FIVE BOOK BOYFRIENDS

To be honest, it's extremely difficult for me to pick only five of all the book boyfriends I've met (or read) this year because I tend to love almost all of them! (tee-hee) But after spending some time narrowing down the list, I've finally put these boys as my favorites (in no particular order):

Cricket Bell

from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephenie Perkins

 “So do you believe in second chances?" I bite my lip.
"Second, third, fourth. Whatever it takes. However long it takes. If the person is right," he adds.
"If the person is... Lola?"
This time, he holds my gaze. "Only if the other person is Cricket.”

Cricket is both Lola's neighbor and bestfriend. He's an undergrad at Berkley and a gifted-inventor. One thing I love the most about Cricket is that he truly likes Lola as she is; he never feels ashamed about Lola's weird style or her strange hair color. It was clear that Lola & Cricket really likes each other, too bad Lola already has a boyfriend named Max.

I would say that I prefer Cricket to Etienne St Clair (from Anna and the French Kiss)! I don't know, there's just something about Cricket that really sparks my interests. The chemistry between him and Lola is very palpable. I always imagine Cricket Bell as a cute, tall guy with nerdy glasses that makes him looks totally adorable. My version of Cricket would be between Cameron Mitchell or Andrew Garfield <3

Dexter Jones

from This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

  “I just thought to my self, all of a sudden, that we had something in common. A natural chemistry, if you will. And I had a feeling that something big was going to happen. To both of us. That we were, in fact, meant to be together.” 

Of all the Dessen boys, Dexter is the one I love the most (beside Wes from The Truth about Forever). Dexter is a lead singer in a band called The Truth Squad. Spontaneous, outgoing, kinda silly but seems really fun to be with! He's a great boyfriend, too. Dexter has always been honest about his feelings to Remy. Oh, and another thing I found funny of him: Dexter has a dog named Monkey =))

I can't really seem to find any picture or a figure that could fit my version of Dexter so I just put whoever it is lol. The man in the picture above is Arthur Sales.

Akiva

from Daughter of Smoke and Bones trilogy by Laini Taylor

"Once more his physicality struck her, that he was a flesh-and-blood being, though unlike any
she had ever seen or touched. He was a melding of elements: fire and earth. She would have
thought an angel would have something of air, but he didn’t. He was all substance: powerful
and rugged and real."

Why? First to infinity, because he's Akiva. LOL. If you have read the book then you must also found it impossible not to fall in love with him, y/y? All the descriptions Laini Taylor wrote about him, albeit the imperfections, only made him more and more unresistable (is that even a word...) But really. Akiva's not perfect, he made some big mistakes, but his love for Madrigal/Karou was really powerful and I found it amazing that he dare to dream a world outside the world he's currently in... And he's so hot, anyway :p

That picture above always comes to mind everytime I read about Akiva. The man in the picture above is either Ash Stymest or Cole Mohr... or neither? I can't remember. He's a male model.

Jase Garrett
from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

“Hey," He says again, sitting down next to me as though he knows me well. “Need rescuing?”

Jason Garrett is all kinds of awesome and very swoon-worthy! He's the book boyfriend I would really liked the most to be real. Jase is a family guy, the third child among eight. The relationship dynamics between his family, the Garretts, are soo lovely that I can't help but to feel envy. Jase is also very sweet to Sam, his girlfriend. This guy has a good manner, kindhearted, a hardworker and an honest person. And he always put other people first before himself. :)

Jase was described to has wavy brown hair, olive skin and green eyes. He likes to fix things and has a lot of reptiles kept in his room (yes, what a strange hobby...). Picture above is of Jake Abel (watch out, he's the Ian O'Shea in the upcoming The Host movie, out in cinemas March 2013)

Josh Bennett

from The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

“Emilia," he says, and when he does, it warms me to my soul. "Every day you save me."

Josh is far from perfect. He's... damaged, and quiet, but has a strong presence to the people around him. He has his own way to cope with loneliness from the absence of a family in his life, by making furnitures made of woods at night. That is also how Josh meets Nastya/Emilia and soon to be involved in a complex relationship with her. I also always love the banters between Josh and Drew, his bestfriend. Their bromance is lovely! :D

I always envisioned Josh as a guy who's wearing wifebeater and holds a piece of wood at night, heheheh. My version of Josh Bennett is a boy with Jack O'Connell-ish face, but with a darker hair and slightly taller figure.

***

So they're my top five best book boyfriend of 2012! To be honest, I have many other nominees lining up hehehehe. The list included Four/Tobias Eaton from Divergent trilogy, Jack from Blood Red Road (with that sexy accent of him, uhuh), Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars but I scratched him because he's way too cheesy for my liking, A from Every Day and Day from Legend.

Who's your book boyfriend of 2012?

:D

The Lover's Dictionary (Kamus Sang Kekasih) by David Levithan

The Lover's Dictionary

Title: The Lover's Dictionary (Kamus Sang Kekasih)

Penulis: David Levithan

Penerjemah: Rosi L. Simamora

Penerbit: Gramedia Pustaka Utama

Tahun terbit: 2011 (Juli)

Tebal: 216 halaman

Harga: Rp 35.000

***

basis, n.

There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you’re in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself.

If the moment doesn’t pass, that’s it—you’re done. And if the moment does pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it’s even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover’s face. 

How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

***

Kalau kamus sejenis ini secara kontinyu diproduksi masal dan benar-benar diresmikan sebagai kamus, saya rasa penjualan kamus ke depannya bakal meningkat tajam. :)) Jujur saya kagum sama David Levithan bisa kepikiran menulis sebuah cerita dalam format seperti ini.

Layaknya kamus, cerita tidak disampaikan melalui paragraf dan rangkaian peristiwa yang padu, melainkan abjad-abjad dengan disertai sebuah adegan. Kilasan peristiwa. Penjelasan yang berhubungan dengan kata tersebut dalam barisan kalimat-kalimat singkat. Tapi adegan tersebut pun belum tentu mengungkap makna kata secara gamblang. Disini pandainya David Levithan terasa nyata, ia mahir membuat rangkaian kalimat pendek menjadi sarat makna.

Kalau yang saya perhatikan sih, POV keseluruhan kata-kata ini disampaikan melalui sudut pandang seorang laki-laki. Lumayan, jadi bisa tau sedikit-sedikit tentang gimana sih jalan pikiran cowok tentang cinta. #eaaa Tapi disini nggak semuanya melulu tentang cinta yang senang terus, David juga realistis, sering menggambarkan situasi nggak enak yang biasa terjadi dalam suatu hubungan.

Kadang ada beberapa topik/permasalahan yang diulang melalui kata yang berbeda-beda (tentang perselingkuhan si pasangan atau peristiwa meninggalnya kakek/nenek salah satu dari pasangan) yang imbasnya saya jadi bosen karena itu lagi-itu lagi yang dibahas, tapi secara keseluruhan it was a nice & light read. :)

Favorite dictions:

cache, kb. tempat menyembunyikan sesuatu.
Aku memutuskan untuk membereskan meja kerjaku. Kusangka kau tengah sibuk di dapur. Tapi lalu aku mendengarmu di belakangku, mendengar kau bertanya, ”Apa isi folder itu?”. Aku yakin wajahku merah padam saat memberitahumu isinya adalah printout email-email-mu, bersama surat-surat dan catatan-catatan kecil yang diselipkan di antaranya, bagaikan bunga-bunga yang diselipkan di kamus. Kau tidak mengatakan apa-apa lagi, dan aku bersyukur karenanya. 

basis, kb. dasar.
Pasti ada suatu momen, di masa awal, ketika kau bertanya-tanya apakah kau memang jatuh cinta kepada orangnya, ataukah jatuh cinta kepada perasaan cinta itu sendiri.

infidel, kb. kafir.
Kita menanggap mereka bersembunyi di bukit-bukit; para pemberontak, perompak, bajingan revolusioner. Tapi sungguh, bukankah kesalahan mereka hanyalah karena mereka tidak memercayai sesuatu?

fluke, kb. nasib baik; keberuntungan.
Kencan sebelum kencan denganmu sangat buruk; sombong, perokok, napas bau -sehingga aku bersumpah akan menghapus profilku keesokan paginya. Hanya saja ketika akan melakukannya, aku tersadar tinggal delapan hari lagi sebelum masa keanggotaanku habis. Jadi kuberi kesempatan delapan hari. Dan kau meng-email-ku di hari keenam.

-Tirta

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Warm Bodies (Goodreads)

Judul: Warm Bodies
Penulis: Isaac Marion
Penerjemah: Meda Satrio
Penerbit: Ufuk Publishing
Tebal: 376 halaman
Harga: Rp 50.000

***

“R” adalah zombi. Dia tidak punya ingatan, tidak punya identitas, dan tidak punya denyut nadi. Tetapi, dia punya mimpi. Dia tidak suka membunuh manusia. Dia agak berbeda dengan teman-temannya “Kaum Mati”. Sewaktu menjelajahi reruntuhan peradaban untuk mencari makan, R bertemu seorang gadis bernama Julie. Gadis itu merupakan kebalikan dari segala yang R tahu. Julie, yang hangat dan ceria serta sangat hidup, membuat sesuatu dalam diri R mulai berubah. R sadar dia tidak ingin memakan Julie, meski gadis itu tampak lezat. Dia ingin melindungi Julie, tak peduli apa pun akibatnya. Pilihan ini seperti percik api di rumput, melanggar aturan dan menyangkal logika, tetapi R tidak puas lagi dengan kehidupan dalam kematian. Dia ingin bernapas lagi, ingin hidup, dan Julie ingin membantunya. Bisakah kasih dari dua dunia yang berbeda ini berpadu?

***

"I am dead, but it's not so bad."

Tadinya Warm Bodies ini mau dibiarin nganggur dulu di shelves untuk sementara, tapi setelah liat movie trailernya (yang jadi peran utamanya Nicholas Hoult, saudara-saudara!) saya langsung buru-buru baca. *wink-wink*

Jadi, ini pertama kalinya saya baca buku tentang zombi. Setelah vampir, shapeshifter, seraphim/nemphilim yang semuanya masih bisa 'ditanggung', baca Warm Bodies sempat bikin kaget. Apalagi sewaktu pertama kali baca deskripsi fisik zombi R (pucat seperti mayat-mayat kebanyakan, bibir yang hitam membusuk, lingkaran gelap di bawah mata), dan kebiasaan makannya. Buku ini diceritakan dari POV pertama R sebagai zombi. Makanan utama zombi adalah manusia, dan kalau sekedar kalimat 'mengoyak tangan' atau 'mengunyah kaki' ataupun potongan tubuh lain sih saya masih tahan, tapi begitu bagian 'menelan otak', yeiks, saya buru-buru tutup bukunya sementara.

"Eating is not a pleasant business. I chew off a man’s arm, and I hate it. I hate his screams because I don’t like pain, I don’t like hurting people, but it’s the world now. This is what we do. Of course if I don’t eat all of him, if I spare his brain, he’ll rise up and follow me back to the airport, and that might make me feel better. I’ll introduce him to everyone, and maybe we’ll stand around and groan for a while. It’s hard to say what friends are any more, but that might be close."

Tapi setelah dinikmati ternyata ceritanya menarik. Kenalkan, R. Zombi dingin busuk menyeramkan namun berhati hangat yang hobinya naik-turun eskalator dan dengerin lagu-lagu Frank Sinatra. R berbeda dengan Kaum Mati kebanyakan, dia masih punya rasa guilty dan nggak enak setiap kali habis makan manusia. Dia juga masih suka bertanya-tanya tentang siapa dia dulunya sebelum jadi zombi dan membayangkan gimana ya rasanya hidup jadi manusia kembali. (Di dunia zombi R, manusia yang digigit oleh zombi tapi tidak dimakan sampai habis akan ikut berubah jadi zombi. Jadi dulu R juga manusia biasa sebelum men-zombi. Sayangnya, setiap zombi nggak bisa ingat sama sekali tentang kehidupan lamanya sebagai manusia.)

Cerita R ketemu Julie bermula dari sebuah penyerangan zombi (R dan teman-temannya) ke sebuah apartemen. Disana R memangsa Perry, yang akhirnya mati termakan setelah berusaha melindungi Julie, pacarnya. R menyimpan bagian otak Perry (save the best for the last?) dan ia membawa Julie ke kediaman para zombi, sebuah bandara yang sudah tidak beroperasi di bagian luar kota.

Semenjak itu, perangai R juga berubah. Sejujurnya dia juga pengen makan Julie sih, tapi ketertarikan R akan cewek itu menahannya. R jadi lebih sering ngobrol, dan mulai lebih menunjukkan tanda-tanda kemanusiaan (dengerin musik, tidur, nyetir mobil, dan lain sebagainya). Saya rasa sebagian besar ketertarikan R juga di

pengaruhi oleh otak Perry yang ia makan deh, karena setiap kilasan peristiwa dalam kehidupan Perry (termasuk segala ingatan tentang hubungannya dengan Julie) jadi bisa dilihat dan dirasakan oleh R.

Yang saya paling suka adalah gimana cinta bisa membuat R kembali jadi manusiawi. Warm Bodies juga diisi oleh faktor-faktor x yang bisa bikin buku jadi menarik. Tokoh Julie dihadirkan dengan karakter yang menarik, lumayan tangguh, mandiri, intinya nggak menye sama cinta. Kisah cinta mereka nggak instan deh. Karakter antagonis muncul dalam wujud Grigio, ayah Julie yang keras dan bertekad untuk membunuh semua zombi yang ia temui. Nggak ketinggalan juga Nora, karakter sahabat baik si tokoh utama yang fun & sassy.

I suck in air and attempt to sing. "You're... sensational..." I croak, struggling for a trace of Frank's melody.
There's a pause and then something shifts in Julie's demeanor. I realise she's laughing.
"Oh wow," she giggles. "That was beautiful, R, really. You and Zombie Sinatra should record Duets, Volume 2."
I cough. "Didn't get... warm-up."

Sayangnya, saya rasa nggak semua orang bisa baca buku ini, karena bagian-bagian makan-memakan R itu cukup deskriptif dan cukup bikin eneg juga. But if you can manage to read and survive those parts, you'll find that this unique story is kinda sweet and heart-warming. Kepribadian R yang lumayan lucu, agak sarkas dan jalan pikirannya yang menarik jadi poin lebih. Kekurangan lainnya adalah Isaac Marion kurang mengeksplor atau menjelaskan lebih lanjut tentang latar waktu dan back-stories yang bisa mendukung isi cerita dan membantu pembaca memahami situasi saat itu. Jadi, cerita Warm Bodies ini terjadinya kapan? Di masa depan? Apa yang terjadi pada manusia di saat itu, apakah sebagian besar dari mereka telah berubah jadi zombi dan sebagian lain mati dimakan zombi? Bagaimana awalnya zombi ada dan mulai menjadi musuh besar manusia? Dan hal-hal lain yang serupa.

Movie Adaptation

Surprise, surprise! Ternyata Warm Bodies ini filmnya udah dibuat dan bakal tayang Februari tahun depan. Tapi yang bikin saya paling excited is the fact that Nicholas Hoult is R! And he plays the part really well (yah, kalau dilihat dari trailernya sih). And the trailer turns out to be kinda adorable and really funny! Mungkin pihak pembuat filmnya lebih pingin menonjolkan sisi humornya daripada horornya, and I'm glad about it.

Warm Bodies (2013)

Directed by Jonathan Levine

Casts: Nicholas Hoult (R), Teresa Palmer (Julie), Dave Franco (Perry), John Malkovich (Grigio), Analeigh Tipton (Nora), and Rob Coddry (M)

  "We will cry and bleed and lust and love, and we will cure death. We will be the cure. Because we want it."

 

- Tirta.

Indonesia Book Fair 2012 Hunting Result!

Book fair time again! Yay!

Senangnya belakangan ini acara book fair udah semakin ramai dan sering diselenggarakan di Jakarta. Yang biasa jadi langganan saya itu ada 3 - Islamic Book Fair (biasanya diadakan sekitar kuarter pertama tiap tahun), Jakarta Book Fair (pas liburan sekolah) dan Indonesia Book Fair (biasanya menjelang akhir tahun) :D

Alhamdulillah minggu kemarin bisa curi-curi waktu buat sempetin ke Istora Senayan. Indonesia Book Fair tahun ini diadakan dari tanggal 17-25 November, saya datang pas hari kedua, Minggu 18 November. Dari hasil pengamatan mata pas hari kedua itu sih suasana di dalam belum begitu ramai, cenderung lengang malah, mungkin ya karena baru hari kedua kali ya. Biasanya memang jauh lebih ramai menjelang hari penutupan soalnya stand-stand mulai banting harga lebih tinggi lagi =)

Yang cenderung ditanyakan teman-teman kalau saya habis cerita itu biasanya:


Ada buku apa aja disana?
Wah banyak. Namanya juga book fair. Dari buku fiksi, nonfiksi, terjemahan, lokal, komik, sampai yang jual kitab suci juga ada. Istimewanya sih karena penerbit-penerbit yang buka stand ini suka ngeluarin stok buku-buku lama (terbitan tahun-tahun yang udah lewat) yang kadang udah susah ditemuin di toko buku sekarang. Biasanya buku yang kayak gitu yang jadi inceran saya. Kenapa? Jelas, diskonnya jauh lebih mantep, hehehe

Emang penerbit yang buka stand apa aja?
Banyak juga!
Coba ya saya ingat-ingat: Ada Periplus Bookindo, Sinar Star Books, Mizan Media Utama, Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Agromedia (kalau mau cari buku keluaran Gagas Media disini), Elex Media Computindo, Teen Media, Bumi Aksara, Tiga Serangkai, Book & Beyond, Ufuk Publishing, Yayasan Obor, Dejavu Komik, ada juga stand-stand khusus untuk perpustakaan-perpustakaan daerah, seperti Perpustakaan Pertanian Bogor, Kantor Perpustakaan dan Arsip Kota Adm. Jakarta Timur, ada juga stand FKUI yang menjual buku-buku kuliah.

Ada rekomen nggak beli bukunya di stand apa?
Kalau saran saya sih tiap ada acara book fair begini kesampingkan dulu beli buku di stand penerbit-penerbit bekennya, coba deh mampir ke stand-stand yang jual buku bekas atau buku keluaran lama (ya nggak lama-lama banget sih) dengan stok menumpuk. Contohnya stand Sabana Used Books, Dhita Books, Pasar Buku Langka, Dejavu Comic, dan lain-lain. Kadang-kadang buku yang ditemuin bisa bikin 'wow' sendiri loh, dan harganya juga oke bangets. Biasanya mereka nggak segan kasih diskon yang jauh lebih gede dibanding diskon-diskon di stand penerbit/toko buku yang beken-beken itu (Iyalah). Cuma dibutuhkan skill gigih dan mau ngobok-ngobok stand aja kok. Terapkanlah prinsip ekonomi dengan baik di Book Fair ini: Modal sedikit, tapi hasil banyak! :D


Sekarang waktunya pamer hasil buruan kemarin, hihihi. Bingung juga setelah pulang baru sadar kalo saya cuma beli 6 buku, padahal kayaknya banyak gitu, jadi agak nyesel juga :\

Clock-wise:

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett - Rp 35.000
YAY! Akhirnya dapet juga beli buku ini setelah sekian lama cari! Dan cuma 35ribu perak lagi XD
Dapet di stand Teen Media, mereka jual beberapa buku terbitan Matahati (The Help ini, The Mysterious Benedict Society sama Uglies series adalah beberapa diantaranya) dengan harga kisaran 20ribu-40ribu saja.

2. Abarat by Clive Barker - Rp 40.000
Saya penasaran sama Abarat ini karena waktu itu pernah lihat bukunya dibahas di timeline Mbak @hetih dari Gramedia. Setelah baca-baca sekilas satu kopi buku yang plastiknya terbuka (dan liat ilustrasi serta peta-nya yang wow) akhirnya dibawa deh ke kasir. Dapet di stand khusus diskon Gramedia (letaknya nggak barengan di lokasi utama, tapi di ruangan pinggir-pinggir gitu)

3. Forgotten by Cat Patrick - Rp 45.500
Kalau yang ini impuls sewaktu lagi ngelewatin stand Mizan. Tadinya mau ngambil Shatter Me, tapi nggak jadi. Malah tertarik sama yang ini setelah baca sinopsisnya. Karena keluaran baru jadi cuma didiskon 30% (harga awal 65rb kalau nggak salah)

4. Silang Hati by Sanie B. Kuncoro & Widyawati Oktavia
Saya lupa ini harga belinya berapa, yang jelas ini cuma diskon 10% dari harga awal. Seri baru dari Gagas Duet nih, saya penasaran soalnya waktu baca buku pertama Sanie B Kuncoro sempat terkesan. Gaya penulisannya puitis-puitis gituuu. Dapatnya di stand Kelompok Agromedia. Kayaknya Gagas nggak bikin stand mandiri tahun ini, melainkan ikut gabung di stand Agromedia (yang emang membawahi Gagas sih)

5. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander JK Rowling - Rp 7.000
Akhirnya lengkap semua terjemahan Harry Potter! Selain 7 buku utama, saya juga udah punya yang Quidditch Trough the Ages sama The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Nyari yang ini paling susah :| Tapi akhirnya ketemu juga di stand diskon khusus Gramedia. Yay!

6. Where Rainbows End by Cecilia Ahern - Rp 35.000
Yang ini buku impor dan cuma 35ribu! Kapan lagi? XD
Seneng banget saya pas ngebalik buku dan liat harganya cuma 35 ribu. Langsung buru-buru bayar biar nggak disamber orang lain. Nemu di stand Dhita Books yang jual banyak buku impor/lokal dengan harga-harga miring. Kalau nggak salah saya liat terjemahan Twilight Saga cuma dibandrol 10rb-15rb deh. The Mortal Instruments juga cuma 45rb disana. Dhita Books ini banyak jual buku bekas, tapi kondisinya masih bagus-bagus banget. Pengen banget kesana lagi dan borong used booksnya...

Gimana, tertarik mau ke Indonesia Book Fair? Atau malah udah kesana? Beli buku apa aja nih? Acaranya masih sampai weekend ini lho, tanggal 25 November. Ayo, mumpung masih ada 3 hari lagi buat 'berburu' XD

PS: Di Indonesia Book Fair 2012 ini kerennya juga ada bursa naskah, jadi kalau ada yang punya naskah-naskah novel atau cerita yang pengen diterbitin, coba bawa aja dan submit ke salah satu penerbit yang ada disana. Siapa tau diterima....


- Tirta

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood and Starlight (Goodreads)

Title: Days of Blood and Starlight

Author: Laini Taylor

Publisher: Little Brown (November 2012)

Pages: 517 pg

Read in Ebook copy

***

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.
This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

***

“Light coursed through Karou and darkness chased it-burning through her, chilling her, shimmer and shadow, ice and fire, blood and starlight, rushing, roaring, filling her."

Pernah dengar kata-kata 'assumption kills'? Yup. Asumsi merusak segalanya. Sewaktu selesai membaca Daughter of Smoke and Bone, kita menutup cerita dengan adegan Karou yang pergi menembus portal menuju Eretz (dunia para seraph dan chimaera) dengan bantuan Razgut. Karou dipenuhi dengan rasa bersalah and remorse, sebagian dirinya membenci Akiva karena Akiva ikut berperan dalam pembantaian kaum chimaera (termasuk Brimstone, Twiga, Issa dan Yasri yang selama ini adalah keluarga bagi Karou) sebagian lagi membenci dirinya sendiri karena telah mencintai dan menyelamatkan Akiva, 17 tahun yang lalu, bahkan setelah Karou/Madrigal dihukum pancung. Ia menyelamatkan Akiva, dan sekarang Akiva justru menyebabkan keluarganya, bangsanya hampir punah.

Akiva yang kemudian menyusul Karou, berusaha menemukan dan menyelamatkan gadis itu dari situasi perang di Eretz, justru kemudian menemukan sebuah thurible (wadah yang dipakai untuk menampung jiwa yang mati sebelum 'dimasukkan' ke dalam tubuh baru) bertuliskan nama Karou. Lagi-lagi asumsi: Karou telah mati. Dan sekarang, tidak ada yang bisa membangkitkan Karou lagi karena Brimstone, satu-satunya chimaera yang dapat melakukan praktek resurrection, telah dibunuh oleh bangsa seraph.

Laini Taylor continues to awe me with her wonderful & beautiful writing. She told everything in details. Kita diajak lebih jauh untuk masuk ke dalam Eretz (Praha yang indah dan eksotis itu rasanya udah terlupakan deh) dan mengeksplor lebih detail tentang situasi hidup seraph dan chimaera yang sesungguhnya. Tapi persis seperti yang tertulis di sinopsis,  "Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life" buku kedua ini nuansanya lebih dark dan muram. Kalau dari awal pengennya baca kisah cinta Karou dan Akiva yang makin berbunga-bunga, well you have to wash that hopes away. Untuk sampe di poin dimana Akiva dan Karou akhirnya ketemu aja harus nunggu sampai setengah buku T_T

Days of Blood and Starlight mengajarkan bahwa asumsi dan prasangka yang salah pasti akan merusak semuanya. Mimpi Karou dan Akiva yang ingin mewujudkan satu dunia, satu Eretz dimana bangsa chimaera dan seraph bisa hidup berdampingan dalam damai, kini rusak. Hancur dan hilang oleh perbuatan mereka sendiri. Ini jadi kayak cerminan besar keadaan kita sesungguhnya di real life, ya. Seperti kata guru les saya, banyak bangsa manusia yang sejak lama bermusuhan satu sama lain atas dasar hal-hal yang tidak bisa mereka pilih karena sudah dari sananya begitu sejak lahir (ras, agama, warna kulit, kelas sosial) tapi mereka justru dihinakan oleh manusia lain karena hal-hal tersebut. Di dunia Karou dan Akiva, para seraph dan chimaera di dunia sekarang pun tidak tahu alasan awal mereka bermusuhan hingga terlibat dalam perang ratusan tahun. Yang mereka tahu, mereka terlahir sudah menjadi satu diantaranya, dan hidup dengan memusuhi bangsa lawan. Akiva pun hanya menyebutkan bahwa para seraph dahulu pernah diserang, dihancurkan, dan dimusnahkan bersama sejarah dan buku-buku sihir mereka, namun alasan penyerangan itu, mereka tidak mengerti apa-apa. Karena itulah, kini para seraph membalas dendam dengan cara membakar semua portal dan memusnahkan para chimaera yang masih hidup.

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

The Sea of Tranquility

Title: The Sea of Tranquility

Author: Katja Millay

Publisher: Antisocialite Press (September 2012)

Pages: 328 pg

Read in Ebook

***

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay.

All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

***

"I hate my left hand. I hate to look at it. I hate it when it stutters and trembles and reminds me that my identity is gone. But I look at it anyway; because it also reminds me that I’m going to find the boy who took everything from me. I’m going to kill the boy who killed me, and when I kill him, I’m going to do it with my left hand."

Nastya dan Josh sama-sama memiliki masa lalu yang kelam, traumatis dan tidak menyenangkan. Nastya pernah mengalami percobaan pembunuhan, dimana akibat peristiwa itu ia sempat mati suri, dan peristiwa itu pulalah yang membuat ia sekarang tidak bicara. Ibu dan saudara perempuan Josh meninggal saat usia Josh masih 8 tahun, lalu sejak itu Ayahnya larut dalam kesedihan sebelum lama-lama 'menghilang' dan akhirnya ikut menyusul istri dan anak perempuannya. Mereka punya cara masing-masing untuk menghadapi kesedihan dan trauma mereka tersebut; Nastya dengan kebiasaannya berlari di waktu malam, sedangkan Josh menyibukkan diri dengan membuat berbagai perabot rumah dan keterampilan dari kayu.

Suatu hari, waktu lagi lari, tiba-tiba Nastya justru end up di garasi Josh. Dari situlah awal komunikasi dan hubungan aneh di antara mereka terbentuk. Awalnya hanya berupa companionship dimana Nastya sering datang hanya untuk duduk diam dan ngeliatin Josh kerja, lama-kelamaan jadi sebuah friendship. Nastya merasa nyaman sama Josh, dan cuma sama cowok itulah dia mau ngomong. Not-so-long-after, they're starting to feel drawn into each other.

“People like to say love is unconditional, but it's not, and even if it was unconditional, it's still never free. They always want something in return. Like they want you to be happy or whatever and that makes you automatically responsible for their business because they won't be happy unless you are. You're supposed to be who they think you're supposed to be and feel how they think you're supposed to feel because they love you and when you can't give them what they want, they feel shitty, so you feel shitty, and everybody feels shitty. I just don't want that responsibility.”