Since last Sunday was  a Valentine's day, i think...it suits the theme to bring you the Romance Book Recs to you. This time, for book recs with certain genre, i will put the part of it, since in the next future i might give you another one. To be fair my recommendations are for YA books, and more warning in front, it's not your typical romance book. 

As usual, in non particularly order and no spoilers included. No, it's not include with sexy scene, this time is for the fluttering in the stomach kind of romance. And yes, the recommendations will be for the books I've read years ago (since i rarely read book with romance heavy lately, more into fantasy heavy) so if it's out of date, well.. suck it up baby! lol! Without further ado, let's dive in!

1. To All The Boys I've Loved Before By Jenny Han

This one is my old time fave. Suppose to be just a standalone, but of course it has to be a series since the hype is too much, demands from the reader, and viola! Another book leads to another book. The story set in high school, half Asian main characters with love letters that isn't suppose to be sent yet it made all the man chasing Lara either to confirm the feelings or just to make it clear about it. Of course it wouldn't be such a big deal if one of the letter sent to someone that shouldn't know Lara's feeling. 

Included a fake boyfriend troupes and scandalous event, the story just getting more and more fun. And OOH!! This also already adapted to movie, the whole series! In fact the last movie for the third book, Always and Forever Lara Jean already released in 12th February. I honestly haven't watch the movie, first movie i hate, second movie i love, i just can't wait for the third one. 

2. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

The story include my fave character from the first book, which is Josh, a cartoonist, and i always love this kind of character for a male character. Artsy, cool, mysterious, yet romantic in some kind of way you know? I just can't say more, just read it!

3. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

This one people! Is too underrated! I mean why??? i love this book yet it's too underrated.  This is John Green's second book that he published that i personally love more than Finding Alaska, his debut. I was questioning why this one didn't adapted to movie or series just like his other books, because i really like this one. 

Prodigy for math, fan of anagram, road trip to find The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability as the post break-up effort to move on. The book is so unique with lots of mathematical theme in it. We got lots of graphs and formulas. Just like i always said, John Green always has his own theme for each of his creations. Which made them so unique. 

4. Selection Series by Kiera Cass

 This one would be a bit different since it's not a contemporary but a dystopian genre. But this book mostly focusing in love story. About royal prince who's searching his future queen with holding a "survival dating program" with each girl from each class (which the country itself divided into some classes of people by their job) and the last girl standing is the one who the prince will marry. 

"Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like it. It was only ever yours to break anyway." — Maxon —

I think it's more proper if i give you the most famous quote for this series. I love this series, but only the first three of it, since the fourth and the fifth is basically counted as the season two of this survival dating program because the main character is not the same from the first book but the children of the prince. This book has become the "common" book that you will find in almost every reader since it's so famous. So i think if you haven't read it, you must. Specially if you also into dystopian not just contemporary. 

Well, that's a wrap for this recommendations, like i said before, it's not the typical book recs that you would expect. Am i disappointing you? i hope not. I will do the next part in the future, let's pray that future is not that far ahead. See ya!

Read Also :

It's February already but yet i still hasn't really give you my 2020 recap for best read. Yes i did a 2020 recap (click the picture below if you missed it) but i think it's only fair if i really give you my best read for 2020 not just answering the questions.

All the list below are not based on the rating but based on the timeline i read them, of course all of them are not 5 stars read (since i think i become more picky to give a 5 star lately, probably because i've read more great books) but still all of them worth your time to read. I will only give you 8 recommendations (since i love number 8) which is hard since i read lots of good book in 2020, but it wouldn't be a recommendations if i list all of them right? I will try my best to tell you the synopsis of the book (which i probably almost lost the memory of it) but i won't include spoilers of the series. Okay, that's long already. Let's goo!

1. Heroes Of Olympus Series By Rick Riordan

If you don't know already that i will recommend you to read this book, you must be a newbie for this blog. I always love Rick Riordan books, lowest rate for his books are 4 stars (which is low for me for his book since i always rate the book that i don't enjoy 3 stars, so 4 stars is quite insulting). 

The story took time after Percy Jackson and The Olympian series, which end with another new prophecy for 7 people. Of course i won't tell you who are the characters except that Percy and Annabeth are in it. But It's not only Greek Mythology included only, but another Mythology included, which also i won't tell you because it won't be fun if you haven't read the book to know.

The Series of course consist of 5 books, with each book has its own small goal to the biggest goal that will happen in the last book, which one thing that i always love about Rick Riordan, he knows what he's doing for whole series even before the second book released. And ooof! beware of cliff hanger ending! So get the next book ready before you finish the book!

2. The Infernal Devices Series By Cassandra Clare

Set in Victorian era ( again, another reason why i love this series) with magic in the city of London, usually i don't really like an urban fantasy but this one is good! (probably because it's not too urban? since it's Victorian). We met the Shadowhunters, descendants of angels, we got demons, warlocks (witches), Warewolves,  Faeries, you name it! All the magical beings are there, even Vampires! 

I think this series is perfectly balance between the fantasy action part and the romance part, i definitely would suggest you to read this one if you are new to fantasy books. 

3. Call Me By Your Name By Andre Aciman

This one, everybody, will took you to an emotional roller coaster. I mean not only the Call Me by Your Name book, but also the sequel of it  Find Me. This one set in old Italy, and believe me when i say this, this book break my paradigm of LGBT relationship. 

I always find myself skeptical for a LGBT relationship for a romance. I found myself imagining two person with same gender in love is a bit cringey and weird. But this one is just beautiful! I found the beauty of the love, not male to male, or older man with younger man, just beautiful love between two people. I even love the movie a lot. I was watching it every night for a month or more i think. Can't wait for the sequel Find Me to be released, hopefully soon!

4. Beautiful Boy by David Sheff

You can guess already that i was in the spiral of stalking Timothee Chalamet by reading this book. But believe me (again) when i say this (again) this book is so well written. Beautifully,  yet brutally honest. I thought i'm not a fan of a biography anymore (i used to read lots of philosopher's biography back in junior high) but this one just bring me back to that vibe.

A memoir that i never thought i would get my hands to it, end up being one of the top reads of my 2020. David Sheff's ability in writing with his background as a journalist, just surprises me. I definitely love his writing style. I end up thinking a lot when i finished the last page of this book too. Definitely worth to read for you, not because you might be an addict, but for everyone to know what it feels like to be torn and helpless in something that you can't really control. 

5. The Folk of The Air Series by Holy Black 

Okay this would be a bit challenging. To be honest i don't really like The Cruel Prince when i read it. I don't like bully, no matter what you say to justify that action. Faerie also not my face creatures to me so far thanks to The Mortal Instrument series, plus i just finished that whole series that i think the series, tho not bad, still good series but overrated to me.

But i always like female character with strong will (or should we call it a thick headed character?) and i think the pace is fast, specially with political intrigue in the story just made it really sweet for me. I finished this series less than 10 days i think, and thanks to that fast pace book, it become one of my best read 2020

6. Turtles All The Way Down By John Green

Okay, i know i have my own unique taste in reading, but this one is a bit controversial for some reason. Some people hate it, but i love this one! I found myself pretty objective for John Green books tho I'm a big fan of him, but some people just don't like his works, apart from The Fault in Our Star, which for me is an okay book but not his best. I found Paper town is better, yet of course not everyone agree with me.

This one tho, i would say the best work of his. I really like the flow of the story, the character, the mystery in it to be solved, the science bits about stars in there, the writing vibe of the blog, and of course the bits of the author's own anxiety included in it. I always love his writing style and concept every book he wrote, and yes! The ending! Oh, i'm not gonna spoil you, but i think John Green always succeed in made every ending of his books memorable. 

7. Shades of Magic Series by V.E Schwab

By this title you probably think "oh here we go again, another hype books" but well.. you can say that since it IS a hype book. I got a big expectation for this one, since i really love the cover (i think i can stop explaining myself to you that i do judge book by its cover, can't i?) and people just so hyped about this book years ago. 

Yes the book is great. I think it has "the most memorable first sentence" kind of book. I really like that first sentence (yes, no spoiler) and again another strong headed female character, and dark dark fantasy indeed. Always love when the author made the main character not "flawless", with their lacking, just made them more "human" you know what i mean? or maybe I'm just too tired to meet the "perfect" main characters already, so the one with flaw is fun.

Also this series consist of 3 books with the second book got different concept than the first book which i find it fresh, i think i love diverse concept in the series. 

8. Warcross Duology  by Marie Lu

 Okay moving on to the last one, honestly this one is the hardest pick, since i binge read her books and i can't really pick between Rebel or this Warcross Duology. Both because it based in futuristic world, which i like, but in the end i choose this one since it's more complex. I love the futuristic world wit AR included in here, I love the characters, the main, the villain, everyone!

I mean, the way Marie Lu develop the character's story plot is just so interesting that i just can't put it down. The way we want to pat the villain in the back because of the back story of it, or slap in the face because of what they've done is just unacceptable. The feeling of being torn you know what i mean? Also with the touch of gaming added, made the story just more fun to read and just imagining it is just...urghh!  Anyways, just read it!

Okay that's it guys. I made it. You've made it till the end. Hope you enjoy reading it, i will do it next year too, but until then.. adios!

Also Read : 

“Every form of art is another way of seeing the world. Another perspective, another window. And science – that’s the most spectacular window of all. You can see the entire universe from there.”
― A Thousand Pieces of You―

1. The Fault is in Our Stars by John Green

This book follows Hazel, who got tumor, her parents think she's in depression that made her go to support group, there she met Gus who is a former basket ball team, an amputee, lost half of his leg due to bone tumor and his best friend Isaac who in the edge of the probability going blind. 

The story about Hazel and Gus adventure to meet Hazel's favorite author who wrote a book with such a cliff hanger ending, in hope to find whether the author might give them a sneak peak about the story after the book or alternative ending or anything!

This book is one of the best contemporary book i've ever read, and yeah, i read it because i've watch the movie first.

2. The Perks of Being Wallflower By Stephen Chbosky

The story follows our wallflower Charlie, who writes letter for "his friend" like a diary, being invincible in school, with famous sister who ignores him anyway in school. Somehow he become friend with Patrick "the nobody"  and his sister Sam, which then they discover that he's a wallflower.

i really like the book, specially i'm proud of the cover that i got. I can't really pick which i like the most, the movie or the book, so be sure to read and watch them both.

 

3.  Eleanor and Park By Rainbow Rowell

This book follows Park, a Korean student, meets Eleanor, a girl with red hair. I really like the story, how they reading book in bus, exchange their favorite books to each other, it just a really good book for a book lover, just like John Green's blurbs.

I still think this book is worth reading for a book lover, young love, and that ending tho, won't said it, just read it. 

 

4. Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella 

If you are a fan of book with witty main character, this one is for you, it just a fun read, light but in other side also include some PTSD element on it (for me at least). Again i'm questioning myself why i didn't include this book in my mental illness post, lol! sorry guys.

This book is about Audrey, who can't leave her house, never take off her sunglasses (or any dark glasses). Yes she got some issues, but she is a witty person, funny and it's really interesting to read her point of view in the book. 

She meet his brother friend, Linus who came to her home almost everyday and he help her to get back to the world.

So that's a wrap! Tell me which book you've read and haven't, or which one is your favorite. Also contemporary books that you've read but i didn't mention it above. See ya!

 

Also Read :

 

Just in case you missed it :

 

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.
The man who never reads lives only once.

— George R. R. Martin —

As an avid Fantasy books reader, these are my some recommendation for you to read. And psst!! Harry Potter is not included! I mean... it’s already people’s favorite so i’m not going to include it here.

I’ll go by sequence from i read them first to the latest, so the number is not the rank, okay? Just read them all. And ooh! these are books in YA, so no adult fantasy included here, but i included a bit dystopian books here too! and a bit spoiler : my recommendations probably controversial!

1. The Bartimaeus Trilogy + The Ring Of Salomon by Jonathan Stroud

This series is probably the first fantasy book that impress me with the wicked yet fun character as Bartimaeus the Djinni. this is the book about magic within a normal world, about great adventure of young magician Nathaniel met the smart, sarcastic demon Bartimaeus, include some Thievery and outsmarting the stronger one. The Sequel tho, the Ring Of Salomon, tho i can’t say it as a sequel it’s more like a book set before Bartimaeus meets Nathaniel, way before that. It was set on 950BC when Bartimaeus enslaved by King Salomon. Yes, the Wise King Salomon guys. So it’s more like Historical fiction which also sparks more because it brings a bit juice in the book comparing to the trilogy before. 

2. Eragon Series by Christopher Paolini

4. A Monster Call by Patrick Ness

5. The Golem and the Jinni by Hellen Wekcker

This one right here probably the one that i didn’t expect to be a good read at first. To be honest i got this book because of the cover at first, (well that’s mostly happen to me all the time, i judge book by its cover because i hate spoiler and reading synopsis is counted as spoiler to me).

Chava which is a Golem, magical creature made of clay made by a wicked rabbi met Ahmad the Jinni who was trapped in a copper flask. They both living in New York. I always love historical Fiction, with magical creature in it.

The story is so magical to me. how they try to fit in among people, how they discover their ability, their interest and more. You might find it a bit dark, but not so dark. I love Chava’s character a lot. Ahmad is an interesting character too.

6. Percy Jackson Series By Rick Riordan

For all the Beginners in Fantasy books, this is the book for you. Rick is one of my fave author because of how easy to read his books are. 

 This is a story about “The Chosen One” name Percy, he’s a dyslexia student at first before he discover that he actually a son of a Greek God, which he discover that he actually can read Greek words, so he’s not actually a dyslexia!

This series include Greek mythology that adapted to modern world which is so fun to meet the Greek Gods with their “Normal” human form. Prophecy is a must for this series. You’ll find it’s a fun and thrilling read but also funny at some part. i really love Rick’s joke, he’s always know how to lower the tension, also how to built it up too.

7. Shadow and Bone Series by Leigh Bardugo

8. Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows is another book set in Grishaverse (same world with the Shadow and Bone series) by Leigh Bardugo but completely different. It’s not all focus about Elemental controlling, it’s more about a pack of smart people (well.. not all of them smart but each has their own ability) trying and scheming of thievery that lead them to save the Grishaverse. 

Lots of unique character here, you definitely love this one too if you are a fantasy book lover. A bit warning, this book also deals with PTSD but you’ll find it acceptable even completes the whole story of it.

9. Heroes Of Olympus By Rick Riordan

10. The Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare

Tell me what you think about this recommendation, also your top 10 books to read too!