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Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: July 10th, 2014, 1:38 pm
by arjaye
oooohh! hot topic! hahaha

Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: July 10th, 2014, 1:56 pm
by ima_vee
arjaye wrote:oooohh! hot topic! hahaha


uii.. I'm guessing it's on your reading list na. hahaha...
what's the secret to finishing books fast arjaye? naiinggit ako. hehehe

Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: July 10th, 2014, 3:48 pm
by laila_6045
purplejoys wrote:May free copy ka, Laila?


i have, but i cant send it to u now coz my internet at home is down and im using my mobile phone for now. w/c sux coz typing is tedious.

Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: July 11th, 2014, 1:29 am
by arjaye
ima_vee wrote:
arjaye wrote:oooohh! hot topic! hahaha


uii.. I'm guessing it's on your reading list na. hahaha...
what's the secret to finishing books fast arjaye? naiinggit ako. hehehe


no secret at all. just if u have time to read, at least few chapters, it will help, u will eventually finish a book. plus, if i see some good recos sa good reads, naeexcite ako to read, kaya napapabilis din. kaya mo yan, dayi! or better , buddy read tayu, para mas ma excite ka, kasi masaya pag me kasabay!hihi
si laila, she sprint-reads! dun tayu maiinggit hahah!

Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: July 21st, 2014, 6:38 pm
by ima_vee
After 3 nights of reading this with my phone. Natapos ko rin.

My Review:

I gave it a 3 for the following reasons:

4 Stars for CREATIVITY AND UNIQUENESS - This is because writing an LGBT must be as difficult as writing a 7-book series and I have to say the Moskowitz did a great job in making this possible. This book somehow teaches people how understand stuff about the "third sex" especially for teenagers like Lio, Craig and Cody. It brings readers deep into the minds and feelings of these kids and into their life experiences, and difficulties. It kind of opened a door to readers where we can peak into Lio and Craig's coping on losing people they love, moving on, fearing death and finding new love.

2 Stars for CONFUSION - why? because I was confused. I was actually expecting some kind of a twist because it was a mystery to me how Craig's animal suddenly disappear but there was no twist. They just disappeared and was recovered one by one. I didn't understand the connection. Maybe it has something to do with "losing, fighting and finding" but I'm not sure and I really don't want to give stars when I'm confuse. And Craig is such a tease. It was obvious that he is into Lio but he still kept gabbing about how he still loves Cody when what I think is that he just feels sorry and guilty for Cody.

Given that 2 reasons, I took the average and I came with 3 stars.

------------------------------------
Is this your first time to read an LGBT genre in the YA?
-------> YES, THIS IS THE FIRST...EVER
Do you think you would be interested to read more such kind of books in the future?
-------> YES. I THINK READING THIS KIND OF BOOK EXPANDS YOUR MIND TO THINGS WE HAVE NOT EVEN THOUGHT OF OR ABOUT STUFF ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE THAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND. IT IS INTERESTING AND SOMEHOW TEACHES US TO BE PATIENT WITH PEOPLE AND NOT BEING JUDGEMENTAL.
Can you suggest any other books and other authors that have such kind theme? -------> LGBT THEMED? I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN MIND. I'M THINKING OF PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER. I ALSO KIND OF REMEMBER JANNE TELLER'S "NOTHING". IT'S NOT AN LGBT BUT IT'S ABOUT LOSING WHAT MATTERS, FINDING THEM AND THEN LOSING THEM AGAIN. :)

Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: July 23rd, 2014, 6:09 pm
by arjaye
..and then there was GONE, GONE, GONE.

In all honesty, I would not pick up this book if not for a friend's challenge. This is my first LGBT read. And i can say, im just confused as the characters. Mine came from the fact that I got hard time imagining Craig and Lio and Cody. Because im a total sucker for romance, love affairs between the same sex was quite intimidating for me. I got a lot of gay friends, yes, they do fill me in with their steamy scenes with their partners, because Im that curious. But in reality, I dont imagine them. Reading about them was quite a different story. Because I was the one setting the plot in my mind, so basically i am the one solely responsible of making them alive in my imagination. Sexy scenes between them were hard to handle, for me.

But in other aspects of the story, it was no different with other reads. Im quite happy to tell you that it was an eye opener in a way that i came to understand more where are they coming from. It was all but human to feel love and be loved whether by same or opposite sex. It doesn't matter. As long as you not hurting other people's feelings and properties, to each his own. I commend Craig for having the strength to face the reality that he should not play around with the feelings for Cody and Lio. He embraced his confused feelings and face the fact that he both loved the 2 boys, but he has to choose. He stood up with his decision by being true to himself and others. Lio, on the other hand, faced some challenging situations early on his life, but still the faith in finding good things out of those situations did not waver. Together, the two of them became the strength of each other. They helped each other, they were learning and growing together.

Ive learned a lot of things in this book. To be brave, to accept, to be honest, to love and be loved, to respect. The support and acceptance of the family is the most important thing for Craig and Lio and all the people like them. To find somebody who accepts and understands you, flaws and all, is really an added bonus. That, despite of all the hardships and difficulties that this cruel world may bring, they will surpass each and every one of them, as long as they are together.

Follow-up questions:
1. Is this your first time to read and LGBT genre in the YA?
--- Yes, the very first!
2. Do you think you would be interested to read more such kind of books in the future?
--- Yes, why not. Im not focused on one genre only, i like variations. I am open to all reads that can help widen my horizon as a reader and as a person.
3. Can you suggest any other books and other authors that have such kind of theme?
--- I have one in mind. Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan.

(This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance.

When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.

This is a happy-meaningful romantic comedy about finding love, losing love, and doing what it takes to get love back in a crazy-wonderful world.---goodreads)

Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: July 23rd, 2014, 6:36 pm
by ima_vee
arjaye wrote:Sexy scenes between them were hard to handle, for me.


I can relate to this. It's such a relief na hanggang kissing scene lang ang Gone Gone Gone.

Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: July 24th, 2014, 3:03 pm
by purplejoys
Reading this book wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

I don't consciously shy away from LGBT books but I did notice that I've only read a few and in those books, the romance isn't the central theme. But LGBT books do intimidate me a little, or at least makes me hesitant. Not that I have anything against LGBTs. I know a lot of gay people but no one that I'm actually close to so you can say I don't fully understand how they think or act or feel.

That said, it was surprisingly easy to go into this book once I psyched myself into thinking that it was just like any YA romance novel I've read -- except the characters are gays. So I read it... and I enjoyed it.

Both Craig and Lio are confused. I think being gay doesn't have much to do with that. Being a teenager has a LOT to do with that. Lio's confusion, I can understand. I mean, he's in love and has a dead brother and a mother who left her family. But Craig, ugh, I felt frustrated with him several times. He talks too much and thinks even more! His thoughts are a jumble. A few times I felt like he overcomplicates things. He has this need to protect Cody and Lio and I thought it's unhealthy. Lio was the one taking therapy but it felt like Craig should be the one doing it.
But see how affected I sound right now? Yeah, that's because Hannah Moskowitz is a good writer. Writing alternate POVs is not an easy task but she made it seem so seamless. You'd easily know whether it was Craig talking or Lio, just by how they *sound*. The voices, the characterization, were very distinct. I was slightly miffed at Craig, and felt more connected to Lio because he sounded more normal, in a way.

And then there were the 9/11 and sniper shootings. Total BUZZKILL. But writing that couldn't have been easy, especially since those things actually happened. So props to Hannah Moskowitz for being able to put into words how scary that time had been.

When it comes to the pacing, I'd say it was good enough, although there were some slow parts. You can read this in one seating, if you're not easily bored (or annoyed by Craig's drama). During the latter part of the book, I was just hurrying up to get it over with and see who Craig ends up with.

Overall, Gone, Gone, Gone is a good and enjoyable book.

1. Is this your first time to read an LGBT genre in the YA?
Not really. I've read Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green, Perks of Being a Wallflower (which has LGBT elements), and Every Day by David Levithan.
2. Do you think you would be interested to read more such kind of books in the future?
Yes! This was an eye-opener. :)
3. Can you suggest any other books and other authors that have such kind theme?
Every Day by David Levithan has LGBT bits but not necessarily focused on that. It's underlying message is more about how you can love someone, regardless of gender, sexual preferences, appearances, etc.

Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: July 30th, 2014, 2:26 am
by laila_6045
Hello dear RPersss!!!

July is coming close to an end. So for those who want to make habol pa and post their reviews...pls do so and get the chance to bag LE FAB BOOKMARKS!!! hehehe!

Re: JULY 2014 YA Challenge

PostPosted: August 1st, 2014, 8:19 am
by purplejoys
Who won?