Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle | My Christmas Read
12.29.2016
Merry Christmas guys! I know it's way too late to say this, by the time I post this, it's already 29 December. But Merry Christmas nonetheless, I hope you're enjoying your holiday with your beloved family and friends.
John Green is one of my favourite authors but I never plan to buy this book because I don't usually enjoy reading books that have more than one author. However, I did want to read this because John Green wrote one of the stories in this book. So, when I found this book at the town library, imagine how ecstatic I was! Since I mentioned that I will write a book review of Let It Snow in my last post, here it is!
Author: Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle
Genre: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Holiday (Christmas)
Publication: September 13th 2014 by Speak, first published October 2nd 2008
Reading format: Paperback
Source: Library
Pages: 365
Goodreads rating: 3.85/5
synopsis
Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicoloured lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.
review
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
This book really suits my mood and my surrounding! Every December means the rainy season and it gets so cold especially where I live (I live on a mountain lol), it's so cold. This book is perfect to curl up with when it's cold outside and when you're feeling the Christmas vibe.
So basically this book contains 3 stories which are The Jubilee Express, A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle and The Patron Saint of Pigs.
STORY #1: THE JUBILEE EXPRESS BY MAUREEN JOHNSON
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Let me treat you with the first paragraph of this story:
Before I take you into the beating heart of the story, let's get one thing out of the way. I know from experience that when it comes up later, it will distract you so much that you won't be able to concentrate on anything else I will tell you. My name is Jubilee Dougal. Take a moment and let it sink in.
This book gave a good first impression for me because the first paragraph made me cackle (it's probably because I'm an easily entertained person but still!). From this paragraph, I knew that this story will have me laughing, not just because her name is Jubilee (inside joke with myself tbh) but because even from this paragraph, she already made me smile. Out of the 3 stories, this is my favourite. Even after I finished reading this story, I still smile like a crazy person because it has a huge effect on me.
I love Jubilee's witty personality, and I love Maureen Johnson's writing. It is really fun and easy to read and now I'm rooting for another book of hers!💕 And the ending had me laughing so much and smiling to my ears, it was too sweet to my taste but I still really liked it 😆*this shows how cheesy I am*. I really enjoyed reading Jubilee and Stuart getting to know each other and starting to fall in love. It is insta-love but this story sets during Christmas and with the festive and happy vibe, hey that's forgivable. I don't really believe in love at first sight but I know the chemistry between Jubilee and Stuart is real.
STORY #2: A CHEERTASTIC CHRISTMAS MIRACLE BY JOHN GREEN
⭐⭐⭐⭐
It wasn't as good as I expected, but it's good nonetheless.
I expected John Green's story from this book to contain an adventure and it really does. From the beginning to the end, it's full of adventure. It also contains one of the messages that the majority of John Green's books contain: You only live once. And I think that's what makes this story is so enjoyable (or John Green's book in general). I also really enjoyed the friendship aspect of this book. Tobin, the Duke and JP have a precious friendship where each of them really knows each other well and accept every single flaws that each of their friends has. I really love a good friendship in a story and John Green always manage to tackle that really well.
I expected John Green's story from this book to contain an adventure and it really does. From the beginning to the end, it's full of adventure. It also contains one of the messages that the majority of John Green's books contain: You only live once. And I think that's what makes this story is so enjoyable (or John Green's book in general). I also really enjoyed the friendship aspect of this book. Tobin, the Duke and JP have a precious friendship where each of them really knows each other well and accept every single flaws that each of their friends has. I really love a good friendship in a story and John Green always manage to tackle that really well.
A little sneak peek which had me laughing because hey I can relate!: There is always a risk: something is good and good and good and good, and then all at once it gets awkward.I made some notes on my favourite quotes from this story and here is one of them:
I always had this idea that you should never give up a happy middle in the hopes of a happy ending. Because there's no such thing as a happy ending.
NOTE: THE DUKE IS A GIRL. When I started reading this book, I thought the Duke was a boy. Turned out, I was wrong, it's just her nickname.
Sure, it's not as enjoyable as The Jubilee Express in terms of the humour but it totally wins in other aspects such as friendship and beautiful writing.
STORY #3: THE PATRON SAINT OF PIGS - LAUREN MYRACLE
⭐⭐⭐
This is my least favourite out of the three stories in this book but it was still enjoyable enough to be read. The fact that this story is more about friendship than a love story is a plus point.
Sometimes when we forget to do things for others, it's because we're too wrapped up in our own problems.
The lead character wasn't really likeable and a lot of people hate that but when you see it in a different way, the character was intentionally written to be unlikeable. I didn't hate her character and I don't love her either but what I love about her is that she tries to prove that she isn't what people think of her and when she realizes her flaws, she tried to fix the damage she did with the people around her.
We are all flawed, my dear. Every one of us. And believe me, we've all made mistakes. You've just got to take a good hard look at yourself, change what's need to be changed, and move pet.
Recommended for people who love: Fun, full of humour, heartwarming story, Christmas vibe, precious friendships
Current Favorites: Books, Playlist & TV Show
12.21.2016
Hello guys! I can't believe it's December 20 already! Just 11 days more towards the new year😱 I'm so excited and quite scared because I don't know what lies ahead (nobody knows but Him). The only thing that I can do is do my best in everything, expect for the best and always be prepared for the worst. This year had been hectic with the friend dramas, my dramas, the business, everything.
I've been spending most of my holiday at home, there are not a lot of new things except for new books, or music I just found on Spotify. But I'll still write about it nonetheless because these things I'm writing about are the things that I'm obsessed with throughout this holiday.
1. Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green, Lauren Myracle
I found this book at the library and I immediately knew that I would love it. One, because it's so Christmas-y and I love everything Christmas-y (Christmas movies, books, songs, vibe, decorations). Two, because it's co-written by John Green, one of my favourite authors! So I took a risk by borrowing this book even when my debt to the library already reached 3 digits (omg). When the librarian warned me to not return any book late anymore, I was so embarrassed but I tembokkan muka nonetheless to borrow this book.
I'm not going to spill anything about this book, as I'm going to write a review about it soon.
I know, I know. I'm so lame because everyone already read this and I'm left far behind. Actually, I could just get an e-book of this, but I want to have a copy of the book and not read the e-book version. I know the content is the same, but the feeling is not the same. So I ordered it from bookdepository along with 2 other books, and this book arrived first! I got it in my hand yesterday, and finished it yesterday, in one sitting. That's how determined I was to read this book. Now, I can't get the book out of my system.
Why I love this book so much:
- I love Park.
- The mixtapes! The Smiths, The U2, The Cure, The Beatles, all old bands that I love are mentioned.
- I never fell in love, but when I read this book, the love is described with enough details to make me feel the feelings Eleanor and Park feel.
- "I told you that I don't like you". I love it when Eleanor or Park says this. I don't know why, maybe because it lets me know how much they feel about each other, it's so much more than just 'like'.
1. Christmas & Chill - Ariana Grande
I've been loving this EP since last year when it was released. Since Christmas is around the corner, I think why not I start listening to Christmas playlists? I don't celebrate Christmas, but I love the vibes. To be honest, I think I love every festival vibes. During the Chinese New Year phase, I love it when Chinese New Year's songs are played in supermarkets.
Back to the EP. It contains 6 tracks which are:
*click to listen to the song*
My personal favourites are True Love and Winter Things💕
2. NEW YEAR PLAYLIST 😀✨💞 (my Spotify playlist)
At the beginning of this post, I mentioned that I'm excited and scared for the new year. When I'm scared, I usually try to run away from the things that I'm scared of. But the thing is, I can't run from the new year. I have no other option than facing it. Since music is one of the things that help me get through 'stuff' in my life, I thought of creating a playlist for me to get spirited for the new year.
No more starting the first day of school with too much fear (I hope).
My new year playlist contains:
-Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet
-Just The Girl - The Click Five
-Dancing Song - Little Comets
-Little Games - The Colourist
-Don't Dream It's Over - Sixpence None The Richer
-Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer
-Boys Don't Cry - The Cure
-I Can Only - JoJo, Alessia Cara
-Cynical - blink-182
-Future Looks Good - OneRepublic
-Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
-Girls Talk Boys - 5 Seconds of Summer
-We Will Rock You - Queen
-We Are The Champions - Queen
-Tear In My Heart - Twenty One Pilots
*click to listen*
My favourites among the favourites are Don't Stop Believin', Don't Dream It's Over and We Are The Champions. The old songs are always the best👍
TV Show
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
I seriously can't even describe my love for this drama. Oh my God. Let's talk about how sweet Joon-hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk) is. Or how cute Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) is. Gosh, I've been obsessing over this drama for days now. I started binge watching it last Friday because whenever I open my Twitter, all they talk about is about this drama. So I was curious. Plus, Nam Joo Hyuk is the main actor. Now I'm waiting for the next episode, which is so hard. Waiting isn't fun at all. That's why I usually choose a drama that is already completed instead of the on-going ones.
I can't even think why you need to watch this drama, for me, the fact that Nam Joo Hyuk is in it, and Lee Jong Suk was a cameo in it already enough to make me watch this drama and helplessly waiting for the next episode.
 |
| My latest OTP. |
There, my first long post after weeks. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy sharing them with you. If one of these things is your favourite too, leave a comment below so we can fangirl about it together😆
Bye.
Lots of love,
Nabila. xo
Too Much Information Tag!
12.16.2016
I can't believe I almost delete my blog (again). I am busy even when I'm having a holiday, I thought I will be too busy to update my blog next year, I was having a writing block (I still am) so I thought it was the best to just delete my blog. However, I love this blog too much to straightaway delete it when I was sure so I only made it private. It was a right decision because now my blogging spirit has got better after I went blogwalking and read tons of articles about why I shouldn't delete my blog.
When I went blogwalking, a lot of bloggers have done this TMI tag by Liyana Jasmi. So, since I'm still having a writing block and doing this TMI tag seems really fun, I decided to just do this tag.
#1: What are you wearing?
I'm wearing a dark grey sweatpants, a light grey t-shirt and a beige-colored thick varsity because it's currently raining heavily in here.
#2: Ever been in love?
Nope.
#3: Ever had a terrible breakup?
Does friendship breakup counts?
#4: How tall are you?
161 cm (5'3). I hate this because my friends think I'm too tall but I think it's the average Asian girl's height😑
#5: How much do you weigh?
I gained too much weights after the holiday started. It's 62 kg. Urgh.
#6: Any tattoos?
No, it's haram.
#7: Any piercings?
Nope. But maybe soon.
#8: OTP?
Oooh I have a lot of OTPs. But my personal favorites are Macy and Sam from TBBATT (my fav Wattpad book), Katniss and Peeta from The Hunger Games, The Monday Couple and Luna and Neville from Harry Potter.
#9: Favorite show?
Law & Order, Criminal Minds, and Running Man.
#10: Favorite bands?
5 Seconds of Summer, Kodaline, Coldplay, The Script, Oh Wonder, Paramore, My Chemical Romance, The U2, Queen and BigBang.
#11: Something you miss?
Langkawi. I miss the sea, the foods, the people, the places, everything. I will totally go there again in the future.
#12: Favorite song?
My current favorite is Last Dance by BigBang😁
#13: How old are you?
I'm 15 going on 16! I can't wait to be 16.
#14: Zodiac sign?
#15: Quality you look for in a partner?
Sense of humor, empathy, honesty, reliability and must get on with my family.
#16: Favorite quote?
"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the lights" - Albus Dumbledore.
#17: Favorite actor?
Robin Williams, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine and Will Smith.
#18: Favorite color?
I don't have a particular favorite color so maybe pastel colors and the blue+red combination.
#19: Loud music or soft?
Depends on my mood. Loud music when I'm happy, spirited or need to be spirited. Soft music when I'm calm and need inspiration.
#20: Where do you go when you're sad?
My bed. My bed and I are in a serious relationship.
#21: How long does it take you to shower?
10-15 minutes.
#22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Around 30 minutes.
#23: Ever been in a physical fight?
A lot of times. I'm the only daughter among 5 siblings, I can't really avoid physical fights. But I never have any terrible one.
#24: Turn on?
Kindness, politeness and generosity.
#25: Turn off?
Rude and two faced people.
#26: The reason I joined Blogger?
I have a lot of thoughts but I'm not a really good speaker. I also need a listener back then because my best friends and I parted ways, I have no sister, my Ma is always busy and I thought my brother wouldn't understand me. Now that I have friends to talk to and my brothers turn out to be very understanding (they are my best friends now), maybe that's why I'm having frequent writing block-because now I already have a listener.
But I still can't express everything by speaking, that's why I keep blogging.
#27: Fears?
Losing the people I care about and love, lizards & cockroaches.
#28: Last thing that made you cry?
When I re-watched Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1 & 2, I don't remember when. I kept saying "Remus gonna die, Tonks too and Fred!!!!!". I cried from the beginning, even when nothing happened, because I knew something gonna happen. I knew who were going to die, what gonna happen, it's just so sad😭 I'm so glad Rowling didn't kill Ron.
#29: Last time you said you loved someone?
When I talked with Ayman (my youngest brother) this morning.
#30: Meaning behind your blog URL?
Bella is from my name - Nabila. Some of my cousins call me Billa but I love Bella more. Bizarre because I'm weird and bizarre kinda rhymed with bella. Bizarre+Bella=bizarrebella.
#31: Last book you read?
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult. It was kinda slow but I love the plot twist, I didn't expect that! I gave it 4/5 stars in Goodreads because I'm a sucker for unexpected plot twists.
#32: The book you're currently reading?
I'm reading Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle! Since Christmas is around the corner and I love Christmas stories, so I guess why not? So far, the stories are good. They are so funny and I think my favorite among the three stories are Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson. I love Stuart!💞
#33: Last show you watched?
Mix & match! One of my close friends are a big fan of iKON and I was infected by the fanatic-ness.
#34: Last person you talked to?
My brother, I asked him to close the bathroom door before he goes to sleep because it's scary.
#35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?
Iwana-my best friend. She sent me a picture of a book titled "anak patung NANA".
#36: Favorite food?
Any of my Ma's cooking, especially nasi lemak, nasi ayam, udang masak merah and the cakes.
#37: Place you want to visit?
I want to go to Europe! I really admire the beautiful architecture and I want to go there so badly. A lot of books I read take place somewhere in Europe.
#38: Last place you were?
Home. Mereput di rumah sepanjang cuti huhu.
#39: Do you have a crush?
Currently moving on from a crush. But I do have celebrity crushes. Josh Hutcherson, Chris Pine, Charlie Puth...
#40: Last time you kissed someone?
This morning, I kissed Ayman. He was being super adorable!
#41: Last time you were insulted?
I have 4 brothers, I can't avoid from being insulted because they are boys and that's their nature (except really good boys lah), they insult me pretty much everyday. Just playful insults, though.
#42: Favorite flavor of sweet?
Red guava!
#43: What instruments do you play?
I'm currently learning to play guitar! 😊🎸
#44: Favorite piece of jewelry?
My necklace.
#45: Last sport you played?
I don't do sport at all😂 I'm not good in it lol. Oh, except if the lontar peluru I was forced to join during the sports day counts.
#46: Last song you sang?
BigBang - If You. That song stuck on my mind everytime it played on Spotify.
#47: Favorite pick up line?
"Are you a camera? Because everytime I look at you, I smile."
#48: Have you ever used it?
No haha.
#49: Last time you hung out with anyone?
An hour ago, I was watching a horror movie with my brother.
#50: Who should answer these questions next?
Anyone who haven't done this tag yet and interested to do it.
Wow, I took almost 2 hours to finish this. 50 questions answered without failure! You may do this tag if you want to, it was fun doing this.
Thanks for reading!
Love,
Pypaa. xo
A Letter To My Younger Self;
12.03.2016
Dear younger me (the 13 years old one specifically),
Be ready for anything. Now, you might feel like you're on top of the world; with the nice, understanding, cool friends and the feeling of freedom. But you never know how or when these great things that happen to you right now will be gone. Just because this happiness feels like it can last the eternity, doesn't mean it wouldn't end. Everything that occurs in your life will somehow end. Some things do end up in a good way, but some don't. Some words might left unsaid forever and you'll never know the reasons why they end up that way.
Love yourself. You did a lot of mistakes and you'll do some more. Just because of that, it doesn't mean that you don't deserve to be loved by people and yourself. People make mistakes all the time, the only difference between one person with another one is whether they learn from it or not. Be the one who learn from mistakes and try not to repeat them. You often say that we should try to forgive the people who did wrong to us because nobody's perfect and everybody makes mistakes. Why don't you use that on yourself? You should realize that you're just a human, you're far from perfect, and you make mistakes, so you should try to forgive yourself.
It's okay to be sad, feel down and cry out loud for a while. But never let it gets any longer. Never let it gets too far where it reaches the point where you're giving up on yourself. When it gets that far, it's far from okay. Ma might be too busy to listen sometimes, but she'll listen nonetheless. Maybe she wouldn't understand you the way you're hoping she would but try to understand that no one really understands yourself the way you do. So when it reaches the point where you feel like giving up, go to Ma and say right to her face that you need her to listen. Then, let out the things that are burdening you so much and just cry in front of her.
After all, you're the only daughter and she's the only one you get if your girl friends aren't there for you.
It'll going to be okay, sooner or later. So until this phase ends, strengthen your heart and mind 🙆
Love,
future pyps. xo
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