Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.
Overall rate: ★★★★☆ (4.5 out of 5)
Book cover: 4/5
Story plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Language: 4/5
Favourite excerpt from the book:
"You asked if you could miss your destiny," he says then, with a nod at the board. "Not if you find your soulmates first."
"Soulmates, plural?" I ask him. "How many does each person have?"
The old man smiles at his equation, as if the answer is right in front of us. "Exactly as many as she needs."
Caitlin's hand catches mine. "One down," she whispers.
Parallel by Lauren Miller is a story about the collision of the real world with a parallel world, and about finding your soulmates. I was drawn to this book the moment I found it in a bookstore's shelf because I have never read about parallel worlds before. Parallel worlds are a very interesting subject, and I've watched too little episodes of Fringe to satisfy my interest in it. But just like how I got confused while watching Fringe (I practically had to listen to my mom explanations first to fully understand an episode, which was kind of rare), Parallel also confused me. Somehow, in a good way though.
When Abby first woke up in a strange room that wasn't hers, she was still smart enough to act decently in front of everyone, even though they're all were pretty much strangers too her. It was a good thing that Caitlin, her best friend was there for her. The story goes back and forth between Abby and parallel Abby (it was later explained in the story how their world connects after both worlds collided) so if you're not very much into the story, it'll confuse you even more.
I have no problem with Abby (she's pretty strong, considering her situation), but parallel Abby... she seemed pretty careless about almost everything. From telling Tyler (her guy best friend) about Caitlin's feelings for him, to ruining her friendship with Caitlin, or even dumping Josh (parallel Abby's cute boyfriend) for Josh's older brother. Almost all of her decisions caused bad things to happen. I mean, it could have entirely been her situation's fault, but still, she could have done better.
Dr. Mann's theory about the existence of parallel world was very cool too. It obviously tells that Lauren Miller made some researches for this, because it sounded almost real. Or at least, it seemed believable to a person-that-is-horrible-in-science-theories-and-stuff like me.
I just wish Lauren focused more on the theories, instead of making everything happen only because Abby needed to know who her soulmate is. Well, of course the soulmate part was the reason why I bought this book at first, but it would have been greater if the theories were used for a more rational reason. And in the end, after the earthquake occurred again (it occurred once too, just before Abby woke up to a different life. The earthquake was pretty much the result of the collision of the real world and parallel world) it was like none of the things happened! She ended up being back to her original life, and Josh, her soulmate didn't even have any idea who she is.
But nonetheless, I had a wonderful time reading Parallel. It's a really worth read, and the suspense on what parallel Abby's decisions would cause to Abby's life really makes you want to keep turning the pages. And I'm so happy that she ended choosing Josh instead of Michael, the brother, even though he's pretty nice too. But of course I like Josh more, he's just too sweet.
Although Josh wouldn't (or even anyone else) remember the things that happened with Abby when the world supposedly collided with a parallel world, I can still picture them having a relationship after that. And Abby would definitely appreciate her life in Hollywood more.
A very recommended read!
Till next time ♡ Love, Aishah Humaira'
Here's my first album unboxing! Instead of making a video on Youtube, I'm posting pictures here because I don't have a video cam. Recording a video using my phone sucks real bad, so I'm settling for this.
[EP] 다비치 (Davichi) – DAVICHI HUGRelease Date: 2015.01.21Genre: BalladLanguage: KoreanTrack List:01. 두 여자의 방 (Two Women’s Room)02. 또 운다 또 (Cry Again) *Title03. 행복해서 미안해 (Sorry If I’m Happy) *Title04. 너에게 (To You)05. 봄 (Spring)
I've received this album about 3 weeks ago, and that's already late because Davichi released this album late in January. The reason was because I had to wait for this album to go through the meet & greet event by MWave (except that I don't get to meet them of course). They were probably busy promoting their song, so it took a longer time for this to arrive.
This is the first signed album that I own, and I'm delighted that it's Davichi's album. I've loved Davichi ever since I started listening to Korean pop songs, so this is one of the loveliest things that I'll ever own. Apart from being the first signed album, Hug is also my first Davichi album and the first album from female groups.
This album is really so pretty! The pastel colours combined with the pretty logo and beautiful pictures of Davichi, this could be one of the prettiest albums I'll ever have in my collection. Even the CD is too precious, I don't know if I'll ever end up playing it on my laptop.
I love the fact that they make postcards (is this considered as postcards? Since it looks like cards but in large size...) alongside with the photobook. The front of the cards consist of Haeri and Minkyung's pictures, while at the back were the lyrics of each song. My favourite one would be the one where both of them wore pink coats. They looked so beautiful in that one and the coat is really a must need for a pink lover like me! Excuse me for the lighting though, I was in a dark room the time I was taking this picture, so the lighting became quite bad.
I wish they had printed more pages for the photobook. Everything looked so nice and beautiful and gorgeous, but these are definitely not enough. The scenery in Budapest looked extra nice too. Maybe I could add this place in my long list of Places To Travel Before I Die.
This photobook also reminded me a lot of their music videos. Although the drama played by Minkyung and Haeri in Cry Again was amazing, I still prefer their casual and carefree self in Sorry, I'm Happy. They looked so happy, doing dorky stuff and memorable things together, there in Budapest. Even though they were filming for the music video, I'm pretty sure they enjoyed being there very much.
That's why I vowed that one day, I'm going to do that too: travel to a foreign country with just my best friend! (((hyeo, we should do this someday when we're older, okay? promise!!!)))
This is the special badge that I got because of the meet & greet thing. The badge is pretty limited, and random picked, so I felt really happy to get this badge. It somehow made me feel special, even though this still didn't mean Minkyung and Haeri read the message that I wrote for them.
Till next time ♡ Love, Humaira
To the man I love, to my future.The first time I felt your presence, I began joining the dots in the sky, wondering when our stars would align.I often think of where you are and if you're happy. Are you in love? I hope she is gentle. I know you and I are the same in that way—we bruise a little more easily than most. You see, our souls were made in the same breath.I know I'm running late—I'm sorry. Things haven't worked out the way I planned. But believe me when I tell you I am on my way.Until then, think of me, dream of me and I will do the same. One day I will learn your name, and I will write it somewhere on this page. And we will realise that we have known each other all along.—A Postcard by Lang Leav
Here's me attempting to type sweet comforting words to the man I'm in love with, reaching out towards nothingness, knowing well enough that he won't notice the existence of these words that is meant to be read by him and him only. With a possibility that I may never reach the dream that I've hung on the stars since two years ago, I know I would never give up. At least not now, when I'm still strong enough to hold things on my own and mend my own scars.
So, happy 25th birthday to my one and only love, Lu Han. 我唯一的爱, 鹿晗.
It took me a long time to realise how meaningful you meant to me, and the fact that I'm really, actually in love with you rather than just being in a phase of mooning over you. 2,624 miles separated from you, no one can imagine how much I wish that we could be nearer. Countless of times, in the darkness of the night, sometimes with tears in my eyes, I wondered if there will ever come a day when I would call your name, and I will hear your voice say my own name back.
As sweet as honeyyour smile is so sweet as honeyjust like the way flowers bloomin the spring breeze—Tian Mi Mi
April 2012 would be the month when I actually acknowledge you, and even though I had a slight regret that I didn't notice you earlier, I am rather grateful that this allowed me to appreciate you even more than I've appreciated others. Slowly, step by step, I took every chance to get to know you more. Even now, after learning a lot about you, I know that there must be countless more things that I haven't learned about you. One day, I hope that I can learn all of them and cherish them while being by your side.
From the way you smile, the way you looked while doing nothing, the way you walked, the way you dressed, the way you talk to others or express yourself, the strong gaze you have when you sang and dance, the way you laugh, the way you eat, the way you tried brushing away people's compliments on you, the way you act when you're shy, the way you absentmindedly make small gestures with your feet, the way you treated the people around you, the way you looked when you're happy or talking about something that you love, the determination that you have when you played games especially in soccer, the way you would take pictures of yourself, the way you said "yo", and every other little things that made you who you are, I got to say they were all the reasons for me to love you just a bit more than I already did from the moment I fell for you.
I pray for the best of you in your life and career, and I'm hoping you will always be in a good health. It hurts me when you pretended to be fine even though your fragile self is hurting, but being a strong-willed man you are, I know I have not much to worry. I'm glad that you can finally be with your family again, I hope they're taking a good care of you and you're doing the same for them. Eat a lot, and enjoy what you're doing as long as you still can.One day I hope I'll be able to cook for you and do the things that you love while being by your side. All I want is for you to be happy and safe.
There's still a lot of unsaid words that I wish I could tell you, and I want to save them only for me and for you when I'm able to say to you. I've never known any man that makes my heart flutter even at the first word of his name, like the way you do. You're impossible to find, and I can't thank you enough for making me able to love you. I love you and I love you. Even if I collect all the stars in the whole universe, they will never reach the amount of love I want to give you. Someday I hope, I will hear the same words from you. With all my heart, I love you, Lu Han.
From the way you smile, the way you looked while doing nothing, the way you walked, the way you dressed, the way you talk to others or express yourself, the strong gaze you have when you sang and dance, the way you laugh, the way you eat, the way you tried brushing away people's compliments on you, the way you act when you're shy, the way you absentmindedly make small gestures with your feet, the way you treated the people around you, the way you looked when you're happy or talking about something that you love, the determination that you have when you played games especially in soccer, the way you would take pictures of yourself, the way you said "yo", and every other little things that made you who you are, I got to say they were all the reasons for me to love you just a bit more than I already did from the moment I fell for you.
I pray for the best of you in your life and career, and I'm hoping you will always be in a good health. It hurts me when you pretended to be fine even though your fragile self is hurting, but being a strong-willed man you are, I know I have not much to worry. I'm glad that you can finally be with your family again, I hope they're taking a good care of you and you're doing the same for them. Eat a lot, and enjoy what you're doing as long as you still can.
There's still a lot of unsaid words that I wish I could tell you, and I want to save them only for me and for you when I'm able to say to you. I've never known any man that makes my heart flutter even at the first word of his name, like the way you do. You're impossible to find, and I can't thank you enough for making me able to love you. I love you and I love you. Even if I collect all the stars in the whole universe, they will never reach the amount of love I want to give you. Someday I hope, I will hear the same words from you. With all my heart, I love you, Lu Han.
I don't know how you are so familiar to me—or why it feels less like I am getting to know you and more as though I am remembering who you are. How every smile, every whisper brings me closer to the impossible conclusion that I have known you before, I have loved you before—in another time, a different place—some other existence.
—Soul Mate by Lang Leav
Three things that made me happy today:
1) A stranger giving me a smile while I was on my way to work. I had to walk about 1km a day to my workplace, and lately, I'm always late for work. Today would probably be the worst, so I really wasn't in the mood while I was on my way. As I was almost reaching the bookshop, a passing car suddenly blared its honk at me, and the driver had his window rolled down, his face giving me a really wide smile. I was shocked at first, confused between I'm supposed to know him or he was trying to make fun of me. But his smile seemed sincere and he's definitely cute too so I'm just guessing that he's just the kind of person that liked to smile to everyone.
2) My boss letting me go home early and sending me home. That explained it. I love my boss!
3) Finally realising that Luhan is filming for the Chinese remake for Blind (a Korean movie). I really love Blind, it's a really nice movie, and I'm so happy to hear the news that Luhan's acting for the main role. And Yang Mi too, she's just so pretty. I'm so excited, can't wait for this movie to be released (ノ￣ω￣)ノ Luhan can you please stop being too beautiful, like, at least in the car accident scene?
Okay, like I promised yesterday, I'm here for a review. I've chosen The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar for today.
Synopsis:
He can grant her wishes, but only she can save his life.
Margo McKenna has a plan for just about everything, from landing the lead in her high school play to getting into a good college. So when she finds herself in possession of a genie's ring and the chance to make three wishes, she doesn't know what to do. Why should she put her life into someone else's hands?
But Oliver is more than just a genie -- he's also a sophomore at Margo's high school, and he's on the run from a murderer. As he and Margo grow closer, she discovers that it will take more than three wishes to save him.
A whole lot more.
My rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5 out of 5)
Okay, so it started one day while I was walking in this quite peculiar bookstore, when my family and I noticed that they sell interesting novels at really cheap prices. We end up buying The Art of Wishing only after going through the bookshelves for a long while.
Surprisingly, it is also a signed copy! It confused me, as to whether this book would be amazing, good, or just nice, or a total failure. I'm glad to announce that I found this book in the good category. I'm not really a fan of Aladdin, but genies are a very intriguing creature. I've never read any book that uses the genie concept, and I think that Lindsay Ribar did a great job with creating her own genie.
The story started with Margo taking an audition for a musical (Sweeney Todd) at her school; she's very good in getting into a character, that's why she already expected to get the main character. But instead, she got a minor character. It was weird because the girl that got the main character, Vicky was very horrible in acting. But almost everyone seemed to like her—except, Margo of course. And a few others. Margo disliked Vicky, but she was too polite to point so.
I gave him a quick once-over—dark hair, light eyes, thin and wiry, cute enough in a nondescript sort of way—but no, I definitely didn't know him. "Sorry about what? Who are you?
— Margo
"Nobody," he said quickly, holding his hands up like a white flag. "I'm nobody. Never mind."
— Oliver
The first time Margo met Oliver, it was only by accident. He was soon introduced as a photographer taking pictures for the yearbook. Later, she accidentally found herself eavesdropping to a fight between Oliver and Vicky. She heard things about "wishes" but it was confusing. Not long after that though, after a horrible practice with Vicky, Margo found a ring inside the restroom (Vicky was there but she left when Margo came in). Without knowing what it was, she took the ring. And suddenly Oliver came. Of course she freaked out after that, but she freaked out more when he disappeared into thin air when a teacher checked on her in the restroom.
They somehow made a deal then, Margo gets three wishes. And somewhere in the middle, Margo fell for Oliver.
“...Oh God. I'm one of those girls."
"What girls?" he asked, perplexed.
"Those girls. The ones in all those books and TV shows. Some dumb high school girl falls in love with some supernatural guy, and he's all, 'Behold, I am five million years old!' and she's all, 'Oh my god, how can you ever love pathetic little me!' and he's like, 'Because of destiny!' or whatever. It's just so...ew. You know?”
I really love the parts where Oliver spoiled Margo with his magic, trying to make her happy even though he actually needed to hide and desperately needed her to complete the three wishes. He was such a gentleman, I instantly found myself liking him for the quality too.
Since I don't really want to spill the whole story, I'll just skip to the climax. Another genie, Xavier (if I'm not mistaken) suddenly appeared and started threatening Margo to give Oliver's ring to him. Oh did I mention that every genies have a significant item for their masters to call upon them? In Oliver's case, it was the ring.
Xavier disguised himself as Vicky at first, he even disguised himself as Margo to make her life horrible, giving a point that she really needed to give him Oliver. Xavier had this vision that all genies needed to be free, and stop slaving themselves to humans. But the way he's making all the other genies disappear seemed cruel to Margo.
So after a lot of fights, running and finally accepting that they both (Margo and Oliver) had only one day left before Xavier will take Oliver. In the end, Margo did something she didn't even realise was wrong. She made the fourth wish to save Oliver. (When someone makes the fourth wish, they trade their life to become a genie too. Hundreds years ago, Oliver made his fourth wish to Xavier to save his fiancee)
“Nobody ever feels just one way about another person, Margo. We're so much more complicated than that. I can see a million things you want from me, just like the million things I want from you. Some of them are wonderful. Some are awful. Some contradict each other, and some don't make sense at all. But none of those things matter, not really. What matters is what you do about them.”
— Oliver
Overall, I love this book a lot, the plot was written nicely, and I love the interaction between Margo and Oliver. Their first kiss was adorable too (..＞◡＜..) The only reason I couldn't give a 4 star is because the ending was too vague. I couldn't quite accept it, but I did understand that she became a genie without her knowing. Sure, Oliver was there with her, to be with her, but it upsets me that she lost her family and friends, basically her whole life because of this matter. For this reason, I couldn't give a full 4 star.
To my huge surprise, today, I found out that Lindsay Ribar actually wrote a sequel for The Art of Wishing! The title is The Fourth Wish, and the book is about what happened after Margo after she made the fourth wish. For more information for the prequel, read here. Maybe someday, I'll read the sequel too.
Till next time ♡ Love, Humaira
Hey guys! So I've decided to make a new blog for a few unavoidable reasons. I know I haven't used aheartily for even a year yet, and I love the name cremehearts still, but both name don't represent who I am. I want to blog the things that I feel and experience, that's the reason that I simply used my own name for this new blog. And it will be easier for anyone else to remember.
My new blog will consist mostly of my reviews for books, movies, albums and anything that I think are interesting. Definitely because my life is very boring in the current moment, so I don't feel the need to blog about it. I hope I'll gain new experience and improve myself in becoming a better person!
Next update will probably be tomorrow, and it'll either be a review for Davichi's Hug album or The Art of Wishing, which is a novel about a genie boy. For more details on my upcoming posts, you can always refer on the sidebar, I've made a list of things to be reviewed and finished (books that I haven't read // movies I haven't watched // albums I haven't get my hands on). You can also request or suggest me new reads or movies to watch too, which I really hope to get because I'm really excited!
Oh and do follow for more update ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ” ♥♥
Till next time ♡ Love, Humaira
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