George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Lucy & Stephen Hawking

I always admired physic! Since I was on junior high, I found myself excited when physic came. And then, luckily, when I was on high school, I had this one great teacher, Mr. Amen, who loves Stephen Hawking a lot. From him, I learned about Hawking, how great he is, with all his disability, he keep thinking, keep learning, and keep finding something new about this universe.

But, I have to admit, that Hawking's book is not easy to be understood. When I first read History of Brief Time (my 2nd grade in senior high school) I remember that I often found myself shook my head, open physic dictionary on and on, frowned, and confused. There were many, many difficult and confusing words. I asked a lot to my teacher, but it didn't help me much.

Yesterday, I went to Aksara and found this book. I was so exciting. Actually, this is a sequel from George's Secret Key to the Universe, who has been published by Gramedia several years ago. Basically this book tells about George, a kid who loves astronomy, and desires to be physicians one day. He has neighbors, called Eric and Annie. In first book, it tells that Eric has super mega computer, named Cosmos, which able to open portal to everywhere in the universe. It's super cool, huh? Remind you to Doraemon's magic door.

The 2nd book tells us that Annie finds a weird message from broken Cosmos. She hardly guess that it comes from intelligent extraterrestrial outside there. So, guess what? She invite George to come with her, travel to Mars!

It's only fiction, but Hawking insert some real theories and explanation among the fiction. So you can learn the real theories of planets, black hole, speed of light, galaxies and so on. Well, I bet you like it, this book is also completed by some great colored picture. You'll see The Blue Marble, the first Earth image, who was taken from space. Teenagers or adults, I think you both will enjoy this book.

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelly

Stargirl Caraway. Feel familiar with this name? Maybe, about nine years ago, you had read about an eccentric and compassionate girl, who naming herself Stargirl. 
This book is the sequel to the bestselling book, Stargirl and centers on "the world's longest letter" in diary form. It picks up where the previous novel left off after Stargirl left Mica High and describes her bittersweet memories in the town of Mica, Arizona along with the involvements of new people in her life.

Don't  worry for you who haven't read the first book, because you can still enjoy an extraordinary life for Stargirl. After leaving her previous life, Stargirl start to meet new people with various characters. Some become her new friends, some become her enemies, and one of them maybe able to replace Leo in her heart. Will he?


But, obviously Stargirl still keep Leo in her mind. She always write to Leo. Tell about her new life, new friends, new habit, even a boy who steals her heart. Stargirl tells how her uniqueness turn out to be something in her new environment, that she can prove that to be different is okay, as long as you feel comfort with yourself. She tells Leo, that it doesn't matter to be freak, as long as you're not trying to be someone else.


Stargirl and Love, Stargirl is an example for teenagers to always proud to themselves, build confidence, even you're not same like people around you. To struggle your love, but know the time you should stop because you should appreciate yourself than sacrificing it for someone you love. That you should put respect to yourself, and never let anyone else to underestimate you.


Must read one, even you are not teenager anymore!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Remember her first book who really caught me up? Finally after long waiting, Gramedia Pustaka Utama publishes its sequel, Catching Fire.

WARNING! SPOILER FOR THE FIRST BOOK!!!
Still present Katniss and Peeta as main role, this book take time setting after they both come home as the winner of Hunger Games, and of course still act as young teenagers who deeply falls in love one to another to avoid suspicion from Capital that they only made the love story up for win the Games together. But, it proves that their braveness against Capital's rules in Hunger Games brings out other districts courage. They slowly rise, plan rebellion to the Capital.

Katniss, who only wants to protect her family, is confused about what to do. One hand, she should keep pretending that she's in love with Peeta, for everyone's good, but her hunting mate, Gale, is always imagined in her mind. While wandering blindly, Katniss found that Capital is forcing back all previous winners of Hunger Games who still live, to compete again, in celebrating 75th Hunger Games. It means that she, once again, should compete with Peeta!

How it ends? I really wish I could give you little spoiler, but it will make me such bad reviewer. What I say is Suzanne Collins has successfully built suspense as she did in the first book. The Games turns more cruel, brutal, because it has more competitor. But, she also writes about Young Katniss heart, hesitation when she should choose the path of her future, and not being together with someone she loves. All packages in one book. Good job, Suzanne! I can't wait for last book! :)

And The Winner Goes To....

Many creative and crazy ideas from my latest giveaway. Well, I am excited reading your imagination, and wish that someday you can realize your dream birthday.
I had no birthday party, but being surrounded by people who I love and love me is greatest bliss for me. For you too, I am sure. I feel so glad that I could share little happiness to all of you. Maybe I can choose you all to receive this gift(that's my biggest regret, I am so sorry), but you all have brought joy to me. I couldn't stop smiling while reading your answers. Birthday is special day, and you all wake my wildest dream to create an amazing birthday party someday.

So, here it is the winner of my giveaway.

1. If Only It Were True - Noor's blog (inside of me)
2. Paviliun Maria - Cie
3. Kembalinya Sherlock Holmes - miss bibliophile
4. A Little Princess - Fanda 
5. Matilda - Reni
6. The Hobbit - Winter 
7. The Opposite of Fate - papillonianz

You are having really nice dreams! well, actually you all are! But too bad, too bad.. I should pick just seven winners. Thanks for participating, and don't forget to always visit Books of Dela because I still have many ideas for giveaway! :)


For winners, congrats! Email your full name and complete address at yuliadeladacrea@yahoo.com, and I'll send your books soon. Enjoy reading, and keep telling me how the book is.

Marmut Merah Jambu by Raditya Dika

Have you joined my latest giveaway? I prepare seven free books, you have to join it if you haven't. :)

So, late reading, yes. My friend just brought me Marmut Merah Jambu by Raditya Dika. By reading his previous book, I was thinking it just another comedy book. Oh, yes it is. But let me tell you.

Thirteen short stories. Or should I say thirteen sweet love stories? Yes, a bit different from his previous books, Radith tried to insert some romantic favors here. Love is all around. Maybe, we used to see Radith as a comedian, hilarious person who always makes people laugh, weird act. But he's a human too. He's falling in love. He wants to being loved in return. He can be serious if he want to.

Too serious? Don't worry, Radith still comes with his usual jokes, fresh and amusing. Even in a very bitter ending, he's still able to find bright sides, and makes us rethink about what we've felt all this time. Are we falling in love? Have we found our soulmate?

From teenage love stories until mature ones, we are brought to see different life of Raditya Dika. The stories are similar with what happened to all of us, so it's like standing in the mirror, considering our own life. One of my favorite chapter called "How I Meet You, Not Your Mother". He says that we all are destined to meet somebody. Cosmos prepares it for us. He calls it cosmological coincidence. That everyone has their fate, their own line, and maybe sometimes the lines will intersect each other. How beautiful. :)

So, Raditya Dika has been succeed to bring out his mature side. I am falling for this book, hey, I even sacrifice my sleeping time for completing this book!! :)

BIRTHDAY BASH : Another Giveaway!!

Bad blogger. Yes, it's me. I am not going to ask apologize, it's really my fault, I couldn't spare some times for updating, even reading books in my rushing activities this month. But, I am gonna try something to compensate my hiatus.

ANOTHER GIVEAWAY! YAY!

So, this is it. By the end July, I will turn into 22. Wow, it's hard to believe that I've through such as many years in my life. I am so grateful and feel blessed of my life. That's why I arrange this giveaway. To share my happiness. With all of you. :)


Some people have suggested what book they want for this giveaway, and I really appreciate it. I am sorry (again), if I can't fulfill your wish. I have limited capability, but still, I hope you can participate here. So, these are books that I want to share FOR FREE.

1. If Only It Were True - Marc Levy, published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

2. Paviliun Maria - V Lestari published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

3. Kembalinya Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

4. A Little Princess - Frances Hodgson Burnett published by Wordsworth Classic.

5. Matilda - Rpald Dahl published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

6. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

 

7. The Opposite of Fate - Amy Tan published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

So, what you have to do is..
1. It'll be nice if you are one of this blog followers. :)
2. For Indonesian only, I am sorry... :(
3. Share with me, what is your craziest dream of birthday party? What do you want for its theme, who will you invite, or maybe the stars who will perform in your party? Be creative!
4. Share your dream in comments box, don't forget to choose ONE from those books above, and insert your email.
5. It will be very kind of you, if you want to tell your friends about this giveaway. :)


I will close this giveaway on July 30th, exactly on my birthday, :) and announce the winner in the beginning of August. So hurry, fill me up with your dreams!!!

Interview with Sitta Karina

I was very excited to feature this author. Sitta Karina, in my opinion, is one of best author in Indonesia. The way she writes, makes everyone who reading her story feel special. She writes many books, some of them are family related fiction, well-known as Hanafiah. Sitta tells story from every members of Hanafiah family attractively. Beside Hanafiah, Sitta also writes fantasy story, and some articles for CosmoGirl! Indonesia. Here is my interview with her. Lucky me, she was able to make time for answering some questions while she is busy with deadlines, and of course her pregnancy. :)

(image from sittakarina.com)

Hello Sitta. As everyone knows, you are famed by writing Hanafiah story. Hanafiah is recognized as wealthy family, who have sophisticated lifestyle. Well, I wonder if you have any idea to create another family story, but with different background, for example middle life?

Of course, and actually I've already had. Social background in "Kencana" and "Circa" is coming from middle circle, indeed. So will Syadiran and Aslan's family. Thing that should be concerned is there are some kinds of middle circle nowadays. Lot of people ride BMW and Benz, whereas they are coming from middle circle. But, they are strong middle class people, not old money people, like conglomerate or former official who settle in Menteng.

Some of Hanafiah character seems to be real for readers. They even have twitter account. Are they real? Or maybe Sitta was inspired by someone when creating them?

Basically, their characters are combination of a few people's character that I've already known and recognize. If it said real, yes, they are real. Although in the story, the characters are combined with my own imagination.

Many loyal readers are waiting for next Hanafiah story. Who is next character who will be appointed to your next book?

I am actually having a "break" in writing Hanafiah. But to fulfill your request, there is novelette about Reno Hanafiah, titled "Dunia Mara", which will published as E-Book.

From all of your character, I personally love Austin Hanafiah in Titanium. If someday, Titanium will be filmed, who's most appropriate actor to perform Austin?

Honestly I have no idea. I think there's no suitable local actor to perform Austin's role now.

Last question. Beside writing, what's you favorite activity in spare time?

Playing with my husband and son. They are my center of life. :)

That's it! Thank you Sitta, we're absolutely waiting impatiently for your new book! :) You can reach Sitta Karina by visiting her website, or follow her twitter!