Sebelas Patriot by Andrea Hirata

Summary
Ikal found an old picture of a man, wore football custome, held shinning champion cup, but looked so sad. He is curious, who he is, why he looks so devastated after winning a game? He asked her mother, but she only told him to put the picture, back to where it belong. Ikal kept it silently, and determined to found out the story of the man in the picture.

Who would have thought that the picture brought old story, which makes Ikal realize that before his father become a poor,ordinary tin miner, he was a hero. A sad story but finally gives Ikal huge spirit to continue his father's struggle to achieve a purpose. Make the world knows Indonesia is here. Make everyone's proud to be an Indonesian. Will he succeed?

Andrea Hirata comes again with his novel, called Sebelas Patriot. While everyone is issuing if Ikal's character is real or not, he still use first perspective in this novel. It doesn't bother me, I haven't got bored with Ikal anyway.
What makes me interested, this novel contains about nasionalism spirit, a thing that forgotten this day. Ikal's story simply tells us how a picture could bring a passion to love his country more. He loves Indonesia with his own way, continuing his father's journey,by playing football. He dreams high, hope someday he could be national player, and defend national team in world championship.

Some part of this stories make me shudder. There's a time that I realize how many times I complain about this country, but have no action about it. The other parts make me sad, remember our football institution's chaos. When some people tries to achieve the best, and make Indonesia proud, some people screw it, staining it with money and politic.

After all, it's a good book. Hopefully you can gain some goodness from this book. And by the way, it comes with a CD, contain songs, written by Andrea Hirata himself. I haven't tried it, but it's said that the songs complete the story. You feel real deal!

Omerta by Mario Puzo

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Omerta introduces a new Mafia family worthy of the Corleones and the Clericuzios: the family of Don Raymonde Aprile. Their story begins in Sicily in 1967, when the dying Don Vincenzo Zeno—"the last of the true Mafia chiefs"—entrusts the young Raymonde Aprile with the task of raising his soon-to-be-orphaned two-year-old son, Astorre. Following this brief prologue, the novel moves forward nearly 30 years to the world of contemporary New York. Don Raymonde is now retired and has realized one of the great dreams of the career criminal: He has become legitimate. In the grand tradition of the American robber barons, he has extricated himself from all illegal activities, helped his children establish themselves in safe, prestigious professions, and become "a gentleman banker and pillar of society." Three years after his retirement, he is shot to death on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral by a pair of professional hit men.



Omerta is a kind of mafia story, well told by Mario Puzo, as his another novel, The Godfather. Both novels have interesting plot, and strong characteristic, although I like Michael Corleone way better than this Don Astorre. The story is started when Don Zeno, a great mafioso, is dying, and worrying about his only son's future. He decided to ask one of his three musketeers to look after his son, and raise him as good mafioso. 
Don Aprille, one who was chosen, took Astorre to America, introduced him as long cousin. Astorre is great singer, he loves riding horses, and Aprille gave him a macaroni factory to be taken care of. Astorre live wealthy, together with Aprille children, until he grows up, and Aprille start to take him to Sicilia, and tell him that he should start to learn to be a Mafioso.


And, when someone try to kill Aprille, and succeed, Astorre use his resources to find the killer, no matter what it takes. He has to face federal corruption, wild police, and he doesn't know who's really fair and honest, and who's trying to kill him. And, when he's finally find who must be responsible to Aprille's murder, he must struggle with revenge, mercy, and protection to Aprille's children.


Mafia's characteristic is extraordinarily contradiction. In one side, mafia is sadistic murder, no mercy, powerful businessman, and tough negotiator. But in another side, mafias often have good heart, limitless kindness to everyone, young, old, poor, and rich. I have to say,this is really a good book, although in my opinion. Puzo never had successfully pictured a mafia's behavior development as he wrote about Michael Corleone. But by reading this book, you'll be stunned by Sicillian Law, how mafias keep their promise to each other, and how they could do a sweet revenge when someone of them get hurt. Another good job, Mr. Puzo!

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Synopsis


What will you do if one day you wake up, did your daily activities, had a breakfast, went to your officem and suddenly no one know you? Your identity is not exist, nobody recognize you, and like it wasn't enough, everyone will start to look through your body, as if you aren't there, or you're transparant! And all of this is because you help one dirty homeless wounded girl a night before.


Richard Mayhew is young and normal businessman. Have a busy life, overloaded work, and beautiful fiancee. One day, when he and his fiancee was going to have dinner with his fiancee's boss, they found a bleeding girl in dark corridor. Richard insisted to help her, while his fiancee tried to stop him, and even threatened him to leave, or she will break up with him. Richard chose to help the girl, later he know that her name is Door, and leave his fiancee behind.


After helping her, suddenly she disappered and one by one troubles come after Richard. While he desperately tried to get his old life back, he found a mysterious door to a world called London Underground. It seems real and similar to London City, but stranger and more dangerous. How will Richard struggle to get his life back?

Well, this book was compelling me not to stop reading unless I've finished it. I like fantasy story, but this is one is more mature, it's like bedtime story for adult. Gaiman epicly forced us to imagine how dark London Underground is, he even inserted a city map. There are many weird and scary characters, places where you can't imagine, and adventures. Door and her fellowhips planned to find out why her all family were murdered, and Richard was obliged to accompany them, in return they promise to give his old life back. But, who knows it will be so dangerous? He must negotiate with a mouse politely, crossing a life requested-bridge, finding an ANGEL, and questioning his faith. And after long journey, he has to accept the fact that they have one traitor in their companion, and almost fail them to the end.

Somewhat, in his seriousness, Gailman still able to insert some humours, that makes me laugh among the tension. Richard is described full of sarcasm, and what funny is most of his companion didn't realize that it was sarcasm.

And, when you come to the end, guarantee that you'll be surprised! Who did the murder, what its purpose, and why Door's family is so important for this world. Be prepared to receive a mindblowing ending ever in the history of fantasy book. :D

After that, home is a place where your heart is. :)

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

Synopsis



Calli Clark, a selective mutism since she was 4 years old. Dreamer, sweet, and calming.
Petra Gregory, a talkactive girl. Cheerfull, brave, and extraordinary.


They are best friends. These seven years old girls always come together, Petra is used to be Calli's voice. Nobody know how could Petra understand what's inside Calli's mind, what she likes to eat, what she wants to play, what she needs to do. Petra receives Calli just the way she is, and vice versa.


And one gloomy morning, both of them had disappeared. Nobody saw them, their parents took them into each other bed at previous night, and found it's empty in the morning.


Sheriff Louis is Calli's mother's -Antonia- best friend. He even had a history with her. Would he tell Antonia that he suspected Griff, Calli's violent father, Antonia's husband, who had kidnapped Calli? Was Griff do it?And why did he take Petra with them?



The Weight of Silence tells about family, how different people come and unite a family, and don't recognize how different they are, until a tragedy happens. First chapter brought me into fast adrenaline, when one of the girls is dragged to forest, and the other girl follow them. Next chapter is really riveting, it has slow plot, like every family drama novel, explain every character's background and history. The center is Calli's mutism, how an active girl turned to a total silence one, what has happened when she saw her mother's miscarriage 3 years ago. Then, how her mutism affected her family. Her mother is frustated, her father is becoming more severe drunker, and often do violence to Calli and her brother.


Then come Petra, a genuine young girl, who always help Calli at school. She help her against mean kids, and scary subtitute teacher. What interesting is Petra's characteristic, which is likeable person. She always comes with outstanding ideas, frequently assist her father's problematic students. Who knows that someday it'll turn against her?


This is the first time I read Heather Gudenkauf's, and she reminds me to Jody Picoult. They both have similar note, detailed characterization, ordinary life with twisted family's secret. I enjoy it page by page, not in hurry to know who's the kidnapper, and it feels good to know, even in the worst family, there's love indeed. Life is choices, and you'll see how every characters make a choice, regret it, and be grateful after realizing that their bad choices bring some kindness after all.

Dimsum Terakhir by Clara Ng

Have read various review about this book, and made me curious. Some said it was breathtaking, amazing, some said it was ordinary, too dramatic, way too much. Well, I should read by myself, I think. Thanks to Vixxio, which always provide me with high quality and cheap used books, I got this one with very affordable prize.


So, the story is about Chinese quadruplets, Siska, Indah, Rosi, and Novera. They live separately, busy with their own life, try to deal with their own secret, when suddenly they hear bad news from their father, who lives alone, just companied by two fat cats. Nung, their father suffer by stroke, which requiring them to reunited. When they are forced to live together while taking care of their father, they figure out each other's secret, and try to understand one another.


I loved how Clara could share how beautiful Nung's family is. They share warmth and love among difficulty between Chinese at that time, fight between sisters, health issues, personality, and religion. I feel much love, even when the sisters shouted each other at anger. Love is all I feel from this book. And family bond.


Even, when some problems are way too much, I say we're still able to enjoy this book. Learn how different these quadruplets personality, from the older to younger, Siska with her autonomy, perfectionist Indah, Rosi who likes to talk and fussy, and calm Novera. Their colorful life, Siska, successful business woman, which often travel abroad, Indah, booming writer who has no idea what to write in her second book, Rosi, as her name, a rose farmer, and Novera, teacher who wants to be a nun. Each of them keep secrets, which try to be revealed by Nung, who wants hear truths from his daughter before he dies.


I should admit that I got tearful when I read final chapters. How deep is a father's love, so he can receive his daughters the way they are. How brave Nung face his death after revealing his daughters secrets one by one. Well, I am impressed with this book. Two thumbs up, Clara!


Oh, and thank you so much for Vixxio. Visit their website, facebook, and twitter for getting some interesting offers! :)

Avalon High by Meg Cabot

Summary

Avalon High seems like an ordinary high school, which has ordinary students. There are Lance, the athlete, Jennifer, the cheerleader, and Will, senior class president, quarterback, and role model.

But..

Not everyone seems like their real.. even for Elle. As new student, who just moves recently, Elle will find her identity. What role will she play at Avalon High ongoing drama? What if series of weird events and coincidences that happen to her, means tragedy? And what if she isn't able to prevent this tragedy?

It's been a while since I read Meg Cabot's book. I still be a loyal reader of Mediator, tough. Meg Cabot's books are always labeled with "Teenlit", and it makes me a bit lazy to pick them up from book stores. Well, an exception happened one day, when I just feel like reading a light novel. So, here Avalon High, first book.

Well, I am not regretting it, in fact I find this book is interesting. Meg Cabot has a wide wild imagination, and in this book she includes her wide learning of King Arthur's life. She mixes it with high school life, which makes it more interesting, because who doesn't want read about high school drama story, right? :D

I've tempted to google about King Arthur, his life, his loyal knights, Guinevere, Merlin, and Camelot, since reading this book. It's fun, I should admit it. But if you don't want take it seriously, grab this book for your side snack, distracts you from your heavy reading material. It works. Not too deep, but not too shallow.

I've watched its movie, and found it was interesting, although I saw many differences from its book. But they are both good in their own way. So, happy reading everyone! :)

Untuk Indonesia Yang Kuat by Ligwina Hananto

I was stunned after reading this book. Well, it turned that I still have many financial homeworks that should be done. It changed my mind that savings solve everything. It wiped away my previous mindset about money. And I thought that I have to do something to begin my financial revolution! And first step is spread the information of THE BOOK to you all. Let's make ourselves better, people! :)


What makes me interesting, this book is written for middle class. Middle class is like most people in Indonesia, live proper, able to shop, able to hang out in coffee shop, able to go to the cinema, able to take vacation once a year. This book is about strengthening the middle class, how we feel enough about our financial life, but it turns out that we don't have any plan to spend our old life by doing nothing and living with proper pension life. What I mean by doing nothing is we don't have to work our ass off in those ages in order to    live. It turns out that we don't have any educational fund plan to our future kids.


Exhausted yet? Don't.
It's not as scary as you think. Well, you should be scary, but this book helps you a lot. For beginner, like fresh graduate, for who have been married, it's not too late to get any help. This book explains financial lightly, simplified language, even interesting layout. You won't get bored like reading other financial books (eeew, I know your feeling, novel readers!), you'll get excited page by page.


If you want to know more, please visit the website. Never too late to start. Be rich! Decide what's your purpose. :)