Looking back, I don't remember knowing anyone who enjoyed doing a book review when we were in elementary school, but then again neither did I hahaha! I suppose, it's because of the fact that people don't really like it when they are asked to do something, but once they decide to do it without being ordered to, somehow it feels more bearable. Ok, let's cut the pyschology, and instead focus on the subject of this post: Book Review.

Last week, after finishing the book, The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand (which I'll also do a book review of), I decided to grab something that seems like a light easy read from my box of books from the Book Binge Bazaar. Since I'm feeling a bit fancy, and yes the dots persuaded me, I decided to grab this book by Tucker Shaw.

You see, you don't have to be Mr. Holmes to figure out that this book is heavily inspired by none other than Ms. Hepburn, particularly her fabulous portrayal of Holly Golightly.


Since this is a book review, let's cut it into 3 parts: 1. Characters and Settings, 2. A non-spoiler gist/summary, 3. Reaction with the uncontrollable spoiler (the part where you close your eyes until you get to see the 'Love Always, Nicole). With that let's start:

I. CHARACTERS

1. Gemma Beasley - The main protagonist of the story. A spirited 16 (or 17 hahaha) year old girl who's born and raised in Pensylvania by her writer mother, and father (I can't recall what's his job). She loves Audrey Hepburn so much, after discovering her from an issue of Teen Vogue she bought with her Christmas money.
2. Trina and Bryan- Trina and Bryan are Gemma's friends, whom she met online after she put up a tumblr page dedicated to Audrey Hepburn. Trina is poor like Gemma, working in a resto called Corral, while Bryan is a flamboyant Bel-Air bred boy who gets bullied because of his orange Cole Haans.
3. Telly- A constant basher of Gemma's FB page, because she can't stand how thin Audrey Hepburn is.
4. Dusty- The handsome guy who stumbled upon Gemma's blog because he needs help for his film class.

    SETTINGS

- Different parts of New York City, particularly the iconic Tiffany store front. Then there's this part where there is an auction at Sotheby's, then various restos and party places.



II. Summary (sans the spoilers)

The story revolves around Gemma Beasley, and her adoration/fascination to the perenially sophisticated Ms. Hepburn's famous character, Holly Golightly from the 1961 movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's. Her love for the character urged her to create a Tumblr blog, not only to further gush about how fabulous Holly is, but as a way of her to escape her uneventful life. There, she met 2 quirky individuals who share the love of Holly Golightly, that they have decided to do a meet-up in New York to re-live Holly Golightly's life in NYC for a day. Once they have gotten together, all three of them, found themselves in a whirling adventure more thrilling than the story line of Breakfast at Tiffany's.


III. Reaction with uncontrollable spoiler

If you want a light read to get you through Manila rush hour traffic, this is definitely a good choice. You don't need to think too much to get immersed with the story, especially since it doesn't include highfalutin words and idioms. As for the story, I find it pretty bland, and totally undeserving of its fun and quirky cover. Here are my thoughts about the story:
1. The story could have been better if they put more meat to the personalities of the characters, since the author played it safe by relying on cliches. For instance is the character Bryan, whom is gay, fabulous, and filthy rich, but aside from the those words that I described him with, there's nothing more you can say about him. Also, for the main character of Gemma Beasley, author Tucker Shaw failed to make her relatable, which in turn made me not want to root for her throughout the story.
2. I find the story as if it is the author's weird fantasy dream. Like for instance is the part where Bryan doesn't mind treating his friends to a shopping spree in Barneys, Bergdorfs and Bloomingdales. I mean, really that's just too good to be true.
3. The whole story failed to show the consequences of the main character's wrong decisions, where the silver lining came too soon even before Gemma is able to fully understand and learn from her wrong choices.
4. The story is predictable, where even at the beginning I somehow figured out that Dusty is just another cliche heartthrob who's sole purpose in life is to get another naive girl go to bed with him. It could do better than that.

To cut it all short, I give this one a 2.5/5 book ratings, because to be fair it is a fun story. I also put in consideration that I may not be its main target market, as to why I did not fully enjoy it. So, if you're into a light, sorta feel-good YA novel to pass the time, you may want to consider putting this in your reading list :)


Love, Always,

Nicole.

P.S.
Click here if you want to get yourself a copy.

This, THIIIS!

This is a logical action. I am helping the economy.

Nvm the They Both Die at the end and the thousandth floor because I bought that before mehehe!

From what I recall, we had a stopover in a sugar cane/orchid farm, instead of an Elephant park because some people were too slow at the breakfast buffet :/ . However, I really couldn't recall seeing any orchid, or any much at all earlier that day HAHAHA- oh wait except for this one:

THIS IS GOLD

IDK, I think Thais have a penchant for personalization. In my 4 days there, I've had 2 instances where my face wound up in a souvenir item without my permission. Some of my co-workers bought the plates with their own faces, however I did not buy this one-I mean, imagine eating something delicious, then halfway you see your face frowning, as if frowning at you for pigging out junk again.

Anyway, moving on...

Ah, yes ate?

I actually just realized now that the floating market we went to was not located in Bangkok hahaha! I remember it took us around an hour and a half going there coming from our hotel in Baiyoke. The entrance going to the floating market itself doesn't appear as if in just a few meters there's a canal system waiting for you. Unlike the Venetian canal, where the gondola glides and makes smooth ripples in the water, here the boats you hop on are as fast as if you're in a jet ski chase scene in an action movie hahaha! If my memory serves me right, the floating market we went to was Amphawa, and unlike the other ones in Thailand they don't really sell that much in the water, since majority of the sellers are already in land. But instead of being disappointed by the fact that I won't be able to experience the authentic feeling of buying something while sitting prettily in a boat, instead I keep this in mind instead:

Imagine being stuck there and you need to pee soooo bad!

What will you find in the shops, you asked?




👕 Basketball jerseys (Why would you even???) and the like. For Women:
👖 For Women: Shorts, Short skirts above the middle of your calf, tights, leggings, denim pants, ripped jeans, and the like
👖 For Men: Shorts, Denim pants, ripped jeans and the like.
3. BRING A PASHMINA if you're unsure whether you are wearing something inappropriate, cover up with your pashmina or scarf.
4. Be prepared with a photo of your passport. The security sometimes check it, so just be prepared.
5. You are not allowed to seat on the ledges, or better yet be mindful where you seat, unless you wouldn't mind paying a 2,000 baht fine.

Hmmm yes?

You can crop me out if you wanna focus on the beauty of the palace ahahaha!

The Grand Palace tour was tiring but amazing! There were a lot of people at the time we went there, so just looking at the myriad of people taking photos and milling around exhausted me hahaha! The palace, in real life, is amazing-actually the word amazing wouldn't do justice on how majestic it looks.The one in my photo above shows the Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat, and I suppose it was one of the residences of the Thai royals. Aside from that, The Grand Palace houses multiple temples, which are all stunning. If you love admiring architectural marvels, this is the place to be.