Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl since January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

***

To be honest, I don't have any idea what to write from this week's topic. So, I asked Lydia from lydiaschoch.com on Twitter. Then, she told me about the alternative topic to write about this topic. Gladly, I am interested to write about Characters That I Wish Had Account on Social Media because I ain't really following any character's social media account.

Anyway, I got a bad day on Monday :( Usually, I write TTT every Sunday or Monday, but then, something has ruined my mood since Monday morning. So, I've just written this draft on this Tuesday afternoon--me on UTC+7 region.

So, here is my list for today's topic:

1. Sophie - Sophie's World

If Sophie somehow has a social media account, I think she can tell us about the basic understanding philosophy. She can use an Instagram posts or maybe make some thread on Twitter to deliver her thoughts. Isn't interesting?

2. Nahdezda - The Birdwoman's Palate

Actually, this book is not really my favorite, but I like Nahdezda from this book. She is a food writer. I wonder if she has an Instagram account, I think it would be really great. Her account would be full of her foodies' experience.

3. Sherlock Holmes 

It should be great if this famous detective has a social media account. But, I think his account would be handled by Watson. I think his account would be full of his case experience.

4. Lara Jean - To All The Boys Series

Lara Jean is your typical-teen-character. Even though somehow I wanna slap her because her too-much-insecurity, I think if she has a social media account, she will be your typical friend that really cheerful but somehow cheesy.

5.  Rose - The Bliss Bakery Series

I know that Booke is a very secret recipe book but maybe Rose can capture her magic food to be posted on her Instagram. I am curious about how's the appearance of Singer Gingersnaps or Stone Sleep Snickerdoodles. It should be very tasty.

6. Mr. Luigi Lemoncello - Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Mr. Luigi is a game innovator. It would be interesting if we could check out his latest invention on his social media account. Moreover, all of Luigi Lemoncello's games are very interesting to be played.

7. Newt Scamander - Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them

Whatever it is, as a magizoologist, Newt Scamander is indeed a traveler. So, if he has a social media account, his account will full of his experience when finding new creatures. It should be a good traveling account to be followed.

8. Luna Lovegood - Harry Potter

I think I always include Luna Lovegood in every list that I made. Well, she is a very talented character. So, why not for her to make some account? It should be very interesting to follow her DIY or experience regarding nargles or else.

9.  Erika Guruh - Omen Series

I've just finished rereading the first book from Omen Series. I think Erika Guruh is a good character to be followed in social media. She is very honest and will do her best to stand for justice. But yeah, this series is Indonesian series.

10. Ivarr Amundsen - Purple Eyes

He is very calm. He is strong yet vulnerable. He is a very perfect character that I must follow. I think he would be a great influencer because of  his experience regarding music and life.

I think that's all for this week's TTT. I know that my answer is very random. I couldn't really think because something still bugging me :( Heu. My mood hasn't come back yet.

See ya on another TTT.

Sincerely,
Ra

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl since January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

***

Hello!

Finally we meet again at Top Ten Tuesday feature. Today's topic is The Last Ten Books That Gave Me a Book Hangover. To be honest, I've just got a reading slumps. Not because I got a book hangover, it's just somehow I feel so tired to read. Therefore, this topic maybe a little bit hard for me because i have to dig so deep into my read-shelf in Goodreads.

So, lemme try to list the last ten books below.


1. The Promised Neverland - Kaiu Shirai

Don't blame if i put manga here. For all of you who haven't read this manga, i recommend you to read it. This manga is very mind blowing with such a complicated story. There are so many surprising element in every volume. So, you won't be disappointed.

Sadly, this is still on going. But even so, I still got a book hangover when I was finished the latest volume. I just couldn't process the whole story instantly.

2. Melodi Terakhir - Luna Torashyngu

This in an Indonesian novel and can be translated as The Last Melody. Why this book give me such a book hangover, because i never expect that the author could make such a terrifying horror story like this. The thrill when I read this book is really strong. Therefore, I still don''t really have any courage to read another horror story back then.

3. Kim Ji-Yeong Lahir Tahun 1982 (Kim Jiyoung Born 1982) - Cho Nam-joo

How do you feel when you are a woman who can't stand by your own self? There's always a patriarchal system that embodied in the society. This book of course give me a hangover because it makes ma reflect anything in our life, especially if you are a woman.

I agree with the last argument from this book, Kim Ji-Yeong is us. It's very relatable and of course heart breaking.


4. Laut Bercerita (The Sea Speaks His Name) - Leila S. Chudori

This historical fiction is very heart breaking and emotional story. I almost DNF when i read this book because the story was made me cry a lot. But then, I tried to read it slowly and i can reach the end of the story.

Maybe this book is so dark and full of political side, but this book is worth to read. As for me, this book made me realized that history is always made by the winner.

5. Animal Farm - George Orwell

This is about a farm. No more. But, I do know that this is a political allegory. I think I just can't get over with this book because the story is really neat. It's a perfect satire for all of those dictatorship leader in the past.

I pity Boxer the horse anyway.


6. Pulang (Home) - Leila S. Chudori

Another book from Leila S. Chudori that made me really speechless. Still take the historical part of Indonesia, Leila tried to picture the two main event in Indonesia, the 1965 and 1998. All of them made me realizing that not every Indonesian could go home easily. There's always some exception and it broke my heart deeply.

7. A Walk To Remember - Nicholas Spark

Don't ask me why I put this classic romance here. But I think that A Walk To Remember deserved a place for book that gave me a book hangover. The very pure love have to be separated by death. I think this book means a lot about it and I really love this book.

8. Interlude - Windry Ramadhina

Another Indonesian book. Sorry, I haven't read much lately. Interlude is a story abou Hanna who have a dark past and Kai who feels that his life is very useless. This is not a typical YA book because Windry try to take the dark side of the story. This book made me hangover because I can feel most of the emotions that poured by Hanna and Kai.


9. Death Note - Ohba Tsugumi

Another manga that made me really speechless. I never regret my decision to read the manga and watch the series as well. It's really complicated story and have several messages behind of it. Of course, L still being my favorite.

10. Girls in the Dark - Akiyoshi Rikako

This book is the first Akisyoshi's book that I read. The story is full of plot twist and make you couldn't trust any single character. The ending is amazing and the thrill can make you shiver. I really like this kind of horror, tho.

So, that's all my TTT for this week. How about you, guys? Do we have the same book--but I doubt we could have the same book. Lol. But just lemme know a book that made you got a hangover, tho. Someday I'll read it.

Sincerely,
Ra

To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You

We promised to not break each other's hearts.

Sumber: News18

Judul: To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
Genre: Drama, Romance
Tanggal rilis: 12 Februari 2020
Durasi: 101 menit
Sutradara: Michael Fimognari
Penlus naskah: Sofia Alvarez, J. Mills Goodloe
Pemain: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Jordan Fisher

Lara Jean and Peter have just taken their relationship from pretend to officially official when another recipient of one of her old love letters enters the picture.

***

Pertama, saya harus mengakui kalau saya tidak membaca novel karangan Jenny Han--atau setidaknnya belum. Jadi, saya akan menuliskan resensi film ini berdasarkan pengalaman saya menonton serial Netflix yang satu ini. Sejujurnya, film ini masih manis, kok. Dalam artian, porsi romansanya memang bertebaran, tapi tidak terlalu menganggu. Hanya saja, mungkin saya punya keinginan untuk menggampar Lara Jean.

Lara Jean dan Surat Cintanya

Setelah resmi berpacaran dengan Peter (Noah Centineo), Lara Jean (Lana Condor) mencoba menata kembali kehidupan sekolah menengahnya. Ia begitu bahagia saat betul-betul bisa menjadi pacar Peter. Akan tetapi, ternyata tiba-tiba saja Lara Jean mendapatkan surat balasan dari surat cintanya, yakni dari John Ambrose McLaren (Jordan Fisher).

Hal tersebut tentu membuat kehidupan percintaan Lara Jean dan Peter tak bisa berjalan dengan mulus. Belum lagi, mantan pacar Peter, Genevieve (Emilija Baranac), masih sering mendekati Peter. Pada titik itulah, Lara Jean tahu bahwa hidupnya sedang diuji. Terutama, kehidupan cintanya di sekolah menengah.

Yang saya suka dan tidak suka

Sumber: canva, edited by me

Sebagai sebuah sekuel, saya rasa konflik yang disajikan dalam To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You ini sangat sederhana. Bahkan, tak begitu melibatkan naik-turunnya emosi. Film ini berpotensi menjadi sebuah film roman remaja yang bisa dinikmati sambil tersenyum. Di film ini, saya suka karakter Peter yang caring. Setidaknya, ketika Lara Jean dan Peter harus bertengkar, tak ada adegan saling membentak yang memusingkan. Menurut saya, Lara Jean dan Peter berhasil membawa diri dengan baik.

Karakter John Ambrose, yang meskipun banyak yang dikritik karena tidak sesuai dengan penggambaran di novel Jenny Han, malah menurut saya mendapatkan porsi yang pas. Saya suka karakter dia yang perhtian pada Lara Jean dan bagaimana dia menghadapi konflik di depan mata.  Satu lagi karakter kesukaan saya adalah Stormy yang diperankan oleh Holland Taylor. Meskipun sebetulnya dia tak banyak mendapat porsi yang besar, saya tetap suka pembawaan Stormy dalam film ini.

Untuk hal yang tidak saya sukai lebih ke bagaimana Lara Jean menghadapi konflik. Dia terlalu insecure dan tidak mempercayai Peter. Padahal, jelas betul bahwa Peter betul-betul jatuh cinta padanya. Hal inilah yang membuat saya ingin menggampar Lara Jean. Maksud saya, apa sih yang kurang dari seorang Peter yang sangat gentle itu?

Lalu, di adegan paling awal, entah mengapa saya cukup terganggu dengan pilihan baju yang dipakai Lana Jean untuk kencan pertama. Menurut saya, karakter Lara Jean itu seharusnya lebih goody-girld-looking. Akan tetapi hal ini semata-mata hanya preferensi saya saja.

Kesimpulan

Saya sempat memberikan ulasan pendek di channel Telegram saya mengenai film ini.

Peter Kavinsky is very sweet and gentle. Lara Jean, somehow, is so damn annoying.  Smh. John Ambrose is cool. Kitty is funny. Dad is awkward. Stormy is lovable. The soundtrack is good. All of those make me want to read the whole series.

6.8/10 untuk Peter Kavinski dan John Ambrose yang gentle dan care.

Sincerely,
Ra

Pembunuhan Atas Roger Ackroyd

Segala sesuatu memang pada dasarnya sederhana -- Hector Blunt

Sumber: goodreads.com

Judul: Pembunuhan Atas Roger Ackroyd
Judul Inggris: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Series: Hercule Poirot Mysteries #4
Penulis: Agatha Christie
Penerjamah: Maria Regina
Tahun terbit: Juli 2017, cetakan kesepuluh
Tahun terbit pertama: 1926
Penerbit: Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Baca via Gramedia Digital

Roger Ackroyd tahu terlalu banyak. Ia tahu bahwa wanita yang ia cintai meracuni suami pertamanya yang kejam. Ia juga curiga bahwa wanita itu diperas seseorang. Dan kini… wanita itu bunuh diri. 

Malam itu Roger menerima sepucuk surat berisi informasi yang sangat fatal. Sayang sekali, sebelum ia sempat membaca surat itu sampai selesai, seseorang menikamnya hingga tewas. 

Hercule Poirot pun terpaksa menunda masa pensiunnya untuk menyelidiki kasus ini.

***

Sebelum saya memutuskan untuk membaca novel yang satu ini, saya mencari resensinya terlebih dahulu di Goodreads. Meskipun saya tidak begitu anti dengan spoiler, nyatanya saya cukup sebal karena sudah tahu siapa pelaku sebenarnya--karena baca resensi seseorang di Goodreads.

Poirot telah pensiun

Dalam buku ini, Hercule Poirot diceritakan telah pensiun. Ia tak lagi menjalani profesinya sebagai seorang detektif. Ia memilih untuk pergi ke suatu desa di Inggris dan menanam labu. Akan tetapi, siapa sangka kalau jiwa detektifnya akan diusik dan iapun terpaksa menunda masa pnesiunnya.

Roger Ackroyd ditemukan meninggal dunia di ruang kerjanya. Sebuah belati asal Tunisi menancap di tubuhnya. Orang yang pertama kali menemukan Ackroyd adalah Dokter Sheppard dan juga Parker--kepala pelayan di Fernley. Seluruh orang yang berada di rumah itu dicurigai memiliki motif dan juga kesempatan untuk membunuh Ackroyd. mulai dari Flora Ackroyd dan ibunya Mrs. Ackroyd, Hector Blunt--laki-laki pendiam yang merupakan seorang pemburu, Ralph Paton--anak angkat Roger Ackroyd, Geoffrey Raymon--sekretaris pribadi Roger, Parker--si kepala rumah tangga, dan juga Elizabeth Russel--pelayan ruang duduk yang baru saja bertengkar dengan Roger.

Semua bukti tidak pernah mengarah pada siapapun. Banyak sekali kejanggalan yang ada. Hal ini membuat Poirot gemas dan akhirnya ia pun mengatakan bahwa pada dasarnya, semua orang telah menyembunyikan sesuatu darinya.

Spoiler ini membunuhku

Sumber: vexels.com, edited by me

Dari awal, saya memang sudah tahu siapa pelaku pembunuhan Roger Ackroyd. Memang, sih, saya jadi lebih fokus untuk memperhatikan detail-detail yang disiratkan oleh sang pelaku. Akan tetapi, saya masih sebal karena banyak hal yang membuat saya bingung. Mengapa tidak ada hal yang betul-betul merujuk pada pelaku yang sebenarnya?

Lalu, saya memang sudah merasa ada suatu keanehan dari cerita-cerita yang dilontarkan si pelaku. Tapi kesadaran tersebut semata karena saya sudah tahu dia adalah pelakunya. Seandainya saya tidak mengetahui kebenarannya, mungkin twist yang disajikan akan membuat saya ternganga.

Anyway, ternyata pemikiran Agatha Christie di sini agak berbeda dengan Gosho Aoyama. Di buku ini, Poirot seolah mendorong si pelaku untuk bunuh diri. Tentu hal ini berbeda dengan sikap Conan yang tak akan pernah membiarkan hal itu terjadi.

Otomatis, salah satu kutipan dari pelaku yang cukup mengena berada di bagian terakhir buku:

Aku juga tidak kasihan kepada diriku sendiri.Karena itu aku memilih veronal.Tetapi aku sungguh berharap Hercule Poirot tidak pernah pensiun dari pekerjaannya dan datang ke sini untuk bertanam labu.

Kesimpulan

Terlepas dari spoiler yang aku dapatkan, aku masih tetap bisa menikmati buku ini. Bahkan, setengah mati penasaran dengan cara apa pelaku melakukan kejahatannya.

4 dari 5 bintang untuk satu-satunya novel Agatha Christie yang masuk 1001 books list.

Sincerely,
Ra

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl since January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

***

So, when I try to write another Top Ten Tuesday, it means that I am starting to sweep the dust on my blog. Well, I hope 2020 would be better than last year. I want to be an active book blogger again. Then, here I am. Writing my Top Ten Tuesday about Top Ten Poetry Book I Recently Read. 

Actually, the main them for this week TTT is a Love Freebie. Since I haven't read any romance book, I try to think another list that will fit for this week's list. So, I decided to write a list of poetry book--that most of them is about love and heart break, that I recently read. 

1. Milk and Honey - Rupi Kaur

Maybe this book is the latest poetry book that I've ever read. When I read this book, to be honest, I am more remember it as the honey and poison. Because, it's just too much pain to read the sad part of this book.

the idea that we areso capable of love
but still choose
to be toxic

2. A Love Letter from the Girls Who Feel Everything - Brittany C. Cherry, Kandi Steiner

I accidentally found this book as my book recommendation on Google. Never expect anything even though the title is captivated me.

For me, I like the letter from B than K's.

When he makes you doubt yourself
Your worth
Your strength
Your dreams.
Pack your bags and go.
Go 
-- B.

3. The Dark Between Stars - Atticus

The second book from Atticus that I read. I think this book is not as engaging as the first book. So, I like Love Her Wild More than this.

Our love
was not meant to be
it would stay forever
as unsent letters
dusting
in the quite basements
of our hearts.

4. Memories - Lang Leav

To be honest, I don't really remember the relations between the first, second, and the third book. But as long as I remember, there some parts that repetitive. Nonetheless, I still like Lang Leav :)

All There Was

My greatest lesson learnt,
you were mine until you weren’t.

It was you who taught me so,
the grace in letting go.

The time we had was all—
there was not a moment more.

 5. Lullabies - Lang Leav

Another Lang Leav's work. I think a lot of sadness are poured in this book. But, yeah, I found my favorite quote in this book.

It happens like this. One day you meet someone and for some inexplicable reason, you feel more connected to this stranger than anyone else--closer to them than your closest family. Perhaps because this person carries an angel within them--one sent to you for some higher purpose, to teach you an important lesson or to keep you safe during a perilous time. What you must do is trust them--even if they come hand in hand with pain or suffering--the reason for their presence will become clear in due time.

6. Your Soul is a River - Nikita Gill

I know about Nikita Gill is from Thought Catalog. But, maybe I am more familiar with her picture quote in Pinterest. To be honest, I never really read her article in Thought Catalog, so I don't know what to expect from her book.

Before I dreamed of chaos,
now I dream of you.I don't know which is more terrifying,
losing my own chaos,
or loving you.

7. Love and Misadventures - Lang Leav

 At first, I intended to read the translated version of this book. But then, the translation version made me cringe. Therefore, I decided to read the original version.

A lot of poet that quotable.  I can relate with most of her writing. I think, Lang Leav's writing is indeed powerful.

Just Friends

I know that I don't own you,
and perhaprs I never will,
so my anger when you're with her,
I have no right to feel.

I know that you don't own me,
and I shouldn't ask for more;
I shouldn't feel so let down,
all the times when you don't call.

What I feel--I shouldn't show you,
so, when you're around I won't;
I know that I've no right to feel it
but it doesn't mean I don't.

 8. The Book of Imaginary Beliefs - Lala Bohang

Somehow, I always mistakenly Lala Bohang as not Indonesian author. In this book, I have to admit that I ain't really engage with Bohang's word, but I really like her illustrations.

This illustrations for this book is very good. Moreover, it has my favorite color, tho. I love it.

He's there but not there.

9. 27 Days of Hear Break - Stella Ang

Very raw and indeed describe the author's feeling. This book is very honest. The author tried to pour all of her feeling into her writing. 

Some of my friend think that this book is very cheesy, but it end up I still can bear with it.

A relationship might not always work, but the life lesson you get out of it is irreplaceable.

10. Love Her Wild - Atticus

 All of my temptation to read poetry book begin when I read Love Her Wild. I know about Atticus through Instagram, but I ain't really following his writing. When I read this book, I am surprised because most of his poet is really relatable.

Love could be labeled poison and we'd drink it anyways.

Well, that's all for this week TTT about Top Ten Poetry Book that I Recently Read. Don't you have any idea what poetry book that I should read next? Please lemme know.

Sincerely, 
Ra

Sabtu Bersama Bapak

Karena untuk menjadi kuat adalah tanggung jawab masing-masing orang. Bukan tanggung jawab orang lain.

Judul: Sabtu Bersama Bapak
Genre: Drama
Tanggal rilis: 19 Mei 2016
Sutradara: Monty Tiwa
Penulis naskah: Adhitya Mulya
Pemain: Abimana Aryasatya, Deva Mahenra, Arifin Putra, Acha Septriasa, Ira Wibowo, Sheila Dara Aisha

It's a story about a young man looking for a love learning, about a man who learned to be a father and a good husband, about a mother who raised them with love and about father who left a message and promised to always be with them.

***

Saya memang tidak membaca novel Sabtu Bersama Bapak karya Adhitya Mulya. Akan tetapi, saya cukup penasaran dengan film ini karena hype yang muncul beberapa tahun lalu. Saya ingin menekankan bahwa pesan yang disampaikan oleh film ini sudah cukup baik. Sayangnya, ada beberapa hal yang membuat jalan dari film ini terganggu.

Tentang Sabtu Bersama Bapak

Suatu hari, Gunawan Garnida (Abimana Aryasatya) mendapatkan kabar bahwa dirinya menderita kanker. Hal ini membuatnya sadar bahwa waktunya di dunia tidak akan lama lagi. Maka dari itu, Gunawan mempersiapkan segala-galanya sebelum kematian menjemput. Ia merekam sejumlah rekaman yang diinginkannya dilihat oleh kedua anaknya, Cakra (Deva Mahenra) dan juga Satya (Arifin Putra), ketika mereka tumbuh dewasa. Dengan dukungan dari Itje (Ira Wibowo), istri Gunawan, semua pesan yang dibuat Gunawa tersampaikan pada kedua anak tersebut setiap hari Sabtu.

Dari rekaman-rekaman itu, baik Cakra maupun Satya memegang teguh nasehat yang diajarkan oleh Gunawan. Akan tetapi, terkadang mereka terlalu keras pada diri sendiri sehingga Cakra terlalu keras dalam bekerja sampai lupa mencari pasangan, dan Satya terlalu saklek dengan rencana yang ia buat hingga ia harus bertengkar dengan istrinya (Acha Septriasa).

Di sisi lain, Itje mendapatkan kabar bahwa ia menderita kanker. Sama seperti suaminya dulu. Akan tetapi, ia enggan memberitahu keadaannya pada Cakra dan Satya. Kemudian, ketidaksengajaan membuat Cakra dan Satya mengetahui keadaan ibunya. Apa yang akan terjadi kemudian?

Yang saya suka dan tidak suka dari Sabtu Bersama Bapak

Sumber: canva, edited by me

Sebagai drama keluarga, saya rasa cerita yang disajikan oleh Adithya Mulya dan Monty Tiwa ini cukup berkesan. Pesanya pun sederha sehingga mudah ditangkap. Kerap kali, kita lupa bahwa kehidupan yang ada di depan kita juga merupakan hal yang penting. Tidak seharusnya kita hanya berpikir jauh ke depan tanpa peduli dengan apa yang terjadi sekarang. 

Para pemain dalam film ini pun cukup menjiwai perannya masing-masing. Setidaknya, Deva Mahenra dan Arifin Putra sebagai kakak-beradik lumayan believable. Sayangnya, saya harus menyetujui apa kata Joko Anwar. Pemain figuran dalam suatu film itu seharusnya juga dipikirkan porsinya. 

Saya cukup terganggu ketika melihat acting dari anak Arifin Putra dan Acha. Maafkan saya, tapi saya rasa acting mereka akan sangat jatuh bila dibandingkan dengan acting Arifin. Setahu saya, para aktor dan aktris cilik banyak yang memiliki kemampuan acting yang luar biasa. Sebagai contoh, Muzakki dalam film Gundala.

Jadi, sungguh sayang saat acting anak-anak ini terlihat sangat tidak natural. Padahal, film ini menekankan tentang keluarga. Sungguh disayangkan kalau menurut saya.

Anyway, dulu ketika saya pertama kali melihat poster film ini, saya kira pekerjaan Deva Mahenra adalah guru. Ternyata bukan :3 Salahkan pakaian yang ia pakai dalam poster ini.

Kesimpulan

Secara cerita, saya memang cukup terhibur. Tapi bukan berarti film ini memiliki efek yang begitu wah. Terlepas dari apa yang saya sebutkan sebelumnya, film Sabtu Bersama Bapak ini masih layak ditonton sebagai film drama keluarga.

6.5 untuk kesan pertama Cakra terhadap Ayu :)

Sincerely,

Ra

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say

I'm really happy that giggling and smiling is something that doesn't have to be translated. You just know it when you see it. -- Stella

Source: Goodreads

Title: Stella Diaz Has Something to Say
Author: Angela Dominguez
Number of pages: 192 pages
Date of Published: January 16th, 2018
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

In her first middle-grade novel, award-winning picture book author and illustrator Angela Dominguez tells a heartwarming story based on her own experiences growing up Mexican-American. 

Stella Díaz loves marine animals, especially her betta fish, Pancho. But Stella Díaz is not a betta fish. Betta fish like to be alone, while Stella loves spending time with her mom and brother and her best friend Jenny. Trouble is, Jenny is in another class this year, and Stella feels very lonely. 

When a new boy arrives in Stella's class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong, which makes her turn roja. Plus, she has to speak in front of her whole class for a big presentation at school! But she better get over her fears soon, because Stella Díaz has something to say! 

Stella Díaz Has Something to Say introduces an infectiously charming new character with relatable writing and adorable black-and-white art throughout. Simple Spanish vocabulary is also integrated within the text, providing a bilingual element.

***

To be honest, I choose this book to complete my Balabala Reading Challenge 2020 for a book written by a South American. I thought, Angela Dominguez is from South American since she talks in Spanish. But, the more I read this novel, the more I realize that Dominguez is Mexican. So, this book failed to make me complete the challenge. Sigh.

But anyway, for a children book, this book has a something that we should appreciate.

Stella and her insecurity

For Stella, attending school with a new friend is a hard thing to do. Moreover, for this year, she couldn't be in one class with her best friend, Jenny. Somehow, Stella felt so insecure when she knows that she wasn't American. Yeah, her family is from Mexico. So, in some occasions, Stella couldn't manage to speak in English. She usually mixed up with Spanish when she is really nervous.

Stella's shyness to talk made her another classmate make fun of her. Jessica is one of the worst. She always insult Stella and make Stella questioning whether she literally belongs to he class or not. Onde day, there was a new student that will be in Stella's class. Stella wonder whether she can make friend with the new classmate or not.

Source: google, edited by me

My opinion

Well, at first, this is just an ordinary children book with an ordinary story. But it turns out that I was wrong. In this book, Dominguez tried to tell us about the difficulty of a Mexican children that have to struggle to attend school in America. The language barrier somehow make them shy and insecure. Just like Stella, she didn't know what to say because she feels different. She isn't American but she does living in America. How she can adjust her life into the American's live with the whole differences that she may have, is the main story of this book.

The character of Stella maybe is not really adorable in my opinion. But, she is a kind a girl who never give up. At first maybe you can find her shyness is really limiting her, but after all, she can manage it well. The character changing process is quite believable here.

Conclusion

It's a good children with a unique topic, tho. It will be relatable to some points and good for children to acknowledge the diversity around them.

3 out 5 stars for Stanley.

Sincerely, 
Ra

Poirot Melacak

"Karena ketidakpastian akan menimbulkan panik." -- Poirot

Sumber: goodreads.com

Judul: Poirot Melacak
Judul Inggris: Poirot Investigates
Series: Hercule Poirot Mysteries #3
Penulis: Agatha Christie
Penerjemah: Suwarni A.S.
Tebal buku: 286 halaman
Tahun terbit: Januari 2018
Tahun terbit pertama: 1924
Penerbit: Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Baca via Gramedia Digital

Misteri bintang film dengan batu permatanya...kasus bunuh diri yang ternyata adalah pembunuhan... misteri flat yang teramat sangat murah... kematian aneh di ruangan terkunci... kutukan makam firaun... penculikan perdana menteri... dan berbagai kejahatan unik lainnya.

Benang merah apa yang menghubungkan kasus-kasus menarik ini? Tentu saja kemampuan deduksi lihai sang detektif Belgia termasyhur, Hercule Poirot!

***

Setelah kemarin membaca dua novel panjang dari Agatha Christie, sekarang saatnya saya menyelami antologi kasus dari Hercule Poirot. Well, tampaknya dalam hal ini Christie masih mencari gaya menulisnya. Alhasil, ada beberapa cerita yang cukup memorable, ada juga yang malah membuat saya mengernyitkan dahi karena penyelesaiannya yang tak cukup masuk akal.

Sejumlah cerita yang saya ingat

Kalau boleh jujur, saya lupa ada berapa tepatnya kasus yang termasuk di dalam antologi ini. Akan tetapi, memang tidak semua kasus saya ingat. Beberapa kasus yang cukup memorable bagi saya adalah kasus apartemen Mrs. Robinson yang terlalu murah, klaim asuransi yang mencurigakan, serta pencurian kalung mutiara di kamar hotel.

Nama-nama tokohnya? Entahlah. Saya tidak terlalu ingat. Yaa, sama seperti ketika saya membaca kisah Sherlock Holmes dalam sejumlah antologi kisahnya, saya betul-betul tidak ingat dengan nama para tokoh. Bahkan, detail dari kasusnya sendiri.

Seperti yang telah saya singgung di atas, ada sejumlah kasus yang punya twist tidak biasa. Akan tetapi, ada juga kasus yang twist-nya seolah dipaksa masuk. Alhasil malah tidak menjadikan cerita sepenuhnya utuh. Setidaknya ini menurut pandangan saya.

Di lain sisi, kadang kala saya cukup kasihan dengan Hastings. Ia terpaksa seolah selalu dipermainkan oleh Poirot. Pada titik ini, saya menyadari tingkat menyebalkan Poirot dan Holmes lumayan mirip.

Terjemahan yang cukup bikin frustrasi

Sumber: google, edited by me

Jujur, saya sangat menyukai terjemahan untuk The Mysterious Affairs at Styles dan Murder on the Links. Akan tetapi, untuk Poirot Investigates ini, saya merasa agak kecewa. Mengapa? Karena banyak sekali istilah dalam bahasa Perancis yang tidak diterjemahkan. Saya tidak akan keberatan apabila yang tidak terjemahkan seperti mon ami yang memang cukup familiar. Sayangnya, banyak kalimat panjang yang tidak terjemahkan di novel ini. Hal tersebut menganggu keasyikan saya dalam membaca.

Kemudian, ketika saya cek ulang, ternyata penerjemah dari Poirot Investigates dan Murder on the Links adalah orang yang sama, yakni Suwarni A.S. Saya kurang mengerti mengapa vibe menerjemahkan dari ibu Suwarni terasa berbeda di kedua novel ini.

Kesimpulan

Sebagai antologi kasus yang pertama, Poirot Investigates cukup menghibur. Di samping terjemahannya yang mungkin membuat sedikit tak nyaman, kisah-kisah dalam buku ini masih bisa dinikmati.

3 dari 5 bintang untuk kasus-kasus yang tak terduga.

Sincerely, 
Ra