He's Just Not That Into You

This book managed to arouse my interest also because of the hype it got all over the net and magazines. At first I didn't know how to categorize it and what to expect from it. I have no idea how it was written and basically what format was used. All I know is that it's supposed to knock some lovesick people off their feet in the hopes that they will come to their senses and realize that their object of affection are.. well.. just not that into them.

The title is quite simple and direct to the point. For goodness' sake, what more can you ask right? Well, I do have something to ask, literally: Do you really mean that there are people who are as disillusional as the people described in the book? Seriously? I have been lovesick more than once before but I swear, I was not this disillusioned. There are some self denials, that I admit but not disillusions. 

I really tried to like this book, but for me, the book just kind of failed itself. This is nothing personal. In fact, I got excited when I read that the authors are part of my favorite show, Sex and the City. I expected to enjoy this because of that knowledge but I was shocked after reading the first few pages. I just cannot believe that they wrote this. Or maybe, it is just the subject that sucks. I am not being a know-it-all here nor am I being a snob but most of the things I have read in this book are those that I have already either read or heard way, way before. On the other hand, maybe that is the point of writing this book. Maybe they just wrote this book to make sure that people do not ignore the basic signs of knowing if a man is into you. But..anyway, to each his own and this one just happened to be not my cup of tea.

I love Nikki though. I always wait for her letters after every chapter. She's like the life-breather in this book. I hope she finally finds the right one for her. I hope she finds someone who's really into her.

The Diary of Anne Frank

Jew. Holocaust. Hitler. Gas chamber. These are but the words that come to my mind whenever I read or hear of Anne Frank's name. It's like a keyword that results to these terms and interconnect each other.

I have always desired to read The Diary of Anne Frank, I guess because I was caught by the hype and the fame of this little girl's diary. It took me years before I finally bought a copy and actually read it.

I have so much expectations for this biography because of all the hype and praises people has been saying about it. I cannot say that the book disappointed but it surely did not meet my standard. I find some entries a little boring and dragging. I cannot blame her though because it is a diary of a girl who's coming-of-age and at the same time is trapped in a confined space with only a handful of persons to interact with. It was also not to be forgotten that all of these happened when they were caught between bombs and air raids during the second world war. This is reality I know, but I also set a high standard that this Diary fell short. 

It was a good read though, if you want to take a glimpse in the world of a trapped young girl during the second world war. You will discover how circumstances really change a person. You will witness how Anne evolved from being childish to being mature. You will also read about how grown ups reduce to being childish, also due to adapting to the environment. You will realize, as you read, that although caged in her very small world, Anne Frank is still a teenage girl who goes through phases and stages all teenage girls go through. Peter and Anne, they are inseparable. 

Though it was sad how her life ended, I am still a wee bit relieved that Anne Frank nor any of her family members were gassed to death. At the very least, each and every one of them died a natural death, and that for me can be the redeeming factor in this story.