The Best of 2016

2016. What can we say about 2016 now that it is ending? I believe it’s better if we just don’t describe it, so let’s put all those superlatives back in our heads and see what are some of the many things that give us reasons to say that 2016 isn’t that bad.

Literature

The Best Book

First, we need to acknowledge why Sir John Corey Whaley winning is a big deal. Authors like Miss Morgan Matson and Miss Sarah J. Maas– authors that make me scream like a kid in a candy store with a $100 gift card in hand– published their books this year. But Sir John Corey Whaley delivered and wrote a masterpiece like he had never written before. I had little expectations from this book because I wasn’t a big fan of Where Things Come Back, but Highly Illogical Behavior is a fun read that talks about profound and relevant issues that people are afraid to talk about nowadays. If I were you, I would buy multiple copies of this book and give them to the people I love, because the world needs this book.

The Best Graphic Novel

There is no arguing that Miss Raina Telgemeier is the rockstar of Children’s Literature. Now, why is this the best graphic novel and not those flashy DC and Marvel comics (and trust me, I love reading them too)? The reason is that sometimes simplicity is what we all need to tug a heartstring. Finding a home, friendship, and love in the most unexpected place; Miss Raina Telgemeier has managed to put those inside this graphic novel that will surely find a special place in your heart.

The Best Picture Book 

You can say that it is almost unfair to put Last Stop on Market Street here since it already has tons of awards. Not to mention, it came out a long time ago. But every time I read this masterpiece, the world becomes a better place. It feels like there is some kind of filter on my eyes that causes me to see the world in a darker hue, then this book has that power to remove that filter. Last Stop on Market Street will make us all realize that we are all CJs and that we have Nanas all around us, but we always fail to listen to them, because we are so busy criticizing the world.

Music

The Best Song

I Believe in You by Michael Bublé

It has been an inside joke that you can always find Mr. Bublé’s album inside cafés and retirement homes. In other words, if the place is relaxing, there is a high chance that that place plays his music. Sounds boring, but his song like I Believe in You proves that he can also be fun and entertaining while maintaining that relaxing vibe and sexy tone that I think no one can never ever replicate.

The Best Single

If you know me, you probably see this song coming. What I love about Taylor Swift songs are they tell stories. They’re like books that you can finish in about 3-5mins. The best part is you are one of the main characters. I Don’t Wanna Live Forever tells a story of a couple who seems to get tired of fighting all the time, but now that they are far away from each other, they realize how much they need each other. Taylor Swift just saved 2016 from being one of the worst years ever.

The Best Extended Player 

Yes, EDM has already made a mark in the music industry. I am so happy that even the ones who are not gifted when it comes to singing (but still gifted musically in some ways) can find their own limelight. It’s heartwarming that there is music that was created to make you feel something that will get you moving. The Chainsmokers proves that music is for everyone.

The Best Album

Charlie Puth just proudly waved the flag of Millenials with his Nine Track Mind album. Many people tend to see Millenials as youngsters who don’t know anything other than to have fun and be reckless. But Charlie’s album reminds everyone that Millenials can fall in love, get hurt, and move on. I can almost say that he tells the story of everyone who is still trying to find their place in this world.

On Screen Media

The Best TV Show 

I don’t like watching TV. I am not a big TV person, but there’s always one thing that will make you break your own rule, right? And that for me is the Shadowhunters. A diverse cast, heartbreaking plot, rollercoaster of emotions. What more can you ask for? It is funny how you can relate more to these characters than the people in the real world. It only means that we are all well represented in this TV show.

The Best Movie 

Never in my entire life that I have seen a film as beautiful as this. It shows a simple but deep and meaningful message. Words are not enough to describe how beautiful this masterpiece is, so I suggest that you watch it. Remember that this is not just about a bunny trying to be a police officer.

The Responsible ARC Reader

It is always a delight to receive an ARC (Advance Readers Copy) from authors, publishing houses, or just anywhere at all. I mean how are you not going to be happy? One, you can read a fantastic novel before anyone else does, and of course, it is free!

But are ARCs really free or we are missing our responsibilities as readers whenever we get our hands on those “free” books?

To be honest, I did not know the responsibilities that you have as a reader whenever you receive those ARCs until one day, I started receiving one. 

ARCs are not free. You need to pay the author and the publishing house who put that ARC in your hands. Do they need money? Absolutely not. However, they need more than money. They need your time and your honest opinion about the work.

GIVE THEM YOUR TIME

Remember that ARCs give us an opportunity to read a novel before it comes out. As readers, we are responsible for reading an ARC before it actually comes out. The rule I follow is I should finish the novel at least 2 weeks before its release date. Once the actual book is out in the world, ARCs lose their value. 

WHY READ THEM BEFORE THE BOOK COMES OUT?

The primary purpose of ARCs is not to give readers free books. Remember, publishing houses want to sell their products, but do not think of it that way. We have to see that we are helping authors that have given us amazing books in the past and will give us more amazing books in the future. 

So we have to make sure that we have to read ARCs 2 weeks before they come out so we can give them an amazing review. If you don’t like the ARC, that is okay, but give it a review. ARCs do not demand good reviews; what they want is an honest review. Remember, good or bad publicity is still publicity.

If you are like me, someone who always gives good reviews to ARCs, what I do whenever I do not like the ARC is I will give it a review saying who I think is going to like the book. I will not write about how I do not enjoy the book—I will write how others will like it.

It is always fun to receive ARCs, but we have to remember that once we agree to accept those ARCs, we, as readers, now have a big responsibility in our hands.

The Sarah Dessen Writers

So did you watch the video? No? Come back after you do. 

You’ve seen it? Now, tell me, miss Dessen is like meant to be a YA writer, right? However, if you watch her other videos, especially the one where she tells how she gets into writing YA, you’ll find out that it was not the market that she was aiming for. She said that she didn’t want to write YA.

This post is not about hating miss Dessen. If you already know me, I am obsess with her books. I’ll buy them the moment they hit the shelves, and you’ll see how miss Dessen now loves the YA community, and she knew it was her destiny all along.

What I am trying to say here is there are aspiring writers right now who are like miss Sarah Dessen. How?

I’ve been in the creative writing program of California State University of Northridge for almost a year now. This semester I am enrolled in a narrative writing class. On the first day of class, we introduced ourselves by saying our names and the genre that we write. Sadly, I was the only YA writer there. Even the the professor said she had not read any YA.

The class is halfway the semester now. We have been critiquing each other’s work of fiction. And you know what I’ve noticed? Most of my classmates are writing stories where the main character is a child or a teenager.

I guess there are writers out there who are like miss Dessen– they claim not wanting to write YA, but once they experience the beauty and magic of the YA community, they will be more than glad to be a YA writer.

Paper Towns is not a Paper Movie: Paper Towns Movie Review

As I type this, my mouse pointer is in the other window hovering the buy button above the Paper Towns soundtrack album cover. Even though I am a John Green fan, I’ve never thought I would find myself obsess with the movie Paper Towns, because my expectations for the movie was beyond low, and there are reasons for that, but, boy, the movie made me regret setting a low bar. 

When I enter the movie theater, the familiar scent of butter and kernel hit my system. I set myself in the middle of the theater. The movie started with sir John Green thanking everyone who made the movie possible. I gave him a thumbs up. I was excited, but a nervous breathe escaped my lips accompanied with the words “let’s see how this goes.” 

CARA DELEVIGNE

One of my biggest concerns in the movie was Cara Delevigne. Yes, she is very beautiful, but I just didn’t see her as Margo. I see Margo as a girl who can fade into the background with her mysterious attitude. I didn’t think Cara could do it, but she proved me wrong. Cara gave Margo’s character the power that sir John Green put in the book. The way Cara interacts with the setting and other characters gives the feeling of she knows everything about herself, but it is only all a facade. Margo doesn’t know who she is.

Q, Ben, and Radar  

One of the reasons I fell in love with the book Paper Towns is the portrayal of friendship between Q, Radar, and Ben. I was scared that the actors would not give all the characters justice. I also thought that even though they picked good actors, the chemistry was the main ingredient to make the movie work. The movie, however, did a magical job of showing the trio’s deep friendship. The movie introduced Radar and Ben with what you needed to know about them– Radar and his parents’ black Santa Claus collection, and the Bloody Ben rumor about Ben– and then the actors gave the rest of character development through dialogue and scenes. Ben is very memorable in the book and I adore him a lot, and I give the movie my biggest kudos for making Ben a memorable character on screen too. Ben will charm you with his hormone driven dialogues. He is a true image of a teenager, but at the same time, he is still very unique. 

Faithfulness to The Book 

Is the movie faithful to the book? Not entirely, but what movie is 100% faithful to the book, right? There are changes in the movie. Some scenes are tweaked a little bit, but it still follows the plot. You’ll also see that those changes fit perfectly in the film.

Is the Movie Worth Seeing? 

Definitely! it’s a 10/10 movie. The movie perfectly gives the “people fall in love with the idea of someone” message. Even of you have or have not read the book, what are you waiting for? Go to the nearest movie theater now!  

Parallel Worlds: Jumping From the World of Books to the World of Anime

July marks the middle of the year, and 2015 has proven again that it’s had given me new experiences. From July 2-5 I was a main event staff at Anime Expo, and I am happy to say that I have realized something really important with the experience.

I have a lot of friends like me who are big readers but only know a tiny bit about anime. And then there are my friends who loves to watch anime and read manga, but they only know a little bit or nothing at all about the YA genre world. 

The moment I stepped at Los Angeles Convention Center, I was expecting a whole different world even though the way the cold artificial air traced on my skin was familiar. However, before I even reached day 4, I’d seen many things that the anime world is just a different version of the YA genre world.

PASSION

(click for photo credit) 

Cosplaying is not that big in the YA world compare to the Anime world, but I actually did not see a big difference when it comes to passion.

Making costumes requires a lot of time and pure dedication. I cannot take away the passion that anime lovers show in cosplaying. YA fans cosplay too, but not that much. However, YA fans show their passion towards collecting a lot of books and carrying them around just to get them all signed. YA fans love book signing as much as anime fans love cosplaying. 

I did not buy anything other than this cute plushie called a cockblock. It is a rooster and a block, so it is a cockblock.Anyway, I digressed. What I am saying is I saw a lot of anime fans buying a lot of stuff to quench their anime addiction. Looking at them, I actually saw myself in them even though I only bought one $26 plush. I actually told myself, “that looks like me buying tons of books.”  

LEARNING SOMETHING NEW

Sometimes, when people talk about anime, I feel like I am still stuck on my teenage years, because I have zero clue about the new ones right now. Going to Anime Expo has made me realized that anime fans have created a bridge between the old generation of anime and the new generation anime. Attending different panels and events at the expo made me curious what Fate Stay Night is. Why is everyone talking about it? I just started the first episode today. I must say the magic system is making me want to watch more. On the YA world, a good book is just like a good anime. It does not matter how old it is, a good book or anime deserves good readers and viewers.

FEELING WELCOME

 (Click for Photo Credit)

When you think of a book nerd or anime nerd, you’ll think of a person who wears thick glasses and braces. Someone who is socially awkward. This is not 100% true, but sadly breaking stereotypes is harder than time travel. While I was at Anime Expo, I felt a sense of belonging. It is the same feeling I feel whenever I attend book events. It is like you belong in a big family and no one is there to judge you. I love how I saw some people exploded in fandom just because they were wearing shirts that show the same fandom. I know the scorching pain I feel from the eyes of people whenever I say I love the show My Little Pony. But in Anime Expo, I was just a boy who loves My Little Pony. I was just a normal dude. Not a weirdo. And seriously, the people who think that Anime lovers and YA fans have no friends other than our books and animes, then they don’t know that nerds are actually chick and dude magnets too. They should see this very handsome Captain America cosplayer:

  

Anime Expo is very tiring and exhausting. I am happy I volunteered this year. There were lots of mishaps, but a good adventure is full of failures, right? Right now, I am slowly crawling back to the anime world. I hope I could find the my teenager self that not only loves YA books, but also anime. I am for sure going back to be a volunteer next year.   

TBR Mailbox: Making Reading Fun To The Next Level

A weird combination of happiness and frustration stirs in our chest whenever it is time to choose what to read next. Should I pick up that book that has been collecting dust on my bookshelf? But the last book of that trilogy you’ve been obsessing just came out. This kind of situation always make us readers thankful for the invention of the TBR Jar. For those of you who don’t know what a TBR Jar is, TBR means To-Be-Read. It is a jar with random challenges (such as “Book with male protagonist,” “Book set in another planet”) to help you pick the next book you want to read. My first TBR Jar was just a white mug, so TBR Jars like these make me explode in jealousy: 

So then 2 days ago, I realized it was time for a new TBR Jar. However, I want to reach the next level. I just don’t want it to be a jar, I want it to have personality like the books I own. And so Voila! The TBR Mailbox is born. 

Like most TBR Jars (In my case mailbox), everything is handmade. My inspiration for the design is base on the following:

 The Spring Season

Anna And The French Kiss by Miss Stephanie Perkins 

& Last but not the least

Emmy & Oliver by Miss Robin Benway 

What makes the TBR Mailbox different from a regular TBR Jar? Well, I am glad you are curious. A regular TBR Jar gives you a direct to the point what you should read next, but the TBR Mailbox gives you a challenge to the next level. Since it is a mailbox, I put envelopes instead of roll-up papers, and I divided these envelopes into 3 categories (And yes, the envelopes are also handmade).

Yellow envelopes are for MG books (Middle Graders)

The pink ones are for YA (Young Adult)

The Plain one is for adult fiction

As you can see, there are certain genres written on each envelope, and I will explain later why. Let me just tell you what I will put inside these envelopes.

Inside the envelopes are these cute fusion of Anna and The French Kiss and Emmy & Oliver cards. When you open the envelopes, you’ll see random challenges like: 

(book set in the future) 

So I shuffled all these cards and put them randomly in different envelopes. Now I will put them inside my TBR Mailbox all facing down so I have no idea what color they are.

What I will do is I will pick up a random envelope inside. If I pick up a yellow envelope with the contemporary genre written on it, and inside a card says, “book with male protagonist,” it means I need to pick an MG contemporary book with a male protagonist from my bookshelf. I know it can be tricky sometimes, but books are like that, they can be divergent– they belong in many categories. Isn’t that the fun part? If you notice that there is no genre inside my Adult Fiction Envelope, it is because I chose not to put any since the population on Adult Fiction on my bookshelf is just about 3% I think, so I don’t have that many choices. There is also no card inside, but hey at least I still give them a space in my TBR Mailbox, right? 

So guys, what do you think about my TBR Mailbox? Isn’t too much or is it cute, fun, or challenging? 

PS: Again, I cannot tell you where I bought it because everything is handmade. 

Rainbow Reads: Why Do We Need To Read LGBT Books in YA?

Book Lovers’ favorite season is here. Summer. 

There is nothing to do but enjoy the heat under the shade of your favorite tree with a sundae on your left hand and a book on the other one. Once you open that first page, the impossible becomes possible. That’s how powerful books are. Most young readers are big fans of the YA genre, and I salute YA for proving that YA is not just about sleepovers, crushes, and prom. Topics such as domestic violence, bullying, sex, and other deep issues are tackled in YA books. Many argue that bringing out such topics leads to misbehavior of the young generation, but what YA books actually does is the complete opposite; it actually helps the young generation to be better thinkers. 

Homophobia is still present today. It is like a disease that can spread faster than the speed of light. The younger you are, the chances of you catching this disease is bigger. But, luckily, there is a strong, powerful vaccinations available now. And they are available at book stores and libraries.

LGBT characters used to be like aliens in books– we didn’t know whether they really existed or not. Now, most books are aiming the spotlight at them:

 

Some YA books still focus on LGBT themes, and that is wonderful. It gives pure attention to what really is needed, but lately, another giant step has been made by the YA genre– LGBT characters are just characters and nothing else. What kind of impact does this move create? It paints a picture of what a beautiful world looks like. In Winger by Sir Andrew Smith, a gay rugby player is just a gay rugby player– the character’s sexuality is not a big deal. Don’t you think it is wonderful world where if someone tells you he/she is gay, you are as bored as someone telling you he/she likes the color green?  

It is still wonderful and magnificent to focus on LGBT themes on YA books, because we are still in a society that being LGBT is not okay. With Sir Bill Konigsberg’s Out of The Pocket and Miss Nancy Garden’s Annie On My Mind, LGBT youth will have the strength to see that they are stronger than what the society tells them about who they should be.

I believe that the more LGBT books we read, the closer we are to show the world that sometimes religion and homophobia are just excuses to show hate.

“The rest of the world is black and white, but we are in screaming colors”

— Taylor Swift 

   

Let’s Get Dark: Interview with Henry Turner, Author of The Compelling and Thrilling Novel, Ask The Dark

Goodreads.com gives us the most random book recommendations (isn’t that the good part?) So when Goodreads recommended Ask The Dark by Sir Henry Turner, I know my TBR pile is going to be one book higher. And I know not putting this book on your TBR pile will be one of the biggest mistakes you’ll ever do in your life. 

I just had the amazing opportunity to meet Sir Turner while working at Barnes & Noble in Glendale. I also had the chance to interview him, but before that, let’s see what his debut novel, Ask The Dark, is all about.

Sir Turner’s Debut Novel

(Click the Photo to go visit its Goodreads’ Page)

or

Click Here to visit the official Ask The Dark Website

Synopsis: 

Billy Zeets has a story to tell.

About being a vandal and petty thief.

About missing boys and an elusive killer.

And about what happens if a boy who breaks all the rules is the only person who can piece together the truth.

Gripping and powerful, this masterful debut novel comes to vivid life through the unique voice of a hero as unlikely as he is unforgettable.

Author Event

The book sounds cool? The book will be available for purchase April 7 (Tuesday). But why just get a copy when you can meet the author and get your book signed? 

What: Ask The Dark book signing and official launch 

Where: Barnes & Noble at The Grove. 189 Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (Google Maps) 

When: April 7 (Tuesday) at 7:00pm 

Wristbanded : No, it is not a wristbanded event.

The Interview

Fearless_Kurt: How did the idea of Ask The Dark come to you? 

Henry Turner: I started writing stories about Billy Zeets, defining his character and finding his voice. He’s a complicated kid, full of contradictions and conflicts, both good and bad, depending on how you look at him. To sort these conflicts out, I realized he would have to experience circumstances that would put him under maximum pressure.

Fearless_Kurt: What can readers expect from Ask The Dark? 

Henry Turner: It’s a thrilling ride, with lots of incredibly scary ups and downs, in which you hang on to hope with your last ounce of strength. I think the best thing the reader will find in the book is Billy. I made him as real as I possibly could, so in reading what he has to say you feel you’re meeting an actual person. I’ve had readers tell me they felt like they weren’t just reading, but actually experiencing the story firsthand. I found that incredibly complimentary. It made me feel I’d created a character readers could truly relate to, and feel themselves inside his skin.

Fearless_Kurt: Billy is an unlikely hero, but as the author of the novel, would you call Billy an unlikely hero? 

Henry Turner: Heroism can’t be predicted, and happens only as a last chance for survival. And that’s just what happens to Billy. Everything in his life has fallen apart and he has come up against a vicious killer. He has no choice but to stand his ground and fight – and by fighting, he reveals sides of his character no one ever believed he had – least of all himself.

Fearless_Kurt: Since we’re already on the topic of heroes, how would you define a hero? 

Henry Turner: A person who hangs on and does what must be done and what is right, regardless of the odds.

Fearless_Kurt: Let’s talk more about you, sir Turner. Who are your favorite Authors? 

Henry Turner: I love classic authors like Twain, Stevenson and Jack London. At Askthedark.com you can find a longer list of writers who made an impact on me.

Fearless_Kurt: ASK THE DARK is a thriller carried by an in-depth study of its main character, and I can certainly see myself doing more of that. However, I’m also interested in fantasy/science fiction and historical YA – as well as Middle Grade stories with fantasy twists.  

Fearless_Kurt: One last question; what do you think is the perfect song for Ask The Dark? 

Henry Turner: I’m not exactly sure. All I know is it would have a lot of loud guitar. Maybe you can put this question out to your followers… I’d love to see what they come up with!

Yeah. What do you think is the perfect song for Ask The Dark? let me hear on the comments below. If you haven’t read the book, just make a little prediction, then come back after reading the book to see if your prediction is still cool. 

About The Author

(Source: AskTheDark.com)

Henry Turner grew up in Baltimore Maryland, in Roland Park, an old neighborhood heralded, on a historical plaque outside its local shopping center, “The oldest planned Garden Suburb in the United States”. He went to public schools. He was always interested in storytelling in one form or another, and as a teenager he started making films with his brother and neighborhood kids. 

Henry wound up making five feature films, writing and shooting and cutting them. When his films won awards and attracted some attention he moved to Los Angeles, after getting a call from a movie production company that was looking for scripts. He stayed in L.A. and helped build a fledgling film festival that has since become well-established. He also wrote much freelance entertainment journalism, interviewing well-known filmmakers such as George Lucas, Brian Grazer, Quentin Tarantino, James Cameron, and many others. All along he was writing stories. 

During a year spent in Greece he made a total commitment to writing fiction. Returning to Los Angeles, he met his future wife, who encouraged him to study fiction writing with a novelist he admired – John Rechy. Henry stayed in Rechy’s private writing group for a number of years and also studied privately with Hubert Selby. Since that time he and his wife have had a son, Hugo, who is now nine. Henry Turner is now writing a new novel.

Visit his website: http://www.askthedark.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AskTheDark?fref=ts

or follow him

Twitter: @AskTheDark

 

The Divergent Review of The insurgent Movie

SPOILERS FREE

If you saw my Facebook post about my reaction after I’d watched the Insurgent movie, you might think this is a rant of an angry fanboy, but I promise this is a review that will make you prepared what to see in order to enjoy the movie whether you’ve read the book or not. 

If I just want to be honest, it will look like I hate the Divergent Trilogy. And that is not true. So instead of using candor alone, I will write the review divided in five factions. 

What will make you happy? 

If you have not read the book, you are in for a good ride, because the movie does not stay faithful to the book, but that’s okay, because the movie will unravel the whole world of Divergent piece by piece like a new experience, and trust me, the visual effects and the action scenes are purely brilliant. Even though the movie has no narrative voice, it will still show you a good play of images.

What kind of risks did the movie take?

I believe that the director of the movie thinks that they should focus more on Tris’ inner struggle to forgive herself, so many parts of the book is removed. I was actually sad and happy to see this movie. Happy, because duh! It’s Insurgent. Sad because this is the book where my favorite character is going to die, but he doesn’t even exist in the movie. The focus now is more on Tris, so throw away your list of favorite scenes in the book, because none of them may appear. And by doing so, you will enjoy the movies.

How to help other enjoy the movie more?

This is ver simple. Let’s divide this category into two– a.) People who have read the book and b.) People who have not read the book 

People who have read the book– absorb the movie like a new experience. Do not enter the theater with a mindset “I am excited to see this part and that part,” because you will only disappoint yourself. Instead, enter the theater while telling yourself, “I am excited how the simulations will materialize in front of me.” Trust me, those simulations are the bomb!

People who have not read the book– I watch movies too with people who have not read the book, and yes, they do love asking questions. So if you have not read the book, and some scenes confuse you, don’t ask you book nerd friends. They might be confused too, because there are many parts in the movie that is very unfamiliar to us.

What is so smart about the movie? 

The factions of Candor and Amity were unexplored in the first movie, but now, Insurgent gave a tiny glimpse of them. You’ll see the truth serum in action and how Amity members are peaceful people. However, that’s about it. Amity has so many unique qualities in the book. The book really explored Amity, but in the movie, it is just a glimpse.

What I think about the movie: 

There were many times that my left eyebrow was arching during the movie, because from time to time my brain kept saying “we’re in this part already? I guess they skip the (insert good scene in the book here) part.” The mystery of the box kept me flipping the pages of the book, but that feeling is missing in the movie. Again, the focus is Tris’ inner struggle to forgive herself or to be achieve Amity. And again too, I was not expecting the simulation to be that good, and the action scenes are really beyond. The way the characters fight show unique characters.

So to wrap this up, the movie is good, but I would not really give my two thumbs up for it. Go see this movie, because it is enjoyable, but remove that bookworm inside your body first. For maximum enjoyment of the movie, try forgetting that it is a book.

Rating: 5/10 stars.       

Girl Power = YA Novels: The Real Reason Why I Love YA Novels

Every time someone would ask me why I love Young Adult novels, I feel like I always need to pull a script and say “YA novels deal with the theme about the biggest transition of life– childhood to adulthood.” It’s not even an original answer from me. I got it from a YA author. The borrowed words tasted like a cardboard box on my tongue. A couple of days ago, after I dig a little deeper in my life, I found an answer why I love YA novels. The experience made me realize that I was born to love Young Adult novels. Why? To answer that, I need to tell you about myself. I grew up as the only guy in the house: 2 sisters (1 younger and 1 older), my mom, then my grandmother. I have a father, but he used to be a professional athlete where he was required to train all day. I would not even see him go home, for I was already sleeping the moment he would step inside our house. We were a happy family, but not perfect. We had to deal with financial problems, misunderstandings from one another, and so on. Even though I grew up seeing in the media that women are supposed to cry and wait to be rescued, the way my family dealt with problems kept me out of that box. The women in my family were the image of strength. My mother was not only the chef of the house, but also our repairman. She had been breaking gender stereotypes from the very beginning. My two sisters were my armor from bullies in school; they also dominated the school academically. They showed me that women are smart. My grandmother was the picture of determination. She taught me crying could be the fuel of strength. As I become aware of the realities of the world– the way the world view women, I become very protective of my family. I know how our society see women are very wrong. The evidence can be found in our house. I want to change the world, and I know I can. Now, Young Adult novels have the same mission. They are showing how women are just as powerful as men. YA novels show that women still cry, but those tears become their power to fight what they believe in. YA novels are turning the world into a better place where “throw like a girl” is one of the best compliments you’ll get. So if someone asks me why I love Young Adult novels a lot, my answer is simple–

“Young Adult novels see the world in a way I see it– better and powerful”