Book Review: Just Remember to Breathe

by Charles Sheehan Miles

Review: 5/5

“When I'm ninety, I want you to tell me that it's my turn to ask you a question, and if that miracle happens, then my question is going to be, 'Do you still love me?' and I hope that answer will still be yes.”

This is a brilliant book that had me awake till the wee hours of the morning during my day off because I couldn't wait to see how it ends.

Thank you Milka for the recommendation - the read and the lack of sleep was totally worth it.

I will begin this review with the question that haunted me in the first chapters of the novel: WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM? Because here I see two people, still crazy in love with each other - but at some point have to let go of each other. Not to mention their separation was not pretty either. So again, what happened to them? What went wrong? Was it the long distance relationship?

Alex Thompson: she's rich, pretty, intelligent and a pre-law student at Columbia University. She has a secret she's not willing to share, and currently nursing her broken heart, trying to move past a break up that shattered her. The last thing she wanted to see was the boy who tore her heart apart.

Dylan Paris: an ex-soldier who just came home of Afghanistan nursing physical and emotional wounds from the war. He was not the same boy before he got deployed. And seeing the girl who made him feel alive and in love just makes thing difficult. The last thing he wanted to do was to involve this girl with his issues. But no matter how hard he tried - he just couldn't stop himself. Because Alex...

“I’d say you’re worth falling in love with twice.”

Alex needs him to tell her everything, or at least anything for her to trust him with her heart once again. Can Dylan tell her without scaring her and have her running away from him? On the other hand, can Alex spill her secret as well? Secrets she had kept from her family and most of the world?

To simply state that I love reading Just Remember to Breathe is an understatement , because at some point of this book - you'll come to a point that you will forget to breathe in anticipation. Will they or will they not make it?

Favorite Quotes:

• “When I'm ninety, I want you to tell me that it's my turn to ask you a question, and if that miracle happens, then my question is going to be, 'Do you still love me?' and I hope that answer will still be yes.”
• “You're crazy, Dylan. Oh, my God, you proposed marriage with index cards? No one else in the world would do that. Yes. Yes, Yes! If you ask me a thousand times, then every single time I'll say yes.” 
• “I can imagine a life without you, but it seems impossible dreary, imperfect, unhappy.” 
• “You don't get to decide what's to big a risk for me. You don't decide what's good for me and what isn't. That's my decision, Dylan. If you care about me so much, then how dare you do this all by yourself? I choose not to destroy my present because of the risk of a future that might or might not happen.You should think about that.” 
• “I wonder if that’s why it was so painful when we split up? Because we’d fallen so hard, so fast. I lost myself in him.” 
• “I’d say you’re worth falling in love with twice.” 
• “Love meant a lot, it meant everything, and it meant nothing.”         

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Book Title: Knee Deep

by Jolene Perry

Book Description:

Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.

Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.

Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

Book Review: 3/5
Because sometimes all we need is somebody to sit in silence with. 

Can you possibly let go of someone you love for a very long time? Would it make you a bad person for wanting to let go when he needs you the most? Are the bruises and hurts worth it? 

I like this book, and it took me a while to finish it because a lot of books came up in between, but I'm glad I did. Jolene Perry made a very beautiful novel. A very sensitive topic was threaded carefully. She did not overdo it that you might want to close the book and not read it again, instead she presented it really well, with situations that are serious, but can be really happening in the real world to some people who can barely recognize abuse all because they are in love.

But, how much are you willing to give for love? How much are you going to sacrifice for it? 

Ronnie has been in love with Shawn since she was young, and after being separated for a couple of years, he was back in town, and they continued their relationship. But things weren't the same anymore. Shawn was different - he was easily angered and could hardly control his actions. 

Balancing the school play Romeo and Juliet, her problematic boyfriend and a weird feeling she has for one of her closest friend - left Ronnie confused. She didn't want anyone to know what's happening to her and Shawn, not even to her father, Luke or even her best friend. She tried to understand him and hope that the boy she fell in love with back then will come back the moment his problems go away. But it did not, and bruises starts to show - both her best friend and Luke tries to tell her to talk to someone. 

Abuse starts small. For Ronnie, it started with commenting on the way she dress, or ordering her which shoes to wear. It revolved into grabbing her wrist and into something unthinkable (sorry no spoilers!:)). If someone loves you, they would love you for who you are - no questions asked. They would never hurt you, emotionally and most especially physically. People should not stay in relationships because of the years they are together. They should stay because they both love each other, they respect each other, and each feels a sense of security. If you don't feel these things anymore, and if the person you're with is hurting you - the most logical (albeit, the hardest) thing to do is to let go. 

Here is one of my favorite poems since then, it is written for the women who, in one way or the other, are/were victims of abuse. I hope all of them will have the courage to stand up, walk through the door and ask for help.

I Got Flowers Today

I got flowers today. 

It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.

We had our first argument last night, 

And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me. 

I know he is sorry and didn't mean the things he said. 

Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today. 

It wasn't our anniversary any other special day. 

Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.

It seemed like a nightmare. 

I couldn't believe it was real. 

I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over. 

I know he must be sorry. 

Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today, 

and it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day. 

Last night, he beat me up again. 

And it was much worse than all the other times. 

If I leave him, what will I do? 

How will I take care of my kids? 

What about money? 

I'm afraid of him and scared to leave. 

But I know he must be sorry.

Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today. 

Today was a very special day. 

It was the day of my funeral. 

Last night, he finally killed me. 

He beat me to death. 

If only I had gathered enough courage and strength to leave him, 

I would not have gotten flowers...today. 

By Paulette Kelly

Favorite Quote:

• “Because sometimes all we need is somebody to sit in silence with.” 
• “The problem is that when you change Romeo and Juliet’s story it ends up like that ridiculous Taylor Swift song. And that’s not what people love about Romeo and Juliet.” 

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Book Review: Boys Don't Cry

Book Details

Author: Malorie Blackman

Paperback: 301 pages

Publisher: Corgi Children's (April 2011)

Summary:

In "Boys Don't Cry", bestselling author Malorie Blackman explores the unchartered territory of teenage fatherhood. You're waiting for the postman - he's bringing your A level results. University, a career as a journalist - a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings it's your old girlfriend; and she's carrying a baby. Your baby. You're happy to look after it, just for an hour or two. But then she doesn't come back - and your future suddenly looks very different. Malorie's dramatic new novel will take you on a journey from tears to laughter and back again.

Review:

Rating: 5/5

Boys Don’t Cry is my first Malorie Blackman novel and I am in awe. This coming-of-age story is about a 17-year old boy, Dante who had his life planned out. He just received his A Level results from the University and set to study Journalism when his ex-Girlfriend shows up with a baby. She told him it was his and left it in his care.

His bright future suddenly becomes bleak and he didn’t know what to do with the baby who was dumped on him. I must admit, I hated him at first. He was quite an ass in treating Emma and questioning his paternity – but as a teenager who has his full life ahead of him, it was quite understandable. Blackman’s portrayal of a teen-father was very realistic. You can actually feel the denial, guilt, anger and confusion of his current predicament. You will witness how his anger dissipates, and he no longer thinks of himself and instead he thinks what is best for Emma and how he can become a good father.

Not only this, but there are family problems surrounding him as well. When his mother passed away because of cancer, his father was never the same again. He had a strained relationship with both his sons and he's not really good in expressing his emotion. Then there's Adam who lives with a family who is in denial of what he really is. I like his sunny disposition and his honest acceptance of himself. 


The fact that it is Dante (the father) who is left with the child made this book interesting. With hundreds of other YA novels having single (teenage) moms - this book stands out. We see how boys turned into men and how they can excellently cope with whatever life throws at them.

This does not only discusses teen-parenthood but it touches sensitive topics such as violence, homosexuality, post-partum depression, alcohol drinking, importance of safe sex and contraceptives and last but not the least, the value and significance of family. 

Told in alternating narrative between siblings Dante and Adam, Boys Don't Cry is touching tale of coming of age is a captivating and inspiring read for all ages.

Favorite Quotes

“Boys don't cry, but men do.” 

“The point is, you have family and friends who love you. You have a world out there just waiting for you to conquer it. You have a life that will be anything you make it. That's the point.” 

“A backup plan means somewhere in my head, I think I might fail and that word is not in my vocabulary. Plus I'm too talented to fail.” 

“The truth isn't going to bend itself to suit you.” 

“Sometimes the things you're convinced you don't want turn out to be the thing you need the most in this world.” 

“Five years off my life... 
I wondered with a wry smile, would people be immortal if they didn't have kids?” 

“Did you love Melanie?" asked Adam unexpectedly. 
There was no pause before I shook my head. 
"That's a shame," said Adam. 
"Why?" 
"Well, someone as special as your daughter should've been... made with love.”