PUSHING THE LIMITS...REVIEW

 Author: Katie Mcgarry 

Year: 2013

Genre: Realistic fiction, Young adult, Romance.

“No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. 

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible. 

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.”

This story is the first of the series, however, it can be read as standalone, although you are going to want to know every detail from the rest of the books, in my case I felt so in love with the writing that I decided to read all the series.

Anyway, back to the book, I can tell that is an amazing writing, I really enjoy the way the characters are described, the way their thoughts are exposed, it made me felt like I was experimented every situation as my own. 

Echo and Noah, have so much mess in their life, everything is wrong and chaotic and definitely so unfair, how the world could turn the back at this two beautiful, vulnerable and lonely souls? My heart war ripped apart since the first chapter.

But in some way they found the strength to pull their shattered life together, that is what of the many things I enjoy of reading Katie´s books: she really believes in happy endings and in mending.  

However I think “the end” was too abruptly, the forgiveness was too soon, a least in Echo case, because for a person who suffered in the way Echo did, the healing process probably takes longer than the way it was pictured in the book … Despite that, I think the author´s idea was to show us that there is “always” a possibility for a fresh start. In Noah case, his life fixed perfectly, we could see and enjoy the real happiness that was taken away from him, and that melted me, the last chapter was the most marvelous, perfect ending scene that I´ ve ever read in a book. 

Best Phrases:

“I watched you battle the worst memory of your life and I watched you win. Make no mistake Echo. I battled right beside you. You need to find some trust in me... In us. “

“The world felt strange. For the first time in my life, I wasn´t fighting someone or something … Contentment and happiness were unfamiliar emotions but ones I could learn to live with”. 

Note: Image taken from www.google.com

SECRETS

Jo took the remote control and turned off the T.V. in her way to answer the door.  She was living in a small house with her brand new husband who used to work at night, hence, she spent nights watching her favorite T.V series or talking by phone, which was fine.  She really enjoyed the peaceful silent at home.

Hi! She said with a smile. You are early.

He answered hugging and kissing her, as it was usual between them.

It has been a while since the last time Jo had talked with Charles,

her best friend, a “real talk” however, that afternoon he called and he wanted to see her… Charles has been in Jo life as long as she remembered, that was why she wasn´t supposed to be surprise, except she was.

The road sucks, the traffic sucks, my God! You live far away… he was complaining while they walked through the hall until her bedroom. Distance is relative, she said with a laugh… 

Jo seated in the far corner of the bed and Charles lay down in the other side… Do you want something to drink? She asked whereas she was searching in his eyes, but he wasn´t looking at her…Maybe later, he answered.

So, you wanted to talk, well… Talk…. 

He smirked, running his hand through his hair a regular gesture. I don´t know what is worst, when you are impertinent or when you are so direct, he said. She just rolled her eyes, waiting.  

After a pause he continue; Yes, I want to talk, I´ve been thinking a lot what to say and how to say it, and this it is not the way I planned, but whatever here we are.

Jo was quieted, she knew he had a secret, and very deep she knew what kind of secret it was, and finally it was time to face it.

Charles continued talking without stopping and with random words, although each one with a meaning…he tried to look at her, nevertheless he preferred smoothing wrinkles from the sheets, a type of mania as she remembered.  She also remembered the tonnes of nights when as teenagers she slept over in his house, and the deep silly conversations with the light off; those memories filled her heart with such nostalgia.

She was remaining silent, hugging her knees, listening very carefully every word that Charles had to say. 

Probably could be easier if he just blurred out, but never happened. He never used the word Gay or Homosexual. Nonetheless, among words Charles confessed that one day he noticed his felling for a guy, after that he continued talking nervously, as if he was afraid of what he just told.

When Charles finished his monologue, Jo said: I know, I know for a while, she smiled gingerly, and definitely I knew that was what you wanted to tell me.

They continued talking about everything had happened during the three years before.

I was hidden, he said.

In that moment, she realized that she has been upset with him for long time; he knew she always was there for him no matter what. He could felt the necessity to hide from the entire world but why from her.

I wanted to tell you and definitely it wasn´t supposed to be in this way, Charles insisted.

Why? She took the opportunity to ask.

Because you have so much prejudice, he said. It was not a complaint but rather an acknowledgment of her character. And finally he looked at her eyes for the first time that night.   

She mocked a surprise gesture, rolled her eyes and smiled. Maybe she was upset with him but not anymore, watching her friend free and relieved made her so happy plus she never could stand mad at him for more than five minutes.

 No, I don’t! She said, except she does. Jo wasn´t a party girl, She was more a “Goody two shoes” girl, and yes maybe she has some prejudice, saving for him, never for him, moreover she expected he would understood that, after the conversation.

Charles grinned… I´m hungry, he said.

She got up from the bed and hugged him, and it was like when you hold in your hands something that was lost and just recovered

Well, Let´s go to eat…Jo answered.

As simple like that, they just left behind all the guilt, doubts, and frustrations, closing the door and walking through the night. 

Note: Pictures taken from www.google.com

AQUÉL AMIGO DEL FIN DE SEMANA

Hace muchos años escribí un poema con este título, tiempo después lo convertí en una prosa para un concurso de poesía, y aunque no gané siempre ha sido uno de mis trabajos favoritos...Hoy he decidido compartirlo publicamente y dedicarlo secretamente a mis queirdos friendcitos.... 

                                                

PARA: MI AMIGO, AQUÉL DEL FIN DE SEMANA.

Después de tanto pensar y divagar, como tan trillado pueda sonar, he decidido decirte a través de estas líneas lo que espero ya sepas, pero como de costumbre el ir y venir de la vida, me impidió contártelo y al final como siempre ocurre, llegó el día de la partida. 

Por qué nos decidimos cuando no podemos mirarnos a los ojos? eso no lo sé, por qué no hablar?, simplemente, creo que a veces las palabras se esconden detrás de una pluma, y sin embargo de lo que estoy segura es que hoy, estando a medio mundo de distancia, me siento agobiada con este sentimiento danzante el cual me ha acompañado desde creo yo, hace más de una vida…

Pues esta es la verdad, y lo cierto es, que te llevo en mi corazón con cada paso que doy; a ti, amigo de mi niñez, de mi adolescencia, de mi madurez; a ti mejor amigo, mi compañero, mi abrigo. Eres tú mi fiel amigo de fin de semana, eres, quien ahora me inspiras.

Siempre has sido mi fiel acompañante, aún y cuando tu presencia es a la vez una ausencia, mi pequeño guardián de ilusiones, contigo aprendí del error, aprendí algunas veces sobre el perdón, y quizás, no perdiste la batalla en aquello de enseñarme a tolerar, muchas veces contigo encontré la paz, otras tantas iniciamos una guerra, pero al final se mantiene latente este sentimiento inexplicable, itinerante, indomable,  aunque constante como las brasas de una hoguera que mueren y viven luchando por mantenerse.

 Y así a kilómetros de distancia, recuerdo a unos tontos niños acostumbrados a jugar, quienes en algún momento en adultos se convirtieron y sin más remedio sus destinos se disolvieron convirtiéndose en hilos sueltos, cada uno iniciando un nuevo bordado y quizás suspirando por una aventura más, juntos… Y sin embargo te sigo llevando en mi corazón, visualizando aquel querido rostro cada mañana; recordando aquel amigo de fin de semana.

Te llevo en mi corazón con cada paso que doy, en las noches cálidas, en las noches frías, con cada ola que golpea al atardecer, en cada noche de luna llena; es que cada día te llevo en mi corazón, como a todos los veranos por los que logré pasar; como a todos los ríos que logré cruzar; como a todas las montañas que al cielo nos llevó, y juntos logramos escalar.

 Cuanto tiempo ha pasado desde que nos conocimos…Entonces, me nace la inquietud ¿Todavía te conozco?, pues somos más altos que antes, con nuevos vicios y más líneas en la cara, con más de todo, pero definitivamente menos de lo que fuimos…por eso me aterrará pensar en que si algún día alguien preguntara por ti, yo quizás no sabría como contestar…

Empero a pesar de mis dudas, a pesar de ese angustiante miedo, no puedo evitar pensar en ti y simplemente sonreír, pues tal vez hoy, soy lo que soy porque estuviste a mi lado, hoy veo el mundo de una forma que sólo tú la entenderías, eso es lo que me gusta pensar y creer, siempre creer en mi amigo del fin de semana.  

Gracias por cada fin de semana, algunos nuevos, otros algo monótonos, otros llenos de patéticos lamentos al ritmo de una canción, y siempre constante como cada fin de semana…Pero sobre todo gracias mil por cada risa sin razón… Hoy con absoluta honestidad digo… ha sido un honor tenerte como mi amigo...más allá del fin de semana.

Hoy me despido de ti, hoy te digo hasta luego, no utilizo un adiós, porque esa palabra tan lejana entre nosotros no tiene lugar, pues sé que te volveré a encontrar, quizás en aquello llamado paraíso; o en la otra vida que todos deseamos alcanzar. No olvides nuestra promesa de amistad; amigos por siempre y para un siempre, amigos en momentos tristes, en momentos alegres, amigos aún más allá de toda la eternidad.

Es por eso, que sobre tu lápida he dejado, seis hermosas rojas, que al igual que este querer aún no se han marchitado;  seis rosas rojas, que en mi jardín ya no están, y al despertar cada mañana, su falta me hará pensar, en mi amigo…aquel del fin de semana.

Con todo mi amor…. Y mucho más…

Eternamente tuya…

JM

Nota: En la fotografía, los friendcitos hace sólo un par de años.

CERRAR CICLOS

Cuando decidimos cambiar nuestro estilo de vida, ya sea porque resolvemos mudarnos de hogar o de país, cambiar de trabajo, o simplemente iniciar un proyecto que implique un giro radical en nuestro día a día; además de realizar toda la preparación logística necesaria para enfrentar el nuevo reto, no podemos olvidar cerrar los ciclos anteriores, concluir etapas, esas dejadas atrás…

Ciertamente, algunas veces recorremos el nuevo camino con temor a lo desconocido, dejando puertas abiertas por si queremos regresar, el problema con esa estrategia es mantener una idea aferrada al pasado lo cual nos impide avanzar. ..

Sin embargo, cerrar cada ciclo puede tomar una eternidad por lo tanto es importante sentir el albedrío de decidir cómo y cuándo pasar la página, siempre dejando a un lado la idea de retornar y volver a leerla.

Hace un par de años tomé una decisión de esas de 180º y aunque no fue para nada apresurada, no puedo creer cuantas puertas he dejado abiertas. Unos meses atrás empecé a cerrarlas y he sentido culpa, he sentido tristeza, angustia, añoranza, temor pero sobretodo he sentido libertad.

Increíblemente mi lista de tareas inconclusas es más extensa de lo pensado y por delante me espera un largo trabajo por realizar, pero cada ciclo cerrado, cada puerta clausurada me colma de tranquilidad y seguridad, otorgándole un respiro a mi espíritu y me procura la confianza de soñar, pensar y creer que “todo estará bien”.

*Imagenes tomadas de www.google.com

MY FIRST TIME...AGAIN

How many times do we have the opportunity to start over? Fixing mistakes, doing what we never did, or living again the best moments of our life. I´m no exactly sure to have an answer for that question, however in my case 2 years ago when I decided to move to Canada, I initiated it all again. But it was just a couple days ago when I realized what that really means. It means new experiences, it means new choices, doing everything once more and for the first time at the same, and then searching in my memory my walking until today, I closed my eyes to enjoy my favorites first times again:

The first time I felt the snow in my face and how, as a child stuck out my tongue to catch snowflakes.

The first time, when I saw the Ontario Lake and how in that instant I just could breathe the freedom.

The first Christmas, the longing for the family mixed with the wonderful smell of fresh pine.

My first day in a new job completely different to what I was used to, the overwhelming feelings, fear, so much fear, and pride as well, because I did it… I walked outside to the world and I did it by myself.

The first time I realized I was away from home and I cried more than I´ve ever cried in my entire life, I felt alone and desperate… and after I ran out the tears when I could see with clarity,  I felt hope… It was a fresh start.

There are more, much more, ones good others not so much, nevertheless the experience I would never change it. I think this is my second chance and I want to enjoy it without regrets, without guilt, without fear or with all of those feelings plus magic, passion and innocence, because that is what people call “life”. 

Note: Image taken from www.google.com

NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL

Continuing with my attempt to write books review, here is my next choice:

NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL

Genre: Young adult

Author Siobhan Vivian

Published: 2010

“Natalie Sterling wants to be in control. She wants her friends to be loyal. She wants her classmates to elect her student council president. She wants to find the right guy, not the usual jerk her school has to offer. She wants a good reputation, because she believes that will lead to good things.

But life is messy, and it's very hard to be in control of it. Not when there are freshman girls running around in a pack, trying to get senior guys to sleep with them. Not when your friends have secrets they're no longer comfortable sharing. Not when the boy you once dismissed ends up being the boy you want to sleep with yourself -  but only in secret, with nobody ever finding out.”

This is my first book written by Siobhan, and definitely is not going to be the last one. Honestly I don´t know why I waited so long to start reading her work, seriously what is wrong with me!!!!  Anyway, in this book, the author surrounds us with an adorable written, fresh and intense at the same time, displaying us common high school issues but with a different perspective.

Nathalie the main character is the classic good girl, good daughter, excellent student with a future already planned. However, she wants to forget, she wants to be loved, she wants to be free, those controversial feelings, in addition with her high sense of prejudice and its enormous stubbornness will cause her more problems that she could have never imagined.

The interesting fact is that losing control could happen to anybody, all of us have a braking point and when we get there, when we want to run away from all pressure, the overwhelming felling can be a bad adviser, leading us to take the wrong decisions.  

The story is developed with a good speed, keeping the reader exited wondering what coming next, nevertheless at the end, I felt a conclusion sort of abruptly, leaving me with questions without answer, which is good thing after all, because the book woke up the desire to read more works by the author. 

Definitely Not that kind of girl is the class of story to lift the mood making you sigh.

BEST PHRASES:

“I felt overcome with the freedom of feeling, the feelings I´d worked so hard to hide”.

“Not matter what the future held, new friends, new boyfriends, new directions – I knew we´d be in each other´s lives forever. “

Note: Image is taken from www.google.com

"PROXY"

Author: C. Alexander London

Published: 2013

Genre: Dystopia

I have never written a review before. Despite the fact that I like to read...a lot... and writing even more. Therefore it is time to start it and for my first shot I´ve chosen proxy, a dystopian novel by C. Alexander London.

Proxy story is developed in a futuristic world where technology is mixed with humanity, where a wide separation between upper and poor social class exists. The members of the first one called Patrons, live in a very comfortable part of the city, they have everything, even a proxy, who is always somebody from the poor social class with some debt, and the way to pay is receiving the punishment given to their patrons for wrong behavior, therefore when a patron do something wrong his proxy must to pay.

In that twisted society we have two boys; Knox the patron, privileged rich, extremely gorgeous, sarcastic, and totally conceited, who has never known how difficult the world can be; and Syd, his proxy, who has spend 16 years paying for his patron´s wrong behavior, but, just two more years and he is going to be free, the arrival of that moment is the only thing that holds him…Syd suffers in silence but his waiting patiently to be free.

However, one day something goes wrong Syd´s patron made a terrible mistake, he committed a crime and Syd is sentenced to die, therefore and ironically with his patron help, now he is running for his life. 

For me, Proxy is a different book from all others relate to the same genre, full of emotion, innocence, passion and an interesting view of the cruel reality about what is right and wrong. This story can look very simple, nevertheless as you progress in reading, this becomes complex in the best sense, being noticed the progressive growth of emotions between characters, with exasperated action and suspense.

Since the beginning I fell in love with Syd, smart, sweet and lovely teenager always a fighter, who despite everything he had endured, he continues believing in a better future, in the power of kindness and friendship. With Knox I loved his wits and confidence in himself but most of all I loved how he experiment new emotions and feelings, helping him growing as a human being.   

I found this book by accident, but it captivated me from the first page, leaving me with no tears to the last…

One of its best phrases: 

“No such thing as a destiny… It´s your future… choose”

Also we have the sequel “GUARDIAN” published on 2014:

In this book, we can see how the world has changed in the few weeks followed by the events happened in proxy. One interesting thing is the introduction of a new wonderful character named Liam who bewitched me with his most pure sense of fidelity and loyalty.

There is not so much that I can tell about Guardian without spoiler the entire story, nevertheless I can mention the perfect way how London explain the horrors caused by highly radical solutions, which are as dangerous as the problem that pursue to resolve, and the way how idealistic concept can destroy the society when people forget the humanitarian aspect. 

One of its best phrases: 

“The kiss was no longer than a second but in that second, any walls between them fell.”

Note: The images were taken from www.google.com