My Thoughts, My Review: The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2)

After the heart-stopping cliffhanger at the end of The Knife of Never Letting Go, Todd and Viola find themselves separated, with no knowledge of where the other is or if they’re even still alive. They find themselves working for opposite sides of a war that is brewing in New Prentisstown, and they must try to stay true to themselves and do what is right even when faced with enormous pressures to conform.

What I loved most about this book was the social commentary that is provided. While The Knife of Never Letting Go examined self-discovery and identity, The Ask and the Answer looks at the bigger picture and explores free-will in an oppressive environment, terrorism, and war, power, and resistance, among other themes. 

I enjoyed the focus on the grey areas, on the fact that life isn’t black and white and that there is no right or wrong. What the book makes us realize is that things that are seemingly wrong are not always wrong and things that we do ostensibly for the greater good are not always right. Throughout the book we see our characters vacillate between this blurred spectrum of right and wrong, and their internal struggle to determine what’s best for the world and what’s best for themselves.

For me, the pace of this book was much slower than The Knife of Never Letting Go. Even though it was still a quick read for me, I felt like there were times when nothing was happening. The first 150 pages had almost not actioned and I wasn’t really excited by it until we got past the 25% mark. 

However, the rest of the book was exciting and I enjoyed seeing the conflict and the struggle for power. The book ends with a powerful climax and another unbearable cliffhanger. You should probably have Monsters of Men on hand so that you can continue straight away. I took a lot of willpower for me to stop and write this review 

We still get the same almost stream of consciousness writing style in this book but it was less noticeable for me than it was in The Knife of Never Letting Go. In this second installment, we also get to read from Viola’s perspective and it was interesting to see the differences in writing style and voice between the two perspectives.

I probably still enjoyed reading from Todd’s perspective a little bit more because I love his voice and how well the writing flows. But I still really enjoyed being able to see from Viola’s point of view. The shifts in perspective were smooth and didn’t feel jarring. I am in love with Patrick Ness’s writing!

The characters in The Ask and the Answer were fantastic. I enjoyed being able to see Todd and Viola develop further in this book, and develop separately. I probably enjoyed The Knife of Never Letting Go a little bit more than The Ask and the Answer purely because we don’t get to see as much of Todd and Viola together (I SHIP) but I also thoroughly appreciated being able to see them grow separately, with different influences. 

Needless to say, the scenes where they were together were my favorite in this second book. Another thing that I admire about Patrick Ness is his ability to make me loathe a character in one book and love them in the next. There were characters that I was expecting to hate forever and ever but they ended up being big surprises and I went all teary-eyed at some parts. All of the characters are extremely complex and make me continue to question their motives.

 Also, for those of you who were upset about Manchee in the first book, there’s another animal friend in this novel that might help cure your heartache. But Manchee will never be replaced! NEVER!

Overall, I thought this was a wonderful sequel! Even though it was a bit slower and didn’t have as much action as the first book, it never felt like a filler book. I enjoyed it as much as The Knife of Never Letting Go and I’m excited (and a little bit scared) to jump into Monsters of Men right now.

-Ruselle

The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking) by Patrick Ness, A Review Before the Movie Adaptation

What is the book about?

Prentisstown is a town where everybody can hear everybody's noise. Noise in its own description means that like any other town, people can hear everyone else's thoughts through a stream of Noise. Todd who is turning 13 in just a month, has a dog named Manchee. Even against his will he can hear every noise in Manchee's head. In an unexpected turn of events and the unraveling of awful secrets in a town where you can't hide your noise but can lie about it, Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

Review.

This is one of the books that I really did not expect too much because I am not a fan of 'YA' sci-fi adventure novels. However, this book excites me from the beginning, the narration was clear and it gave me a lot of pleasure listening.

This one gave me goosebumps and sad feelings mix altogether. Every chapter was thought-provoking, exhilarating, adventurous, heart-wrenching and just plain perfection. I've never read (or yeah heard because I was listening to audible) a piece like this before, everything was original.

Here's why you should read/listen to the book.

1. Of course, other than that its movie is already in its post-production and will be released probably this year, this book is really fast-paced, adventurous, action-packed and emotional. It will make you awake late at night at the edge of your seat thinking what will happen next.

2. This book will make you realize that the noise of men is different from the noise of women and that it needs logical thinking to make them relevant to each other.

3. Every character in this book is complex and has a certain personality that you will like, dislike and even hate.

4. Every scene, story, and character in this book is original. 100% new, unique and authentic.

5. The most likable about this book  is that there's no instant love affair or love at first sight between characters. Yes, they build care and love  but in a more remarkable way.

I really enjoyed my audible experience for this book. Nick Podehl was superb in narrating the whole book. I hope you will enjoy it too. Read or listen before the movie adaptation in theaters. 

___________________

*YA - young adult

-Rustychiic

Atomic Habits by James Clear: A Review

Continuing good habits and eliminating bad ones are the most challenging parts as a human being. I started listening to Amazon audible two months ago. It was convenient seeing my iPad or iPhone with the app early in the morning or before bedtime and the idea of thinking that it's there available all the time. 

Then, I started picking it up and started listening in the morning while I sip my coffee and before bedtime while I'm lying in bed ready to sleep. Not until I read about the habit loop which is clearly explained in this book that I realized what I am doing is developing a good habit.

For me, the CCRR or Cue, Crave, Response, Reward was the highlight of this book and this is just my own-reader-opinion. I was amazed by how my simple act of becoming a member at Audible made me a habitual audiobook listener. 

This book taught me a lot of things which is a far cry from what I expected from the beginning. I thought this book is just the same with other self-help, self-improvement books out there but turned out it's not. This is a life-changing piece of material and when I say life-changing, it is literally really life-changing. 

I'm on my second round of listening to this book again and I recommend that you join in with me. 

The narration on Audible: 5/5 (Recommended)

Happy listening!

-Rustychiic

Exhilarating, Amazing, Thrilling!

All I have now are praises about this book, it was my adrenaline that pushed me everyday to finish this  book in Amazon Audible. It's truly amazing how the story progressed and how it unfolded. The narration was perfect and I even experienced palpitations because of its brilliant and thrilling plot. 

Anna Fox is truly a masterpiece in this book. It's my first time hearing about someone who has extreme agoraphobia. 

A child psychologist, who suffered a breakdown but now inadequate to leave the four corners of her house. The internet becomes her fortress. Leading a very sad and narrow life, we completely understand Anna’s feelings of helplessness and self-loathing.

One of the highlights of the drama is the perfect pace and the believability of the plot. Slowly we understand Anna and her tortured psyche. It is all very convincing and plausible. I absolutely adored links to the brilliant Alfred Hitchcock.

The author expertly gives us an updated version of Rear Window, the 1954 Hitchcock classic. He quotes from various old movies, as the story progresses. Wonderful. I fully appreciated that. He has done a very fine job.

I would recommend this audible version to everyone! Ann Marie Lee also gives justice in narrating this book. She has a very strong understanding of Anna's feelings and struggles. I enjoyed every inch of this audible book. Way to go audible!

-Rustychiic

The Courage To Be Disliked – Change is Inevitable?

Recently I’ve been drawn to books which encourage me to look at myself, and hopefully make me a better ‘me’.  So, when my book-lover friend recommended The Courage To Be Disliked, I just couldn’t go past, and when I read that over 3 million copies had been sold, I couldn’t pass it up.

As you can see, I'm on the verge of finishing the book and so far, it's great!

The Courage To Be Disliked is a unique book.  It has taken Japan by storm, using the theories of renowned 19th century philosopher and psychiatrist Alfred Adler to create a string of conversations between a fictional philosopher and a young man. The conversations cover many broad, interesting and touchy topics, such as:-

Admitting Fault Is Not Defeat

An Inferiority Complex Is Not An Excuse

Discard Other Peoples Tasks

All Problems Are Interpersonal Relationship Problems

The Difference Between Trust And Confidence

These often complex topics and discussions are played out in a conversational style between the two men, which works because it brings two balanced sides to the arguments and discussions.  The Courage To Be Disliked is translated from Japanese and has kept the cultural and conversational language style which does take a while to settle into (it certainly isn’t a casual or relaxed discussion), but it works perfectly.

Be warned, this is not a book to read when you aren’t fully focused. Whilst it’s easy to follow the conversations, the topics will knock around in your own head as you work out whether you sit on the side of the philosopher, the young man, or somewhere in between.

The philosopher character certainly sticks by his life’s work and the theories of Adler, but The Courage To Be Disliked is a book which aims to leave you sitting with yourself in between chapters. You’ll find yourself doing household chores, or at your keyboard, unpacking all the information in your mind and coming to your own conclusions.

You will wholeheartedly agree on some points and want to throw the book at the wall at others. Its content is polarizing and I certainly don’t agree with everything the philosopher says, or the young man, but I think that’s the point. The Courage To Be Disliked is there to spark a conversation with yourself and do some slightly uncomfortable soul-searching.

I enjoyed the fresh perspective, the conversations it sparked, and the questions I asked myself after reading. One of the most unique books I’ve read in a long time.

If you are in the market for a bit of self-reflection without the kid gloves, buy The Courage To Be Disliked.

Synopsis Of The Courage To Be Disliked

Released for the first time in the English language, the Japanese phenomenon that teaches us the simple yet profound lessons needed to liberate our real selves and find lasting happiness.

A single book can change your life.

Already an enormous bestseller in Asia, with more than 3 million copies sold, The Courage to be Disliked demonstrates how to unlock the power within yourself to be the person you truly want to be.

Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of 19th-century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, it follows an illuminating conversation between a philosopher and a young man. The philosopher explains to his pupil how each of us is able to determine our own lives, free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others. 

It’s a way of thinking that’s deeply liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change and to ignore the limitations that we and those around us can place on ourselves.

The result is a book that is both highly accessible and profound in its importance. Millions have already read and benefited from its wisdom. Now that The Courage to be Disliked has been published for the first time in English, so can you.

---Russ D' Great

The Way To Bleed

You know there are million ways to bleed but you are by far my favorite. I always wish you were here, I am there, I wish it was different.. I wish your wishes come true, I wish wishes do come true. I'd wish you back. You are my favorite scar. I know it's selfish for me to say but please don't leave me. I will do my best to live. I promise.

My Happy Ending

People always ask me why I like romantic comedies so much. Its because even under extraordinary circumstances, the right two people can end up together. – Mindy Kaling

I know it’s cliche. I know it is. But I really love romantic comedies. I like the cheesiness that usually comes with them, the campy flavor, the impossible win at the end for our favorite hero or heroine, and of course, the meet cute.

There are weekends when I’ll just decide instead of going out, I’m going to lay on my sofa and just partake in the wonderment of these stories. I laugh with them, I cry with them, heck – I even try to will the main characters into not making that big mistake I know will make their journey to happiness longer (but of course it wouldn’t be a movie without it).

Let’s think about some of the more famous ones that have come out: in those, you’ve had people end up together despite living in a different country, despite a love-hate relationship at work, despite the fact that the woman was engaged to someone else (who of course, she didn’t truly love), despite onset Alzheimer’s, despite an initial betrayal, despite the fact that they didn’t like each other when they first met, and despite the fact that they thought they were just friends. Talk about extraordinary circumstances, right?!

But the beautiful thing about romantic comedies is that while they let those circumstances play out (kind of how they do in our own lives), you still know that THOSE two people are going to be together before the credits roll. You get to smile at the end and bask in things working out for someone (even if it’s a fictional someone) and also imagine your own happy ending.

I guess what I’m saying is that I finally realized one of the biggest reasons I love romantic comedies is because they give me hope. They remind me to keep believing in happy endings, that despite how things look and despite whatever “extraordinary” circumstances I may encounter, whoever I’m supposed to end up with will still be there.

Perfect love, wrong timing, right reason, wrong ways, if you give everything for someone you love, it's always a happy ending and I think I just found my soulmate. ---MHBTR

Forgive Me

Things matter even when you think they don't. They matter when you’re thinking about something else. Things are important when they’re not obvious, when they’re subtle, like the curve of a lip. They’re important in the spaces that most of us miss.

Because we don't know what matters until it passes us by. Until it's too late to grab it, hold it and say, "I'm sorry, I didn't know this mattered. I didn't know it was important."

You will say that the time for anger is now, that we have not been angry enough, that not being angry enough is the problem, and I understand that you have every right to be angry and I am angry for you.

And yet somehow, you and I must turn the anger into love. We must turn the black cloud of hate into light. We must turn war into peace. We must turn clenched fists into open hands. We must only perform miracles.

I am kept awake not only by the people that I hurt, whether on purpose or accidentally, I am kept awake by everyone I hurt unknowingly, who might still be hurt.

This is the hardest thing: You can never know how many people you hurt, just by being you.

-MHBTR

The Colours of What We Have

When you have done the things you've done.

When I tell you I'll meet you at the door, and you tell me you're sorry. That I have no reason left to worry.

When you hit the ground in a most peculiar way, and I tell you to wait and you tell me I'll be sorry. That you have no reason left to worry. 

When I am more than you can take, just give me back.

If you're tired of trying to fall asleep, sleep on it and try again tomorrow.
If you're all out of promises, I have one left for you: The Earth is still here as long as you're alive.
If you want to yell out your frustrations, I'll understand, just understand that the whole world is screaming, mostly complaining about the noise.

If you're worried about having the poetry knocked out of you of you when you're older, don't. Old blood bleeds as good as new.
If you've got nothing left to feel, just think of me and please do not walk away.

If there's anything else, let me know.

-russ d' great

The Bits and Pieces of What We Have

I believe we will be friends, that's a fact.

First, I will tell you something about me, then you can tell me something about you, as that, I believe, is how friendship works.

Here is something I believe: I believe that people don't know how people work when they're young and maybe that's why we're so reckless with each other when we're young.

I think people think that people come and go, in and out of life and I think that school teaches them that, that life changes in big annual movements, that one year you're this and the next, you're that. But life blends into itself as you get older and you realise, you will watch a few, if not many, of your friends get old.

You will watch them lose their minds and their hair. You will watch them get sick and get better. You will watch them succeed and fail. You will watch them get married, get divorced, get pregnant and yes, eventually, you will watch them die. Or they will watch you die.

So this is what I believe friendship means. And I'm sorry to have to put such a heavy burden on you. But you have put the same burden on me. But I like how everything works at this moment. 

Now you can tell me something you believe, as it is your turn, and this is how friendship works.

-russ

The Distance To Everything

THE DISTANCE TO DREAMING

If it doesn't happen magically happen overnight, then you might want to try doing it manually, everyday.

THE DISTANCE TO YOU

You told me it'd be okay. But you were the one crying.
You told me to let go. But you were the one holding onto my shit.

THE STORY IN THE DISTANCE

And you keep whispering the same story to yourself "I'll be unhappy now because because that'll make me happy later. Because that's how a story works." So your happiness will always happen later, never now. Life isn't a story. Life is chaos.

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS

I didn't miss you now. I miss you then. 
Standing on the edge of the water, I looked out towards a land I could not see. Somehow, I knew you were doing the same. Thinking of me. Thinking of you. 

THE OCCASIONAL SILENCE

You can walk into a room and spot them. they seem fine when you talk to them but every now and again, across the room, you catch them looking off into the distance at an invisible point that maybe, they once reached.

They laugh a little different. they hesitate a little more. Now they know what it feels like. And something about their eyes when they listen to music says "Turn it up until my ears bleed. Let it be the last thing I hear."

-russ

The Internet And The Ghost Friend

I used to carve your name on trees hoping you would find them. The Internet has made this so much easier than it used to be.

I saw your face online a long time ago, and I had no idea who you were.  But you had something about your eyes that made me click. It’s so hard to keep up with you, I waited for so long when you finally decided to click that accept button. It opened a door for me to keep track of what you’re up to. Thanks for updating once in a while.

Your life seems so interesting, even if you’re not a celebrity or anything. It’s just nice to watch someone else’s life from a distance and care for them secretly. But sometimes I wish I could just grab a taxi and visit your home directly, or get a job at a store near you and try to accidentally meet you there somehow.

Yeah, I know that sounds creepy but you deserve to see the face of a secret friend. You have unique fractures along your heart and I have mine. And maybe there is nothing, anywhere that doesn’t break someone’s heart. But believe me it’s not us my ever loved Ghost Friend.

-Russ

The Night and The Return To Green

♪♫Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too.

So I stayed in the darkness with you...♪♫

Oh, shut up. Every time it rains, it stops raining. Every time you hurt, you heal. After darkness, there is always light and you get reminded of this every morning but you still choose to believe that the night will last forever. Nothing lasts forever. Not the good or the bad.

The blackest night will fall and I will be gone like the sun. But in the darkness, you will find something more important than me, more important than the moon and the stars. You will find yourself, deep in that ink.

The sky will lift you up like the moon, to bring light to a landscape starved of it. Then I will chase you and you will chase me, in the hope that one day we will find each other again.

So you might as well smile while you’re here.

Because when that day comes, it's either we will cast our light or we’ll stay in the darkness, together…

-Russ

The Waiting Room: Telling of Something Beautiful

Wait. But don't wait too long. Work hard. But don't forget how to play. Sing loudly. But don't learn all the words. Wonder. But not so much that you lose yourself. Read magazines. But read more books.

Love.

On this day, you read something that moved you and made you realise there were no more fears to fear. No tears to cry. No head to hang in shame. That every time you thought you’d offended someone, it was all just in your head and really, they love you with all their heart and nothing will ever change that. That everyone and everything lives on inside you. That, that doesn’t make any of it any less real. 

That soft touches will change you and stay with you longer than hard ones. 

That being alone means you’re free. That old lovers miss you and new lovers want you and the one you’re with is the one you’re meant to be with. That the tingles running down your arms are angel feathers and they whisper in your ear, constantly, if you choose to hear them. That everything you want to happen, will happen, if you decide you want it enough. That every time you think a sad thought, you can think a happy one instead. 

That you control that completely. 

That the people who make you laugh are more beautiful than beautiful people. That you laugh more than you cry. That crying is good for you. That the people you hate wish you would stop and you do too.

That your friends are reflections of the best parts of you. That you are more than the sum total of the things you know and how you react to them. That dancing is sometimes more important than listening to the music. 

That the most embarrassing, awkward moments of your life are only remembered by you and no one else. That no one judges you when you walk into a room and all they really want to know, is if you’re judging them. That what you make and what you do with your time is more important than you’ll ever fathom and should be treated as such. That the difference between a job and art is passion. That neither defines who you are. That talking to strangers is how you make friends. 

That bad days end but a smile can go around the world. That life contradicts itself, constantly. That that’s why it’s worth living. 

That the difference between pain and love is time. That love is only as real as you want it to be. That if you feel good, you look good but it doesn’t always work the other way around. 

That the sun will rise each day and it’s up to you each day if you match it. That nothing matters up until this point. That what you decide now, in this moment, will change the future. Forever. That rain is beautiful.

And so are you.

-Russ

The Silly Things I Need To Hear

Sometimes people you like, won’t like you.

That’s Ok.

Sometimes, everyone around you will talk about all the incredibly cool things they’re busy doing and you will have very little to talk about yourself.

That’s Ok.

Sometimes you’ll wake up and you’ll just be sore for no real reason.

That’s Ok.

Sometimes you won’t know what to do and people would say “I’d kill to have your problems!” and that won’t magically and suddenly stop them from being problems.

That’s Ok.

Sometimes, I’m saying it to you because I hope that one day; you’ll be able to say it to me.

That’s Ok.

-Russ

Pursue, Not Pedestalize

This is one of my favorite scenes in the series. During Seaon 1 Episode 6, Claire visits her and Francis' former secret service bodyguard who is dying of cancer and receives a deathbed profession of love.

Bodyguard Steve: I hate your husband.

Claire Underwood: A lot of people hate my husband.

Bodyguard Steve: For the past 8 years, I watched over him but it wasn't him I was watching. Jesus what I would give. . . 

Claire Underwood: You know what Francis said to me when he proposed, I remember his exact words. He said, 

"Claire, if all you want is happiness, say no. I'm not going to give a couple of kids, and count the days until retirement. I promise you freedom from that. I promise you'll never be bored." 

"You know he was the only man, and there were a lot of others who proposed, he was the only one who understood me. He didn't put me on some pedestal.

He knew I didn't want to be adore or coddled, so he took my hand and put on a ring on it because he knew I'd say yes. He's a man who knows how to take what he wants. You told me your truth and now you know mine."

At that point, she does something that solidifies her bid for entry into the Alpha female hall of fame. Francis and Claire are THE power couple. Women don't want to be pedestalized. 

Pedestalization is objectification. And elevating someone's status inappropriately is idolatry. Claire didn't want to be another man's idol. That's the temptation of the male heart - to make women an idol

Francis was looking for a partner to pursue his plan of world White House domination and he found what he was looking for.

LORD, help me live fully in this kind of courage and conviction.

-Russ

The Error of Parallax

The only reason I hate you now is because I loved you then. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

I can't stand listening to this music when I type this. I am not typing, I am shouting at you! But the rules of conduct and playing the game means I can't do that. Tables are turned now. I can't even say anything. In a last effort to save some face I can't even sms. I wish I could take some of them back before.

You've made a fool of me, just as I am sure you've done many times before with many girls. Undeserving! I replayed it on my mind and I can't understand why? I suppose this is a frequently asked question but it's not one I am used to asking. Am I not enough? 

I checked my mail constantly. I knew I shouldn't and I felt even more defeated with every empty inbox. You did nothing. You didn't do anything. I didn't understand? If you didn't do what you do, I would be enough. But because of this world and you in it, I am not enough. I didn't understand.

I never hated you, though I was blindingly angry with you for a time.

I'm not angry with you any longer, though you were judgmental and cruel in ways which were crystalline in their ingenuity. I can't even imagine how you've lived through the years after you abandoned me and said that you no longer loved me.

Because of that, the years we've spent happily together just banished together with those good memories we made. Then I stopped wishing that I could spend any more time with you. It also stopped me from thinking that you're a kind person because I felt that you've been terribly unkind to me.

But. I still love you, yes I do, not the same way as before but I know I can't hate you forever. This love will always remain in my heart in spite of all of that heartaches you gave me. But you're wrong, you know  when you said that "love is not 'only a two-way street', otherwise it isn't love." Because I'm all alone here on this infinite one-way street but I know what I feel.

Thanks for that liberating talk we had. 

-russ d'great-