1984 Project Progress (for Class)

January's book haul.

1980's edition of Bumi Manusia and Anak Semua Bangsa by Pramoedya Ananta Toer.

Kings of Sin Series: Book 1 - Book 4 by Ana Huang

I've tasted the poison and no cures can even help me.

My first encounter with Ana Huang's work was with Twisted Series. Then, I've added Kings of Sin as my new addiction. But here's my honest thoughts about half of the collection from the series.

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Kings of Sin #1: King of Wrath Dante Russo and Vivian Lau Rating: 3.0/5.0 Ana Huang knows how to kick hard and right on each of her first book of the series, and King of Wrath successfully wrapped my head around it just like Twisted Love. Plot wise, predictable. I mean at this point, I don't think there would be any left billionaires corny cheesy scenario of a love scene that hasn't been written, so yes, the plot is okay enough. But, the book gave you one twisted starter that is for me personally was brilliant enough to make you sit tight and devour the whole story. And that thing is the part when Dante and Vivian's relationship actually started because of the blackmailing Vivian's Dad pulled on Dante. This twisted scene alone, make the whole story fascinating and worth to follow. Genius touch! Lastly, I genuinely am not a fan of Dante Russo, but Vivian can put me to do the house chores for the whole year and I won't complain. That woman is gorgeous.

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Kings of Sin #2: King of Pride Isabella Valencia and Kai Young Rating: 2.5/5.0 I would like to blame myself for riding the whole Twisted Series and Kings of Sin's book in very short time, which led myself to feel deadly boring of this entire. But to be honest? This book just ain't. It didn't ate, it didn't bite me hard. I took almost a month to finish the book, which is pretty confusing cause I devour the previous books in only one and half week. The steamy part might interestingly hot and phew, hot. But it's not the sole reason I read this book. I want to see two nerds, doing nerdiest and steamiest shits ever, to proof that NERDS ARE NOT BORING PERSON. Kai Young translating Latin for fun is so nerd, but yes we need to see more of that mentioned. Like, Kai Young if you wanna be a knockoff Henry Winter, you better do your job right! I really did try my best to like him but my God this guy just so unbearable to me. He was just too perfect to be a character, like I need a freaky twisted of him, like specific nerd shit he can pull. But thanks to my lovely Isabella Valencia, I can sit on this ride and finish the book. Perhaps the lack of plot building, too predictable twist on the side of Kai Young's character are ones that kinda turn me off. This book singlehandedly almost make me stop read the next book.

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Kings of Sin #3: King of Greed Alessandra Davenport and Dominic Davenport Rating: 4.0/5.0 Some people said three is not a lucky number, but it's never with me and the 3rd book of each series I've read from Ana Huang's works. The plot is about a married couple who lost their sparks and love and warmth of marriage, that initially started from a beautiful and loving relationship. The whole book basically is the series of attempts of Dominic Davenport to win his ex wife, Alessandra, yet also series of reality checks for Dominic that he was the one who firstly drove away from his own marriage. Dominc realized that his whole relationship isn't just broke because of him being greedy. Works are just the trigger for him to drive away, but trauma from the past is the root of all bad things that happen inside his marriage. So he is trying his best to solve it and save his marriage. I love how Alessandra, despite being madly in love with Dominic, still prioritize her ownself and her dignity. She stands up for herself when no one else did. She knows loving someone too much and too dearly made her lose the love for herself and she, FIX THAT. I was at the point where I don't mind to not reading any smut scene come from this book cause the way they solved the problem is so… mature. I love how feel like I'm a guardian of Alessandra and how the attempts to win her back by Dominic, slowly win me too. Dominic, you have all the blessing buddy.

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Kings of Sin #4: King of Sloth Sloane Kensington and Xavier Castillo Rating: 3.5/5.0 I felt like #3 of the series was a roller coaster for my feeling so the #4 felt like cool down. I mean, Sloane is also figuratively cold. Sloane's straightforwardness is cool and okay for me until she become unhinged like Jesus Lord, please do something to this North Pole. I almost hit the breaking point but yes thanks for the Mr. Xavier 'Horny Pantsy' Castillo, this book is saved at last. Genuinely, I don't have any other thoughts but yes well written character. But Ana really need to stop putting previous characters from the series into her new books cause it really page consuming and I rather learn and read about the reason 'why is this character being like this?' rather than seeing another appearance of Alex Volkov.

beneath the endless sky

Mentari samar merasuk ke dalam sukma, membangunkan jiwa yang masih ingin direngkuh oleh malam. Kendati demikian, jejak-jejak jiwamu kembali menyapa alam bawah sadar, menginatkan mata agar lekas terbuka walau sayup-sayup.

Nihil pesan baru tak buat hati jadi masygul, karena yang paling menggubah bahagia adalah menelusuri sajak pesan penuh rayuan-rayuan malu sisa semalam. Sudah pagi, tapi bibir ini t’lah bentukkan sabit senyum, merona-rona pipi mengingat gurauan Tuan.

Maka tenggelamlah dinda ini ke dalam perinduan akanmu, dan rasa ini sekiranya akan tinggal sampai waktu yang tak tentu. Detik, menit, jam, terhabiskan dengan menggoreskan asa tentang kamu, kamu, kamu lagi. Tinta-tinta t’lah warnai kertas, gambarkan rayuan-rayuan lain yang siap memakanmu hingga habis tak tersisa. Kala selesai menulis, rindu itu datang lagi...

Oh, mabuk rindu sudah diri ini...

𝕳𝖊𝖓𝖗𝖞 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗

Today, I write about you.

Study Session (August 17th)

Reading is political and it always has been. Here are some of the classic books on the banned list that you should definitely check out.

Perempuan di Titik Nol (Woman at Point Zero Indonesian translation) by Nawal El Saadawi

This book reveals a truth that happened nearly 50 years ago, yet the similar situation still resonates and reflects in our today's reality. Nawal El Saadawi, through the brief interview with Firdaus (a woman who get imprisoned by the authority after killing a man), expose the corruption caused by deeply rooted patriarchal society in Egypt. After that interview, Firdaus was taken away in front of Nawal to face her punishment. She may no longer with us, but all over the world, the same story still happened, torturing, and scaring women. There are still many others like Firdaus, suffering under the flawed society.

Reading this book felt so empowering yet heartwrenching. But more of it, this book should leave us an uncomfortable feeling, making one's mind unable to stop thinking about the terrible systems that still existed and maintained. How many women remain unheard when facing violence and assault, only to be arrested and punished for defending themselves?

"Firdaus symbolized resistance. As she said: My life means their death; it is not my knife they fear but the truth."

The only downside of this book is in the physical aspects. The translation is still rough, with some typos here and there, even when I have the newest edition. The message of this book would be better conveyed and understood if the translation were updated and more carefully reviewed.

(Image Credit: me)