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theengineerisreading's reviews
780 reviews
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
5.0
First of all, I want to emphasize that this book is a gem.
I’ve been hearing a lot of good feedback before I got this book last month and decided to start delving into this read right after finishing another epic YA fantasy. At first, I actually thought that this book is categorized as Young Adult but as soon as I started flipping the pages of TKQ I can officially say that this one’s a New Adult read.
Technically, the story revolved on the characters of Stella Lane, an ordinary working girl obsessed with mathematics and its application in economics who also has been diagnosed with a type of autism more commonly known as Asperger’s syndrome; and Michael Phan-slash-Larsen, a hardworking man who has a heart for fashion design and supporting his family particularly his mom who is suffering from cancer. The worlds of our two favorite leads crossed when Stella, upon her mom’s insistence to start getting a lovelife, booked a candidate from an escort service app—an escort who will help her in combatting her social skills issues so that he’ll never have any awkward encounters with men he’ll date soon. And that’s when Michael Phan entered. Though Michael has a strict one-date-only policy, he decided to spend more time with Stella upon her request to teach more ‘skills’. The two then went to a series of going-outs until both of them realized that they perfectly fit each other. The catch with this book is how the two will find a way to make both ends meet. With Stella’s symptoms constantly showing up and bugging herself about her confidence and Michael’s dark past history with his father, Stella and Michael are set to quest on a bumpy road towards the realization that they are a perfect TEN.
Moving on, Helen Hoang is an up-and-coming author who, based from what I read from the author’s note, just discovered her own style by being herself. I think that that’s what made this book unique and fun to read, Helen’s first-hand experience with Asperger’s and how she translated those experiences to come up with a realistic character in the name of Stella Lane. Though it has been given already, I also loved that this book’s a #ownvoices read. I am looking forward to more Helen Hoang reads. Thank you, Helen, for this amazing read! And cheers to more published titles to come.
BEST QUOTE/S:
“People don’t like honest. Except for when you’re saying good things. Figuring out what people think is good is tricky, especially when I don’t know them. It makes a conversation a minefield.”
“There was something novel and wonderful about being in a crowd and not feeling alone.”
“Love was a jail. It trapped, and it clipped wings. It dragged you down, forced you to places you didn’t want to go.”
“When you love someone, you fight for them in every way you know how.”
I’ve been hearing a lot of good feedback before I got this book last month and decided to start delving into this read right after finishing another epic YA fantasy. At first, I actually thought that this book is categorized as Young Adult but as soon as I started flipping the pages of TKQ I can officially say that this one’s a New Adult read.
Technically, the story revolved on the characters of Stella Lane, an ordinary working girl obsessed with mathematics and its application in economics who also has been diagnosed with a type of autism more commonly known as Asperger’s syndrome; and Michael Phan-slash-Larsen, a hardworking man who has a heart for fashion design and supporting his family particularly his mom who is suffering from cancer. The worlds of our two favorite leads crossed when Stella, upon her mom’s insistence to start getting a lovelife, booked a candidate from an escort service app—an escort who will help her in combatting her social skills issues so that he’ll never have any awkward encounters with men he’ll date soon. And that’s when Michael Phan entered. Though Michael has a strict one-date-only policy, he decided to spend more time with Stella upon her request to teach more ‘skills’. The two then went to a series of going-outs until both of them realized that they perfectly fit each other. The catch with this book is how the two will find a way to make both ends meet. With Stella’s symptoms constantly showing up and bugging herself about her confidence and Michael’s dark past history with his father, Stella and Michael are set to quest on a bumpy road towards the realization that they are a perfect TEN.
Moving on, Helen Hoang is an up-and-coming author who, based from what I read from the author’s note, just discovered her own style by being herself. I think that that’s what made this book unique and fun to read, Helen’s first-hand experience with Asperger’s and how she translated those experiences to come up with a realistic character in the name of Stella Lane. Though it has been given already, I also loved that this book’s a #ownvoices read. I am looking forward to more Helen Hoang reads. Thank you, Helen, for this amazing read! And cheers to more published titles to come.
BEST QUOTE/S:
“People don’t like honest. Except for when you’re saying good things. Figuring out what people think is good is tricky, especially when I don’t know them. It makes a conversation a minefield.”
“There was something novel and wonderful about being in a crowd and not feeling alone.”
“Love was a jail. It trapped, and it clipped wings. It dragged you down, forced you to places you didn’t want to go.”
“When you love someone, you fight for them in every way you know how.”
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
5.0
I know right?! I’ve been three years late and you’re probably wondering where the hell on earth am I when this debut novel by Becky Albertalli get released, and I’m sorry. But now that I finally have the time to catch up with all the backlists I have in my TBR, let me say that this one is an early October favorite.
Well, aside from the fact that this book just got translated to a big screen adaptation this year, one of the factors that pushed me to finally flip the pages of this book is the upcoming Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera’s book signing event this November. *fingers are crossed hoping that I can attend the event* So let’s move forward to the real thing here.
Technically, I just feel that Becky Albertalli is a gift to the LGBT+ community because the way she gives life to the characters is EXTRAORDINARY. I mean, I’ve already read What if it’s Us and this and now I am too excited to get a copy of both The Upside and Leah on the Offbeat. I think both Becky and Adam is now on my auto-buy author category.
Simon’s story is truly relatable in so many different levels for even a straight guy like me connects with him in a way that is truly inexplicable. I mean, I’ve already experienced being bullied which is synonymous to Simon being blackmailed by Martin; and being of a darker complexion in a society of judgmental people who thinks being fairer is equal to being greater, I somehow felt Simon’s self-consciousness about talking things out since both Simon and I don’t want to make things be such a big deal (though I’m 100% sure skin color is a big deal here in the Philippines anyway).
Moving on from that note, I think what made this book a great five-star read is the light tone and pace and vibe it me all throughout the reading process. I never felt bored reading any chapter in this book and I just love how realistic the scenes are, from family interactions and struggles to school dramas and friendship disputes, we’ve all experienced what Simon had somehow during one point in our life. And that’s it! I just love Blue’s revelation during the denouement for I really thought Martin’s brother is Blue. Anyways, I totally ship Spier and Bram. Love wins!
Best Quote:
“As a side note, don’t you think everyone should have to come out? Why is staright the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it should be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I’m just saying.”
Well, aside from the fact that this book just got translated to a big screen adaptation this year, one of the factors that pushed me to finally flip the pages of this book is the upcoming Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera’s book signing event this November. *fingers are crossed hoping that I can attend the event* So let’s move forward to the real thing here.
Technically, I just feel that Becky Albertalli is a gift to the LGBT+ community because the way she gives life to the characters is EXTRAORDINARY. I mean, I’ve already read What if it’s Us and this and now I am too excited to get a copy of both The Upside and Leah on the Offbeat. I think both Becky and Adam is now on my auto-buy author category.
Simon’s story is truly relatable in so many different levels for even a straight guy like me connects with him in a way that is truly inexplicable. I mean, I’ve already experienced being bullied which is synonymous to Simon being blackmailed by Martin; and being of a darker complexion in a society of judgmental people who thinks being fairer is equal to being greater, I somehow felt Simon’s self-consciousness about talking things out since both Simon and I don’t want to make things be such a big deal (though I’m 100% sure skin color is a big deal here in the Philippines anyway).
Moving on from that note, I think what made this book a great five-star read is the light tone and pace and vibe it me all throughout the reading process. I never felt bored reading any chapter in this book and I just love how realistic the scenes are, from family interactions and struggles to school dramas and friendship disputes, we’ve all experienced what Simon had somehow during one point in our life. And that’s it! I just love Blue’s revelation during the denouement for I really thought Martin’s brother is Blue. Anyways, I totally ship Spier and Bram. Love wins!
Best Quote:
“As a side note, don’t you think everyone should have to come out? Why is staright the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it should be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I’m just saying.”