By Nadia Ranaputri

Image credit: We Rave You

I may talk a lot about film, but books will always be my first love. It was my gateway to literature, and the reason why I wanted to study it. Books were also vital in helping me learn English, and they were the piece of escapism I needed, even to this day. And honestly, I have a lot more favorite books than just the ones on this list. I'll keep it brief though, so I chose ten. I'm sure this list will change from time to time, but for now, here are my top ten favorite books. Let's get started.

 10.  This is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

“Books are letters in bottles, cast into the waves of time, from one person trying to save the world to another.” 

I must admit, I'm not the biggest fan of romances, even when there's a bigger plot surrounding it, but this novel.... I'll make an exception for it. This novel is a romance that takes place in the middle of a time war, where two time-traveling agents from opposing sides communicate through letters and start to develop deeper feelings for one another over the course of their interactions. That plot was enough to get me hooked, but the book itself was a revelation. First of all, the writing style is immaculate, and reading the lyrical style is just as much of an experience as the story itself. Sometimes it feels like a fever dream, then a memoir, and the next, it wraps itself around you like a warm blanket and a cozy fireplace, which is not the description you'd expect from a science-fiction novel, but that's exactly how I feel about it. That being said, it definitely won't cater to everyone. This doesn't read like a typical novel, but more in a form of letters, with poetic and dense writing style, so it's something to keep in mind if you're looking to delve into it. I love it though, it's one of the few romances that doesn't feel cheesy or forced, just very genuine. There is a larger story at the forefront, which is the time war itself, but the romance here also takes center stage, and I find myself truly and utterly invested.

9. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

“If this isn’t hell, the devil is surely taking notes.”

Oh boy, where to begin? The concept of reliving the same day over and over again is not new, especially when recent films like Edge of Tomorrow and Palm Springs incorporated the same plot, but there's always a lot of creativity in the execution of this concept. This is yet another Groundhog Day type of story done right, and in Stuart Turton's novel, it's all about solving a murder mystery. This novel is a lot of fun and keeps you guessing throughout. For me personally, this book felt like it was taking you along with the characters. You're not just sitting on the sidelines waiting for the reveals, you're also involved in solving it. There's also a tad bit of supernatural/science-fiction element to it, which makes the story even more alluring. However, it is a very slow book, it takes a while for things to really unravel, so this won't be for everyone. I, on the other hand, was very immersed in the mystery as well as the slow nature of it, and I even read it for a second time to really soak in every little detail that I missed. If you're looking for a more fast-paced mystery read, this may not be the book for you. But if you like mysteries that take their time, and don't mind overstaying your welcome at the Hardcastle estate, it's an absolute must-read.

8. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

“I would have come for you. And if I couldn't walk, I'd crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we'd fight our way out together- knives drawn, pistols blazing.”

There are some cases where the sequel is better than its predecessor. While those cases can certainly pop up in films, it's also present in books. Crooked Kingdom, the sequel to Bardugo's Six of Crows, is one fine example of a sequel that has proven to be far better than its first entry, which is saying a lot because I adored the first book to bits. Six of Crows already worked as a standalone, but Crooked Kingdom takes it to a whole other level. Both books are heavily character driven than plot driven, yet it's in the sequel where the characterization is at its best. There's wild twists and turns, as well as impeccable character development. The Crows are incredibly fleshed out here than they ever were in the first book, and there's so many standout scenes that still linger in my head to this day. I don't know how Leigh Bardugo was able to create such intricate and complex characters, then turns them into some of the best characters I've ever read in a YA fantasy, but she pulled it off beautifully. Even after you've finished the book, you feel as if you've just taken an all-expenses-paid trip to the Ketterdam, and you're left eager to give this world another visit.
 

7.  Vicious by V.E Schwab

“Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.”

6.  Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“I had absolutely no interest in being somebody else's muse. I am not a muse. I am the somebody. End of fucking story.”

Let me start by saying this: I love Fleetwood Mac, their songs are my jam and I could stay all day listening to them. So when I discovered that Taylor Jenkins Reid's novel was partly inspired by them and the rock bands of that era, I put my ear to the door and listened intently. In other words, it grabbed my full attention. What it ended up being was a roller-coaster ride filled with scandals, romance, and a heavy dose of rock and roll. Similar to This is How You Lose the Time War, Daisy Jones and The Six doesn't follow the usual novel format. Instead, it plays out in transcripts from interviews of the characters. Each member, including the enigma that is Daisy Jones, gets their own perspective, but the interesting thing is that it can play coy and turn the unreliable narrator card against you, so everyone has a different take for each of the events that happen in the book. Furthermore, Reid's writing gives the characters a unique and genuine voice. Daisy Jones feels like a real person, as do the Six, and it's as if you're reading a memoir of an actual band, that's how immersive her writing is. I highly recommend reading it with a Fleetwood Mac playlist.

5.  The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 

“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”

  

This was a novel that I picked up due to the immense hype and praise, and I have to say, it definitely lived up to my expectations. Essentially, it's a retelling of Homer's Iliad, but with a twist to it. While Miller is paying homage to the iconic story of the Greek hero, The Song of Achilles is strong enough to stand on its own. Miller's writing is truly something else, it's poetic and charming, it draws you to the story and the characters. The novel is told from the perspective of Patroclus, Achilles' close friend and comrade. Having the story told from the viewpoint of someone who was originally a supporting character provides a whole new insight and perspective on how he sees Achilles. Everything about this book is beautiful, from the story to the writing, and the characters themselves. If you're already familiar with the story of Iliad itself, be prepared for devastation and heartbreak. Even saying that it's emotional and ruinous is an understatement. Imagine someone stabbing you in the back, and while you endure all that pain, that person whispers sweet nothings to distract you from the agony they caused just seconds ago. That is how I would describe reading this book, it's a deadly mix of sweetened tragedy. The fact that this was Madeline Miller's debut novel is even more impressive, I've yet to find a single flaw in it, but I haven't, and I'm sure I'll find very little.

4. Circe by Madeline Miller  

“It is a common saying that women are delicate creatures, flowers, eggs, anything that may be crushed in a moment’s carelessness. If I had ever believed it, I no longer did.”

 

Yes, you heard that right. Madeline Miller makes another appearance on this list. There's something about Miller's writing that is unlike anything I've read, and I'm fairly certain that there hasn't been any other modern author whose writing has come close to what she can do. Just when I thought that Miller couldn't outdo herself after The Song of Achilles, Circe proved me wrong. Like her debut novel before it, Circe is another Greek retelling, this time with a minor goddess who is well versed in potions and herbs. Though Circe is known for transforming her guests as well as those that reject her or pose as an obstacle in her life into animals, Miller's book delves more into her story and takes more of a sympathetic route towards her character whilst retaining the original characteristics and mythology that made her into who she is. Reading Circe is an experience synonymous with floating on a cloud, or taking the warmest bath you've had in a while. This is a gorgeously written novel that plays like a lyrical prose. It's as if it's written and read by a Greek goddess, perhaps even Circe herself, given the first person point of view. That sounds exaggerated, but how else would I put it? It's just wonderful, I finished this novel in the span of two days, because I was so immersed in the world and the story, that it was near impossible to put down.

3. Lovely War by Julie Berry

“I envy the mortals. It's because they're weak and damaged that they can love.”

 

I'm a sucker for historical fiction, and Julie Berry's novel is one hell of an emotional ride. For someone who tends to stray away from romances, this is the kind of story that I'll admit, brought tears to my eyes. I don't know what it is about romance stories that take place during a historical era, but they tend to pack a lot more punch than the ones from other genres, and this book specifically takes place in World War I. If I were to describe Lovely War in a nutshell: it's the equivalent of falling in love and getting your heart broken at the same time. There's a twist to it though, because the story is narrated by Greek gods and goddesses, watching over fellow mortals as they wage into war. Each of their narrations makes for a very interesting read, especially with their distinct voices, but in the end, it's the mortal characters that struck a chord with me. They're flawed and complex, and they have so much depth, it's as if you really got the chance to not only be acquainted with them, but also to be a part of their journey. And the romance isn't the sole element of the story, there are other aspects that I thought were very well conveyed, particularly with topics such as the treatment of African-American soldiers during the War. It's lovely (pun intended), layered, profound, poignant, and basically every single word in the dictionary in relation to the word amazing.

2. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

“You know the greatest lesson of history? It’s that history is whatever the victors say it is. That’s the lesson. Whoever wins, that’s who decides the history.”

I picked this book up on whim because of the gorgeous cover, but I did not expect the emotional toll it would put on me. This is yet another historical fiction book told in two main perspectives: A blind girl who's forced to flee with her uncle in Paris, and a radio expert who joins the army in Germany. This was one of those books that I deliberately read slowly to really take the time to explore and immerse myself in the story and the characters. I think it would have been obvious by now that I love character-driven books, I tend to gravitate towards stories that focus a lot on character, and this book is one of them. The two main characters especially, are so interesting to read, and just delightful, that I wanted more than anything in the world to spend more time with them as soon as I reached the last page. Having two perspectives also helps to see the war on different sides of the spectrum: from the civilian side to the military side. And just like Lovely War, this book is gut-wrenching yet poignant, it takes your heart in the palm of its hand and crushes it while reassuring you that everything is going to be fine. Doerr really took his time building the characters and the world, it feels almost cinematic, as if you could make an entire Oscar-winning film out of it. His descriptions on how Marie sees the world as a blind person are detailed and sweet, such as how he describes Marie's ability to navigate her way around town by the number of steps and the various turns, all with the assistance of her father. Not going to say anything more, because it's truly a book that you have to experience for yourself. It is a slow book once again, but the buildup is splendid, the payoff is absolutely remarkable, and I cried at least twice reading this book.

1. The Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

“A story is a letter that the author writes to himself, to tell himself things that he would be unable to discover otherwise.” 

 
And here it is, my favorite book of all-time. Just like The Song of Achilles before it, this was another book that I picked up due to the overwhelming praise and hype. It's clear from there that it lived up to the hype for me. This has all the elements I love in a story: historical setting, noir atmosphere, and intriguing mystery. Most of all, it's a story about a book, something I'm always drawn to. But the book surprised me with just how much it was able to make me care for the characters. And as for the characters themselves....don't even get me started on them, they're just so....memorable. They linger on the back of your mind like a long-lost memory waiting to be discovered again and again. I have a certain weakness for books that are written like a prose, they're simply lyrical and beautiful, this book is no exception. Zafón's writing is rich, it's descriptive. There's a heavy atmospheric tone to it that makes you feel as if you've transported into another world. Even his descriptions of Barcelona, the city that the book takes place in, is so vivid, I could have sworn that I was in Barcelona myself, despite never having been there. It's enchanting, it lures you in, and you may never find the will to leave the world, the narrative, and the characters that Zafón had so meticulously crafted. But again, it is a very slow book, so those who are looking for a quick or fast-paced read, it's best not to pick this one up. For me personally, it was perfect. I flew through this book with a flourish, and once I finished it, I was eager to read it again, perhaps more than any other book I've read. 

There you have it, that's my list. What are some of your favorite books? I would love to know!

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image credit: IMDB

Director: John Krasinski
Cast: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Djimon Hounsou.

To be frank, I first went in to A Quiet Place knowing very little about what the film was actually about. The only thing I was aware of was that it was a thriller where silence meant survival. What I didn't expect was that the wave of complete silence from the film lead to my theater in the very same ambience. No one in my theater said a single word, and a person sitting right in front of me barely touched the tub of popcorn. It was probably the quietest theater experience I have ever had. Another thing that I didn't expect at all was the touching family dynamic that left me in ruins by the time the credits start to roll. It honestly could have ended there, it worked spectacularly well as a standalone film. But alas, that was not the case. Hence, we have Part II. 

A Quiet Place Part II begins right where the first film left off, with the remaining Abbott family in the aftermath of the daunting events that previously took place. By the time we meet them, they're about to leave the only home they've ever known, and into the terrorizing clutches of the outside world, shrouded in unpredictability and uncertainty. Along the way, they encounter a fellow survivor and former family friend Emmett (Cillian Murphy), who's been living in a bunker under an abandoned foundry. Though initially reluctant due to his failure to save his own family, Emmett takes Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and her family in, and in the process, is forced to overcome his own inner demons in order to prevent the Abbott family from the same fate.

Emily Blunt as Evelyn Abbott is as always, spectacular, though her character takes more of a backseat here, paving the way for the younger to grace the screen. Evelyn does have some standout moments, drawing the line between a vulnerable and caring mother, to a relentless fighter determined to protect her family at all costs. The latest member of the cast, Cillian Murphy, is also impeccable. I've loved Cillian Murphy ever since he played Scarecrow in Batman Begins, and eventually his ever iconic role as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, so my interest definitely peaked when he was cast in this film. As a result, Murphy just blends in effortlessly with the rest of cast, and his performance as someone who has lost all hope allows him to display his impressive range. Noah Jupe was also incredible in this, he was able to display genuine fear and at times, acts of determination. There was a particular scene where his character goes through a great deal of pain, and Jupe's performance here was splendid, but near unbearable to watch, because you can almost feel his agony through his performance. That being said, the star of the film is no doubt Millicent Simmonds, whose character carries the film so beautifully, and Simmonds plays the role with grace. True to form as the first film, Regan's disability isn't treated as weakness, but a powerful tool for survival. In the first film, Regan sees her deafness as an obstacle, but over time, she learns to overcome her disability and doesn't let it get in the way of her efforts to protect her family. In this one especially, she's responsible for much of the film's heartfelt moments, and Simmonds's performance in these moments is fantastic. Her dynamic with Cillian Murphy is another outstanding aspect, and you can't help but look forward to the scenes they share together.

Image credit: IMDB

I've mentioned in my review of the first film that the opening sequence of a film plays an important role in drawing the audience in, which was something that A Quiet Place has nailed, wrapping the theater in a blanket of silence, and the lingering promise of something sinister that awaits the Abbott family. Then there's the opening sequence for Part II that starts off with a "Day 1" flashback sequence, also known as the day the world changed for the worst. Unlike the first film, Part II opens with a bang, a hair-raising sequence that sinks its claws into you and leaves you hanging for dear life. The rest of the film is just as suspenseful, throwing you in with the Abbott family once again and taking you along with them as they fight for survival. Those thrilling and at times claustrophobic sequences of the first film that makes you grip your knuckles are carried over to this one, providing the audience with plenty of exciting sequences ahead. For a director who has only dabbled behind the camera twice, this being his second, John Krasinski has once again proved himself as a director worth watching for. Constructing such a condensed thriller is no easy feat, but Krasinski absolutely nails it. He's certainly come a long way from simply being known as Jim Halpert in The Office. The addition of Cillian Murphy as Emmett was a great way to introduce the outside world, given that he seems to know more about the current situation than the Abbotts do. Even so, I appreciate that there isn't too much exposition, despite the fact that there tends to be more dialogue in this one.

For a story that is meant to expand on the world beyond the one that the Abbotts once knew, it feels rather thin and fairly simple. Perhaps that was the intention, to keep everything condensed and to a minimum, just like the first film. It didn't exactly achieve the same desired effect as its predecessor, but it still manages to tell a cohesive story overall, even with a 90 minute runtime. Unlike the first film, John Krasinski is the sole screenwriter this time around. While some would argue that it doesn't have as much of a firm grip as the tightly knit but effective screenplay of the first film, there are plenty of strong suits in Krasinski's script for sure, such as a heartwarming scene between Regan and Emmett where she reassures him and tells him how to enunciate as he struggles to communicate with her. Callbacks and references to the first film don't feel forced, as they provide a much needed emotional beat for the characters. Moreover, placing Regan front and center of the film was a noteworthy move. As Regan was the beating heart of its predecessor, she is the one that charges forth and drives the story forward this time. There's a particular arc here that is very reminiscent of The Last of Us, and that was the most interesting arc out of the rest, because there was a real sense of adventure. Along the way though, it does feel as if it has lost some of its Midas touch that made its predecessor so memorable, and resorted to more of your typical apocalyptic survival film, which isn't an entirely bad thing in and of itself, it just lost some of the aspects that made A Quiet Place such a hit. Though I have to say, the change of scenery and pace of Part II was mostly for the better, it doesn't really feel like a complete repeat of the first film.

Image credit: IMDB

There's also the use of sound, a key part of the storytelling, particularly in its predecessor. The first film utilized sound and lack thereof in a clever way, the silences and sudden noises turning gears as if it's flipping switches back and forth, was an effective and creative way of putting the audiences at the edge of their seat. The first half of the film was heavily doused in silence, but an anxiety ridden kind of silence. That reliance and resort to silence really builds up the tension without any reliance on some loud violin screech that you've heard a hundred times before in other horror films. As you're anticipating the monster, you're also anticipating a sudden sound to flood in like it's a timed bomb. Part II, however, did not imbue the very part that made the first one a unique watch. It did utilize the change in sound that flips whenever it gets to Regan's perspective, where there is nothing but muffled sound. If it didn't focus on Regan, most of its tension was reliant on that same one-note music, and this time, the violin screech is here to stay. Doesn't mean that it lacks any real thrills, it's there, it just doesn't always land right. Aside from the music, there's a lot more sound than silence in Part II. Though the sign language remains a vital aspect for communication, the characters do talk more often here than they did before.

Let's wrap this in a neat little bow. Though it has its flaws, A Quiet Place Part II is entertaining and profound enough to solidify its existence. Was it necessary? Not exactly, but at least it wasn't made with little thought or care. There's still a good amount of effort and attention placed in the story and the production. It's a good enough companion to the first film, and it might even be fun to watch both films back to back. Once you put aside some of the bumps along the road of the script, it's clear that Krasinski cares about this world and the Abbott family. It rarely ever feels soulless or rigid, despite having that condensed atmosphere. Because by the time the film ends, it's really the characters themselves that made it soar. As we're confined with these characters, we get to experience that feeling of terror and anxiety alongside them, and that's the one of the standout aspects that made me adore A Quiet Place, and though Part II felt a bit emotionally distant than the first, the characters were still able to shine through. We may fear the monsters that lurk in the film, but we also fear for the characters who are fighting against them. While Krasinski could use some fine-tuning as a screenwriter, he's clearly much more formidable in the director's chair than he is as a writer, at least for now. Sometimes a sequel calls for bigger stakes and higher danger, but A Quiet Place Part II proves that it doesn't always need to rely on those elements to enhance the story. It may not be as strong as its predecessor, but it's still a very solid sequel that packs a lot more heart than most other films of its genre. 

Image credit: IMDB

Overall verdict: A Quiet Place Part II is a solid and justified sequel to the hit 2018 thriller. It reshuffles the deck this time around by having the family venture out of the world they were once accustomed to, and into the unknown, with little guarantee for their survival, so it expands on the world more this time. As we spent the majority of the first film confined in the Abbott family home, the second feels more vast and open, but it's just as suspenseful as the first. The thing about both films is that it boasts strong performances that add so much to them. Emily Blunt's performance as Evelyn is no short of magnificent, while Cillian Murphy forms a genuine dynamic the rest of the cast, and Noah Jupe's fearful performance just elevates the suspense. But the real standout is certainly Millicent Simmonds, whose incredible performance carries the entire film. Like its predecessor, it's very much an in-the-moment type of film, which I actually like. There's a catch to this though. Part II doesn't feel as cleverly weaved as the first one, which makes it slightly lackluster, especially since the first film displayed a good amount of intelligent aspects in both the storytelling and the scares. As the first film utilized silence and sudden noise as a weapon, the second doesn't seem intent in doing the same. There are still some thrilling sequences that makes it worthwhile, but compared to its more superior predecessor, it does lag behind. Other than that, it remains to be a riveting and exciting thriller that places family dynamic at the core of its story. By the time the film closes, it's the Abbott family that flourishes, not the scares, and that's what stops it from truly falling apart. 

Stars: 3.7/5

You can also read my review of A Quiet Place here