Before Ever After and My Reading List this Week

I have to admit that I had my doubts about this book. It was slowly but surely gaining momentum as a local bestseller, and I surmised that it helped the sales a whole bunch that it was a book published abroad. But I have had my share of stories written by fellow countrymen, and while they were good in their own right, they... weren't just my cup of tea.

So when I decided to pull this out of our bookshelf, I really wasn't expecting much. My mom had written a note on the first page, reminding the reader that my brother had given her this book. I ran my finger against the rough, uneven edges of the pages, relishing this design detail in publishing the book. Half-heartedly, I turned the page to the beginning. Quietly, I hoped it wouldn't disappoint. This was to be my first book to finish in what seemed to be an eternity, and I really wanted to be satisfied, literary-wise.

Lo and behold, I actually quite enjoyed it! It was a breeze to read, and while I didn't really fancy Shelley (in my head, I thought she seemed too much like Isabella Swan, and I don't like her in the same degree as well), I loved the jumping back and forth from century to century. One chapter was spent in eighteenth century Paris, and the next chapter went back to the present day, and then it went further into the past into twelfth century Austria. I enjoyed every bit of it, if only for my love of history and places.

The plot somewhat reminded me of My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares (another good read, recommended by a friend), but that one dwelt on a reincarnating soul of a man always searching for his first love Sophia, while Before Ever After explores immortality and the life and love of a never-aging man with many names. This book was a delight to read, really, and worth the whole day of staying in bed and reading - something I've missed doing, and which I hope to do more in the future!

Just a bit of an excerpt, and it doesn't reveal anything, really, if you're worried about spoilers. :)
It's just an honest-to-goodness burst of honesty and vulnerability from an immortal man in love.

Meanwhile, while I do think I should spend a considerable amount of days this break for working on thesis, I thought to myself that I could give myself a bit of a break and challenge-of-sorts to finish books. I'd add more, but I thought these books would have to do for this break/week:

That's Lisa See's Peony in Love (as I adored her Shanghai Girls); George Martin's Game of Thrones;
and the recently finished book, Samantha Sotto's Before Ever After.

Next up is Game of Thrones. I'm in the third chapter already, and it helps that I've watched the series
because a part of me is smug that I'm at least familiar with the characters!

Here's to hoping I finish the next two books before Saturday. YAY for reading! I sorely missed you, hobby.