Book Review
About The Book:
Ready For The World: Book Series is a coming of age fiction by Charmeljun Gallardo. The story revolves around Bandon and his friends Josh and Ally. The book talks about how the typical teenage lives in the 1980s and his struggles, challenges, first love, heartbreak, realizing about relationship true nature.
In the author's own words “All that Brandon Delacruz wants is a chance. A chance to drive, a chance to be one of the cool kids, and a chance at a girlfriend before he starts the 10th grade. He'll spend the rest of the year finding the delicate balance between a budding love, old friendships, meeting the Asian Parental standards, and having fun...as long as he keeps his grades up.”
I have read both the books and going to review them at once.
My Thoughts:
Before I start with my review, I have to say I am a sucker for teenage stories. I just love them. Nothing like the friends that you make in your school life, those stupid talks with friends seems like the most mature thing in the world, and most importantly first love. Nothing can beat those butterflies in your stomach, realizing that someone is special for the first time and the inevitable heartbreak. The first heartbreak feels like actually, something is bleeding inside you and the world has come to an end. This book talks about all theses and much more in the most convincing way possible.
The author is a Philippine descent who is born and brought up in the USA and the story is set up in 1986 when Brandon 15 years old. However, I am from another part of the world, a Bengali who spends her teenage in early 2000, yet I can totally relate to the story. At moments it seems like it is my story, like someone from different parts of the world, whom I have never met is talking about me. It gives a sense of familiarity and comforts me in my feeling “my teenage was awful”. I ride the same boat which Brandon and many other teenagers did and I am glad about that.
As for the characters are concerned:
Brandon: He is all of us in our teenage. He is funny, stupid, smart, thinks he knows everything and struggling with his feelings.
Josh: He is my favorite character; he deserves a whole book to himself. We all have a friend like him, who seems the clown on the outside and the smartest and maturest inside. He will show you a mirror in the most casual way possible.
Ally: She probably has the most challenging life among all. Live through a lot of curveballs at her yet she managers her way through. She is the most mature of all, yet vulnerable and at times lost.
Overall, I love both books and recommend everyone to read it.
Mr. Charmeljun Gallardo is a master of expressing the most complicated feeling in the simplest words possible. Personally, I am glad I read this book.
💓💓💓💓💓
|
|
About the Author
Charmeljun Gallardo is a former Radiologist and author. His first book is Ready for the World young adult book series. He graduated from San Francisco State University with a Creative Writing degree in 1996. He is a writer, photography enthusiast, sports fan, movie geek, stroke survivor, and an adventurous foodie. He lives in San Diego, California with his wife and son.
