Anonymous Daily Adventure

It's not a secret that buying imported books in Indonesia is quite hard and expensive.

There are several bookstores that have imported books collection on their shelves around the country but most of their collections aren't satisfying.

I've been wanting to make this post since I first started this blog. Hopefully it would help you to find the perfect bookstore including online bookstore to buy your new books. The bookstores I listed down below are the ones that located in Jakarta. Some of them have their branches in other city as well. You can check their website which I will link it for you. Here we go!


1. Books Kinokuniya

Books Kinokuniya is a bookstore originally from Japan. It has lots of branches around the world and we're quite lucky to have it in Jakarta.

There are three Kinokuniya in Jakarta which all located at big mall: Grand Indonesia, Plaza Senayan and Pondok Indah Mall.

Kinokuniya Plaza Senayan has the biggest store with the most complete collections. You can find new releases books here. It also has lots of hardcover books which really hard to find in Indonesia. If you're a fan of Young Adult Fiction, Kinokuniya will be your heaven. It has all the newest YA Fiction in paperback form. Unfortunately, the price is crazy here. Most of the paperbacks start from 130.000 IDR. Some of the books are ridiculously expensive, twice (sometimes triple) the original price in US. If you're looking for classic literature, Kinokuniya has a really great collections including the Penguin Classic Edition.
Not only English literature, it also has collection of Japanese and Chinese literature.I recommend Kinokuniya if you want to go bookshopping and feeling satisfied with the collection, but brace your wallet because it won't be cheap.

Contact:
Twitter @kinokuniya_indo


2. Periplus

Periplus is one of my favorite bookstore. The collection isn't as complete as Kinokuniya, but it has a great collection as well.

The price is so much cheaper than Kinokuniya. It has lots of Mass Market Paperback collections, so if you're a fan of MMP, this is a perfect store for you.

Periplus has lots of branches around Jakarta and other cities. My favorite store are the ones that located at Plaza Indonesia and Plaza Senayan. I got most of my books from Periplus, especially the online store.
Periplus.com has been established since last year (if I'm not mistaken). It's currently developing its online store. Periplus.com is so far the best imported books online store in the country! You can order any kind of books on the website and it will ship the book directly from US. The biggest advantage is you don't have to pay the shipping cost from US to Indonesia. You only have to pay the shipping cost from its office to your home. Isn't it great? I bought some of my hardcover books from the website and it's satisfying. The service is fast and excellent, though the customer service is really bad sometime. Also some of the books are in wrong category. I bought two hardcovers which turned out to be paperbacks. It was really disappointing sometime, but I'll still recommend Periplus.com. Periplus is so far the best bookstore. It has the best price and discount.

Contact:
http://www.periplus.com
Twitter @periplus_store

3. Aksara 

This is like the coolest bookstore ever! Well, technically it's not a bookstore, but there are some books here. You can find indie band CDs and lots of cute and weird stuff. Most of the books here are classic.

I'd say this store is dedicated for fellow hipsters and also rich South Jakarta citizens. The price is insanely expensive. I never bought anything here.
Aksara is located at Plaza Indonesia and also Kemang district. Go check this cool store if you happen to be at the area!

Contact:
http://www.aksara.com/

4. Gramedia

As you know Gramedia is the biggest bookstore in Indonesia. There are literally Gramedia at every mall in Indonesia. Most of the books are local books but if you're lucky you can find imported books as well.

Most of Gramedia that have imported books are the ones that located in South and Central area of Jakarta. Grand Indonesia, Pondok Indah Mall, Central Park are few that has imported books.

The price is so much expensive than Periplus, but it's cheaper than Aksara and Kinokuniya.


5. Books & Beyond

It was known as Times Bookstore until it changed its name into Books & Beyond.

There are only few Books & Beyond stores around Jakarta: Plaza Senayan, Pluit Village, Pacific Place.
The biggest store is the one at UPH karawaci.

It has a really cheap book compare to other books store, but it has the smallest store and also only few interesting collections.
If you happen to have the member card of Books & Beyond, you have a really great privilege. Not only you get 10% discount for every purchase without minimum payment, you also get special discount for its monthly promo starting from 20% off discount.

It's now developing an online bookstore as well. The price is cheaper and for member card holder will also get 10% discount for every purchase online. Not only that, for every purchase more than 100.000 IDR you get free shipping (For Jakarta area only). Great, isn't it? I've been buying my books from Books & Beyond this April and I'm satisfied. The process is really fast. You order the book, you pay it and confirm your payment. In about few hours, you will get an email, informing you that your item is now ready to ship. Everything happen in one freaking day! I highly recommend the online bookstore.
Oh yeah, as for the collection on the website isn't that satisfying but it's quite good. I'm hoping for more collections in the future.

Contact
http://www.booksbeyond.co.id

I hope this can help you to decide which bookstore is the perfect one to fulfill your book buying needs. If you have any question, feel free to leave a comment down below. I'd happy to answer it.

Go get your books, bookworms!

I haven't done this for a really long time!
2014 is a bright year for me. Lots of amazing books are being released this year and I just can't wait to get my hands all over them. I'm gonna make a list of the most anticipated Young Adult books of May 2014. I will also include the books that I'm planning to get next month which released before May.


1. The Mortal Instruments #6: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

You must be kidding me if you don't know about this series! The Mortal Instruments is a series about Nephilim that well known as Shadowhunters. They're basically the army of heaven who fight evil and demons around the world. The story is revolving around Clary and Jace's adventure fighting demons, war between Nephilim and demons. Those kind of stuff.
I'm so happy that this book is coming later next month! The previous one, City of Fallen Angels isn't the best of the series. So I'm hoping the last book will be so much better.
There are already lots of snippets and rumors about this book. The most devastating rumor that has been confirmed is true by the author is there will be lots of death and we'll see important and our loved ones in the book die. I don't think I'm ready for that!

Release Date: May 27th, 2014



2. The Selection #3: The One by Kiera Cass


Time to put an end to the fans misery. Who's America gonna choose at last? Is it Maxon or Aspen?
Team Maxon and Team Aspen has been created since the first book and they're keep arguing whether America should end up with whom.
For me, Maxon should be the one. If he isn't the one America chooses, what's the point of the whole Selection at the first place?

This is not my favorite series but I've read the first two books, so I guess why not?
Anyway, all the covers in the series are so girly I'm so ashamed to have it on my shelf. This is my guilty pleasure. I love TV show and reading this series feels like I'm watching one. Get over it people, okay?
For the book trailer, click here

Release Date: May 6th, 2014


3. Reboot #2: Rebel by Amy Tintera


Another sequel is coming next month! I read the first book, Reboot, last year and I quite enjoyed it. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. Mostly, because the characters developed badly throughout the book. I was disappointed how the main character turned into a really weak character once she found out she fell in love. Really? You were dead for 178 minutes for God's sake.

I was glad when I heard this is a duology, because I don't think I'm gonna continue with the series if it's a trilogy or even worse, a long six books series.
The cover is really simple and I like the blue color. Hopefully this one is going to be better than the first one. I have high expectation for the sequel.

Release Date: May 13th, 2014



4. Scan by Walter Jury & Sarah Fine


Tate and his father don't exactly get along. His father always expect him to be the best on everything, literally.
One day, he steals his father odd-tech invention and mercenaries ambush the school. His father is killed in the process and Tate is running away from alien that look exactly like human.
With no skill to fight and help from his mom and girlfriend, Tate is on running to get away from the alien attack and keeping his father's invention safe. He soon unravel the secret behind the invention and why there are people dying to get it.

The premise looks interesting and awesome. I hate the book cover, but I can deal with it. I have high expectation for the upcoming new series by Walter Jury and Sarah Fine.
I hope this won't end up like The Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore. I'm not saying it's bad, I just don't really like it. Finger crossed for Scan! Release Date: May 1st, 2014


The next two books are the ones that were released long time before.

5. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn


I've been wanting to read mystery and thriller books for a really long time. Gone Girl is on top of my list next to The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (*cough* J.K Rowling *cough*)
I love the "Am I crazy? Am I not? Did I kill her or not?" happening in this book, well at least I assume there's a moment like that in this book.

The movie is coming soon this October with Ben Affleck as the main character *sigh*
He's an academy award winner for directing "Argo". As an actor, I'm not sure. I don't really like him in a movie. Finger crossed for the movie though, as well for the book. So excited to get this!









6. A Game of Thrones by George R.R Martin


How can I live my life without ever trying to read Mr. Martin's works? This is a very well known series. The TV show is such a hit nowadays. I'm kinda terrified with the writing, the epic fantasy, the characters and also the plot line. Lots of people telling me it's really hard to get along with the story since there are so many characters and the different plot line for every chapters. What really terrify me is the epic fantasy thing. I'm not sure my English skill is sufficient for reading this kind of book, but I'm so curious with this book.

People claim this as the best Fantasy series of all time. Doesn't it sound tempting?

Definitely gonna check this one as soon as possible. Hopefully next month. If I was lucky enough, I could get the box set!




7. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey


It's about time!
I've been dying to read this one and getting on with the series. The second book, The Infinite Sea is going to be released later this September.

The paperback price is insanely expensive and the hardcover is even more expensive. That's the main reason I've been reluctant to buy it and instead buying other books.

There's no more turning back this time. I'll definitely getting this book either next month or maybe on June (Since I have to get City of Heavenly Fire and The One, I don't think I'll have enough money to buy this anymore)

This is on my top to-be-read list.



That's a wrap! I have lots of books waiting to be read on my shelves. I can't wait to read all of them and get new books next month.
Tell me what's your most anticipated books. Simply leave a comment on the comment section below. I'd love to hear your thought!

Thanks for reading.

Chloë Grace Moretz, an actress that is well known for her role in Kick-Ass and Carrie, is coming back again for the upcoming book to movie adaptation, The 5th Wave.
The 5th Wave is a book written by Rick Yancey. The book community has been raving about this book for so long and I haven't yet read it!

Moretz will be playing as Cassie, the main character in the book. There hasn't yet any news about other cast but having Moretz on board is already exciting for everyone.

The news was confirmed right after her new upcoming movie trailer, "If I Stay" was released.
I guess she's a book to movie adaptation diva now! After her brilliant acting in Carrie, which is adapted from the book with the same title by Stephen King, she's going back hitting the cinema in another book to movie adaptation this year, If I Stay, adapted from the book by Gayle Forman.




I love Moretz and the trailer for If I Stay looks absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to get my hand all over The 5th Wave. She will be magnificent in the movie. Let's have our finger crossed for another amazing cast for this movie and hopefully they won't ruin the movie like they did with City of Bones.

The second book of the series, The Infinite Sea will be released later in September this year. If you haven't read the book, just like me, we're better to get the book as soon as possible so we can rave about the movie with others who have.

While we're waiting for another news of The 5th Wave movie, go ahead watch the trailer of If I Stay.

PANIC
By: Lauren Oliver
Release Date: March, 4th 2014
Publisher: Harper Collins

Carp, a small city located in New York with only 12,000 people, is like a big cage for everyone.
It's summer and there's nothing to do. So there's Panic. No one really knows how it began.

Panic is a game where you put your life on the stake to win a pot worth $50,000 that can put an end to your miserable and boring life in Carp. This year, the price is bigger; $67,000 and the stake is even higher.

Heather is one of the contestant, alongside with her best friend, Nat. There's also this guy named Dodge. He's not the popular guy in high school, but he's determined to join Panic. He has purpose. He has his own secret and he's not planning on telling anyone or let the other contestants ruin his own plan to get into the final stage of Panic.

I guess that sums it up.
If you read the synopsis, you could misunderstood this book as the next The Hunger Games in contemporary version. Believe me, it's not.
Sure this is a book about a survival game with a huge prize, but it's no Hunger Games.

This is my first Lauren Oliver's book and need to admit, I'm impressed. Lots of saying that her writing style is good and I believe it's true. Panic is in third person writing style and divided into two plot lines. I really like the whole concept of the writing. It gives me different perspectives on the characters.

The premise of this book is really good. I love the feeling of the high school-ish in this book. Remind me everything sweet from my high school moments.
The fact that this is a stand alone novel, I got to say Lauren Oliver did a great job.

The pacing was okay. I find it neither slow nor fast. Just the right speed.
I really love how the game and the process of it described. It gave me the right amount of suspense and tension. Most of the time, I just couldn't stop moving because I felt so anxious. I was totally sucked into the story. I  was going all, "NO DON'T DO THAT DON'T!", "SHOOT! IS IT FOR REAL?", and "BE CAREFUL, HEATHER!"

What really disappointed me was the plot. The whole plot of this book was predictable. Every twist and turn in this book wasn't working really well. Lauren Oliver thought she was throwing a huge nuclear bomb but really it didn't affect anything. The explosion wasn't big enough.

What really bugged me was the characters. The whole characters in this book were all disappointing. They were all boring and cliche. I was expecting more from Lauren Oliver. I felt so disconnected from the characters.

The main character, Heather, is like this beautiful blonde girl who just got dumped by her boyfriend and becoming this whining little bitch. I feel totally disconnected from her. I kept expecting she would get better as the book went on, but though she was indeed getting better, I still had no empathy for her.

My top hated character goes to Nat. Is she taken from that antagonist character in a shitty teenager movie? Seriously..... Like why is she even in this book? She's so cliche and boring. Not to mention, a total bitch. Just a big no!

Among other characters, I was clinging to Dodge. He was okay. As a character, he was the most determined. Though sometimes he's acting a little bit annoying and I just wanted to punch him, he was the better one.

I don't want to start about how the love story goes. It sucked. Like the worst kind of suck love story. Period.

Overall, it was quite enjoyable. Not the best, but it was an easy and fast read. I won't really recommend this book if you're looking for something good, but give it a try for a simple and easy read.
If you've read it, tell me about how you feel about this book.
For me, it's only worth 3 out of 5 stars. Mostly because the dull characters. *sigh*