Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Review: Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard


 I don’t give out 5 stars lightly.

Wanderlove deserves every bit and pieces of the five stars. I love, love the book. Enchanting, this book will make you smile when you’ve finished the last line. Sometimes, there’s just a book you can identify yourself easily, like the moment when you’re reading and you’re thinking:
Gosh, this is so me. Story of my life.

It all begins with a question and follows up with a crazy idea.
Are you a Global Vagabond? Bria, dumped by his ex-boyfriend and lost her purpose in life, decided that she will prove her friends that she can travel alone in a foreign country. She signed up to be a Global Vagabond. Her destination: Central America! Exotic places, beautiful Mayan ruin, and cool strangers! Who cares about things like ex-boyfriend, art school, or clueless parents!

It’s her first day in Guatemala City and it seems like things have gone wrong already. Her traveler companions are way older than her, and they don’t seem to take interest in Guatemala’s scenery. Her camera is stolen in the Guatemala market. And, worst of all, she doesn’t feel any different than when she was in California. But everything starts to change… when she meets Rowan, the experienced backpacker. Their short encounter leads to three weeks backpacking, where they learn about dependence and honesty… and most importantly, moving on from their haunting past.


Bria is a wonderful character, and I like her very much. She’s smart and she can be cynical sometimes, but it’s really easy to connect to her character. She doesn’t want to lose and she jumps to conclusion quickly, but throughout the book, her character is greatly improved. You can tell that this traveling makes her more mature. I also love Rowan. He’s really cute, especially when he feels guilty to Bria. All you want to do is just holding his hands and get on the hammock with him. Yeah, there really is a hammock in this book where you can see stars blinking at you! That’s easily one of my favorite parts in this book.


The story flows smoothly, and it seems so real. You can’t question the plot in this book. There are beautiful drawings created by the author herself in this book, and it’s much easier to imagine characters in Wanderlove. Like a teenager, I squeaked and gasped in delight whenever Bria and Rowan is doing gestures that imply more than their platonic relationship.


This book makes me want to grab my backpack and catch a plane to Central America. I’m not exactly a backpacker girl, in truth I’m too fond of shower and hand sanitizer. But this book makes me want to drink
licuado in a café in Guatemala, try diving, or attend a Lobsterfest in an exotic island.

Definitely a recommendation for anyone who is suffering from wanderlust, I hope that this book can be your temporary cure! This book is also for anyone who loves reading amazing book with enchanting and beautiful story: you really should check out this book!
 

Maybe I’m doing the same thing right now, this very minute—just escaping by plane, chicken bus, and boat instead of by car. Maybe I’ve been a Wanderlove wannabe all along, without ever knowing it existed.

I rate this book: 

Five cups of tea! Genius. Beautiful, haunting, and lively characters. Reading this is an overwhelming experience. Must read at least once in a lifetime!

14 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, I don't think a book has ever sounded so perfect for me -- and I haven't even picked it up yet!! My favourite kind of books are the ones that have those little things you can connect with instantly, and I love that this is one of those books. :) I love that Bria grows, and that the story is smooth, and that it makes you want to backpack with her!

    I don't think the words "Beautiful review!" are enough to describe how amazing your thoughts on this were, Hilda! And your last line made me fall in love with it even more -- I think we all might be Wanderloves right now too. Thanks so much for helping me realize it! :) <3 Definitely picking this book up!

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    1. Aww, thank you so much, Mimi! I really hope that you'll pick up this book soon, because this book is simply AMAZING! I know that just like me, you'll fall in love with Bria and Rowan's story! Really hope to read your beautiful review of this book soon! <3

      I've been seriously afflicted with wanderlust, and after reading this book, the feeling just get worse! It would be awesome if someday I can visit Central America and experience Bria's feeling! I guess everyone who just recently finish reading this book experiencing the same feeling like mine! :)

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  2. I've been seeing some really lovely reviews for this book and yours is no exception! I wasn't really interested in this book but after all this, I definitely am. It sounds like such a wonderful book and I love that it feels real. I am definitely suffering from wanderlust (I want to visit ALL THE COUNTRIES!) so this book seems like the perfect escape! ♥

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    1. Thanks, Elena! I hope you'll check out this book because it's definitely worth a read! I also love books that seem real, because they give stronger effect after reading! :) Ooh, and I LOVE it that you admitted to be afflicted by wanderlust! It'd be beyond amazing to visit all the countries and seeing their customs! Finger crossed! <3

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  3. Beautiful review, Hilda! I loved reading this - you make me want to grab a copy of this book ASAP. You're actually not the first person to be blown away by this book - it seems to be getting some wonderful reviews around the blogosphere - and that definitely makes me more eager to try it out. :)

    By the way, I love your comment about the shower and hand sanitizer - that is SO me, too! ;)

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    1. Thank you, Sam! I hope that you'll end up falling in love with this book too! I notice that the average rating for this book is 4/5 stars, and I'm so glad that this book lives up to its awesome reputation! :)

      LOL, it's amazing that you also appreciate personal hygiene as much as me, Sam! I'm always a bit of a clean freak! :D

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  4. Hi Hilda,
    Thank you so much for commenting! I'm thrilled you liked my review of Fury and hope you like the book yourself!
    Romi.x

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    1. Your review of Fury is awesome, Romi! I'm so intrigued to check out the book now! <3

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  5. I have been completely obsessed with traveling lately. Not that I've actually gone anywhere... but I've been thinking about how much I want to get out there and see the world! You could definitely say I'm suffering from Wanderlust! This book sounds like the perfect cure =)

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    1. I agree, Amanda, the idea of getting out to somewhere far is fantastic. I also dream to see the world, I know there are many I haven't seen and I plan to someday! <3 I hope you'll love this book too, and be as inspired as me to travel the world! :)

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  6. Lovely review, Hilda! My co-blogger Lisa really loved this book too. I myself get panic attacks every time I even think about backpacking. It's not something I, as a germophobe, could ever ever do. It's safe to say that I'm too fond of showers and hand sanitizers as well. :)

    Maybe reading this book would be an excellent solution, a way to experience at least some of it.

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    1. Thanks, Maja! I love traveling-based books, but like you, I'm always a little nervous in the thought of backpacking! I don't even know whether I can do that, but it'd be fantastic if someday we can sacrifice the shower and leap into dirty backpack! I don't see that it'd happen soon though LOL! :D

      I can't wait to read your thoughts in this book, Maja! I really hope you'll love it! :)

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  7. Every time that I read a great review for Wanderlove, I feel a little bit guilty. It just wasn't so much my thing, but I am super glad to hear that you fell in love with the book. It does have some amazing qualities. I guess I am just not the traveler type.
    -FABR Steph@FiveAlarmBookReviews

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    1. Too bad that this book doesn't work for you, Steph! I agree that not everyone are born to be a traveler, I'm not sure that I'm a traveler type either. I'm more into traveler in style LOL! :)

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