Playster x Read and Caffeinated: What Type of Coffee Would Your Favorite Book Boyfriend Be?
By Brigida Alexandra - January 16, 2016
Hello readers! Happy 2016 =)
To start the year... well I know this is a bit late but coffee never goes outdated, so today Read and Caffeinated is excited for a post from Playster!
Like most readers, the staff here at Playsterlove to sit down with a nice cup of joe and a great book. With unlimited to access with some of the greatest titles, it’s easy to get lost in a story for hours. One afternoon while reading Wuthering Heights and sipping on a cappuccino, we got to thinking: if Heathcliff was a cup of coffee, what would he be? Then we started dreaming up all these other literary boyfriend/coffee combos. How do you feel about these?
To start the year... well I know this is a bit late but coffee never goes outdated, so today Read and Caffeinated is excited for a post from Playster!
Like most readers, the staff here at Playsterlove to sit down with a nice cup of joe and a great book. With unlimited to access with some of the greatest titles, it’s easy to get lost in a story for hours. One afternoon while reading Wuthering Heights and sipping on a cappuccino, we got to thinking: if Heathcliff was a cup of coffee, what would he be? Then we started dreaming up all these other literary boyfriend/coffee combos. How do you feel about these?
Christian Grey would be… an espresso lungo.
Mr. Grey, we want to drink you up, what with you being tall, dark and handsome and all that. You’re sophisticated, and being with you makes us look sophisticated too, but your bitter aftertaste makes us think twice about whether you’re really all that good for us.
Mr. Darcy would be… an affogato.
You know when you want something sweet, but not too sweet? Scoop yourself up some vanilla (that far superior) ice cream and pour some hot espresso over it. The blend of sweet and bitter flavors will leave you hooked, much like Mr. Darcy himself. Let’s be real for a second: Mr. Darcy didn’t make the best impression at first, and in that way he’s a lot like a black shot of espresso. But when you add sweet, cool ice cream to the mix, you’ve got yourself arguably the most delicious combo of all time…
Heathcliff would be… a macchiato.
Oh Heathcliff. You poor, dark, twisted soul. I mean, we still love you, but just a teeny tiny bit, like the same amount as the small dash of a milk in a macchiato coffee. The rest of you is too bitter to handle, and you’ll never be as soothing as a full blown café latte….but to be clear, at the end of the day, we’d still drink you up.
Noah Calhoun would be… a mocha.
Noah continues to be the best leading man Nicholas Sparks ever wrote, for many reasons. We could write whole books on why he’s perfect, but we’ll save that for another day. If he were turned into a cup of coffee, Noah would totally be a mocha, the best of chocolate and coffee combined—sweet, desirable and utterly flawless.
Romeo Montague would be… a café con leche.
Romeo, Romeo, what flavor art thy Romeo? You’re a café latte’s tortured older brother, of course: the infamous café con leche. Think about it: you want a nice warm cup of milk and coffee, warm enough to take that first sip as soon as it’s in your hands. Instead you get a café con leche with scalding hot milk and BAM! You’ve burnt your tongue. No one said loving Romeo was easy; just look at poor Juliet...
Peeta Mellark would be… a cappuccino.
Poor, sweet Peeta has experienced enough hardship in his life already, so we’re not going to transform him into a coffee. Instead, after the revolution has ended, we like to imagine him finally getting the chance to sit down with a nice Cappuccino (complete with Mockingjay foam art) and a fresh-baked croissant—made with his own strong hands, of course. ;)
Jay Gatsby would be… an americano.
The Great Gatsby is the epitome of the rags to riches tale, albeit not in the most legal of ways. For that, we think Mr. Gatsby would be an americano. You order an americano when you want an espresso but aren’t ready to deal with a sophisticated shot. Add some hot water to the mix and make it last a little longer, kind of like how Gatsby holds on to his past experiences with Daisy when he knows in his heart that they can’t really be carried forward into the present. Can you tell how serious we are about coffee yet?
So, who’s your favorite literary man? Does he match up with your regular coffee order? Let us know in the comments!
Check Out Playster!
Playster is an on-demand entertainment service that takes care of everything: books, movies, music, games, whatever the moment calls for. Boasting the world’s most diverse digital collection, Playster offers everything from timeless classics to the newest blockbusters, on almost any device. Members get all their favorite things in one place, with unlimited access to titles from the world’s largest publishers, labels, movie and game studios, as well as specific niches and hidden gems. Constantly evolving with new content and features, Playster is the future of entertainment. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
It was 07.55 when I tapped my ID card at work. I usually arrive early. Yes, early. I'm working in an agency where people could arrive at least 10am, yet they would spend quite late at work.
Anyway, nothing was suspicious.
Not until a shocking gigantic sound came to our ears a few hours later. Funny, I've been the one who's always worried with such sound in the office, fear might it be a bomb. Previously, in my one and a half month working in that office, it was whether sound of thunder or something from the construction area nearby. That morning, my colleague also thought it was thunder! But we realized, the sky was clear.
I didn't move until somebody said it was a bomb a few seconds after. The first explosion. We ran towards the window but the smoke was gone. Everything was ok. The person who said he saw an explosion suddenly wasn't sure of what he just saw. We sat back at our seats and the second explosion burst out. There, we started to worry. We ran back to the window yet everything down there seemed to be normal, seen from 26th floor.
The people around the Sarinah wasn't running away, freaking out or something. Like everything was normal. So I thought, maybe it might be an explosion from Burger King's kitchen, despite my colleague said that the explosion he saw was in front of Starbucks. And then I thought again, if it was indeed a blow from the kitchen... how could the sound break so loud?
I took my time to type fast on Path when my colleague tried to search the news about it. That explosion was brand new, of course there's nothing about it on the net. No one answered me on Path for some time.
Some colleagues started wondering, asking someone to find out. I made a few steps back from the window, just right before the third explosion came visible to my eyes.
I screamed.
That's it. I usually don't scream, but shits in my head defended themselves to let out. I remembered someone yelled out to evacuate. I ran to my desk, packed everything quickly while telling my friends not to forget everything behind at work. When we were getting closer to the door, one of the bosses said to me, "Stay inside, it's happening down there, you'd better stay inside. There's a shooting downstairs, you don't wanna go down."
Some people were already near the elevators, I screamed asking them to come back inside. I didn't hear anything but the explosions, so I was shocked too that there were shootings already.
So we stayed. We stayed altogether in one point. The building management officer spoke out an announcement, saying that we should stay inside. Let's say, we're trapped in the office.
Definitely, it was ISIS. Or their previous look-alikes: JI, Al-Qaeda, HT and all. Yet, some part of me still hoped that it could only be a drill. It wasn't. My journo friend said that it was a terrorist attack. Confirmed.
I told my friends about it and the news came up.
We went to the restroom together, and the fourth explosion came. That was nightmare. Suddenly I felt like I lived in Iran or Syria. The big main streets with the coolest places and skyscrapers in the city turned into war zone. As it has been the fourth one, we thought there would be more and we didn't know where. Our office building could be next. And we couldn't leave.
All I cared was I needed to tell my family that I was okay so they wouldn't be worried. I hate it when they worried. My mom was sick since last week, she's not feeling that well. I was afraid this news might frighten her and trigger her pain. I made the call, trying not to panic so I would sound convincing enough that I was okay. I wasn't. My hands were all trembling when I made those calls.
My XL was dead. Kinda hard to made a call straight from my cellphone. I also rushed to contact my brother and sis-in-law who worked in Thamrin, too, with land phone on the desk. I cancelled my meetings and stayed calm.
After calling my mom, another explosion. The fifth. I didn't take the time to get closer to the window to look. The sixth...
Hours there of despair. I wasn't afraid if I have to die on that day. But I was afraid if I might get hurt... living and keep remembering the public distraction of an on-going issue. Just because of it, people died. Innocent ones. Of course, I didn't count the terrorist who died during the attack. Let them be.
Looking for the bigger picture... The spin doctors made a huge success with a handful of ammunition for the day: The hashtags people debated (instead of spreading the right information and verifying the rumors), the public watch on the spot, and the fashionable cops.
People also compared the incident with the one in Paris. Definitely not the same. Indo were debating Indonesians posting 'Pray for Paris' and the French flag applied on their profile pic when it all happened, which for me, it's something normal. As I see it as a way to deliver condolences despite the distance Indo and France had. But this is Jakarta. These peeps are in the same city. And they're debating the hashtags while I was burning my head in composing the plan to escape. I just wanted to be at home.
The incident left me curious.
How on earth it could happen...
How people dare to do this, letting some people who know nothing to die intentionally just to cover things up. I noticed a few illogical clues. I'm writing this, not in the mood to accuse. However, I was surprised on how many people ignore it and CHOOSE to get distracted, even worse, claiming the hero on wrong people and pointing it out as cynicism to be critical about this.
Some people who were consumed with such things... had less sympathy. Well, I can't blame them. I can't blame them for not being there and realizing the absurdities. Instead, they would love to joke (or brag) on 'bravery' of civilians who enjoyed the violent drama, live...only a few steps away.
Anyway, at least I know who were truly cared about me on that day. People who had me on their mind when the incident made the headlines. Thank you! I'm deeply touched. It's always nice to know that people care.
As a person who work in Communication industry and taking classes on Terrorism Studies, I am sure this incident is definitely a set-up. It had been practiced many times previously. By who? Just find the spin doctor....
And it made me realized, we're all Jon Snow. We know nothing.
Last but not least...
Dear Spin Doctor, whoever you are... Yeah, you won. But I'm not afraid. One day, I'll do the same thing to you.
On Prostitutions, On Self-Value, On Our Own Reality
By Brigida Alexandra - December 13, 2015
Speaking of... two (unimportant) girls were on media highlights last week. Why? Some say, they're celebrities even though I didn't know them, and secondly they are also prostitutes. Thirdly, is the most important, they were caught red handed by undercover police for prostituting themselves in an expensive hotel.
Here's the thing that bugs me. Every prostitution case is on the rise, people will question on:1. The self-value of the girls who sell their bodies for sex.2. Even worse, the virginity... and how dirty such girls are.
Again, I will question only one thing. (1) Where are these kind of judgement for the guy who burn his money for prostitution?Yet, no matter what, there will 'supply' if there is 'demand'---the most righteous economy theory that won't ever fail, in my humble opinion.
Speaking of 'self-value', what makes us difference from those prostitutes?
(We) might put ourselves as slaves for our clients/employers despite how stingy they pay our intellectual works, compare to those girls who could easily stand up and say 'No' to any men who pay them sh*t.
Regardless of sinful act---oh well, everyday we make one(s). So what? What's your problem with theirs? They don't have problems with yours.
Your self-value is gone, when you let someone throw a sh*t on you just because they pay. And no matter often you let them, you won't earn hundreds of millions like Nikita M and friends. Ironic, isn't it?
And where are theirs? They have theirs, maybe. Because it's their choice. They do because they want to.Yes, I definitely prefer to speak up for them rather than for those who yell out loud praying but only bullshit in fact.
Oh, how judgmental me. We all do. So that's okay.
Probably, it isn't just about knowledge that Eve took the apple in Eden. There's more....
... what happens in my bedroom, stays in my bedroom...
Title: Re:
Author: Maman Suherman
Publications: April 2014
Pages: 150
Published by POP - KPG
Language: Indonesian
Rate: 4.5
I think I would not ever see that crossing into big mess could turn out into a blessing. Thanks to Maman Suherman who puts it that way. I mean, blessing in this case means... it doesn't keep you in the dark, instead it reminds you to be grateful. Especially when it comes to make you understand differences and to be tolerant on that. Something that most people fail to do.
My dear friend who works in a publishing company and I met in by coincidence. She has been one of my 'clients' in the film festival I worked for (and it's been my 5th year there). There was a book launch event, by an editor-in-chief whose magazine is under the same company as the magazine I worked for previously. I was still at 'THAT MALL' at the time. She told me about this book and might be great for the next event.
And yes, Re: became one of the books that I organized the event some time ago.
I had to read the book before I could proceed for the book event. What I went through until the last pages shocked me.
Firstly, a guy that is well-known as No Tulen in a local evening TV talkshow (which is my mom's favourite) had been a journalist for so long and had gone through this dark side of the city. Something I am always interested of, but never got a chance to be in.
So this book tells about a female prostitute with lesbian specialty. Yep, for female clients. Re, the main character besides the author himself, worked for Mami Lani, a pimp, who trapped her and some other girls too. One by one, prostitutes who work for her get killed in tragic ways. According to Re, their deaths were set-up. The story continues to the author's POV, thinking and re-thinking what he learned as he dug into Re's world for his thesis.
All the way through, Maman retold what he had been through, including a sex party that only members could get in that left him with scar on his face because one incident happened. He also shared this thoughts that turned the readers to see the kind of life from many angles and dimensions, leaving the judgmental motivation far behind.
Secondly, I can say, this is more than I have expected from this book. Really.
RE: has successfully captured the bigger picture of prostitution in Jakarta. Through fast-moving storytelling way, the author, in one special book event I organized some time ago, revealed that the reality left unwritten has more stories than the whole 160 pages in total.
Dragging the main character from victim to survivor, Maman takes the readers to see the story he observed for his thesis in many different aspects. Thanks to his ranging background---graduated from Criminology with Journalism experience! This 'trick', I think, helps many to flip their old thinking patterns towards women, especially on those who work as prostitute by taking a line between theory and truth. Twisting misogyny-minded assumption is something this society needs by mixing political and social cultural motives in.
If you're a CSI, Castle, Law and Order (especially SVU) fans, you would enjoy learning a few criminology theories. And if you have interest in gender studies, you might also like it.
Personally, I kinda have a connection. I mean, in a weird way. Because the hotel Maman wrote about, it's close to my school. I have spent 9 years seeing that school almost every morning.
On the other hand, somehow, it's just interesting to see the world most people see with disgust and hate, could affect more than everyone can imagine. And how this whole thing has something dear left for the author himself. Maman dig the humanity in the world most people would only condemn, yet adore in secret by some other, seeing the other unseen half of life told in Jakarta Undercover.
It's shocking, tearful, emotional and touche. Another jaw-dropping ending closed the story that held me back from sleeping for couple of nights. Then oh, I'm a tearjerker. Wondering and thinking. The complexity gives a lot to my mind. Re: also reminds us that life is tough battle (for everyone).
So probably, good night, Re.
Blissful Sunday - (INFOGRAPHICS) International Literacy Day
By Brigida Alexandra - September 12, 2015
It's never too late for something good!
Been busy for this week as I just finally started a new job and the film festival me and my friends have been doing for the past year has also begun at the same time. Wow, isn't it?
And yes, I would like to remind you who also missed the special day or you remember but probably don't know the what's going on the other side of the wall. It's International Literacy Day.
Do you ever imagine living without books? Without the ability to read? Grammarly shared an interesting fact to me into this amazing infographics.
We should be happy, I guess. Coz what? We can read! How world can be a different big thing with reading one awesome book?
So here are cool things you can do to celebrate International Literary Day (like I said, it's never too late, so don't just do it for celebrating this special day---DO IT ANYTIME YOU CAN):
- Support Schools/Education Program
- Schools in need... it's not always about money, poor building and facility condition. You can volunteer!
- In Indonesia, you can join programs like Kelas Inspirasi (Inspiration Class) where you can deliver stories of your amazing life and career so kids will get inspired to achieve more by dreaming bigger and higher, and of course, make it happen with education. There are also the fun Sahabat Anak and Indonesia Mengajar.
- Grammarly helps me to support to one of these wonderful organizations. Maybe (internationally), you can donate and support them: Reading is Fundamental, ProLiteracy, and First Book.
- Donate Books
- You can drop books directly to orphanage or SOS Village in your area. Some schools or district libraries maybe options for you. Even better (and easier), you can find some social media accounts who are organizing book charity. The more book available and accessible, people have more courage to learn to read/start reading/simply, read more.
- I know people are trying to emphasizing their brands with CSR program and all that sweet things... but the good thing is you can have the opportunity if you don't know where. You can always check where the charity programs are going to deliver the books you donate. Find the appropriate books for the readers, whether they're all underage kids or do they need more textbook for school or dictionary or encyclopedia. Psst... make sure it isn't scam.
- You can make an App/Campaign/anything
- Whether it's an app to help people donate books, or crowdfunding in the internet to rebuild a library. Help by promoting issues like this... it's also a nice big thing! Limitless.
If you have any other idea, let me know in comment box of this blogpost. That would mean a lot =)
After reaching half of the book, I said to myself, why am I reading this one?
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Title: Grey - As Told by Christian Grey
Author: E. L. James
Publications: First edition, June 2015
Pages: 559
Published by Vintage Books
Language: English
Rate: 3.5
As Fifty Shades trilogy has been a major brouhaha that generates big fame for the writer, E. L. James surely won't let the fans feeling done and enough with Anastasia's story. Well, people has heard it and some have bought it.
Yep... Grey: As Told by Christian Grey is on the bookstore and also on my bookshelf!
What's even better? I pre-ordered it. And it made me feel more awesome.
Christian Grey, like many of you have known before, is a super rich and young man who has predilection on BDSM lifestyle. On one interview he is willing to give, things start to get twisted. So is his life afterwards. He meets the girl-next-door type, Anastasia Steele, who comes to replace her roommate who happens to be sick. The rest of the story is a complete fairy tale with an unexpected ending.
The readers will be taken to the journey of knowing that lust and love are only divided by fine line. Along the way, it is unique impression we readers get that E. L. James has successfully relive people's hope on true love. Anyhow, the mix of secret past of the main characters, the narrating mind, and the grey area in one's feeling become the attractions that lead readers along the way to the end.
But, that was what happened to me when reading the Fifty Shades trilogy. Yes, all three. I have read all of them.
What about Grey? What so special about it when you actually know the ending already?
It's the same story, but narrating on Christian Grey's side. You'll know how the days are like for Christian. It tells more stuffs that answer Anastasia's confusions and assumptions she got in mind. Something that used to be left answered is finally opened up in Grey.
Anyway, I found this one rather boring. That's it. Like I have told you before in previous post (On My Tray: Back to Grey). I know this is strange. It could be something wrong with me, with my reading habit. I was so giddy when the book arrived at my desk, but it took quite some time for me to finally get in the end. Funny, I read all Fifty Shades books---yes, all three of them---for only 2 days maximum for each book.
In fact, after reaching half of the book, I said to myself, why am I reading this one?
The Fifty Shades trilogy puts you as Anastasia Steele, depends on how you might feel or read it. Somehow, the effect the I got after reading Fifty Shades is... that Christian Grey is a mysterious guy, of which the mystery itself is what pushes me reading the book, loving it---the story, the character, the whole thing and even makes me want to keep reading it again and again. I'm obsessed, I know, right? I'd prefer to keep things about him... a mystery.
For you who might be quite obsessed, differently obsessed, I mean, you might want to know more about Mr. Grey. In Grey, you'll know what he actually thinks of Anastasia---and at first, that makes me quite annoyed with him, you might have read a sneak peek of it at the end of Fifty Shades Freed---and all of his musings, nightmares and childhood memories. Including on how he remembers Leila, the character that appears on book two, Fifty Shades Darker.
Speaking of the writing style, it wasn't that different with the previous three. Although I can feel the writer has tried to bring masculinity in Grey, but it's just not there yet. For example, I've read so many lines belong to Anastasia in the previous trilogy and I also find Christian narrates the story in almost the same style. Like when he said, "She smells of Ana and apples and sex.". That one is just so Anastasia. Or, the writer deliberately puts it like that to depict the two characters think of each other the same way?
You'd probably enjoy it, or you don't. Can't say that much. I did enjoy, only... not that much.
Tell me what you think. I'm waiting.
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| Waiting, while I'm still dreaming of my Mr. Grey... |
