The Book of Forbidden Feelings

Judul: The Book of Forbidden Feelings
Penulis: Lala Bohang
Penerbit: Gramedia
Terbit: 2016
Tebal: 152 halaman

I wanted to say, "I would love to know your obsessions, Is it landed house, gadgets, power, domestic life, succulent plants, achievements, money, work, more likes and followers, health, validations, sex, organic food, pets, perfect selfies, children, sports, religion, relationship, minimalism, perfection, muscles, urban toys, shoes, traveling, or fame?" but nobody is prepared for that kind of question on a first date. So I said, "You look great."

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Sudah lumayan lama mengincar buku ini. Pertama kali sentuh di Gramedia GI, kala itu dibuat tidak beranjak. Jangan mudah tertipu dengan covernya yang biasa saja. Hanya perlu waktu sebentar membaca buku ini, meresapinya yang lama. I finally bought this book during the Gramedia.com's harbolnas promotion last year.

"You’re the kind of love that
I always avoid." - page 13

It is a poetry book with the illustrations. The poems are deep and honest, but also dark and depressing. The poems use simple diction, yet complicated and meaningful.

"Mixed feeling is something you can't really explain but you know exactly how it feels. It's something interesting but you don't know exactly what the ingredients are. Pretty similar to the uneventful taste of that ugly green healthy juice." - page 16

It is a book that says a lot about what's going inside your head but you're too afraid to admit it. It will makes you contemplate.

"I want to grow up but my soul
doesn't seem to be very excited about it." - page 35

The book offers a different perspective. We as readers maybe can understand the poems better when looking at the illustrations. The illustrations are weirdly beautiful.

“Be extremely selective about which memories you want to keep.” - page 106