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Week 18: Philippine Literature/Novels

Good evening, readers!

So as what I’ve said last time, I’ll post regarding the Philippine literature books since I don’t usually include it here in my blog. Okay, I made a list of to-read books

 (Philippine literature or novels hehe).

To-read books:

1. SI by Bob Ong - 

This book cost for 180 php if I’m not mistaken, and actually I don’t know why it is hard for me to find this on bookstores! I guess it is because I’m always on Calamba (hahaha) I should not expect that much from those bookstores… I know we’re always late rather than those bookstores in Manila.

I heard it’s good and I badly want to read this after finals! I hope I can get or find this one in NBS Calamba. J

2. Paano ba 'to? - Bianca Gonsalez

 I seriously want to read this book! My idol, Bianca Gonzales, wrote it!!!! And this will talk about the stages of growing up. I also want to have those cute little stickers as a freebie for the book. However, I always asked those saleslady if they have already !

3. Stupid is Forever - Miriam Defensor Santiago

I already have this book! Given by a close friend in college, I’m so excited to read this book. Maybe this coming summer? But my best friend didn't like it after all, she said that it was full of jokes, banats and other stories.  

Week 17: TFIOS

Good evening, readers! So earlier, I was thinking what book should I will discuss or talk about. Hmmm, first I realized that I don’t usually post Philippine literature or Philippine novel books. And it makes me feel so terrible *hehehe* the fact that I also have books written by popular Filipino writers. I’ll blog about it next week!

 I almost forgot that this book, The Fault in Our Stars, was the first book that literally made me cry! I just borrowed that book from a friend and read the last part in e-book. It’s been a week before I let myself out and forget about the tragedy between Gus and Hazel. But, of course someone will always contradict your wants and feels. Of course, my sister will always be the one who’ll do that haha.

 

The words and the concept of the story are really odd since I haven’t read books before in which the characters were both ill and became lovers at the same time. For me, the highlight of this story will be the trip to Amsterdam and the eulogy of Hazel and their friend Isaac!

“Augustus Waters was a self-aggrandizing bastard. But we forgive him. We forgive him not because he had a heart as figuratively good as his literal one sucked, or because he knew more about how to hold a cigarette than any nonsmoker in history, or because he got eighteen years when he should've gotten more."

"Seventeen," Gus corrected.

"I'm assuming you've got some time, you interrupting bastard.

"I'm telling you," Isaac continued, "Augustus Waters talked so much that he'd interrupt you at his own funeral. And he was pretentious: Sweet Jesus Christ, that kid never took a piss without pondering the abundant metaphorical resonances of human waste production. And he was vain: I do not believe I have ever met a more physically attractive person who was more acutely aware of his own physical attractiveness.

"But I will say this: When the scientists of the future show up at my house with robot eyes and they tell me to try them on, I will tell the scientists to screw off, because I do not want to see a world without him." [...]

"And then, having made my rhetorical point, I will put my robot eyes on, because I mean, with robot eyes you can probably see through girls’ shirts and stuff. Augustus, my friend, Godspeed." 

It was so hard reading a eulogy for a friend that is still alive… listening to your words subsists from his.  That part really made me cry so hard that I can’t even breathe. I’m not exaggerating haha! But, that’s the way I feel during that time. And it made me realize that books are somehow better than movies. Well, I watched TFIOS in big screen and it’s not the same in terms of the feels you’ll judge from reading and watching. I don’t know maybe that’s the way it is.

Week 16: Books I want to buy!!! ☺

Hello there readers! So, I just want to share the list of books that I wanna buy and wish to have for the whole year *wooooh*. I haven’t quiet reading these past few days since we’re doing our research and other requirements for school soooo yeah I’ll just blog about the books that I’m eager to have.

1. Miss Peregrines's Home For Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs

Okay, first and foremost… I’m not a fan of horror or thriller genre especially in movies since I’m afraid of ghosts and other stories regarding creepy stuff. But, this book will be exceptional if someone will definitely buy this for me! Hahaha but okay I’m not expecting that someone will give this so maybe I’ll just limit myself from buying different things because this one is kinda pricey. Aside from that, I also saw one translation of this book in which much appealing to me since it’s colored and in comic style. AND YESSSSS ITS REAAAALLY REALLLYYYY EXPENSIVE…… ☹☹☹

 2. P.S. I Still Love You - Jenny Han

One of the books that I will surely buy!!! I just really can’t wait for this book to be published. The expected publication will be on May 2015!!!!!!! Okay, this is the second book of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series… I’m so excited to read and endure the presence of Peter Kavinsky! I hope that Jeny Han will provide letters by Lara Jean. I don’t know, I just love how the story comes along.

3. The Heir - Kiera Cass

No matter what happen… I will always love Kiera Cass for writing these series. This series really captured my heart!!!! It sounds corny and awful but I’m fangirling every time I read her works. And of course, I will always be Team Maxon! But this story is far different from the other series since this book will be their children’s point of view!! This will be published on May 5, 2015!!! How cool is that? J I’m willing to wait and reserve my allowance just for this! I wish Kiera Cass will visit Philippines again. ❤❤❤❤

That’s the top 3 books that I wish I have!!! And I really can’t wait for the time wherein I’m personally touching and sniffing the smell of new books. Below are the books that I want to read for the whole year! :)

Photo Credits: goodreads.com

You can follow me on goodreads.com for updates! We can share our different fave books there. ❤

Week 15: Instant Teen

Rating:

Author: Haruka Fukushima 

Published: December 7, 2004

Publisher: Tokyopop

Meet Natsumi Kawashima, a homely fifth grader with a craving for curves of her own. One day, after eating a packet of mysterious pink nuts, her wish comes true and she is transformed into a beautiful, sexy woman! Now endowed with a mind for recess and a body for supermodel glitz and glamour, will Natsumi find happiness or heartbreak as a result of her newfound adulthood and sudden legion of fawning admirers?

Review:

I find this manga book so cute and funny! *Hahaha* though I wish Natsumi should enjoy being young… isn’t it astounding if you’ll just see yourself grow each day and never be impatient for you to grow old.

For me, life is about seeking different things for yourself that will make you a better person. There’s no rushing for things like this. One day, this will all happen! You’ll get the curves that you want… the happiness for your own self. The idea of knowing that someday I know I’m a better person because through the circumstances that happens for you during this time will be the foundation for the future.

And I just really don’t see why 5^th graders like her wants to grow up so fast. As what I can see, this is also the reality banging today! Some young teens already want to grow old by wearing heavy make ups, they also want to have a boyfriend (though they really don’t get what does it mean *in my own thoughts hehe*) it’s just getting more not particular that these young people should enjoy for the things that they have right now.  

For the conclusion, teens like Natsumi should learn to be content in every way. Things are not that slow, they should not rush things. And for the mean time, they should just enjoy the things around them and be thankful for what they have.

Week 14: E-book or Physical Book?

Hello there, readers! I just want to share my opinion about choosing between e-book and physical book. Since I’m still currently reading books and I also want to share something about my preference about this sooooooo I randomly typed this blog post to sum up my blog and formulate my thoughts aside from book reviews and such. ((((And I also included some of my books that were placed here in my room.))))

The question is “Which kind of medium do you prefer for reading books?”

For me, I’ll always say that I prefer physical book or the original copy of the book because it’s kind of hard for me to read on android phones or tablets because of the radiation.

(some of my books)

My eyes were easily irritated and will definitely turn red. And also, I liked to collect books since I want to treasure the things that I know will make me happy. I call this as a self-therapy (happiness) by buying books, and if I’m really in need to read and escape from reality.

BUT, of course I can’t buy without extra money on hold! So sometimes I’ll just borrow from my friends (well, it just happens once in a blue moon because I don’t want to borrow things for a long time)!

Books-I-Own

 Also, a little quirky and weird thing about this thing is that I don’t have an android phone, *HAHAHAHA* which means that I can’t download some free pdfs from the internet.

How ‘bout you guys? Which kind of book will you prefer? 

Week 13: To-read books (for the month of February)

This blog entry may be different from my other entries since I haven’t finished some of my books. So I’m sharing you my to-read books for the month of February! J

1.      .  An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

So I borrowed this book from a friend last week. He mentioned that it was good. I heard that there’s a lot of Katherines here or specifically the names of the girls were all Katherine. Also, some of my friends say that it’s kind of dull? But I guess I should read this first since I know we all have different perspectives and views for different books soooo yeap maybe after our survey research I’ll read this book.

2.       . Falling into Places by Amy Zhang

I already read the first chapter of this book and I want to read this at home. *Haha* Idk I just feel reading some suicidal story at home rather than in different places. By the way, I got this book from my best friend, it’s her Christmas gift for me last December 2014 and she told me that this was literally depressing. So sometimes I read the last part of the book to know what will happen at the end. It’s all about a suicidal experience of a teen. And I really adore the author on how she laid those hotlines and addresses if the readers encounter suicidal people.

3.       . Divergent by Veronica Roth

My younger sister bought this for me as her 18^th gift! And I am really excited to read this series. Well, I already watched the movie but of course I want to read it too. By the end of February, I heard that they will release the second movie or the book adaptation of Insurgent! In a way I can literally vary the difference between the movie and its book but I know I should not condemn on that because it is really a different aspect pertaining to unlike medium.

Well maybe some of you already read the books I've mentioned! You can share your insights and tell something about it!

Week 12: To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Rating:

Author: Jenny Han

Published: April 15, 2014

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

Review:

Waittttttttttt! It’s really hard of me to make a very fine book review for this because I really love Jenny Han for writing this book! I pity myself for reading this behind. I don’t know but maybe for you this is not that great but yes maybe this book review will be biased *haha* since I certainly adore the characters and how the story keep going.

Somehow I really relate in some instances, way back in high school I used to write love letters for the one I care the most. However, I literally give it to them but Lara Jean kept it on that tortoise hat. In my case I just think that if I’ll leave it around my room my siblings will definitely tease me for the whole time and make fun of me.

So I do love Peter K. for Lara Jean, they really have this ‘chemistry’ as a couple! Gahh sometimes I’m imagining myself as Lara Jean and be loved by this man *hahaha okay*. And Josh, Margot’s ex-boyfriend (Lara Jean’s Sister) is really annoying… how can he love two ladies when they’re biologically sisters?!!! Though they’re already broken up it’s not the reason to fall in love with Lara Jean.

The story is appropriate for those who’re hopelessly romantic and maybe that’s the reason why I hooked up to this book! I’m looking forward for the next book, “P.S. I Still Love You”!!!! I don’t know but I wish this book will never end hahaha.

(c) booksavvyblog.blogspot.com

Week 11: The One #4

“The best people all have some kind of scar.” 

Rating:

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

Review:

The final wait is over!!! Seriously, I really adore and got attached with these series. I wonder when I will forget about Maxon and America. Sometimes I see myself as the lead role for America (hahahaha) just fantasizing some things. But I don’t want to be biased by reviewing this book (although I really loved loved these series…).

In some chapters of the story you’ll wonder the attitude of Celeste for America and as what I can see this will be a great movie if they’ll make an adaptation of it BUT part of me really don’t like it hahaha since I want these books to be my own favourite series and I know that I’m being a selfish brat about it!

The rebels who attacked at the last part of some chapters was kind of depressing, the King and Queen just literally died and Maxon with America survived… I don’t think about it that much but things just come so fast for that specific chapter. Also, the Maxon and America confrontation about their deepest secrets regarding their lives makes me feel “UGH” and thought that they will not be together after that.

Okay so I adore Aspen (America’s Ex-boyfriend) for accepting the reality and respect America’s choices for choosing Maxon over him. It’s been a tough decision joining your ex’s wedding and walks with her in the aisle.

And lastly, at the back page of the book you’ll guess that there’s another sequel or fourth book for this series!!!! “This isn’t happiliy ever after. It’s so much more than that.” The eagerness for you to read your favourite series will definitely give you the feels that every reader has.

The One official book trailer! (credits to the owner: Stella Whelan) 

***
If you want to read more about The Selection Series you can visit Kiera Cass' website http://www.kieracass.com/ for more information and updates regarding this story. And yes, on May 2015, The Heir will be published!!!!!!!!!! 

Week 10: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Rating:

Author: Jenny Han
Published: May 5, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books


         Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

Review:

(First and foremost, I'm still reading this book and I really don't know if I'll continue it since part of me didn't usually get the idea of this lead character named Belly... and I just borrowed this book from a friend. *Hi Abby!* Also, I dunno if I can finish this book because *HELLO MIDTERMS AGAIN* but of course I'll try my best to update my blog)

I understand why this story come up to become more lightly to read since the lead character, Belly, is still young. Well as what I observed in the first part of the story, I noticed that she’s still in the process of enjoying her teenage life much more if its summer. She was getting along with her friends Jeremiah and Conrad (they’re bros for real), **********incomplete (cos it's getting late and im so sleepy huhu) 

Week 9: The Elite #2

Rating:

Author: Kiera Cass
Published: April 23, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen 

The Selection began with thirty-five girls. Now, with the group narrowed down to the Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever--and America is still struggling to decide where her own heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen, who she always thought was the one?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want--and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.

Review:

I just really can’t explain how I truly love these series! I already read these series last year and I’m planning to re-read again since we all know that it has different impact on us for the second time around.

The reason why I adore America Singer is because she’s really willing to fight for her love ones. Especially her family plus… Maxon! Going back to the first book of this series, they were 35 girls who came to the palace; but now only 6 remain. And America Singer is the only “five” among the rest.

Honestly, I also like the hand written letters sent by their families from their hometowns to the palace. It’s just very sweet; especially her father’s letters to keep her perfectly delighted knowing that this is a big competition for her. The souls of each word written in those letters keep America elated.

However, in some parts of the stories I certainly go annoyed by the rebels attack to the palace. But since its part of the story (or maybe just an addition twist) the transition of the story comes with full of revelation in each setting of the story. In addition the love triangle thingy for Aspen, Maxon and America really pisses me off but nah let's just forget those sequence.

“You’re going to need to learn to hold your tongue. If not, you and I will be enemies. Trust me when I say that you do not want to be my enemy.” (The King said to America at the last part of the story)

You’ll see that the king thinks that America was a big threat on how she speaks during the report. At first they all thought that America will now leave, but this is just the beginning… 

You can check the video below, to get the gist of the story. (Though I’m not into K-POP artists, I find this video interesting and really relevant to this book). 

(credits: Nikayla S) 

Week 8: A Year in High Heels

From rocking red shoes in summer to perfecting your postholiday thank-you notes, A Year in High Heels is the ultimate style guide for all fashion-forward females. Fashion journalist and bestselling author Camilla Morton has gathered together an eclectic collection of inspiring suggestions, sensible advice, and surprising how-tos to guide every glamour girl through the year—with witty, smart, and fun tips on how to walk the red carpet, curate an exhibition, blog your way to fame, spice up your public speaking, and make even the mundane magical.

Gisele Bündchen, Diane von Furstenberg, Matthew Williamson, and other fashion icons share secret tips on where to find inspiration; while Dita Von Teese, Anya Hindmarch, and Christian Lacroix explain how to tease, how to go green, and how to appreciate opera. Filled with unique challenges and infinitely fun ideas, this is the guide to a guaranteed extraordinary year! 

Author: Camilla Morton

Published: November 11, 2008

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton 

 Ratings:

Review:

I bought this book last year, since the cover of the book really mesmerized my eyes. I randomly pull it from the bookshelf because my father was in a hurry to pay in the cashier during that time. And yes, when I look directly to the cover it was not a fiction novel book. A Year in High Heels is about your guide for the whole year regarding the different content of the book.

Of course I still don’t finish this book yet, because I only started reading this last week; and this book has dates and months to guide or advice you up. And it was really fun to read this; the way Camilla Morton writes this amusing guide that also includes her chosen quotes for the readers and information about different events, history and such.

But on the other hand, I know part of me would not literally “fall in love” with this book, since I’m not really into fashion. And as I skim the pages of this book, most of the content was really about “the girly stuff”. Plus, the author also put different recipes that you can try on; those “How To *insert word here*” chapters; some stories related to each chapter; and the life of being a woman.

However, I know that this book will have an impact or the readers can definitely realize the things and instruction of Camilla Morton. That will give your determination to do something greater for the whole year!