“Whatever is now covered up will be uncovered and every secret will be made known.” ― Melina Marchetta, Jellicoe Road

Unforgettable.

First time I heard about the book, I don’t have any idea what the book is all about (the synopsis is mediocre!) Oh, the irony of being an unforgettable book. Anyway, It’s been weeks since I finished Melina Marchetta’s Jellicoe Road and my heart is still heavy. I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s my first time to read a book like this:

It’s about a seventeen-year old girl name Taylor Markham. She started studying in a school in Jellicoe Road after her mother abandoned her when she was eleven. A stranger named Hannah picked her up in that 7-11 store and brought her to Jellicoe Road boarding school. She’s been living there for six years and became the leader of the underground community of the school that is involved in the territory war against the Townies and the Cadets. Everything is sort-of okay but one day, Hannah left. Taylor felt like everyone is leaving her and she’s eager to find out where is Hannah. With the help of Jonah Griggs, she found out the mystery of her past, her family, and Hannah.

At first, the book is confusing. So confusing that you want to give up the book. I heard many people commented that the first part of the book is really confusing but let me tell you this, it’s important. So don’t stop. Let me give you an idea about it: It’s about different houses (like the ones in colleges, fraternity houses) and underground territory wars. It sounds ridiculous because it is ridiculous, but it’s entertaining. Let me tell you again, don’t stop reading. 

Happy #TFIOS day!

John Green, the best-selling author of Looking For Alaska, Paper Towns, and Abundance of Katherines, released his fourth solo novel today, January 10, 2012. It has been making noise since Green announced the book in his Tumblr Blog last June 28, 2011.

Summary from Amazon:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

John Green fans has been following the TFIOS updates in Green’s Tumblr blog and even the signing of the 100K+++ pre-order books (from Amazon, B&N, and Book Depository) are video-taken! (I know, John Green has metal hands to sign them all!) It’s overwhelming that the fans support the new novel. Congratulations, John Green! Continue to write inspiring young adult novels.

Enjoy reading, guys! I have yet to wait for the local book store here in the Philippines to message me if the books has arrived in our shores. DFTBA!

Love, n. I’m not going to even try. —David Levithan, The Lover’s Dictionary

I don’t know what to say but I LOVE THIS BOOK. David Levithan, you never fail to amuse me. I am impressed on how he [Levithan] wrote this book! Very creative and unique to tell a story about an unnamed couple in a dictionary form (though it sort-of reminds me of Daniel Handler’s Adverbs).  The first time I saw this, I know I have to read this. I know this is something good and enjoyable. Something that I can relate. Something that will make me fall in love again (or be sad about it). This book is something about love and relationships, how can one be happy or be sad with it, the changes, the evil thing called expectations, pain over heartbreaks, the scary future, the decision to stay together or be better of without each each other.

It makes me happy but it makes me sad, too.  Some made me kilig (WHAT’S THE ENGLISH WORD FOR KILIG!!! Ineffable feeling? Giggle? Butterflies in the stomach? Shudder? What?) and reminisce memories with this certain guy I love. Those romantic gestures, sweet nothings, and random precious moments. Some made me oh, so sad. The most painful of them all is after all they’ve been through, they are still unsure if they’re going to be together in the end.

Anyway, this book is something you can just pick up right away, look for a random word, and read what the narrator had to say. Some say they can relate, some don’t, but I think anybody can relate to this book because I know there’s a little part of you that loved somebody *wink wink*

To those who haven’t read the book, let me give you some entries from the book:

basis, n.
There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you’re in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself. If the moment doesn’t pass, that’s it – you’re done.
And if the moment does pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it’s even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover’s face.

lover, n.
Oh, how I hated this word. So pretentious, like it was always being translated from the French. The tint and taint of illicit, illegitimate affections. Dictionary meaning: a person having a love affair. Impermanent. Unfamilial. Inextricably linked to sex.
I have never wanted a lover. In order to have a lover, I must go back to the root of the word. For I have never wanted a lover, but I have always wanted lover, and to be loved.
There is no word for the recipient of the love. There is only a word for the giver. There is the assumption that lovers come in pairs.
When I say, Be my lover, I don’t mean, Let’s have an affair. I don’t mean Sleep with me. I don’t mean, Be my secret.
I want us to go back to that root.
I want you to be the one who loves me.
I want to be the one who loves you.

See other reviews:

Monique of Bookish Little Me / Tina of One More Page

Happy New Year! (because I can’t think of a creative title!)

It’s the last day of 2011 here in the Philippines and I don’t know if I am ready to let go of 2011 (like I have a choice!) and meet 2012! Overall, 2011 is such a good year. There are times it sucked but good times outweighed it. If you remember my bookish new year’s resolution, I think I met some of them like:

• Being involved in my bookish community (Goodreads, yo!)
• Consistent in putting up book blog posts and had a good number of readers (Thank you, guys!)
• Read some books in my TBR (oh, yes, I did!)
• Read 68 books this year (I know! My goal is 70. I think I completed it if I count The Pillars of the Earth as 3 books but of course, that’s cheating!)
• And… my TBR doubled (don’t judge!)

In addition to that, I called 2011: The year of firsts and surprises. I have things achieved in 2011 that made my year this awesome and I am really thankful for. Here are some of the highlights of 2011:

• My first out-of-the -country trip with my mom: Singapore.

  

  I loved how free I am to roam the place alone, eat different cuisine (Laksa pasta and that Stingray what-you-call-it), Universal Studio Singapore, Marina Bay Sand, that book hunt I did, and the subway. I REALLY LOVE IT AND I AM GOING BACK TO VISIT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SINGAPORE.

• I work for the first time as a freelance writer for 9 months and still receiving loads of papers and articles to write—I love it because it makes me apply and practice writing stuff. I don’t call myself a writer yet. It doesn’t mean that I write for a living, it makes me a writer. Anyway, I am enjoying this!
• I remember the feeling of being a grown-up because I opened my own bank account, having my own ATM card with my name on it, and receive my salary from my writing gigs.
• I watched for the first time for free: Hillsong United Live in Manila with a special person.
• I worked as hospital nurse in a primary hospital in Las Pinas and I am proud of myself for working without pay and I learned a lot. I met new friends!
• Being part of the church ministry: YAMO
• I finally met my friends from Goodreads The Filipino Group and we had a couple of meet-ups within the year! I made new friends that will truly last. They are so awesome, you know? In addition to that, we, Filipino Book Bloggers, had the first ever Pinoy Reader Convention last September!
• I also work now as a company nurse reliever in Alabang and I am praying that I will be a regular employee next year!
• This one is quite funny but it is a big achievement for me: I wear girl clothes! I’ve been wearing boyish clothing all my life so I decided to change something about it and I did! Of course, I will not stick with dresses and girly stuff, I will try other fashion style (Fuma-fashion forward!)
• I am proud of my self because I didn’t abandon my planner (which I did with last planners I had) and I am thinking of getting another planner or use the same one (because I have two copies).
• Made up with people in the past and restored friendships.

And now, WHAT IS MY GOAL FOR 2012? I’m still thinking about it because I am the type of person who is really afraid to fail (and end up not trying at all—what a loser, I know) but I guess I have to do it.

• I have to get out of my comfort zone.
• Watch more movies—I was doing a blog about it but abandoned it in the process. I watched but never had time to blog about them.
• Watch more concerts—lol, I am missing the Laneway Festival in Singapore but I am hoping the rumor about SSLYBY visiting Manila is true!
• Read more books—actually, I always have quantity challenge since 2009 but I guess I will not have it in 2012. I want to enjoy reading more. I don’t want to cram and read so fast that I almost skimmed the book.
• To find a decent work as a nurse—I am still praying to be a regular employee in this company I am working part-time.
• Be a giver. I’ve received a lot of blessing this 2011, it’s now my time to be the one who gives.
• I have this one dream and I want to achieve it this year—hopefully!
• Restore old relationships in the past
• Be more active in church! In my ministries! YAMO! Kids Church!
• Save money to buy an e-reader: Nook Touch or Nook Color!
• Have a decent camera to take pictures of my books

That’s quite a list, you think? I am hoping and praying for a great year ahead!
Keep safe and Happy new year, guys!

(Picture Credit: Tumblr)

Probably the last purchase of the year?

Say hello to my long toes!

Haha, kidding aside, I spent my Christmas money on books (which my parents will never ever know about unless they read my blog—Hi, Mom! Hi, Pa! I love you both. Hehe!). This will be the last purchase I will have for the year 2011 and this is my gift to myself! Yay! Merry Christmas to you, Tricia.

Anyway, I got these babies from my awesome friend who has an online bookstore, Celina for LOW PRICES. She got good titles up in her store (check it now, will you?) and I hoarded until I drop to build my reading list for the year 2012. I know it’s bad because I never touched the books I bought last 2009-2010 (don’t judge, please!).

1. Leviathan by Scott Westerfield – I got the second book of the series, Behemoth, during the Manila International Book Fair last September. I want to start this series so bad!

2. The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan – because it’s David Levithan. The book kind of remind me of Daniel Handler’s Adverbs.

3. Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli – heh, I know I borrowed and read this but I want my own copy in TPB format (because my Stargirl copy is TPB).

4. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk – I still want to read Chuck Palahniuk even if I don’t like Choke and some stupid troll called me an asshole for telling rants about the book. Anyway, I have to enjoy this one.

(If you ask, I got all these for less than P1,000)

Anyway, I MUST STAY AWAY FROM BOOK STORES!

(Sorry for the crappy cellphone picture!)

“If you’ve ever wondered where your dreams come from when you go to sleep at night, just look around. This is where they are made. ” ― Brian Selznick, The Invention of Hugo Cabret

I’ve been meaning to read Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret after seeing the film trailer (I know, I suck, I didn’t have any idea about the book before the trailer). The whole story made me curious. The title itself leads me to ask what’s the invention? I thought Hugo Cabret is a place or something but it is a boy. Hugo Cabret, who is a twelve-year old boy, lives in the walls of the train station in Paris and works as clock keeper. He’s a great kid with unbelievable talent when it comes to clocks, mechanism of gears and what-not. The book tells about two parts: 1) the story about the life of Hugo Cabret, why he became an orphan, Isabelle, and his secret. 2) the unveiling of the secret, fulfilling of shattered and hopeless dreams, and the beauty of friendship.

“Maybe that’s why a broken machine always makes me a little sad, because it isn’t able to do what it was meant to do…Maybe it’s the same with people,” Hugo continued. “If you lose your purpose…it’s like your broken.”

I love how Selznick transport me to every scene with his beautiful pencil illustrations. It’s a short, quick read because of the illustrations but man, they are so beautiful. I am jealous of Selznick because he’s not only a great storyteller, he’s also a great artist! Also, I learned a lot about Georges Méliès. I may be clueless and ignorant of french films (and illusions), but I found this thing inspirational. Méliès’ films are kind of freaky and strange (shown in illustrations in the book) but man, they are beautiful, out of this world beauty. I learn to appreciate the beauty and magic of french films (though I only watch only a few films in which I don’t remember the titles anymore).

This book has a film adaptation that will be shown next year (2012) under the name Hugo. Directed by Martin Scorsese, with Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Chloë Grace Moretz (Isabelle), and Ben Kingsley (Georges Méliès). I am so excited to see this film! See the trailer:

Anyway, I love this book to bits (I know, this review didn’t give any justice to the book!) and I am looking forward in reading his new book, Wonderstruck! Thank you to Monique for lending me this precious book :)

This is one of the best books read for 2011!

—

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Bookmarks: 5/5

The Filipino Group-GoodReads Christmas Party 2011

Last Saturday, I unusually woke up early for the Christmas Party with the Goodreads people. I love them so much that I want to be early because I have to leave early (I have another party to attend down the South. Crazy, I know!). We had the informal party at Eton Centris where we ate lunch and enjoyed introducing ourselves (*waves at newbies*).

We had lunch at Pho Hoa but I ended eating waffles because I don’t like to eat vegetables for lunch. I wasn’t able to finish the waffles, too. (Haha! I was too tensed to eat that time. Friends are teasing me to someone! Haha!)

We had nice introductions and discussion (The Pillars of the Earth with Jzhun!). Also, we mentioned our Best and Worst books read in 2011. Here’s mine (copied from the Goodreads thread):

Best books read for 2011 (not in order!)
1. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro – made me teary-eyed, broke my heart into pieces.
2. Pillars of The Earth by Ken Follett – DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY
3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins – Hee <3
4. The Thursday Next Series by Jasper Fforde – Explanation not needed lol
5. 1984 by George Orwell – Very dystopian!
6. Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
7. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey – CREEPY! Yancey’s prose alone creeps the hell out of me.
8. Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Justin – It’s like Wizard of Oz x Alice in Wonderland adventure.
9. Paper Towns by John Green – The book slapped me realizations relevant to my life.
10. Batman: Mad Love and Other Stories by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini – BECAUSE I LOVE HARLEY QUINN, OKAY?
Addendum: 11. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick – I just read it and man, I AM LOST FOR WORDS. I love how Selznick made my imagination fly with the moon and the stars.

Worst Books read for 2011
1. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore – For real, the writing is horrible, the romance is forced, the story is ridiculous. No offense to fans
2. Dopple Ganger Chronicles: Volume 1 by G.P. Taylor – Seriously, what’s the point of the story? The escape?
3. Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs – It’s good sana but it lost me when the mystery was revealed.
4. Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy – Not realistic, IDK. hehe
5. Choke by Chuck Palahniuk – The prose is beautiful but the story annoyed me too much.
6. Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan – I just don’t like it. Maybe I expected too much after reading the Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (which I really love).

(but the books I mentioned during the party was Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (best), Choke by Chuck Palahniuk (worst) and I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (worst)).

It’s not yet the end of 2011 and I am not yet completed with my reading challenge, so this list is subjected to change :)

After that, we had GIFT-GIVING! I am overwhelm with the fact that I received BOOK gifts from friends. I feel so loved:

• I still have Tina‘s and Jzhun‘s gifts unopened because I will open them on Christmas.
• Sheryl is my Kris Kringle Mommy and I nearly cried when I excitedly opened the gift: Roland Barthes’ Lover’s Discourse! I’ve been wanting to have the books because Tin is raving about it on Twitter.
• The Sabriel by Garth Nix was given to me by Monique! My The Old Kingdom Trilogy by Garth Nix is now complete and it’s all TPB editions! Look at this.
• Star Wars Movies 1-7 DVD (not in the picture) from Aaron
• Faith keychain (not in the picture) from Kwesi

Before leaving that morning, my mother warned me on the number of book I plan to bring home. She said, no more free books because it is heavy to carry from North to South. So, I didn’t get any free books (also because I wasn’t able to join the games to win one) but I borrowed some:

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick from Monique (!!!)
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon from the Traveling Book (a tour with GR friends)
• Saving Francesca and Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta from Joyzi and Veneficus.

I was saddened because I have to leave early by 3PM because I have another party to attend to down the South. I missed the games but I am so happy to meet them again for a few hours. Until next time! I LOVE YOU, GUYS!

Photo Credit (GR-TFG group shot): Joyzi

The Hunger Games New Movie Poster

Honestly, I don’t like it. I don’t hate either. It doesn’t give me the feeling that the movie is dystopian. It’s supposed to be dystopian, right? I was totally impressed with the burning Mockingjay logo and the tribute posters because it gave me goosebumps everywhere. But this? It lacks something. They should’ve the Katniss/Peeta banners removed (or put the other tributes pictures instead?) because it looks redundant to be repeated. The poster looks futuristic, too, rather than dystopian.

What do you think about this poster, guys?

I GOT MY MAIL FROM ENGLAND!

Sometime last month, I joined a book giveaway hosted by Kenna of Mensis Liber and I am drawn to this book because it looks cool since it’s a hand-made book.

I WON THE CONTEST and I just received the package this morning! Here is the hand-made copy of The Living Stories (it’s also available on Decoding Static/Andy Harrod’s blogsite). It looks so nice and beautiful! It’s so kind of Andy to give me an artwork with a message [not pictured] on the back :)

The Living Room Stories consists of seven short stories Andy wrote for seven days. It is also inspired of the Ólafur Arnalds’ Living Room Songs which I listened and OH MY GOD, IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL. You should listen to them, too.

Thank you so much to Kenna of Mensis Liber and Decoding Static/Andy Harrod for this! Will read write about this soon, just watch this space! :)

What’s new in the bookshelf today?

I now have my second Dave Eggers book, A Heartbreaking Work of a Staggering Genius which we found in BookSale Southmall last week. RC bought the copy for me :)

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini are bought from Hooked on Books in multiply. I got these for my friends in GoodReads for Christmas!

Other books I bought (not in the picture) are for the Kris Kringle for the upcoming GoodReads Christmas Party this December 17!