tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59927136824977111292024-03-04T21:39:00.954-08:00Eccentric EverythingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-26818313086117179952016-08-13T06:42:00.000-07:002016-08-13T06:42:26.383-07:00Review + Interview: The Summer That Melted Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi! After a long while, a review! I was supposed to post this on its release day, but my schedule got full and the weather right now... didn't let me do so, but here it is! I also contacted the author for an interview, and she agreed. I literally can't wait to share with you what I thought of this, so let's get into the review! This is about to get LONG, but it's really worthwhile. This book is <i>everything</i>.</blockquote>
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<b>Title:</b> The Summer That Melted Everything<br />
<b>Author:</b> Tiffany McDaniel<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 320 (HB)<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> July 26, 2016<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> St. Martin's Press<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Synopsis</u></span></h2>
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<i>Fielding Bliss has never forgotten the summer of 1984: the year a heat wave scorched Breathed, Ohio. The year he became friends with the devil.</i></div>
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<i>Sal seems to appear out of nowhere - a bruised and tattered thirteen-year-old boy claiming to be the devil himself answering an invitation. Fielding Bliss, the son of a local prosecutor, brings him home where he's welcomed into the Bliss family, assuming he's a runaway from a nearby farm town.</i></div>
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<i>When word spreads that the devil has come to Breathed, not everyone is happy to welcome this self-proclaimed fallen angel. Murmurs follow him and tensions rise, along with the temperatures as an unbearable heat wave rolls into town right along with him.</i></div>
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<i>As strange accidents start to occur, riled by the feverish heat, some in the town start to believe that Sal is exactly who he claims to be.</i></div>
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<i>While the Bliss family wrestles with their own personal demons, a fanatic drives the town to the brink of a catastrophe that will change this sleepy Ohio backwater forever. </i></div>
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NOTE: The author sent me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Review</u></span></h2>
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I must say that I'm so glad that my first Adult-Fiction read is The Summer That Melted Everything. Everything about it spoke to me on a really personal note, not only because I've thought about similar things entailed in it, but also because of how the characters felt so realistic. It's also the first novel I finished set (or partly set), in 1984, clearly a homage to Orwell. The Summer That Melted Everything is about Fielding Bliss, and the stories surrounding his childhood, and the abduction of which. It all happened the Summer of 1984, when Sal, who claims to be the devil himself, appears in their town Breathed, Ohio.</div>
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Our sins widen us till the narrow way is something we can never go through.</blockquote>
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Tiffany McDaniel's writing was very vivid and detailed. Fielding narrated his story using descriptive language. Another good thing that I noticed while reading about the characters and the dialogue was that everyone seemed so poetic in Breathed. Every action done, or word said, seemed to have a deeper meaning than what was actually present. And I think that that's a lovely touch to world-building. For me, this just meant that I get to connect with the characters more deeply. Their poetic-ness entertained me. Yes, the introduction/rising-action of the plot was somehow dull, but it was humorous. And I'd like to think that the kind of pacing used in those parts were so, in order for us readers to be prepared by the amount of loss and damage that might be done unto us once we start reading downhill. There's also the plus factor to really creative names like Fielding, Grand, and Autopsy. </div>
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The finale of fear is first neared by small labors of bravery.</blockquote>
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[sort of spolier-y part!] The entire narration uses the vignette-style, in which a character in the present tells a story from the past. At first I got confused as to where the present and the vignettes met, since the transitions were blurry in the beginning. Soon however, I discovered that the switch to vignette-present or vice-versa was there because they highlighted significant events in Fielding's life. It greatly accented what happened/is happening in his world whether it was the summer of 1984 or the current year. Speaking of which, I found myself crying (Oh Granny!), or nearly crying, at some points in Fielding's life. I don't know why, but it seems like his entire existence (and his parents' too, soon enough) was basically revolving around regret, loss, and suffering. Yes, there were some cases of love and happiness, but the overall mood/tone of the book was sad and regretful. DARN ALL THESE FEELS!</div>
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That's the problem of broken things. The light dies in small ways, and the shadows - well, they always win big in the end.</blockquote>
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Let's talk about the more technical stuff. What I loved most about The Summer is the amount of homages it made to very significant pieces of literature (it <i>IS </i>a significant piece of literature in itself, though!). We got Milton's Paradise Lost at the beginning of every chapter (passages were phrased like Bible verses), as well as numerous Biblical references. There were other allegories embedded within the text, and the correlation between those works and the story got to me perfectly. Again, the characters described everything in a poetic way, which made me love the story even further. Also, there were nuances about issues that needed representation in literature, yet another reason to love this book! The diversity covered is really astounding. From Racism, to the LGBTQ+, even Feminism, such issues were addressed with the plot in itself, and it wasn't trying hard or anything. They were intertwined with the plot so well, and they were really effective, in my opinion, of raising awareness about these issues.</div>
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Later that night, I would find the Bible open on my pillow. A line highlighted there. Hebrews 13. ''Let brotherly love continue."</blockquote>
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Overall, this is one intense journey for me. I was able to conquer reading this masterpiece, despite all of the heartbreak that I felt throughout. The ending was open-ended for me, but that's just how I like it. The conclusion of Fielding's story even explained why the book is entitled as it is. Another heartbreak. I genuinely thought at first that it was going to be about the devil. But it was way more than that. It was also about being in Eden, Heaven, or whatever paradise, and getting lost, shattered, and broken, immediately after. A must-read. If I were to blurb this it would be "This book became a classic the moment Tiffany McDaniel thought of it."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Interview</u></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A. About you</span></h3>
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<b>1) Who inspires you to write?</b></div>
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Me and writing were born together. It’s the river of my soul and is a part of me. It’s something I’ve always done. No one inspires me to write. I think that’s the case with every writer. The inspiration comes from the spinning chaos within our own selves. </div>
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<b>2) If you could have lunch with three writers (alive or not), who would they be?</b></div>
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Let’s see, I’d say Ray Bradbury, Shirley Jackson, and Agatha Christie. I could share a glass of Dandelion Wine with Bradbury, talk about sugar and arsenic with Jackson, and solve a murder with Agatha Christie. </div>
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<b>3) What is your motto when it comes to writing?</b></div>
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I don’t have a motto, actually. Thinking just now I suppose I’d say to always be true to your characters. </div>
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<b>4) Do you have any new/current writing projects? If yes, can you divulge as much as you can about it/them?</b></div>
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I have eight completed novels and am working on my ninth. The novel I’m hoping to follow The Summer that Melted Everything up with is titled, When Lions Stood as Men. It’s the story of a Jewish brother and sister who escape Nazi Germany, cross the Atlantic Ocean, and end up in my land of Ohio. Struggling with the guilt of surviving the Holocaust, they create their own camp of judgment. Being both the guards and the prisoners, they punish themselves not only for surviving, but for the sins they know they cannot help but commit.</div>
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<b>5) If you could only save one book from utter destruction, what would it be and why?</b></div>
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Perhaps Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine. It’s one of my favorite books so on a personal level it would be something I’d reach to save. However if we’re talking about saving a book for future generations and a book that will teach us all something, I suppose that would probably be a history book. The edition doesn’t matter as long as it’s a history of our world civilization, the things we’ve done, and who we have been as a people. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">B. About the book</span></h3>
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<b>1) If The Summer That Everything were a person, what kind of person would it be?</b></div>
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This is a really great question. I think The Summer that Melted Everything is already a person. The narrator Fielding Bliss. When I think of the story and the title, I think of him.An old man trying to ferry the puddles of melt.</div>
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<b>2) Who's your favorite character in The Summer That Melted Everything? Who's your least favorite? Why?</b></div>
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It’s hard to say my favorite because I love them all, but one of my favorite characters to write was Sal. He’s the one come to answer the invitation inviting the devil to town. Sal is a mystery, even to me, and that type of character is always interesting to write. My least favorite character would have to be Ryker. I won’t say why because I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but once readers read the novel they’ll know what I mean when I saw Ryker is such a jerk. </div>
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<b>3) What pushed you to write this story?</b></div>
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The same thing that pushes me to write every story.That creative wheel spinning inside…</div>
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<b>4) Do you have a favorite quote/part from the book?</b></div>
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One of my favorite quotes is “The heat came with the devil.” It’s the opening line of the novel and the first line of the novel that I wrote. It’s really the line that started everything. </div>
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<b>5) Are any of the characters based on other people?</b></div>
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For me my characters feel very real. They are their own people and in that they have their own identities. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">C. Rapid fire</span></h3>
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<b>1) Coffee or tea?</b> Tea.</div>
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<b>2) Sunny days or cloudy ones?</b> I need both sunny days and cloudy days so I'll say both.</div>
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<b>3) Romance or Mystery?</b> Mystery.</div>
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<b>4) Chris Evans or Chris Hemsworth?</b> Both.</div>
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<b>5) Fielding or Sal?</b> Definitely both.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About the Author</u></span></h2>
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An Ohio native, Tiffany McDaniel’s writing is inspired by the rolling hills and buckeye woods of the land she knows. She is also a poet, playwright, screenwriter, and artist. The Summer that Melted Everything is her debut novel. </div>
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<i>“Sometimes this world is like red fences in the snow. There ain’t no hiding who we really are.”—THE SUMMER THAT MELTED EVERYTHING</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14220744.Tiffany_McDaniel" target="_blank">Goodreads </a>|| <a href="http://www.tiffanymcdaniel.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></b></span></div>
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The Summer That Melted Everything has been nominated for the Man Booker prize this year! You can vote for it <b><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/aug/02/not-the-booker-prize-very-longlist-2016-votes-please" target="_blank">HERE</a>, until tomorrow!</b> Also, please do check out Tiffany's website - she has some really awesome paintings!</div>
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That's it for this review and interview! Please do follow me (if you want to), for more bookish updates and shenanigans!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-33572000275238752352016-08-10T07:59:00.004-07:002016-08-10T08:21:11.862-07:00Waiting on Wednesday: Furthermore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
Sorry I haven't been able to post last week! Anyway, here's my pick for this week's Waiting on Wednesday. It's by one of my favorite authors, and I'm really ecstatic to share my glee for this wonder! Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by <b><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a></b>.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1454343290l/28110143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1454343290l/28110143.jpg" width="212" /></a><b>Title:</b> Furthermore<br />
<b>Author:</b> Tahereh Mafi<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 416 (HB)<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> August 30, 2016<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Dutton Books for Young Readers<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Synopsis</u></span></h2>
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There are only three things that matter to twelve-year-old Alice Alexis Queensmeadow: Mother, who wouldn't miss her; magic and color, which seem to elude her; and Father, who always loved her. The day Father disappears from Ferenwood he takes nothing but a ruler with him. But it's been almost three years since then, and Alice is determined to find him. She loves her father even more than she loves adventure, and she's about to embark on one to find the other.<br />
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But bringing Father home is no small matter. In order to find him she'll have to travel through the mythical, dangerous land of Furthermore, where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be both right and very, very wrong. Her only companion is a boy named Oliver whose own magical ability is based in lies and deceit--and with a liar by her side in a land where nothing is as it seems, it will take all of Alice's wits (and every limb she's got) to find Father and return home to Ferenwood in one piece. On her quest to find Father, Alice must first find herself--and hold fast to the magic of love in the face of loss. </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></h2>
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I'm so excited for this. When Tahereh first announced what the title would be, I got a vague idea on what it's going to be about. But when the cover reveal and the synopsis release happened, bam. Instant click. I've always loved Tahereh's Shatter Me trilogy, and now I'm so pumped to read a Middle-Grade story from her!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About the Tahereh Mafi</u></span></h2>
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She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste. </div>
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When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.taherehbooks.com/" target="_blank">Website </a>|| <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TaherehMafi" target="_blank">Twitter </a>|| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4637539.Tahereh_Mafi" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-39570365321213610042016-07-28T08:23:00.000-07:002016-07-29T07:24:31.802-07:00How Did Book Blogging Change My Life?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSgNuuFOOW53HufGT1HNqnNuBBX87Qcdz9tOkVOOgO8Fd_xZTj-ypVUj3P8MSFFQRAbLqOcoACPbuTR_ECBN44rU4SOesx7_f-X2acsyTLHkt3yD9nFc8PsVPusqA1zs-pEwiMlYj1SY9/s1600/Blogging.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSgNuuFOOW53HufGT1HNqnNuBBX87Qcdz9tOkVOOgO8Fd_xZTj-ypVUj3P8MSFFQRAbLqOcoACPbuTR_ECBN44rU4SOesx7_f-X2acsyTLHkt3yD9nFc8PsVPusqA1zs-pEwiMlYj1SY9/s400/Blogging.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
I was inspired by <b><a href="https://bibliophilesoprano.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/topic-post-how-book-blogging-changed-my-life/" target="_blank">Bibliophile Soprano's Post</a></b> on the same matter, and I thought that it'd be appropriate for me to do the same sort of post, since I just came back from a really long hiatus some weeks ago. I rarely do this kind of post, so it's kind of relatively unfamiliar with me. I think I'll also include some sort of progress report regarding my blog! Fingers crossed!</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Why I started, and why ain't I growing much?</u></span></h2>
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Okay. I'm spilling the beans. No more hiding. Well, it's not like I was hiding before, but yeah. </div>
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I've been blogging since 2014.</div>
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It all started when I attended a book signing event for Ransom Riggs, Tahereh Mafi, and Veronica Rossi. I was so engrossed with the bookish community, I saw it as an impetus to make my own blog. That time, I was but a meager bookworm, fresh off of my Freshman year at High School (at 14 years old, mind you). I decided to start writing about the books that I loved (and didn't love as well) because of the main fact that the community is such a homey place, and I felt like I was surrounded by the people who understand me. I was just beginning to explore this bookish world, and had little to no friends in such a place. </div>
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Admittedly, I was confounded. But blogging kind of helped me to begin my "exploration" of this bookish community. Even though I wasn't growing much in terms of "followers".</div>
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"Why ain't I growing much?" Is a hefty question. But let's back it. I've grown as a blogger so much that I don't think I'd had fathomed back then that I would be like this. But if I'm asking myself why my blog isn't growing, then that's a different matter.</div>
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I think, for the most part, that the reason behind my relatively low follow count is inconsistency. I've been through so much hiatuses in the past. Reasons were thrown - school, projects, lack of time, and whatnot. But now all of those seem like reasons I only came up with as excuses to be lazy, to not be committed to what I really love. And that's sharing the joy of reading. I could also say that another reason is me being lost. There was a point in my blogging journey, a LONG time ago, in which I got so insecure of myself, because I sat there, reading the books I bought, while others were rummaging through boxes sent by publishers. I sat there, watching as others attended forums and other exclusive events. I sat there, watching as some were establishing their tight-knit friendships already while I was under hiatus.</div>
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I was so wrong.</div>
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Now of course, things are different. I laugh at those kinds of reasons, to be honest. I think they're petty. I've realized that reading isn't about the followers you have, the books you receive, or the perks you get. Those are just bonuses. Reading is simply about reading in itself. To get to traverse worlds even when you're just sitting, to get to sympathize and cry with characters who are fictional, to meet other people with the same interests as you. These things are what make reading the best thing in the world. Blogging is just an avenue to disseminate that kind of thinking. I'd like to project that, actually. The idea that we're just signalers, trying to transmit our love of books by formatting our templates of our posts.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>How did book blogging change your life?</u></span></h2>
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My best response to this is that it gave me an entirely new perspective to the world of books. I used to think that reading is just reading a book and closing it afterwards. It never occurred to me then that others might have the same or different opinion about it as I did. The purity of engagement when it comes to book blogging is something that I'll hold in my heart for many years (I hope!), since it made me look at books differently, very differently (in a good way, of course).</div>
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Another thing, book blogging enabled me to abandon my shell and socialize. If there's anything I'm good at, one would be socializing (I'd like to think). Blogging made me engage with fellow readers. It opened the door for me to reply to Tweets or Facebook posts, or even comment on other blogs for the sake of it. I met more people because of this entire ordeal. Some are now really good friends of mine. I'm thankful for deciding to blog, even if it's sometimes exhausting.</div>
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Lastly, and most importantly, blogging gave me confidence. At first it was the opposite, as I doubted myself with every post. Now posting makes me giddy. And talking to "legit people" also makes me ecstatic. Life lessons are important, and I think this is one of those you shouldn't let pass.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Where are you now? Where are you going?</u></span></h2>
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Right now, I'm at a place in which I'm trying to get back my swing of things, to be precisely consistent with what I do, and everything that follows. I want to grow as a blogger as much as I want my blog to grow. Right now I'm taking a step forward, to the direction which I want.</div>
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On par with my earlier response, I'm heading forward! I don't believe that I should dwell too much on my shortcomings in the past. I believe in moving on and forwarding positivity all throughout. No point in being so nega! Fingers crossed - I wish I'll make it to the end.</div>
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Hope you guys learned about what I really am as a blogger, and what it means to be one! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to message me! Follow me to be updated for bookish shenanigans!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-74126366472654377902016-07-27T06:50:00.004-07:002016-07-27T06:52:00.185-07:00Waiting On Wednesday: Gemina<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
It's time for another Waiting on Wednesday! This week, I'm featuring this really awesome sequel to a really awesome book. I'm sure many of you have read the precious thing called Illuminae. And I'm also pretty sure you're aware of its sequel called Gemina!<br />
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Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. Check out their site <b><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here </a></b>to see other WoWs!</blockquote>
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<b>Title:</b> Gemina<br />
<b>Authors:</b> Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff<br />
<b>Number of Pages: </b>659 (HB)<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> October 18, 2016<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Knopf Books for Young Readers<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Synopsis</u></span></h2>
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Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.<br />
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The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.<br />
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Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.<br />
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When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.<br />
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But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.</blockquote>
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thoughts</span></u></h2>
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I'm super pumped. Considering that I gave a perfect score for Illuminae (Haven't seen my review? It's <b><a href="https://eccentric-everything.blogspot.com/2016/04/review-illuminae.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>), I'm expecting this book to be as amazing as the first, or better. I'm hoping for soooooo many things, not necessarily including a conclusion to the story, since it can be foreseen that there's a lot more to this world. </div>
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My hype for this is real. Hoping for the best! I'd really want to see Kady and Ezra again, though. Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book. It's quite known as well, notorious for containing so much feels all in a single question!</div>
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Am I not merciful?</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About Amie Kaufman</u></span></h2>
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Amie Kaufman is the New York Times bestselling co-author of Illuminae (with Jay Kristoff) and These Broken Stars, This Shattered World, and Their Fractured Light (with Meagan Spooner.) She writes science fiction and fantasy for teens, and her favourite procrastination techniques involve chocolate, baking, sailing, excellent books and TV, plotting and executing overseas travel, and napping. </div>
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She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, their rescue dog, and her considerable library. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.amiekaufman.com/" target="_blank">Website </a>|| <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AmieKaufman" target="_blank">Twitter </a>|| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5360335.Amie_Kaufman" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About Jay Kristoff</u></span></h2>
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Jay Kristoff is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of THE LOTUS WAR, THE ILLUMINAE FILES and THE NEVERNIGHT CHRONICLE. He is a winner of multiple Aurealis Awards, nominee for the David Gemmell Morningstar and Legend awards, named multiple times in the Kirkus and Amazon Best Teen Books list and published in over twenty-five countries, most of which he has never visited. Being the holder of an arts degree, he has no education to speak of. He is 6’7 and has approximately 13030 days to live. He abides in Melbourne with his secret agent kung-fu assassin wife, and the world’s laziest Jack Russell. He does not believe in happy endings.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://misterkristoff.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Website </a>|| <a href="http://www.twitter.com/misterkristoff" target="_blank">Twitter </a>|| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4735144.Jay_Kristoff" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span></div>
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That's it for this WoW! You can follow me if you want to be updated on everything bookish (and sometimes random)! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-90844613336795840542016-07-24T07:15:00.000-07:002016-07-24T07:15:54.895-07:00I'm joining the Comment Challenge!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello! Today I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be joining this year's Summer Comment Challenge! This post will entail whatever expectations I might have, and some other information about this event! </blockquote>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">The Comment Challenge is an event hosted by <a href="http://reviews.flylef.com/" target="_blank"><b>Lana @ Flylef</b></a> and <a href="https://akernelofnonsense.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>Alicia @ A Kernel of Nonsense</b></a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">It aims to promote interaction within bloggers and bookish people.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Bloggers will get partners, and they'll comment on each other's blogs depending on their preference (5-10 or 11-20. In my case, I actually forgot which one I picked... In any case I'll try to comment as much and as best as I can!)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">August is the final month of this challenge, and there's a giveaway among the participants!</li>
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Since I haven't participated in either June or July events, I'm very much looking forward to meet/interact with my fellow bloggers! I'm really trying to expand and grow as a blogger, and I think this challenge is a very good avenue to do so!</div>
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That's it for this little announcement! I really do hope for the best for this Comment Challenge! Oh and by the way, we're using the hashtag #commentchallenge2016 to spread updates!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-16031888407855638162016-07-14T07:11:00.001-07:002016-07-14T07:42:58.013-07:00Event Recap: Bookworms Unite 2.0! (2016)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Saturday, we held Bookworms Unite for the second time, at Tweedle Cafe in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Fair warning: This post may be LONG. In a nutshell, Bookworms Unite 2016 was sooooooo fun, and I really do hope that there'd be a next time! </blockquote>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I underwent a hiatus with the hilarious reason of having no interest in books during that momentary period of time. I don't know why, but it happened. Now I look back at that moment with a smug look on my face saying "HA! I won't be able to resist books!" </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Anyway, last year I'd only been an attendee of Bookworms Unite, and was only invited/encouraged (more like coaxed, LOL) to host this year by some of my blogger friends during the Summer. We technically just re-did what we've done last year. Although I have to say, during the Twitter chat, we were all constantly worried about the number of attendees, because the facebook event page displayed "316 interested", and if all of those people decided to come to a cafe meant for 60, well. . .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Time went on, and when the day came, I was pumped down to my heels. When I entered the doors of Tweedle cafe and saw my friends, as well as the tremendous amount of books, of course I'd felt giddy inside! (Note: that giddiness wasn't really apparent on the outside) The entire event continued like that, with a certain kind of giddiness tugging at my stomach, in a good way! I mean seriously. There were so many books. And we still had the book blind date!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOuJoRMcLiK4NQpMi2PdYYL72nVCPV5zK8pF6KHnCXmIZ4htg2SCnRbsUkKh7Gjh5c31O-mwQ3CLaTspqohQ-lt-k-2-UdNJyVF4JpyIdaXFuer1B7FuQIRFgTR6s2Is3qOLQrTktCA0G/s1600/20160709_133244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOuJoRMcLiK4NQpMi2PdYYL72nVCPV5zK8pF6KHnCXmIZ4htg2SCnRbsUkKh7Gjh5c31O-mwQ3CLaTspqohQ-lt-k-2-UdNJyVF4JpyIdaXFuer1B7FuQIRFgTR6s2Is3qOLQrTktCA0G/s320/20160709_133244.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books for the blind date!</td></tr>
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I was reunited with my friends, and I was introduced to new ones. I wasn't able to take that many pictures, though. But yeah! I was so glad to see familiar bookish faces again, after a LONG while. It's amazing how much of an impact this community has on me!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: JM, ate Salve, ate Biena. (c) ate Salve</td></tr>
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We also met Ms. Honey de Peralta, a representative from Penguin Random House and our country's very own ReaderCon. It was so nice meeting her, filled with energy that was infectious! And by the way, she's one of the people who motivated me to start listening to Hamilton! YAY.</div>
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So many things transpired that day. We had so much fun playing games, socializing, EATING, and generally being absorbed more into the world of books. It was kind of a home to me, a rest from the stress of school and everything that followed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXzTFhRLsveH1L6_gi3gv6UhlMyjMs3caGlihKpklTwVHch3qdAwP2bKZmD2aZqokt8PkVynsoXf-AjPjJC3-BhnbObnGeSItJ9x6Y0CycJWPBWJWLi9ydyjfvwfpXYX_1i8qlMrWKPq4/s1600/BWU2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXzTFhRLsveH1L6_gi3gv6UhlMyjMs3caGlihKpklTwVHch3qdAwP2bKZmD2aZqokt8PkVynsoXf-AjPjJC3-BhnbObnGeSItJ9x6Y0CycJWPBWJWLi9ydyjfvwfpXYX_1i8qlMrWKPq4/s320/BWU2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People trying out the open-games</td></tr>
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I also met two of my newer friends over the internet, ate <b>Gellie (<a href="http://gelleesh.com/" target="_blank">Gelleesh</a>)</b> and ate <b>Czai (T<a href="http://theblacksheeproject.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">he Blacksheep Project</a>)</b>! They're so goals, since they're both bloggers (ate Gellie is a beauty blogger, and an amazing one at that!). I first met ate Gellie at another blog convention, one that was held in St. Paul's Manila last year.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: ate Gellie; Right: ate Czai</td></tr>
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When the day was nearing its end, I started to reflect. I realized that no matter what I did, the bookish community will always be a safe place for me. I knew that there were people who'd support me, even if I undergo hiatuses because of school and whatnot. It was comforting to know that, it's always good to know people are there for you. And that's exactly what I felt with these people!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attendees of Bookworms Unite! (c) ate Faye</td></tr>
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To conclude this post, I just wanted to thank everyone who came to our marvelous not-so-little party in a cafe with a Platform 9 3/4 in it somewhere. I definitely had fun, and I'd definitely do it again. I also want to thank my awesome co-hosts for this year, <a href="https://bookfreakrevelations.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>JM (Book Freak Revelations)</b></a>, <b><a href="https://bookishandawesome.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">kuya Miel (Bookish and Awesome)</a></b>, <b>ate <a href="http://staybookish.com/" target="_blank">Hazel (Stay Bookish)</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.oopsireadabookagain.com/" target="_blank">ate Dianne (Oops I Read A Book Again)</a></b>, <a href="http://thebibliophileconfessions.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>ate Inah (The Bibliophile Confessions)</b></a>, <b><a href="https://jasminepearlreads.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">ate Jasmine (Jasmine Pearl Reads, there in spirit!)</a></b>,and <b><a href="http://xpressoreads.com/" target="_blank">ate Faye (The Social Potato)</a></b>. You guys are too cool to be real (what)! And finally, thank you so much <b>Fully Booked</b>, <b>Penguin Random House</b>, <b>Simon & Schuster Philippines</b>, and <b>Scholastic Philippines for </b>gloriously sponsoring our event! Thank you very much, <b>Tweedle Cafe</b>, for hosting us!</div>
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Again, thanks so much for attending this event! For those who weren't able to, you can always count on next time! Comment below about your experiences in bookish events!</div>
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P.S. These were the only ones I got. No regrets!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-49896327021233549182016-07-13T02:20:00.000-07:002016-07-13T03:01:24.300-07:00Waiting on Wednesday: Tales of the Peculiar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Gee, it's been a while since I've done one of these! This week, I'm still on a Peculiar roll, so I'm picking Ransom Riggs's Tales of the Peculiar! Note: Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme made by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Breaking The Spine</b>.</a></blockquote>
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<b>Title:</b> Tales of the Peculiar<br />
<b>Author:</b> Ransom Riggs<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 192 (HB)<br />
<b>Publication Date: </b>September 3, 2016<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Dutton Books for Young Readers<br />
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Wealthy cannibals who dine on the discarded limbs of peculiars. A fork-tongued princess. These are but a few of the truly brilliant stories in Tales of the Peculiar—the collection of fairy tales known to hide information about the peculiar world, including clues to the locations of time loops—first introduced by Ransom Riggs in his #1 bestselling Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series.<br />
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Riggs now invites you to share his secrets of peculiar history, with a collection of original stories in this deluxe volume of Tales of the Peculiar. Featuring stunning illustrations from world-renowned artist Andrew Davidson, this compelling, rich, and truly peculiar anthology is the perfect gift for not only fans, but for all lovers of great storytelling.</blockquote>
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My hype for this book is real! I recently finished re-reading Hollow City, and I'm keeling over the world again! Ransom's world-building is still so exceptional. And as we know, Hollow City gave us a little sneak peek at two of the Tales' which I'm expecting - Cuthbert the Giant, and the Pigeons of St. Paul's. Gosh, I really can't wait for this book's release! Although I have to admit I'm quite sad that Quirk didn't pick this up. But oh well!<br />
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Tell me, what books are you guys waiting for this year? Or next year, even? Comment away below! If you like my posts, please go and follow me to be updated whenever I post bookish stuff!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-44998327895590653432016-07-11T04:54:00.000-07:002016-07-11T04:54:48.699-07:00Review: Hollow City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Title:</b> Hollow City<br />
<b>Author:</b> Ransom Riggs<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 412 (PB)<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> February 24, 2015<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Quirk Books<br />
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Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was the surprise best seller of 2011—an unprecedented mix of YA fantasy and vintage photography that enthralled readers and critics alike. Publishers Weekly called it “an enjoyable, eccentric read, distinguished by well-developed characters, a believable Welsh setting, and some very creepy monsters.”<br />
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This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.<br />
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Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerizing) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.</blockquote>
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This is actually a re-read. I first read Hollow City last year, around the time when it came out. I find it weird that I wasn't able to review it then. But oh well! Here it is now!<br />
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Hollow City began exactly where Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children left off, with the gang of Peculiars running (or rather, rowing) for their lives amidst a 1940 Europe flocked with armies from the continent and beyond. I found this connection peculiarly (no puns, please!) unfamiliar, since most of the sequels I've read began with entirely different events, sometimes skipping or flashing back through time. This is one strong point of the book. For me, Ransom's writing is organic in a way that each piece and device of the plot worked together efficiently in making us understand what Hollow City is really about. Each detail was intricately connected to the next, even up until the big plot twist at the end.</div>
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"Strange, I thought, how you can be living your dreams and your nightmares at the very same time."</blockquote>
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Speaking of the big plot twist, I was surprised at how it still surprised me. I know that it's going to happen, I expected to feel "meh" upon reading that revelation, but somehow it still shocked me. I contemplated and I realized that it's because of a detail that I might have missed or forgotten. What detail? Here. I'll try my best to hide the spoiler. Remember when they saw the "patients", and Jacob noted how the whispering man kept on whispering "call" all the time............... That was the one line which made me gasp, meriting me with worried faces from my family. It all links back to how well the details complement each other and how each revelation is hinged on these. *bravo* </div>
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"Laughing doesn't make bad things worse any more than crying makes them better."</blockquote>
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Although there were parts which came off as unappealing or too cliche for me (like some of the anachronistic and untimely romantic scenes with Jacob and Emma), I feel like Hollow City still has bigger fish to fry. I love how Ransom wrote about the didactic in a way that wasn't obvious like your typical fairytale "In the ends", but rather complementing the plot more so. I mean, I personally believe that one of the main morals in the Miss Peregrine series is about fighting your inner monsters, and it couldn't have been discussed better than by having your main character struggle with himself and the outside world claiming that he was crazy, could it? Identity was also discussed in the book, and I think that it was thoroughly addressed by Jacob's questioning personality, and the other characters' response to that.</div>
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Lastly, Ransom explained in an interview somewhere about the relation of Hollow City to Miss P. He said that Miss P was a mere introduction to the peculiar world, and Hollow City marks the start of its exploration. And I have to agree with that. I think that peculiardom was widely present in this second book, as we got a taste of what it's like in other loops, with other ymbrynes, and other peculiars. I also liked the journey in between these loops, how the characters dealt with "the past being the past" and all those timey-wimey (yes, I've now finally channeled Doctor Who) stuff about them. Indeed, everything's so peculiar and whatnot in Ransom's world. He is unfaltering in his way of story-telling, and I can't wait to see more of his work!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About Ransom Riggs</u></span></h2>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I’m Ransom and I write books. I also love taking (and finding) photographs, making films, traveling to places that are tricky to find on maps, urban exploring, and scuba diving, which is kind of like urban exploring, except with fish and shipwrecks instead of abandoned houses. If you want to connect with me on social media, I tweet and Instagram a lot, and post somewhat less frequently to my YouTube and Tumblr pages. So welcome, have a look around, and please don’t break anything. </span>(from ransomriggs.com)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://twitter.com/ransomriggs" target="_blank">Twitter </a>|| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3046613.Ransom_Riggs" target="_blank">Goodreads </a>|| <a href="http://ransomriggs.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's it for this review! Have you guys read Hollow City? Tell me below in the comments what you think about it! Also, if you liked this review, you can follow me (sidebar) to be updated anytime whenever I post!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-61113254631164095452016-07-05T03:20:00.000-07:002016-07-05T03:20:36.169-07:00I'M BACK!!! (And also, a fun announcement)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KYskIjeYH41fAIHlAwRlMqGbcxNdwqKgTq86iv3hN-jnvrIYdxzibIi5PJV85J-b2TUkyIVy8HZmeeukEdzymDAIawqwPKURdqrEF7IKi5QG87u5dKTU6_3_Rm8xjZgC9PmWXlSHvo3I/s1600/banners-04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KYskIjeYH41fAIHlAwRlMqGbcxNdwqKgTq86iv3hN-jnvrIYdxzibIi5PJV85J-b2TUkyIVy8HZmeeukEdzymDAIawqwPKURdqrEF7IKi5QG87u5dKTU6_3_Rm8xjZgC9PmWXlSHvo3I/s400/banners-04.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hi! After a VERY long while, I'm able to post again! Terribly sorry for this hiatus. But I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere (for the meantime)! This post will entail whatever reason/s I may have for succumbing to a hiatus, as well as a very fun announcement for a very fun something!</blockquote>
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Here's my story.</div>
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June 13 marked the first day of school for us 11th Graders at Quezon City Science High School. Everything was so new to us. New teachers, new faces (from 39 to 49), new environment, same old habits. The lectures smacked us with rapid speed. Teaching styles being so foreign to us, who were spoonfed with easy problems back in the olden days. I guess xenophobia was an inherent trait that our entire class possessed, and we’re currently breaking that barrier. Adjustment to this new world is hard, but we’re getting there. I wasn’t able to manage my time before, because I was busy practicing for math problems, or prioritizing being social with friends and whatnot. Dust collected along the surfaces of my shelves as I struggled to breathe for time. </div>
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The bookish world further receded from my affixed schedule due to my appointment as a board member for our school’s Commission on Elections (one of the most legit school orgs out there, I attest!), with the election day on July 20th approaching us faster than a Golden Snitch. Everything became—is still becoming—so hectic. Papers to file, files to keep. </div>
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Perhaps the biggest, most shameful reason for my hiatus is that during the Summer, due to busy schedules, my interest in books suddenly vanished. For only a little while, yes, but at a certain point I just couldn’t imagine myself picking up a book anymore. It’s strange, and I’m weirded out by it, but I guess it’s just because of my world spinning in directions I don’t know at that time. Since I was also caught up in a maelstrom of crises about my future, my supposed Oxford trip, and many others. A dark time, indeed.</div>
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There are probably many other reasons as to why I kinda disappeared from the community for a while, but these reasons are perhaps the greatest/most significant ones. I hope I can catch up in making more content, possibly more blog collabs, more reviews for sure, and others! A good point to note is that I'll be making some subtle changes around the layout (really subtle changes), so yeah! I'm regaining my pace, and I've never been so glad!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>A very fun thing on Saturday...</u></span></h2>
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Even though I wasn't that active during the Summer, I was still able to be in cahoots with some of my blogger friends about something that we've done before (I only joined as a lonely attendee then), and we're pretty excited to hold it again. I'm pretty sure some of you have already seen promotional posters regarding this over social media, but what the heck!</div>
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Come and join us for a very fun day filled with bookish awesomeness, and lovely people! Of course, anyone is invited! We aim to spread the love for books - may it be for bloggers, readers, reviewers, really, anyone! The event will be held this <b>Saturday, July 9, at Tweedle Book Cafe (106B Sct. Gandia, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila) from 1:00 - 4:00 in the afternoon</b>! Kindly fill out <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i8SkJcIB0MC1O8s-OMi7n1ypSaIIxrTq3zGqI4cNtd4/viewform?c=0&w=1" target="_blank"><b>THIS</b> </a>form and go to this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1595924110720136/" target="_blank"><b>Facebook page</b></a>. Also be reminded to <b>prepare 250 pesos for snacks and drinks</b>! I really hope to see you there.</div>
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Last year's Book Worms Unite was immensely fun for me, and I didn't leave Books and Borders (last year's venue) without a smile on my face! Well..... I also left the cafe with several books in my bag..... so. I also bonded with bookish friends old and new. SO MUCH FUN!</div>
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Speaking of which, here's a little teaser for what possible prizes could be up for grabs on Saturday. (c) JM from <a href="https://bookfreakrevelations.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Bookfreak Revelations</a>!</div>
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P.S. Don't forget to use the hashtag #BookWormsUnitePH! </div>
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That's all for this post! I really do hope I can meet you guys on Saturday! Stay tuned!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-42597937417930962792016-05-14T04:07:00.000-07:002016-05-14T04:07:17.704-07:00[Blog Tour] Excerpt: Frannie and Tru by Karen Hattrup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.paperboulevard.com/2016/05/kick-off-frannie-and-tru-blog-tour.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajz3nLRmqvFwN1WT4XHERK6x8OCbqyRcZcVticIQzD7tawqpftx1xc4BpGcWgm10DxpRF7bpEe_hmMxDQdwvDIX1lFCX3HiBQf6omsA2AkHKfykzZJmOf79pUtg87rXENAjjIAQmX9Cso/s400/frannie-and-tru-blog-tour-banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
Finally! Another blog tour! This time, it's the 2016 release Frannie and Tru! I'm so excited to post this. I missed getting interesting excerpts! Thanks so much, Paper Boulevard, for making this tour possible. Go ahead and click on the banner for more juicy details (and possibly a review) about this book!</blockquote>
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"Absorbing, electrifying, and achingly relatable. Frannie and Tru is a book with a pulse.” — <i>Becky Albertalli, author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda</i></div>
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<b>Title:</b> Frannie and Tru<br />
<b>Author: </b>Karen Hattrup<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 320 (Kindle)<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> May 31, 2016<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> HarperTeen<br />
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When Frannie Little eavesdrops on her parents fighting she discovers that her cousin Truman is gay, and his parents are so upset they are sending him to live with her family for the summer. At least, that’s what she thinks the story is. . . When he arrives, shy Frannie befriends this older boy, who is everything that she’s not–rich, confident, cynical, sophisticated. Together, they embark on a magical summer marked by slowly unraveling secrets.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26244576-frannie-and-tru" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfeqKHSZ9ulqwwq1IDw1qwa6DLUi1pmR5vwDT_DyWUBOMsE9R2uoy6Ixqcxxl5qLMXu_XMk00HvCVtcMgGQbeJtqP5F5zuPF5qMzz4SzXDc8m21cd8AdQuOMb2eyI9t4vObKXdcNz4BUb/s200/goodreads.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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“Frannie, have you ever had a boyfriend?”</div>
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“Oh, sure,” I said, as sarcastically as I could. “I’ve had tons.”</div>
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“Just asking, just asking.”</div>
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“Have <i>you </i>ever had a boyfriend?”</div>
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He laughed loudly at that, which warmed me to the core. I always felt like my laughs from Truman were hard-earned, special.</div>
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“Nobody worth writing home about, I guess you’d say. Not really interested in being tied down. You should never have a significant other in high school. That’s a complete waste of your best make-out years.”</div>
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I finally saw an opening to ask him all the million questions I’d been wondering about, but, as usual, couldn’t find the words that came so easily when I was alone.</div>
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“How, um. . .how is it where you are? Is it, you know, liberal?”</div>
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“Well, it’s not Iran. Or Oklahoma. But it’s not San Francisco either. It’s a smallish town, but pretty close to New York City. A very tiny, exclusive, stuck-up school. No LGBT club or anything. But I don’t care about that shit. You’ve probably noticed that the tide of the world is flowing in my direction. I’m going to be fine.”</div>
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If it were somebody else, I’d think they were putting on a bit of a brave face or whatever. With Tru, I thought I might believe him.</div>
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About the Author</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUj6Ugfo9mahs4yPolME_JjM_G0NpkXKCf1xoCWT7nUm_QuUbfwzwqT_b5BOxyEvWZ9B9av-xAoDsQH-YJF53K1Yw97wR74ba7AWKHZkF83W1_KyUKbjxNnY-4Asz7wdojMGGsgiN8cybz/s1600/karenhattrup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUj6Ugfo9mahs4yPolME_JjM_G0NpkXKCf1xoCWT7nUm_QuUbfwzwqT_b5BOxyEvWZ9B9av-xAoDsQH-YJF53K1Yw97wR74ba7AWKHZkF83W1_KyUKbjxNnY-4Asz7wdojMGGsgiN8cybz/s320/karenhattrup1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Karen Hattrup grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. with her parents and brother, devouring books from an early age. At Loyola University Maryland, she studied journalism and spent a semester abroad in Thailand. She went on to become a newspaper reporter, first in Maryland and then in Indiana, writing features and serving as an award-winning arts critic. Karen later studied nonfiction writing at the Johns Hopkins University. She lives in Baltimore City with her husband, daughter, and son.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.twitter.com/KarenHattrup" target="_blank">Twitter </a>|| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9865407.Karen_Hattrup" target="_blank">Goodreads </a>|| <a href="http://karenhattrup.com/book/frannie-and-tru/" target="_blank">Website</a></b></span></div>
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That concludes this tour post! My orgs have been so busy for the past weeks, but stay tuned to bookish shenanigans!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-36926283778188118352016-05-06T04:42:00.001-07:002016-05-06T04:42:38.496-07:00The Pinoy Food Book Tag! A COLLABORATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey! Today I've got something exciting! So.... Here in the Philippines we have interesting palates that always crave for those nostalgic, often very flavorful food that we've known since we were babes. And so I (or we) thought "Why not make a book tag out of this?" And here it is! What's more, this is an exciting COLLAB post with my friend Matt from Reading with Luigi! Basically, we exchanged answers and decided to post each other's responses on our blogs. So what you'll be seeing today will be MATT'S answers! Check out MY answers <a href="https://readingwithluigi.blogspot.com/2016/05/pinoy-food-book-tag-w-eccentric.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1. SINIGANG. A sour soup usually cooked with pork, beef, or fish. Name a character with a "sour" and vile nature.</span></h2>
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The perfect character for this question is Adelina Amouteru from The Young Elites trilogy. She is just naturally very dark. Her powers after all feed from fear which she must obtain from others. How do you obtain fear? Make your opponents fear you. Basically, she is very dark and kind-of evil. Just read the parts on how she kills right? Although she has a vile nature, she also has good thoughts. But unfortunately, most of those thoughts remain in her head. She acts more of evil than what she thinks. I was going to say the Darkling for this question, but we saw him being good at the first part and at some point in The Grisha Trilogy, so nah.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2. CHOPSUEY. Stir-fried vegetables. Name a book which takes place in the farmlands.</span></h2>
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I don't think that I've read a book that mainly took place in a farmland but I am gonna go with Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo just because I recalled that Mal and Aline sorta lived in a village full of trees? Do I make sense? Probably not, but please bear with me on this one. Haha!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">3. DINUGUAN. A stew made from pig's blood and innards. Name a character with a major bloodlust/thirst to kill.</span></h2>
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Another The Young Elites reference for this one, people! For this, I am gonna go with Teren Santoro. Do you really have to ask? He practically betrayed *some people that he actually loves* just to be able to kill Malfettos. I mean, who likes that guy? Well, I don't. He just has this very natural urge to kill without being guilty about it. It's kind of annoying on how great he believes that the fact killing Malfettos is good.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">4. TORTA. A viand made of beef, eggs, and other ingredients, which are then cooked like pancakes. Name a FLAT character - one who doesn't undergo major character development.</span></h2>
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I honestly don't have an answer for this one, because I think that when a character doesn't change he/she becomes worse? So technically, he/she changed. Also, knowing myself, I probably would not finish a book if the main character is a flat character. But, the first person that came to my mind is Mare Barrow from the Red Queen series. She was just so selfish and full of herself throughout the second book, Glass Sword.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">5. SISIG. A combination of pig's face, ear, and meat with chili, onions, and chicharon. Usually served on a sizzling plate. Name a character who has serious anger issues.</span></h2>
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My answer for this question is a little bit not the most perfect answer, I am going for Matthias from Six of Crows. Just because he took a lot of time and a lot of anger before he breaked down and accepted the situation in a scene in the book. He also took a lot of time for his anger to a certain character be gone. He basically needs to chill. Haha!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">6. ADOBO. A staple in Filipino cuisine, uses the "adobo" sauce, made of soy sauce and vinegar. Name a couple who are enemies-turned-lovers (like toyo and suka)</span></h2>
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I think that the perfect and most heartbreaking answer to this question is June and Day from the Legend trilogy. I mean, right? They were in a government versus the criminal situation. June also tried to kill Day because he was the prime suspect for the death of Metias. But twist of events happened and they became the best lovers and the freakin' ending of Champion broke all of our hearts!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">7. GINATAANG GULAY. Vegetables cooked in coconut milk. Name a book that is really sappy/emotional for you.</span></h2>
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I was supposed to go for the most cliche answer to this kind of questions and pick The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, but I wouldn't. I'll pick My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga just because her book was a roller coaster ride of emotions. There are parts that would make you really really sad and then someone cracks a joke and you'll start to giggle. There are also parts that will make you question life, and rethink. There's also some serious talk about sadness, depression, and suicide in this book that would just make you pretty much sad. It's just a book with tons of emotions in it.</div>
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That wraps it up for this collab! It was really fun doing this kind of thing, to be honest. Don't forget to check out my answers on Matt's blog! And stay tuned for more bookish shenanigans. :)</div>
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And before I forget, I'm tagging the following people to do this AMAZING tag! Hello there, ate Salve from Cuckoo for Books, JM from Book Freak Revelations, ate Jasmine Raymundo, and EVERYONE who wants to do this fun tag!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-34544384393838521342016-04-24T22:44:00.000-07:002016-04-24T22:44:34.951-07:00Review: ILLUMINAE!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Title:</b> Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1)<br />
<b>Authors:</b> Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 599 (HB)<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> October 20, 2015<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Knopf Books for Young Readers<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Synopsis</u></span></h2>
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<i>This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.</i></div>
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<i><i>This afternoon, her planet was invaded.</i></i></div>
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<i><i>The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.</i></i></div>
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<i><i>But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.</i></i></div>
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<i><i>Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.</i></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23395680-illuminae" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitE80k41Yc4_oAWtCsRRZCgaWne9b2AXAFMz5t1dc3ngrWY1K5IaTAahu1EktAwOwpYmokE3Zb-5UZxBVEZnjxuwp7nOgyPNKZR1S9EA9Txu1IwlbMZsxQcoTAFceHf-j2MK6LqS3khaf2/s200/goodreads.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Review</u></span></h2>
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I've been wanting to review this book for quite some time now, but I couldn't figure out how to fully grasp what I felt about this story. It was so high-octane, it took me several months to write this! Or maybe that's just an excuse for my sloth (NOT!), I may never find out. What I DO know, however, is that I find this story, plot, and style rather terrific. Perfect. My palate says yes!</div>
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This is soooo unlike me, but I shall start with the writing style. Okay. I kind of expected this right from the start, but it still blew me away. Even the ARC (mind you, mine was HARDBOUND!) covers seemed like they hid something fishy. Instead of employing that usual narrative for most books, this one's like all of the world's imagination was squeezed out, put into a blender, and used as the ink for publication. Basically, it's like this dossier (that's the official term) of hacked/leaked documents, emails, floor plans, advertisements (which proved to be scarier than usual), blue-prints, and.........artificial intelligence. I mean, if those don't get you hooked I don't know WHAT does. It's HIGHLY reminiscent of Scholastic's Black Book of Buried Secrets, using the same technique as that Cahill treasure. The difference being Illuminae actually has a plot with the denouement and all that. It's incredible. When I heard this was happening, as well as the fact that it's also going to be the same genre as my fave show Doctor Who, I was ready to sign up and worship this beast. Seriously. It's that good.</div>
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Um, because you're loopier than Flacky McPsycho, Mayor of Crazytown?</blockquote>
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Admittedly, though, I do concede to the fact that the first part kind of bored me. But I guess that was just the authors' way of preparing you for the techno-thrill/science-fiction blast at the latter scenes. We start off with Kady Grant fleeing off of Kerenza IV, their planet at the edge of the galaxy, and then proceed to what it's actually like to live on a starship. I didn't expect that from a dossier-esque novel, but it worked perfectly. Kady and Ezra's relationship was also an integral part of the plot (in my opinion, at least), and it's borderline shameful to admit that I found myself bawling on the floor because of how hilarious some scenes were.</div>
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You have me. Until every last star in the galaxy dies.<br />You have me.</blockquote>
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Following quite a while after the first half of the book, however, things got out of hand. In a good way, I mean. Suddenly Kady's doing these stunts. Suddenly AIDAN's (Artificial Intelligence) acting weird. Suddenly there's a VERY high death toll! It was kinda expected right from the start, but it still surprised me by the time Kady's escape pod jettisoned. It was one massive thrill ride. By the last hacked email (FINALLY), and the last REVELATION, I was actually gripping the edges of the book, afraid to tear it apart. </div>
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Am I not merciful?</blockquote>
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With the onset of the second installment to this magnificent line of work, Gemina, and all of these reasons + many more, I am proud to give this rollercoaster FIVE out of FIVE grenades!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About the Authors</u></span></h2>
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Amie Kaufman is the New York Times bestselling co-author of Illuminae (with Jay Kristoff) and These Broken Stars, This Shattered World, and Their Fractured Light (with Meagan Spooner.) She writes science fiction and fantasy for teens, and her favourite procrastination techniques involve chocolate, baking, sailing, excellent books and TV, plotting and executing overseas travel, and napping. </div>
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She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, their rescue dog, and her considerable library. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.amiekaufman.com/" target="_blank">Website </a>|| <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AmieKaufman" target="_blank">Twitter </a>|| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5360335.Amie_Kaufman" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span></div>
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Jay Kristoff is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of THE LOTUS WAR, THE ILLUMINAE FILES and THE NEVERNIGHT CHRONICLE. He is a winner of multiple Aurealis Awards, nominee for the David Gemmell Morningstar and Legend awards, named multiple times in the Kirkus and Amazon Best Teen Books list and published in over twenty-five countries, most of which he has never visited. Being the holder of an arts degree, he has no education to speak of. He is 6’7 and has approximately 13030 days to live. He abides in Melbourne with his secret agent kung-fu assassin wife, and the world’s laziest Jack Russell. He does not believe in happy endings.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://misterkristoff.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Website </a>|| <a href="http://www.twitter.com/misterkristoff" target="_blank">Twitter </a>|| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4735144.Jay_Kristoff" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span></div>
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That wraps up my review for the gorgeous book Illuminae! How about you guys? Have you read this masterpiece? I'm sorry it took me ONE YEAR to write this review! HAHA.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-26875117994043572842016-04-22T10:00:00.000-07:002016-04-22T10:00:03.413-07:00YES A REVIEW: Please Don't Tell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Title: </b>Please Don't Tell<br />
<b>Author: </b>Laura Tims<br />
<b>Number of Pages: </b>352 (HB)<br />
<b>Publication Date: </b>May 24, 2016<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>HarperCollins<br />
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<i>Joy killed Adam Gordon—at least, that’s what she thinks. The night of the party is hazy at best. But she knows what Adam did to her twin sister, Grace, and she knows he had to pay for it.</i><i><br /></i><i>What Joy doesn’t expect is that someone else saw what happened. And one night a note is shoved through her open window, threatening Joy that all will be revealed. Now the anonymous blackmailer starts using Joy to expose the secrets of their placid hometown. And as the demands escalate, Joy must somehow uncover the blackmailer’s identity before Joy is forced to make a terrible choice.</i><i><br /></i><i>In this darkly compelling narrative, debut author Laura Tims explores the complicated relationship between two sisters, and what one will do for the other. It’s a story that will keep readers turning pages and questioning their own sense of right and wrong.</i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Review</u></span></h2>
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To be honest, at first I had minor troubles grasping the over-arching tone of Please Don’t Tell during the first few chapters, considering how complex the story was to begin with. I gradually eased myself into the writing, and of course, relished it by the end. I agree with some blurbs about how this book was “darkly compelling”. Please Don’t Tell is surely one book with a massive gravity that will suck you right in.</div>
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She peeks out from under the blanket. "Just because someone's dead doesn't make them gone."</blockquote>
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The story follows twins, Joy and Grace Morris, who loved each other in that special way twins do. It’s quite interesting for me to read about them, because that was the first time I’ve encountered twins as protagonists. These two girls were caught up in a tragic Summer, leading to Adam Gordon’s death. And of course, everyone’s feeling guilty and all, but the twins and some friends hate Adam so much that they don’t even bat an eye. For me, that’s not inhumane, but rather engaging in a way that made me want to read further and discover why they hated him so much.</div>
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It is notable to mention that the book is filled with metaphorical statements that complement the double POVs happening. Joy’s POV is set in the present and describes how they’re all dealing with the death, while Grace’s POV is quite complicated—it tells the story of everything before the twins even got acquainted with Adam right up to the moment he died. I think that these two points complement each other perfectly, without subsuming the other one. By the end, all cleared up and I was gripping my seat up to the last page.</div>
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I'm so tired of having to reassure people that what happened to me wasn't their fault. Maybe it was their fucking fault. Maybe they should have been looking. No one ever <i>looked </i>at me before all this. Now they look and they still can't see.</blockquote>
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The final act was really engaging and dark, and I feel that I have to tell you guys that I kind of expected the ending, but it still hit me like a punch. This is probably because of the weight of the emotions the characters are expressing, but then again, that’s just my opinion. The writing and the overall mood and tone might also contribute to this horrific ending!</div>
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And this [is] how it is, sometimes. With nothing feeling good. With all your worst fears confirmed, every nightmare coming true, and the last time you saw the only boy who ever made you smile when you didn't want to, he was sobbing because of you.</blockquote>
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At the end of the day, Please Don’t Tell is a relevant book about today’s societal problems, especially mental health. I hope that this book makes the impact that it’s bound to make, and gets all the praise it deserves. I’m giving intense kudos to miss Laura Tims for giving me a wonderful book to devour! And with all of these being said, I’m rating Please Don’t Tell with 4 out of 5 grenades!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About the Author</u></span></h2>
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Laura Tims is the author of PLEASE DON'T TELL, coming Fall 2015 from HarperCollins.</div>
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She's a mental health advocate, a cancer, and a reasonably cute organism. She likes Tumblr, anime, Neko Atsume, Homestuck, Steven Universe, and Undertale. She likes you even more.</div>
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She writes books about strange relationships, pain, and people who are scared but good. She loves to talk and if you also love to talk, find her on Twitter @laura_tims</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://twitter.com/lauratims" target="_blank">Twitter </a>|| <a href="http://www.lauratims.com/" target="_blank">Website </a>|| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7094711.Laura_Tims" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-13879717249719579442016-04-19T10:00:00.000-07:002016-04-19T10:00:01.273-07:0025 Bookish Facts About Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIkKoZWKBFFc1dNC1YbhVh2R0WJSEPUYHEb05Tg3B3D0umAMiAszy7Cn5t7IeTF3hzbWIfL8uX794L2QCanDaqoWZCi4w1-kbbCCFygPfoJTzIvcGJzOZA3Vk0EVDDjkJFdRa3LQBYZLE/s1600/25+BOOKISHfactsaboutme.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIkKoZWKBFFc1dNC1YbhVh2R0WJSEPUYHEb05Tg3B3D0umAMiAszy7Cn5t7IeTF3hzbWIfL8uX794L2QCanDaqoWZCi4w1-kbbCCFygPfoJTzIvcGJzOZA3Vk0EVDDjkJFdRa3LQBYZLE/s400/25+BOOKISHfactsaboutme.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gosh, I've been wanting to do this for a long time now! It's just that I've been so busy with stuff that I hadn't gotten around writing it. Anyway, here it is! 25 (hopefully) bookish facts about me! Wait. I want to thank Matt, from <a href="http://readingwithluigi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reading With Luigi</a>, for tagging me! </blockquote>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">1. I'm pretty much diverse.</span></u></h2>
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Okay. This is a bit vague, but let me explain. You see, other readers would pick a specific genre to read, and they'll be iffy about trying others out. That's not me. If a synopsis can get me hooked, I'm hooked. I'll want to eat that book right away! (Half-kidding) You can find me reading high fantasy like A Game of Thrones (I've yet to do that, though), and then something chick-lit like Burn for Burn the next day. Sometimes I get confused, but hey - more fun, right? LOL.</div>
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<u>2. I haven't DNF'ed a book.... YET.</u></h2>
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I'm quite interested as to how it feels to DNF a book. I haven't done it, am not looking forward to it, and am kinda scared of it. It's gonna be a new experience for me when that happens. But let's just hope that it doesn't!</div>
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<u>3. I prefer reading in this particular weather...............RAINY.</u></h2>
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I love the rain. Whenever I see the dark, gray clouds above, I get happy. I'm not an emo guy (most of the time), but I somehow find comfort in the rain. Plus, it's cooler when it rains. And the sound of rain dropping is calming, especially when you read. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>4. I love Marvel.</u></span></h2>
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Comics are technically books, hence the name "Graphic Novel". And yep, I love Marvel. I've read a handful of them, and I intend to read thousands more. New MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) movie coming up? I'll want to read the comics about those characters. So yeah, if you want to ask about why T'Challa broke away from the Illuminati in New Avengers, hit me up! If you wanna know how Deadpool killed the Marvel Universe, don't ask me. YET.</div>
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<u>5. I idolize Medusa.</u></h2>
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In conjunction with number 4, I gladly admit that I love Queen Medusa, wife of King Blackagar, ruler of the Inhumans in New Attilan. She has this power of crazily controlling her hair. Make it grow, strangle people, the sort. And her attitude is the embodiment of sass!</div>
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<u>6. I'm a poet.</u></h2>
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<u>7. And a short story writer.</u></h2>
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<u>8. I love going to bookish events.</u></h2>
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Gah, I miss this, but it's because I've been sooooo busy with everything! But, I try to squeeze in bookish events in my schedule as much as possible.</div>
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<u>9. I think 25 facts is too much.</u></h2>
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BUT I'll accomplish this! I'm so sorry for being random.</div>
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<u>10. I'll read anywhere.</u></h2>
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In the train, at a restaurant with my family, at home, in school, in a car, in our school service, at the roof, in the bathroom, ANYWHERE. Literally, anywhere.</div>
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<u>11. Where is my dream reading spot?</u></h2>
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I'd love to read on top of a mountain. Someone take me!</div>
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<u>12. I want to try New Adult.</u></h2>
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I've only read Young Adult, but I've read one NA collection (forgot the title, sorry!) and the genre is so enticing! I think it's primarily because I'll get to see a new perspective in the fictional world, through the eyes of really in-the-process-of maturing characters.</div>
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<u>13. I always have coffee when I read.</u></h2>
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Caffeine. Period.</div>
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<u>14. I love LGBT characters!</u></h2>
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I just do! They're often quirky and funny, and I think that including them in the literature field is really empowering for our society. I'd like to give major kudos to #DiverseYA writers.</div>
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<u>15. I like bad-ass heroines. (as long as they're on the right side)</u></h2>
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I just love it when a female character is fierce and intense. More so when she undergoes major character development! Again, it's empowering for this world.</div>
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<u>16. And bad-ass men just the same. (as long as they're on the right side)</u></h2>
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<u>17. Sometimes I separate the author from his/her work.</u></h2>
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I don't want to judge a book based on an author. But sometimes I do. (rarely). It's just that, sure, I can't justify the author's actions, but I don't have to invalidate the work per se. If it's really engaging, I'll read it.</div>
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<u>18. Indie books/self-published authors are amazing.</u></h2>
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Sometimes we don't give them the credit that they deserve. For me, they're pretty awesome people! AND THEY ROCK!</div>
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<u>19. I've never read the Percy Jackson series.</u></h2>
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I don't think I'll ever read it (Except for the Lightning Thief). I'm sorry, it's just not my cup of tea.</div>
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<u>20. I love reading classic books.</u></h2>
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But only those with interesting plots. I just need the time to read them!</div>
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<u>21. I love novels written in verse.</u></h2>
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It's true. I think the value of poetry is something to behold with artistic interpretation. I don't want to go much deeper, but long-story-short, I like verse literature.</div>
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<u>22. I also love manga.</u></h2>
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YES I LOVE JAPAN. Manga has always been an integral part of my bookish life. I distinctly remember staying up until 5AM just to finish this manga. And don't ask me what manga that was......... *grimace*</div>
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<u>23. Blogging is fun!</u></h2>
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Whenever I get to share my experiences/thoughts about the anything bookish, it gives me this warm, tingly feeling. Blogging is fun!</div>
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<u>24. I'm very vocal about books in real life.</u></h2>
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Yes. I scream at friends about books that I love with matching bouts of "YAAAAAS". I'm weird. :(</div>
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<u>25. I really love reading, but sometimes I'm too lazy and I miss it.</u></h2>
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When I start to get on a reading marathon, it gets wild. But then my slumps are worse than anything on this planet, and I often get sad because I haven't been reading! I really love reading, though! And engaging with fellow readers!</div>
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This is quite a post. Gosh. Too many! But it was fun thinking of facts about myself when it comes to reading! If you've reached this, thank you for staying HAHA! Now you know (maybe) more about me. </div>
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As for who I'll be tagging.... well of course, EVERYONE can do this!</div>
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But for the specifics, I'm tagging ate Salve from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT_waUXm2JVwTo9QjP4mOyg" target="_blank">Cuckoo For Books </a></div>
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And Czai, from <a href="http://theblacksheeproject.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Blacksheep Project</a>!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-40868803485786264422016-04-15T05:38:00.000-07:002016-04-15T05:41:11.905-07:00Review: Pip Bartlett's Guide To Magical Creatures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Title:</b> Pip Bartlett's Guide To Magical Creatures<br />
<b>Authors:</b> Jackson Pearce, Maggie Stiefvater<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 192 (HB)<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> April 28, 2015<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Scholastic Press<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Synopsis</u></span></h2>
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<i>Pip is a girl who can talk to magical creatures. Her aunt is a vet for magical creatures. And her new friend Tomas is allergic to most magical creatures. When things go amok—and they often go amok—Pip consults Jeffrey Higgleston’s Guide to Magical Creatures, a reference work that Pip finds herself constantly amending. Because dealing with magical creatures like unicorns, griffins, and fuzzles doesn’t just require book knowledge—it requires hands-on experience and thinking on your feet. For example, when fuzzles (which have an awful habit of bursting into flame when they’re agitated) invade your town, it’s not enough to know what the fuzzles are—Pip and Tomas also must trace the fuzzles’ agitation to its source, and in doing so, save the whole town.</i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23310214-pip-bartlett-s-guide-to-magical-creatures" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FyN77xDA4F6AZCuauVONjRuHOwFITEH5gLrfrPot1tDlkass2-uPMl-j6tLElmG6Ys0lDAPSCTluGW0yLCMw0mUs_fGuJUXpL3b4vOcT2Oh2s3YNLAqvvhbeDt8avEppJf8mFL1QFNmg/s200/goodreads.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>NOTE: </b>I'd like to thank Pinoy Book Tours for giving me the opportunity to review this book!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Review</u></span></h2>
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First and foremost, I would like to say that reading Pip Bartlett was a really adorable experience. It didn't blow me away, but I'm sure that children would really love this story.</div>
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Let's start off with Pip. Here's her entrance, making this major fuss with a unicorn during their school's bring-your-parent day. She ends up finding out that she can actually talk to these magical creatures! Of course, no one believes her. So her mother sends Pip to spend some weeks at her aunt's place, who just so happens to be a vet for magical creatures. And this is where she meets Tomas, who's allergic to magical animals.</div>
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To be honest, I really like Pip as a character because of her fierceness even at a young age. She know what's logical (most of the time), and how to phrase comebacks (especially for adults). She's really responsible, and I enjoyed reading about her initiatives in the book. As for Tomas, I also liked his quirkiness, and how he's the know-it-all in the pairing. Pip and Tomas's tandem was really engaging for me. They solved the town's issue with Fuzzles, and my gosh. The character development of the both of them really got to me. For me, it's a nice way to give this sort of moral in a Middle Grade book. </div>
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And for the plot, it was an adorable read. Although, I'll have to agree with some reviews about the book that the storyline has Middle-Grade cliches. But I guess that's okay, since the audience for the story is quite out-ranged for me (um, it's Middle Grade LOL). </div>
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The illustrations in the book were also fun, more so if I were a kid. And, they complemented the story pretty well. So, kudos! I also have to give credit to Pip and Tomas's valiance in this story. Seriously, they were so brave, in my opinion! </div>
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If I were to be brave, I would have to say that Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures is a watered-down tribute for Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. It was really cute. And upon writing this review, I came up with my decision to change my rating for the book on Goodreads. From 3 stars, I've decided to award Pip Bartlett with.......... *drumroll*</div>
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Jackson Pearce currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with a slightly cross-eyed cat and a lot of secondhand furniture. She recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy and currently works for a software company even though she auditioned for the circus (she juggled and twirled fire batons, but they still didn’t want her). Other jobs she’s had include obituaries writer, biker bar waitress, and receptionist.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2761947.Jackson_Pearce" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> || <a href="http://www.jacksonpearce.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></b></span></div>
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All of Maggie Stiefvater's life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She's made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1330292.Maggie_Stiefvater" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> || <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mstiefvater" target="_blank">Twitter </a>|| <a href="http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></b></span></div>
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That's it for this review! Stay tuned for more book reviews! And remember,</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-61813111556891147782016-03-28T05:49:00.003-07:002016-03-29T00:52:12.210-07:00[Blog Tour] Review: Unscripted Joss Byrd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://jasminepearlreads.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3V5HgcRwEgZ8x5AXLVsGYXfZBwc-y_fFAFhKyTYOQ6e9yur5ABoXoVJ3BIczj3E2EyVXm1daBDcu5kbQByWWh1UROTqgMhhtnrgw8icFoL1nbvmhtgFGqkOLEzWZZILpKcREZCy3JHWW/s400/BLOG+TOUR+-+UNSCRIPTED+JOSS+BYRD%2528BANNER%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hey! Today we have another book tour! In this case, I took the liberty to read and review the featured book, Unscripted Joss Byrd by Lygia Day Peñaflor. And I can say that I LIKED it! This tour is hosted by Jasmine Pearl, from Jasmine Pearl Reads! Click the banner to visit her!</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About the book</u></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Title:</b> Unscripted Joss Byrd</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Author:</b> Lygia Day Pe<span style="text-align: center;">ñaflor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><b>Number of Pages:</b> 200+ (tpb)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><b>Publication Date: </b>August 23, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><b>Publisher:</b> Roaring Book</span></div>
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Hollywood critics agree. Joss Byrd is "fiercely emotional," a young actress with "complete conviction," and a "powerhouse."<br />
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Joss Byrd is America's most celebrated young actress, but on the set of her latest project, a gritty indie film called The Locals, Joss's life is far from glamorous. While struggling with her mother's expectations, a crush on her movie brother, and a secret that could end her career, Joss must pull off a performance worthy of a star. When her renowned, charismatic director demands more than she is ready to deliver, Joss must go off-script to stay true to herself.</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Free Shipping! Pre-order the book at <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Unscripted-Joss-Byrd-Lygi-Day-Penaflor/9781626723696?ref=grid-view" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24755483-unscripted-joss-byrd" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbJ_SRFcT6hoRaxI9LC8b1CmiKoIlQqNIeW7LXtbupC0LGU04aLgslYnp5OeMgNfqTlDJOb7SIEBfG5BkPpYT0xoEdmmLFQaVJBA9-lI5xnsOP5wnj2r4B9HqeuNjawInuZ1TwSH2JxqG/s200/goodreads.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style=font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">The second I finished the first chapter, I knew that this was already a good read. Upon first reading, one might think that this book is Young-Adult because of the vibes Joss gives. Sometimes, however, it feels kinda like Middle Grade, because the characters are full of youth and are really pure. Unscripted Joss Byrd starts off with rather an unusual opening scene, but I guess it sets the stage for building the entire setting for the book. It gave me a nuisance as to how Joss and her mom operate in real life, outside the set. </span><br />
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"No one cares how you get the shot as long as you get it."</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">I can say that it was a quick read. As the plot progressed, more and more is revealed about Joss and Viva and those around them. It's really intriguing for me, though. Like, my face when I realized that this was a YA and not a middle grade. Priceless. I guess it's related to the author's execution? I mean, she knew that Joss was a 14 year-old child actress. And she centered the entire book around her own choices, decisions, and repercussions. I like how the scenes interconnected with each other, considering that Joss's character was in the process of developing in terms of personality and well, puberty? LOL.</span><br />
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"It was worth it, then, right?" He gives me a bigger, sadder, smile. "'Cause you got a brother, and I got a sister."</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">What really struck me about the book was the fact that it felt so genuine. I could look through the lens of the camera and find out what's really happening. I think that Unscripted Joss Byrd, together with its pacing, characters, and plot fit together. The emotional aspect wasn't even exaggerated (unlike in some works), and was let to develop as the pages turn. Joss is a really nice character and I'd LOVE to read about her again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> That's it for this review! Tune in to Eccentric Everything for more bookish updates!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlXHKbFofXq4O8-MwAAneU0Oh2cw4HRmSyinHXuSwNhCD5QF-8EbF9uX_Ys0Nsu75WvefxWmqmgL_LzdiMI7WpdpujEqTEx5g7bPTcPwbRLUPtOxJguGwHac7OMcuz9YdI5Ls50UAmozv/s1600/My+Bookish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlXHKbFofXq4O8-MwAAneU0Oh2cw4HRmSyinHXuSwNhCD5QF-8EbF9uX_Ys0Nsu75WvefxWmqmgL_LzdiMI7WpdpujEqTEx5g7bPTcPwbRLUPtOxJguGwHac7OMcuz9YdI5Ls50UAmozv/s400/My+Bookish.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hey! Okay, we're somewhere in the middle of March right now, but I wanted to share with you guys what I've been up to when it comes tor reading (finally, some action), and I know, it's gonna be hard for me to do these over such a short time now. Well, if anything, should I not finish this list entirely, I'm gonna have to carry-over the unfinished business onto my April schedule. This is the first time I'm having a reading plan, so wish me luck!</blockquote>
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I have actually already started this book sometime in January, but for reasons unknown (even to me), I put it down. Maybe it's because school had been overwhelming at that time? I'm not entirely sure. But I really enjoy Michael's writing and all the lore this series has. Hopefully I can finish this before March ends!</div>
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This is my current read, actually. Many friends have been reminding me to read this book already! I've heard so many good things about it. I got this for a book swap some months ago, and again, I don't know why I didn't pick it up IMMEDIATELY. I'm really amazed by the writing as of the moment but am faced with the problem: WHO TO SHIP?! I'm regretting my decision of not reading this as soon as I got it because darn, Celaena is one kick-ass heroine!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>It's A Wonderful Death</u></span></h2>
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This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange of an honest review. For reasons not surprising for Filipinos, however, the customs and everything got jumbled up, consequently delivering this book months after its shipment date. And I haven't gotten around to it much, either. That's why I wanted to finish this now, because of the aforementioned situation and of course, it has an extremely intriguing plot!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Archie</u></span></h2>
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So I apparently have not told you guys that March 13 was my 16th birthday. I had a party at home and a friend of mine gave me these Archie volumes, and I instantly felt nostalgic. I haven't read any of the books myself, but growing up, my siblings had this enormous collection of Archies and now that I've been given the chance to read them, I'm surely going to take it!</div>
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That's it for my March To-Do (or to-read) list! I'm soooooo excited to read these books! Maybe I should continue to do this? Maybe it should be a habit of mine to actually plan what I'm going to read for the month? Not sure. Well, I'll be seeing if this is what I really need to rekindle my reading habits!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-36982830681039331402016-03-15T06:54:00.000-07:002016-03-15T07:17:30.222-07:00INTERVIEW: All About Studying In England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hi there! My previous post was all about exploring new places and well, studying. And at the end of that post, I mentioned something that is still connected to what I talked about recently. Today, I'll be sharing with you guys my interview with Jamie Mills, a graduate of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Magdalen College, Oxford! I contacted him for a school newspaper article, but it got cut because of space and publication. Nevertheless, I still want to share this with all of you because it seems extremely interesting to me!</blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">So for a little
"background-check" about the education system in England...</span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1) I've heard
that there are 13 years of schooling in England after Kindergarten... How does
the division go? (For example, four years in primary school, two in middle
school, etc) </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Broadly
speaking, we have a three-tiered schooling system, with nursery, what we call
kindergarten, being the zeroth tier that you enter when you around 3 or 4 years
old. You spend six years in primary school and then move onto secondary school,
which takes up a further five years. The final tier of our compulsory education
system is known as sixth form, which is where you go to study your A-levels.
This adds a further two years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> In
sum, you start your journey at 3 and you finish when you’re 18. Then you have
the choice of applying to university or pursuing work.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2) How many
lecture hours do high school students usually get?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> We
do not have lectures, per se, at secondary school. We have classes. The
majority of secondary schools have schedules that repeat every fortnight, with
a minimum of five hours worth of classes everyday. Each subject has a
prescribed number of hours, for instance, the fortnightly schedule must include
at least 3 hours worth of physical education. On top of this schedule, exceptional
student or those with certain interests, such as music, can enrol in enrichment
classes. These are additional classes that take place before or after school.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3) Are there
English high schools that are Research-based? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There
are roughly three different types of secondary school in England:
comprehensive, grammar, and private. Comprehensive schools take students
regardless of their aptitude, while grammar school have an entrance exam.
Unlike the other two, private school charge tuition fees, and can have entrance
exams. As private schools are privately funded, they have far more control over
their curriculum. Should it be of interest, I attended a comprehensive school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With
the above in mind, some secondary schools certainly exist whereby students
would conduct research; however, it would only really be the private schools,
and a few of the top grammar schools, that would do this. This is down to a larger
amount of funding and having greater control over the curriculum.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">For university...</span></u></b></h2>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4) How does the
college/department system work? Is this unique to Cambridge and Oxford?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The
collegiate system is not unique to Oxford and Cambridge, but it is certainly
best known because of these universities. Another notable university with this
structure is Durham. Your college is similar to your house in Harry Potter. The
difference being there are around 30 colleges in both Oxford and Cambridge
instead of just four houses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Your
sleep, eat, and socialise at your college with the other roughly 300 students.
Every college has tutors who will take you for your classes and tutorials, but
as you progress through your degree you’ll find yourself venturing out to other
colleges to learn from the specialists in your field.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The
university mainly features in your life for departmental activities and exams.
If you are a physicist, you will go to the physics department for your lectures
and experiments, but return to your college for your tutorials, that is, your
one-to-one sessions with your tutor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5) Can students
apply for two courses simultaneously?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> No,
you can only apply for one course or a course with multiple honours. For
instance, I read Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6) Can post-graduates
directly do a PhD without completing a Masters degree?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately,
this question is not clear. If you are a post-graduate you, by definition, must
have at least a Masters, which makes the question unnecessary. The other
interpretation is ‘Can you do a PhD at Oxford or Cambridge without having done
a Masters at either university?’. Should this be the question, the answer is
yes.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7) How many
contact hours/lecture hours do students get?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Undergraduate
degrees are said to take up 40 hours of time per week. The number of lectures
you attend depends on your subject. For the sciences, there are around 10 hours
of lectures per week, while arts subjects are technically not required to
attend any lectures. As a member of the university, you can attend as many
lectures for as many subjects as you like, which is a big challenge when you
want to learn everything!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8) How much
workload does an Oxford student normally get (essays, projects, etc)</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> An
arts student, such as History, must complete two essays per week. You have
around three days to read and write the essay, which must be around 2000 words.
When you finish writing the essay, you then have a one-hour tutorial to talk
through your essay with your tutor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There
are also opportunities to complete research projects, write a thesis, or take
additional papers if you are incredibly keen. To my knowledge, the workload is
the most intense of any university; however, being in such an academic pressure
cooker also makes it incredibly rewarding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9) What do you
do with your free time?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> For
me university was just as much about nurturing my spirit to become a better
version of myself as it was developing myself as an academic. My free time
consisted of sports, such as martial arts and ice hockey, socialising, over
board games or at birthday parties, and working on projects I thought were
meaningful, such as my YouTube channel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Not
to let some traditional Oxford experiences pass, I also acted as the Vice-President
of Magdalen College’s student body, and visited CERN with the Oxford Physics
society.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">On a deeper note...</span></u></h2>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10) What is the
most precious thing that you've learned in Oxford?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I
learned how to juggle my life. The clearest example of this is my first year,
which I spent doing a huge range of activites on top of my degree, which was to
the detriment of my sleep. In my second year, I set the challenge of still
having a broad range of rich experiences and getting a healthy amount of sleep.
It turns out it is possible, but you need to ensure you are present at every
moment to appreciate the experiences you are living. As Annie Dillard said, ‘</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our
lives’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The
fruits of my efforts were clear: my friendships became deeper, my work more
managable, and I learned to make time for spontaneous events that would crop
up. After doing all of that, the working world has become incredibly easy, so
I’ve decided to work on my own things on the side, otherwise, I’d become
extremely bored.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The
final point to add is that you should not worry about dropping any of the balls
you are juggling. Instead, you should focus on dropping the right balls that
improve your well-being. If you do this, things will work out smoothly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11) What is your
message to Filipinos who aspire to apply for Oxbridge or other top-notch
Universities globally?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Persistence
beats raw talent in the vast majority of cases. The top universities are
incredibly competitive, and you may think your background means you cannot get
in; however, be the outlier. Applying to university is a tickbox exercise.
Learn the boxes that you need to tick, and you can achieve brilliant things
without killing yourself in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> This
is counter-intuitive. If you are at all like I was at your age, you believe that
if you put in more hours you will have a larger reward at the end. From
experience, this is wrong. The better way to approach a goal is to spend your
time on the areas that will have the greatest impact. This is far more
efficient, and take more skill as you need to discern what those areas are.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjd-7p-Q_TZBhn5YMdwVq2Hi_SUZ7efbpCOpBVFIQJyHIaIZJTYlY_oSTqeRNKxvl6ik1PubbujMg-aDfzCSGlIVkEgb83cU0qeZDehqqSi4WXZWgONDGc48XB5CxU86_lUMsAfQ4a8fU/s1600/Vector+new.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjd-7p-Q_TZBhn5YMdwVq2Hi_SUZ7efbpCOpBVFIQJyHIaIZJTYlY_oSTqeRNKxvl6ik1PubbujMg-aDfzCSGlIVkEgb83cU0qeZDehqqSi4WXZWgONDGc48XB5CxU86_lUMsAfQ4a8fU/s320/Vector+new.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That's it for the interview! Jamie actually has his own website dedicated in helping students study efficiently, with podcasts about managing time, studying, exams, and everything else. Sign up <a href="http://www.jamoemills.com/subscribe" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b>! </a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsiQcUFkwXPkHRcQqY3dIUFeu3Lh0D7S63FZh8yVvBMOPOic8czDfzYbjVufXWvyRTi9HhEfeISEgwtWWuJ8kRTXlMeVaNfG231eKC6C-V4YKYT9cyhqhVpe_knwtRSG-nuAothuJjSIN/s1600/sign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsiQcUFkwXPkHRcQqY3dIUFeu3Lh0D7S63FZh8yVvBMOPOic8czDfzYbjVufXWvyRTi9HhEfeISEgwtWWuJ8kRTXlMeVaNfG231eKC6C-V4YKYT9cyhqhVpe_knwtRSG-nuAothuJjSIN/s320/sign.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-12543661139735669382016-03-07T01:35:00.003-08:002016-03-08T08:34:07.461-08:00On Journeys, Cluelessness, and Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kHD4uQcK-s-AXAA6-RxejSx0u4Yxnd-_p9HMbESZzC6mY1McqN8ZVtlHm2TEOW4JBBUE4m93EBbMG7w45FxsNbuSr-caK1HJ0vIhWawS38p_4dkiu0_FZM7t56a8o9VjC54sagWYRO11/s1600/blown+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kHD4uQcK-s-AXAA6-RxejSx0u4Yxnd-_p9HMbESZzC6mY1McqN8ZVtlHm2TEOW4JBBUE4m93EBbMG7w45FxsNbuSr-caK1HJ0vIhWawS38p_4dkiu0_FZM7t56a8o9VjC54sagWYRO11/s320/blown+away.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the past few days, my face has been exactly like the one above. Right now, I'm still being thwarted with excitement, to the point of teary-eyes in almost all instances. It's just that I can't believe that it's finally happening, that this is occurring. And if you want to know what that is, well...... you'll have to read on!</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>[Insert a cool af introduction title here]</u></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay. I always open my statements with this, but what the heck? If anyone here knows me, he/she would know that I really love to travel. But wait. Right now I think traveling is too much of a light word for me to use to characterize what I truly love. I think the most accurate description for that would be EXPERIENCING. Yes, going to and from countries or locales equates to traveling, but I get a much deeper sense as to what I'm really doing when I go beyond the boundaries of traveling and just be there and experience it all.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
February 2014 was the first time I got to experience an entirely new different world. I was delegated in a cultural exposure in Chiba, Japan by my local YMCA. Now that is one thing that I'm still ecstatic about. I remember feeling that jolt of excitement every time I reminisce those cold nights on the streets, warm drinks from conbinis, and the food. <i>God, the food!</i> I miss my Japanese friends too, and I promised that I'll visit them frequently. I haven't gotten around to going back to Japan just yet, but I never break my promises. And my mom has recently been keen on letting me stay at her friend's home in Nagasaki for a long period of time. That exposure really opened my eyes about Japanese culture. I got to meet people and impart our own culture with them. Everything was so much fun, and that was particularly so because of the friendship and experience involved.</div>
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Going back, the things running through my mind right now fill me with the same giddiness I felt when I learned that I was going to Japan and not just tour around. Don't get me wrong though, I think that touring and enjoying the sights are perfect. It's just that these opportunities that present themselves to people such as I (who don't come from extravagant backgrounds) have a particular weight on my sentiments and my perspective on the world.</div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>So what IS happening?!</u></span></h2>
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One breezily humid night that fell on the 2nd of March, I was scrolling through my social media and my emails, when one particular subject made my face look like the one above instantaneously. I gripped my heart, because I knew what it meant, or what it might've NOT meant, and clicked. After reading the entire email, I sighed with relief and started screaming in the house! What exactly was the email about? Well...</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
"The Oxford Tradition Scholarship Offer"</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72xXwFNibWIgBlOYBuwDzE-Ym_308NAKIeqqJhHxHdhlITGOPsj873E9kDijG5WM_rqPHxR3mmVEqTqRw6vRAn6RysOF9yTrhRZf973DPqvNWqUDYSNC3iUQvalKpnf_LI6E6nc1dvbDb/s1600/duh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72xXwFNibWIgBlOYBuwDzE-Ym_308NAKIeqqJhHxHdhlITGOPsj873E9kDijG5WM_rqPHxR3mmVEqTqRw6vRAn6RysOF9yTrhRZf973DPqvNWqUDYSNC3iUQvalKpnf_LI6E6nc1dvbDb/s320/duh.jpg" width="264" /></a>Summer, 2015 was the time when I decided that I wanted to try applying for a scholarship to this program. It'd been recommended to me by a dear friend, and I wished her luck when she applied, and she also wished me luck when I applied, and now I can't believe it's really happening! <b><a href="http://oxbridgeprograms.com/" target="_blank">I'M GOING TO OXFORD FOR ONE MONTH (July)!</a></b> My family and I thought that this would be a fantastic opportunity for me to take. I'd gain entirely new perspective and experience. Both of which I really love. Add in the fact that it's gonna be in London? Oxford? Fave places? Umm....... Who wouldn't faint at the idea?</div>
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And no, I'm not bragging. That would've been the worst reason for me to post this. I wanted to vent this out to you guys because I just NEED to scream this out: Instead of traveling, try experiencing the places you want to go to. Again, I have no bad intentions for those who decide to just relax and post pictures, but experiencing the culture, especially the people, will probably make us better at being open with the world and just connecting. Going to places isn't only a hobby, it's also an opportunity. An opportunity to absorb how the world works, and absorb how you adapt to these mechanisms. </div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Two more things.</u></span></h2>
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Since I've already put this out here, I'm going to be blunt. Does anyone have any tips on how to maneuver in London? I mean, where do I go, how do I budget, where's everything? I'm practically clueless. If anyone of you guys know or have any tips on how to live in London efficiently and how to budget, please don't hesitate to reach me! I'm desperately clueless! (I'll be living in one of Oxford's colleges, though)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXGe8EJlIf-kq51sOjGgGBwGczJhQYPMuIcxwUP1KVPnf995BWwuORrsGo7ypKHVTmC8EzT4-EB4x5ZS2cUoE73PxDgaUKY71vcZY4CgAeAqW-GpzDGFxqtb8khcNeGubeY2np83s2lEn/s1600/mute.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXGe8EJlIf-kq51sOjGgGBwGczJhQYPMuIcxwUP1KVPnf995BWwuORrsGo7ypKHVTmC8EzT4-EB4x5ZS2cUoE73PxDgaUKY71vcZY4CgAeAqW-GpzDGFxqtb8khcNeGubeY2np83s2lEn/s320/mute.png" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I just smile to hide my cluelessness.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
On another note, now's the perfect chance for me to launch my Pinterest! I've created this long-ago, but I haven't really expounded about it. Basically, it's a social network where users can share inspiration and inspirational pictures/quotes/etc, and arrange them into boards so that people can follow the boards (or other people), and expand the community! In this case, my pinterest is already set up to accommodate my blog's brand. It has diverse boards that contains anything under the sun (more organized than that, though), so if you want, you can check it out <b><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/jrmp2000/" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlzIn0ohxhluN4rBZibP5U7NiXPu1ZMnhW9MSny8eTIjbvzDmKsbbITsX-3pgYY05bjBOZMsHvIPE_R5IXSdZW9kKGaJ8mXhcMdBONkhgV672MoQszqMoS7-K6Nj3WTcwx3SzTlDPlvS1/s1600/vector+new+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlzIn0ohxhluN4rBZibP5U7NiXPu1ZMnhW9MSny8eTIjbvzDmKsbbITsX-3pgYY05bjBOZMsHvIPE_R5IXSdZW9kKGaJ8mXhcMdBONkhgV672MoQszqMoS7-K6Nj3WTcwx3SzTlDPlvS1/s400/vector+new+2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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P.S. I'm posting something really fun soon! It's still related to Oxford, but well!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5-afu_OJx87gmOV0E32ArogbBgFyZMDMvu7HKrErDOEkgnkqkM8diQtj6KKpsH0Vy-80gbRfQwDVZCDQqoayehdnGpgLlaFdG-uJeD63iTyw0-NRlYi4KhlCImoaCXIPZ3CwlZO238Ge/s1600/sign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5-afu_OJx87gmOV0E32ArogbBgFyZMDMvu7HKrErDOEkgnkqkM8diQtj6KKpsH0Vy-80gbRfQwDVZCDQqoayehdnGpgLlaFdG-uJeD63iTyw0-NRlYi4KhlCImoaCXIPZ3CwlZO238Ge/s320/sign.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-63230279416271608212016-02-27T06:59:00.002-08:002016-02-27T06:59:39.185-08:00NO HOLDING BACK: A Giveaway + Cover Reveal<br />
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<a href="https://media2.giphy.com/media/3jJEr6TfuoI9y/200_s.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://media2.giphy.com/media/3jJEr6TfuoI9y/200_s.gif" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Hello people of the bookish community! Okay. So you should know that I'm Filipino. And I'm 100% eager to support authors who are also fellow Filipinos. One of those is Miss Kate Evangelista, who is a lovely and generous being. I admire her as a person and as a writer, and I'm sooooooo excited to share with you guys the cover of her upcoming book, No Holding Back! This is part of her international giveaway for the book!</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKWnEBQCMQ_2XtEZTx61oUBgEfYCb3YYiK8ndO6qM207nbLLe9nQjjdWF3o6t8Fb4CSS7eI-CtdOZ8Ki5Doj4K77SDwG4w-hGmWx1yGNpZKOhjMALz9WBztmBU75KFFLL7nsYW-GVIJls/s1600/vector+new+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="21" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKWnEBQCMQ_2XtEZTx61oUBgEfYCb3YYiK8ndO6qM207nbLLe9nQjjdWF3o6t8Fb4CSS7eI-CtdOZ8Ki5Doj4K77SDwG4w-hGmWx1yGNpZKOhjMALz9WBztmBU75KFFLL7nsYW-GVIJls/s400/vector+new+2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The book will center on some side-characters from another book by Kate, which is entitled No Love Allowed. It has also been revealed that this story will take place 6 months after the previous novel. Check the announcement post <b><a href="https://www.swoonreads.com/blog/announcing-no-holding-back-kate-evangelista/" target="_blank">HERE!</a></b><br />
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And now....... I present to you, No Holding Back! THAT COVER IS EXTREMELY GORGEOUS.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7K2k2AXXkDTICarXHfCu7PPg6PnP-IAAl2h0r1G4-Md4QazXkesFbdN61T_81OioshHk_DMGBH1K76I3XexADnAnhsaAPp4w7YpKvcTrZCoLqXEYuucpooSaE_Xi6DBBT08PDA49n21y/s1600/12795406_10153934870054808_4665862776508458432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7K2k2AXXkDTICarXHfCu7PPg6PnP-IAAl2h0r1G4-Md4QazXkesFbdN61T_81OioshHk_DMGBH1K76I3XexADnAnhsaAPp4w7YpKvcTrZCoLqXEYuucpooSaE_Xi6DBBT08PDA49n21y/s320/12795406_10153934870054808_4665862776508458432_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></h2>
<b>Title:</b> No Holding Back<br />
<b>Author:</b> Kate Evangelista<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 256 (paperback)<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Swoon Reads<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> October 18, 2016<br />
<h2>
<u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Synopsis</span></u></h2>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Everyone knows that Nathan is in love with his best friend, Preston…Everyone except Preston. Nathan has always accepted that Preston was too focused on his swim training to worry about love. But Preston is heading off to train for the Olympics soon, so if Nathan wants his chance at love, he has to speak up now. But saying “I love you” is surprisingly difficult, even for someone as confident as Nathan. Maybe a whirlwind vacation in Europe could help? But… what if it doesn’t work out and he loses the best friend he’s ever had?</blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27414412-no-holding-back" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGczAlFKK5NTbpD1AFqrOkMBJmA7l3umQTO10_U80sRBgRbMcaAVf5VzpeZJdCfbU4fwttRzQF7d1JgYPyprljzqCwc0UzUtRyIkaxTH_1Y_eivktX5D3PlDPPC3Rm6vGKeW-l-F3MfKW/s200/goodreads.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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The author is also hosting the aforementioned giveaway on her facebook page. Check that out <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kate.eangelista/posts/10153934870239808" target="_blank">HERE!</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9NDMRlCQHs9WPKbfHmntbYl42aLzRpN8oakXc0adVMQnt2NeMRXsOSdF3F0F65wTqab6twbAOJ5Kz1pytZ55Gpfg2wlTuRMYuZM9Rg8LF-goRnlhFrdvq-iKUk90mjbDdIXytXnO87XU/s1600/vector+new+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9NDMRlCQHs9WPKbfHmntbYl42aLzRpN8oakXc0adVMQnt2NeMRXsOSdF3F0F65wTqab6twbAOJ5Kz1pytZ55Gpfg2wlTuRMYuZM9Rg8LF-goRnlhFrdvq-iKUk90mjbDdIXytXnO87XU/s400/vector+new+2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm totally excited for this! Comment below any thoughts regarding this upcoming sweetheart novel!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-50527249420500499952016-02-08T07:57:00.000-08:002016-02-08T07:57:43.743-08:00Today I'm Sharing One Of My Poems For The Very First Time<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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It's gonna be my first time sharing with you guys one of the poems that I've written! Okay, some may have noticed that this is actually in my new year's resolution about blogging. No, I'm not trying to steal attention by posting unreal stuff. It's just that even if I'm a very secret-y person, I also want to try and let this side of me (the writer side) be exposed to people. I want to express the emotions that I deem "okay" enough to share. So yeah. I hope you find this poem "not bad". <b>BE WARNED! SOME PROFANITY AHEAD!</b></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Confused</span></u></h2>
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You said that you were</div>
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As confused as the moon,</div>
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Who wishes to gaze upon the lands</div>
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And shine so brightly and so proudly</div>
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In this dark and shitty night,</div>
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But a moon who also wishes to be</div>
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Alone and incessant,</div>
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Maybe with some tears,</div>
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Maybe with a million.</div>
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Just to make a statement</div>
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To the clouds who shroud her</div>
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With abysmal darkness.</div>
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I said,</div>
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That I am confused as well.</div>
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Confused as the sun,</div>
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Always there,</div>
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Always waning,</div>
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Always compelling to be magnetized</div>
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Not only to you but also to the</div>
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Stars and clouds and skies and</div>
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Trees and oceans and mountains</div>
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Everywhere.</div>
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Compelled to ask and wonder</div>
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What the hell is </div>
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Bothering something--</div>
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Someone,</div>
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As perfect as you?</div>
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The problem lies</div>
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Not with our stupidities</div>
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And misconceptions and ignorance.</div>
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Rather,</div>
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In our inability to speak,</div>
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To actually send out sparks that will</div>
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Convey the meaning of our hearts.</div>
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That's the predicament.</div>
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We seem to pulsate just as much</div>
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As the Earth's core does.</div>
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We seem to swiftly and calmly</div>
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Go against all currents and tides.</div>
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We seem to be able to control gravity with</div>
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Our mere eyes.</div>
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We move worlds with our words.</div>
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We shift winds with our laughter.</div>
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Don't we?</div>
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Why is it that,</div>
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When I get angry and upset</div>
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Not at you, but on Circumstance,</div>
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(Well, sometimes at you.)</div>
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You seem to drift away,</div>
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Light years away?</div>
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Why do I get the feeling</div>
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Of being alone in this universe,</div>
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Still confused and left alone?</div>
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Don't I deserve someone,</div>
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A friend, per se, </div>
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Who can also give their time and effort?</div>
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I seem not to. But I do.</div>
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I mean, I believe I do.</div>
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Then again, I'm just confused.</div>
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Confused as fuck.</div>
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Okay. I hope you liked this poem! Well, it's okay if you don't. I guess this won't be the last time you'd read my poems. Til next time!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-76329171076602301242016-02-04T06:17:00.001-08:002016-02-04T06:17:38.407-08:00Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1448779570l/12000020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="12000020" border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1448779570l/12000020.jpg" width="211" /></a><b>Title:</b> Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe<br />
<b>Author: </b>Benjamin Alire Sáenz<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 359 (HB)<br />
<b>Date of Publication:</b> February 21, 2012<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Simon & Schuster<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Synopsis:</u></span></h2>
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<i>A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. </i><i><br /></i><i>Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.</i></blockquote>
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In my opinion, the story was built by a simplistic manner. The tone was nonchalant to incessant, and the mood was generally calm and "gray". The book begins with Aristotle's youth. He was a loner then. He had no friends, he didn't feel his sisters' compassion, and he was mystified by his father. His mother....well she loved him truly. I thought that the atmosphere in the story was a bit depressing, but things lightened up as the plot progressed, especially when Dante entered the frame. Dante immediately became Ari's friend, and they seemed to magnetize towards each other, always together in doing things. For the first time, Aristotle had a true friend.<br />
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I can keep going on and on about how the story progressed and still find other ways of expressing my feelings about this book. In all honesty, I really loved how melodramatic everything seemed from my point of view, and things escalated quickly enough at the end to have me clutching at my emotions because of the writing employed. Ugh. Benjamin Alire Saenz, you are a miracle.<br />
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Ari's character development in the story really helped me figure out how this book was going to turn out. I mean, yes, there are a hell lot of other factors but what really stuck to me was Ari's background and the things he went through. I'm going to be blunt, there were some times that I got a bit bored, but those were overcome by the intense moments in the plot. There were scenes that might seem boring at first, but would actually contribute to the story in a profound way.<br />
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Of course, let's not forget Dante. He himself underwent a great deal of change relative to his personality and outlook in life. And the emotional stresses that he surpassed were also enlightening. The way Aristotle and Dante had somehow always managed to find a way to maintain their connection as friends profoundly astounded me.<br />
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This book tells us about how people can start as strangers and actually end up as.... well, read to find out. Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets of The Universe is on my highly-recommended list. The setting, characters, and POV all in all consist of this wonderful work full of emotions and friendship. It connected to me right away, leaving a personal and sentimental mark that will forever be on my mind. This is definitely worth re-reading.<br />
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Because of the astounding way in which the entire development of all characters was laid out perfectly, I am giving this book four grenades!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About the Author</u></span></h2>
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Benjamin Alire Sáenz (born 16 August 1954) is an award-winning American poet, novelist and writer of children's books.</div>
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He was born at Old Picacho, New Mexico, the fourth of seven children, and was raised on a small farm near Mesilla, New Mexico. He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1972. That fall, he entered St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colorado where he received a B.A. degree in Humanities and Philosophy in 1977. He studied Theology at the University of Louvain in Leuven, Belgium from 1977 to 1981. He was a priest for a few years in El Paso, Texas before leaving the order.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4841310.Benjamin_Alire_S_enz" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> || <a href="http://faculty.utep.edu/Default.aspx?alias=faculty.utep.edu/bsaenz" target="_blank">Website</a> || <a href="https://twitter.com/benjaminaliresa" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-67558911244607557012016-01-17T08:08:00.000-08:002016-01-17T08:08:44.431-08:00Page 18 of 356! And with that......A new tag!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
Hi! Yep, it might be a bit late, but I still want to do this book tag because it's timely and it's been too long since my last book tag! First of all, I want to thank Luigi from <a href="http://readingwithluigi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reading With Luigi</a> for tagging me in this shenanigan! Basically, this tag is all about sharing my past year with you guys and welcoming the new one!</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1. How many books have you read last year? Thoughts on your accomplishment?</span></h2>
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Um. About that. I'm a bit worried about my sloth last year. I wasn't able to read that many books.... around 15? 20? It was baffling, even for me. It's because we were doing our Research and I haven't been able to find time to actually sit down and read. Much stress! </div>
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Erm... I think that I can do better this year!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2. What was your biggest regret on reading/ as a reader last year?</span></h2>
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Again, I hate my book slump last year. It was unfathomable. But.... On the plus side, I've been writing more in my private, personal journals and documents! Poetry. Oh about that. Another regret of mine last year was not being able to share my poetry with you guys. I'm an avid fan of it and I love writing and performing poetry so.... You can bet on the dime that I'll be posting some poems soon!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">3. What are you most thankful for, that happened to you as a reader, last year?</span></h2>
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Erm. I guess I can say that I discovered myself. The stress that I had endured last year made me realize some things about my life... Things that wouldn't occur to me without the burden of responsibilities and all. I think I became more of a fighter, too? As a reader, again I discovered some things about me and blogging. About my own pacing. That's why I wasn't too afraid to undergo a hiatus. I believe that I can work on my own pace and not be pressured.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">4. How many books are you planning to read this year?</span></h2>
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I kind of don't want to give an exact number to be fair though..... Around 30? More? Less? I really don't know. It all depends on Circumstance. Whom I hate. And despise. And loathe. But sometimes I love Circumstance. Circumstance lets me do positive stuff. Like blogging! But anyway, yeah. I'm hoping I can read as much as my TBR this year!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">5. What are your goals in 2016 as a reader?</span></h2>
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Other than being able to read more books and all, I'd want to meet more people, who share the interests as I. I also want to write and share my writing with you guys. Only short stories and poems and such. That's something I'd always wanted to do, but couldn't, because of time constraints. And lastly.... I want to attend more events! Gah I miss the fun of traveling to places and meeting authors, getting books, etc. I want this year to be filled with books!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">6. What is your biggest bookish dream, that you wish to happen this year?</span></h2>
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Maybe have a meal with my favorite authors like Ransom Riggs and Tahereh Mafi, PSEUDONYMOUS BOSCH, Michelle Hodkin, and many others! I think it'd be phenomenal to be able to chat with my fave authors and talk about books over a meal. Too far-fetched, but one is free to dream whatever he/she wishes.</div>
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I'd also want to attend BEA.....I mean that's goals.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">7. If you'll wake up after celebrating the new year into a fictional place and you'll have to spend you entire 2016 there, what fictional place would it be? Which two fictional characters would you want to spend your 2016 with?</span></h2>
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The answer is simple. I want to spend it in Oz of course! Well, the Peculiar World is another wonderful choice. Hmm I'd be cheating if I broke the rules but anyway. I'd want to spend my 2016 with my favorite couples Simon & Blue, and Ari & Dan. That's two PAIRS of fictional characters so my answers aren't that much far-off!<br />
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That's it for this tag! I'm sorry if my answers are still too hungover from New Year's! In any case, let me know some of your answers below! What are your plans for 2016?</div>
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Oh and by the way, I'm tagging everyone and ate Salve from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT_waUXm2JVwTo9QjP4mOyg" target="_blank">cuckooforbooks</a>!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-92217851517956742112016-01-08T12:12:00.000-08:002016-01-08T12:12:04.355-08:00[Blog Tour] REVIEW: Paradise Drive<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I'm gonna be sharing with you all something new. I've always loved poetry, and upon discovering that there's a blog tour by <a href="https://poeticbooktours.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Poetic Book Tours</a> for a Sonnet collection this January, I immediately signed up for it!</div>
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You can follow the Tour here:</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092979" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 1</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="https://evaluciamusicandliterature.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Eva Lucia</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092980" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 5</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://readbookswritepoetry.blogspot.in/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Everything Distils Into Reading</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092981" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 6</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://jorielovesastory.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Jorie Loves a Story</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092982" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 7</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://irbratb.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">I’d Rather Be at the Beach</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092983" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 9</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://eccentric-everything.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Eccentric Everything</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092985" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 11</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://www.literaryfeline.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Musings of a Bookish Kitty</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092986" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 13</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="https://diaryofaneccentric.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Diary of an Eccentric</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (Video post)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092987" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 15</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://www.truebookaddict.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">True Book Addict</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092988" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 20</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://imlostinbooks.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">I’m Lost in Books</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (video post)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092989" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 25</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://emmaedenramos.weebly.com/blog" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Emma Eden Ramos</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092990" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 26</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://www.bookgirl.net/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Bookgirl’s Nightstand</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (video post)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092991" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 27</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="https://necromancyneverpays.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Necromancy Never Pays</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092992" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 28</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://www.sukosnotebook.net/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Suko’s Notebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092993" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 30</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Create With Joy</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_526092994" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 30</span></span>:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://absurdbooknerd.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Absurd Book Nerd</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"> (review)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJVP9YSavTBDmlqWPf57qIj5PDa6Fq-SIuNkaRHc0y1nsi0gNALoACGkugQx5CGmr8cmcMqL0Dltj_xMConnh7xiUu8t5zYQqCV3ldAbEYowRLElc5SWcy1_SSa7HgCBdNRwpITkeONRp/s1600/cover+of+PD_jpeg_7-15-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJVP9YSavTBDmlqWPf57qIj5PDa6Fq-SIuNkaRHc0y1nsi0gNALoACGkugQx5CGmr8cmcMqL0Dltj_xMConnh7xiUu8t5zYQqCV3ldAbEYowRLElc5SWcy1_SSa7HgCBdNRwpITkeONRp/s320/cover+of+PD_jpeg_7-15-15.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="209" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Title:</b> Paradise Drive</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Author:</b> Rebecca Foust</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Number of Pages: </b>114 (TBP)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Publication Date:</b> April 24, 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Publisher:</b> Press53</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Synopsis:</u></span></h2>
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<i>Paradise Drive links 80 sonnets in a narrative about a modern Pilgrim on a journey from rust belt Pennsylvania to the glittering suburbs of Marin County, California. The book takes great pleasure in questioning, tinkering with, and ultimately exploding the sonnet form. It has been well received, with more than 50 reviews and features since its release last April. Rumpus and the Washington Review of Books included it in their National Poetry Month picks.</i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24958335-paradise-drive" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4w1XUqneqpLmP5fXZQ5cJANU2m16UwmHFbHurnV0XtT6MEElMVOcQ45WbBHvn9JCq-nK2yPanhY88lE_UNwlR0Db2ObULxmwyfJiWYkr-UMgGNls1mmDh1ZvpipXyNw4emY9_uyR8Bp7/s200/goodreads.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Review:</u></span></h2>
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This is the first time I've ever finished a work written completely in poetry, and to review one at that. Paradise Drive is about Pilgrim, a woman who seeks to find herself by traveling from Pennsylvania to Marin County, California. It mixes elements of avant garde writing as well as structured styles. The book in itself intends to convey one flowing message, and it did so for me. Pilgrim underwent a lot of troubles in her life involving her husband and children, as well as her parents' deaths.</div>
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Pilgrim's journey was exhilarating yet enlightening at the same time. She realized things beyond her ken, and managed these with grace and exuberance. I felt the losses and sufferings that she endured. Her ending wasn't something I'd call as glamorous as Marin County, but the plot descended swiftly and gracefully. The last sonnet, "Preparation for Pirouette" was full of meaning and context. Yes, I still had some questions, but it being the conclusion isn't a bad move at all.</div>
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This collection of Sonnets highlights some references to modern culture. Drugs (or meds, if you must), car parking, parties, and sexuality, to name a few. Of course, there were also allusions to other works of literature (I liked the Deadly Sins most).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qiOQ12rG6yZfPrmXRQAyvJwVvEPSOX2t9Ark8_TcuaHif_e8hmvTpbkim6zUCyUjejbU57w2eQj6hHMR3UjmwW55079DwWlNkYjez209cL2EwQ5aqxGceDmqmBoN3j6g-rR2OyOiYjyo/s1600/Drive+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qiOQ12rG6yZfPrmXRQAyvJwVvEPSOX2t9Ark8_TcuaHif_e8hmvTpbkim6zUCyUjejbU57w2eQj6hHMR3UjmwW55079DwWlNkYjez209cL2EwQ5aqxGceDmqmBoN3j6g-rR2OyOiYjyo/s320/Drive+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For me, poetry is mysterious. Especially in sonnets. The reader decides on which take he/she will impose on that piece. This is something that I found to be distracting while reading the book. I feel that I have different interpretations on some of the sonnets. And it bothers me slightly, because what if my take is too far-off from what the author wants to say? The diction employed by the author also astounded me, as it exemplifies the usage of words from French slang, and as I have said earlier, references to literature.</div>
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And lastly, the words. I feel that I have a connection with how Rebecca crafted the poems. The technique used was in my taste, and I liked how the vowels worked in order to give off an illusion of flow. The breaks were also utilized in a smart manner, giving ample space for the reader to rest, and to give emphasis on the important parts of the sonnet. </div>
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Overall, Paradise Drive is a really great novel if you're into poetry and/or Sonnets. It's mysterious and you might want to read some lines multiple times. The concept is spot-on with more than enough imagery, and I think that this work is a great representative of Modern Poetry.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Rating:</u></span></h2>
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The book was filled with wonderful ideas and concepts. However, I had a little trouble figuring out the best interpretation for some of the poems, as it has been my personal habit to interpret the poem with full attention and intention. With this, I give Paradise Drive four grenades!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>About the Author:</u></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJq35N6Uvratgua3jmKtTlTbdJXziYH5H7BopnAYP8OBzeDyO1X7ClntwXHw8gHd1nuzjX7WbtcqwO3tBSaw6pSh2ODh7Db7bv-PolEkN-Ng19LJzPk0w4uNnBjkdEZFbhtRt274HDCKs/s1600/Becky_author+photo_cropped_7-12-14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJq35N6Uvratgua3jmKtTlTbdJXziYH5H7BopnAYP8OBzeDyO1X7ClntwXHw8gHd1nuzjX7WbtcqwO3tBSaw6pSh2ODh7Db7bv-PolEkN-Ng19LJzPk0w4uNnBjkdEZFbhtRt274HDCKs/s200/Becky_author+photo_cropped_7-12-14.jpeg" width="199" /></a></div>
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Rebecca Foust was the 2014 Dartmouth Poet in Residence and is the recipient of fellowships from The Frost Place, the MacDowell Colony, and the Sewanee Writer’s Conference Her fifth book, Paradise Drive, won the 2015 Press 53 Award for Poetry. Her other books include All That Gorgeous Pitiless Song (Many Mountains Moving Prize), God, Seed (Foreword Book of the Year Award) and two chapbooks that won the Robert Phillips Chapbook Prizes in 2008 and 2009. Foust’s poems appear widely in journals including American Academy of Poets Poem-A-Day series, Hudson Review, Massachusetts Review, Poetry Daily, Sewanee Review, and Verse Daily. A first generation college graduate, Foust attended Smith College (BA 1979), Stanford Law School (1979), and Warren Wilson College (MFA 2010). She has won the 2015 American Literary Review Creative Writing Award for Fiction judged by Garth Greenwell and the 2015 James Heart Poetry Prize judged by Jane Hirshfield. She lives in Northern California and works as Poetry Editor for Women’s Voices for Change and assistant editor for Narrative Magazine. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1645877.Rebecca_Foust" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></span></div>
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That's it for today's post! Comment below if you also love poetry, and are intrigued by this work!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992713682497711129.post-59432952490611846162015-12-31T09:29:00.000-08:002015-12-31T10:23:57.238-08:00Another Coming Back Post.... Hopefully.<div style="text-align: center;">
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There's no point in beating around the bush so I'll plunge right in.</div>
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Okay. It's been so long since my last last last post. As much as I hate to admit it, I've neglected this blog. I know it deserves attention, as it is an avenue for the expression of my opinions on literature. But..... it's hard.</div>
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Our schoolwork got really hectic recently, with me struggling to keep up with the piles of homework and tests and projects that need to be accomplished. It almost drowned me, so to say. Even our heavily-awaited Christmas break turned out to be free time for us to meet and do our group works. I'll be calling a spade a spade. I was tired. I got tired of being stressed and doing all those... Also, I got sidetracked. I'm preparing for a big event that I hope to pursue next year, but again, these academic constraints kinda prohibited me to do so.</div>
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I'd like to start the year by committing myself more to the blog, though. That's gonna be in my New Year's Resolution. I didn't want to go under a hiatus. In fact, I hated it. But it couldn't be helped. I love blogging for my opinion's sake, and I love connecting with people who share the same passion for books as I.</div>
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I hope I can abide by his resolution!<br />
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P.S. Here's a photo with some of my Hi-Y (High school YMCA) friends! We attended the YMCA Conference last December 19-23 and it was superb! This was taken on the 23rd, at the QC City Hall.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09992377701436782529noreply@blogger.com0