Bookish Must-Haves

1.     Books

You can’t be bookish or a booknerd or a bookworm without books, it’s the first thing you must have whether it be any genre, from YA to NA to Adult and whether they be physical copies, ebooks or audiobooks, it doesn’t matter as long as you have books.

      

2.    Bookshelf

Where are you going to put all your treasures, not in a chest no, but like in an art gallery, have somewhere you’re going to display them, be proud of all those worlds you have been. So you need to get a pretty well organized and a neat bookshelf to fit all your, whether it be paperbacks, hardcovers or arcs. You need to maintain the cleanliness of your bookshelf, always have it dusted so that the books pages won’t get yellowy or splotched. You should preferably get a bookshelf that has a glass cover, not only for how it looks but how long lasting it could protect your books as well.

3.    E-reader

Books cost a lot. Like $9 is hard earned, especially here on PH, if you are still studying you have to save some of your allowance even if it means not eating the best food you’ve been craving, even if it means walking home. It’s expensive to be a booknerd. It could only be a hobby for the rich people, but no, even if you don’t have that much money, as long as you’re driven by the same passion everything is possible. Thank God for those people who invented e-readers and nook books or ebooks. If you can’t afford to buy a physical copy of the book you could buy the ebook copies instead, sometimes they are a lot cheaper, especially when there are ebook deals, they only cost a dollar and 99 cents equals 89.55 pesos. So you save a lot.

Here are some apps if you can’t buy a nook device or a kindle device. As long as you have an iphone or an android phone, you’re good. You can download them on Playstore for free.

1.       Amazon Kindle – I have the kindle app, I use it for the nook books I buy from amazon and to read the DRCs (Digital review copies) I receive from Netgalley.

2.      Aldiko – Aldiko is a good reader for books with DRC licences-it’s good for DRCs as well as PDF files.

3.      Moon Reader – This reader is the best app you could use to read all your ebook copies. I have the PRO version of this app and it’s very awesome because you can change the fonts, the backgrounds, the size of the book covers, the visuals. It also shows your reading stats, how many words per hour do you read, etc. It’s my favorite e-reader.

4.    Fandom Merchs

Once you read a book, a trilogy or a whole series, you’re then a part of the fandom. Once you’re a part of the fandom, you belong to the family. “Fandom before blood.” You then feel like you must have the items that the main character have in the book that you’ve read. For example:

Harry Potter – Wand, Deathly Hollows Necklace, Time turner, Hogwart’s Letter, etc.

Percy Jackson – Camp Halfblood Bead Necklace

The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Pin

The Mortal Instruments – Angelic Rune Necklace, Parabatai Necklace

The Infernal Devices – Clockwork Angel

Divergent – Erudite Necklace

And a whole lot more, as I said it’s expensive to be a booknerd. But once you have all the fandom merch of the books you love, well it is satisfying and fulfilling to have them as treasured possessions.

I bought my Fandom Merchs in this shop, you can buy yours too: www.facebook.com/amazingfandomshirts

5.    Fandom Shirts

Wear what you read. That should be your motto. Wear your fandoms and be proud of it. Have a Hunger Games Tee, that says, “If we burn, you burn with us.” Have a Maze Runner Tee that says, “Run for your life, shank.” Have a Camp Halfblood Tee, an SPQR Tee, a TFIOS Shirt that says “Okay? Okay.” Have a Divergent Tee that says “I am Divergent and I cannot be controlled.” Have a multifandom tee! So that when people of the same fandom see you wearing that shirt, you never know they might approach you and then you fangirl/fanboy about your fandoms, meet the book bff of your life.

I have a collection of fandom shirts now, and I think I have, THG, TMI, TID, TFIOS, TMR, Divergent, Shatter Me, Mara Dyer, CHB, and a multi-fandom tee. And I’m totally getting more fandom tees printed.

You can get your fandom tees here; they sell awesome tee designs of like all your book fandoms!  www.facebook.com/amazingfandomshirts

6.    Signed stuff from authors

Oh once you got the official fangirl status, even if you’re not a book blogger or anything, you totally should get or buy, yes you can buy them, signed copies of the books from your favorite authors, they might be a little more costly but they’re worth it. Also it would also be awesome if you get signed book swags from your favorite authors by joining book giveaways, tweeting or emailing them. Book swags are like signed bookmarks, book plates, posters, wrist bands, etc. For me this is the most bookish must have.

7.    Book Lights

Don’t you just get tired reading in the dark? Like with an e-reader or a flashlight or a lamp. I bet you do, also you are ruining your eyes! Your eyes are the most important thing of all for reading, for being a booknerd, take care of it. You should get a book lamp that the lighting is good for your eyes.

I have this LED READING PANEL I bought online and I swear it’s the perfect book light a booknerd like you can ever have. Just slip the panel on the page you’re reading and perfect! No need to hold a flashlight or deal with the dim light of a lamp!

I bought my LRP in this shop, you can buy yours too: www.facebook.com/amazingfandomshirts

8.     Book mugs

You may or may not be addicted to coffee as I am but it’s a need to have an awesome mug while you’re drinking coffee or tea or milk while you are reading! With a book mug of yours cheers to more books to read and later hours of sleeping!

These are mostly the things I can think of that all of us bookish people must have in our lives, they complete us as book lovers and they make life worth living and books worth reading!

The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh ARC Book Review

Title: The Wrath and The Dawn

Author: Renee Ahdieh

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Date Published: May 5, 2015

I received a copy of this book for review from Harlequin Teen because of Mr. Dante Cassius.  Many thanks to them for entrusting me the advanced readers copy (ARC) of this book and believing in me that I will make a good book review to encourage more readers and share the book love to people. All thoughts and words on this review are solely my own.

I always have a hard time starting to draft a review for a book I am so lost for words. YA Fantasy is the ever growing genre of YA that is so vast and diverse you have a thousand worlds to choose from. Amidst all those worlds nothing pulls me stronger than royal reads, I have just have a strong compulsion to read them.

So did you know that I have regrets, seriously, in not reading the books sooner. I mean I got this on my shelf since last April from the publisher, and I just read it because Lauren DeStefano keeps on tweeting about it and also Kiera Cass, so I actually decided to read this book and see for myself what the vibe is all about. And you should totally know what I found out.

The prologue and first two or three chapters are a bit confusing at first because apparently you need to read until the very last chapters to really know or unearth what happened in the prologue. The build-up of the story is so good, like so so good you can’t even. Also the character development is pretty powerful and absolutely meaningful at the same time.

Shazi, the heroine in the story is not the damsel in distress kind of girl she is the kind of girl who takes charge, takes the lead over guys and I adore this kind of girls above all. She’s acts as a fierce queen and proves to the world that even if she’s just a woman she is capable of anything, even killing a king. God knows we’re all drawn to what’s beautiful and broken. The protagonist-villain on the story is a monster, someone who people thinks is not capable of loving and being loved. Something about villainy guys and angelic guys charms me I don’t know but there is no in between. Khalid is every bit the imperfectly perfect lead male protagonist-antagonist in this story. You will probably hate him at first or loathe him but then things may change as the way things changed for Shazi.

I simply love the suspense, tension, romance, feels, literally the beauty this book contains. These good books are rare and must be read by all. These are the underrated books and unmainstream books that could honestly be your next favorite book. Here’s a screencap of my tweets on #TWATD and how hard I ship KHAZI and how I love Shazi and Khalid. 

I’d be prank with you if you haven’t read this book you will never get to know we deeper it means we can’t be friends so I advise you to run along now to your nearest bookstore and ask for a copy of the book or buy a nook edition on amazon or get the audiobook, it doesn’t matter as long as you get either one because I totally got them all. READ THIS BOOK. PLEASE READ IT. IT’S SO AWESOME IT SHOULDN’T JUST GO UNREAD.

PS: Book Rec after you’ve read this is An Ember in The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, The Kiss of Deception by Mary Pearson and The Winner’s curse by Marie Rutkoski

Rate: 5/5 stars

Reading Slump (How to get out of it!)

Hi, Readers! Jm here, co-blogger and come bearing tips on how to get out of an effin' Reading Slump!!! About a month ago I was dedicated to read literally everything on my TBR list, however, I experienced the most depressing feeling to undergo through as a bookworm... Reading effin' Slump!! hence, I definitely didn't kill my To-be-read list and didnt read a single thing for 2 months, which is by the way really depressing!

Thus, this post is solely to help readers to get out of a reading slump if they experience such... tragedy! I will point out 5 tips on "How to get out of a reading slump" which may actually get you out of it! Disclaimer though, that this tips is based on my personal experience and doesn't necessarily covers every reader! atleast, some of it may still help!

1. Light reads &  Re-reads.

   

   Favorite book At the moment (Since 2010)

   
   If you cannot cope up to the plot or get into a book, don't pressure yourself! you might feel discouraged by the fact that you cannot enjoy the book but try reading less sophisticated books, perhaps a light read or a short novel to read before taking the serious ones! Re-read your most favorite book to get you back on track!
   
   
2. "Rest" yourself.
   This rest is not about like, being so tired but about being sturdy around books. reading slumps may trigger something in your brain that cannot contain anymore words, hence giving you a feeling of not reading, yep tragic! distance yourslef to books (I know, it's really hard) to make you kinda like crave for books to read, surely you'll feel the adrenaline and excitement to see books again and to read!
3. Seize the moment.

   

   I'm obsessed w/ the Tv Series and currently reading the first book!

   Yeah, I can see this is not a neccesity since you cannot literally seize the moment wherein you cannot enjoy what you love! but this "moment" is about your second favorite thing to do! well, if your second best thing to do is to read as well, perhaps the third... or the fourth. Whatever! anyways, for me my second thing i most likely to do if not to read is to watch series! then if your satisfied, get back to reading! Lol!
4. Chapter by Chapter.
   with the reading slump, I doubt you'll never finish a book! so invest a period of time everyday to read a chapter. A chapter a day really encouraged me to read the whole thing, though it will take time but it's hell effective!
5. Keep in touch.
   
   
   If you don't feel like reading, and just lounge on your social media accounts, keep in touch of books! such as on instagram, if you follow fellow readers, take time to see pictures of books and the book-related captions. or on twitter, reading book quotes (if you follow such accounts) may keep you still in to books.
   
   

I see reading slumps both as a burden and an opportunity. Burden, because hey, reading novels is such a majestic hobby and you are ought to accept the fact that you cannot do it. and an opportunity because, it lets you experience more than reading, it does broaden the span of your bondaries to things as enjoyable and satisfying as reading books! Get out of it and you'll get back on track. stucked in it, try new things to do, but misses sniffing books... It's Hard! Hopefully this'll help you guys who may be experiencing such events! don't worry, its normal for bookworms! hahaha!

The Revenge Playbook by Rachel Allen ARC Review

Title: The Revenge Playbook

Author: Rachael Allen

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: June 15, 2015

I received a copy of this book for review from HarperCollins International. Many thanks to them for entrusting me the advanced readers copies (ARCs) of the books they publish and believing in me that I will make a good book review to encourage more readers and share the book love to people. All thoughts on this review are my own.

I’ve always wanted to read 17 First Kisses also by Rachael, I think it was her debut novel. I’ve been meaning to read it since forever and it has been sitting in my TBR list for so long. I had a feeling it was an awesome book so I added it on my TBR. And of course I wasn’t wrong. Not that I have read the book but I have read a book by Rachael Allen, thanks to Harper!

The Revenge Playbook revolves around revenge but not your ordinary kind of revenge. A revenge where you could get kicked out of school, disowned by your parents kind of thing. We have MelJay, Ana, Liv and Peyton. Four extremely different kinds of girls, in different status and high school hierarchy and they have one single enemy: The football players. How far could these girls go in seeking their cold revenge? And how far would these girls go for their newly formed friendship?

The characters/girls in this book are so empowering and fierce. They may not be friends at the beginning only focusing on their mission but their friendship developed into something stronger, like a sisterhood, girl-power group. Melanie is a Baptist. (And can you believe it? I am one too!) Melanie’s principles and mine are so alike we take proudness and boldness that were not doing anything with a boy until marriage. (But we’re not alike on pretty side because I am not lol) Ana stands as the leader; she has lost her BFF just because of a guy from the football team that is not even worth their friendship. She is the bravest of all the girls. Liv is the clown of the group, the sexiest and the straight-forward of them all. She cheers everyone up and she is firm believer of true love and knows who is she is more than all people. Then there’s Peyton, the sweetest of the four probably also the cutest. She is that kind person who helps kids in an outreach program, that kind of friend that can settle everything down. With all their different personalities and attitudes they are destined to be friends, to be there for each other when no one else is. Honestly this book is basically friendship goals.

One thing I also loved so much about this book is these foreign words where the English language doesn’t have a word for.

Backpfeifengesicht (German) - a face that desperately needs to get punched.

Saudade (Portugese)- the longing that comes with losing something you love

Mamihlapinatapaithe – the look that passes between two people when they’re desperate to make something happen, but neither knows where to begin

And whole lot more. You need these words. Trust me. You need this book. It is paced very well that you will read this in one sitting. It’s a very promising book. The friendship, the bond, the girl-power. We need more books just like this. Love triangles and love stories are now clichés. We need more girl-power, adventure, friendship books with just a pint of romance. This is all what we need in YA, especially contemporaries. The book comes out on June 6^th! Be sure to grab it! I dare you to.

5/5 stars

Finding Paris by Joy Preble Book Review

Title: Finding Paris

Author: Joy Preble

Publisher: B+B

Date Published: April 15, 2015

I received a copy of this book for review from HarperCollins International. Many thanks to them for entrusting me the advanced readers copies (ARCs) of the books they publish and believing in me that I will make a good book review to encourage more readers and share the book love to people. All thoughts on this review are my own.

At first thought, this book is very much alike to Paper Towns, I haven’t read Pare Towns but I know. I was just wandering what it is about disappearing and getting lost, it’s very common in books today like Gone Girl, Paper Towns, Let’s Get Lost; it kind of inspires me to get lost as well. I don’t know why but I like these books. There’s something more than just getting lost you know? Like they may get lost in different kind of ways but I think I’ve figured out why people would like to get lost, it’s not to be found, but to find their own selves. To find who they really are when they are not sure of it, to find their true selves and never get back in losing themselves ever again.

There’s nothing more heartwarming than a close relationship to a sibling or someone. Leo and Max are sisters, they’re best friends, it’s a rarity yes but they are. Paris is the older sister just by some few years and Leo is the little sister, but instead of Paris looking out for Leo, it had always been the other way around. They only have each other because as always parents suck at parenting. Paris ditched Leo in a restaurant at 3 am leaving clues for her to solve to find her sister, wherever she went.

Max, a guy the sisters both met at the diner willingly offered to help Leo in finding her sister. Leo wasn’t sure why, but maybe because he too is like her sister, lost and needed to find himself. As the loyal little sister she goes even beyond her country just to find out what her sister had been doing. Or at least thinking she found out what happened to her. But bam THE PLOT TWIST like I did not see that coming. Totally did not. I nearly bawled my eyes out as the secrets came out. If only I wasn’t at the office reading this book.

The characters of this book are very whole and broken. They’re formed and flawed, both weak and strong. It was what made them interesting and worth reading even fighting for. A mystery, a road trip, a romance, a tragedy all in one. This book is full of that familial feeling that you feel for someone you consider as family. A family turned wrong. This book is like family, like a sister, it’s compassionate, hopeful and devastating. Worth the read even if my heart hurts reading it.

4/5 stars

Breaking the Hiatus-Comeback Giveaway!

I’m sorry blog readers, friends, I haven’t been on my blog ever since, I guess I had just been enjoying or dreading and worrying about stuff this summer I don’t even find time to write a post. I had just been peppered with a lot of problems-but-not-really-problems last month so I was on hiatus.

This is kind of a make-up post and I have 10 books to giveaway! Yep 10! I won these books from @AvonBooksUK on Twitter and I’m giving it away for you guys just to make it up to you. If I have my sched neat this coming school year I might blog more often since I’ll be moving away from the house and staying on an apartment so yes. Here’s how to join: Just fill-up the rafflecopter form! Good luck!

You get to win ALL these books by Kitty Neale plus 1 mystery book to make it 10. Will be checking the entries and the winner is responsible for claiming the prize and contacting me. Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West Book Review

Title: The Fill-In Boyfriend

Author: Kasie West

Publisher: HarperTeen

Date Published: May 5, 2015

Of all contemporary writers my favorite is Kasie West, not John Green not anyone. Kasie’s contemporary has the perfect mix or should I say blend of lightness, heaviness, drama and humor, romance, high school and everything you are looking for in a contemporary book. It’s not too heavy and dramatic to the point that you feel depressed and it’s not too light as well. Her books are literally perfection.

I love reading Kasie’s works because I wait for like a century and I read it for like just two hours no kidding. Once you open a Kasie West book don’t expect yourself to ever close it until the last page. That is the charisma of every book Kasie writes.

Our Fill-In Boyfriend here is Hayden. I love his name too, Gia okay? He’s so dreamy. Those brown eyes and kind heart. Gia’s is like the picture of normality and Hayden is the exact opposite. See opposites attract. Gia found new friends and a new love from a heart-break. From a break-up she finds her true love. She taught me not to lie to friends and not build up lies with more lies because eventually you’ll get caught up and there’s no escape. She taught me that might lose everything but losing everything might mean that there’s better than what you think was everything because really it is not everything. You lose something for something apparently better than what you deserve.

Life lesson also in this book is that we are in no need of anyone’s validation. Most especially from strangers. Yes there is the damage already but we can’t undo it. So what if we don’t get 1000000 likes on facebook, 1000 likes on instagram. If people are not tweeting you about what you tweeted don’t feel the need to delete it. If you are not commenting on this blogpost or book review so what right? I did it to express my love of the book I’ve read and that is all. We must learn to know that social media is made for self-expression and not self -validation. You all need to grab a copy of this book and learn the lesson.

Hayden is the perfect boyfriend material. He’s good in acting and very tall. He has a weid family and weird personality that will make you love him even more. He gives what he owes. He might have trust issues like all of us but love can conquer those issues. He also has an awesome sister. (I hate guys who are so clueless!). Painter mom and cool family. He’s the dream boy every normal girl dreams of.  You ought to read about him.

I’ve watched this theme in movies and tv series I know about making the ex, jealous by another girl or boy in pretend but I’ve never really read it in a book. So thank you Kasie! I love your Contemporaries! Please write and write and write and write more and I will read them all.

5/5 stars

Series Review: Penryn and the End of Days by Susan Ee

SERIES REVIEW

Title: Angelfall, Word After, End of Days

Series: Penryn and the End of Days #3

Author: Susan Ee

Date Published: May 12, 2015

You have no idea how long I waited for this book to come out. It felt like it took forever but then I’ve just read the conclusion in about 4 straight hours-Oops.

I ship no ship as hard as I ship RAFFRYN (Raffe + Penryn).

Penryn is the strongest, boldest, fiercest and most loyal female character I’ve ever encountered. I love her to the ends of the world. Penryn is the girl that doesn’t defend on some guy for her survival or her feelings. She lives with that pure fire in her that drives her to do the things she wanted just the way she wants it. No matter what the situation throws at her she doesn’t back down. She just has to keep fighting for what it’s worth. Even if her mom is mad, her sister has turned to a monster, the guy-the archangel she loves keep on denying her and pushing her away, SHE IS STILL THERE. NO MATTER WHAT. That makes her loyalty unwavering. She had to step up as a leader even if it’s not within her. She’s a natural in everything. She makes the world a fiercer place.

Raffe on the other hand is Raffe. Raffe is Raffe. Wait okay. Raffe is HOT. Still shirtless in all that archangel glory but in this book he is coming to realize that he is drawn to Penryn no matter how he resists it. He might say he can’t it can’t be those kind of whatever but we all know he’s been into her ever since that kiss in the aerie. RIGHT? His actions show very much that he protects Penryn and he can’t let her go. They are both the fires that keep each other burning. In this book finally the sexual tension ceased. Finally. But just kisses aren’t enough! Who agrees with me? Let’s write a petition to Susan to write more about Raffe and Penryn to ease the frustration. I AM SO NOT SATISFIED WITH JUST KISSES. NOW THAT THEY’RE TOGETHER WE NEED MORE. LOL.

Susan Ee’s writing is so beautiful the world stops when you read it. The fantasy soaks you up to an entire different level of high. One of a kind fantasy stuff. Her concept here that combines the apocalypse and angels is very original and awesome. Even if I needed more of Raffryn scenes in the last book, everything is perfect I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. Raffe and Penryn for life. I just wish Susan will write more YA even if it’s not Raffe and Peryn any longer.

If you haven’t read this trilogy well you’re so missing out love. There is no just right Romance and Fantasy like the Angelfall Series. Favorite Series ever. Trust my favorites. I have taste. Angelfall movie soon! I CAN’T WAIT. JUST IMAGINE THE CASTING. THE MOVIE. EVERYTHING.

5/5 stars

The Heir (The Selection #4) by Kiera Cass Book Review

Title: The Heir

Series: The Selection #4

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen

Date Published: May 5, 2015

I didn’t expect this series to still have another book! I mean really, I had already made my series reviewof the Selection. I thought it ended with Maxon and America, but no, Kiera wants to give us more. So who am I to question it? I’ll just sit back and enjoy reading what Kiera will have to write even if the Selection Series will never end.

The Heir of course, if you’ve read the Selection or haven’t yet read for that matter is obviously about the heir of the main characters of the first books. It’s now about Eadlyn (the daughter of Queen Mer and King Maxon’s) selection. So now we got to see the side of things in the lady’s point of view and how is it to deal with bachelors and arrange marriages. Eadlyn had all the privileges Maxon never had and yet she has this not so very good and kind attitude. Eadylyn is bratty and head-strong. She wants nothing to do with guys and falling in love. Of all Schreave siblings I think she’s got the least of her parents DNAs. What’s not to like about those likeable bachelors, Henri, Hale, Eric and Kile.

We also see here how Mer and Maxon are doing the parenting thing and I’m impressed. They’re the kind of role model parents. They are still sweet to each other and going strong I love that my ship has sailed beyond the horizon. Sometimes it makes me believe about forever. There are also the Schreave siblings I all love the especially Ahren. He is so Maxon I’m in love with him. I’m Camille, you’re argument is invalid. Kaden an Osten are cuties. So many Maxerica babies.

So, for the love of everyone I am proud to say I AM TEAM HENRI *holds team Henri banner high*. I love Henri so much it hurts my heart. He may not know Eadlyns language so much but his actions tell it more. He’s so kind and so adorable it breaks my heart to feel what he must feel if Eadlyn is with the other guys. He’s so gentle, lovely and sweet. He has blond curls, the way he talks the way he carries himself, THE FACT THAT HE CAN COOK DELICIOUS DESSERTS-THAT HE MIGHT BE A CHEF. I swear he could cook for me all day. THAT EADLYN-HENRI KISS KILLED ME. I have a weird fetish for shy guys.  In Henri’s actions he can prove that he deeply cares for Eadlyn. Language barrier is no problem I mean Eadlyn can learn to speak swendish, and Henri can learn to speak English. That is pretty simple. And in Ahren’s letter huh he’s Team Henri the most! Stubborn fierce princess plus a sweet gentle cute-speaking cook = perfect and not mainstream sweet ship combination.

I’m sorry but not really sorry that I’m not team Kile. Pretty mainstream and predictable and I don’t know I see their relationship like quite familial because they grew up in like the same house just more huge. And I you don’t fall in love with the guy you use for pleasure like kissing whatsoever. That is so Cliché. And no-don’t even consider Erik for Eadlyn because he’s just a friend. He can fill up the void Ahren left in Eady. That must be his role.

This book ended though in a cliffhanger. Something happened to America, my precious. And if she *you know* just no because he would be MaxOFF (c/o Sammie) She can’t because MaxON can’t be MAxOFF. And it’s too soon because I felt like I've just read The One like yesterday.

Overall like all Kiera Cass’s books, worth the while, worth the wait and worth the read.

4/5 stars