Sleuthing Orange

My fascination with detective stories started with Nancy Drew. It was in high school when my cousin started buying her books and after she finished it, I read them. I cannot remember the books that I’ve read. Lols. But definitely, it started an addiction to everything mysterious, deadly, and altogether mind blowing.

Then, there was Detective Conan on GMA. Though the anime is so out of this world and obviously far from everything that can happen in real life (e.g a teen drinking a potion to make him younger), its story fascinates me. How he thinks and links everything with something leaves me at awe. I even catch myself sometimes trying to guess the killer in every story. Detective Conan brings so much good memories.

Sherlock Holmes – I finished reading all of his stories in the office. In boring mornings when I have nothing to do, I just go to Wikisource and bam! Everything is there. After finishing Conan Doyle’s entire masterpiece, I finally came to understand why Sherlock Holmes is so timeless.  He is so courageous, strong, and definitely though the setting happened a hundred years ago, it still amazes you.

Then there were the Millennium Series. Who will never forget Lizbeth Salander?

Now, I am so addicted with Agatha Christie. I already finished 10 of her books and will definitely write about her in the near future. She is really the most brilliant mystery writer I’ve encountered. I cannot wait to write about her. :D

Well, they always say that tomorrow is a mystery. And I really cannot stop the hype that I am getting every time I read something that make my head hurts guessing what really happened. Lols.

Hopefully, I can write my own detective story someday. That is something. :D

Book 4 of 2013: On Great Perhaps and Inescapable Labyrinths

Thoughts on Looking for Alaska by John Green

I finished reading Looking for Alaska last week. Apologies for not writing about it right away. I was busy. :)

Also, I really don’t plan on writing a review about it. You guys can read PM’s review about it. She forced me to read it last year; however I was stuck with so many books to read, and work and schedule has been too mayhem to even consider opening its PDF file (Thanks, PM!). Hence, believe me, this book is so worth it reading I disgust myself for not reading it right away.

As stated, no review this time. We will just talk about two ideas presented in the book and how it affected me in ways I never expected it to be.

The Great Perhaps – the lead in the book is in search for this, the same way we believe in what ifs and will this work. I see The Great Perhaps as the risks we face each day, the decisions we made, and the probabilities of attaining something with nothing. The Great Perhaps can be a great trick, depending on how you see it. It draws a thin line of being optimistic and delusional. I use it for the optimistic side.

How will I get out of this Labyrinth? Alaska Young said. Labyrinth represents suffering in all forms and degree. Alaska’s Labyrinth comes from the things that happened to her when she was a kid. Obviously she never got out of it because she died, whether it was suicide or not, no one can tell. Sadly, Alaska’s labyrinth ended in an ugly manner.

Looking for Alaska entered my life while I am still searching my own great perhaps and while I am trying to find ways to lessen the labyrinths that drowns me. It was perfect timing. I understand that the great perhaps may take time, definitely it will take a lot of effort but the outcome will be sweet. In cases where labyrinths happen, there is nothing you can do but to get out of it, never let it cloud you forever. A perfect advise if start a prayer.

The book is a story about hope – finding it and never losing it. I was close to believing that Alaska and I were the same, but if I will think about it, we are different in a lot of aspects. I don’t feel the need to get out of the labyrinths which trapped me. Definitely, challenges happen, but I will just let it pass. En route to my Great Perhaps.

Book 2 and 3 of 2013: The Nicholas Sparks Experience

Will it be safe to say that everyone knows Nicholas Sparks?

In case you don’t, Nicholas Sparks is a romance novel writer. He wrote some of the famous love stories that were made to movies. I only watched one of his films – Dear John. It was pretty good. It features the super hot Channing Tatum. Haha.

However, I was never a fan of Nicholas Sparks. Aside from romance is really not my turf, I really don’t like the way romance stories makes me feel. But that doesn’t mean, I will not read his books, though. Books will always be fun to read, believe me.

A Walk to Remember has been a hit. I remember my sisters crying the moment Mandy Moore and Shane West got married in the movie. I never watched the whole film though, but seeing the trailers and watching Cry and Only Hope where portions of it were shown made me understand how the whole story flow. It talks about a girl, who will die, and how the guy who never saw loving her fall in love and made her remaining time on earth extra special.

Surprisingly, the book was an easy read. I finished it in a night and I can say that the story will make you appreciate how love can change someone. The book was way different compared to the movie, though. It doesn’t have Jaime’s wishes where the movie will make you love Landon more. I also thought that A Walk to Remember was about Landon walking Jamie home, haha, the title of the book was taken from the moment Jamie walked the aisle when the two got married.

What was frustrating was the book never detailed what happened to Landon after his wife passed away. I want to know if he falls in love again, whether he got married and how he moved on. Too bad, his story never really showed.

As mentioned, I was able to watch Dear John. It was a story about army guy who falls madly in love with the girl of his dreams and got heartbroken because the girl of his dreams married her best friend. John and Savannah’s love story was way longer, it has an interesting conflict, and the letters featured were written amazingly.

Compared to A Walk to Remember, I appreciate Dear John more because things like this really happen frequently. Distance and the call of duty can really be a nightmare and Mr. Sparks maximized this stuff without making things that much complicated. It was a simple, head on realization that love can really make you feel miserable. Love will make you understand that sometimes sacrifices needs to be made in order to be happy.

Have I mentioned that the movie version is way different? Haha. If you seen the movie and became happy because the leads and the story lived happily ever after, I am sorry, they didn’t. You have to read the book to know why. :D



I know that I will never buy a Nicholas Sparks book. They are pricey and I really don’t see myself having them on my shelf. Still, I appreciate Nicholas Sparks, because he provided two books that will make you understand that love is not always sweet and star spangled, sometimes, it has to hurt though all you did was love wholeheartedly. Love can sometimes be a hopeless place.

What Nicholas Sparks book can you suggest that I should read next? :P

Book One of 2013: The Life of Pi

By: Yann Martel

My first book for the year! I will admit that I became interested with this work because of the film. After I saw the trailer, there was something on it that made me so excited about it. Probably, it was Ang Lee. Maybe, it was on 3D. Or maybe it was the idea of being in a boat with a Bengal Tiger. Judging the trailer, I know I have to read this book before it even show on the big screen. 

A part in The Life of Pi said that it was a story that will make you believe in God. God being the Supreme Being, God being the source of salvation and hope, and God being the one thing you will need in moments where you have the most impossible of circumstances. As I read the book more, I lost track of this idea. I was more into Pi’s story – his struggles, his encounters, and of course his relationship with Richard Parker (the tiger).

The story was enchanting. How it was written definitely blew me away. It was never hard imagining the scenes because of how every adjective were placed. Most of the time, parts became too real because of how Martel describe every encounters. You will feel Pi’s longing, his fears, his helplessness, and his devotion by just reading the words. This book is really a piece of work.

The book can get slightly boring at first. Believe me, there was no problem stalling the “where it all begin” part. But as you move on, and discover Pi’s opinion about God, religion and faith, everything will start to entertain you. Then, you will be glued to it. You will start liking it so much that you want to finish it right away. Until you reach the ending which I felt it doesn’t deserve. Maybe the story became too out of this world for me and too amazing that when it ended that way, I never see it coming. It was still a good ending, though.

Definitely, The Life of Pi will make you believe in God. After reading the book, it will make you understand suffering as a way for God to manifest his amazing abilities. I learned a lot from the book. However, there Pi said something and it struck me big time.

Despair was a heavy blackness that let no light in or out. It was a hell beyond expression. I thank God it always passed. A school of fish appeared around the net or a knot cried out to be re-knotted. Or I thought of my family, of how they were spared this terrible agony. The blackness would stir and eventually go away, and God would remain, a shining point of light in my heart. I would go on loving.

Amen to that!

12 Best Books of 2012: Don’t Judge a Reader with the Books He Read. :)

Who would have thought that 2012 will end in three days? If you are still reading this, let us all celebrate that the Mayans screw up. Haha.

If there is one thing that really made me so happy this past year, without a single hesitation, it is the books that I’ve read. Books have been my company most of the time. I am thankful that this page never turned into a book blog. I am grateful for friends who motivated me to read. For people who suggested good titles. And specially to PM who shared this madness with me. :D

So before we move to a different year, let me share you the 12 Best Books that I’ve read this year. And I never thought it will be this tough. I finished 37 books, and it is tough sorting them. For more boring stuff, please click the link. :D

In no particular order:

1. Para Kay B – I guess this is the only Filipino Book that made the list. I admire its originality. Definitely, its ending is something you have to get ready for.

2. The Rise of Nine – People might think that I am just placing it here because I am a big Lorien Legacies fan. However, if you are following the life of Four, you will know that this baby here is the best one thus far. It is exciting. It has richer plots. It doesn’t talk much about love, lols. There are a lot of things happening, and a book with a lot of things happening will always be on top of my list.

3. The Book Thief – One of my favorite books for 2012. As PM said, every book lover must read this one.

4. Catching Fire – Reading the Hunger Games Trilogy one book after another really made me realize that this is really the best one out of the three. Well, Book One was okay. Book Three slightly bored me.

5. Fifty Shades Darker – Come to think of it, I am getting too into trilogies. LOLs. Like Catching Fire, this one is the best of the three books. It is sexier. It is more interesting. And definitely, Christian Grey here is on fire. :D

6. The Perks of Being A Wallflower – You will love a book because of what it does to you. When I finished this earlier this year. I remember going immediately out of the building just to smoke. This one is too intense. Its too depressingly good. :D

7. Kafka on The Shore – My first Murakami book. It was a challenge reading this one but it was so awesome that you have to find ways to get to understand it. Murakami’s words were so fluid. This book is epic.

8. Norwegian Wood – This is the Favorite Book of 2012. Haha. I never anticipated that I will fall in love with this. I love Midori. I love the scene with the umbrella in the rain. I love its words. Oh my, I will definitely re-read this one. Probably, a hundred more times.

9. Battle Royale – Maybe this was the reason why I never loved The Hunger Games. Since this was written way before the latter was published, I appreciated how different and bloody this book is. Once you read this, The Hunger Games will be nothing. Oh my, I don’t have a link for this. LOLS. :D

10. The Catcher in the Rye – I am placing this on my list because of Holden. Holden and his little sister will always be amazing. :D

11. Water for Elephants – Tell me how can you not love this books. It was set on a Circus. It has weird characters. It has an awesome love story. It had an elephant who speak Polish. This book is so Astig! And, I always imagine how hot Jacob can get.

12. Thirteen Reasons Why – Since I am into books that will always make me feel that the sky will fall down on me, this book completes the list. I am placing it here because of Clay. Clay has been an awesome character. He deserves some recognition for his tenacity.

How do you find my list? Haha. I can’t wait to read more books on 2013!

Eyes of The Emperor/Norwegian Wood Book Review

I finished two books this past week. My apologies for not even writing about them but I've been pretty lazy to even go online. I'm sure you don't mind.

Eyes of The Emperor is another loot from the Book Sale. I got it for PHP 70.00. It tells the story of an american soldier who has Japanese lineage during World War II. 

The conflict of the story is pretty interesting. After Pearl Harbor was bombed, most Japanese in the US experienced discrimination. And being Japanese who wants to serve the American army during that time can really get frustrating. Because of their ancestries, the Japanese soldiers were placed at the bottom of the army hierarchy (if there is such thing, im sorry) -- they were guarded, they were given the nastiest of jobs and they were placed in a mission that is really nothing but irrational. They were tasked to be targets for K-9 (dogs) units because someone was smart enough to propose that all Japanese individuals smells the same.

It is a good book. I guess because it has a theme that I haven't heard of, and it will teach you never to judge someone with the way they smell. 

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Norwegian Wood on the other hand is another Haruki Murakami classic. And right now, it is tied with The Book Thief as the favorite book for 2012. Haha.

It still has the same Murakami magic where he will blow your mind away with his words. He will make you think about the conflict in each's characters. And everything seems so fluid and so artistic it feels like you are reading a poem. Norwegian Wood is epic.

Now that I am writing this, I figured that it is sort of like the same with Veronika Decides to Die. But I love this book more. Because it has a positive feel at the ending where the book will teach you to be strong in spite of all the struggles you face -- especially losing someone you love. 

Murakami is really good, but you have to make sure that you don't read his books consecutively. :)

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Enjoy the rest of the weekend, everybody!

And yes, please see My Universe!

Shooting Kabul Book Review

By: N.H. Senzai




I got the book for fifty bucks at the NBS book sale at Megamall. Isn’t that a steal? I never appreciated book sales because most of the books being sold there doesn’t fits my interest. However, reading Khaled Hosseini’s work made me more interested in the land-locked country. You can read my thoughts on Hosseini’s work here. For now, we will concentrate on Shooting Kabul.

What is it about: Shooting Kabul is a story about an Afghan family who left their country while the Talibans were still in power. It was all Walt Disney like until the youngest member in the family was accidentally left behind when they escaped. Yes, a six year old girl was left behind in Afghanistan while the Talibans ban a lot of stuff and make people miserable in their own country.

I want to think that this book is really how the family blamed themselves because of Miriam’s lost, however, almost every one who knows them told them that it was faith that the poor little girl got separated.

What I love about it: The main character in the book, Fadi, will impress you. He really beat the hell out of him when Miriam got separated. He was so persistent in getting her sister back. I also adore how important family to the Afghans, seriously, they have honors and codes that needs to be followed.

Fadi also has photography skills. He used this to get his sister back.

What I hate about it: Granted, I really don’t like the Talibans. I also like the fact that a Filipino was the bad guy in the story. Haha. Sorry, I’m patriotic. But I never expected how the book ended. Yes, it has a great conflict and you will be really curious about how will they get the girl back. When it ended, I was like, seriously? Is that it? Haha.



The book is an easy read. Definitely, your kids will like it. It’s a children’s book, by the way. Now, I am thinking why I get it. Haha.

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Oh, Please do check My Universe! Follow niyo na rin po. Thanks. :) 

My Murakami Experience

A Review on Kafka on the Shore
 
Thanks to Nyl for sending me his PDF files, and to PM for suggesting what book we should start with, I finished my first Haruki Murakami book.

Reading a lot of reviews about Murakami and his works, definitely, my expectations for the author reaches the sky. Seeing Sir Mots photo below, I know that the book will not be an easy read. 


Well, Murakami is challenging. It really is. I finished Kafka on the Shore in a week. Aside from reading the book in The Company, I know that if I quicken my pace, I will never understand it. LOL. Seriously, in order for you to appreciate Kafka on the Shore, you must really take your time.

I love Kafka on the Shore. I admire everything about it. Murakami’s writing style is outstanding. His keenness to details and how he uses his words makes imagining things easier. Even though the book is not an easy read, the way it was written makes things easier. That is if you are the imaginative type. :D



Kafka and Nakata’s story fascinates me. I remember posting something on FB that I was down on my last forty pages and I still don’t have any clue how the story will go. I was on the last three chapters and that was still my waterloo. Since this is the first Murakami book that I’ve read, I guess having a lot of cliff hangers was Murakami’s thing. I ended the book with a lot of questions about the book but I think Murakami ended it that way to make Kafka and Nakata’s story more magical. The readers decide what will happen next.

The characters were all interesting. However, Kafka and Hoshino were my favorites. Definitely, Kafka is someone that you will admire. His diligence and determination is really above par. He makes me tell my fifteen year old self how boring he was because while he was busy with school, Kafka is already running away from home, having sex with older woman and trying his best to be the stronger fifteen year old kid there is. Hoshino is so cool. Reading his part really makes me laugh. One of his highlights was his apartment conversation with the KFC guy. It was hilarious.



Haruki Murakami really exceeded my expectations. He is definitely good just like Kafka on the Shore.

Now, any suggestions what Murakami book I should read next?

Digital Fortress Book Review

By Dan Brown

Oh, I still read book. Haha. My copy of Dan Brown’s Digital Fortress came from a housemate. She also owned The Lost Symbol. I finished the book last night, though I have the copy for almost a year. Me and my laziness. LOL.

What is it: Concentrating on code breaking and a lot of mathematics, Digital Fortress talks about how Susan Fletcher tries to save the world’s finest Security Agency using her impeccable intelligence. Remember when you are in High School, while the teacher explains how you can find the factors of a perfect square trinomial and you are thinking how this information can be applied in real life. Well, this book will be a good example.

Knowing Dan Brown, the book will definitely have an adventurous side and a geeky side on it. It is pretty interesting knowing that there is such agency who intercepts emails in order to save the world. But when a former employee of the agency tested the NSA’s systems, the whole fiasco happened.

National Security Agency

What I love about it: First, no Robert Langdon, yey! I do not hate Langdon but its nice knowing that Mr. Brown can create a character like Susan – fearless, romantic and all together, smart.

What I hate about it: After reading the book, I really don’t understand how I felt. I used to love Dan Brown before, but since I read almost all of his works, the whole mystery thing didn’t excite me much. Midway thru the book, I already have an idea who is the villain in the story, and believe me, I was correct.

Probably, I was expecting so much because the back of the book talks a lot about breaking codes and in the whole book, there was less than five incidents where code breaking skill where needed.

It is still a good read, though.

Recommended for: I will recommend this to all Dan Brown lovers out there. The book is still a good read, just don’t expect much about how the story will turn out.

Stalling Eat Pray Love

Book by Elizabeth Gilbert

It took me three months to finish Eat. Pray. Love. To all the fans of the movies and the books, go ahead and show your grudge straight at me now. I know it will not make sense if I will try to explain myself, but now, I really understand that these types of books will never interest me. All the chick flicks lovers out there, shoot me.

 Italy

Seriously, I cannot point where it went wrong. I bought the book along with my Eros Atalia books, and of course, I will read the Atalia books first. Well, you cannot blame me, Edgar Allan is hot, and I am dead serious to find out what will happen next to his story. But after reading his books, I tried reading Gilbert’s book, I tried focusing my attention on it, I make sure that it will always be on mg bag pack that way, on my free time in The Company, I can try reading it. But I also have a lot of PDF files on my email and since our department is in the hot seat for all the not so illegal things that we are doing, I never opened it. I want to keep my job, you know.

Yes, you can say that I can read the book at home, but if a book doesn’t really interests me much, in the three times a month I opened the book, almost all those time I fall asleep. Damn, I am so mortified! :)

India

Don’t get me wrong. I love Eat. Pray. Love. I love everything about it. I love Elizabeth Gilbert’s humor, how the books seems like a blog where every chapter is just a post that you would love to comment, and most of all, I love how everything seems to transcends through your soul as you sift through its pages. No wonder the book has been a hit because almost everyone can relate to it. All can understand that at some point in our crazy life, we will all be like Liz trying to understand what will really make us happy. It will give you a harsh realization that sometimes we have to find and fight to obtain happiness.

The characters will also make you smile. I love Ketut, the medicine man. I wonder if he is still alive, though. I hated Wayan no matter how good her intentions are. That woman is really shade in all aspects and all the things that she said after she kept of stalling her house purchase, I am not buying it. Felipe, the Brazilian guy, though too old for Liz, reminds me of Christian Grey, less the BDSM of course. Haha.

Indonesia

Still, I finished it in three months. Haha! Maybe because I really find some chapters boring. Though I know that it will be enlightening, some books has too much stuff about meditation, religion, and yoga. I know it makes the books what it is, or maybe those are the things that will never interest. Probably, those are the things that made me sleep. The book has a lot of talk about peace and calmness which probably make its reader fall asleep. Again, all the fans out there, don’t hate.

Will I recommend it? Of course I will. It will really be a favorite for someone who is having a hard time finding happiness. It has a lot of ideas that will make you realize that certain problems can be resolve in ways that we never thought will work.

After reading the book, like Liz, I felt happy – contented with all the things that are and happening around me. It is a good book, seriously, it is. But some books will never be your favorite and for me, this is it.

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Oh, Please do check My Universe! Follow niyo na rin po. Thanks. :)

The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak



Who would have thought that I will fall in love with it? It was never part of list of books I want to read. I almost forgot PM’s review about it, but I guess the book really means a lot to her that she kept on insisting that I should read it. Maybe she thought that I will not read it anytime soon so she just sent me the file.

I am so glad she did.

The Book Thief is like reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 13 Reasons why, and The Catcher in the Rye all at the same time. It has the same feel to it. Hence, The Book Thief has a more dramatic feel to it. While I was reading the book at The Company, I notice that when the book reach a part where it is difficult to grasp, I distract myself, because if I don’t, I think I will cry.

Let me elaborate how the book made me feel. It made me send a Skype message to Nyl saying, “ Isn’t it nice that we were never born during World War Two and we are not Jews?” Of course, Nyl was surprised, I imagined his reaction while working and then the weird thought suddenly showed up. But seriously, that is how it made me felt.

I am thankful that I was born in a time where everything is not so mayhem like Nazi Germany. Because there, whether you are Jews or you have blond hair, you still suffer, one way or another. There, misery is like pain, you really have to learn to live and survive through it. The thought of having nothing to eat, children stealing apples, boys being taken from their families in order to serve Adolf Hitler, being whipped for helping somebody else and not seeing the sky for 22 months, its haunting. I don’t think I will handle anything that intense.



What I really adore about the book is the way it was written. How the words were played to create a perfect story. There is no favorite characters because you will fall in love with every single one of them. I want to have a friend like Rudy, I see myself in Liesel’s passion for books, I want to be like Hans, have Rosa’s heart, and I want Max’s optimism.

PM said that this is her favorite book for 2012. I could not agree more. The Book thief will make you understand how to value the people who matters to you, how you can make a difference in your own little ways, and most definitely how much we should value World Peace!

Also, The Book Thief is my favorite book for 2012!

Markus Zusak, definitely, you made them right.

Absence

Lately, I really don’t have anything to write about. I guess my already boring life is turning to be more dull. Regardless, I am still busy, though.

Here are the things that I am busy with.

Naruto

Yes, I am still finishing Eat, Pray, Love. And,

Glee Season Four.

I will try my best to post something that will change the world, not! :D

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

For One More Day

By Mitch Albom



Who would have thought that I am already at Book 34 for 2012? LOL. I discovered the book, on Bagotilyo’s Bookshelf. It got my attention right away. Knowing that it is Mitch Albom and reading one of his books before, I know this is something worth reading.

What is it: For One More Day talks about a man named Charley. Charley decided to kill himself, and while he is on that process, he was able to spent another day with his Mother who died eight years ago.



What I like about it: This one is an easy. I finished this one while my nose is giving up on me due to my irritating colds. LOL.

The book will make you appreciate Mothers more. It will make you understand their sacrifices and you will learn to value all of their hard work. There were parts where Albom talks about the moments where Charley’s Mom stood up for him and where Charley never stood up for his mother, and it melts my heart knowing that sometimes, I also never stood up for my own Mother.

For One More day will make you realize how important time is. In a day where he spent it with his Mother, he realized a lot of things, and after that incident, he learned to value the things that matters. The book will teach you that you can still change. No matter how fucked-up everything seems to be, you can still pull yourself together.

Though the book has a serious story on it, I appreciate that it doesn’t feel like the world is collapsing on me (hello, PM! lol) while reading it.

What I don’t like about it: Come to think of it, I really cannot find anything I don’t like about it. I think I will just pass on this one.

You guys should really read this. A lot of my friends already did, and believe me, you will appreciate this more than anything.

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Photos from here and here.

The Lost Files

The Lorien Legacies have three books available in your favorite book store. You can read them here, here and another here. LOL.

Aside from the three main books, there are also Supplemental Books in circulation. They are called The Lost Files. Some of them can be found at the end part of the Main Books.

                       

What it is: The three Lost Files that I have on PDF are entitled Six’s Legacy (talks about Six), Nine’s Legacy (talks about Nine), and The Fallen Legacies (talks about One, Two and Three). Don’t worry. This is not a Math problem.

If you are not familiar with the whole series or if you haven’t watched the movie, let me just explain what the numbers are for. When the Gardes (the good guys) left their planet, a charm was used in order to protect them. They can only be killed in an order. The charm will only be broken if the Gardes are together so when they were young, they roam the Earth separately.

Six’s Legacy and Nine’s Legacy talk about their story before they met Number Four. Basically, it was all about how they discover their legacies (super powers) and the life they had before the whole adventure begin.

The Fallen Legacies talks about the first three Gardes that were killed by the Mogadorians (the bad guys). You might be wondering how the story of One, Two and Three were told? I know. It may sound a little confusing because the series started with Number Four, how come someone was able to tell the story of the dead Gardes, right? What was cool about this file was it was narrated by an enemy. You’ve read it right, by a nemesis.



What I like about it: Out of the three supplemental books, what I love the most is The Fallen Legacies. Aside from knowing the three other Gardes who died first, you will understand how the whole catastrophe affects the protagonists of the story. There were a lot of revelations in The Fallen Legacies. Who would have thought that the monsters that we saw on the movie were just clone like creatures and were really created to increase the strength of the enemies? The real aliens, they call themselves True Bloods, looks like an ordinary Human.

It was nice knowing Adamus, the true blood who narrates the story. Because though his entire family was all bad ass aliens, he doesn’t believe in their people’s mission. When he saw One got killed, he felt bad about it. He even tried saving Two and Three but as always, he was late.

The book will make you more aware that sometimes, not all bad guys are bad at all. All of them have a soft side. We just need to grasp that out.



What I did not like about it: I am really not sure if it is just plain coincidence or Pittacus Lore just ran out of idea when he killed Six and Nine’s Cepan (mentors). They were abducted, tortured, and eventually killed by the bad aliens in order to get information from Six and Nine. While writing this, I realized that there were a lot of similarities between Six and Nine – they were both trained in combat pretty well and they have good mentors.

The ending of The Fallen Legacies really made me craving more about Adamus (Adam). I really want to know whether Adam survived and eventually, will become one of the good guys. I want to know whether he will help Four and the rest of the gang to save planet Earth. Damn, I am so excited about it now.



Recommended for: Everyone who is really into the series like me. The Lost Files will make you understand how Six and Nine became fierce warriors, and it will make you more excited about the next book. If you want a copy of the PDF, it will be a pleasure sharing them. Send me a message.
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Photos from here, and here.

Grey

I am sure you are also curious about how Christian Grey became a household name and every girl’s ideal guy.

Probably, you have heard about the book. Maybe, you have read some of the reviews. Don’t fret, I understand how it feels. I’ve been there.
 
So let me just share my Fifty Shades Trilogy experience.
 
August 25, 2012, Saturday – Roommate and I were at our room, he was doing his usual stuff at Facebook while I am still finishing the book that I still haven’t finished when I noticed that he was reading a PDF file. During that time, thanks to my blogger friends who already read the book, I sort of have an idea what was it about. I know it is a good book. So I just told Roommate that, I really don’t want to read the PDF file, because I want to buy the book.
 
August 26, 2012, Sunday – I was on my way to work when I thought that maybe I can buy the first book. When I got to the bookstore, I immediately searched for it. It was placed on Bestseller’s table, and it costs PHP 450.00. It was frustrating. Every time I buy something, I always make sure that it will work well on my budget. During that time, I just paid our room, sent money to my mom, and pay some bills. The book was really expensive for me that time. LOL. So I just told myself that I will just buy it next time. I didn’t left the bookstore empty handed, though.

 
August 27, 2012, Monday – Finished reading The Rise of Nine. I already posted my review on it and I cannot stop thinking about Fifty Shades of Grey. So I immediately opened Wiki to know more about the book, and words such as BDSM, erotic, dominance and submission and a lot of other stuff I am really not familiar about. At that point, I already want to grab my copy. Good thing, Roommate was online, and I ask him to send me the copy of the PDF. LOL. I started reading it at the company. LOL.
 
August 28, 2012, Tuesday – At this point, I was already into the book. I read it most of my petiks moments in The Company not being bothered whether my eyes hurt because of the PC’s radiation. Christian Grey is really interesting. The way he control situations, made Anna sign his contract, and how romantic he can get. No doubt, The Orange Wit is hooked to the book. I started talking about it to my officemates and M also asks me to send her a copy of the file. That is not a problem with me; I can hear Christian whispering in my ear saying, “we aim to please.”
 
August 29, 2012, Wednesday – I wake up at eleven in the morning just to catch up with my reading. By two in the afternoon, I already finished reading Fifty Shades of Grey. It was beautiful and heartbreaking. Thoughts started running through my head whether I should write about book 1 or just start reading Fifty Shades Darker, the latter prevail. It was embarrassing knowing the effect the book has on me. I already checked Facebook to know if there is a page about it, and there is. LOL. When I got to The Company, I first opened the PDF file of Darker before even I started working. I also failed to make my usual rounds of my favorite blogs. This is getting crazy.

 
August 30, 2012, Thursday – I read the part in the book where Grey kneels before Anna so that the girl will not leave him. This is my favorite part of the book. The two of them kneeling on the floor and seeing how Grey really loves her girl. For me that part was way better than the proposal. I went home at four in the morning and since Fifty Shades Darker really excites me, after I got home, I immediately opened Roommate’s Notebook to catch up. Every time a song is mentioned on the book, I looked for it at YouTube. What happened next was horrible. I lost track of time and finished Book Two at twelve noon. My eyes were hurting because of the glare, my head aches due to the lack of sleep, so I tried to rest. I woke up at three in the afternoon. Then, I don’t feel well, my body is really hurting and insisting that I should get more rest. I just called in sick that night. LOL
 
August 31, 2012, Friday – I started reading Book Three, and what I feared most happened. Unfortunately, Fifty Shades Freed never appealed to me the way the first and second book did. While reading Book Three, every time, I get tired of it, I do something else. I really don’t know. Maybe I want more secrets from Grey, or the conflict was not that interesting to me, but there was something on the book that makes me put it down easily.

September 1, 2012, Saturday – I didn’t have much time to read the book. Because I spent the night drinking with my friends, watching X Factor, and viewing some online celebrities’ live stream. And like what I told you, guys, it was easy putting Book Three down.
 
September 2, 2012, Sunday – While Roommate was cooking pasta, I was reading the book. LOL. Then, the plot became interesting, Christian and Ana fighting always get me grinning. Fascinated with how the story will end, I tried my best to finish the book right away. Well, Mr. and Mrs. Grey having the happy ending they always wanted really make me smile.

It is really a good book. Definitely, I will still get my own copy of the trilogy.
 
Would I recommend it? Hell yeah! But make sure that you are above 18 first, LOLS. *roll eyes*

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Photos from here, here, here, here, and here.

The Rise of Nine

By Pittacus Lore

When I went to NBS yesterday, the only thing that I had on my mind was to buy Fifty Shades of Grey. I heard a lot of things about it – my friends are talking over in on the net, and my roommate even got a copy of the PDF file. However, when I saw the price of the book, I thought it can wait for another time, LOLS, I just find it not friendly for the pocket. Now, I am thinking of having my roommate send me the PDF file, haha. I never left the store empty handed, though. Because this book was beside the Grey book, and since I am a big fan of the series, I just bought it.

What it is:  The book is the third part of the Lorien Legacies. If I Am Number Four talks about more of Four’s discovery about his legacy (super powers), while The Power of Six concentrates on the other Garde (Aliens who were destined to redeem the planet from a nasty villain), The Rise of Nine focuses more on their quest to become as one team in order to defeat the Mandagorians (antagonists of the story).

What I liked about it: Allow me to say that, out of the three books, for me, this is the best. Seriously, I finished the book while doing my work in the office. I was so hooked that I just can’t get my eyes off it. The book was narrated by three characters which was awesome because at least right now, it doesn’t just concentrates on Number Four’s thoughts and feelings. Doing such creates a clearer image of the story. It shows how different the three Garde’s were, thus creating a more interesting plot and more characters you can relate to. No several pages talking about how John felt about Sarah, no boring sentences about flirting, and no repetitive part where the good aliens were fighting the bad aliens. This book is really cool.

I love the idea of having the Government and Mandagorians collaborated in order to stop heroes of the story, I love how thirsty the characters show off their skills. And I also admire that though the remaining Garde were so different from each other, they still blend because of their common goal.

Aside from that, imagine moving things with your mind, moving to a different continent in a short time, talking to someone on your head, controlling the weather, defying gravity, shifting to a different shape, healing by touching, and watching your hands light up? Tell me if that is not cool enough.

What I did not like about it: I really cannot point everything in this book. But there is really one thing that made my eyes rolled and my left eyebrow make a sudden raise. At the first two pages of the book, there was a part where it says “the events in this book are real,” see the picture below to fully understand. Once I read that, I was like, Seriously? LOL.

Recommended for: For anyone who loves Alex Pettyfer science fiction books, stories about aliens, UFO, unbelievable powers and some kick ass action scenes.

The Great Gatsby

By: F Scott Fitzgerald

When PM said that this book is really a good read, I downloaded the file on the Internet. I was just not sure whether the one I read was the book version because it only has close less than 100 pages. My copy was like the book being used by high school students, it has a discussion part at the end, and like a quiz that definitely you will not see me answering. :D

I read my copy in less than an hour. The book was really an easy read. How the story was plotted will make you stare at your pc and will make you want to finish it right away. That is if you are reading a PDF file. Believe me, I was reading it at the office, and when I started reading it, I finished reading the book first before going back to work. I am a good employee kaya. Haha.

But the book is really cool. The plot is solid, truthful and definitely heartbreaking. Though it was set in the 1920s, you will be able to relate with it. Knowing how mysterious people can get and how society can get so wrong, it feels like the book was just written yesterday.

The story of Mr. Gatsby can happen anywhere, anytime, and to anyone.

Now I can't wait for the movie to show up!

Here is Gatsby, Nice and I guess Daisy on the upcoming movie.

Off Topic: Finally I was able to finish reading something. I am so proud of myself. :D

Thirteen Reasons Why

By: Jay Asher

I am really not sure where I will begin this. My mind is perplexed and right now all thoughts seemed to fade away. Seriously, this book is really making me think.

Like almost everyone who have read the book, I feel bad for Hannah. Who will not feel bad for her? After all the crazy things that she have been into, it will not be difficult understanding her. What is more upsetting? Hannah is weak, or maybe she really had a hard time and she was not strong enough to cry for help, or even help herself.

Feel worse for Clay. As what Hannah said, he was part of the 13 reasons but not how the other 11 people treated her. Clay was different. He could have been Hannah's lighthouse but instead of going straight to it, Hannah went for the storm. He liked Hannah, he never see Hannah differently and if given the chance, Clay will be there for her. But Hannah blew it! And it was really painful reading that Clay has to hear what happened to her when all he ever wanted was to get to know her.

The story can really get twisted but in a very good way.

It can get frustrating and at some point, I catch myself stopping every time Hannah will say something that is so true. One of them is "the least popular story will always be the truth." And that is true, why will a dead girl lie, right?

Thirteen Reasons Why will really make you reflect. It will give you a reason to be sensitive in everything you do. Because Everything affects everything. We sometimes think that what we are doing doesn't affect somebody, the truth is, it can help or tears them apart. Worst, it creates a snowball effect that may something leads to greatness or to overwhelming despair.

But no matter how big the snowball is, if shits really happens, taking your own life will never answer your questions. If things get worst, cry for help, if help never came, let hope remains. Never lose it.

The book really made me value life more. It made me love myself more, haha!

Definitely this is one of the re-reading list. :)

Oh, thanks PM for informing me about this book, thanks for telling me that you see Clay in me. Is it because you think that I am super nice and their is no bad side in me, hahaha. Choz lang. :D

Its Not That Complicated:

Bakit Hindi pa Sakupin ng mga Aliens ang daigdig sa 2012?
By Eros Atalia

Sabay kong binili ang Ligo na u at ang Its not That Complicated. Mahirap na, baka hindi ko agad mabili ang book two, mapagiiwanan sa kwentuhan. Nalaman ko lang kay Gelo na may book two na pala, at siyempre yun ang naging hudyat para hintuan ko ang current book ko na binabasa at simulan ang kaadikan kay Eros Atalia.

Namotivate akong basahin ang Its not That Complicated kasi gustong gusto kong malaman kung ano ang nangyari kay Jen. Bakit siya biglang nawala? Bakit bigla niyang iniwan si Intoy? Masyadong madaming tanong na iniwan ang unang libro na kailangang kailangan ng sagot. Mga tanong na magpapaisip sa iyo kung complicated ba ang asa pagitan ng dalawa at kung tama ba ang kung anong mayroon sa kanila. 

Sa second book, masasagot ang ilang katanungan. Pero, marami pa ring tanong na maiiwan. Sa pagpasok ni Tina sa buhay ni Intoy, aasa na dapat ako na siya na ang magpapaligaya sa bida. Aaminin ko, masyadong mahirap ang gulong pinasok ni Intoy, pero maninindigan ako pag sinabi ko na siya ang mas talo sa lahat ng gulong dumating sa buhay niya. Kaya masyado akong hoping na si Tina na talaga ang nararapat na babae sa kanya.

Kaso ang complicated na buhay ni Intoy ay mas naging complicated. Haha. Kailangan mong basahin ang book para maunawaan ang mga pinagsasasabi ko.

Kung may isang bagay akong natutunan sa libro, siguro tama nga naman na Its not that Complicated, siguro everything is just a matter of perspective. Yeah, minsan, mararamdaman natin na parang napakashit ng mga nararamdaman natin, pero in the end, wala tayong aasahan kung hindi ang mga sarili natin to make ourselves better. 

Sabi ni Eros, ito na daw ang katapusan ng mga story nila. Weh? Haha. Hindi ako naniniwala. Madami pang complications na magaganap sa buhay ni Intoy at sigurado, aabangan ko iyon.

Ligo na u, Lapit na me

By: Eros Atalia

Napanood ko ang pelikula nito a couple of months ago at simula noon, hindi na siya naalis sa utak ko.

May impact sa akin ang pelikula. Siguro dahil kina Enrique at Mercedes,

Marahil dahil sa kung gaano ka twisted ang buhay ni Intoy at Jen, pero isa lang ang sigurado, kailangan kong bilhin ang libro. Para nung binili ko yung I Am Number Four ko na book.

Sa mga pagkakataon na alam ko na kung ano ang mangyayari kapag nagbabasa ako ng libro, isa nalang siguro ang hinahanap ko, siyempre ang mga bagay na wala sa pelikula. Ano pa nga ba? haha.

Ano nga ba ang istorya nina Intoy at Jen? Hmm... Sabihin na natin na complicated ang mga bagay sa pagitan nila, imagine ang isang average guy na nainlove sa isang liberated girl. Sila ang epitome ng friends with benefits and perks. Ang astig isipin, pero ang hirap unawain. Kasi, siguro sa dami nilang pinagsasaluhan together, ayun, tuluyan pa ring nahulog ang loob ni Intoy kay Jen. 

Makulit ang book, gaya ng movie. Masayang basahin, gaya sa movie. Pero unlike sa movie, masasabi kong mas behave ang libro kasi nga ikaw na ang bahalang magisip ng mga ginagawa at ginawa ng dalawang bida. Sa movie, siyempre, since medyo sensual ang mga bagay bagay, umasa na may mga ganitong eksena.

Astig diba? Hanggang diyan nalang muna baka maging NSFW ang blog ko kapag nagpost ako ng iba. :D

Ang mas astig sa libro? Bukod sa kwento ng dalawa, pinakita din sa libro ang mga bagay bagay na tumatakbo sa utak ni Intoy. Simula sa konsepto ng mga Tsino sa Pinas, problema sa mga banal, at kung ano ano pa. 

Yun lang pala ang problema ko sa mga libro, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit parang hindi nalang magconcentrate sa story ng dalawang love birds ang story. Bakit kailangan isingit pa ang napakadaming bagay? Hehe... Naalala ko yung binasa ko ang Amapola at Para kay B, hindi naman siya ganoon (O baka ganoon siya, hindi ko lang napansin. lols). Naappreciate ko naman, kaso nga lang diba habang nagiging mas masalimuot na ang buhay nilang dalawa, biglang magkukwento ng mga epekto ng mga Chinese sa Pinoy, ampf! hehe.

Overall, okay naman ang book we. It has the same nakakabadtrip na feeling at the end, at siyempre aabangan mo din kung ano ang mangyayari sa kanilang love story.

Oo nga pala, I have book two na, kwento ko nalang sa inyo pag tapos ko ng basahin. 

Happy Independence Day sa mga taga U.S. of A :D

On the First Photo: My copy of the Eros Atalia masterpiece. The rest of the photos were all taken from Google