Unfinished Post

Posting this unfinished post just so I have record of the on-goings in my life Lelz
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Well hello there! It's been a while... been juggling my time with work, K-drama binge watch, time with family and friends, books and nag-iinarte employees.

WORK WORK WORK
I've been busy busy BUSY and I love it! Since the beginning of the year, I've had orders, big and small, every week. So that's keeping me preoccupied most of the time plus my two "branches" which I actually need to restock more often.

Things are looking up, at least with the scents biz. Sa nail spa, ay hopeless pa din. The only shitty stuff with the scents biz is one of my "branch" hasn't remitted my sales since December 2016. I keep texting and emailing them, following up as to when I can collect but alas, they still haven't replied to any of my messages. ANY. They do email and text me when they're collecting monthly rent which I always reply with, "please advise as to when we can collect sales since Dec 2016 as this is where we will get funds to pay our monthly rent with." Ganern. Pero deadma sila. Ni ha. Ni ho. How unprofessional. Nakakaturn off.

ANYWAYYYY, another career milestone for me is being included in an online article. Nakakakilig ☺ I'm happy with how things are going right now. I just pray and hope that all these opportunities just keep on coming. I'm grateful, always.

K-DRAMA BINGE WATCH
I'm on a roll! Especially now that I have sort of perfected the art of watching subtitled shows/movies whilst working. And if before I prefer watching already completed dramas (to minimize the agony of waiting for a new episode), I've developed preference for ongoing shows because it means I would not be deemed useless for one whole day (or two, sometimes three) binge-watching one drama.

Recently finished watching My Secret Romance which I really really loved during the first few episodes kasi nakakakilig. But I think after episode 8, medyo the story went downhill. Currently watching Suspicious Partner, Fight My Way and The Best Hit. Just started with Missing You yesterday (recommended by cousins). I'm actually a little backlogged with last week's episodes kasi nga busy but hopefully I can catch up soon.

Aside from K-dramas, there were two Taiwanese movies I watched (thanks to an online article by Cosmpolitan PH), Suddenly Seventeen and Our Times. I LOOOOOVED OUR TIMES. So wala akong expectations whatsoever which explains why I was delightfully surprised. Haha. It's similar to the Thai movie, Crazy Little Thing Called Love. So adorable. And relatable, I might add. I also discovered the cuteness (in a weird way) of Darren Wang in this movie. Lelz. Ang bababata na nila. OM.

WATCH THIS!!!

CATCHING UP ON MY READING
Yay I'm only 1 book behind schedule! ☺ Loved the last two books I read which were P.S. I Like You (Kasie West) and How I Lost You (Janet Gurtler). The former was a feel-good, nakakakilig read while the latter was sort of a nice, steady read that has a sad, we-saw-that-coming but good-riddance ending. I am currently reading the third installment to Jenny Han's Lara Jean Covey trilogy and so far, I AM LOVING IT. Nako sana maganda lang ang ending nila ni Kavinsky. I really want to see this in live action. I hope someone makes a mini-series out of it. Reading the last book in Lara Jean and Peter K's story makes me want to reread To All The Boys I've Loved Before. After this, I plan to read Maurene Goo's I Believe in a Thing Called Love.

TIME WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
Mommy's, daddy's and AC's birthdays.

For mommy's birthday, we ate in a Thai restaurant in Marikina. You know me and my Thai cuisine- dikit kami, Lol. I very much enjoyed dinner with family and I especially loved their sweet chili sauce. For Mother's Day, we just had breakfast at Kopi Roti.

For daddy's birthday (and homecoming- since he was in the province for almost six months), we had lunch in Seaside Paluto, somewhere where they serve salted egg crabs. LOVED IT. Although I still prefer boiled crabs dipped in vinegar any time over salted egg ones.


***DNF***

For Everything, There Is A Season

Sa totoo lang wala na sa isip ko yang Korea trip na yan, but visiting this dear ol' blog of mine, I am again reminded that the supposed trip is only 4 days away. Bwiset.

But actually, things are looking up. Business is better. I just closed a deal with a hotel in Boracay. Aaaaand if I were going on that Korea trip next week, paano ko gagawin yung order? Plus, all my resources are otherwise engaged, hehe. Or at least, I think they will be. I have tons of work to do so yeah, I'm pretty much preoccupied these days. Thank You Lord! :-)

At maisingit lang, I need to bookmark this site because I want to read everything on this list ☺
Buzzfeed's 53 Books You Won't Be Able To Put Down. So far, I've only read four out of the 53 titles. I've seen Never Let You Go's movie version... does that count? Haha. Oh well. Now that it's production crunch time, I don't know how am I going to catch up on my reading. I'm 14 books behind. Reading is good but I guess I need to focus more on making money so after all this Christmas rush (yes, preparations start this early) I could go to my coffee shop of choice, read a book leisurely without any regard for time nor money. In other words, maging landlady of leisure. Hahaha. Ojalá!

2016 Reading Challenge: Ugly Love

Because I've yet to read a book by Colleen Hoover, so... I wasn't expecting much from the book and even if it has a 4.33 rating on Goodreads, I now know better than to keep my hopes up. I kinda already have an inkling that there would be plenty of sexy times but I wanted to know if it would be of the Rock Chick kind or more similar to Alice Clayton's Wallbanger.

Tate just moved in to his brother's apartment and living across his brother's unit lived a hot guy who also happened to be one of his brother's bros. Ang convenient, I like. Haha. So nothing really happened on the first night (nako ang mga characters sa YA/NA novels mas mabilis pa sa alas cuatro makadiga) but we already know Tate has the hots for the boy. Initially, it was more difficult to discern things from the boy's point of view since he's not revealing much, puro from six years ago yung nasa POV niya ng story. Well, from the POV six years ago, we knew that he still hasn't moved on from Rachel and thinks he's not capable of loving another but due to their undeniable attraction to each other hence the no-strings-attached chukchakan relationship.

What I liked in this book is, of course, the will-they-or-won't-they plot. We know Tate already likes Miles for real but given rule# 2 which is Don't expect a future, she's just getting what she can from their setup. Well, we also know Miles also likes Tate in that way because sometimes he slips up but when he catches himself, he clams up right away. So there's another reason why I was easily breezed through the book- I wanted to find out what ever happened to Rachel and why that huge of an impact on Miles's life.

Ugly Love is more like Wallbanger which I also liked. I'd rather have those gorgeous, abs-rocking, polite (well, mas polite kaysa sa mga Rock Chick boys) than those Rock Chick boys cos seriously with those boys, it's practically rape. Diba nga no means no? And sorry cos I think I'm biased since Dog the Bounty Hunter comes to mind when I think of Rock Chick and who wants a piece of that?? Aside from Beth anyway.

I totally get where Tate is coming from haha... I mean, choosy pa ba siya?

So three stars because I enjoyed it and it made me stay up until three in the morning so I could finish reading it. Initially gave it four stars but after comparing with my other four-star-books, I reckon it only deserves three. I liked it but I wasn't gushing about it afterwards. I was like, what to read next nuninuninu... I'm still three books behind schedule. Anyway, looks like I'm picking up another title by the author but maybe not this month.

Next on this list; Emery Lord's The Start of Me and You

2016 Reading Challenge: Sway

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I don't know why I have a penchant for books only a few (define 'few,' haha) love. I liked Sway more than most books I've read (hence, the 4-star rating on Goodreads) but it wasn't like-at-the-first-few-chapters.

Jesse possesses this unique ability of persuasion which I don't actually understand. I mean, how does he get things done? Cos I think if you're good at persuading other people to do things for you, you must have superb interpersonal skills which Jesse doesn't actually have. Does he know hypnotize people a lá budol-budol gang? Cos if it's just blackmail, I don't think he has the 411 on everyone. So he's a good manipulator, btu how does he actually do it? That aspect I don't really get but sige, okay, he gets things done, ano man ang pamamaraan niya.

Ken pays Jesse to get Bridget to date him. Jesse does the background research for Ken but in the process finds himself falling for the girl. And the girl likes him, too. My kind of story. Haha.

But it's not only Ken who is in the way. Jesse thinks he is not good for Bridget. He feels someone much better deserves to get the girl. Of course there's also that factor that he has built walls, that he doesn't want to become vulnerable and allow to feel emotions, in his case- loving Bridget, cos that would mean to let let his guard down. But we all know that the walls have cracked when he let Pete in.

The only thing Lola Prude (that's me!) doesn't approve of is Jesse peddling drugs and I feel that's much worse than being a user because by peddling drugs, he is responsible for destroying the lives of those he peddles to. At ngayon ko lang narealize that that part of Jesse, Bridget still doesn't know of.

I liked the book although I found it a bit slow. Four stars ☺

2016 Reading Challenge: 99 Days

via Goodreads

I don't care if I'm being judgmental but in this case, I guess Molly deserved it.

She already caused trouble the first time and the second time around, she should've been more careful, more mindful of people's feelings. Double standards ek-ek, I know, but still I believe she knows what she should've done. And man, especially not when they're brothers. I sort of knew that she'd still end up with Gabe (although technically she didn't end up with him but there were context clues that they might be together soon) but jeez, can you just imagine how awkward their family reunions would be?

Also, I understand why Julia hated her so much. Molly caused a rift in their family... even if that rift was already there prior to everything that happened, the thing is she made it worse. Eh who would be happy with what she did? Alright so she's not solely to blame but still she caught the bait. She should've thought about it a hundred times before acting on it.

And let me just say my opinion regarding what Molly's author-mom did. It was foul, Sobrang foul. I mean, she could've used her daughter's love life as an inspiration but telling the whole world that the book is based on her relationship with two brothers? Gahd.

I enjoyed the book. It was okay but I didn't like- liked it. If you were the girl, hindi ba you'd know better than to get tangled in such a complicated relationship? Cos this love triangle? It'a kinda sick. That's my opinion when it comes to love triangles involving siblings. That's how I felt with Belly-Jeremiah- Conrad triangle. Also with Molly-Gabe- Patrick.

Gahd. I suck at doing these nonreviews.

2016 Reading Challenge: Golden

As you can see I'm on a roll. Hahaha. Nako two years in a row na akong hindi naka-meet ng Goodreads goal ko and I did much worse this 2015 than 2014. Not good. So now that I have more free time, I should read as much as I can. I am determined to read 50 books this year. So without further ado, this year's second book, Golden by Jessi Kirby.

I liked it but not liked it liked it, if you know what I mean. You know my issue with these YA heroines, they always think they've got it figured out and blame the adults why everything is messed up (well, most probably it's the adults fault that these kids are messed up) but really, when you're 17, 18 or 20, you have a very limited point-of-view. And no, love is not the answer to everything.

So Parker is up for a full scholarship which will pay for her four-year Stanford schooling. She just needs to write her speech for the scholarship dinner where the panel will decide to whom they will award it. But during one of her extra-curricular activities, she encounters the journal of one of the students that has been missing and presumed to be dead. The students were supposed to answer the question, What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? She finds out things which I think sort of inspired her to go all carpe diem and let go of the scholarship she worked hard almost all her life. At that moment, gusto ko siyang kalbuhin, krompalin at hindi pa ako ang nanay niya sa lagay na yan. Can you just imagine how her mother felt at that time? So maybe she realized she doesn't really want to be a doctor but can't she, like, use that scholarship on a different course? So I liked the book except for that little shocker.

In fairness to her, it wasn't because of a boy.

Speaking of the boy, I liked that little diversion. Bitin but I guess their story wasn't the main angle in all this. Although all the time I was thinking that even if get together towards the end of the book, they'll be off doing their own thing when the new school year starts and they'll be apart. For me, sayang lang those six years that they could've been together because apparently, the feeling is mutual.

So yeah I liked it but, again, I'm not very crazy with Parker's decision.

2016 Reading Challenge: The Gray Wolf Throne

I'm back! It's been almost three months since wrote anything on this blog. I was that busy, believe it or not. And I am not complaining. Busy means business, haha. I still have projects this January which is a great way to start the year but of course it wasn't as crazy as the holiday season that had just passed. Which finally leads me to my good news- I finally have a new Kindle! Huzzah ☺ My sister gifted me a new one, a Kindle Fire I named Kendall 2.0. I would have preferred the non-tablet type mainly because of its looooong battery life. Kendall 2.0 now lasts 2 days if I read non-stop. The trade-off is that I can read in the dark. Ang Kindle parang life lang, hindi puedeng walang trade-offs. Ha.

And one of the first things I did when production wasn't as crazy anymore, I started reading again. First book for the new year was Book 3 of The Seven Realms series- The Gray Wolf Throne.

I am in love with this series. Too bad there is only one book left in it. I love how all the characters are not annoying, of course except for the antagonists who were really supposed to be hated. Even Cat Tyburn turned out okay.

This book is just the perfect blend of everything. And look, it even has a cute love story in it which is my cup of tea hihihi ☺ It's actually taking Han and Raisa forever to get together but now that is Raisa is Queen of the Fells, it has gotten more complicated. Since the Breaking, the queen cannot marry a wizard, if I remember it correctly, and Han is a wizard. If Raisa can't marry Micah for that reason, she also can't marry Han. But I believe that there will some kind of revolution in Book 4 which will involve Alger Waterlow that will change the rules of the game.

Actually, Book 3 left us with a lot of hanging issues which could be source of Book 4's conflicts. First is the killings of the wizards which I feel could be linked to Lord Bayar (but I could be wrong cos why would he kill his own kind?) and second, the scorned Gerard Montaigne of Tamron who will do anything to achieve his goal.

See, I am not really good at this summarizing my thoughts. Wala naman talaga kayong nakuha dito. I really have to spiffy up my "book report" writing abilities. Anyhoo, excited to find out what happens in Book 4 and if Raisa and Han lives happily ever after but I have this urge to put off reading the book because I don't want it to end just yet. Sa tamang panahon... Haha.

2015 Reading Challenge: The Elite

It's been a while since I last posted a book (non) review. I've been busy with "production" and my handy dandy Kendall is not salvageable anymore so even in my downtime, I can't do any reading done. Well, sometimes I use my phone when I'm on the train but it's just not the same. Plus, the ereader app drains my phone's juice quickly. So anyway, for this I'm thankful for audiobooks :) I finished two audiobooks the past week HUZZAH! Now I'm only 13 books behind my goal.

I liked Kiera Cass's first book of The Selection series, The Selection and I thought well, I would definitely love the second book as well cos, love triangles. Haha. So I had my hopes up which I should have known better not to do.

The gist is from 35 "contestants," the number has been whittled down to six. Originally, America was only in it for the money and she also successfully formed an alliance with Prince Maxon being his "insider." Of course at that first meeting medyo gets ko na type ni Prince Maxon si America. She'd feed him information regarding the girls which made her sort of spend a lot of time with him which sort of made her eventually fall for the prince. America's now a member of The Elite.

To make things exciting, Aspen, America's boyfriend before the entered The Selection entered the army and is now stationed in the castle (castle nga ba?) and *surprise! surprise!* sometimes, outside America's room. How convenient.

So here's why I sort of didn't like The Elite as much as the first book. Everyone's so indecisive. America went into this thing all reluctant and just after a few months, she begins to fall for Maxon. Well that happens when you're cooped up inside a space without much interaction from anyone else- think PBB. When she's with Maxon, she feels she wants to spend the rest of her life with him; but, when she's with Aspen, she feels the exact same way with him. Anubeh.

The same goes with Aspen. He broke off with America so she'd enter The Selection, knowing fully well that means if ever America's wins the thing, they can never be together. So now here he is a member of the king's army, within the king's walls, near America, he decides to pursue her. Tapos ngayon magseselos- selos siya?

And Prince Maxon. Isa pang pabebe. Haha. I mean, if he likes America, why not choose her? He knows she also sort of likes her and while the poor prince doesn't know his rival is just around the corner (parang Christmas lang), he gets the upper hand in this situation. Why not decide, once and for all, to choose America so they can live happily ever after? It's so easy for Aspen to fade into the background once he chooses America. America only remembers Aspen when she's with him. Eh kung bakuran na ni Maxon, wala na yun.

So I'm frustrated. Lahat sila urong-sulong. Nevertheless, I still will read The One. Tingnan nga natin ano ba talagang pinaglalaban nila.

2015 Reading Challenge: The Exiled Queen

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It took me more than 60 days to finish reading this second book in the Seven Realms series. Don't get me wrong because I liked the book, the story and the characters... it's just that I'm swamped with more pressing stuff to do like, um, work. Plus the fact that I don't have a Kindle anymore (BAWL!). If before I can read anytime & anywhere, now I can only read my books in my laptop and I can't lug it around, can I? What. A. Bummer.

So back to Hanalea and stuff.

Finally, that thing I've been wanting to happen- Han and Raisa in a sort-of relationship ☺ Perdonamé if the highlight of the story, for me, is the relationship between the two. Remember, I live for kilig. Nyahaha. However, I feel they could've banked on the love triangle of Amon-Raisa-Han a bit longer before Micah took action.

Speaking of love triangles... I'm still a little conflicted between Han and Amon. Naks, feeling Raisa. I know there are rules on who the princess can marry and if we are going to follow the rules, Raisa can't be with Amon and can't be with Han Alister, as well. So I'm wondering how this will all pan out in the end.

As for our antagonists...Who is Crow? I'm dying to find out. And Fiona Bayar, I had a sliver of hope that she was going to side with Han but turns out she wanted him on her side so she could be queen of the Fells. Tsk.

Which makes me want to start Book 3 already but since I need to pick up the pace to catch up with my 2015 Reading Challenge goal, I need to read books less than 500++ pages. Ha.

2015 Reading Challenge: Kiss Me Again

Just a thought before I start with the book (non) review: I just watched Something Borrowed again and I just realized I wanted Rachel to end up with Ethan. I forget what happened in the book, if Ethan was really into Rachel or if that was just in the movie version. Ngayon ko lang nakita yung pinaka-ending, the scene after the rolling of the credits- Darcy was in London calling after Ethan and then to be continued... The thing is, they never really made a movie adaptation of Something Blue. Wala lang. Sayang.

So, now back to what I was here for, a (non) review on Rachel Vail's Kiss Me Again. From what I remember, I enjoyed this book's prequel, If We Kiss. Ngunit subalit datapwat... the circumstances following the marriage of Charlie's mom and Kevin's dad. SEE?!?!?! Even if they're technically not blood-related, it still feels incestuous and their parents' marriage made their landian more convenient for these teenagers. Kalurks.

Charlie and Kevin's flirtationship reminds me of Cher and Josh in Clueless, but everything happened after Cher's dad was already separated from Josh's mom and Josh was in college the duration of that relationship so there were no creepy feel to it. In Charlie and Kevin's case, they're living under one roof, with rooms just next to each other's.

I wonder if there's a third book in this series because that ending was pretty open-ended. Chaka. I was thinking that somewhere along the book, they'd be caught by their parents or even if they decide by themselves that they should stop whatever it is they have, there's still that creepy memory that they made out with each other once upon a time- ang awkward diba? But the book ended with there two teenagers playing everything by ear, seeing where things would lead them. Ay, afraid.

Waaah!! I am seven books behind my reading goal. Boo! And it looks like it'll be harder for me to meet my goal as we approach bazaar season. But I'm still going to try... and maybe lessen time spent playing Farm Heroes Saga and Candy Crush Soda.

2015 Reading Challenge: The Demon King

I've never been into fantasy and magic-themed books. I believe, after Harry Potter, there wasn't any book that I've read that belonged to the same genre. Maybe with the exception of Kasie West's Pivot Point and Split Second which dabbled in fantasy and the paranormal but still not as full-on fantasy. If it were just me, I honestly wouldn't choose this book but I wanted to give other books a chance (aside from my usual), so I picked a number from 1 to 100 which led me to The Demon King.

The Demon King is a sort of introduction to the Seven Realms series. The book introduced us to Han Alister and Princess Raisa who are the main characters in the series. They already met here in the first book but sparks haven't flew yet. Although I am a little conflicted because Amon Byrne seems to be a worthy contender for the princess' heart, but his duty being Princess Raisa's protector (and the position is also bound by magic), he cannot pursue the princess. Well, even if he didn't choose to be the princess' protector, I reckon he doesn't really have a chance to be betrothed to her which I think made him finally accept the position.

"What about my own choice? Amon thought. Raisa would never be his; he knew that. But if he took himself off to Oden's Ford, and after that to a posting at Chalk Cliffs, chances were the pain would fade in a decade or so. He was only seventeen. What would it be like to be with Raisa constantly for the rest of his life, as her captain and counselor, to see her married, always within reach, knowing he could never have her?'

Saksak puso, tulo ang dugo. Hahaha! Oh well, such is life, Amon.  And it's not as if Raisa doesn't like him back because she does! So Book 1 ends with Raisa and Amon on a journey to Oden's Ford but Raisa feeling that Amon is keeping his distance from her.

It was a tragic thing that happened to Han. My heart goes out to the boy who has lost his mother and dearest sister and who has also told the truth about his real identity. When it rains, it pours, ika nga. Pero in fair, now he has something to occupy himself. Before finding out who he truly is, he was sort of an in emo-mode with Dancer going off to Oden's Ford and Bird also training to become a Demonai warrior.

I'm really excited to see how Han and Raisa's relationship will evolve and how our dear Amon will take everything that's happening around him. Already started with Book 2: The Exiled Queen but I think I need a quick read so I can catch up with my 2015 Reading Challenge Goal of 50 books. I am currently five books behind schedule and that's without counting this month's four books. In total, I am nine books behind! Boo!

2015 Reading Challenge: Girl Online

Umm.. so I was expecting a lot from this book judging from what I read from its blurb.

In the beginning, the book has promise. I thought the premise was interesting- there's this girl, Penny, who has this blog that has a pretty big following, only she runs the blog anonymously. I also find her crush on Ollie and her "friendship" with Megan interesting.

I really thought there's more to Ollie than meets the eye. I honestly thought that Ollie and Penny had a chance so I was very disappointed when Ollie wasn't really part of the main story. After Penny's embarrassing moment was when everything turned from possible to incredible.

First, I highly doubt that there are people who would fly four people to another country, all-expenses paid just to style their wedding venue. Aaaaaand.... two of those people aren't really helping with the set-up. So maybe they're filthy rich but filthy rich people are actually very stingy, mind you. Or maybe they're actors or rappers, the ones you see in MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen. Ang saya naman nila masyado.

But wait, there's more! Not only does Penny go to the US without having to do anything but she meets this incredibly good-looking guy who turns out to be a popular musician. After just a day or so together, they fall in love.

I really, really hate these books (or movies) where a girl and a boy "fall in love" in a span of one day. I mean, seriously, you don't even know if he's a serial killer, 'no! And in this case, Penny doesn't even know Noah's last name. So hindi lang pala sa pelikula ni KC at Richard Gutierrez naiin-love sa loob ng isang araw at pagkatapos ay parang gumuho na ang mga mundo nila.

Anyway, after reading the book, I found out that the book's author, Zoe Sugg, is actually a YouTube celebrity. I now get where she got her idea of a famous blogger falling in love with a musician- it's basically her life- also, debunking my comment that plots like this one is incredible.

Hindi ko pa rin gusto. Bleh. 2 out of 5 stars.

Apparently, there's a sequel to this book. It definitely won't be in my To Read list.

2015 Reading Challenge: P.S. I Still Love You

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One of my most-awaited releases this year, Jenny Han's P.S. I Still Love You. I love love love To All The Boys I've Loved Before, like five-stars love, and with that super bitin ending, I've been always on the look out for the sequel and now here it is ☺ I think this book was the main reason I hurried up and finished reading The Girl On The Train.

I loved PS but not as much as To All The Boys. I initially gave it three stars on Goodreads but then I had a change of heart and have it four stars because three stars is what I give those books na okay lang, it was a nice story but I'm not so crazy about and PS deserved more than that, hence the upgrade.

Out of all Jenny Han books I've read, Lara Jean is my favorite. I can't remember if I have made the comparison between Belly and Lara Jean, but what I remember is Belly was annoying and there wasn't a time I got annoyed at Lara Jean, even if it seemed she was a little too sweet-sweetan. Actually, it seemed as if she was really sweet and it wasn't just an act. But then again, how Lara Jean talks and moves and how she thinks (at least, how I think I see her talk and move in my mind), it's as of she's only a year older than Kitty.

Speaking of sweet, is it just me or was there too much mention of cakes in this book? Haha. Pero seryoso, andami masyadong mention ng cakes and cookies. Naumay ako ng unti.

And so the big question is- Peter Kavinsky or John Ambrose?

[cue Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko music]

Umm, yes this was my favorite part of the book- the kilig parts ☺ Even if Johnny seemed to be the better man, of course I still rooted for Kavinsky. What was frustrating was that he wouldn't tell LJ what really was going in between him and Gen. If it would give LJ some peace of mind, then I think he should've told her. I believe Lara Jean wouldn't tell anyone, not even Chris if Peter would make her promise not to tell anyone. Well, maybe she'd tell Margot but who would she tell? She's over yonder in Scotland. So yeah, I'm still for Peter Kavinsky. Haay, we always go for the "bad boys," don't we? Plus, LJ didn't have that much chemistry with John, but we welcomed his character because we knew he'd make Peter jealous. Ahhh, yessss.

But I agree with what one book blogger said- that the ending was a little too hurried. John Ambrose gave up Lara Jean just like that? Parang mas madami pang pages dedicated to the cakes and cookies. Hahaha.

I was expecting that PS was just the second part of yet another trilogy but looks like this is where the story ends.

2015 Reading Challenge: The Girl On The Train

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Goodreads says I'm only three books behind but the real count is actually eight. EIGHT! I've been slacking off when it comes to my reading list but I'm proud to say that in real life, I'm pretty productive ;) While I wasn't reading books, I've been meeting up with friends, been to Palawan and Baguio with family and have been working on orders. But still the "perfectionist" in me is disappointed that I am waaaay behind my target.

The 17th book this year is Paula Hawkins' The Girl On The Train. Reminded me so much of Gone Girl, a book a found engaging enough albeit a little slow. However, I liked The Girl On The Train much better. I found a little slow, just like GG, but maybe the main character was more likable here. Nick and Amy of GG were both at fault; while Rachel, even if not without fault, was more pardonable, how she reacted to things was more understandable. Sure, she became an alcoholic but that was how she coped when she got frustrated.

You know, it scares me how I'm usually good at pinpointing who's the real killer in these thriller novels (and at those crime & investigation shows). I remember, some years ago, when one of my blockmates asked us a question that was supposed to determine who was psychotic tendencies, and guess what- an article about the exact, same question was appeared on my Facebook timeline- click here if you want to find out if you have the mind of a serial killer. So anyway, suffice to say- I kind of guessed who the killer was in the book. Of course, I still have had my doubts whether or not the killer was really the killer- most especially when Megan, in one of her recollections- didn't like the way the killer looked at her.

My favorite character still is Rachel, even she makes me want to hit her with her drinking but I guess that's what happens when one is addicted to something. My least favorite character is Anna. The nerve of that girl for not wanting Rachel to go near the house in Blenheim, for calling Tom. I guess what happened serves her right. And hooray for Rachel for getting to start her life over again. I was still sort of rooting for a Rachel- Scott ending, but alas, after Scott's outburst at Rachel- he was never to be read of again in the book.

Four stars ☺ Next book in my list is Jenny Han's P.S. I Still Love You. Exciiiiiited :-D

2015 Reading Challenge: Second Chance Summer

Be careful what you wish for cos you just might get it. I enjoyed Morgan Matson's Since You've Been Gone so much, I decided to read another one of her books, plus reviews said this one's going to give you (the reader) a good ugly-cry, which I reckon I needed right now. But you see, I was still a little skeptical. I didn't know I was going to get my wish. Kaya ayan... I am now nursing a headache from all the ugly-crying I did.

The story starts with Taylor not wanting to go with the family back to Poconos for the summer vacation. The last time she's been there was five years ago and how she left things there back then were a little unresolved. She was dreading going back not only because of the possibility of running into Henry and Lucy again, but also in facing the real reason why the family's going back there again.

It was a beautiful story of second chances, rekindling relationships with friends and also our family. In a world so fast-paced, it's easy to forget about the things that really matter. It was just unfortunate that for the Edwards, it had to be a situation like this to bring them all back together and be a family in the truest sense of the word.

My favorite part would have to be when Taylor begged his dad's nurse to bring his dad outside so he could see the meteor shower and she told him, 'I love you daddy,' to which he replied, 'I knew that. Always knew that.' I was already bawling at this point.

I was going to give it five stars but minus one star for giving me a terrible headache so, four stars.

"Sometimes my grandfather was awake, and would sit with me while I looked

up at the stars, needing to see something fixed and permanent while everything

else in my life seemed to be breaking apart."

2015 Reading Challenge: Since You've Been Gone

It took me a while to finish the book because of, you know, real world stuff. I've been busy with the NS relocation among other grown-up things that it took me two weeks to finish this- absolutely not an indication that the book sucked because it totally rocked my socks, dude!

...And we have Frank to thank for that. It's been a while since I've encountered swoonable fictional boyfriends and now here's one when I was totally not expecting him. He's every bit a gentleman- nice, proper and smart! But honestly, Frank had me at the mention of his 'abs.' Yuuuh, I'm an ahjumma like dut.

Plus, I also liked Emily. She's not as angsty like most of YA heroines and what she felt at the start when she found out her best friend, Sloane, just left town with no word of goodbye or whatsoever. And I understand how she felt lost without friend. They used to do everything together, they spent almost every waking hour together and just like that Sloane's gone. Ni ha, ni ho.

So the gist of the story is Sloane and her family left town and Emily's dumbfounded as to where her bestfriend could be and why she would leave without saying anything. Sloane just left without a word. She just left Emily a list of bucket-list-ish things to do. Emily does the things on the list, believing that they'd lead her to Sloane. Well, they did alright but also it led her to so much more.

Ahhhh basta loved the book and if you're into kilig reads, I highly recommend this.

2015 Reading Challenge: The Art of Lainey

Much better read than Transcendence. Thank God. Although hindi kasing-level ng favorite books ko and not worthy of a 4-star rating, I liked it nevertheless.

To cut the story short, popular high school soccer-star, Lainey Mitchell was dumped by equally hot and popular soccer-star boyfriend, Jason. Upon the suggestion of her best friend, Bianca, she uses Sun Tzu's The Art of War to win ze boyfriend back. They sought Micah's participation. While Micah wasn't exactly Lainey's type, we all kinda knew where this pretend stuff's leading to, yes? So yes, I enjoyed it. Thanks to Micah but not so much to Lainey. Why, you ask? Lainey comes off across as someone who's very self-assured bordering on narcissism, but to be fair to her she kind of calls herself on it towards the end.

The book's theme is somewhat appropriate to my situation now but alas, not in the "love" department. We're moving locations again and I'm considering this as a new business venture and The Art of War may also be used in the business setting and those little Sun Tzu snippets sort of reminded me that I am not prepared for the move. Guess I have to go read my copy and win the battle I'm fighting.

Soooo... my favorite character in the book is, obviously, Micah. Of course, mohawk boy has his own issues but deep down, he's a real softy.

Micah in my mind
{image credits}

O diba ang cute niya? But guys with mohawks, piercings and tattoos aren't really my type and even if one shouldn't judge books by its covers, we judge anyway. I judge them anyway. So, Micah I like and if he does look like that mohawk boy above, bongga si Lainey. Cos if Lainey looks like that girl on the cover of the book, lugi si Micah. Hahaha.

Anyhoo, just found out that this book actually has a prequel, Infinite Repeat, told from Micah's POV and I'm dying to read it. Micah said Lainey's totally not his type but I hope a little Lainey-crush is hiding somewhere there during his Amber days.

So three stars for the book. I hope to encounter more of these stories. Ang babaw ko talaga.

2015 Reading Challenge: Transcendence

What made me read this book in the first place was its blurb which can be read here. I thought it was interesting how love between a modern day human being and a primitive caveman would develop, or if it's even possible.

Actually, I think I was misled by the book cover which made me think that caveman could look like that- way better-looking than most fully-evolved men living in the 21st century. The author included a note which I'm glad I read (because I tend to not read those and jump right into the story) because it was where the author specifically said that Ehd, our story's caveman, would never, ever learn how to speak. Just reviews the author's note and she qualified Ehd's pagka-caveman. Turns out he's just like any other modern-day human male, intelligent  and capable of learning except how to speak and associate sounds with words, objects or actions (so sign language is out). Pero still I think he'll never be able to look like that man on the cover of the book.

So at first I was actually excited and hopeful of the 'promise of kilig' this story will bring into my kilig-obsessed system. I was okay with the first few chapters with Ehd and Beh (Elizabeth) slowly learning how to exist with one another. Of course I understand why Beh would be terrified of Ehd, being that he is a caveman (and will never look like that man on the cover, kung si Tarzan nga modern-day male hindi naman guapo, si Ehd pa kaya?). However, as they were the only Homo-sapien-somethings wherever they were, things were bound to happen and by 'thing,' I think you know to what I'm referring to. Which is actually to Ehd's benefit as he was must-put-a-baby-in-her at first sight with Beh. And when that was all what I was reading again and again, I started to get bored. Which made me skip a looooot of pages (and chapters).

I know how you feel, Alice

And also this is one of those books which I feel should've been told from two POVs. Para at least hindi paulit-ulit and will also give the readers better understanding how Beh finally decided to give Ehd a chance- like did she really fall in love with him or was it just plain tawag ng laman? In the end, light was shed into the situation but I find that out cos I'm the type who finishes her books, no matter how what.What if I'm the type who gives up when things are going WTF-proportions? Also what I can't understand was why Elizabeth chose to stay in the BC era when she could bring Ehd with her to the future instead? Siguro mas masaya sa kweba ☺ Hahaha!

Two stars.

2015 Reading Challenge: My Name is Memory

Book reco by my cousin who noticed my propensity for books with uber-frustrating storylines. I reckon I needed a break from my usual YA reads and though, technically, My Name Is Memory sort of also belongs to the YA section given the ages of our characters, it still was a different kind.

Did I like it? Hmm... I'd say not so much. At first I found it boring, slow. Got bored on Daniel's retelling of his and Lucy's past- how he was miserable for a kagillion years- and it just goes on and on from North Africa to Pergamum to the Belgian Congo and so on and so forth. I was like, 'Okay, I get it. You're miserable.' These parts reminded me of Before Ever After (which I didn't like very much). I suppose these retellings were necessary, but did it have to be sooooo tedious?

So I took a break and read Winger then got back on MNIM and thankfully, things were faster-paced this time. I think this was at 72%. Just imagine- 3/4 of the book was a snoozefest. The remaining 28% was interesting enough for me to finish it today but man, I wasn't a fan of that ending. With that kind of ending, I thought the author's definitely going to publish a sequel but after seeing that this was published five years ago, maybe not.

I just wished the author extended Marnie's brother's exposure here. Actually, I would have liked it better if he turned out to be present-day-Joaquim. That even without the ability to recognize souls, Lucy's and present-day-Joaquim's are still intertwined and eventually, Daniel will join the cast. Hindi yung bigla na lang susulpot si Joaquim. Felt that was too abrupt. The story also reminds me a little of a short story I made for our Phil Lit class in high school- masyadong mopey.

This wasn't a frustrating love story. It was annoying. All that eklavu and no ending? Irita. I just watched Love, Rosie last night and that my friend, is how you do frustrating. I am definitely going to read the book.

2015 Reading Challenge: Winger

Because I've been struggling with Ann Brashares' My Name is Memory which is taking me forever to finish- ang baaaaagaaaal kasi ng story. I thought I needed a light, mababaw story which led me to Winger.

Umm.. it was an okay read. I found it a little boring and super babaw naman. Well, whaddya expect from a life of a fourteen-year-old boy?

My favorite character is Joey and it was sad that he died, which I think was a last-ditch effort to shock the readers. It was a tragic turn from the book's earlier feel- which deals mostly with petty teenage stuff. The author should've let Joey live.

But this has a sequel so maybe Joey's death has a purpose. I don't know if I'd want to read it though.