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 ☺

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: 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: On The Fence

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2015's first read! Huzzah! I remember starting the past two years with relatively sad reads such as The Fault in Our Stars (2013) and Just One Day (2014), and well, books and movies sort of affect my mood and so 2013 and 2014 were like saaaad for most part and I want 2015 to be happy, upbeat and all unicorns and rainbows soooooo.... I started with Kasie West's On The Fence. Kasie West's one of my favorite authors when it comes to YA and these days all I read are YA. I love her characters and how they have their issues but they don't sulk tirelessly about it. I have read and liked all her novels and all her heroines were likable.

I should really write these (non)reviews right after I read the book cos I tend to forget "the feels" of it when I jump right into another read and the emotions get a little jumbled up. So anyway, I will try to recall.

Charlie grows up in an all-male household which in effect makes her sort of a tomboy who's into sports and ungirly stuff. She gets a speeding ticket and her cop father's not taking anymore of it and wants her to learn her lesson so he makes her get a summer job to pay for her ticket. She gets this job where in she sells, surprise surprise, girly stuff and makeup. But wait, there's more- she gets to be the canvas. At first she refuses but being that it pays a lot of moolah, she agrees to it anyway. That and Charlie also has these recurring nightmares and when she does she runs at night but there was this time when she and Braden, the neighbor and the honorary fourth brother, talk about their problems by the fence.

I think I already sort of knew how this was going to turn out but when Charlie came clean about it to Braden and he replied with a "that's not what this is about" and "is that what you thought I was trying to tell you," all my illusions of Charlie and Braden went flying out the window. Which left me all confused. What's this all about? I was sure then that Braden liked Charlie in that way and if he doesn't, is he gay and is actually in love with Gage instead? Dislike-frowning face here- I respect other people and their beliefs and inclinations but I am not yet ready for gay fiction.

So I was mej annoyed with Braden when Evan comes into the picture and he gets all jealous. Parang pre-Evan he wasn't interested in her but now that there's someone there, he suddenly decides he likes her in that way? Nakakainis, diba? So I finally get my answer in the end and while my heart still feels sorry for Evan, I'm happy for Braden and Charlie.

See, YA novels can work without too much angst and too much sex (ahem, Waiting For You) and it's much more kilig when it's pa-innocent effect. Haha.

4/5 stars

2014 Book Challenge: What I Thought Was True

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Because I enjoyed My Life Next Door, I decided to read What I Thought Was True after a series of so-so books. Well, The Beginning of Everything wasn't so bad but I found it a little slow and I need something exciting, something to pick up the pace since I am three books behind. But this backlog I blame on Finding June. Man, finishing that book was a struggle. Napaka-boring ng mga characters.

Anyway, back to WITWS. I find it amazing that the lead character here is also named Cassidy, only this time Cassidy is a he. And not only that, there is also a character here whose surname is Thorpe. Amazing, right? Coincidence? I think not. It was written in the stars that I were to read these two books in succession. Ha. Right.

So back na talaga to WITWS. It really amazes me (wow, amazed na amazed ang mood ko today) that the langit-ka-lupa-ako theme is not only common here in the Philippines. Akala ko napa-patent na ng Sharon Cuneta movies circa 1980s ang mga movies na may ganung theme. Gwen is the daughter of a cleaning lady. Cass is your typical trust fund baby who used to go to a private school for boys. Cass had heard of Gwen's reputation (Which is not just a reputation. She lived up to it.) Gwen had Cass stereotyped as one of the rich jerks who play her.

In defense of Cass, he really was attracted to Gwen and he didn't really mean to take advantage of the girl. In my opinion, all of these confusion/ mix-up was due Gwen's impetuousness.

Actually, Cass didn't take advantage of Gwen. It was Gwen who took advantage of the situation. It's just people talk, boys kiss (and other things) and tell. And she can't exactly get mad that people are branding her that because she's kind of guilty of the crime, so to speak. She can't blame people for thinking such of her when she's doing the exactly what the people expected her to do. Because of her hang-ups, she almost ruined whatever that was she has with Cass. Not that Cass was the be-all and end-all of her existence but that he was a good catch, which we wouldn't know until the latter part of the book. We all thought, at the start, that he was just like all his other rich, snotty friends.

Speaking of Cass, he is too good to be true. Well, maybe the fact that he's not so smart makes him human. Haha. But aside from lacking super intelligence, he's good-looking, has abs [I used to not care about abs, but I've recently grown to "appreciate" them. I've officially stepped into ahjumma territory], rich but still very nice and is very polite. And nope, he doesn't have a sense of entitlement at all. Yep, he's too good to be true.

It was a pretty good and interesting read. Nothing excites me more than a will-they-or-won't-they story. Four stars because I love this author and because reading this one was like a breath of fresh air after reading the past few books I've read.