New Books! Yey!

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tumblr_mmts8t7Mgs1sqiirfo1_500October was a lucky month for me because I won in different book giveaways hosted by my fellow book-lovers on Instagram. My prizes came in few days ago and I want to share/show them to you guys.bhThe 10th Anniversary Edition of Looking for Alaska by John Green

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The lovely Annie hosted a giveaway few months ago and I won the first prize. How cool is that! She sent me a copy of this lovely edition of Looking for Alaska. I read this book almost three years ago and it’s one of my favorites from John Green. I’m planning on re-reading this soon.

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Friday Finds : Ariel by Sylvia Plath

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7928877ARIEL
by Sylvia Plath
Edition : Hardcover (81 pages)
Publisher : Faber and Faber (May 2010)
Original Published : 1965

Ariel was the second book of Sylvia Plath’s poetry to be published, and was originally published in 1965, two years after her death by suicide. The poems in Ariel, with their free flowing images and characteristically menacing psychic landscapes, marked a dramatic turn from Plath’s earlier Colossus poems.

This looks intriguing. Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar is also on my TBR list, well, for quite some time now.

Friday Finds is hosted by the awesome Jenn of Books and a Beat. It showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… Whether you found them online, or in a  bookstore, or in the library – wherever! (They aren’t necessarily booky you purchased)

„The Mysterious Mr Quin“ gets a Makeover

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One of the highlights of my reading experience this year is to finally read the works of „The Queen of Crime“, Agatha Christie. I read „And Then There Were None“ and some books from her Miss Marple series and I got hooked instantly. As a newbie, I am not so familiar with her other works especially the underrated ones that’s why I am so happy to know about this new app called Mr Quin.

11384378Mr Quin app brings Agatha Christie’s short story collection, „The Mysterious Mr Quin“, to life. This app introduces us to a whole new experience of solving one of Christie’s mystery story with the use of social media and high technology gadgets.

Love & Death, the pilot episode, is based on „The Coming of Mr. Quin“. A launch party was held at a manor known as the Suicide House and Mr. Satterthwaite has been invited to live blog the event. Things turned out strange when a Mr Quin joins their conversation and helps them uncovering the mystery of their friend’s death five years ago in the same manor. Check out MrQuin.com to watch the trailer.

One of the things i like about this app is the way the story unfolds. The characters are conversing in real time by posting their messages (both public and direct) on a twitter-like timeline that can be read by viewers. Just like in „real social media“, the characters are also posting short videos (shot by the characters themselves), funny GIFs and blog links. You can also view their profile to know more about them. If you’re in the middle of the story and you have to leave, you don’t have to worry because you can continue where you left. You can also restart if you want to read all over again. Surely you won’t miss anything.

It’s my first time experiencing this type of story-telling and I personally enjoyed it. It feels so natural especially for me who is into reading and social media. It’s fascinating how the past meets the present. To think that the story was written many years ago! I will definitely recommend Mr Quin app to my fellow readers. It’s addicting and I really hope there’ll be more to come. I’m pretty sure that the Queen of Crime is proud of this.

Get yours now!

Bookstagrammers Rock!

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I’m not really sure where to start, but whatever.

Yesterday, I noticed that the number  of my followers (on my bookstagram – @kath_reads) were getting higher that the usual. I thought maybe it’s because of my giveaway post but I checked it and not even 30 people joined. Then Berkley (@biblioberk) tagged me on her post. She said that „Instagram is featuring Bookstagrammers today!“. Then I noticed that someone send me a direct message. She said that her name is Berna (@heyberna) and she’s working on the Community Team at Instagram and they included maccount on the Bookstagrammers‘ List which is now live for everyone in the US. She also send some screenshots of how it looks like. I was speechless about it! I was thinking – „WOW! Is this really happening?“. It’s so overwhelming and it feels unreal!

I wasn’t expecting anything when I decided to create my account. Not even having 500 followers. I just simply share some photos of my books and thoughts about the ones I read. Well okay, I was expecting to meet other book lovers around the world especially those who are from the Philippines. But having more than 10k followers and being featured on Instagram? Definitely not! Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining about it. I just can’t believe it.

I started my account around July last year and it feels so great that this community accepted me and made me feel that I belong. I’m so thankful to all of my fellow book lovers and I love each and every one of you!

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Friday Finds : The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

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THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE
by Shirley Jackson
Edition : Paperback (246 pages)
Publisher : Penguin Books (October 2009)
First Published : 1959

Hill House stood abandoned, six miles off the road. Four people came to learn its secrets – Dr Montague, an occult scholar; Luke, a spendthrift heir; Theodora, escaping a love affair; and Eleanor, who is lonely and vulnerable – to the house.

It’s my first Shirley Jackson. I’ve been seeing this book for a while and I’m hearing good things about it. I got curious so I ordered it two days ago and it came today in the morning. I love the cover of this book and I’m excited to read it.

Friday Finds is hosted by the awesome Jenn of Books and a Beat. It showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… Whether you found them online, or in a  bookstore, or in the library – wherever! (They aren’t necessarily booky you purchased)

Monthly Recap : October 2015

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Am i the only who feels like October went by so fast? I feel like I’ve just posted my September Wrap-Up yesterday and now it’s time again for a monthly wrap-up. Oh well,  I read a total of 6 books this month and they are all good.brProcessed with VSCOcam with a6 presetA MURDER IS ANNOUNCED BY AGATHA CHRISTIE – 4/5 STARS

This is the fifth book in the Miss Marple series and my second read from Agatha Christie. This book introduced me to Miss Marple and her unique way of investigating and solving a crime. She has an interesting character and maybe after reading some of the books one the series, she will become one of my favorite „detectives“. My full review here.

The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie – 4/5 Stars

Processed with VSCOcam with a6 presetThe first book in the Miss Marple series. Since I was quite disappointed with the appearance of Miss Marple on A Murder Is Announced, I expected that this book will show more of her or will tell me more about her but it doesn’t. This one is quite different from the other books I’ve read from Agatha Christie (this is my third) because this book was written on the Vicar’s (main character) POV. It shows us his thoughts about the other characters including Miss Marple. I still enjoy reading this book and guessing who the real suspect is. I actually guessed the right one but I wasn’t 100% sure about it.

CRESS BY MARISSA MEYER – 4.5/5 STARS

Processed with VSCOcam with a6 presetThis is part of our (me and Joyce) October TBR. It’s quite hard for me to write a decent review for this book because I don’t know where to start. This is the kind of book (series) that you have to read and see for yourself. Cress is a fairytale retelling of Rapunzel with a twist. I think Cress is so far my favorite from the series. It’s a mix of action, comedy and romance. Great characters and the world building is astounding. It is definitely a must-read. I can’t wait for Winter!

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Feel free to join my #kathreads10kGA

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Giveaway closed!

IMG_5103Last week I hit 10k followers on IG and as a thank you, I’m hosting a giveaway! Two lucky winners will be announced on November 23. Each of them can choose a book up to 15€ from TheBookDepository. Click the photo above for more info.
If you’re here for the extra 2 entries, comment your IG name below so I can include it on the raffle but don’t forget to follow/subscribe. I’ll be checking it.

I would like to thank each and everyone of you for the support. I cannot express how much I feel. I feel so blessed being part of this awesome community and for meeting such adorable and wonderful people. I would also like to say thank you to my husband for his support and for being my number one fan. ♥

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10/28/2015 : Stubentiger Cafe, Hannover

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I went gaga right after hearing about the opening of a cat cafe near our place. I immediately asked my husband to go there but for some reasons, we weren’t able to go there right away. And finally, we’ve made it there last Thursday.

There are cat cafes around Germany (in Berlin, Cologne and the very first is in Munich) but they’re far from our place. Stubentiger Cafe is the first cat cafe in Hannover. It’s only around 15 minutes by car from our apartment. The ambience is so good and they have plenty of rooms available. They have reading corner and a room for smoking customers. They also have a „Stammtisch“ where you can chat with other fellow cat-lovers. They also sell books (like from James Bowen) and other cat-related stuff.

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Processed with VSCOcam with a6 presetAside from coffee and cakes, they also have breakfast and lunch on their menu. I personally love their cream puff. It was so delicious. They also served food and beverages with glass cover.dffThey have four lovely cats namely: Hiro, Havanna, Holly and Chica. I’ve only met three of them because I wasn’t able to find Holly. She’s everywhere. (I’m not sure if it’s a he or a she).

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Currently Reading : Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

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September 3, 1940.

Ten peculiar children flee an army of deadly monsters.

And only one person can help them – but she’s trapped in the body of a bird.

The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. There, they hope to find a cure for their beloved headmistress, Miss Peregrine. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. And before Jacob can deliver the peculiar children to safety, he must make an important decision about his love for Emma Bloom. x

Halloween is coming so I’ve decided to finally read the second book from Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Hollow City. I actually started reading last night and I’m on page 103 right now. Jacob and the group meet new peculiar characters which are all interesting and funny at the same time. I’m excited to know more about these new characters and the adventures (not mention the danger) awaiting for the group.

I got my copy of Library of Souls a week after it was published and I’m planning to read it once I’m done with Hollow City.