My Christmas Book Tree

A short random post before Christmas because I want to share my Christmas Book Tree. It’s my first time to build a book tree and I’m happy with the result.

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This is my second attempt. The first one didn’t came out that good.
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With pink dino on top, crochet balls, and red (LED) lights.

What do you think guys? 😀

Also tonight, I’ve reached 1k followers/friends on my Instagram account .
I love you all guys! You’ve been so nice to me.

tumblr_inline_mtsh5fFdpb1qeqh3qI’m not sure if I’ll be able to update for the next few days but I’ll try. I’m expecting to see a lot of posts about your new books that you’ve received as christmas gifts.

I’m wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Another challenge for me. The year is about to end and I’m happy that I was able to reached my reading goal for 2014. My goal was 25 and I was able to read 32 books. I’m currently reading 2 books so that would be 34 books. Yay! I’ve decided to pariticipate in this challenge hosted by The Book Vixen because I always wanted to read more than 50 books a year.2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

I want to challenge myself for the Breaking a Sweat level so I have to read 11–15 more books or 2,750–3,999 more pages.

If you guys are interested to participate, simply visit The Book Vixen’s blog for more information and to sign up.

List of books I’ve read.
  1. Play of Light by Debra Doxer
  2. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
  3. Never, Never #1 by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher
  4. Love Hurts by Malorie Blackman
  5. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
  6. War Kids by H.J. Lawson
  7. Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
  8. All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
  9. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling
  10. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
  11. The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
  12. Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern
  13. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
  14. Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
  15. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
  16. Never Never : Part Two by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher
  17. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
  18. Ugly People Beautiful Hearts by Marlen Komar
  19. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
  20. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
  21. Glitches (Lunar Chronicles 0.5) by Marissa Meyer
  22. Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
  23. Tales from the Secret Annex by Anne Frank
  24. I Wrote This For You by pleasefindthis
  25. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
  26. The Selection by Kiera Cass
  27. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
  28. Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
  29. PS I Still Love You by Jenny Han
  30. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Book Review : The Maze Runner by James Dashner

7805064Series : The Maze Runner #1
Edition : Paperback (374 pages)
Publisher : Delacorte Press (October 2009)
Genre : Dystopia, YA, Sci-Fi
Source : B bought this from Hugendubel Buchhandlung
Check this book on Goodreads

„If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.“
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

„Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.“
Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

„Everything is going to change.“
Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run.

My Thoughts

Me and Joyce were planning to do a buddy read but we cannot really decide on what book and as a good sign, B came home with The Maze Runner. It turned out that Joyce also has a copy so we’ve decided to read this book.

Thomas wakes up inside a box with no memory of his life except of his name. He finds himself in a strange place called the Glade where group of teenage boys called Gladers are living for the past two years. Surrounded by monstrous stone walls which is the Maze and vicious Grievers, the Gladers spend their time trying to solve and find a way out. Thomas‘ arrival brings weird things in the Glade including the arrival of a girl.

Though this book is more focus on the plot development than the characters, I still enjoyed reading it. I adore the friendship among the boys and how organized they were in the Glade. The secondary characters are more appealing to me and my favorite was Chuck. For me he was the most bravest and he made me cry.

„..don’t feel bad about crying. Ever.“

My least favorite was Teresa. I was expecting that because she is the only female character in this book, she will probably make something different. Maybe she did but it didn’t work for me. Hopefully I’ll get to like her on the next book.

I was lost in the beginning of the book and like Thomas, I was also frustrated because nobody wants to answer his questions. It took awhile, half of the book i think, before the questions were answered and this can probably cause a negative effects to the readers. I personally felt a little impatient about it but it didn’t really make a huge effect on me. I just keep on thinking that it may have something to do with the sequel or the trilogy itself.

These unique words called the Gladers slang quite annoyed me at first but then I thought that it was accurate because the Gladers really don’t have any idea how it is outside the Maze including how people communicates with each other.

We cannot deny that the author’s way of describing things are exceptional. The Grievers were scary and totally dangerous but I had a hard time visualising them. I know it may sound funny but I cannot help not to think of a champion from League of Legends named Rammus.

The Epilogue. It’s obvious that everything is still not okay because it is a trilogy but I still don’t know what to expect. The twist is perfect and unexpected.

This book entertained me and I will definitely start reading The Scorch Trial right after posting this review.

My Rating
4stars

Book Review : Teenage Love Spell: A Halloween Romance by Gabrielle dela Cruz

23388940Edition : Kindle (88 pages)
Published : October 2014
Genre : Teen Fiction
Source : Provided by the author in exchange of an honest review
Date Read : December 2014
Check this on Goodreads

The moon shines bright for the fifteen year old Caitlyn Cross as she discovers her true identity as a witch. Her mom strictly forbids her to use magic, but being bullied in school because of the way she dresses and her messy orange hair, she has no other escape but her powers.

She’s always been in love with one boy in school since the fourth grade, the dashing Angelo Pinzon, who comes from a Spanish family with perfect genes. She has been cutely stalking him ever since but enter Phoebe Conway, the spoiled rich mommy’s girl who will make her junior year a burden and hinder her from happiness.

With all the madness and drama in school, partnered with her uncontrollable powers, Caitlyn finds out about her destiny and learns to fall in love for the very first time.

My Thoughts

The lovely Gabrielle dela Cruz commented on one of my Instagram posts informing that her debut novella is free on Kindle. So, i grabbed the opportunity to download it.

It’s a story of a teenage witch named Caitlyn who has been bullied because of her hair color. She don’t have any closed friends until she met Yuri. Caitlyn’s huge crush on their class‘ hearththrob Angelo, brought her to her mom’s „Book of Spell“.

I read this book last Friday for like less than two hours. It is a very easy read. For me this book is not just only for Halloween even it has something to do with witches and spells.

The target audience of this book are teenagers and I’m glad that the author included the issue about bullying. I’ve read from one of her interview that she was once a victim of bullying and she wrote this book as an inspiration to others.

Continue reading „Book Review : Teenage Love Spell: A Halloween Romance by Gabrielle dela Cruz“

Book Review : Ignite by Lily Paradis

Series : Ignite #1
Edition : Kindle edition (328 pages)
Publisher : EmpireBooks (2014)
Genre : New Adult, Contemporary
Source : Copy provided by the author
Check this book on Goodreads

„Have you ever heard of koi no yokan?“ he asked. „It’s Japanese,“ he explained as he trailed his fingers lightly down one of my arms. „It doesn’t have an English equivalent. Roughly translated, it’s a term for the feeling that you have when you first meet someone.“

„Like love at first sight?“ I asked, tipping my head up toward his.

„No, not quite like that. It’s more like you know that a future love with that person is inevitable, but it diesn’t exist in that moment.“

My Thoughts

First of all, I would like to thank Ms. Lily Paradis for sending me a Kindle version of this book. It means a lot because this is the very first ebook sent to me by the author herself and i love you for that. So, let’s talk about Ms. Paradis‘ debut novel entitled Ignite.

Lauren Lindsay just turned twenty-one and is living her own life after the death of her father and the abandonement of her mother. She only has her twin brother but he’s also living away from her. While getting her new I.D. at DMV, she spotted a Henry Cavill-like guy named Dean Powell. After meeting her Uncle Jed, she learned about the death of her step-mother and the big responsibilities waiting for her. She was chosen to take the legal guardianship of her three step siblings. She has to decide if she will accept it or not.

Continue reading „Book Review : Ignite by Lily Paradis“

Book Review : Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Editon : Paperback (432 pages)
Publisher : Definitions (2010)
Genre : Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Source : Giveaway
Check this book on Goodreads

She is pretty and talented – sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But… they are brother and sister.

My Thoughts

I’ve posted some photos of this book on my Instagram account and I gotb comments like „you’re are going to cry so much“ or simply bunch of crying emoticons. So i told myself to prepare. It took me a week to finish this book not because it’s boring but because it’s so distressing I cannot continue reading it.

Lochan (17) and Maya (16) are siblings. They are caring for their younger siblings and play the role of being the parents in the family. Their father abandoned them and their alcoholic mother is always nowhere to be found. Lochan and Maya depend on each other most of the time until one day, they fall in love with one another.

Continue reading „Book Review : Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma“

Book Tag : The Social Media Book Tag

A cool book tag I saw from Inspired by Literature’s blog. You just have to think of a book (books) which you can connect to the following social media websites. I have an account in all of these websites except Myspace (well I used to have one) and you can also follow or add me if you want. Just check out my About Me page. So, let’s start.

Twitter – your favorite shortest book.

It’s Six Earlier Days by David Levithan. It’s the prequel of Levithan’s Every Day and it’s only available in ebook. I’ve read Every Day first before Six Earlier Days. A short read with so much emotions.

Facebook – a book everyone pressured you into reading.

I can’t think of any. My friends recommend books to me but they don’t pressure me (or something like that) to read them. For example, I’m currently reading Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma because most of my friends recommended this book.

Tumblr – a book you read before it was cool.

Uhmm. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I’ve read both back in 2012. Can you blame me if I sometimes feel irritated because TFIOS became overated specially before and after the movie was released?

Myspace – a book you don’t remember if you liked or not.

It’s probably the Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie. As far as I can remember I got hooked on the first book and then I can’t remember anymore how I felt with the second and the final book.

Instagram – a book so beautiful you had to instagram it.

This is quite hard. I’m choosing Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and Hollow City by Ransom Riggs. Not just the cover but also the photos inside and the story as well.

Youtube – a book you wish would be turned into a movie.

I think it’s Wonder by RJ Palacio. It may have a simple plot but it will definitely move you.

Goodreads- a book you recommend to everyone.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I’ve read this recently and watched the movie as well. It’s really one of the must reads, either you’re into historical book or not.

I had fun even this tag is short. Feel free to do this and don’t forget to comment your link. 🙂

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Book Review : The Cat’s Guide to Human Behavior by Xina Marie Uhl

18922359Editon : eBook
Publisher : XC Publishing (2013)
Genre : Animal
Source : Copy provided by the author
Check this on Goodreads

Cats know that adoration is their birth-right. Humans have proved this by worshipping them as gods since the days of Ancient Egypt. But despite their clear superiority, felines continue to be frustrated with humans‘ bizarre actions and incomprehensible desires — until now. In The Cat’s Guide to Human Behavior, the great feline humanologist Professor F.L. Uffy advises cats on how to solve some of their most difficult human-related issues:

• Chase away your human’s romantic partners
• Increase your food supply
• And more!

What does your cat REALLY think of you? The Cat’s Guide to Human Behavior reveals all–even why you refuse to groom yourself with your tongue! (x)

My Thoughts

I was happy to get a free ebook copy of this from the author in exchange of an honest review because I myself is a cat-lover. My first pet was a stray kitten named „miming“ and we always have cats (and dogs) walking or running around our house.

Continue reading „Book Review : The Cat’s Guide to Human Behavior by Xina Marie Uhl“

Book Review : Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Editon : Kindle (386 pages)
Publisher : Dutton Books (2011)
Genre : Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction
Source : Amazon Kindle
Check this book on Goodreads

Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the negihborhood. When Cricket, a gifted inventor, steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

My Thoughts

Lola Nolan, who believes that „Life is too short to be the same person every day“, loves wearing coloured wigs together with her own unique clothing styles. She was raised by her gay parents and has a rockstar boyfriend, Max, who is five years older than her. Lola’s world turned upside down when their old neighbors, the Bell family, move back.

I love Anna and the French Kiss so much that’s why I was so excited about the next novel, Lola and the Boy Next Door and since it’s a companion book, we cannot avoid the comparison of the two and for me, I still love AanFK. Their appearance in this book made me love them even more.

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Book Review : Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

Original Title : Supūtoniku no koibito (Japanese)
Edition : Paperback (229 pages)
Publisher : Vintage (2002)
Genre : Fiction, Cultural, Contemporary
Source : Bought from Thalia Buchhandlung
Date Read : October 2014
Check this book on Goodreads

My Thoughts

The story is narrated by K who is inlove with his best friend Sumire, who is in love with Miu, a woman seventeen years older than her. Compared to Miu who is glamorous and a successful businesswoman, Sumire is an aspiring writer and dresses in an oversized second-hand coat and heavy boots like a character in a Kerouac novel. Sumire spends hours on the phone talking to K about life and her feelings for Miu.

Sumire’s feelings for Miu causes her to change her „lifestyle“ and even stops her from writing. She accepts a job offer from Miu and fly with her to Europe. K don’t have any idea about the trip until he received a letter from Sumire describing their travels across Europe and staying in a small Greek island. One night, K got a phone call from Greece but it wasn’t Sumire. It was Miu telling him that Sumire disappeared „like a smoke“ and he needs to fly to the island to help searching for her.

Continue reading „Book Review : Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami“