It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Another first! That is, my first time joining It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

This fantastic meme is now hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

Last week, I had developed a love-hate relationship with two Wills.

First was with Will, the hunter who fell in love with the draki, Jacinda  - the hunted on Firelight by Sophie Jordan . It is quite self-explanatory. A dragon hunter willingly offered his heart to a fire-breathing draki (a descendant of dragons) even if he had to defy his family's orders. I can't wait for its next installment.

Actually, a week before last week, I finished another story about dragons, entitled Here, There Be Dragons, which my kids loved.

Also, I had this other book, Calling Romeo by Alexandra Potter; a light-hearted novel featuring Juliet searching, waiting and deciding which Romeo to choose, after getting stood up by her long-time boyfriend (Will) and meeting a gorgeous man who happened to be her company's major competitor (Sykes).

And up until this morning, I was able to finish up Patricia Cornwell's Cruel and Unusual from her bestsellig Kay Scarpetta series.

Other books I was able to finish the following books (for the whole month of January, (that is!) 

Mini Shopaholic- Sophie Kinsella
Undercover - Beth Kephart
Where Angels Go - Debbie Macomber
Princess Diaries 1 - Meg Cabot
Princess in Spotlight - Meg Cabot
Princess In Love - Meg Cabot
Table for Two - Nora Roberts
Stardust- Neil Gaiman
Irresistible Forces - Brenda Jackson
Trading Up - Candace Bushnell

And here is my share for this upcoming week.

Ally Carter's Heist Society

as summarized by Booklist:

After a childhood spent assisting her father, one of the world’s most talented art thieves, Katarina Bishop tries to leave the family business behind when she forges her way into a New England boarding school. She quickly discovers, though, that her past is inescapable. Her father has been accused of stealing already stolen masterpieces from a dangerous Italian billionaire. Certain that her father is innocent, Kat resolves to find the missing paintings and return them to their unsavory owner, who has given her a two-week deadline.

My second choice of book, at my office, I've got Would You? by Marthe Jocelyn; a story that deals with a teen getting hit by a car and ending up in a coma, and how this impacts her family. Sounds like a serious novel, so I better prepare my hankies, just in case.

I'm also planning to read The Donovan Legacy by Nora Roberts (Captivated, Entranced, Charmed & Enchanted) by the end of the week. Hopefully, this whole week would be fun!

Weekend Blog Caravan

 Weekend Blog Follower Caravan is a simple online blogger-helping-blogger weekly meme. It was designed for bloggers to help each other in terms of blog followers either through Google Friend Connect and email subscribers.

My first time to join using my Bookworm Page. Let's follow one another... shall we? =) Surely, we'll all have fun knowing each other :)

Enter your email address:


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As further mentioned on Pinay Mommy Bloggers page, please use the following format when you leave a comment ok?!

Subscribed via email using aryantuts(at)gmail(dot)com!

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Thanks!

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee, where people spread the book love by following around the blogosphere! The featured blog this week is Mission to Read, and this week’s question is: What is/was your favorite subject in school?

First time to join here. Going back 10-15 years ago, I could say that my favorite subject at school was History. I dunno, I just always find the history of every place in the world amazing and exciting! I'm always overwhelmed when I learn a thing or two about a particular country as well as its culture. Second to History, I think I also liked English. Heck! I'm one of those who usually correct someone else's grammar when a certain phrase or sentence doesn't sound good to my ears. Bad habit of mine. I think I grew up criticizing others and sometimes finishing their sentences when I sense that they are having a hard time expressing themselves in English. (Here in the Philippines, our language is Tagalog, just FYI)

and that's my share for this week's Follow My Book Blog Friday! Till next time!

Booking Through Thursday # 1

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme which asks a bookish question which you have to answer.

This weeks question is:

What’s the largest, thickest, heaviest book you ever read? Was it because you had to? For pleasure? For school?

My first time to join BTT and I hope I'd be able to participate every week.

For my answer to the BTT question, the thickest and heaviest book I have ever read is Pillars of the Earth which was almost a thousand pages in Paperback! (930 something pages actually). I've had it 6 yrs ago and it took me almost half a year to finish reading it. I was just too busy at work and have other books to read but I still managed to read it on my leisure hours. I haven't even watched the movie version of this book. maybe sometime next week I'll have my hubby download the film on the net.

TT: Firelight

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read.

Open to a random page.

Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

It’s the wake-up call I need. I’m a fool to think a hunter is going to save me. Protect me. Keep me alive. I’ll find another way.

page 118 of Firelight by Sophie Jordan

2010 Fave Movie

For this week's TCP theme, it's all about our Favorite movie from 2010. Oh my, I've got a lot to choose from.. But at the end of the day, I chose Jacky Chan & Jaden Smith's remake of The Karate Kid.

The plot concerns a 12-year-old boy from Detroit who moves to China with his mother and runs afoul of the neighborhood bully. He makes an unlikely ally in the form of his aging maintenance man, Mr. Han, a kung fu master who teaches him the secrets to self-defense.

Truth, I'm a sucker for everything that has Jackie Chan on it. Really! I'm a big Jackie Chan fan, I have even bought DVD's of his animated series Jackie Chan Adventures which my kids love. When I learned about Jackie getting involved with the remake of The Karate Kid, I was so happy that I promised myself I'm gonna go watch it.

And boy, was I crying my heart out after watching the film. I loved the way Jackie & Jaden portrayed the sort-of Father & Son tandem, especially the training using the "remove the jacket, let it down, get it up, put it on" routine. Jaden is sooo cute! In the end, the moral of the story is when Mr. Han (Jackie) needs Dre (Jaden) in his life just as much as the boy needs him.

I heard that there's gonna be a sequel to this one and I'm looking forward to it.


P.S.
I kinda missed the themesong Eye of the Tiger which was a blockbuster hit on the first Karate Kid movie. And oh yes, I saw the original Mr. Han aka Pat Morita in this remake.. yay!!



and there goes my entry for our Tuesday Couch Potatoes. See you again next week!

Mario Bros. Bookshelf Kingdom

So cute.. I wanna have this kind of Bookshelf!

Thanks to Mario Bro's Bookshelf from HomeInFurniture for the recommendation..

A Really Must Have for a book lover like me!

Look, they even got mushroom heads and the plant tunnels.

Stardust

Review # 9
Title: Stardust
Author: Neil Gaiman
Paperback, 250 pages
Published: September 1st 2006

I haven't seen the movie version of this book, but a colleague already told me to ignore the movie adaptation ; it does not do justice to this amazing book.

I can agree with her, because I really liked Stardust - the Book! This book is billed as a "fairy tale for adults", and that is exactly what it is, executed in the most brilliant way possible. It is a true fairy tale for all adults who dreamed that fairy tales could be come true; but with a nice sexy and cynical twist for those same dreamy adults who know what the world is really like.

Sex is blended seamlessly into the story, although not in a pornographic way. Unlike traditional children’s fairy tales, where a quick kiss to wake a sleeping princess is about as racy as it gets—this story tells love and sex like it is. There are one night stands in the forest and beautiful maidens who use unsuspecting nerds to boost their egos.

Although the story has the requisite happy ending for the main characters, main and minor characters must make moral and lifestyle choices which mirror the lives of real people. People fall in and out of love; and question whether infatuation and sexual desire were real love in the first place. Characters are forced to choose between love, power, money, duty, and respectability—and they do not always make the choices one would like them to make. And those characters who make a mockery of love and choose lives without love only serve to emphasize the love between the one couple who finally gets it right. This adult fairy tale illustrates that although true love is difficult in the complexities of the adult world, it is not impossible. But real love is never for the weak of heart.
 
I love the blending of the characters where they will all eventually meet one way or another. I love the ending which really brought justice to Tristan & Yvaine's happily ever after!

 

For this book, i commend Neil Gaiman for engaging me on this wonderful and heavenly journey. I'm giving him 5 bookmarks rating!

Table for Two

Review # 8

Title: Table for Two

SubPlots: Summer Desserts

               Lessons Learned

Author: Nora Roberts

Table For Two proves a delectable and heartwarming experience with two light-hearted romances from Nora Roberts topped with her vast knowledge of Italian and French haute cuisine as a garnish.

Summer Desserts, the first story is about the fiercely independent French chef Summer Lyndon finding herself attracted to successfully suave hotelier Blake Cochran III. Love conflicts with Summer's career when she discovers Blake's family's past to her own family and her fear of marriage which caused an avalanche of control issues in a dramatic high.

The more enjoyable fare turns out to be Lessons Learned when notorious skirt-chaser Carlo Franconi unwittingly surrenders to Juliet Trent, his publicist who finds a heart behind his devastating facade. It is fluffy romance with a dose of humor and fairy-tale charm. The insecurities of Juliet and his reputation as a playboy proves disastrous for their fragile trust.

What makes this book irresistible is Ms. Roberts's flair and sumptuous descriptions of the dishes which makes it a nice indulgent treat for romance fans.

Although I found extreme similarities in story on both books, I still gave it a shot and I always fall in love in the end - the Nora Roberts way.

My rating for these two books - 3 bookmarks!

tagged with style

I was supposed to update my blog today with some book reviews and memes when I decided to read my friends' blogs first. Then I got to Kikamz Tuesday Couch Potatoes and found this Stylish Blogger Award and was surprised when I noticed that I was included on her list.
Thanks much Kikamz, I very much appreciated the thought :)


For this tag-award, here are the rules when passing on to others that will create a linky love:


1. Link back and thank the person who gave you this award. (Thanks Kikamz!)
2. Then share 7 things about yourself.

1. I have a small scar on my forehead which i got when i was 7 years old after getting tripped on a bottle of Coke.

2. My favorite Disney Movie was Beauty and the Beast, but recently, I fell in love with Raphunzel on her Tangled movie.

3. I love reading books! (obviously!) I read at least 3 books every week, if time permits.

4. I'm getting addicted with Cityville on Facebook (gee!)

5. I love Johnny Depp, Zac Efron and Ryan Reynolds.. (hollywood hotties!)

6. I used to dream of being an astronaut when I was a kid.

7. I'm a coffeeholic!

3. Award 15 great bloggers that you know.
I'm sorry but I may not be able to finish this tag with 15 awardees but I will surely try..

Kim of Earth and I
Neneleah of My Tasty Treasures
Anney of Blog ni ako
Viel of Can of Thoughts
Mae of Maenoodle

Mariz of Did I Reach You?
Mekinudols of .. Mekinudols!
Kero of KCelebrations

........... to be continued.......

Teaser: Stardust

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read.

Open to a random page.

Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

“For a kiss, and the pledge of your hand,” said Tristran, grandiloquently, “I would bring you that fallen star.”

He shivered. His coat was thin, and it was obvious he would not get his kiss, which he found puzzling. The manly heroes of the penny dreadfuls and shilling novels never had these problems getting kissed.  "Go on, then,’ said Victoria. “And if you do, I will.”

page 48 - Stardust by Neil Gaiman

TCP: Wanna Watch

Last year, there were a lot of movies I failed to watch. I surely missed a lot. Clash of the Titans, Valentine's Day, Robin Hood, The A-Team, The Expendables, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole and so on.. So many films, I can't decided which one to choose.

But there's this one movie that stood out and caught my attention; I know my kids and I would surely want to see. And that's Despicable Me...

According to Wikipedia:

The story is of a supervillain named Gru who plans to use three orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, only to find that their innocent love is profoundly changing him.

During the teasers/trailers, I really like this part :

Gru: No annoying sounds!

Agnes: Does this count as annoying?

That little girl definitely looks cute, I wanna die.. hahaha..

Looking forward to watching this on DVD soon.
This is my share for this week 's Tuesday Couch Potatoes.

promise!

Honestly, I hate making New Year's resolutions because the second I break it, I give up. Two Hands Up, I'm Done. I know it has only been days or so since 2011 boomed, but like most people, I am extremely having a hard time sticking to my resolutions. Two things always seem to get in the way - getting started and finding the time to continue. I just wish I coud get on with the rest of the year sticking to my promises. Nevertheless, I still want to write down those that I wish to accomplish.

In this year of the Rabbit, 2011 - here are some of the plans I wish to fulfill:

- be more responsible in spending money

- go on a healthy diet

- exercise early in the morning; get fit

- be more organized
- watch a movie or do a marathon twice-a-month with the whole family; including extended family members
- find or squeeze some time to bond with long-lost friends
- buy and read more books for me & for the kids
- relax amd have fun

With all these, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

TCP: Rabbit

One of the movies that prominently features a rabbit or bunny is the most loved Lewis Carroll classic story - Alice in Wonderland. This is my feature for this New Year's Tuesday Couch Potatoes. Alice In Wonderland - the 2010 Tim Burton version. I kinda liked this film because Johnny Depp is here :)

The now nineteen-year-old Alice who, 13 years after her previous visit, returns for the first time to Wonderland as a young woman. She is told that she is the only one who can slay the Jabberwocky, a dragon-like creature controlled by the Red Queen who terrorizes Underland's inhabitants.

The White Rabbit works for the Red Queen, but is also a secret member of the Underland Underground Resistance, and was sent by the Hatter to search for Alice. In this film adaption, the white rabbit is given the name Nivens McTwisp.

This is my share for this week 's Tuesday Couch Potatoes. Happy New Year!!

in retrospect

Year 2010 has been a fruitful year to me: family-wise & personal-wise. As a reader, I can say that I've done my best to accomplish at least 5 books a month. Although I was expecting to finish a hundred books-a year, finishing 75 books in 12 months isn't that bad, is it?

Yes, I was able to read 75 books a year ago and that was an accomplishment. Most of the books i've encountered were series/trilogies, which I really didn't like before. But when I started collecting, my anxiety heightened everytime I felt there was more to what I was reading. In the end, I didn't mind collecting series anymore.

In fact, I always anticipated for the better everytime I'm done with one book.

I was also able to collect Young Adults / Teens books and I was always felt like a teenager after reading a good one. But the most priced posession I have collected last year would be my Percy Jackson and the Olympians series! I know that it's a children's book but somehow, I know my kids would love this in the near future.

Besides, I've always been interesed with Greek mythology so I didn't have any second thoughts when I decided to buy the whole Percy Jackson package.  

For 2011, I really want to end the year reading a hundred books. I hope I would be able to accomplish this.

So let the reading marathong begin!