PRPB Goes to Museo Pambata

May 25, 2013. Momentarily cut loose from all the commitments and obligations in school, workplace, and other eventful stuff that keeps everyone subjugated for the rest of the week—PRPB (Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books) society chucked all of their worries aside and traded them for a day of charity and FUN! (Yes, we were all on a sabbatical lol)

Event invite and program

If truth be told, I am truly unfit to blog about the said activity since I belatedly arrived at the venue. Imagine being stuck in a maddening traffic for hours, propelling you into a loony hiatus and frenzied anxiety. If only I could “accio” someone else’s broom just to be abruptly whisked away from that dang pandemonium, I would. But this is no Wizarding World. (Yup, Potter senses are tingling yet again hihi)

PRPB group snapshot in the museum’s front steps

Regrets aside, I only missed the museum tour with the kids—which is really as exciting as it sounds—and fortunately turned up with time to spare for the real event. Nevertheless, I’ll simply indulge myself with pictures for the time being. Haha.

A marketplace replica inside the museum

A miniature jeepney and the kids’ happy faces

A girl indulging herself with a book

A column of amazing canvases adorning the museum’s wall

Vibrant cartoon strips inside the museum

A scurrying throng of animated kids infiltrated the room in a jiffy, deafening the once muted space. You can feel the liveliness and excitement of the kids, enough to make one feel lively and excited all the same.

The superbly keyed up kids

Following some forewords and acknowledgements, Maria Ella commenced the storytelling session with Ang Hukuman ni Sinukuan by Virgilio S. Almario. It’s funny how some kids’ attention were diverted to their candies and treats, some in chitchat, amidst a good number who were fully engrossed in the story, actively participating in the storyteller’s grills and childlike tomfooleries. PRPB members then engaged the kids with some games so as not to bore them but keep them entertained, as well.

“Ang Hukuman ni Sinukuan” told by Maria Ella

My favorite snapshot so far. I just LOVE the little guy’s smile; somewhat it makes me happy inside

Shortly, the children were once again plunged into a different story, Brightest, told by the author herself, Ms. Joanne Crisner. This one’s indeed a very beautiful story. Albeit the particular target of the book, which is those under the children’s umbrella, adults alike will find it remarkably moving. I recommend it to everyone.

“Brightest” told by the author herself, Ms. Joanne Crisner

For sure, the day wouldn’t be complete without… ehem… food! Subsequent to the storytelling session with the kids, a banquet of food awaited their starving bellies, courtesy of Jollibee. Why Jollibee, you might say. Yup, kids will prefer Jollibee over anything. They’re like bestfriends with the bee. Haha.

The kids and their Jollibee treats

She’s enjoying her spaghetti. Yum.

We did eat the lot, too. We spent chatting with each whilst chomping through our food. And yes, taking pictures could not be subdued.

Children were then bequeathed with individual bags, complete with school supplies inside—no more reason for them to put off school this coming school year. I hope the children use their stuff fittingly and seriously pour over their studies.

School supplies for the children

On the other hand, we also donated books for the Museo Pambata. All in all, we probably produced more or less 200—300 even? I’m not really sure. One member hopes that some well-off and kindhearted man donates an ample sum to refurbish the museum in the future, since some rooms are poorly furnished and some museum stuff are either conked out or damaged. Or the government—they should likewise allocate enough budget to maintain the beauty of our museums and preserve our history instead of devoting themselves into erecting exclusive infrastructures that neither brands our country nor are indigent-friendly. I have yet to set my eyes on these to confirm the said claims since I wasn’t able to tour with the group.

Some book titles donated to the Museo Pambata

Then comes the fun part—the final hour was allotted to our group. Biena, our daybook in the flesh, has gone all the way not only to organizing our event, but providing certificates to every PRPB attendee, as well. Each one was handed the so-called “diplomas”, provided with a jokey background for everyone to laugh at. Funnily enough, since we were all donned in orange, the organizers (who clamored for this color) were determined to put up a “Best in Orange Attire” contest, both for male and female, just for fun. Unmindful of the aforementioned contest, most of us were rather comically surprised. Jhive won the male category, what with his shirt’s bright orange hue, nationalistic theme, and all. DC won the female category, feigning an exaggerated act of astonishment.

“Katibayan ng Pagpapahalaga ay iginagawad kay…”

Finally, group pictures wrapped up the afternoon.

The Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books

Actually, there was an after-party following the activity but I wasn’t able to go since I hurriedly flee without even saying goodbye. Haha. They went to a videoke hub or something and sang their hearts out. I’m curious as to who’s in tune and not. lol

“Crooning simply because we’re awesome”—destroying each other’s eardrums in the process haha

So there, another fun and successful PRPB date and outreach activity! I believe the next one’s going to be in Laguna on July. I am super excited already! PRPB rocks!

Related blog post: http://www.mariaellabhi.blogspot.com/2013/05/pinoy-reads-pinoy-books-goes-to-museo.html

Disclaimer: I do not own the photos in this blog post (except for the lone pathetically photographed certificate haha). Photos courtesy of Reev Robledo, Phoebe Andamo, Maria Ella Bestos, and Ben Pones.

Books Loans 2013.2

Last May 4, 2013—a Sunday afternoon, that is; Phoebe—a PRPB colleague—and I had a random meet-up at Dasmariñas, Cavite. We spent the entire afternoon by wolfing down an entire pizza all by ourselves, savoring our mango desserts, and draining them down later by our preferred refreshments at a pirate-themed restaurant in the heart of Pala-Pala. Since (ehem!) we’re girls, schmoozing is merely a conventional routine of ours. We chitchatted like there’s no tomorrow, hitting on topics specifically concerning our group, book stuff, and well you know… boys (either hot celebrity actors or fictional characters lol). Afterwards, after exchanging a million words, we decided to finally buy tickets and watch Iron Man 3 (Here’s a secret: Phoebe haven’t watched movies 1 and 2 yet!) Then, we went book hunting from various book stores, me not really buying anything and Phoebe ending up with 2 purchases. To highlight our rendezvous, Phoebe brought the books I’ve been borrowing from her, the titles of which are:

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• It’s A Mens World by Bebang Siy
• Death Note vol. 1 (Boredom) by Tsugumi Ohba
• Mga Tagpong Ewan at Kung Anu-ano Pang Kababalaghan (Kikomachine, #1) by Manix Abrera
• Mga Tagpong Tila Nagpapaka-Weird, Kunyari Pa-Deep, Sarap Sapakin… (Kikomachine, #2) by Manix Abrera

So far, I’m down three books already (I indulged myself first with the comics and manga since they’re short reads hehe). The other two will be read quite shortly after my currently-reading list.

Brightest — Johann de Venecia, Joanne Chrisner, Josephine Litonjua

Albeit the audience target of this book, that is, those under the children’s umbrella—Brightest isn’t merely a tale that could charm its way over a child’s defiant whims; but one that could surely exhume a vulnerable chunk of yourself.

There is more to it than just cartoon and words.

One must not read black and white so as to crack the meat, but one must look right through the prose’s sheer simplicity. What does a firefly catcher doing asking directions from a nearby firefly? Should the firefly have fled at the sight of the catcher? Lean back and reflect for a moment. What if the firefly and the firefly catcher are one and the same? Only segmented into two different pieces?

We can assume that the firefly catcher is lost; lost not just in the sense of literal direction, but lost in his determined course in life. A drape of ambiguity clogs his desire, forming a hazy panorama that shortly surfaced into doubts. Appearing next to the slumbering firefly and asking for the right direction translates into his self-confrontation. But similar to the firefly’s apathy, this self-confrontation of his isn’t greatly reinforced just as yet. A little lift, a little push, and the goal comes to life:

“All at once, the firefly felt a jolt surging through his frail body. His wings flapped open from his back, and his dying star has suddenly sparkled to life!”

Whilst the reawakening might have yielded a remarkable advent, another setback sets in. The firefly catcher dreads that he won’t find his way home all by himself. The firefly plucks his star, offers it to his very anxious company, and tells him that the star will guide him to where he belongs—signifying the importance of finding your own destiny, that you alone can fulfill your heart’s desire.

 

However lightweight; however meager the slivers of paper, and brief the encounter with words—Brightest still gleams in comparison to other tomes simply because of the underlying message seeping through its pages. The illustrations even resonates a poignant milieu, achieving the perfect touches of an outstanding book.

 

A big shoutout to the publisher, Josephine Litonjua, for providing me a copy.

 

Rating: ★★★★✰

March and April Awesome Book Finds

Because I borrow a lot of books lately, my weekly trips to book sales/bazaars has curbed down into a monthly basis; hence, my book finds are dwindling to almost zero. Nevertheless, I still have three amazing book finds for the months of March and April. Here they are:

1. The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma; published in 2008 by Atria Books; paperback; 656 pages; for only 160php on Booksale.

2. Po-on (Rosales Saga, #1) by F. Sionil Jose; published in 1993 by Solidaridad Publishing House; paperback; 231 pages; for only 150php on National Book Store.

3. Saving My First Kiss: Why I’m Keeping Confetti in my Closet by Lisa Velthouse; published in 2011 by OMF Literature Inc.; paperback; 193 pages; for only 170php on Philippine Christian Bookstore.

So far, I have only read #2 as it has been our March discussion in the Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books in Goodreads, #3′s still in the process, while #1′s stashed for later read.

So there you have it, another dose of charms for my reading repository!

Zombies vs. Unicorns

I wouldn’t really dub myself as an anthology aficionado as far as I can tell. There’s an eddying mash of concepts/plots ubiquitously prowling with every turn of page, ravaging my already rampant wits. The need to commit to memory every single event, to manacle your attention with great fervor, to conjure up the imaginary globe—just to weld in the same bout… yet again. And then there’s the sparse ground for connection—short stories erratically secure a reader’s attention, what with the meager pages to turn. Somewhat, anthologies propose an unmitigated concentration to take pleasure in.

Yet my heart screeches to say these things; since not so long ago, I enjoyed selected anthologies—Mga Agos sa Disyerto and The Loose Lip Brigade. I guess this bigotry of mine must be disconnected once and for all…

Primarily commenced from a blog post which kindled an enormous clash between the once unperturbed fictional beings, Zombies vs. Unicorns speaks for each contending party, sustaining the question: which is better, Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

Zombies vs. Unicorns is a hodge-podge of rainbow farts (literally), booze and fireworks, undying loves, virgin maidens; to creepy kids, nightmarish cults, homoeroticism, bestiality, and so on—lacquered with either a decorous or a satirical prose. It is an infusion of fairytale and paranormalcy—perfect for both the fantasy and paranormal buffs.

You ask what side I’m on? Definitely Team Zombie! Sure, but… which team won? We’re going to find out!

a. The Highest Justice by Garth Nix — Defending the title for Team Unicorn yet a mishmash of both teams. It conveys that not only zombies can be enmeshed with the dead but unicorns as well—in a necromancy-type of way—coroneted with a Medieval-esque backdrop. The plot quivers with a creepy and poignant feel, amidst the teensy bit of haunting humor. A fine read.

b. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Alaya Dawn Johnson — I like that the title somewhat serves as a pun for the groundwork of the story. Here is the infamous brain-fetish zombie… with a little twist. Instead of crawling back from the dead, Grayson is a boy infected with ZSE or Zombie Spongiform Encephalopathy, making him crazy over humans. Now here’s the thing: who knew zombies could fall in love, too? Alaya Johnson didn’t just experiment with romance but tote it up with homoeroticism, with a starring soundtrack on the background. A blend of ugly, romance, and music—this feels like a movie date on a Friday night.

c. Purity Test by Naomi Novik —Snarky urban egghead + sarcastic nattering unicorn + not-so evil wizard + baby unicorns + Harry Potter = this just didn’t work for me. Tss. :/

d. Bougainvillea by Carrie Ryan — Pirates! (Capt. Jack Sparrow, anyone?) A safe haven in the midst of the zombie apocalypse reigned by a ruthless man with an angst-y teenage daughter who fell in love with an outsider that turned out to be a pirate turncoat. Somewhat my whopping glitch in the brain helplessly insinuates the appearances of Elizabeth, her dictator father, and Jack. Chuck in the curse of the Black Pearl and I might be fangirling in no time. Fantastic ending.

e. A Thousand Flowers by Margo Lanagan — I’ll pegged it as an utterly disturbing tale that left an extremely foul taste in my mind. *spits* In fact, this Margo Lanagan story seeps with too much repugnance, horror and a warped sense of humanity. This makes zombies rather cute and fluffy in contrast. I’d rather nibble some brains than explicitly behold a bestial affair. Yikes.

f. The Children of the Revolution by Maureen Johnson — This is a tad too corny but to hell with that, I liked it! The blatant references to a particular Hollywood actress provided me with those hilarious guffaws. Even so, what I pictured while devouring the pages was the silly woman who adopted baby twins and named them Brangelina in “The Two Broke Girls.” And to think about it, Max would be a perfect Sofie. Hmm… ‘tis would be an awesome episode plot, whatcha think?

g. The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn by Diana Peterfreund — What’s up with the title? *rolls eyes* Still, the title hardly justifies the depth of this tale. I think this Diana Peterfreund creation perks up in comparison to the rest of the stories in the anthology. The profundity and intensity of the plot, layered with a coming-of-age scaffolding, barricaded by a three-dimensional heroine who relates the story with such poignancy—I feel terribly ashamed of myself (though I don’t exactly know why). A big thumbs up for Team Unicorn!

h. Innoculata by Scott Westerfeld —Another homoerotic themed tale though it pales in comparison to “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” The inoculation of the virus into a human’s bloodstream to become resistant to zombies is quite new—at least to me. However, what makes this story slump into mediocre territory is because it ended quite poorly. The whole story felt more like a prologue to a forthcoming story; a downer, it is.

i. Princess Prettypants by Meg Cabot — “Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow…” I know, I know. My Potter senses are tingling yet again. Okay moving on… Once I get a hold of this book, I bet my money Meg Cabot will be up for Team Unicorn. Surprise? Nope. This story is as chummy as the title itself. Cuteness overload, fluffy vibe, slapstick humor— we get it—a spot on teenybopper-ish flick.

j. Cold Hands by Cassandra Clare — A fairly acceptable read. The worldbuilding Clare created was fine, though inconsistencies inevitably pop in every once in a while. For instance, dukes and monarchies, public hangings make up for a medieval vibe in the story; but then pop culture (CDs and whatnot) crosses the threshold—huh? Is this friggin’ Victorian England or present-day America? To top it all off, emo zombies live peacefully with the living. :/

k. The Third Virgin by Kathleen Duey — A different twist on the unicorn-healing mythology. It was told through a unicorn’s POV which is pretty… BORING. This pairs off to Cassandra Clare’s emo zombies; this time around, Kathleen Duey created an emo unicorn. Ugh. Kill yourselves please. The world doesn’t need anymore emos. *sighs*

l. Prom Night by Libba Bray — A post-apocalyptic milieu where adults have been annihilated because of being zombified. Teenagers were left by themselves emulating the once adult-driven civilization; and they’re succeeding… for the most part. The teenagers’ cheers and roars of glee as soon as the fireworks were set off was a very sad conclusion to the anthology. My heartstrings has gone inferno. *sobs*

 

I’m sorry, this turned out to be a rave and rant episode of mine instead, rather than a review… So, back to our initial objective which is to answer the question: which is better made for fiction, Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

 

Neither.

 

I’ve got to say I won instead.

 

Rating: ★★★✰✰

Middlesex — Jeffrey Eugenides

What really draw me into this book is the title—Middlesex. Somewhat it already surfaces as a hermaphrodite-y tale to me, as further supplemented by my batty naïveté about the existence of an actual Middlesex locale. Add to that the glistening Pulitzer Prize emblem etched in full sight underneath the title.

So far, I have yet to further delve into Jeffrey Eugenides’ works, Middlesex having been an amazing start for me. Eugenides’ narrative is engaging. It is drenched with intriguing themes, exhibits impeccable vividness, and boasts with flamboyance. Wallowing in this tale, I feel like most of his time was seriously chomp through by his thorough dedication for research. Be that as it may, it reverberated as an effortless voice-over, never sounding like those horrifying medical jargons at all however meticulously he justified the inauguration, progression, and the development of the disease—the 5-alpha-reductase-deficiency. I haven’t sidestepped boredom even so. There were those times when I have to put down the book because of being heavy-eyed over the historical accounts of the Stephanides—the flight escape from Greece, the Greco-Turkish war, the Great Fire of Smyrna, and so on—yet I still managed to pick it up again because there is some imperceptible force in there that pursues for my curiosity and corrupts it (in a good way, of course).

Calliope/Cal very much reminds me of the infamous pop idol Lady Gaga who is rumored to be a hermaphrodite. She clarified however that the said claims were false; proofs were either pathetically photoshopped images or allegedly helpless stolen shots—merely an absurd craze people make to shame poor Gaga. Let us give her a little breather, shall we?

So… I did some readings about the disease because I couldn’t just feign to abolish the subject alone without perceiving its basic fundamentals. A few snippets of idea would content me just fine. (I am not confident enough with my learnings; thus, correct me right away once I committed something wrong.) First off, this so-called 5a-reductase-deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder; autosomal, meaning that there is no gene coding for 5a-reductase located neither on an X-choromosome nor a Y-choromosome (sex chromosomes); recessive, meaning that to manifest the disease on an offspring, two copies of these recessive genes must be present. Since both Desdemona and Lefty are carrying the gene, poor Callie/Cal unluckily ended up with the disease.

This 5a-reductase codes for enzymes that convert testosterone to dyhidrotestosterone or DHT, which is fundamental for the formation of the male genitalia. For females, it converts progesterone to dihydroprogestorone or DHP. Given that the subject disease cannot convert testosterone to DHT, there’ll be too much testosterone and hardly DHT, creating a decreased level of DHT and high testosterone ratio, at some instances causing the formation of an ambiguous genitalia (crocus). (And too much testosterone in a female causes acne, from what I’ve read from a random source—that doesn’t really have anything to do with this… :/)

A few years back, whilst the subject’s pristinely new to me, I wonder how doctors would specify the gender of a person having both the male’s and the female’s genitals. This puzzling affair of mine transpired after watching a news report on TV, depicting a newborn baby with both genitals. Then a thought struck my mind; of course they could. They just have to assess what sex hormones, chromosomes, gonad, etc. domineers over the other. But in the case of those with 5a-reductase-deficiency, I suppose, mostly are males because DHT affects only genetic males because it has no known role in the female development—from what I’ve read.

To further add, there are models called Androgynous models—they put-on an assumed role in opposition to their real gender. Males posing like females and vice versa. In the case for males, their features—most specifically the face—are more feminine than masculine. This is due to certain potent female hormones but not necessarily prevalent over their male ones. Not to mention that they have a male genitalia which makes them male even so. What’s more, some guys appear gay because of the tone of their voice—the touch of femininity in it. This is also an example. Genetics is such a bizarre thing after all…

Calliope’s transformation to Cal triggered once again another of my so-called “mental deliberations.” Why choose to start anew as a male when being a female is all you’ve ever become? Why choose to complicate matters worse? But then again, putting on a scheming façade is by no means happiness. Why pretend to be someone you’re not?

The whole lot still puzzles me and it’s good, you know. I like it when an issue sinks into me and my curiosity stirs. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I would be looking forward to another Jeffrey Eugenides’ literary ride.

 

Rating: ★★★★✰

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight — Jennifer E. Smith

Is it really probable to fall in love in the twinkling of an eye? Or is it mere attraction? Even figures can be a flimsy verification on this well-regarded whim.

Remember those awfully rare chances when cute guys happen to materialize in that finicky vision of yours? He may have offered his seat to you during a bus ride, you may have bumped on him at the mall, he may have been the charming salesman at a store; then flashed the sweetest beam you couldn’t imagine—brewing a giddy twitch at your heartstrings. But somehow you feint a nonchalant façade to give the impression that you’re uninterested. Did you happen to ask yourself if you’ll be seeing him again? Oh cut the charades, I know you have.

Now imagine yourself turning up late to your most dreaded flight for 4 minutes… just 4 minutes. Another flight was rescheduled for you but is not leaving until a few hours or so, allowing you to arrive at your father’s wedding with a woman you hardly know in just the nick of time. Shortly thereafter, while having difficulties with your stuff, a stranger gladly offered to lend a hand; somehow you did not refuse because you really need the help. Eventually you take heed on that stranger’s face. “He’s cute,” you would say. The hours ticked like mere seconds, conversing with the guy, finally discovering that you’ll be sharing the same flight—at the same row. Would fate really be as good as this to be true?

From the corners of this cleverly titled tale, brims a sweet concoction of romantic bonds, family dramas, infidelities, forgiveness, and the traditional happily ever afters. I’ve been a tad too thrilled to be in possession of this book, eyeing it on Goodreads for quite some time now. Fortunately, a cousin gladly lent it to me and I quickly devoured it from page one. However, sheer pleasure immediately swopped to nasty ennui. The pages didn’t quite keep my interest intact. The mere 200-paged and largely printed book kept me at a sluggish, drawn out reading pace, finishing it for a long-winded fortnight. Cute you would say—I approve. In fact, there’s too much cuteness in there that it became a little too cloying and implausible enough to be convincingly true. Thus the story was wrung from realism, and then hung off to parch—left with no traces of veracity but absolute improbability. The title itself doesn’t even justify the premise. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight—when there’s no love at first sight after all. Falling in love in a 24-hour period doesn’t even count as love at first sight. Indeed, “The Fermentation Process of Mayonnaise” seems like a more fitting title actually. Let me put it this way: since Hadley hates mayonnaise, then we’ll have her as our specimen. First off, there’ll be no mayo but eggs, mustard, salt, etc. (bitter Hadley). We’ll put the mixture in a steel tank/jug/container/flask [I’m no erudite in such matter so just insert any necessary fermenting decanter here] (plane). Add fundamental fermenting agents (such as yeast/bacteria), in this case vinegar/cider would be our agent (Oliver). Leave it for a few weeks inside the refrigerator (9-hr flight). The mixture will be processed (getting to know each other/conversing), and then after the target date… kaboom! you now have your mayo (love in the air). Makes more sense, right?

Furthermore, the events, in line with the resolution of the characters, were too neat. A father leaves his family for a younger woman gets off the hook so smoothly and forgiven just as so easily. A stepmom radiates a faultless façade thereby making her a likeable character nonetheless. A wife who might as well failed to remember that the groom was her husband. A family insensible enough to confront their ruined man in the hope of avoiding argument. Tidying up the ending in a painstakingly neat fashion.

The very instant I flipped through the last page, my sister and I shared the same reaction which was, “Is that all?” Evidently, I have nothing to blab about this book.

What I liked were those little moments of rumination from significant passages that need not be merely skimmed at but carefully pored over.

Overall, not my kind of romance but if you’re one to take pleasure from sweet endings and happily ever afters, this book is for you.

 

Rating: ★★✰✰✰

Book Loans 2013.1

So… albeit the inevitable compulsion I have when it comes to squirreling away books, I still see to it that this routine of mine doesn’t bleed dry my already asphyxiating wallet. Hence, thrift books stores became my most intimate confidant, looking for titles that catch my eye. Then again, what better way to resuscitate a few cash into your moneybag than borrowing a few book titles from your fellow bookworms?

And so the dawn of my “book loans” documentation commenced…

My recent book loans are as follows:

1. Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

I happened to bump into an auspicious affair, dropping by my aunt’s house after visiting another relative not very far from their residence. Oblivious to my cousins’ bibliophilic habits, neither did I expect them to own a profuse mound of books in their room. However, we don’t share similar sentiments with their ideal genre. They possess an endless stack of chic-lits, whereas I own a lone copy, read a few; let alone enjoy one or two. But as I was desperate enough to read, I singled out five books to bring home.

Thanks for the Memories had been my third read from author Cecelia Ahern. The previous books I’ve read from her were P.S. I Love You and Love, Rosie, once again borrowed from another cousin who curbs down in a middling diet of romantic tales. I won’t be giving too much away, but a huge chunk of this tale roughly deals with the protagonists’ unexpected encounters with each other, those cute little meet-ups, unaware of fate’s insistence on finally bringing them together.

2. Brida by Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho is one of the authors I regard with such utmost esteem. My first read from him was The Alchemist and I found myself completely immersed in it. I guess these are my kind of books, those that goad one’s ruminations about one’s self and the higher purpose in life. In fact, these are bits and pieces that constantly bother me. What is the point of all these misleading conundrums if not for a more profound reason?

Fortunately, the eldest of the siblings’ owns one. Turns out, an officemate lend it to her and since I read without delay, she allowed me to borrow it as well. It didn’t quite deliver akin to my expectations, but a fairly decent read nonetheless. Despite the unacceptable lift of brow, I still wish to become a completist of his books sometime in the future.

3. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

A party of girls in possession of a nomadic denim? Haha. I don’t really know what this is about save for the fact that it has been adapted to the big screen, Gossip Girl’s Serena stars here, and that truth be told, I haven’t watched it just yet. But at least give it a try, right?

4. The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus
This one I can discern with much ease. I’m very certain there’s a nanny in there and that the story chronicles her child-rearing affairs. Well, is it? I’m simply guessing here. Haha. I’ve been seeing this on Goodreads for a while now, and it wouldn’t hurt trying this one, too.

5. 14 by J.T. Ellison

Even though chic-lits prevailed over their shelf, one of the siblings enjoys mystery-thrillers as well (oh, thank goodness!)—a fresh retreat from the mushy tales they immerse themselves into. It’s a crime-thriller, wherein the pegged “Snow White Killer” who once terrorized the streets of a certain town is on the loom again—the authorities unsure whether it’s the same killer or another madman who wishes to finish the sick fairytale the initial delinquent had started.

My brother gave it a five-star rating, and so I am expecting a wave of trepidation and rush of adrenaline in this book. For the past few weeks, months even, I haven’t read anything that gave quite a shocker. Let’s hope it does.

6. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

I brought this during my Cagayan visit for the period of the Holy Week break, coming from another cousin who owns a wide selection of YA novels. I didn’t finish it though as I have been preoccupied with some other stuff, i.e. swimming, neighboring, wandering, sleeping, etc. I finished it just a few days ago—so far, giggle-worthy, a tad too boring, but what can I say? Just the right book if you want something light and fun.

7. Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan by Bob Ong

Bob Ong is a widely renowned writer here in the Philippines, yet, it’s my first time to get a hold of one of his books. A fellow member of the PRPB (Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books) in Goodreads lent it to me. It got pleasant reviews from my cousin and siblings (I let them read it first), but my GR friends gave it glum reviews. I don’t know who to trust so I’ll be setting this next in my TBR after finishing Zombies vs. Unicorns by Holly Black, Justin Larbalestier, and various authors. I hope it won’t disappoint.

Life As We Knew It — Susan Beth Pfeffer

The importunate person that I am, I did not mull over my sister’s claims that this book is one heck of a mind-numbing tale chronicling a family’s resilience after the wave of an unforeseen catastrophe. The premise has this remarkable charisma that effectively lures you in, but I think the problem lies on the ineffectual execution. Pfeffer completely focused her insights on the family circle, withdrawing much of the occurrences outside the bounds of their home. To rub out these, the dread of the devastation will significantly shrunk to deadness, almost as if the reader will be detached to the real world out there. I did not feel the pang of loss for the deceased characters, or their screeching bellies, for that matter, past their depleted provisions. All I know is that, sooner or later, they will be spared and eventually move on. So why the sentiments? She clearly overlooked the vital “show don’t tell” principle.

The rush of adrenaline didn’t kick in, too. Post-apocalyptic novels, as far as I’m concerned, should reasonably radiate tension and anticipation. Because the world is ending, how am I supposed to feel? Instead, I merely flipped through the pages in the hope of finding something interesting, founding nothing at all.

On a side note, how can someone be so foolish as to even think of her crush and go around kissing guys in spite of the crumbling planet? :/

Not all had been well, but I would be nice enough to add that one little star for the premise.

 

Rating: ★★✰✰✰

Ang Hukuman ni Sinukuan — Virgilio S. Almario

I inquired for this book at the nearest National Book Store for our Goodreads group’s—Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books—April-May book discussion, unaware that this is a mere children’s story book. Don’t get me wrong, I am fully aware that it’s under the children’s literature wing but didn’t expect it to be so thin. The Customer Service staff told me to proceed to the children’s section then rummaged through an endless stack of story books. A group of guys, while passing behind me, were muttering things like, “Once upon a time…” accompanied by faint derisive laughs. (Oh, so they thought I fancy children’s books, huh?) I was actually up for some action but the lady in me says that I should compose myself instead. lol

I was unfamiliar with the book’s title; hence, I was ignorant of the book’s premise as well—when in fact, I’ve read this tale from school textbooks countless of times! Why do the martines (or birds for that matter) build their nests up on the trees? Why do horses kick? Why do frogs croak? Why do turtles carry their houses on their backs? Why do fireflies carry lights on their rear? Why do mosquitoes have sharp blades on them? This book answers all these questions in a witty yet convincing manner that tends to satisfy every child’s unwitting suspicions and queries. More importantly, although it primarily aims to instruct juvenile audiences, adults alike will have their fair share of consciousness towards some ethical issues deliberately, yet subtly hinted at—justice and fairness, for instance.

… and so indulging myself with this delightful tale aroused a childlike uproar in me that wishes to revisit a distant memory which reeked of such wonderful times. Phew!

 

Rating: ★★★✰✰