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Saturday, September 29, 2012

Seriously ... I'm Kidding - Ellen DeGeneres


     Months ago, I browsed through Seriously... I'm Kidding just because the book blurb made me laugh.  I was able to read this ebook last month and I just loved it!  It was a refreshing break from all the fiction I have been reading.



Photo from bookdepository.com.au

      I think it's harder to make a person laugh through writing than in person so Ellen really did a great job. The book reads as if Ellen is talking to you.   Lots of times I must have looked silly reading with a big grin on my face.    Still, there were a lot of life lessons to be gotten from this book.   I particularly enjoyed reading her entries on her stint in American Idol, social skills, the secret of life and many more.

     I don't normally pick books like this but I was intrigued by Ellen after I read her entry from my sister's book,  The Best Advice I Ever Got by Katie Couric.  Ellen had written about her experience of coming out and how she learned the importance of being true to oneself.  And that really struck me...I really should just do as I please and not care about what others think.   I had been keeping this blog since March and I had reservations about going public with it for fear of rejection, fear of ridicule.  But I realized that this is something that I enjoy doing, so I will keep writing in my book blog, even if my only followers are my sister and my husband, hehe.

photo from pinterest.com


Rating: 4 stars!





Sunday, September 23, 2012

My Kindle

    This post is long overdue.  To date, my Kindle Touch has now become obsolete with the coming of the new Kindle Paper White

Unboxing my Kindle Touch, hehe

What I love about it:
1.  You can carry your whole library with you (up to 3000-4000 books!).  My room will now be mess and dust-free from books.
2.  It's small, fits inside your bag, not bulky at all.
3.  Revolutionary e-ink means no eye strain unlike if you read from devices that use backlights.  You can read in broad daylight because there's no glare.  But you will need a lamp if you're in a dark place.  It reads just like a real book.
4.  Kindle Touch with Ads is a cheaper and better choice over the no Ads and 3G versions.  The ads are not bothersome; they don't interrupt reading and some ad screensavers are actually cute.
5.  Aside from Amazon.com, you can always get books from multiple sources. (hehe!)
6.  It comes with a built in dictionary so you can easily look up words while reading.
7.  You can highlight passages or add notes on your ebook.
8.   You can adjust text sizes and fonts to your liking.
9.  The touch is a wifi device.  You can surf the internet but don't expect much.
10.  It comes with audio, so you can listen to your mp3s while reading.
11.  If you're lazy to read, most kindle books have a text to speech function so you have an instant audiobook.
12.  No one can tell you're reading Fifty Shades of Grey 'cause they don't see the cover.

Chapter 1 from Fifty Shades of Grey
13.  It has an X-ray function where you can 'see the bones of the book'.  I have yet to find out what that is.
14. And a whole lot more!


What I don't love about it:
1.  You can't buy ebooks from Amazon.com unless your credit card is registered in the U.S.
2.  Kindle cases and covers are not available in malls.  You can only buy online.
3.  Don't expect the Kindle Touch to respond like an Ipad.  It can be slooowww!
4.  Your books are displayed as a list.  Unlike on an Ipad, you have icons/covers on a bookshelf.
kindle interface
ibooks interface
5.  The menu interface can be hard to manage especially if you have lots of books that you want to sort into collections or genres.
6.  There is no Amazon created software that can help you manage your books.  Calibre is a free software you can use for your Kindle  but it's not as superb as what itunes does for Apple.
7.  I wish there was a hold button so that the Kindle will not automatically turn on when jostled in my bag.
8.  Although you can bookmark your spot, it can be time consuming to find a specific location in the book.
9.  Some books are just not meant to be ebooks like craft books, cookbooks and children's books.
You can read comics on it, but I wouldn't recommend it.
10.  It's more fun to shop for books at the bookstore.

   I  got mine for a good price at NelsonKRX's online store.  You may visit their store here.  It was a fast and very pleasant transaction.  With your purchase, they allow you access to an online folder with thousands of ebooks.
    If you are a bookworm like me, consider getting a Kindle, it's a worthy investment that will give you pleasant reading experiences!
   




Monday, September 17, 2012

At the Bookfair

     We  arrived a little after lunch on the second day of the book fair.  We were able to avoid much of the crowd that usually comes on a weekend.  This year's exhibitors and book selections were so much better than from years before.  Unfortunately, by the time I got here, some schools have already chosen boxes full of books from the shelves!  Still, I was happy I came.

L and I at the book fair
   
A and L at the Scholastic Booth

Teacher education books at Scholastic

trade books

Learning Tools for Kids

Cookbooks from Goodwill Bookstore

Art Books from Goodwill


Books from Philmont - my favorite booth

      Fully Booked and National Bookstore were on sale!

National Bookstore, my favorite bookstore
Travel Books

Fully Booked

Cookbook Aisle of Fully Booked
Bestseller Fiction from FullyBooked

     Here are some interesting books I found:
Yummy cover!

I used to read Archie comics

A small but very thick baking book for Php 150 only

Art Book

Places to dream about
Very Cute Cover

Very nice pictures inside ... but I hate Gwyneth
Cupcakes!  Just because I love the pictures
I love Martha Stewart!
 
     This year, I did not go home empty handed.


Happier at Home - (National Bookstore - Php 695) -  Php 556
Creative Scribbles - (Philmont)  - Php 495
DK Baby Touch and Feel:  Pets - (Fully Booked - Php 239) - Php 191.20

See you next year!








Monday, September 10, 2012

33rd Manila International Book Fair

     Another exciting event for bookworms like me:  the 33rd Manila International Book Fair!    Check out the flyer for more details.

photo from facebook.com- manila book fair acct.
    
  The only reason I'm going is because Fully Booked and National Bookstore are part of it after some years of absence. Also,  I hope I can find THE Baking book I am looking for.   See you there!


Thursday, September 6, 2012

My Book Loot from National Bookstore's Sale

    These are the books that I got during the recent National Bookstore sale.  I think I would've gotten more but A got sick during the last few days of the sale so I couldn't go out.


    The Best Advice I Ever Got : Lessons from Extraordinary Lives by Katie Couric is a collection of   insights from famous celebrities like Hugh Jackman, Mario Batali, Ryan Seacrest, Beyonce and many more.  My sister bought this from the sale and when I browsed through her copy, I just loved it!  I opened the book to Ellen DeGeneres' page where she wrote about coming out and how she learned to  just be true to herself.  Truly inspiring! I can't wait to read what life lessons Steven Spielberg and Martha Stewart have to share.
     I want to improve on my writing so I got  Robert's Rules of Writing: 101 Unconventional Lessons Every Writer  Needs To Know by Robert Masello.  I was thinking of getting a book on grammar but I didn't want to lose myself in all the technicalities of writing.  I want to learn how to express myself better and to simply enjoy writing and not be obsessed with writing conventions.
     The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia is an impulse buy.  Although I enjoy reading fashion magazines, I don't usually browse the fashion and beauty book aisle.  I'm not really into fashion; I spend more money on books than clothes.  I think I bought this book just because of Ruben Toledo's illustrations.  I'm feeling some buyer's remorse over this purchase.  8(

The Best Advice I Ever Got : Lessons from Extraordinary Lives -  P 439.20         (P 549)
Robert's Rules of Writing: 101 Unconventional Lessons Every Writer  Needs To Know -   P 236  (P295)
The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own -        P 317.50   (P 635)

     I was able to save P 486.30! Can't wait for the next sale!  

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Singapore Bookstores

     Because I was our itinerary planner for our Singapore trip, A and M had no choice but to let me indulge in my bookworm whims.  Hehe!  
     Sunny Bookshop is a small bookstore located in Plaza Singapura on Orchard Road.  They sell mostly second hand books.  There's no need to make 'halungkat' as I do in Booksale, Philippines, because books are arranged neatly according to author.  The books are in very good condition.




     San Bookshop is also located in Plaza Singapura.  They also sell second hand books.


     Bookaburra is a bookstore for kids.  It is located at The Forum, a mall dedicated for children's clothes and toys.   I love the children's bookstore niche.   I want to bring L here when he's bigger.



      Still on Orchard Road, Times Bookstore is in Paragon Mall.   Very small, but with a cute logo.  It was my lucky day!  Got a picture with L's favorite character, the Very Hungry Caterpillar!



     Harris Planerds is in 313@somerset.  It would be the best place to buy comics and comic trade paperbacks.  Good thing I've quit collecting comics! That's A,  mr. constant reader este mr. constant seller, hehe.


     On our last day,  we went to Books Kinokuniya(from the Japanese bookstore chain) in Ngee Ann City Takashimaya.  I am so sorry that I was not able to make enough time to browse through the   43,000 sq. ft. store.  Super Big! Huhu!  I was also too chicken to take pictures inside the store (remember, we're in Singapore!).