Splendor - Brenda Joyce

  

photo from Macmillan.com

          Carolyn Browne is a poor bookseller's daughter. Aside from reading enlightening books and manning her father's bookstore, she writes a column as Charles Copperfield, poking fun at the antics of London's peerage.  Soon, she sets her sights on the notorious activities of the Russian prince, Nicholas Sverayov.

            During one of her escapades, Nicholas finds out Copperville's true identity.  What he didn't count on was to fall in love with Carolyn, even if he is married though estranged from his wife.  Carolyn could also not believe that she would fall for someone she believed to be the epitome of a man she truly despises.  From Regency London to St. Petersburg, how far can Carolyn and Nicholas deny the attraction and love growing between them?

    

           Splendor by Brenda Joyce is a must read for people who love reading historical romance like I do.  Carolyn Browne is a very likeable character for she is smart and witty.  The handsome Russian prince, Nicholas Sverayov is a military man who exudes power and sex appeal.  He does not care about what the Ton thinks of him.   The story is quite exciting as you try to find out how the Prince and Carolyn will end up together inspite of the circumstances that set them apart.   Included in the plot is an element of suspense, as the book is set during the time of Napoleon's invasion.

Rating: 4 Stars!

christopher pike

          Another author I used to follow in my childhood was Christopher Pike.  He wrote mystery and paranormal novels for young adults.   Among his novels, I found Last Act, Gimme A Kiss, Fall Into Darkness, Spellbound, and Scavenger Hunt most enjoyable to read.   These books were so suspense-filled, I was very tempted to flip to the last page just to see how the stories would end.  Whisper of Death was really scary. His later novels, especially the sequels, were not good at all.

fear street

      

           It's always fun to look back and remember the books I had collected in my childhood. Fear Street is a young adult series created by R.L. Stine.  The stories are set in a fictional town called Shadyside where Fear Street is found.  You can expect a paranormal or murder mystery in each book.

           The Stepsister was the first book I read in this series.  It probably was the only one worth reading at all.  Serious collectors of the series could still find Fear Street books on Ebay (where I have sold mine as a lot) or at used bookstores like Booksale.

my birthday wishlist

          My birthday is coming up soon!  This is my birthday book wish list...

1. Paper Fashions Yesterday - For the little girl in me.  I love making paper clothes using the stencils and patterned papers that come with this series.  You can even embellish your paper clothes by adding sequins, lace ribbons and more.  I also have Paper Fashions, Paper Fashions Fancy, and Paper Fashions Fantasy.  This book is made by Klutz, Inc. and is only available in the U.K. and Australia, so I really hope I can get a copy but i just don't know how.

photo from amazon.com.uk

2. Contemporary Fashion Illustration Techniques - I want to learn how to draw ala hed kandi. I hope to take a fashion illustration course someday.

                                                            photo from better world books

3. Christmas at Friday Harbor - A very thin book by my favorite romance author, Lisa Kleypas.

                                                         photo from amazon.com

4. Be the Miracle - by Regina Brett.  I was a fan of her other book, God Never Blinks. I felt so good after reading each one of her 50 life lessons.  Her book made me feel more positive and has made me more appreciative of the little things in life.

photo from barnes and noble

5. When Passion Rules - by Johanna Lindsey, another favorite romance author.  Her recent books are not as good as her old Malory novels.  I still get embarrassed about reading her books in public.

photo from barnes and noble

6.  Delirium - by Lauren Oliver.  A dystopian novel where people live in a world where love is a disease that you need to be cured from.

                                                            photo from barnes and noble

7. Betty Crocker Basics : How to Cook and Entertain with Confidence - After making super yummy instant Betty Crocker brownies and chocolate cookies,  I have come to believe that anything endorsed by Betty Crocker will taste good.  I'm curious, is Betty Crocker  a real person?  

photo from barnes and noble

8. Fifty Shades of Grey - by E. L. James.  This book has been number one in the Amazon bestseller list for many weeks now.  I haven't heard about the author but I want to find out what the fuss is about this book.

photo from barnes and noble

          And there you have it, my birthday book wish list.  Now you won't have any trouble picking out my birthday present.

catching fire by suzanne collins

         Catching Fire is the next installment in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy.  The story follows Katniss and Peeta after their 'victory' at the 74th Hunger Games.  While the whole Capitol loves the starcrossed lovers, President Snow was not too happy about what happened at the end of the Games.  Katniss' stunt seems to have ignited a spark of rebellion in some districts.  As a result, the Capitol has enforced brutal and violent control over the districts.

          

         This book proved to be even more exciting and heartstopping because of the Quarter Quell.  Every 25 years, a Quarter Quell is held where the Capitol puts a twist on how tributes are chosen for the Hunger Games.  This year, the tributes from the 12 districts will come from the existing pool of victors.    Katniss and Peeta are sent back to the arena once more.  But, because their opponents are people who have also triumphed during previous Hunger Games, they will have a much harder time fighting to keep each other alive.  Time will tell if they'll be able to figure out who their real enemy is.
    
      Another exciting point in this story is the love triangle.  During the Games, Peeta and Katniss portrayed  the role of star crossed lovers to help them survive.  Katniss could not distinguish between what was real and what was for the audience.  Peeta, however, has been in love with Katniss for years.    Adding to her confusion is Katniss' rebellious hunting partner from the Seam, Gale.  Which of them does she really love?          

          Love love love this book!

        
Rating: 5 stars!

Photo credit:
Amazon.com

my summer sale book loot

          Every year, I look forward to National Bookstore's sale season.  There are usually 2 sale seasons, one during the summer and the other, during the store's anniversary month.  Whenever I'm at the bookstore, I always try to make a mental list of which books to buy during the sale so that I could maximize my savings.

            These are the books that I got during this summer's sale:

          I have always wanted to learn how to draw and these 2 books were just too cute to resist.  Sachiko Umoto is an illustrator in Japan. On each page, she gives tips so that your drawing will have a more detailed look.  Goodbye stick figure drawings!  Soon you'll be a whiz with the app Draw Something!

          

        Illustration School: Let's Draw Cute Animals is also available if you are planning to complete the series.

Illustration School: Let's Draw Happy People - Php 436 (Php 545)

Illustration School: Let's Draw Plants and Small Creatures - Php 436 (Php 545)

          I also got this painting book about Claude Monet, who happens to be one of my favorite painters.    Written by Tamsin Pickeral, the book contains a lot of information about Monet's life, his influences and techniques.  For only Php 295, you get more than a hundred of Monet's masterpieces in postcard size. This book will be truly helpful because when I have the time, I hope to replicate some of his most famous masterpieces.  When I have the time.  As if I can replicate them.  Also, I had hoped to find a Van Gogh version of this but I wasn't able to, so if you find one, please let me know.

          Linger is Maggie Stiefvater's second book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy.  The story began in Shiver, where Grace meets and falls in love with Sam, a human who turns wolf in the cold of winter.  Forever, the third book, has also been out since last year, but I am still waiting for a paperback copy. 

        If you are a fan of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne or just about any book about the Law of Attraction, you will also want to get The Magic.  I haven't even read her other book, The Power,  but  I felt I just had to have this, too.  At first glance, I think the book focuses more on an attitude of gratitude.

Monet - Php 236  (Php 295)

Linger - Php 319.2 (Php 399)

The Magic - Php 335.2 (Php 419)

          I got each book at 20% off, so I was able to save Php 440. Not bad at all!

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

This is the story of the girl who was on fire and the boy with the bread.  The Hunger Games!  Because the movie has just hit the big screen, I was inspired to reread Suzanne Collins’ bestselling trilogy.   I absolutely loved this book; it’s still so hard to put it down even if this is my third reread.

The story is set in Panem, the country that arose out of the ruins of North America after it was ravaged by many disasters.  In Panem,  there were 13 districts, all ruled by the Capitol.   During the Dark Days, the districts revolted against the Capitol’s merciless and cruel rule.  However, the districts were subdued by the Capitol, obliterating District 13 in the process.     As punishment and to prevent future uprisings, the Treaty of Treason was created, giving rise to an event called the Hunger Games which occurs every year.  In this event, by means of a lottery or “reaping”, each district sends one boy tribute and one girl tribute to fight to the death in a specialized controlled arena.  Only one shall emerge the victor.

It is very hard not to like the main character from District 12, Katniss Everdeen.  She has a fierce love for her sister, Prim, which leads her to volunteer as tribute in her place.   Katniss knows how to hunt small animals, climb trees and how to gather food.  These skills make her a contender at surviving the Games but can she kill other children to win?  The other tribute from District 12, Peeta Mellark,  is a baker’s son whose greatest skill is icing cakes.  Peeta is such a sweet and sensitive character.   It is hard not to fall for him.   Both will be sent to the arena where they will fight other tributes to death.  As the story progresses, Katniss and Peeta begin to question the society they live in. 

The scenes depicting what goes on in the arena are very exciting and so vivid, I feel like I am one of the people from the Capitol watching the Hunger Games unfold. Although there is gore and violence, one cannot help but be excited about who will emerge as victor and how the story will end.  You can't wait to get your hands on the second installment in the trilogy, Catching Fire.

Happy Hunger Games!  May the odds be ever in your favor!

Rating : 5 stars!

Photo credit:

amazon.com