I'm not good with titles

They lay tangled with the covers. She watched him sleeping, yellow light seeping through the windows. She watched as shadows danced on his bare chest, rising and falling to the rhythm of his soft breath. His eyelashes touched the top of his cheeks. His mouth slightly parted. She couldn’t bear not to reach out, to feel him beneath her fingertips. She traced his lips, touched his ear, lay her palm flatly on his heart. He smiled with eyes closed, holding her hand with his, and pulling her in with the other. She kissed his neck, her lips unmoving, and breathed in his scent. His skin was dark, golden where the sun touched it. And when he looked at her, his eyes gave everything he saw, the lost innocence of a boy only war could take.

The sun rose higher and he made her breakfast. She sat at the counter with his shirt on and watched him, the muscles on his back, the broad shoulders that led to his thin waist. He would catch her looking and winked, a devilish smile on his lips. He is the most beautiful creature she ever saw. She couldn’t stop marveling that he was hers. That every stolen glance, every hidden spot, every morning like this was her possession. She loved him with every imperfection that made him beautiful. She adored every battle scar that kept him alive and brought him home to her.

Nicholas Sparks: Live in Manila!

Bestselling author Nicholas Sparks is coming to the Philippines for a book signing of his new novel The Best of Me! Catch him on the following dates:

October 28, The Podium

You can see mechanics for the chance to get his autograph here.

Nicholas Sparks will also be signing on the 29th at Powerbooks Greenbelt 4.

The Best of Me is now available at all Powerbooks and National Book Store branches for P549.

Follow Nicholas Sparks on Twitter! And Powerbooks too!

I really hope I can go, if not for the book signing, just the chance to see him! I can't wait to get my hands on his new book. I heard they're making Safe Haven into a movie too. Though The Lucky One with Zac Efron is still not showing. A lot to look out for! Anyways, who's going to the book signing? :) x

Day 13 – Your favorite writer

Safest answer would be Jane Austen. And instead of one answer, I'll give you a list of my top fave authors - in no particular order. They reign my bookshelf. :)

Nicholas Sparks
From A Walk to Remember to The Last Song, I adore his work. I don't know where he gets his beautiful stories. And he writes well! Nicholas Sparks gives us heartwarming stories that even though has a bit of tragedy in it, makes you appreciate life. He makes us want to feel a love like no other. He makes us cry and the tears are worth it.

Anna Godbersen
The author of the Luxe series and Bright Young Things. I like her because she's my kind of read. Young adult and Historical fiction. I love how the Luxe series was written, like I'm transported to 19th century Manhattan. Every character felt amazingly real. She let her characters loose and wander through the pages. I want to be one of them! Godbersen is effortless. It made me anxious in the right parts. Made me put it down when I just can't take what's happening. But then I'd pick it up again because I can't take the agony of not knowing what'll happen next. I haven't read Beautiful Days, the second book in the BYT series, but I'm pretty sure Godbersen wrote it like she didn't. Does that make sense? ;)

Julia Quinn
She's my go to author for my historical romance cravings. If you love Jane Austen, well she's the contemporary counterpart, as they said. Her works are funny and romantic. Not to cheesy, but still dog-ear worthy lines. Most of all, it's HISTORICAL! Dukes and duchess, London society and all that.

Jandy Nelson
I want to write like her! The Sky is Everywhere is just wonderful. I'm in love with the words! I'm a sucker for heartbreakingly beautiful stories. It makes me feel alive when I read something sad. I like going through stories like that to see that somehow it'll be alright in the end. Reading The Sky is Everywhere made me hope for better things. I basked in it and clung to Jandy Nelson's every word. I just love her. I also love the idea of a girl scattering poems around town.


Sorry I don't have pictures. Have no idea what to put. I'm moving forward with this challenge! Yey! x

Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore

From the So Little Time series

Used random photo from Google Search ;)

So Little Time is a US sitcom starring Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. It was later on made into a novel series.

Not even sure which one I read. After my fascination with Sweet Valley High (I miss!), I became a fan of the Olsen twins. I remembered photocopying magazines with them on it. Haha! It was around freshmen year when I got the book. Then I lent it to a friend - which was never given back to me - and is totally alright considering that I won't read it anymore. I couldn't even remember what the title was! Thinking about it made me curious though. :)

This post is a slacker. Will make it up to you on the next one! x

Day 11 - A book you hated

The Girls' Guide to Global Guys by Theresa Alan

I am picky with books - young adult, chick lit, classic novels, historical romance, historical fiction, romantic fiction. I don't usually read outside my comfort zone and I like books that are written like poetry.

The title was what caught my eye. I pictured a world class chick lit. Light, funny, and romantic. I imagined a soul-searching heroine who hits it off with a guy in every place she's been. I imagined exotic places, beautiful backdrops, bilingual dialogues, and of strangers meeting accidentally. Then she'd realize her hero is waiting for her at home. It would've been a delicious read.

Two best friends, Jadie and Tate had it with their dating life in Colorado and decided to travel around the world to learn about the different dating cultures and maybe find Mr. Right along the way. They left Colorado without knowing what's ahead of them and that was a thrill. Then the two girls began to interview ladies, locals, about their dating life. Yes, interview them with ready questions. That set me off. I didn't even finish the book. It felt tightly constructed, Alan didn't let her characters wander on their own and find out the different dating cultures themselves. Maybe it's just me but I didn't like it at all. I just didn't get it. What a waste on a good plot :(

Photo from Google Search.

Bookay-Ukay

I first heard about Bookay-Ukay from a friend. I've been curious about the place, seeing it only in photos. And I get to see the place finally! I picked up an original cover The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks which I bought online. For purchases, reservations, inquiries, like their Facebook page here. More on their service later :)

It's a couple of minutes from Katipunan! It'll only cost you less than 100 bucks if you take a cab. The place is simple, open and totally laid back. Book shelves flank three sides of the room...

...while this wall on the left is reserved for artworks. Sort of a freedom wall. It's actually really cool. Gives an edge to the place. Like it wasn't only made to feed your book fetish, also your creative mind. I love that they stack books on the floor :)

This is what I got! Original covers are rare especially if they've made a movie of the book. The movie was wonderful, I'm curious how Nicholas Sparks wrote it. I like reading something in print after I watched it to see how i'll see it in my head. I got it for 150php only! It was a cheap find :) I love cheap finds! If you don't want to bust your wallets but cannot live without a good book, this is the place!

On service: You have to like their Facebook page so you can see their posts. They post every book they have, how many stocks, and the price. They are friendly, you can actually talk to them, ask questions about their stocks, or changes in your reservations. I reserved mine and was supposed to get it shipped. But then I realized I was going to Katipunan the next day. So I informed them, very casually that I've decided to pick it up on their store. They answer right away! And it's first come, first serve so stay updated so you can get the books you want. You can also check them out at Multiply. I'm a first time costumer so let me hear what you think :)

Sorry for the haggard picture ;) Whoever is behind this is my hero. It's the kind of place bookworms like me would actually love. It's wallet-friendly, laid-back, and full of books! If you live far from QC you can always check their Multiply and Facebook. But it's a must to visit the store! Bookay-Ukay is located at 55 Maginhawa Str., UP Village, Diliman, Quezon City.

Thank you my wonderful friends for coming with me!

Photos are mine. x

Threelogy

Sorry about the lagged posts. I'm having off days but will try really hard to keep up from now on! Since I haven't posted anything for days, I'll cram three in one! ;)

1. Mini library
It's already semester break so I've been stuck at home. Plenty of time to do nothing, which bugs me a little. But then again, it's a much deserved break after all those stress. Anyways, I've been cleaning my room for days now, rearranging stuff around. I stack my books in different places in my room for a cozy feel, I want to be surrounded with things that I love. I had nothing to do so I tried to see what it'll look like if I placed them all in my bookshelf.

Sans the ones my friends borrowed and some left at my dorm. I want to fill every flat surface of my room! Fingers crossed.

2. Current read
Last Sunday, I got to buy myself a book! Yey! I have a long list of books to buy but whenever I'm at the National/Powerbooks/Fully Booked, I get overwhelmed with so many books I forget my list. I have this instinct too! After walking around the store a couple of times, I usually end up buying a book that I impulsively see like it's meant for me. And it's on sale! :)

The Last Letter from your Lover by Jojo Moyes

I'm only past eight chapters. So far, I'm loving the plot and the writing style. I love everything that has a bit of history in it. The Last Letter from your Lover is set on the 60s and the present. It's romantic without going overboard. I'm expecting a lot from this book! Though it's really unexpected, you really don't know where everything is headed. Keeps you at the edge, you wouldn't want to put it down. That's what makes it a good book. Prolly will post book quotes/feature about this next time :)

3. Day 10 - Favorite Classic Book: Pride and Prejudice & Persuasion



Allow me to be so indulgent to choose two :) Written by my favorite author, Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is the book that got me reading again. I adored the thought of Mr. Darcy, brooding and handsome. I fell in love with 19th century Europe, the balls, the dresses, the language.

Persuasion reflects the romantic in Jane Austen, and me. Captain Wentworth's coldness towards Anne Elliot when they met after eight years, his subtle ways, his letter after finding out his sentiments towards her are still the same was enough to captivate me. You have to read it yourself. If you've read it, read it again! :)

Photos are mine. x

He was watching her against the diamonds above, her hair shining from the moonlight, dancing around her face. She was looking up at the star-drunk sky. He passed the last bottle left, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. From where they lay, on the hood of his hand-me-down car, they just might fall over the edge skyward into the black ocean that seemed everywhere. He felt inconsequential, and somehow he knew she felt it too.

But she felt anxious instead of that. She saw nothing but the sky, the stars that seem to invite her, the wind that blew the grass and carried the minty scent of his smoke after the cigarette was long gone. She stared up at the sky too long, she felt like falling in it. She almost felt it, when the wind blew and she shivered. It was like standing on the edge just before a fall. She wanted that feeling forever, brought the bottle to her wet lips, her eyes bright.

She was everywhere, his sky, and he loved her.

Beneath the stars, pleasantly drunk, their features softened by the moonlight, they were infinite in each other. It was more than love could offer.

08-08-11

Sorry means nothing

And it breaks my heart what love has turned us into.

Longing turning into anger,

fists pounding instead of arms holding,

words into thorns,

fingertips slicing,

fingerprints bruising,

chasing me away,

pushing me off the edge.

Yesterday we felt like forever,

today, tomorrow is not ours.

I don’t want to sleep if it means I’ll dream of you.

I don’t want to stay awake if it means I’ll think of you.

Where do I go?

Book fetish

Semester break's coming up, I need to stack up.

The weather's been gloomy, perfect for crawling in bed with a good book - words in your veins, your mind traveling places. Your craving for words, different worlds, growing insatiable every page. This is what you call book fetish.

Here's my updated to-buy list, enjoy!

1. Looking for Alaska by John Green

I want the exact cover. I've read it on PDF because I can't wait any longer. John Green writes perfectly. I love the prose, I've highlighted a lot of quotes. But it doesn't feel right when it's not on paperback.

2. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

I've seen the trailer of the HBO mini series. I'm a fan of Nibelungenlied and all that. George R.R. Martin created another world and I'm fascinated by how he thought everything out and put it in words. The map of their world (included in the large format hard cover) captured me. I want the whole series!

3. Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen

The second book of the Bright Young Things series is finally out! 1929, flappers, all that jazz. It's the age when everythings' bright, when everyone's young. I love Anna Godbersen, her Luxe series and I loved Bright Young Things.

4. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

It wouldn't be complete without this. It's a thriller sort with the right overdose of romance. Will give you chills and turn you lovesick. Leaves you dreaming of Patch Cipriano in jeans... only. Release date: October 2011.

5. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

The cover, the title, I feel there's something more. I want to read how the words weave together. Read the synopsis here.

6. Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Somehow I came across this book. Jennifer Echols once disappoint, I'm hoping this time she won't. Creative writing, New York City, a boy who writes. I'm lusting for everything in it.

"So many books, so little time"

(photos from Google Search)

x

M