Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Fangirl
Published: September 10, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Chick Lit


From the author of the New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park.

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?



“There was a boy in her room.”

From the moment I read this line, I was hooked. I don’t know if it’s a good thing I can relate to Cather or not. Oh man, maybe all of us can relate to her.

                Fangirl told a story of a girl who is unintentionally comical, emotional, and heartening that we can connect to. A girl who likes to hang out in her room all day than getting out in the world. She would rather write fanfiction of Simon Snow rather than attend a party. Hell, she’s suffering on eating protein bars and peanut butter so that she won’t have to go to the canteen and undergo social leprosy. And most of all, it is a story of a girl who is facing problems, overcoming issues, admitting mistakes and learning from it.

                Cath is struggling to survive College without her best friend/twin sister. She is not in her comfort zone and she’s just starting to learn the world of boys. While her twin, Wren is discovering going out and being a freshman.

                I loved how the story played out smoothly that I ended up reading it until 3AM. It will make you laugh, cry, giggle and swoon at characters that will bury themselves in your heart so deeply, you’ll have trouble getting them out –but you wouldn’t want to. So, if you are an avid reader of fan fiction, a huge supporter of Tumblr or a member of any Fandom, then you’ll definitely want to read this because it is about those things that we love and more.

Fave quotes:
“I’m just really active in the fandom.”

“What the fuck is the Fandom”

“You’re not a book person. And now you’re not an internet person? What does that leave you?”
Levi laughed.“Life. Work. Class. The great outdoors. Other people. ”

“You’re a lot better at boy-boy aren’t you?”





Book Review: Seeking Her by Cora Carmack (ARC)



Published: January 28, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, New Adult, Romance
Source: ARC from Williiam Morrow Impulse












Jackson Hunt gets his turn in this Finding It prequel novella …

Jackson Hunt hasn't been out of the military for long, but he needs to get a job and find a sense of normalcy if he is going to keep his demons at bay. The job that falls into his lap, though, is anything but normal.

Becoming bodyguard (and babysitter) to spoiled rich girl Kelsey Summers isn't exactly what he had in mind, but it's a chance to travel, to get away. The catch: Kelsey's father doesn't want her to know she's being followed.

She's vibrant and infuriating, exciting and reckless, mysterious and familiar. When Jackson sees her falling into the same patterns he suffered years ago, he decides it's time to stop watching and help her instead. But getting to know Kelsey is more difficult than he thought, especially because the more he knows her, the more he wants her.


"Lust made men do stupid things."

       Personally, I've been a fan of the Losing It series by Cora Carmack ever since I've read its first book. Now, I've been highly anticipating for the release Seeking Her (Losing It, #3.5) because I fell in love with the previous novels. 

      Of course we all knew what happened in Finding It (Losing It, #3)... WARNING: If you haven't read it, read it now before Seeking Her's release! Now, it's Jackson's time to shine and make the readers swoon all over again and go hot with his irresistible charisma. He's personal bodyguard of a very tempting woman. Well, Kelsey Summers is Kelsey Summers the spoiled-rich-kid. She’s gorgeous, vibrant, infuriating, exciting, reckless, and mysterious that will seriously make Jackson crazy.

       What will happen if their worlds clash? What would they do if attraction kept on messing with their heads? When you find "the one" are you willing to give up everything for an unforbidden love? Can you really fight sexual attraction? Can you stop your heart from falling in love? 


      On January 28, 2014... someone will rock your world. So better watch out because you'll never know if he's watching your every move. 

"From now on, I would watch her when I could.
Find her when I'd lost her.
Protect her when she needed me.
That was it. Nothing else."



Book News: Bad For You by Abbi Glines


Sea Breeze #7 ?????





Book Review: Misbehaving by Abbi Glines


Author: Abbi Glines
Published: December 17, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, New Adult,  Romance










          An unexpected affair leads to mind-blowing harmony in this Sea Breeze novel from New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines. 


        Jason is sick of living in his rock star brother’s shadow. So when he ships off to Sea Breeze, Alabama, he’s looking for a much deserved escape and a chance to blow off some envious steam. Falling for the local bad girl was definitely not the plan. But as the new duo enjoys some naughty fun in the Alabama sun, Jason learns that even though Jax is the musician in the family, he’s not the only brother who can rock someone’s world.

*Image and synopsis from Goodreads



“I don’t get possessive. I can’t get possessive. I don’t have time for that. You are making me feel that way, and it doesn’t fit into my world. I was trying to distance myself.”

          This book is like the continuity of the love stories of the Sea Breaze gang!

     Badass heroine? Troublemaker? Definitely a major turn on! Jess is feisty, confident, straightforward, compassionate and strong. She's really a contradiction of the heroines in the previous books of the series, however she has the biggest heart and the kindest intentions that despite her unbelievable attitude, she have that side that only Jason Stone can understand. Her dynamic personality is a major turn out in this story. 

         Jason Stone? He always lived in his brother's shadow, but you know what? He's more than just the brother of a rock star. Yes, he can also rock your world, AND yes, he's a freaking sex-god. We had a view of Jason's life back in Amanda and Preston's love story (Just for Now, Sea Breeze, #4), but here in Misbehaving, there's this side of him that not everyone knows. I like his amazing personality that even though the world sees that girl he's in love with is a total disaster, he still wants to protect her because Jason knows that Jess is really worth it. 

           Poor girl meets rich guy? Typical, right? How about we put a twist on it... What will happen if a bad girl meets good boy? Well? Who would have thought that a girl who lives in a trailer park will end up with a Prince Charming? You might think it's cliché but I assure you this book is so much more than Cinderella and Prince Charming. Misbehaving is not just a story of two people in different worlds, it is a tale of craving for freedom, chasing dreams, believing in fate, taking chances and falling in love.

Misbehaving somehow reminded me of the film Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. :)

Jax and Sadie's story is still my favorite in this series. (Breathe, Sea Breeze, #1)

“I had never expected to fall in love, but then, I'd never imagined anyone like Jess. She was one beautiful contradiction. The idea of letting someone else own my heart wasn't appealing. It sounded weak and Foolish. Something meant for the words of a song. I was wrong.” 



Book News & Events: 3 YA Authors Coming To Manila!

TAHEREF MAFI, RANSOM RIGGS AND VERONICA ROSSI are coming here in the Philippines! Thanks to National Book Store for inviting THEM here for a booksigning event! 


Tahereh Mafi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the SHATTER ME series. SHATTER ME is her first novel. It's not her first time here in the Philippines because she had a book signing here last year. The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, Ignite Me, will be published on February 4th.

Ransom Riggs is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN is his first novel. HOLLOW CITY, the sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, hits bookstores January 14th. It's not his first time here either. He was with Tahereh for an unexpected book signing last year.

Veronica Rossi is the author of post-apocalyptic fiction for young adults. Her debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, is the first in a trilogy. The second book in the trilogy, THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT, debuted in January on the NY Times and USA Today Best Seller Lists. The final book in the series, INTO THE STILL BLUE, is expected to release January 2014.

Veronica Rossi, Tahereh Mafi and Ransom Riggs 
Book Signing Events 
Frequently Asked Questions 
When and where are the book signings? 
April 26, 2014, 2:00 pm, at the Glorietta Activity Center 
April 27, 2014, 2:00 pm, at the Activity Center of Ayala Center Cebu 

When will the registration be? 
Registration opens at 10:00 am on April 26 at the Glorietta Activity Center and 10:00 am on April 27 at the Activity Center of Ayala Center Cebu. Each guest will be asked to fill out the registration form upon arrival. Separate registrations for each event is required should you wish to attend both events. First come, first served. 

Is there a registration fee? 
No. There is no registration fee. 

How many books can I have signed? Is there a limit as to how many people can have their books signed? 
You may have any number of books signed as long as they were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers or Powerbooks, and we do not have any preset limit as to the number of people. 

However, although we will take every effort to get as many books signed as possible, depending on the number of attendees, we reserve the right to limit the number of copies per person or limit the number of people in line. First come, first served. 

Can I bring old books or other editions of the books? 
Yes, as long as the books were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers or Powerbooks. 

Do I need to buy on-site? 
No. You can buy books before or during the events. 

Can I have other items signed? 
No. Only books will be allowed to be signed by the authors. 

Can we have our photo taken with the authors? 
Yes, you can have your photo with each author when they sign your book. However, we strictly allow only one photo per person for each author. 

How much are the books? 
Veronica Rossi titles: 
Under the Never Sky (Trade Paperback – P349) 
Through the Ever Night (Trade Paperback – P349) 
Into the Still Blue (on sale on January 28) 

Tahereh Mafi titles: 
Shatter Me (Trade Paperback – P329; Hardcover – P599) 
Unravel Me (Trade Paperback – P329; Hardcover – P599) 
Ignite Me (on sale on February 4) 
Unite Me (on sale on February 4) 

Ransom Riggs titles: 
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Trade Paperback – P399; Hardcover – P699) 
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Graphic Novel (Hardcover – P755) 
Hollow City (on sale on January 14) 



Book Review: Nomad by J.L. Bryan

Title: Nomad
Author: J.L. Bryan
Published: July 26, 2013
Genre: Dystopian, Time Travel, 
Sci-Fi
Source: ARC from Author

They took everything: her family, her home, her childhood.

By the age of nineteen, Raven has spent most of her life in the sprawling slums of America, fighting as a rebel against the dictatorship. When the rebellion steals an experimental time-travel device, she travels back five decades to the year 2013. Her plan: assassinate the future dictator when he is still young and vulnerable, long before he comes to power. She must move fast to reshape history, because agents from her own time are on her trail, ready to execute her on sight.

Back to the Future meets Looper meets The Time Traveler’s Wife

This is the first time I’m reading from J.L. Bryan. He didn’t waste any time and told action-packed scenes right from the start of this time-travel dystopian world he created. It was refreshing to think about time travel very deeply. In Nomad, every decision corresponds with a great consequence. Reading about characters talk about the events when interfering with the past makes my head go fuzzy –in a good way. I enjoyed reading about Raven’s struggle to find out what is really her mission, her attempts on seducing Logan (impeccably entertaining, I might add) and advanced technology/weapons she uses that adds to her bad-ass character. The flow of the story was smooth, at the same time, gripping. I would like to read more about Eliad’s story. Hell, I would love to read more about Eliad and Raven’s story or if I’m luck, their love story.

A vastly enjoyable read that dystopian and non-dystopian fans will adore. If you want to see a different point of view regarding changing the past or just want to try out on reading a diverse story, then this is for you!

"The book also made her see war in a new way - not as a clash between good and evil, but a senseless collision of misguided, ignorant people"






Book News & Events: Gayle Forman's Upcoming Book Signing in Manila

Gayle Forman is coming here in the Philippines! Thanks to National Book Store for inviting her here for a booksigning event! 



             Gayle Forman is the best-selling author of If I Stay (currently being turned into a movie). It was published in 30 countries around the world. The sequel/companion book to If I Stay, Where She Went, came out in April 2011.

             If you've read the books then be sure to attend one of the two events she's holding. And if you haven't, then read it quick because we know you'll love it as much as we did. 

             Also, check out her new novels, Just One Day & Just One Year

Frequently Asked Questions 

When and where are the book signings? 
January 18, 4:00 pm, at National Book Store, Glorietta 1 
January 19, 2:00 pm, at National Book Store, Ayala Center Cebu 

When will the registration be? 
Registration opens at 10:00 am on January 18 at National Book Store, Glorietta 1 and 10:00 am on January 19 at National Book Store, Ayala Center Cebu (in the store, NOT the activity center). Each guest will be asked to fill out the registration form upon arrival. Separate registrations for each event is required should you wish to attend both events. First come, first served. 

Is there a registration fee? 
No. There is no registration fee. 

How many books can I have signed? Is there a limit as to how many people can have their books signed? 
You may have any number of books signed as long as they were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers or Powerbooks, and we do not have any preset limit as to the number of people. 

However, although we will take every effort to get as many books signed as possible, depending on the number of attendees, we reserve the right to limit the number of copies per person or limit the number of people in line. First come, first served. 

Can I bring old books or other editions of the books? 
Yes, as long as the books were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers and Powerbooks. 

Do I need to buy on-site? 
No. You can buy books before or during the event. 

Can I have other items signed? 
No. Only books will be allowed to be signed by the authors. 

Can we have our photo taken with the author? 
Yes, you can have your photo with the author when she signs your book. However, we strictly allow one photo per person only. 

How much are the books? 
If I Stay (Trade Paperback – P379) 
Where She Went (Trade Paperback – P399) 
Just One Day (Trade Paperback – P419; Trade Paperback [new cover] – P495) 
Just One Year (Trade Paperback – P495)

Book Review: Hell's Belle by Karen Greco

Author: Karen Greco
Published: July 6, 2013
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Source: Netgalley





Half-vampire, half-human, Nina Martinez spent most of her life underground as part of an elite secret team of government agents who quietly take down rogue monsters, the human world none the wiser. She moves back to her hometown of Providence, RI to keep an eye on the recent uptick in supernatural activity, and to help run the bar she co-owns with her aunt. 

Her attempt at a “regular” life, not to mention a budding relationship with smoking hot FBI agent Max, is cut short because of a string of ritual murders targeting the city's community of witches. 

But Nina's investigation unearths deadly secrets from her long buried parents. Now the target of supernatural assassins, could Nina be the most dangerous vampire hybrid to ever exist? No wonder she can’t get a date.

*image and synopsis from goodreads*


Bad-ass heroine + hot male hero + unpredictable plot twists = AWESOME NOVEL.

                I really loved this novel. It’s not the first time I read urban fantasy books. Also not the first time I read about a world wherein vampires, werewolves and leprechauns exist but this is unquestionably one of my favorites!

                The idea of Nina and the team, the Blood Ops, working for the Department of Defense is exceptional.  Having an Aunt who is a witch, a vampire for a best friend and another best friend who is a banshee clearly states that Nina’s life is anything but boring.

First, let’s talk about the Bad-ass Heroine. The funny lines and her attempts at being normal at the beginning connected me right away with Nina. She was bad-ass at times and clumsy on the other, which is pretty hilarious. All throughout the book, Nina was discovering more of herself and her parents. She was evolving into an even more kick-ass character.

Let’s get to the hot male hero. A vampire named Marcello(not the hot one I’m talking about) attacked Nina at Babe’s, which our hot male character, Max, saves our heroine. And what do you know, Max is an FBI agent! They’re growing relationship with each other is sweet and gradual.

For the plot twists, well you read that she’s half vampire right? I recommend you read this to know what the other half is.

So for Urban Fantasy fans out there, this book is for you. (If you’re a fan of Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, Banshee, Leprechauns or just looking for a great read about bad-ass characters) Hell’s Belle is absolutely one of the series you should watch out for. I need the sequel like tomorrow! And no, I’m not kidding.