Wicked Review: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Published: April 14, 2012

Publisher: Dutton Adult

Acquired: Paperback

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"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say . . . ?

I'm still shaking from this book. I mean, OH MY GOD is all I can really say. All I saw were rainbows (see what I did there), hearts, unicorns, butterflies and puppies! *dreamy sigh*

Beth Fremont is definitely someone worth being friends with. She's straight to the point and she's really funny. There's really nothing to hate about her. Even if she was stuck with a douchebag for nine years.

I love the email exchange between Jennifer and Beth. Their friendship is something to be jealous of. They listen to each other. They don't upstage each other with the amount of problems they face. That's what friends are. :-)

Lincoln, on the other hand, I had a hard time picturing in my head. He's tall and big and he's the IT guy. Somehow, when I think of IT guys, I think of thin dudes with eyebags and huge glasses. But he's different.

In the US, when you turn 18, you're expected to move out of your house and start your own life. Either you go to college or you start working. Lincoln went to college and got a double degree and is still living with his mother. And he's almost 30. He is, for me, the epitome of a lost soul. He's got a crappy job; to snoop through people's emails. He's single. He's not a big fan of going out.

He likes Beth. And he doesn't even know what she looks like.

But oh, fate is such trickster. Beth and Lincoln have crossed paths already and reading about Lincoln reading Beth's email to Jennifer about seeing Lincoln is enough to send me over the edge and start laughing and kicking my feet up because fate is just so tricky!

It is bad enough that someone has gone through your email and it's worse when that someone is actually someone you like who is paid to look through your email. I haven't stressed this enough.

What scares me is how they fell in love with each other so fast. When they sat beside each other in the movie house and they started making out, I was like, WOAH OKAY. I don't think I will ever be ready for that kind of love.

Rainbow Rowell writes books. Sometimes she writes about adults (ATTACHMENTS and LANDLINE). Sometimes she writes about teenagers (ELEANOR & PARK and FANGIRL). But she always writes about people who talk a lot. And people who feel like they're screwing up. And people who fall in love.

When she's not writing, Rainbow is reading comic books, planning Disney World trips and arguing about things that don't really matter in the big scheme of things.

She lives in Nebraska with her husband and two sons.

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Happy New Year!

(Photo grabbed from WeHeartIt)

The year 2014 gave me so many experiences and opportunities that I never got before. I am indeed very thankful for it.

Blogging

I started blogging on February 23, 2014. I've always wanted to start one. The problem was, I never continued it. But I vowed that I will continue. Eleven months and 109 posts later, I'm still going.

Book Signings

I've heard about book signings. I've seen a local bookstore put up posters of the signings they'll be organizing in their stores. Back then, I wasn't really serious about collecting books. But then, when they organized the book signing for Becca Fitzpatrick, I knew I was in for the ride. Little did I know, I'd meet my best friends!

Tinig

Tinig is a short film that I've written with my classmate for our entry in Sinepiyu, our school's film festival. On a whim, I volunteered to write a fifteen minute short story about a deaf girl who's addicted to watching porn. I intended for the film to be darker and my groupmates agreed as well. But alas, we had to reduce to a safe yet dramatic film. Writing for film is one of the things I wanted to do and I can definitely say, I've accomplished it.

Turning 20

The big 2-0 is a big deal to me. It means I have to leave my teenage years. I have to be mature! No kidding. I mean, I don't have to leave my teenage years. I just have to relive it in my twenties and make mature decisions.

Goodreads Challenge

I've read 86 books in 2014. Mostly YA and NA. This year, I'm aiming for 100 because I'm awesome like that. Hopefully, I can open myself to other genres as well.

Here's to another year of books and more fun! Happy New Year!

Wicked Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Published: September 2, 2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury Kids UK

Series: Throne of Glass #3

Acquired: Paperback

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Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

Well, how do I even start? Here's back story. I had no idea that this series has 6 books. I was so excited that I bought the UK editions of the three books. And I hate long distance relationships. And waiting. Like, waiting for the next book to come while your head is filled with conspiracy theories.

ANYWAYS

This is where we learn more about Celaena. She's actually a force to be reckoned with and the King of Adarlan should be scared for his sorry life. She went to Wendlyn to learn about the Wyrdkeys not knowing what dangers lies ahead.

Now, we meet Prince Rowan, personal guard of Maeve, Celaena's aunt. Rowan brings her to Maeve where she seeks out her knowledge of the Wyrdkeys but it comes with a price. Maeve wants to see Celaena's power. In order to accomplish that, she must train with Rowan.

It brings back memories with Chaol in the first book where they trained for the Tests to become the King's Champion. This is where things sort of get together-for lack of a better phrase. Celaena's flashbacks certainly help with understanding the world of the Fae.

Across the sea, Dorian's friendship with Chaol is hanging by a thread as secrets are revealed. I used to think of Dorian as a playboy and carefree. In this book, he mans up. He starts talking back to his abominable father. I  feel so sorry for both of them. Well, mostly for Chaol, because he's torn forever between duty to his King and his love for Celaena.

In the mountains, however, the witches are rising. Manon Blackbeak is the strongest witch of all the covens. All of the other covens were tasked by the King to train with wyverns in the upcoming war games in exchange for their former land. I got more attached to this story than with Celaena mainly because Manon is such a beautifully written character like Celaena.

Sarah J. Maas has done it again. Now, let me crawl back inside my cave and hibernate till book four comes out.

Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series (Heir of Fire, Book 3, will be out in September 2014). Starting in Spring 2015, her New Adult Fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, will be published by Bloomsbury as well. 

Sarah lives in Southern California, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she's not busy writing, she can be found exploring the California coastline with her husband.

{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} The Light In The Wound by Christine Brae

Hi guys! Welcome to the The Light In The Wound Blog Tour brought to you by the Bookish Diaries! Below is my review and I hope you enjoy!

The Light In The Wound

Published: July 23, 2013

Genre: New Adult

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Affected by her parents’ highly publicized divorce, Isabel grows up isolated and alone, with a resolve to never fall in love and repeat their mistakes.

When Jesse Cain enters her life, she falls hopelessly in love with him, and every sadness she’s ever felt is washed away by his intensity and passion. But people change as they grow up. Things can never stay the same forever.

Jesse and Isabel fight to stay together, determined to hold on to what they once had. Isabel wonders if a second love can ever be enough to make her forget her first.

Christine Brae is gonna drop by the Philippines next year along with Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher for the Manila International Book Fair. Awesome, right?

Wanna know what's more awesome? This book. This is one of those books where I just connected with it. Not that I'm a socialite's daughter okay? You see, Isabel fell head over heels with ambitious Jesse Cain. She was so young then and you sort of think, how did that even happen? Their relationship went on for seven years! SEVEN YEARS. Unbelievable.

I can feel Isabel's doubts and anguish. Her doubts with her relationship with Jesse and then her anguish because of having to grow up as a child of divorce. Her life was handed to her with a gold spoon but that kind of life is never easy.

I was surprised to read that this is set in Manila. I actually took an entrance exam in the said university in the book. It's so cool.

I've had my share of guys who took me for granted. You never realize it happening until it dawns on you and half of your life is gone. I'm glad that Isabel took the hint. You can see it from a mile away! Thank goodness for Alex!

I was on the edge of my seat towards the end of the book. I was happy and then I was crying and then I was happy again. This book is one hell of a good read.

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Christine Brae is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. She is currently working on her third book which she hopes to release in June,2014.

When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago.

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{Book Blitz: Excerpt + Giveaway} Mending Heartstrings by Aria Glazki

Publication Date: December 2, 2014

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Genre: New Adult, Romance

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Kane’s a country singer who’s tangled with too many deceitful women. He’s learned his lesson: girls are for flirting and fun; emotions are for his music. But after spending a night with an earnest woman unlike any he’s known, he can’t force her out of his mind. So he goes in search of the woman he knows only as “Elle.”

On her last night in Nashville, the staunchly pragmatic Sabella found herself in a situation more suited to a romance novel than reality. Swept away, she ignored her rigidly self-imposed rules, succumbing to the fantasy just this once. But she knows real-world relationships have nothing in common with their fictionalized portrayals. When Kane unexpectedly shows up at her Portland apartment, she must choose between the practical truths she has learned and the desire for a passionate love she has struggled to suppress.

Despite the distance, Kane’s tour schedule, and their meddling friends, both are drawn to the chance for a romance neither quite believes is possible.

Sabella had barely returned to her wine when she heard the slight strumming of a guitar as someone settled in front of the microphone. She wasn’t certain what had prompted Kane to leave so abruptly, but she was definitely disappointed. Not that she was star-struck or anything. The fact that she had dressed up to venture outside her hotel room, to the Fiddle and Steel Guitar Bar, simply because she had heard that Kane Hartridge would possibly be trying out new material at their open mic night, did not mean she was star-struck. If anything, she was underwhelmed by his song choices tonight, and even more so by her awkward attempt at flirting. Men like Kane didn’t waste their attentions on women like her.

She took another sip of the perfectly nice Riesling and silently deliberated whether she would stay past draining her glass. This bar did have a certain, inexplicably innate, country charm that she wouldn’t mind exploring and observing further. After all, she had come to Nashville to learn what she could about the culture of country music.

As far as she could tell, the room around her was furnished with exactly the same style of unadorned, wooden furniture and boasted a similar smattering of booths around the perimeter as any other bar. Nothing about the décor particularly screamed “country.” No posters of country stars lined the walls, and if it weren’t for the distinct twang emanating from the patrons’ conversations and through the speakers, she could have been back home. If she could figure out what exactly made this bar so popular among the locals, the night wouldn’t have to be a complete waste. Plus, her flight the next day wasn’t until the afternoon, so she could afford to stay out awhile.

“Hey, guys,” Kane’s voice carried through the speaker system, quieting the room. Someone shut off the recorded music that had been playing ever since he had left the small stage, his performance intended as the finale of their open mic night. Sabella twisted on her barstool to face the stage. Kane and his guitar once again occupied the unadorned chair set behind the single microphone. His beer bottle rested just behind his leg. “Don’t mean to pull y’all away, but I have a friend in from out of town who is dyin’, she’s absolutely dyin’, to sing for you. Please join me in welcomin’ Elle—over by the bar, there, in the purple, that’s Elle—welcomin’ her to the Fiddle an’ Steel stage.”

Most of the patrons shifted their attention toward the bar, trying to find Kane’s “friend.” Sabella froze, schooling her expression. I can take anything you throw at me, she had said. He was clearly testing her claim. What in the world had she been thinking?

“C’mon, Elle,” Kane called through the microphone. “Here’s your chance.” His mouth pulled into a half smile, intended to portray solicitous charm, no doubt, not the baiting nature of his challenge.

She took a deep breath, reminding herself she would likely never see any of these people again, and slid off the barstool. Apparently, her customarily rigid practicality had been dislodged the second he’d bumped into her. Not that he was giving her much choice.

The stage was closer than she would have preferred, but the walk over from the bar still gave Sabella plenty of time to admire Kane’s comfortable posture. He wore jeans and a faded, black, button-down shirt, with a few buttons left unfastened and rolled-up sleeves. With his brown hair cut raggedly to slightly above his ears in front, somewhat longer in back, and his stunning green eyes, he really was more handsome than any man had a right to be. Especially one who was trying to embarrass her in front of a bar full of people.

“What exactly do you have in mind?” she murmured as she took the short step onto the stage.

He covered the microphone. “Name a country duet.”

At least he wasn’t going to force her to sing alone. Still, she wasn’t exactly a country music savant. “The only one that comes to mind is ‘Picture.’” That wasn’t strictly speaking true, but she was betting he would be even less thrilled with her choice if she had named one with Kelly Clarkson.

All Kane said was, “All right.” He shifted his chair so it wasn’t squarely facing the microphone then started to play an intro. “Not the newest song in the book, but a guilty pleasure for some of y’all, I’m sure,” he drawled, smiling at the crowd.

His voice captured her as he sang, its purity reminding her why his was the only country music to which she really listened. As she watched him, Sabella almost forgot he had manipulated her into joining him on stage—for a duet. She looked out over their somewhat captive audience, filled with men in worn-out jeans and flannel shirts—even a cowboy hat or two—and some amazingly beautiful women. Maybe this was actually a bizarre dream, and in reality she was sleeping in her hotel room, or even back home in her bed. If only.

When Kane finished the first chorus, he looked up at her in anticipation. Little crinkles appeared around his eyes. He didn’t think she would do it.

To be fair, normally she wouldn’t have. This is simply a more active form of research, she assured herself. Sticky sweat still gathered between her fingers and coated her palms. Sabella surreptitiously wiped her hands on her thighs and stepped marginally closer to the microphone.

She scrambled to remember the lyrics, staring at the floor as she sang. When no one booed by the end of the stanza, she risked a glance out at the room. About half of the tables had reverted to quiet conversation, but others appeared to be listening. At the end of her chorus, she looked over at Kane.

He was watching her, eyebrows drawn slightly together, as if he wasn’t altogether sure what he was seeing. Maybe he was shocked she was still singing, despite the blatant difference in their abilities. She had never been one for public displays of foolery, and the remaining shreds of

her rationality were appalled by the ridiculousness of her behavior. Running off the stage would be worse, though, or at the very least more memorable.

She finished their interchanging lines with her eyes on him. The last chord he strummed hung in the air until the murmuring of patrons’ conversations wiped it away. Sabella backed away from Kane and the microphone, then turned to step off the stage, and wove her way toward the hallway that led to the bar’s restrooms and a door with an “Employees Only” sign. She pressed her back to the wall for support and resolutely steadied her breathing. This night wasn’t turning out anything like she could have expected.

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Aria Glazki's writing story started when her seventh-grade English teacher encouraged her to submit a class assignment for publication. That piece was printed, and let's just say, she was hooked!

Since then, Aria has run a literary magazine, earned her degree in Creative Writing (as well as in French and Russian literatures), and been published in a few collections. Though her first kiss technically came from a bear cub, and no fairytale transformation followed, Aria still believes magic can happen when the right people come together - if they don't get in their own way, that is.

Other than all things literary, Aria loves spending time with her family, including her two unbearably adorable nieces. She also dabbles in painting, dancing, playing violin, and, given the opportunity, Epicureanism.

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