Book Roundup

At the beginning of the year, I resolved to read four books a month. But, as many resolutions go, I wasn't able to keep up with my quota. Oh well. I still did manage to read over 30 books, so that's pretty respectable. (Or, at least, I thought so--until I met a dude a couple of weeks ago who reads 20 books a month.)

I used to do a monthly book report, but my reading list has a bunch of unremarkable free e-books. So allow me to just mention the ones that stood out:

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

I decided to reread this classic before the movie came out. Next up: a rereading of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

A note on the movie: It was fun figuring out which one was Gloin--he looked almost exactly like Gimli! And as always, I didn't know whether to pity or fear Gollum.

What to Expect When You're Expecting by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N.

Standard reading for expectant moms. I read it month by month throughout my pregnancy, since I thought I would forget everything if I did a one-time-big-time session. I could also relate more to the concerns each month--and thanked my lucky stars that I didn't get most of the symptoms listed. At some point, though, I wanted to poke my eyes out after reading "Best Odds Diet" too many times. Partly because it was just so repetitive, and partly because it made me feel guilty about not being a stellar mom and eating all the stuff I'm supposed to be eating (and not eating those I'm not supposed to...I did skip all the raw stuff, caffeine, and alcohol though). 

The Angel's Game by Carlos Luis Zafron

I picked up this book because I remembered Zafron's compelling prose. Like the author's first book The Shadow of the Wind, this one was beautifully written, opening with...

"A writer never forgets the first time he accepted a few coins or a word of praise in exchange for a story. He will never forget the sweet poison of vanity in his blood and the belief that, if he succeeds in not letting anyone discover his lack of talent, the dream of literature will provide him with a roof over his head, a hot meal at the end of the day, and what he covets most: his name printed on a miserable piece of paper that surely will outlive him. A writer is condemned to remember that moment because from then on he is doomed and his soul has a price."

...but it also had an ending I wasn't very happy with.

Eat, Memory: Great Writers at the Table: A Collection of Essays from the New York Times

Because I needed a break from fiction, and I do like me some food lit.

Mrs. Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn

It's fiction based on a real person: The Queen of England. Light and fun and entertaining.

Snobs and Past Imperfect by Julian Fellowes

Since I couldn't get my Downton Abbey fix, I decided to buy a two-in-one book by the series writer. I am absolutely amazed by his ability to dissect the nuances of the different English classes--I think it's one reason Downton is such a success. Which reminds me--must catch the Christmas special!

And my favorite book of the year...

The Book Thief by Mark Zusak

Photo from here

"Like most misery, it started with apparent happiness."

I was beginning to think that YA had lost its magic for me--this, after reading a few mediocre e-books. And then came The Book Thief. This is one of the most heart-wrenching books I have ever read. I don't know if it was the preggo hormones, but I cried buckets at the end of it. It reminded my why I still read YA.

So I guess that's it for my 2012 reading list. Brace yourselves for a bunch of parenting books in 2013! Har.

Yes, I Actually Read It

OK, I'm gonna come right out and say it.

I read Fifty Shades of Grey.

No, wait--I read and actually finished Fifty Shades of Grey. 

...And the two books after that. Whut? 

Take that silver silk necktie and hang me now.

Your honor, I had my reasons for reading it: 1) A friend insisted that I read it for the, um, sexy time. (Er, hi mom.) Said friend shall remain anonymous. 2) I figured it was unfair of me to bash something I haven't actually read. 3) It was lying around the office!

And my reasons for finishing all three of them? 

I plead insanity.

Yes, the writing was atrocious. It's essentially Twilight for the desperate housewife. (Read this hilarious post called "How Twilight Works" by The Oatmeal, replace "Twilight" with "Fifty Shades of Grey," "Edward" with "Christian Grey," and "vampire" with "billionaire with a BDSM fetish," and you'll pretty much get the gist.) But I think the reason it's crazy successful is because it taps into most women's ultimate fantasy: being pursued by a ridiculously rich, ridiculously handsome man who needs to be "fixed." The author may not know good writing, but she sure knows women.

I was texting unnamed-friend-who-recommended-it as I struggled through the first couple of chapters, wanting to gouge my eyes out after reading "sandstone" too many times in three pages (YES, I GET IT, THE PLACE HAD SANDSTONE FLOORS), but I was eventually sucked in. And just when you think one book is all you could take, you realize (and want to kick yourself for it) that you kind of do want to find out what happens next, even if what happens next isn't told in the most masterful fashion. And even if the lead character gets progressively more annoying in each book!

So. That's my big confession. If there's anything fantastic about the books, it's that women have reported feeling more amorous towards their husbands after reading it. 

Said women shall also remain anonymous.

P.S. I have no idea how this book will be turned into a movie. Unless the movie has three x's in it.

Books Books Books

So I've been meaning to post about the books I read after February, but, er, real life kept getting in the way. Allow me to take the tamad's way out and just list the books I've read since my last post:

Sabriel by Garth Nix

I was just browsing through my sister-in-law's bookshelves, and she highly recommended this (and the following books in the series). It's YA fantasy.

 From here

One Crazy Summer by Ines Bautista Yao

We featured Ines in our May issue, as one of the moms who pursued their passion after having children.

From here

Lirael by Garth Nix

The second book in the series.

From here

Abhorsen by Garth Nix

OK the series was pretty good but I didn't fall in love with it the way I did with A Song of Ice and Fire and Lord of the Rings. But I really wanted to know how it ended.

From here

Secret Ingredients: The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink edited by David Remnick

I didn't finish this hefty book--had to return it to the library (the P200 fine I got for a late return one time really taught me a lesson!). It's a compilation of pieces published in the New Yorker over the years. I especially liked the ones written decades ago, and felt sad thinking that the Parisian restaurants mentioned probably aren't around anymore.

 

From here

The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir

I used to think Henry VIII was just a womanizer, but I learned that it was pretty much driven by his need to have a male heir. And P.S. The Tudors version of Henry VIII is quite inaccurate--he got morbidly obese at some point.

 From here

Trash by Andy Mulligan

The author doesn't say it, but this YA novel is actually set in Smokey Mountain. You can tell it's set in the Philippines because one of the characters is named Gardo.

From here

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

I try to read this every year just to remind me of the power of positive thinking.

From here

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Yup, I do love YA books. This one has really creepy photos. In fact, my husband asked me to leave it face-down, because the cover freaks him out.

From here

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

Supposedly the book that the Hunger Games ripped off, but eh. Easy to read, although I felt like some things were lost in translation.

From here

And now I'm reading...

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (again)

Jane Austen: the only chick lit I read. I'm reading the Kindle version this time!

From here

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

A YA novel (surprise, surprise) that has gotten really good reviews, and has won a number of awards.

From here

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

I'm just about to start this one, but I'm hoping I'll be done by the end of the month.

 From here

Plus...a secret book that I'll blog about next time.:)

February Books

Delayed post. Someone's been a busy bee!

Book #1: The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

Photo from here

The mystery genre has a special place in my heart--when I was a kid, I would borrow a Nancy Drew or Bobbsey Twins hardbound book every Friday, to read over the weekend. So, browsing through a bookstore one afternoon, I was drawn to The Sherlockian. When I see a book I haven't heard of, I Google it to check the reviews before purchasing it. And since the reviews for Moore's first novel were mostly favorable, I decided to give it a shot. The back-cover description:

"In December 1893, Sherlock Holmes-adoring Londoners eagerly opened their Strand magazines, anticipating the detective's next adventure, only to find the unthinkable: his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, had killed their hero off. London spiraled into mourning--crowds sported black armbands in grief--and railed against Conan Doyle as his assassin.

"Then in 1901, just as abruptly as Conan Doyle had 'murdered' Holmes in 'The Final Problem,' he resurrected him. Though the writer kept detailed diaries of his days and work, Conan Doyle never explained this sudden change of heart. After his death, one of his journals from the interim period was discovered to be missing, and in the decades since, has never been found.

"Or has it?

"When literary researcher Harold White is inducted into the preeminent Sherlock Holmes enthusiast society, The Baker Street Irregulars, he never imagines he's about to be thrust onto the hunt for the holy grail of Holmes-ophiles: the missing diary. But when the world's leading Doylean scholar is found murdered in his hotel room, it is Harold - using wisdom and methods gleaned from countless detective stories - who takes up the search, both for the diary and for the killer."

I've only read a few "adult" mystery stories, and only a couple seemed really plausible to me. The Sherlockian didn't amaze me, but it was an entertaining read that had interesting info about Sherlock Holmes lore and bits about his creator (Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker actually knew each other, for one). And it made me want to read all Sherlock Holmes stories. Hmmm. Project!

Book #2: Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila (Part One) by Carlo Vergara

Photo from here

For the uninitiated, Zsazsa Zaturnnah is about a gay hairdresser who turns into a voluputous superheroine after swallowing a rock from outer space. It was turned into a musical and a movie, and is absolutely hilarious (in case you didn't get that from the plot). And the cool thing is, it was penned by Good Housekeeping's brilliant creative director, Carlo. Which reminds me, I have to get my copy autographed...

This second graphic novel finds Ada (Zsazsa's alter ego) in Manila. Some parts made me laugh out loud; other parts were pretty heavy. It's not just mindless fun, you see--Carlo gives you something to think about. Parts Two and Three are scheduled to be released later in the year.

Book #3: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Photo from here

This American classic is about "a childhood in a sleepy town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it." You'd think it would be hard to get through, but this book was such a pleasure to read. Because of it, there's a new entry in my list of favorite literary characters: Atticus Finch. His character is so awesome that he inspired a bunch of people to become lawyers in real life. While I'm not moved to sign up for law school or anything, I appreciate his brand of parenting. Something to guide me, er, later on.

Book #4: The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

Photo from here

Because any writer worth his (or her) salt should read this. In fact, every member of all the editorial teams at the office were given copies. If you've read it before, read it again. Always helpful.

As for my March reading list...that isn't going so well, still at book number one. Time to speed things up a bit.

January Books

It looks like I'm on track to meet my book quota for the month. Let's hope I can keep this up for the rest of the year.

Book #1: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Because I love YA novels

I got on this Hunger Games bandwagon a little late, but anyway. I think I mentioned before that I love YA novels. It's the reason my Lit 101 term paper was about themes in Newberry Award-winning books (I had to read a bunch of YA books for school, hurray!). I borrowed the first book from a friend, and ended up buying a boxed set because books 2 and 3 weren't sold individually. That's how much I wanted to finish the series. I normally don't like anything sci-fi-ish, but this one was strangely touching. Movie's coming out in March. Since it's action-packed, it might just translate better on film. We'll see.

Book #2: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

Because everyone should read the classics

Wow, this book sure has a misleading title. I don't think I've ever seen a Three Musketeers movie, so it really surprised me that it was in fact about three musketeers and one guard. Hmmm. I was also astonished that it was filled with cheating spouses and swordfights that end in death, but somehow all this was told in a light, playful tone.

Book #3: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Because I'm also trying to read as many contemporary books as I can (in other words, gusto kong maging "in." Haha)

I'm told the movie is a tearjerker, but OK!'s Kabbie recommended that I read the novel before seeing the film. And read I did. I sped through that thing--I couldn't put it down because it was so engaging. And poignant. And even funny!

Book #4: On Writing Well by William Zinsser

Because, much to my husband's delight, I resolved to read at least one non-fiction book a month

I was hesitant to pick up this book because it just looked so...prosaic. (Yes, sometimes I do judge a book by its cover.) But how could I expect a book about writing well to be anything less than, well, well written? About a third of my way through it, but I think I'll be able to finish it before the month ends. A more detailed post about this extremely helpful, unexpectedly charming book soon.

What have you read lately? Anything you'd like to recommend?

My Christmas Wish List

It's December, y'all! Can you believe it? I haven't even done my Christmas shopping yet! Ack!

Ze huzband has been asking me about what I want, so it got me thinking about my own Christmas wish list. Presenting, the top 10 things on my list (although I may have missed a few things), in no particular order...

1. A new wardrobe. I have a lot of clothes already, but I really want to have a well-rounded wardrobe that stays true to my style (which I've determined is "classic with an edge"--except when I'm on the field!).

All from Zara. What can I say? I love neutrals.

2. Laptop. Because my old netbook isn't working like it's supposed to. And I also want to replace our clunky home desktop PC with a sleek notebook.

Isn't it purty? From here.

3. Hand vacuum. Yes, yes, this is the unsexiest thing I have on my list. But I'm convinced that I would vacuum more if only I didn't have to assemble-disassemble-store every single time I have to vacuum the couch.

From here.

4. Sheets. I really want to add to our sheet wardrobe! There's nothing like lying in a bed with fresh, crisp sheets.

And if you want to throw in a fluffy white comforter, that would be awesome. From here.

5. A good chef's knife. I think it takes longer for me to cook because I don't have a proper knife. I had a chef's knife a couple of years ago, but it has since gotten dull, and I wouldn't know how to begin sharpening it. P.S. Did you know that more kitchen accidents are caused by dull knives than sharp ones?

Hamil and I saw this on the Home TV Shopping Network and were so amazed! Haha

6. Design*Sponge at Home. I've been wanting this book for months.

From here.

7. And while we're at it, a book shopping spree. Because even though my brother said he would give me his Kindle, I still one day want to have this...

From here.

8. My signature scent. I love love love L'Occitane Recolte Bleu. It was given to me by my good friend Marie a few years ago, and it's been my scent ever since. It smells like lavender--so fresh, clean, relaxing. But I just recently ran out of it.:(

From here.

9. Butterbeer cupcakes. My "sister" Priti found a recipe for Butterbeer cupcakes. We've been meaning to whip up a batch but a few ingredients aren't available locally. Sigh.

Photo from the same site.

10. To travel. I really really really miss my family in New York. It's been a year.:( And I really really really want to go back to Europe, with Hamil this time.

I did throw a coin into the Fountain of Trevi on my last visit, so I have high hopes that I'll be going back!

I'm not asking for too much, am I?:) When people ask me what I want, I normally say "nothing," because really, I do have everything to give me a comfortable life. These big-ticket items are just fanciful bonuses. As it is--with everything (and everyone) I have in my life--I have more than enough to be thankful for.

What's on your list?

A Month and a Half in Westeros

Finally got through A Feast for Crows. It took me a month to read the first three books (about a thousand pages each), full-time job and disc and all, but it took me about two or three weeks just to finish the fourth book. It had quite a few characters that I didn't really care about, so it was hard to get through. But, extraneous characters and all, it still made me gasp, tear up, and pester my husband with plot points! Plus, I have a new favorite character. But no spoilers here.

Gearing up for this massive book, which Best Husband Ever surprised me with...

But before I get to that, I think I'll probably read another book that's been waiting in the wings for two months now.

My nightstand is a sight to behold.

My Longest Relationship

Well, this is it. Goodbye to 12 (or is it 13?) years.

I started reading Harry when I was a college freshman or sophomore. It was still pretty much unheard of here. I had read about it in Newsweek, I think, and asked my ninang send me the first book from the US. I remember staying up late ("Just one more chapter..."); reserving succeeding books before they came out; spending entire Saturdays just reading, reading, reading; laughing, crying, being depressed and puffy-eyed for days after Dumbledore died. I've read each book at least twice--the first time, always in a frenzy, just to find out what would happen; the second, at a more leisurely pace, to savor the story and catch little things that I missed the first time around. I'm pretty sure I've read some more than twice, just because I missed the characters. So I looked at the impending official end of the series with both excitement and dread.

For Frances and me, it ended last night. Her husband isn't a fan, mine is just too busy, so what were two Potterheads to do but watch together? I gotta tell you, it wasn't pretty. We both cried. And cried. And cried! (SPOILER ALERT) That Snape flashback was just heartbreaking.

Sigh. There's a little bit less magic in my life without Harry.

Hullo, Bandwagon

And now I am reading...

Just started because I had to go to seven danged bookstores before I finally found a copy! But am liking it so far. Fantasy's one of my fave genres. I love LOTR to death but I gotta say this is a much easier read!

On a related note, Harry officially ends tomorrow. *tear

On My Nightstand

It's chick lit. Ha. Pulitzer Prize-winning chick lit. Hmmm. So I do read this genre after all, eh? Sort of.

The background: Gone with the Wind is one of my all-time favorite movies. It rivals the Ten Commandments and the Lord of the Rings extended versions in length, but every time it was shown on RPN9 pre-cable, I would watch it (both weekends--it was so long, they had to cut it in two). I loved fiesty, ballsy Scarlett O'Hara, so unlike typical damsels in distress. And I adored the Scarlett-Rhett love team! Har. So when I found myself with a little time to kill, a little extra moolah in my pocket, and a lack of GGM and Bill Bryson titles at the bookstore, I ended up buying this nearly-1,500 page tome, something I've been wanting to read since I was in high school.

After I finish it, I'll probably try to get my hands on an original DVD. And then after that, it'll just be a matter of finding time to watch it!

On My Nightstand

For some reason, I felt like I needed to brush up on my philosophy, so for the past few weeks, I've been reading Sophie's World.

I wanted to refresh my knowledge of everyone from the Greek philosophers to Kierkegaard (and beyond), but I didn't want to have to pick up my old text books. (Flashback: sleepless nights slaving away over papers about The Republic. Shudder.) I figured this book, written by a philosophy teacher who wanted to make philo more fun for high school students, would be an easy-peasy way to refresh my memory.

It's about a 14-year-old girl who suddenly finds herself communicating with a mysterious philosopher. I have problems with this concept because, seriously, if that were my daughter, I would be freaked out by the idea of her secretly taking philosophy lessons from some strange man. And, well, the backdrop story doesn't engage me enough to make the the philo lessons interesting. So yeah, the "past few weeks" bit in the opening sentence is telling. Bit of a struggle.

I was feeling like I was in a reading rut, but didn't quite know what book to buy or borrow. I'm not into chick lit (unless Jane Austen counts), I am the farthest thing from a Coelho fan (sorry, no offense to Coelho readers out there), and I'm not into pa-deep novels (I found Unbearable Lightness of Being rather...unbearable. Or maybe I'm just simple-minded that way). I like magical realism--GGM's One Hundred Years of Solitude is a favorite--and I like novels set in the past. I used to rely on photographer-friend M's recommendations. That is, until he turned all guy on me and started devouring non-fiction books--more my husband's territory.

Voracious doesn't begin to describe what kind of reader M is. Just a few days ago, he remarked, "I got sad when I realized that life isn't long enough for me to read all the books I want to read." Wow. Anyhoo, M and I are in agreement that we don't like highly complex novels--we kind of like easy reads that are well-written. Simple as that. (We are also in agreement about Coelho, but I won't pick on the guy anymore...) He had been recommending Chabon for a few years, but every time he would mention Nazis, I would kind of tune out. He finally sold me on one of his top two books as I was going over his bookshelf recently. I do trust the man's taste. He is, after all, the dude who introduced me to James Clavell (Tai-Pan) and Puzo (The Sicilian, featuring my literary crush, Turi Guiliano).

And it's a Pulitzer Prize winner, so it can't be that bad, right?

It's about a guy named Josef who escapes to New York from Prague after the Nazis start putting heat on the Jews. He and his cousin create The Escapist, a comic book with a "Nazi-busting hero who liberates the oppressed around the world." They become successful, but all the while Josef's thinking about his family back in Prague. I'm speeding through it, at least as much as my packed sched and intense desire to sleep allow. It's partly because it is rather engaging, and also partly because I want to know why M loves it so much. I'm hoping it'll see me through this reading dry spell and get me back on track to fulfilling my reading quota.

First Year: Paper

By Sunday, it'll be one year since Hamil and I became husband and wife. I have no idea where the year went! I guess it's a sign that we're having a blast!

The traditional first anniversary gift is paper, and I decided to give Hamil...

Tip: If the book you want is the last copy and it's not perfect (some damage on the cover, for example), ask for a discount! You could get as much as 15% off.

...a book shopping spree! It's a pretty great gift, if I do say so myself, and if you knew how much Hamil and I love to read, you'd understand. I want it for myself when Christmas rolls around!

We spent quite a bit of time at Fully Booked as he went through the management and sports sections. (No fiction for him--that's my genre.) He was like a kid in a candy store! He was nice enough to throw in a book that we were both interested in (Tony Bourdain--something I've been wanting to read for years), so even I got a little somethin'-somethin' out of this shopping spree.

I was so happy to see Hamil so happy. Before we left for the bookstore, he was so excited! I love spoiling him; I'm a firm believer in that saying about spoiling your spouse but not your kids. Just seeing him smile--a really happy smile as we carted his books to the cashier--it really made me forget about the expense. I'd give this man the world if I could!