Ishiee's Book Blog: January 2015

My February Reading List

Saturday, January 31, 2015

I just failed to actually read the 5 books on my January Reading List. I only finished 3. But I think you can agree with me that the last two books on my list are hard to read ones mainly because of the language so I decided that I'm gonna read this whenever I am in the mood. And aside from that, I have school stuffs you know, have to do my duty! :)

It's sad that I haven't had the time to finish them all, so for this month, I'm going to have only four. Yaay!

The Sword and its Servant by Victor Salinas

Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this one. I have started a few chapters already and o-m-g, I can't believe books with hideous creatures can have me so hooked like this. If it weren't for my trips outside and sudden homeworks and blogging and stuffs, I would never have to put this down. I can't remember ever reading a book that is so dark and somewhat gruesome because I'm all for the romance and hot alien guys and dystopian kind of stuffs but I gave this a try and it's a two thumbs up so far.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I have been reading a lot of good reviews about this book on book blogs that I stalk everyday so I decided to try it.

Cinder-....ella the cyborg doesn't sound so bad after all. *wink*

What Happens in Tuscany by T.A. Williams

Thank you CarinaUK for accepting my copy request for this book. I guess I was striken by the title and I thought, "Is this the same with Under the Tuscan Sun?" because I saw the trailer on youtube. But then I found out they're not the same. Haha, but I'll still read this.

Lastly,

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman

My hardbound copy of the book has been in a heap of dust for quite a while now and I heard they're turning the book into movie (I'm not sure, I don't trust my memory) so what better way to shoo the dust on the covers by reading it before it hit the big screen, right?

I think I can hear you saying right now, "No Valentines related books?" Omg, I haven't considered February being a love month at all! Ugh, but I already made up the list so I'm sticking with it. ;)

What are your books for the month?

Book Review: Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

"Many girls have been romanced under the moon, and I don't mean to say moonlight is overrated, but few I think have known the magic of a sunrise kiss."

Title: Love , Stargirl

Author: Jerry Spinelli
Published by: Knopf Books for Young Readers on 14th of August 2007 (first published on January 1st of the same year.
Series: Stargirl #2
Genre: Young Adult, Children, Contemporary, Romance
Setting: Pennsylvania
Format: Ebook, 288 pages
My Copy Source: Internet

Following Stargirl's adventures from when she left Mica highschool all of a sudden to her new life in Pennsylvania where she was back to homeschooling. In this sequel, she meets new people, a new bestfriend and a potential new boyfriend.

This book was dubbed as the world's longest letter where we see a brand new story now in the eyes of Stargirl, whereas in the prequel, we heard Leo Borlock's POV.

Stargirl writes letters to Leo everyday in which she's still debating whether to send it or not but still she continues to write everyday and it served as her journal for her journey. She was devastated to the point of losing pebbles in her wagon everyday. She contemplates on a lot of things as she misses Leo everyday.

Now, I was stunned. Though I liked the first one a little more than this, but it doesn't make me love this less. There were two different Stargirls that I have met. The first one being the sure and confident one, and doesn't care what others have to say as long as she is herself (although somewhere in the middle, she's lead astray, she still managed to get back to being Stargirl, the quirky and weird one). The second one, which I had the pleasure to meet, was another story. She's the unsure and the unhappy one, although she still managed to keep the sadness to herself to show the world a happy and cheerful facade that some might hate and some might adore.

In this book, I saw the vulnerable side of Stargirl, whereas in the first one, in Leo's POV, she's everything that the second book's Stargirl is not. I also met new people in Stargirl's life that I came to love, especially Dootsie, the spoiled but adorable kid (that I sometimes want to grab in the hair) and Charlie, the oh so loving husband who never leaves Grace's side even she's already lying in a tombstone and other characters that I adored like Alvina and Perry, and let's not forget Betty Lou, the woman who never left the comfort of her home (Just like in one of Spongebob's episode).

I can blab as much as I want here but all I can say is, this is even more magical than the first book. If you think Stargirl is MAGICAL, I dare you to try reading Love, Stargirl and you'll probably be "pfft-ing" the bunny hop at the Ocotillo ball. It is so far the most magical ending that I want to witness in real life. And I can also say that it's not only the ending that's magical, it's all of what she's done, experienced and seen. It's the night blooming Cereus and the mockingbird and the Thursday trips and all sorts of unconventional. (I am actually referring to a different kind of magic because this book is different than the first one.)

So I'm just gonna go back to my first-few-pages-impression of this book. I wasn't actually thrilled when I read the first few pages of it because I never thought Stargirl could be such a person, or a human for that matter. I thought her magical and rare but in this book, as I have said earlier, although she is still the kindest person in the universe, she is just a normal person who can be unhappy to the point of zero pebbles in her happy wagon. But the thing is, I witnessed the other side of her and I understood that even someone like her could still feel pain (though I already know that!). It's like she undressed herself and left her mystery and magic somewhere to be a real person. And I liked that, I liked knowing what's deep in her heart and what's buried in her thoughts and this book gave me that.

The first one may be different because it's how other people see Stargirl but this book is where you unravel a girl who is loved then hated then missed by people who once knew her. This book is not about her magic because it's about herself, so I'm sorry to the people who hated this one, but I really do think that finding the magic again is not the key to loving this book. It's about walking with her as she become more and more unsure and less and less confident but trying to seek answers just like a child who is contemplating so hard and in the end finds the answers to her never-ending questions and you'll finally see the real magic of Stargirl.

I am really hoping that there is another sequel. I want to know if Stargirl and Leo will be together, or just what happens next after Pennsylvania? I hope they will also make a movie. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

"I liked knowing what's deep in her heart and what's buried in her thoughts and this book gave me that."

Blog Tour Review: The Necromancer by Alex Stargazer

Saturday, January 17, 2015

I am excited to host my first ever blog tour. I am doing a review for it and if you want to follow the tour until its completion, feel free to check out the schedule at the bottom.

Welcome to my blog tour stop for The Necromancer by Alex Stargazer.

Book Blurb:

‘I am Neshvetal. My name carries the bitter taste of death; my magic brings it to my enemies; and my laughter sings with the howling wind.’
From ice and fire he was born; but death is his master now.
His children—decaying and sadistic, merciless and cruel—smile as they grow ever more.
The Dead are rising. Will you join them?

A tale about death and life, magic and ordinary people; the Necromancer is a story for the brave and the strong of heart. Read it—if you dare. For it is often in the darkest times, in which the heroes emerge...

Book Review:

A tale full of magic that is both dark and powerful. This book takes you to a place that introduces us to different kinds of beings that bear magic.

The book is beautifully written with rich words that stretches throughout the pages sucking you in with its powerful intrication. It is both poetic and majestic in its own world. The beautiful thing about it is that there is a map introduced to us, it reminded me of the middle earth that was built for us by the ever great story teller, J.R.R. Tolkien. There will also be characters that would be unfamiliar at first but it was introduced in the beginning of the book.

The story is well beyond words, you never know who are on the good and on the bad side. You will be surprised at the twist that unravels as the story continues. A sequel won't be so bad Mr. Alex Stargazer,

About the Author:

Hello! I’m called Alex Stargazer. That’s not my real name. And no: I’m not going to tell you. I like a little mystery.

What I will tell you: I’m sixteen. I have a passion for fantasy; and a soft spot for romance. I like to write about anything fantastical (elves are a favourite; dragons too) and my favourite book’s either Narnia or Northern Lights—never could decide, poor vacillating me.

Anyway: give my stuff a read. You might like it. No, really; I got fans. (If you listen carefully at night, you’ll hear them whispering my name. They’re shy, are my fans; but they’re a determined lot.)

PS: if you want to know more, email me at alexstargazerwriterextraordinaire@outlook.com. Yes, the address is deliberately long; I don’t like stalkers. They scare me.

Site | Twitter | Facebook

Follow the Tour:

January 12 The Book Adventures of Emily

January 13 The Word at my Fingertips

January 16 Hogwash

January 17 The Enchanted Book

January 18 Books for Ishiee

January 20 My Name is Sage

January 23 The Books Buzz

January 24 Hyper Ashley

January 26 Fangirl World

Book Review: Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

Thursday, January 15, 2015

"Life is funny isn't it? Just when you think you got it all figured out, just when you finally begin to plan something,get excited about something and feel like you know what direction you're heading in, the paths change, the wind blows the other way, north is suddenly south, and east is west, and you're lost. It is easy to lose your way, to lose direction. And that's with following all the signpost."

Title: Love, Rosie
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Original Title: Where Rainbows End
Published by: Hachette Book Group on December 2006
Genre: Chicklit, Romance, Contemporary
Setting: Ireland, Boston, Massachusetts
Format: Paperback, 506 pages
My Copy Source: Bought

Alex and Rosie are bestfriends ever since forever. They were inseparable and they seemed to be oblivious to the fact that they are soulmates. Everybody sees it, except for the two of them.

Alex left to go to Boston because of his Dad's job and Rosie was left in Dublin to continue on with her life, though they found a way for them to be closer again. Rosie will apply to a college in America. And just when everything is falling into place, Rosie, being accepted in Boston University and Alex, getting into Harvard, a devastating news shocked Rosie. She's pregnant with the guy she went out with on a school event just because Alex can't make it in time.

Rosie was stuck in Dublin to raise a little girl as a single mother, she had a messed up life and Alex set forth in achieving his medical carrer, but he had two messed up marriage along the way.

They are both in love with each other for such a long time but neither of them had the guts to tell it. But when one had tried, someone had tried to snuck it away. They had at least one or two or more missed opportunities that could have saved them from wasting an entire lifetime of being apart if it had fallen into place. But fate will always be fate. It could throw all of its madness at you but if two persons are really destined for each other, they will always find their way to each other even if takes half of their lifetime to get back.

I have always wanted to read this book because I have a habit of reading the book first before I watch it on the big screen or my small screen for that matter. This book was kind of different since it is written in a chat and letter form. This is the first time that I have read something like it that at first I was hesitant because I don't think all details can be narrated through a chatbox. But then again, Cecelia Ahern pulled through. I think it was great.

The movie really was an added factor as to why I liked the book. I love Lily Collins! I am excited to watch it already.

Anyway, back to the book. I have a love-hate relationship with Alex and Rosie. I think they're stupid not to see how they're meant for each other but then again, we're all stupid. We all wait for a mixed-up sign before we dive into a decision, right? So I guess that's just a real life mess. I hate that their lives are so messed up when they don't have each other but that's just how it goes, they face struggles for them to learn, and that's the important thing.

I love how this book taught us that we're not alone in this world if sometimes we feel like we have no idea of what will come next. My favorite part was when Rosie said that when she was just a little kid, she used to think that adults got it all figured out. But that's just not the case. She thought when she got older, she'll get wiser, but she isn't, she still makes stupid decisions and still sucked in living her life. I think that's just how we all feel as we grow older. We all feel uncertain, and Rosie is one of us. Always remember that.

Towards the end of the book, though I didn't like the way it ended for Alex and Rosie, I felt all giddy with the ending of Katie (Rosie's daughter) and Toby's story which is all hearts and that they don't have to go to the lengths of what her mother had just to have the 'silence' of love.

I'm so excited to see the movieeeee!!!!!
Have you seen it yet? Or are you going to? Tell me about it!

"We can all be uncertain of what tomorrow will bring. But we can be certain that we are all meant for someone in the end. Maybe everything's a whirl of what-the-f*ck's today but tomorrow everything will be alright."

Book Review: Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Monday, January 12, 2015

"And... I see. I hear. But not with eyes and ears. I'm not outside my world anymore and I'm not really inside it either. The thing is, there's no difference anymore between me and the universe. The boundary is gone. I am me and it is me. I am a stone, a cactus thorn. I am rain." She smiled dreamily. "I like that most of all, being rain."

Title: Stargirl
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Published by: Scholastic on September 2002
Series: Stargirl #1
Genre: Young Adult, Children, Contemporary, Romance
Setting: Arizona
Format: Ebook, 149 pages
My Copy Source: Internet

Stargirl is not your typical type of girl. She's not the bitch-y type and she's not the school girl type either. She's neither anything that you can think of when you think of girl types. She's beyond words, beyond any stereotypical girls you may know from anywhere.

She's home-schooled for fifteen years and doesn't have an idea of what people normally does. That explains why she's different, but doesn't hinder her either to show who she really is.

Then she met Leo Borlock. He was fascinated by this weird girl and he learned her ways. But at some point, not everybody can accept her and Leo was faced with a decision: stand by her or stand by them.

I haven't been a reader long enough to leaf through every pages of books ever written but I can tell you I love the ones that make me cry. Especially when I still cry even when I'm just retelling the story to other people.

My sister is not an avid reader and I never stop convincing her to try and do so, that's why I'm very fond of retelling my recent book adventures with her. But I tell you, I only tell those stories that I like so it means that if my sister knew that book, I must have loved it well enough that I have told her the story after I finished it.

As I have been blabbing just seconds ago, I told my sister about Stargirl and how she is like this and like that while recounting her weirdness and adventures and I was crying while telling her pieces of what I could still remember. I may not have cried buckets like I did in Allegiant (Veronica Roth's 3rd installment of Divergent Trilogy) but the tears I've cried for Stargirl is pure heartache and just... heartache.

Stargirl is different, she's magical and at first I don't want to believe that she's real, just like the students from her school, who made up stories as to who she really is. They can't grasp the idea of someone being different from them so they thought she's an alien or whatsoever. And as much as I wanted to scream at them, I knew how they felt. I knew that if we all live in the same situation as them, we would all be weirded out by the girl who has a pet rat, sings and dance with a ukulele around the cafeteria and cheers every basketball team who scores the point even if it is the opponent. It's just hard for us to accept something different because we are all scared to be on a different side of everything that is the same.

I love how this book was written. It makes my imagination twirl around every word and every movement of Stargirl makes me want to crawl into the book and join her in her adventures, and dance numbers and just everything that she does. This book is written simply, the words are just there to tickle our imagination but it is truly compelling and magical that at some point you may wonder what comes next, Stargirl? What other unusual thing are you gonna show us? Yet we are still surprised by her compassion for everything that we're afraid to do because no one will accept it. We are still in awe that she can surprise us with things that she does for other people.

It's everything that she is that is the child in all of us. And at some point, we all want to change a person just so they can fit our expectation of a friend or a lover, but somehow changing a person erases who he/she really is. All of us are the people behind Leo and somehow, while reading this book, we all secretly want to be Stargirl. The girl who showed the world that she can be who she wants, she can try to be who everybody wants but in the end would still love to be the girl that she really was and really is. We all want to and you'll know what I mean after reading this book.

This book is about individuality that we are yet to discover within ourselves. I think the book invites us to be better and hope that somewhere out there, kindness still exists in all of our hearts. It teaches us that happiness doesn't just come from the things that come through our doors, but rather, it comes from the ones that we offer on the hands of other people. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you should. I'm off to read the next one called Love, Stargirl and I hope it's as promising as this one.

"We always say we love to be unique but we can never really accept something that is different from what we normally are."

My January Reading List

Saturday, January 10, 2015

My January reading list came in a bit late because I just started this blog this 2015 and I really don't have the luxury of time since coming back from the holiday season that's why I haven't prepared the list. Although this list was only published this almost mid-January only, I have already finished reading one book and already started reading three from the list.

As you can see, I have two classics in my reading list and I admit that I won't be able to finish them by the end of the month. Reading classics are not an easy read since I'm not really good with the language and I always have to have a dictionary whenever my nose is on it. Anyway, even though I won't be able to finish it, I will continue to read it until I finish the two classic in my bookshelf. You know why? It's my resolution to read those great literary works and really, I am having fun with their language and lifestyle in the old eras especially the Vicforian one where etiquette are really distinct in men and women.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

I've already finished this book and I'm already looking forward to the Love, Stargirl. My review will be up this next week.

I was intrigued by the title, really, that's why I decided to read it and besides, I heard Stargirl from my friends and I got curious. Like, "who's Stargirl? Did she came from the stars?" And you know, just hearing the name can really pique one's interest.

Not only the title, though. The book cover was very simple but eye-catching. Not grand like others but simple enough to catch your attention.

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Since I've loved the first book, I have decided that I should continue to read the next one. And besides, I have this habit of finishing every book in a series because I think that's what they're meant to, right? To be read right after the last one.

I think this would be more interesting and I'm excited that this would be in Stargirl's POV. I would be invited in her head!!! *squeals*

Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

Before I watch the movie, I want to finish the book first.

This book recounts all conversations between Rosie and Alex, and their families and friends, too. I wanted to see if in the end, they would still find their way back even after every mishaps that had transpired in each of their lives.

This was not the cover from my copy
but it's just too gorgeous and I love it

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I loved the movie and I wanted to read the book too. Mr. Darcy is all that I can think of, you know.

I'm currently obsessing in old-eras which I'm not really familiar with except that they wear long dresses and go to balls and converse intelligently with sophisticated men.

I want to know more about their ways and lifestyle and I'm starting right here.

This is also not my book cover but
I wish I'd have these fancy covers.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

I first heard the book from Twilight and at that time, I never thought I'd try to read it. But now I decided I'll give it a try.

I hope it will not bore me like Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë) did. Not that it's from her but still, impressions, right? For me, it bears the same name. Ugh, silly me, I shouldn't!

Credits to all the photo owners.
Got them from Pinterest.

7 Movies That Made Me Cry

Saturday, January 3, 2015

"I remembered that it hurt. Watching these movies hurt."

Sorry, I had to use that line from the movie Stuck in love. I was making the collage above and I was thinking of an opening statement when I spoke those lines, out loud, actually— "I remembered that it hurt. Looking at her hurt". Looks like those lines got stuck with me after all.

Anyway, here are the 7 movies that literally made me cry buckets. Well, not all of them. Some just made me an all-teary wuss. I would have ranked them according to the tears I've cried but I thought you could find that out yourself by watching and you'll know how the list would go. A little hint: P.S. I Love You ranked first. *Oh the tears*

If Only

What if you had the chance to go back in time and fix all of your mistakes, will the time be enough to shower her the love that would be imprinted in her even after that short time is over?

A lot of my friends have been continuously recommending this movie before. They said it would seriously make my eyes burst with tears, and true to their words, I can't even stop crying by the end of it.

This is a story of love and of second chances.

A story of how sometimes you fail to appreciate the special things just because you know they'll always be around.

P.S. I Love You

Losing someone is hard enough, letting go is the hardest and letting your heart fly to find happiness is the bravest.

I. Wasn't. Ready.

No one warned me. I was used to crying at the end of every tear jerkers but this one fooled me into thinking this was another one of them. but it's not. *tears*

I really love this movie, it's one of my forever favorites. Plus, Gerard Butler is a real charmer, I loved him even more. *swoons*

One Day

Will they ever get the perfect timing? Maybe, but fate is just unexpected in ways that will leave us mourning. Theirs was the story of friendship, and over time, a story of love.

It is a funny thing, fate.

A story doesn't always end up happy, but sometimes, through loss, other things get appreciated. I love their friendship, casual yet you can really see the love through Emma's (Anne Hathaway) eyes although in Dexter's (Jim Sturgess) childish eyes, it's all just friendship.

Celeste and Jesse Forever

They were perfect until being right clouded her and absorbed her away from the love she did not see already slipping away from her grasp. It's bittersweet and sad and funny... and just sad.

They were really comfortable with each other and even though they're marriage did not work out well. They're getting a divorce but they still act the way that they were and their friends are freaked out.

Maybe it's all not meant to end up as a happy marriage. All she wanted was to be right and she doesn't want to admit that she still loves him. It made me want to punch her and knock her pride away but I guess being best friends is what they're really meant for. Forever.

Blue Valentine

Love was fickle. It faded into thin air.

It broke my heart into pieces that can never be stitched into whole again.

I hate her. I hate how she could even hurt him. I cried for the little girl, he really loved her and ugh. I hate how she didn't see how much he sacrificed just for her. I wish they could have worked it out for the sake of the child. But she's just as stubborn and selfish as she could get.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Erasing someone from your mind doesn't actually guarantee that they'll also be deleted from your heart.

I remembered always knowing that amnesia is only in the mind, not in the heart. Same goes in this movie, they may be erased from each other's minds but somehow before they knew the truth to their memory loss, they still found each other.

I found this movie very sweet because he only realized how much he can't take it if she'll be gone in his memories while on the process of erasing her from all of his existence. Somehow while he gets reeled back to the start, he realized that he shouldn't erase her just because it hurt.

The Great Gatsby

Love never happens the same way twice.

When I read The Great Gatsby, I never felt it but when I watched it came to life in the movie, I was moved and I broke down.

Gatsby did everything for her, he sacrificed a lot but he never knew that she could not make the sacrifice to recreate their love once again.This is just plain sad.

Credits to the photo owners.

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