First of all, I really love the cover designs of Pop Fiction's books. I love how the illustrations are so cute and really fits the book.
However, as I have noticed in most books published lately by both Pop Fiction and PSICOM where they get their authors from wattpad, I noticed how they were all similar to Koreanovelas and Meteor Garden. Most stories have similarities with Meteor Garden and Koreanovelas where the story ends with someone dying. Sometimes, having the main characters die seem fit but sometimes, it's just so wrong. Like it was placed there just so you can say that there was a twist. But really, it is not so satisfying especially if you were expecting it to be a light read with a happy ending. I am really a sucker for sad endings but this isn't the kind of sad ending that feels right.
The first time that Kean and Courtney said those three words, eight letters to each other, it was really cute and the kilig factor was there but after that where they repeat it again and again, it just sounded dumb and redundant. No spark any more.
There were some typos and technical errors within the book.
So far, I have yet to read something from Pop Fiction and PSICOM that I can say is really written well and something that I can recommend to my fellow chicklit readers.
Biyernes, Oktubre 4, 2013
Linggo, Setyembre 8, 2013
BLOG TOUR FOR MY BOOK 'HELLO' AND VINTAGE LOVE BY MS. AGAY LLANERA
The blog tour for my book 'Hello' has already kicked off yesterday. Very excited for this little experiment. Thanks to Ms. Dia for coordinating and Ms. Mina Esguerra for the support...
September 8
YEY!!!
September 8
- Meryl @ La Bella Vita
- Cassandra @ The Moon Lost a Faerie
- Dia @ Book Junkie Joint
- Mina @ MinaVEsguerra
- Freine @ Freine Writes
- Stella @ The Great Big Jump
- Chris @ Ficsation
- Rachel @ The Girl Behind the Stories
- Mina @ MinaVEsguerra
- Army @ Ami de Manila
- Meryl @ La Bella Vita
- Army @ Ami de Manila
- Kristel @ Krissyfied
- Lynai @ Lynai Reads
- Rachel @ The Girl Behind the Stories
- Kristel @ Krissyfied
- Dia @ Book Junkie Joint
- Chrissie @ Kingdom Cow
- Cassandra @ The Moon Lost a Faerie
- Patricia @ MrsC's Sugarcoated Life
- Freine @ Freine Writes
- Alyssa @ Diary of a Book Maniac
- Chris @ Ficsation
- Lynai @ Lynai Reads
- Dia @ Book Junkie Joint
YEY!!!
Huwebes, Agosto 29, 2013
Review: The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel
Just finished another book and this time it's from a foreign author. It's 'The Sweetness of Forgetting' by Kristin Harmel. I picked this book when we were in Norway. I don't regret ever buying this book. Am glad I actually decided to buy it.
I wanted to read something serious because I've been reading a lot of more or less crappy books lately that I thought I should take a break and read something with depth. This book definitely is a must read for those hopeless romantics out there.
The author described Paris beautifully that I wanted to go there myself and experience how romantic the place was.
Kristin Harmel was able to convey the truest, purest and greatest love a man can supposedly give. All the characters in this book each have their own sacrifices for the one they love and it just makes me want to believe that such great love does indeed exists in this world and time. Other books would often include sexual tension or physical attraction to define love but with this book, it never did.
Can really one hold on to love over the span of more than seventy years? And give all the sacrifices just to make the one you love happy and have a better life? The story of Rose Picard and Jacob Levy really made me want to believe in that kind of love and connection of their souls. Makes me hope that I too can find someone like Jacob Levy but I might just be delusional to even hope. I dunno.
There is also a fact of life here that the book points out. That is not everything we dreamed of can come true. Like the career path we want to take. No matter how much we want them, if we are just not meant to have that kind of career, we'll never be. I myself has experienced that. And maybe I was too much of a coward to pursue my dream but maybe it's for the better of everyone even for the people around me.
Anyway, this book was a great read. Gave me insights of how it was back in the Holocaust and despite the tragedy, love still prevails and makes them hold on until they finally see each other again. Though the ending was with the Rose and Jacob dying, I felt satisfied but a little bummed by it. After waiting for all their lives to find each other, They weren't even together for a day and they both die due to old age. But at least they were reunited before they died and that was their biggest goal after all. So I guess it ended well. And they were both happy and at peace.
Oh how I wish love is really like that!!!
Must read!!!
Lunes, Agosto 12, 2013
Review: My Facebook Boyfriend... For real?
Another Wattpad story published by PSICOM... I don't know why but the main characters of this book seemed like it was patterned from Meteor Garden characters... Almost all Wattpad stories that have been published are just like Meteor Garden characters anyway...
What I liked about this book is that it was able to make me smile in a way. And the events are more possible to happen like being held up...
Although the love triangle isn't really much to be hooked on because I think Luke is no competition to Troy at all because Luke did not seem to have any grand gestures that can be compared to Troy... It would not be a tough decision for Nads because Troy is far ahead in the competition...
This book is nothing special really... nothing new that I haven't read or watched before... definitely not something I would force my friends to read...
What I liked about this book is that it was able to make me smile in a way. And the events are more possible to happen like being held up...
Although the love triangle isn't really much to be hooked on because I think Luke is no competition to Troy at all because Luke did not seem to have any grand gestures that can be compared to Troy... It would not be a tough decision for Nads because Troy is far ahead in the competition...
This book is nothing special really... nothing new that I haven't read or watched before... definitely not something I would force my friends to read...
Martes, Agosto 6, 2013
Review: Love Your Frenemies by Mina V. Esguerra
This book is actually something fresh from all the others I've read. The concept is supposedly "ang kontrabidang bida". The readers should be hating her, right? But as I read the whole book, my sympathy really is with her because she's not really the evil one here, it's the people around her who seems to be "wanting what's best for her" but ends up pushing Kimmy to be the "evil" one. This made me realize how realistic the concept is after all. People just tend to act bad for a reason; it's just the way people perceive it that makes it either worse or justified.
I also liked Kimmy and Manolo's seemingly love-hate relationship. But in the end, I knew he'd be there for Kimmy.
This book is definitely in my Top Ten books. It is a very interesting read. I finished it in three days. That is of course, in between my work. I just could not put it down but had to because of the work load I had to finish.
Definite recommendation to those Chicklit lovers!
Huwebes, Agosto 1, 2013
Review: Para sa Hopeless Romantic ni Marcelo Santos III
Lately, I have been reading a lot of Taglish book by Filipino authors and not all of them were able to captivate me with what they have to tell. Pero nung nabasa ko yun book ni Marcelo Santos III, parang nahuli niya yun essence of being young and carefree as a student/collegiate. This book really stirred up my past emotions because I can really relate to the situation of the characters where they thought they were suffering unrequited love but they still go on and dream of the day that they would be able to say what their hearts want to say and hopefully not get rejected. Oh, the courage of young love! Yun bang panahon na ang pinoproblema lang natin ay kung gusto ka rin ng taong gusto mo.... Ang saya pa nun at heartbreak lang ang tanging kinatatakutan mo or maybe even failing a subject... That's it!
The way the author wrote the story really kept me enthralled although I do have an idea that Becca was actually writing to Nikko on the classroom chair but it still kept me reading, wanting to know what happens next. I have always loved books that shows how fate actually moves in mysterious ways. Makes me want to believe in fate/ destiny/ meant to be/ match made in heaven (whatever you want to call it). And this book was successful in making me believe, transporting me back in time.
What really came as a shock was the ending to Jackie's story. I felt the pain when Jackie overheard Sir Matt talking sweetly to his girlfriend, breaking Jackie's heart and hope and getting all disappointed and emo. But I guess it was good that every one seemed to have a happy ending after all even if Jackie's was a little open ended but still, we all know where it would end up anyway.
This is a must read for those hopeless romantics looking for a light read and wanting to remember young love.
After reading the book, what really stuck to me was the One Big Shot. Now, it got me thinking, What if I also took my ONE BIG SHOT? Would I have been happier?
Anyway, this book is definitely on my Top 5 books for now!
Review: What's In Your Heart by Ines Bautista Yao
Done with the book! I
loved it!
To be honest, the first few chapters did not start with a bang for me but when I got to the middle part of the book, I could no longer put it down. I finished it in one sitting. It made me miss my college years. I love getting to know the stories of elderly people like how they came to be and their love stories. This book got very interesting for me. I was saddened when I learned Luis was already seeing someone but was glad nothing was official.
All I really wanted to say was good job with the book, Ms. Ines!
This book is highly recommended to Chiclit lovers!
To be honest, the first few chapters did not start with a bang for me but when I got to the middle part of the book, I could no longer put it down. I finished it in one sitting. It made me miss my college years. I love getting to know the stories of elderly people like how they came to be and their love stories. This book got very interesting for me. I was saddened when I learned Luis was already seeing someone but was glad nothing was official.
All I really wanted to say was good job with the book, Ms. Ines!
This book is highly recommended to Chiclit lovers!
Martes, Hulyo 23, 2013
Review: Diary Ng Panget Book 1 by HaveYouSeenThisGirl
Recently, there has been this craze for publishing books previously published over at wattpad and I don't really see the point in doing those since most have read them before and might not want to spend money to read them again. Or so I thought but it seems that is not the case. So it got me curious as to why the sudden craze for these books so I got myself a copy and find out.
Upon reading the first book, some of the events but mainly the characters remind me so much of the old time fave Meteor Garden. Even though there was no "F4" there, Cross definitely reminds me of Dao Ming Su and Chad reminds me of Hua Ze Lei. I have yet to figure out who Ian is but the point is, the book made me think of those characters the whole time I was reading the book. And as a fan of Meteor Garden, I felt like it was a lame version of the Taiwanovela. I don't want to sound like a hater because a lot of people seems to be in love with the story but I am not. I just could not feel with Eya (the main character of the book).
The book was very informal which I think works for the youth or its target readers nowadays.
To summarized this review, I find the idea of the book a little "gasgas" na... A very light read but not something very funny nor original.
Maybe I have watched one too many Koreanovelas that I don't find them fresh anymore. But since I have already bought the 2nd book, I might as well give it another chance. Maybe some other time but not any time soon.
Next review would be Mina V. Esguerra's Interim Goddess of Love Trilogy. All three of them in one post! Stay tuned!
Upon reading the first book, some of the events but mainly the characters remind me so much of the old time fave Meteor Garden. Even though there was no "F4" there, Cross definitely reminds me of Dao Ming Su and Chad reminds me of Hua Ze Lei. I have yet to figure out who Ian is but the point is, the book made me think of those characters the whole time I was reading the book. And as a fan of Meteor Garden, I felt like it was a lame version of the Taiwanovela. I don't want to sound like a hater because a lot of people seems to be in love with the story but I am not. I just could not feel with Eya (the main character of the book).
The book was very informal which I think works for the youth or its target readers nowadays.
To summarized this review, I find the idea of the book a little "gasgas" na... A very light read but not something very funny nor original.
Maybe I have watched one too many Koreanovelas that I don't find them fresh anymore. But since I have already bought the 2nd book, I might as well give it another chance. Maybe some other time but not any time soon.
Next review would be Mina V. Esguerra's Interim Goddess of Love Trilogy. All three of them in one post! Stay tuned!
Biyernes, Hulyo 19, 2013
#romanceclass: getting through the journey
I have always wanted to become a published author ever since I first started to write short stories when I was in fourth grade. I believe the first fiction I wrote was the "Alamat ng Pagong" but my own version. I don't exactly remember the details of the story anymore since it has been decades ago.
Anyway, I continued with my writing but very few people got to read my stories because most of them were in relation to my personal experiences (most of them wishful thinking) but still, it laid out to be one heck of a story. But years later, I decided I wanted more people to read them and be able to share being a hopeless romantic to everyone so I thought of the last option which was to self-publish my own books.
I decided to start with that project two years ago when I had just graduated from college, but decided to submit to local publishers first so that I no longer have to worry about the printing costs, book designing costs, and copy editing and, the most horrid of all, marketing my books since they have the resources to do so. And two years later, I was still down to ZERO published books.
It really got me very disappointed and discouraged for fear that maybe my novellas are not really worth the attention or time to be read and appreciated after all. I knew I needed to do something about my dream and to be able to fulfill one of my biggest dreams. I thought maybe I needed a mentor. Someone who could tell me what to do, what the local publishers would want to see in my novella, and the like. And when I saw that Ms. Mina Esguerra (author of Love Your Frenemies, My Imaginary Ex, Interim Goddess of Love Trilogy, That Kind of Guy, which by the way, I have all read), I knew it was a blessing in disguise. And since I have little financial resource of my own, I was glad it was all for free! Was really glad that Ms. Mina was so generous to offer this to us and support other self-publishing authors like herself.
At first, I was not sure if I could actually finish her #romanceclass since the nature of my job requires me to be awake at night and asleep in the morning. But still I tried to persevere and sacrificed sleep to meet Ms. Mina's Assignment deadlines. For the first time, I felt like I was back in school cramming for deadline submission of papers, wracking my brains out for the perfect ideas to complete my novella.
I was very happy every time I was able to meet the deadlines and see the progress of my novella. And when I finally reached the end of my novella, though I was never sure it was good enough, I knew that I was proud of myself that I got to finish my novella- the whole 30000 words and more.
Now, finishing a novella is one thing. And marketing my novella and getting it out there is another thing. I am only halfway through the journey and there is still a whole lot more! But am a little nega on these things lately.
The first self-published book I have out there is not really doing so well since I don't really know how else to market my books and nobody knows who I am as an author and it just feels so disheartening. I want my book to look perfect but the cost is too high that most of the people in my target market still can't afford or has difficulty to afford my book. Why would they take a chance on an unknown author with a seemingly expensive selling price of her book, right??
Argh! I just wish I could have the luxury of free time and financial resources to go all out and market my books. I may be too tired by then, but I am already halfway there, should I give up now?
Anyway, I continued with my writing but very few people got to read my stories because most of them were in relation to my personal experiences (most of them wishful thinking) but still, it laid out to be one heck of a story. But years later, I decided I wanted more people to read them and be able to share being a hopeless romantic to everyone so I thought of the last option which was to self-publish my own books.
I decided to start with that project two years ago when I had just graduated from college, but decided to submit to local publishers first so that I no longer have to worry about the printing costs, book designing costs, and copy editing and, the most horrid of all, marketing my books since they have the resources to do so. And two years later, I was still down to ZERO published books.
It really got me very disappointed and discouraged for fear that maybe my novellas are not really worth the attention or time to be read and appreciated after all. I knew I needed to do something about my dream and to be able to fulfill one of my biggest dreams. I thought maybe I needed a mentor. Someone who could tell me what to do, what the local publishers would want to see in my novella, and the like. And when I saw that Ms. Mina Esguerra (author of Love Your Frenemies, My Imaginary Ex, Interim Goddess of Love Trilogy, That Kind of Guy, which by the way, I have all read), I knew it was a blessing in disguise. And since I have little financial resource of my own, I was glad it was all for free! Was really glad that Ms. Mina was so generous to offer this to us and support other self-publishing authors like herself.
At first, I was not sure if I could actually finish her #romanceclass since the nature of my job requires me to be awake at night and asleep in the morning. But still I tried to persevere and sacrificed sleep to meet Ms. Mina's Assignment deadlines. For the first time, I felt like I was back in school cramming for deadline submission of papers, wracking my brains out for the perfect ideas to complete my novella.
I was very happy every time I was able to meet the deadlines and see the progress of my novella. And when I finally reached the end of my novella, though I was never sure it was good enough, I knew that I was proud of myself that I got to finish my novella- the whole 30000 words and more.
Now, finishing a novella is one thing. And marketing my novella and getting it out there is another thing. I am only halfway through the journey and there is still a whole lot more! But am a little nega on these things lately.
The first self-published book I have out there is not really doing so well since I don't really know how else to market my books and nobody knows who I am as an author and it just feels so disheartening. I want my book to look perfect but the cost is too high that most of the people in my target market still can't afford or has difficulty to afford my book. Why would they take a chance on an unknown author with a seemingly expensive selling price of her book, right??
Argh! I just wish I could have the luxury of free time and financial resources to go all out and market my books. I may be too tired by then, but I am already halfway there, should I give up now?
Miyerkules, Hulyo 17, 2013
Review: She's Dating The Gangster by Bianca B. Bernardino
This is my first review of a book and it's going to be a really short one because I don't think I have anything much to say about it. I only read this because I collect all of Summit's books and heard that it was a favorite among wattpad readers and thought I should go check it out.
First of all, this book is the most different amongst all other Summit books especially when it came to its book cover design. It really looked like a gangster book. What really went off track was there was no gangster involved at all. The book cover was not that attractive at all unlike all the other Summit books.
Second, while reading the book, I felt like I was reading a compilation of all the highlights of typical Koreanovelas. Those scenes worked for the Koreanovelas, but having to compile it in one book is just boring. It felt very predictable and kind of "gasgas" na.
Last but not the least was its ending. After all the time I spent reading it, I was devastated only to find out that the characters died in the end. It's very Koreanovela-ish. I should have anticipated the death of the characters but didn't think that Summit would actually publish something like that since they usually go with happy endings.
I guess it was fresh and experimental in a way. I was really expecting to read about the guy defending the girl from rival gangsters or becoming a softie after they met or maybe something Dao Ming Su did for Shan Tsai like getting beat up just to protect her.
I'll give this only two stars because the ideas were not very original and I expected more from this book.
What do you think?
First of all, this book is the most different amongst all other Summit books especially when it came to its book cover design. It really looked like a gangster book. What really went off track was there was no gangster involved at all. The book cover was not that attractive at all unlike all the other Summit books.
Second, while reading the book, I felt like I was reading a compilation of all the highlights of typical Koreanovelas. Those scenes worked for the Koreanovelas, but having to compile it in one book is just boring. It felt very predictable and kind of "gasgas" na.
Last but not the least was its ending. After all the time I spent reading it, I was devastated only to find out that the characters died in the end. It's very Koreanovela-ish. I should have anticipated the death of the characters but didn't think that Summit would actually publish something like that since they usually go with happy endings.
I guess it was fresh and experimental in a way. I was really expecting to read about the guy defending the girl from rival gangsters or becoming a softie after they met or maybe something Dao Ming Su did for Shan Tsai like getting beat up just to protect her.
I'll give this only two stars because the ideas were not very original and I expected more from this book.
What do you think?
The Begginning of My Shelf Life
I love reading books especially YA romance fiction! And since I have a wide collection of books on my shelves, I decided to make a review of those I finished. Hope I get to do this often and not get lazy with updating this blog. It is never too late to start, right?
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