Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge!

Hello guys! It's the second day of the year and so far so good. Regarding my blog, I already queued up reviews and memes this month. I am very well motivated to give life to this blog this year. As you might know, I'm entering college this coming June so I will have more free time between classes. That's ironic, isn't it? Mostly will say they will have limited time when they got into college. Well, I think Time Management skills can loosen up those hassle days to have more free time.

2012 Reading Challenge

Ivan has


read 1 book toward his goal of 50 books.

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1 of 50 (2%)

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Yes, that is correct. I will only try to read more or less 50 books this year. Why so few? You might ask that. Let me explain. Reading is my true passion and blogging is just an add on to it. It's very nice to voice out what you think about a book to people who also read. Have you ever tried to have bookish talk with video-gamers?

So why 50 books? As what I learned from The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, try to be a filter not a sponge when reading. What does that mean? You read not only to enjoy but also to learn. If you're a sponge, you are just letting the words pass in your mind without comprehension and application. When you're a filter, as what the word suggests, there are bits that remain in your mind as the words pass through. That's what we call learning. And those learning that you have gained by filtering should be applied to your life.

Phew! I hope I did not became a philosophical monk on the Himalayas with that paragraph. But it's true. So 50 books this 2012. That 4-5 books per month.

How about you? How many books do you plan to read this 2012?

Reviews! Where are the reviews?

Advance Merry Christmas!!

I hope you are having a great vacation right now with your family, friends and books. Today is already December 22 and I can't wait 'till the 25th for the family luncheon. 

So for the purpose of the post, I'll be talking about the past, present and the future of my reviews. I've been very busy since December because of flabbergasting amount of schoolwork, including testing days. As a result, I have very limited time to read and so I finished like one or two books only in the past months. 

What I realized is my reviews are time realistic or whatever should you call it. I mean I post reviews only after I finished reading a book or so. So next year, (weee! 2012 is nearing!) I device a plan on how to maintain proper flow of reviews in my blog. Since last week, I've been reading tons and tons of book and writing reviews. These are to be published next year starting January 1, 2012. My reviews will be queued and so if hell weeks (a.k.a school) comes around, there will still be reviews and my blog will not be like an abandoned house. This is also means no new reviews this month. But I will try to entertain you with post regarding Christmas and New Year. 

So, Au revoir! and I will get back to reading. 

The Influence of Anna and the French Kiss

It’s been eight months now since I have read Anna and the French Kiss of Stephanie Perkins yet the beauty and grandeur of Paris in Stephanie’s words are still in my mind. The places and the people and the food. Oh yes! The food. Everyone loves food!

Since I have read AFK, I’ve been drooling to buy French foods. First on the list – French macarons. French macarons are indeed hard to find in the Philippines. Only few sell them. And according to the laws of economics – high demand with few suppliers means high price. Yes, macarons here are very pricey.

Goodnews! There is what we call here The French Baker which is a bakery that sells, of course, French pastry and cuisine. I managed to buy six French macarons that each costs me about $0.81 or Php 36. Two mocha, two pistachio and two raspberry.

My comments…I love the pistachio and raspberry! I don’t like the taste of mocha. Even in ice cream flavors, I hate mocha. I wonder why I even bought two of them. I can really feel the crisp and sweetness of the macarons. Plus their gorgeous colors. I will surely go back and buy more. 

In My Mailbox -12-

In  My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren

I've been reluctant to buy new books since I still have some in TBR and my hectic schedule is preventing me to read. Ugh! If only I can have a break! However, yesterday I went Christmas shopping for gifts I will give to my friends. Of course, at the very moment I walk out of the train and enter the mall, the very first store I will meet is Fullybooked. And guess what, I bought new books

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

I've been wanting to read The Perks of Being a Wallflower and the Last Apprentice for some time now and I'm very happy to finally get copies of them. 

Stardust (2007): The fastest way to travel is by candle.

What is it with immortality? It's not just in fiction like Voldermort but also in real life. Is a never-ending life is something worth living for? Yesterday I just watched the film adaption of Stardust by Neil Gaiman and I would like to say that I really illy love the story. However, nothing is perfect or was made perfectly.

Stardust (2007)
directed by: Matthew Vaughn 
adaption of Stardust by Neil Gaiman

First of all, I haven't yet read the book so my views and opinions is solely based on the movie.

In the village of Wall, as named after a nearby stonewall, Dustan Thorne foolishly tricked the wall guard and crosses the border despite the guard's warning. He then came into another world where she met a girl. Eight months after, a baby was delivered by the guard to the house of Dustan. He's name is Tristan. Eighteen years after, to win Victoria's hand for marriage, Tristan crosses the wall to find a fallen star using a Babylon candle given to him by his mother. However, he ended in an unexpected adventure and soon, romance.

The only book from Neil Gaiman that I have read was the Graveyard Book which I super like. The main reason I think is the lightness of the story yet has a very heavy meaning and lesson to be told. The same with Stardust. I like the world of Stormhold. Though it does not have mythical or inhuman creatures, Stormhold was magical. For example is the three sister witches which I think was an allusion to the Grey Sisters. (the three witches with one eye.)

Again, the story was very light. It was not complicated that's why we can easily join into their world. Every concept is magical itself. Babylon candles, voodoo dolls, witches, stars, kingship, and romance - all in one.

If we were to talk about the characters, I think the cast has some trouble expressing what expression they should be expressing. I like the medieval ideas of the gentlemen over the ladies, their customs and the like. But when it comes to expression, the cast seems to be troubled. There were times when the scenes was supposed to be serious, like swordplay, but Tristan looked like he was about to burst into laughter because of the expression of his partner.

But when it comes to the character itself, disregarding the actors and actresses, I would say that they developed through the time frame of the story. Tristan, living in a folly of infatuation to Victoria, learned to contrast infatuation and love. He saw who he truly should love. Yvaine, the fallen star, on other hand, did not developed so much but she was vital to Tristan development. She, herself, developed to become more human that a star.

A while ago I mentioned about meanings and lessons to be told. One issue that was discussed throughout the book was immortality. It is not just an issue with works of fiction but also in our real life. We all have an expiration date (death). Some of us when asked about death, they will say "I'm ready to die." or "I'm not afraid of death." Other will complain why there is such thing as death. If you come to realize, one day of no internet, no books, no money is boring. Then multiply those days to eternity. Immortality is boring. You will die of boredom but since you are immortal, undead better suits you. As one quotation always say, "Too much is bad." We should accept that will end someday. Just hope that you are happy that day.

Rating: 4/5

Which Faction Do You Belong? -Shocking-

I recently stumbled upon Veronica Roth's Divergent Facebook page. At first I was like "Okay, what's the purpose of this?" and then, and then, I saw this app that tells you which Faction you belong. Yes, online Aptitude Test. Note: Now on Facebook! I think I should now wear long robes and watch people jump off the train.

I took the test and my result is *drumroll*

Really, I'm Candor? The Honest? At the very first, I can't believe that it will be the result. I'm not like an angel who's always honest (I think there are liar angels?) Seriously, Honestly is not my top on the list virtue. Shocking result isn't it?

The story telling part: I'm actually have two attitude. Sometimes Bad, sometimes Good. There are times I'm bad. I tease people, I LIE, I do what bad people do (No, not killings or massacre. Save that for the movies.) When I'm good, my heart change. I give money to random beggars I came across the street. I help people having trouble with their lives. (I'm a good adviser, said my Social Studies teacher.) I pray.

So go ahead to that page check what Faction do you belong. Also, can you share with me your results? I know we should not - rules - but just the two of us. I hope you're not a Divergent, are you?

~Ivan

School Book Club Update!

I'm happy to share things I've brainstormed in the past week. These are for the school's book club where I'm the president. Last year was not a great year for us and I will make sure that this year it will.

GOVERNMENT

The government in our book club is like the government of the other clubs in our school. President, vice, secretary, treasurer, auditor and etc. Well, a book club doesn't need a government like that. A lot of the positions are occupied but don't have a function in the club. I and my partner came with an idea where a new government will not only fit in the club but also will be more exciting.

1. Prime Minister - the replacement office for the president. Of course, no more further explanations. He manages the club.
2. Deputy Prime Minister - the replacement office for the vice-president.
3. Ministry of Finance - replacement for the treasurer and the auditor. This will only be composed of one person.
4. Ministry of Communications - replacement for the secretary and the representatives.

all in all there will be five officers (two for communications). Unlike the 7-8 normal government body. Our club is the smallest of all. It has a limit of 20 students only. It is very odd and ugly for half of the club ruling the other half. What's that? 50-50?

ADMISSION


Last year, 70% of the members are not a book-geek. They just joined the club for grades. NOW I will be harsh in admission.

Are you familiar with college admission? Where you pass an application form then receive a letter later if you're accepted or not? That's it. That's they way I will manage the admission. All interested to join can get an application form, and filled it out. I, the deputy and the club moderator will scan and decide if the person deserve an admission to the club.

So we are expecting a lot of rejections!

PUBLICATIONS

There will be two main publications that the club will release.

1. Official Book - this will be a book of collection of essays, short stories and book quotes by every member of the club. It's wonderful isn't it? Only three copies will be printed. One for the library, and the two will be available for lending. Students and teachers will be allowed to borrow it.

2. Montly Newspaper - every month, the club will produce news papers consisting of ONLY book related topics like reviews, movies, author interview and bloggers. This project is expected to encourage students and teachers to read and be involved more in literature. Every classroom and the faculty will have one copy. It will cost too much if every student will have a copy, they can just pass it to other people. Or this will be great if the school will support the funding.

MOVIES

Only four movies are expected to be watched in the whole year.

1. Author focused - movie that is about the life of an author. Most likely to be Becoming Jane.
2. Novel Based - there's a lot of novel based movies but I will choose the most inspirational yet encouraging to watch.
3. History focused - I want them to watch the film about the attempted kidnap to Pope Pius XII
4. Science Fiction - the favorite of all. Maybe not all!

BOOKS

Members are allowed and free to read what they want and share to the club after reading. S/He will facilitate a discussion about that book and others are expected to listen and also give their opinions.

BUT there is one required read - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. A book report shall be done.

FIELD TRIPS

Who doesn't like field trips? Of course you do! These are the possible places where we may have a trip.

1. National Library
2. Museums - I hope we have the Louvre here in the Philippines. :)
3. Publishing House - I will definitely like to see how books are made.

CHARITY

This is my favorite project! I love supporting charities. Since we are not millionaires to donate cash, we will donate books instead. There's a lot of orphanage here in the Philippines and I would like to encourage them in reading during their young age. I will be the happiest man in the world if they will say in the future "Book Buddies by Ivanbookworm introduce me to reading!" That's the best sentence they can say.

Who doesn't love kids? I love them!

BOOK FAIR

Our book club is eligible to do a book fair during our Book Week. That will be so awesome isn't it? Every year Scholastic Publishing goes to our school to sell their books, but I want a book store not a publisher. Why? I want to introduce the student body to every book in the market not only just by Scholastic.

But I surely invite a local publisher to encourage reading Filipino Books.


That's all for now. Maybe another post about this in the future.

See yah! Thanks!

Being a President of a Book Club in our School

I haven't posted anything for the past days. I'm reading Catching Fire and not done, yet. Due to academic reasons. :)

So I decided to do a book related post instead while I'm still finishing Catching Fire. At least, my blog will be updated.

Last year, our school have its own book club called Book Buddies. It is compose of 25 students from high school and is moderated by 2 librarians. I was voted to be the President. Unexpectedly. I don't know how to run a book club or whatever.

Mostly, we take care of the our school's library. Arrange the books, watch movies based on novels and a lot more. But being a president, it's not always fun. I join the club due to my passion of reading not due to personal interest to take the power of being a president.

I realized soon that not all those people who joined the club have a passion of reading. They mainly join us for grades only. They don't have interest in reading books or discussing them. So I felt hurt. I want them to leave the club soon but I can't because it's already in the middle of the year.

Next year, I'm expected to be the president, again. There will be no voting for new officers of the club. It is stated in the Book Buddies Constitution that when a third year high school was voted to be the president, he or she will took power to the succeeding year. And last year, I was a third year high school, so no chance for me to leave the hatred I feel.

But it's a time for a change now. I will create more book activities like story telling and watching movies of authors. I don't want then watching novel based movies anymore because they don't appreciate the book. It's time for them to realize the life of being an author and that they should never just ignore them.

I will also impost an admission guidelines for next year. If last year, all can enter the club, next year will be different. Only students that have TRUE passion for reading may join the club. I will not waste my last year in high school dealing with those kinds of people. Yes, it is harsh but it's needed.

With the experience, I learned one thing. Though you have the power over them, you can't still be happy.

So if any of who there have an idea for club activities or how the admission should run, please comment below and I will greatly appreciate it.

Thanks, watch out for my Catching Fire review.

For the first time I WON!

Hi, there. I'm currently celebrating since I won on Filipino Horror Books contest by Jason on Taking a Break.

His contest was for readers to recommend horror books that are written by Filipino authors. I suggested Tragic Theater which according to a lot of people is very scary. Then he posted a review about it and it is mostly negative. So it means that there is a big possibility that I will not win the contest. But I'm very surprised today when I read his post. I won the second place. This was the first time I won a contest here in the blogging community.

So thank you Jason for your contest.