One too many Hunger Games

My sister arrived here yesterday cheerfully stating that she purchased The Hunger Games. I came out of the room to look at it and was surprised to see she shelled out that much money to buy the boxed set (I thought she only bought book one). Imagine the look on her face when I informed her that I have the same set. LOL

I didn't know she knew about the series 'cause she never asked me if I've heard of it or if I have a copy. She usually does if there's a book that interests her. You see, my siblings and I love to read, so we often ask each other about books. She doesn't hate me, though I think she would've appreciated if I told her I have one :)) Then she could've bought several other books instead. I'm sorry, dear sister! Forgive me? :D

At least you have your own copy, right? HAHA

Just finished: Envy by Sandra Brown

I am quite tempted to transfer some of the posts on my previous blog here, as I've done with my entries regarding two trips to Booksale. However, this wouldn't be much of a "fresh start" if I continue transferring posts now, would it? I might just pick a few to re-post. Most of the entries I wanted to copy are about books, anyway.

In other news, I finished a book today:

Maris Matherly-Reed is a renowned New York book editor, the daughter of a publisher and the wife of bestselling author Noah Reed. It isn't often that an unsolicited submission so captivates her that she feels she must immediately meet its author. But Maris has just received a tantalizing partial manuscript submitted by a writer identified only as P.M.E., with the return address of an obscure island off the Georgia coast. P.M.E.'s blockbuster potential--and perhaps something else--compels Maris to search for him.

On an eerie, ruined cotton plantation, she finds Parker Evans, a man determined to conceal his identity as well as his past. Working with him chapter by chapter, Maris is riveted by his tale of two friends who charter a boat with a young woman for a night of revelry...an excursion from which only one person returns.

As the story unfolds, Maris becomes convinced it is more than just fiction. Disturbed about her growing attraction to Parker and gripped by a chilling suspicion about his novel's characters, she searches for the undisclosed truth about a crime committed decades ago. Then someone close to her dies, while even closer looms the presence of evil--a man who will use her, or anyone, to get what he wants...

Exploring the way love and hatred shape lives, ENVY uses both Maris's quest and Parker's novel to create a breathtaking story of suspense. Not until the shattering, surprise finale will readers guess the solution to its puzzle of deceit and murder, retribution and redemption.

Whew! Now that's one long synopsis. I'm never good at making reviews, and I don't think this passes as one. But, here's what I think about Envy: (watch out for spoilers!)

Prioritized book spending

I've been obsessing about books again lately, ever since this. I told B I'd save P5k and splurge on next year's MBIF (or any big bookstore sale), to avenge (yep) my not being able to attend this year. HAH! I doubt if I'll be able to save up that much without being tempted to spend it on say, a camera, for film processing, and for stocking up on films. Even more so, if I'll have the heart to spend that much money in one day, even if it's on books.

I'll try very hard to restrain myself from buying unfamiliar books each time I visit Booksale 'cause however cheap they may be, it somehow keeps me from buying (or saving up for) the ones I've really been meaning to buy.

I am posting this list to remind me of the books I should prioritize in buying:

• Looking for Alaska, John Green
• Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safran Foer
• Ariel, Sylvia Plath (restored ed.)
• I Am the Messenger, Markus Zusak
• All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Robert Fulghum
• Theft, Peter Carey
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick
• Moondogs, Alexander Yates
• The Collector, John Fowles
• If I Loved You, I Would Tell You This, Robin Black
• The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
• How to Be Alone, Jonathan Franzen
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Mark Haddon
• What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures, Malcolm Gladwell
• The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore, Benjamin Hale
• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, J. R. R. Tolkien
• Self-Portrait Photography, Natalie "Miss Aniela" Dybisz

New books again!

I went to another branch of Booksale this weekend, hoping to find some titles I have been wanting to have. I found nothing. But, as I mentioned before, I do not leave Booksale empty-handed most of the time. I decided to buy books that have pretty covers or weird titles instead. Haha.

Picked up this one first:

An unfamiliar book. I really really love its jacket design for some reason. I like the title, and the synopsis is intriguing enough so I didn’t hesitate to buy it. Price: P15

Most of the books from the stack are facing the opposite side, so you cannot see what books they are unless you take them from the pile. I don’t know what it’s called or how to describe it properly, but… I was attracted to this book even before I knew what it was because the leaves are uneven (ugh, help!). I hope you understand what I’m trying to say hahaha. I actually saw this before the first book but as I was taking off the topmost books, I saw that.

I got so excited when I saw the title (hint: Daguerre). This is a fictional take on the life of the inventor of daguerrotype, one of the earliest methods of capturing images. I feel lucky to have spotted this :D Price: P15

I like the graphic novel-like design and the jacket’s texture, and it seems interesting too. A novel of gangsters and saints, huh? Price: P40

I’m not quite sure why I bought this one. I like the title a lot, but the synopsis didn’t interest me as much as the ones above. The average rating is 2.29/5 on goodreads hahaha. I hope I’ll like it :) Price: P10 HAHAHA

All four are hardcovers. THEY’RE REAL HEAVY AND HARD TO CARRY. No regrets, though (not yet, at least) :) Total amount: P80 HAH

Book fair...not (but close)

I’m still quite bitter, sad, even hurt (OA much) that I wasn’t able to attend Manila International Book Fair this year. Well, I could’ve, but I won’t really be able to buy anything as I’ve been penniless for almost 6 months now. So there’s no point of going, unless I want my eyes and heart to suffer even more.The books being sold at the book fair usually have 20% (some higher) slashed off its usual price. Even then, I won’t be able to buy even one with my own money. Yes, I’m that poor right now. If you can’t afford regular-priced books or even book fairs as such, head to a used books store! I coerced le family to give me a bit of cash, and headed to the nearest Booksale. Hence, I was still able to get some books! Six of them, actually:

I bought this one solely because of its pretty cover. Yes, sometimes I judge a book by its cover. I didn’t even bother finding out what it’s about. I removed the tag ‘coz it spoils the wallpaper errr.. the cover. Heh. This is the first one I picked up. Price: P20

I’ve never encountered or heard about this book. It’s a bit intriguing so I picked it up as well. Price: P45

Never heard of this one either. Another pretty cover :3 I removed the tag on this one as well. Price: P75

Again, never heard haha. I bought the first three first, then went back to buy The Gathering. I was a bit horrified when I couldn’t find it. Someone must’ve bought it while I’m pondering on whether I should buy it as well. HMP. I picked this up instead. Yes, I had to buy something in lieu of the lost book. The title reminds me of The Book Thief’s “Death” but their stories are far from similar. Price: P20

Suddenly, after I paid for this and had one last look at the books on the display window, I saw this:

I’ve been meaning to buy this for the longest time! Also has a pretty cover. I couldn’t get in again as the store’s already closing up. I was actually the last customer and they’re already cleaning up while I’m searching for The Gathering. I haaaaaaaad to come back. And I wished so hard that nobody will dare snatch this up again before I came back for it.

I came back the day after, and alas, it was no longer on the display shelf. All the other books on the shelf were replaced as well. I asked the cashier where they were, and he said that they’re on the regular shelves. There’s still hope. HEH. I found this pretty fast. I was so relieved. Finally, something to cross out on my to-buy list! :D Price: P145 (My friend paid for this one, as a birthday present. Hihi)

As I was looking for it, I found this:

Another one from my to-buy list! Ain’t I lucky? Hah. I told myself that I should only buy what I came back for, but how could I resist? Plus my friend paid for A Long Way Down so I can still buy this with the money intended for the former. If I saw these two first though, I don’t think I would be buying all those I bought earlier. The bad but not-so-bad thing about going to Booksale is even though I intend to buy only those from my list, I end up buying never-heard books as well. If I don’t find anything from my list, I still end up buying others just so I don’t come out empty-handed. Haha! Price: 145

Total money spent: P305. My own book fair. I’m a happy fool!

- – -

I was eyeing The Lord of the Rings trilogy boxed set, but I can’t afford it at the time. I hope I can buy that soon :/ Wait for me?

Sudden move

I was tweaking some HTML stuff on my previous blog, and I messed it up big time. I wanted to keep the site, but I just can't fix it. Stupid me. I guess I'll have to try again some time.

I'm thinking of doing a more "personal" approach to blogging, as I've been a bit reserved (based on my observation) and shallow. Maybe starting off fresh will help in achieving that. Or, maybe, I'm just saying that to help me accept that my previous blog is beyond repair. Heh.

Anyway, hello Blogger. Let's do this!