The Bookshelf Intruder

The DUFF. It sounds like a fun, sweet, funny, maybe even fluffy, read. Surprise, surprise, it’s not!

The DUFF has sweet, funny, highly entertaining moments but for the most part, it was realistic. And CYNICAL. And I love it.

Bianca, the main character is matured compared to her peers. She is sassy, badass, headstrong, and very much a cynic. I love her. She’s not your usual YA character. She’s not perfect. On the contrary, she’s flawed, stubborn, dark and twisted. She’s the DUFF, the designated ugly fat friend (she’s not ugly nor fat but her friends are prettier) and the whole novel is centered on her inadequacy.

Wesley Rush, on the other hand, is just as fleshed out. At first, he seemed like a typical jock – sporty, cool, handsome, and a womanizer. Bianca assumed he’s a shallow prick and it’s easy to think that way, right? But as the story progressed, Bianca saw that there’s more to Wesley than meets the eye.

I also liked the supporting characters, though they’re not as well-written as Bianca and Wesley. There’s a love triangle but it’s not as annoying as most love triangles are. I can even say with certainty that it worked for this novel. Toby, the other side of the triangle, is an interesting character and I love that he’s so different from Wesley. They have nothing in common but I found myself rooting for the both of them at different parts of the book. In general, the characters in this book are likeable and believable even when they’re doing things that I don’t agree with.

This book was written so well that it was hard for me to believe that the author, Kody Keplinger, is just 19 when she wrote this book. Nineteen! What was I doing when I was nineteen? Worrying about guys and my thesis, that’s what. But Kody here, she’s written a novel that spoke so much truth about teenagers (probably also because she’s also young and she’s been there). A lot of things that Bianca and Wesley and all the other characters in The Duff went through are things that really happen in real life.

The DUFF hit a lot of nerves… in a good way. It reminded me of high school and college, how I was a DUFF myself. I had friends who are prettier, cooler, taller (not hard to be taller around me, I’m 4’10) and like Bianca, it bothered me at times. But just like her, I also realized that it didn’t matter at all.

This book is not for the conservative types. It has lots of swearing and sex, which you don’t usually encounter in YA novels.

The DUFF, with its cynical main character, is also optimistic. An unlikely combination but that's why it's so refreshing. If you’re a fan of character-driven books and books about teens who are real and not all fluffy, read The DUFF. You won’t regret it.

Have you read The DUFF? Have you seen the movie (ugh. Such disappointment)? Which one’s better? Also, were you a DUFF in high school / college?

As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.

4:00 AM

When I’m Not Reading talks about things that we do when we’re not bent over a book. Us, booknerds, we’re a dedicated bunch. We live and breath books. But we also have lives outside books and it’s fun to talk about it from time to time, in between our bookish discussions. If you want to be featured, email or tweet me!

For this edition of When I’m Not Reading, Joy of Joyousreads dropped by to share what she does when she’s not occupied with a book.

Joy and I met in person in March when she visited her family in the Philippines.She's just as awesome as she is online and I'm truly honored to be one of her blogger friends. :) (Sorry for the orange-y photo!)

Met the awesome @Joyousreads today. Her son's so cute and bibo and the food at Apag Maragle is good. #happiness ☺️ pic.twitter.com/irRECz5Kly

— Joy Sallegue (@akoposijoy) March 19, 2015

Make sure to drop by her blog (totally worth your time, I tell you) or follow her on Instagram!

I had to laugh when I got an email from Joy. I mean, the concept seems preposterous, to be honest. I was thinking, what do you mean, “when I’m not reading”? I had to sit and contemplate on what else I do besides being buried in a book. I’ve mentioned this before that I’m not the most interesting person in the universe. Because I have an obsessive personality, I tend to stick to what I know, enjoy, and love. And I give my tenacious fervor in whatever endeavor I’m currently obsessing about. Sometimes, it works out in my favor; and sometimes, I sit there and think, wow. How boring am I?

Besides reading, I love decorating. Because I suck at painting or anything that requires manual labor, for that matter, I find people to do those things for me (a.k.a. friends and relatives). Last fall, I tackled my living room (I victimized my youngest brother. The poor sod.). It wasn’t that big of a job, mind you. But since it involved my library, I spent a lot of time unshelving and shelving my books.

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Living Room: Before and After[/caption]

If you’ve been a visitor of the blog, you will note that I love photography. Now besides taking pictures of my kids and books, I have this obsession with sunrise and sunsets.

I write poetry. Handwritten ones, typewritten ones, and black out poetry. If you follow me on Instagram, you would also notice that I haven’t posted any in the last little while. Unfortunately, inspiration has long since dried up. But I’ve amassed quite a few (like, a couple of hundreds at least).

We travel a lot, but we’re not world travelers. Mostly, we stick to the United States of America. Every year, we go on pilgrimage to San Diego, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. We also go see the Kings of Leon once a year. It doesn’t matter where they play. San Diego, because we’re huge football fans and we’re avid Chargers followers. Las Vegas, not because we’re gamblers, but because husband and I has this thing to work our way through all the hotels on the strip. Needless to say, we are collectors of hotel room keys, concerts and sporting event tickets.

I’ve recently become a wannabe hipster. Vinyl is coming back in full force. When I saw the $50 player on Amazon (that lasted about 2.5 days), I had to have it. The thing broke. So my husband bought me a decent one. I’ve slowly been collecting records. I must admit that the best part about collecting is the hunting itself. As much as buying them new is the more convenient way to go, I like going to flea markets and thrift stores to find them. I don’t have much, but it’s growing.

Vinyl of Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Hozier

So there you have it, a bit of an insight to my life outside of reading. I don’t have any other significant interests, unfortunately. But I’m happy to share, anyway.

Thanks for having me, Joy!

First off, that living room is LOVELY. Don't you agree, folks? And I love sunrise and sunsets, too. It's just so hard to wake up early to catch the sunrise but I try. And Ed, Tay-Tay and Hozier in vinyl? I'm so jealous!

What do you think of Joy's various collections? And what do you do when you're not reading?

Book Blogger Collection Decorating Features Guest Post Joyousreads Music Travel Vinyl when I'm not reading When I'm Not Reading/Writing

7:00 AM

I've said countless of times that I'm not a fan of dystopia. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. So far, I've been lucky with the few dystopians I've read. Material Girls isn't quite my favorite but it did leave a very good impression.

First off, this isn't just good ol' regular dystopia. Material Girls sports FASHION dystopia. Intrigued yet?

A world where teens and trends rule -- that's what Material Girls is all about. This quote best sums it up:

Chairman Rose's vision for youth trendsetting has proven effective beyond our highest expectations," the president was quoted as saying. "Harnessing the rapid shifts in tween and teen preferences has invigorated consumer spending. let them be corporate models, and let us honor their contributions."

Just how far does the trendsetting culture go? The fashion industry trends expire in about a month (and you're an 'obsoloser' if you wear something from the previous season), there's a court that decides which trend will pick up and which won't, and there's even a trend-checking device which blinks green if your clothes are 'in' and red when you're out of style. But trends go beyond wardrobe. Films, music, games -- basically every creative industry has trends and courts to go with it. And teenagers are the ones who create, predict, and sport the trends. It's a very unique and interesting concept. Scary? Yes. Outrageous? Yes. But very unique and well thought of.

There's some serious world-building that happened on this novel. It was so fascinating to picture a world where sons and daughters call their parents by name, where teenagers dictate how people will spend their money, where instead of personal assistants and cliques, celebrities have nymphs and satires. Alcohol has even gone out of style! Instead, there's a drug that 'calms' people. It's so, so sick and twisted, you can easily see how much imagination and work went into it. AND I LOVED IT.

As for the characters Ivy and Marla, well, they need more work. I loved Marla. She's strong, brave, and smart. Between the two, I liked Marla more because she had more guts. Ivy, on the other hand, sometimes seemed bland. She was okay, but not as interesting as Marla.

The first few chapters were dragging but it got all intense in the middle part. When Ivy and Marla finally met, I was so excited that I had a hard time putting down the book. It kept me on my toes and made me look forward to what's gonna happen next. And although the ending wasn't what I had hoped for or expected, it was realistic and stayed true to the whole concept of the novel.

And oh, there's a love triangle but since the book's not focused on romance, it wasn't so bad. It's actually just a minor detail.

Over all, Material Girls is an awesome dystopian piece. A refreshing take on a well-loved genre. And if you're a fan of amazing world building and looking for something new and exciting, Material Girls is definitely for you.

As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.

4 Stars book review debut novel Dystopia Elaine Dimopoulos Fashion Material Girls NetGalley Reviews Science Fiction Young Adult

4:00 AM

Checking Banaue Rice Terraces off my bucket list :)[/caption]

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Awesome new friends[/caption]

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Philippine Taoist Temple in Cebu[/caption]

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Aguinid Falls was the best![/caption]

Speaking of Cebu... you know my friend, Laila, who's guested on this blog a few times last year? We finally met in Cebu (she was my tour guide hahaha) and we met up with Roseby of Blah Blah Notebook, who's also from Cebu. I went home with 3 books and lots of bookmarks courtesy of these ladies. Booknerds unite!

On the bookish front, I finally finished Clockwork Angel! Although I still think it was dragging, for the most part I liked it. I also finished reading The DUFF and this amazing dystopia I got from NetGalley, Material Girls.

I can't help but think that 2015 is looking really good. I've been going out more, meeting so many new people, learning new things, and gaining new bookish and non-bookish friends... and that's a reason to celebrate, right?

Aaaand, did you know that I also celebrated The Bookshelf Intruder's first blogoversary? Well, not entirely true. You see, I migrated from Tumblr to Wordpress in February last year. But I started getting active in June. So, is my blogoversary in February or June? I don't know and I don't really care that much -- I'm just really happy that I got this far because it sure wasn't easy work and that I met awesome people along the way. :)

In celebration of all these awesome, crazy things that's been happening in my life (and also as a form of apology for being MIA), I'm giving away a copy of Stephanie Perkins' Lola and the Boy Next Door to one lucky PH reader. For international peeps, you have a chance to win a book of your choice from Book Depository.

Terms:

1. You must be at least 13 years old to join.
2. No cheating! Don’t pick up entries for something you haven’t done.
3. Please use a valid email address because I’ll be sending you an email if you win. If the winner doesn’t respond to my email within 48 hours, I will choose another winner.
4. I am not responsible for any items lost in the mail.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and I hope you stick around as I slowly but surely come back to the book blogoverse. :)

blogoversary bookish friendships Features Giveaway Musings Travel Updates

8:58 AM

Aloha, booknerds! I know, I know, I have been so MIA these past few weeks, er, months. Since January, my posts have been irregular. My last blog post was almost 3 weeks ago (gasp!) and I haven't visited other blogs as well. Much as I'd like to apologize, I know I shouldn't because as one blogger said before, "it's your life, it's your space, you can use it or not." Or something to that effect.

Life has been super crazy lately -- but good crazy. This April was spent traveling and planning trips. I joined a tour group (where I knew no one -- a feat for my introvert self!) and I had such a blast that I ended up signing up for more tour groups. I also visited Cebu recently and these days, I'm busy researching and planning for more future trips. Traveling has been eating up some of my reading and blogging time. As much as I appreciate how reading allows me to explore different worlds, the actual act of going out and seeing the world is so much better. Of course, the ideal way of doing it is bringing books with you on your travels. And since I love traveling and plan to do more of it, I am setting up a new travel blog which I hope you'll also check out. :)

Speaking of Cebu... you know my friend, Laila, who's guested on this blog a few times last year? We finally met in Cebu (she was my tour guide hahaha) and we met up with Roseby of Blah Blah Notebook, who's also from Cebu. I went home with 3 books and lots of bookmarks courtesy of these ladies. Booknerds unite!

On the bookish front, I finally finished Clockwork Angel! Although I still think it was dragging, for the most part I liked it. I also finished reading The Duff and this amazing dystopia I got from NetGalley, Material Girls.

I can't help but think that 2015 is looking really good. I've been going out more, meeting so many new people, learning new things, and gaining new bookish and non-bookish friends... and that's a reason to celebrate, right?

Aaaand, did you know that I also celebrated The Bookshelf Intruder's first blogoversary? Well, not entirely true. You see, I migrated from Tumblr to Wordpress in February last year. But I started getting active in June. So is my blogoversary in February or June? I don't know and I don't really care that much -- I'm just really happy that I got this far because it sure wasn't easy work and that I met awesome people along the way. :)

In celebration of all these awesome, crazy things that's been happening in my life (and also as a form of apology for being MIA), I'm giving away a copy of Stephanie Perkins' Lola and the Boy Next Door to one lucky PH reader. For international peeps, you have a chance to win a book of his/her choice from Book Depository.

Good luck and I hope you stick around as I slowly but surely come back to the book blogoverse. :)

Reviews

4:54 AM

Adrian Lessons is a funny, sexy New Adult read that took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I enjoyed the whole thing.

I came in with low expectations. I knew it was going to be a light and quick read and I was right. But I didn't know it was going to be super funny. It started so good. I was giggling uncontrollably at Cleo's failed attempts at writing erotic scenes for Marie's romance book. Looking back, the self-deprecating humor reminded me of Sophie Kinsella's stand-alone novels and I thought, this is going to be so good and I'll probably give this 5 stars. And for a while it was really good. Cleo was laugh-out-loud funny, Adrian's a smart, sexy Greek god and the sexual tension is palpable. For a while there, I had fun.

Then it became too much. I found Cleo's humor to be inappropriate sometimes. It felt like her default reaction to anything is to laugh or to make a joke out of things and it became annoying after a while. Plus, Adrian is not only smart and eloquent and sweet and sexy and handsome as hell -- he's also filthy rich! And he's been obsessed with Cleo since high school. It was so convenient that it felt too good to be true.

I should also point out that Cleo has a secret, which was pretty obvious since the early parts of the book. And oh, she has an annoying sister.

How about the sex, you ask? This book's all about a terribly long foreplay, literally and figuratively. Cleo and Adrian only had actual sex in the last parts of the book and by that time it already felt, at least for me, forced and more of a necessity, something to appease readers like me who got bored with all the foreplay. All the back and forth, especially from Cleo's end, affected the overall tempo of the book, from rushing to dragging to rushing and back again. It's exhausting.

And there's too much sex! Think Fifty Shades-frequency of sex, except this has more foreplay than actual sex. At least with Fifty Shades we know that Christian did it just for sex's sake but here, Adrian's lust for Cleo was disguised as love. Ugh.

Can you feel my frustration? I had high hopes for Adrian Lessons because the first few chapters were really good. It's a real shame that it wasn't able to sustain the momentum. But hey, if you're looking for something funny and sexy, this is it.

As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.

3 Stars Adrian Lessons book review Contemporary L.A Rose New Adult Reviews romance

4:00 AM

When I'm Not Reading #2: Felicia's Tabletop Club

When I’m Not Reading talks about things that we do when we’re not bent over a book. Us, booknerds, we’re a dedicated bunch. We live and breath books. But we also have lives outside books and it’s fun to talk about it from time to time, in between our bookish discussions. If you want to be featured, email or tweet me!

For this edition of When I'm Not Reading, Felicia of A Silly Girl (one of my favorite blogs) dropped by to share what she does when she's not occupied with a book.

When I’m not reading, I… wauw, I can’t even begin to tell you. There’s too much stuff! Most of it is really ordinary, like I go to work, I work on making my life-long dream about making professional theatre for a living come true, I cook dinner and fail horribly at it, I do the dishes, wash my clothes, go grocery shopping, pay rent and go online. Being an adult really sounds exciting, doesn’t it?

Other than the necessary things, I watch a lot of TV shows, and I’m currently waiting impatiently for the next season of Doctor Who to start while I’m being totally heartbeatingly anxious for the last five episodes of Breaking Bad (update: Felicia finished it and emailed me right after to sort of fangirl about it! - Joy) which is just waiting for me on Netflix. I read comic books – the Walking Dead, Sandman – and try to get my best friend to buy Fables, so she can lent them to me. I go rollerblading alone when the weather is nice. I drink way too much, and I daydream a lot.

And I game. Yes, I’m a gamer.

Game night! #gamenight #whydoikeeplosing #smashup

A photo posted by Felicia (@feliciajafari) on Jan 25, 2015 at 6:54am PST

I don’t play videogames. No, not very often at least. I play tabletop games, like board games and card games and sometimes even roleplaying games. I have a tabletop club with three friends, and we get together once a month to play games. We usually make some dinner together, and we make sure to have enough crisps and soft drinks, and then the Monday evening turns way better than Mondays usually do when we leave this world to go battle monsters or diseases – or mostly just each other.

It’s usually just the four of us, but sometimes we invite others to play with us. If we’re playing a game that require more people or is just more fun with more people, we pin-point people to invite. Sometimes people ask us if they can join, and then we obviously invite them too. The more the merrier – though not always, because most games has a participant-limit.

I have absolutely no idea how this started, and apparently my memory is really bad, because we haven’t been on it for more than a few months. I guess I had been talking a lot about this card game I had played one time called ‘Axis of Evil’, and when I finally bought my own, I wanted my friends to play it with me. At my 23rd birthday, I wasn’t feeling very happy, so I wasn’t in the mood for a party or anything, but my best friend still thought I should be celebrated, so she decided on inviting me over to her place with a few people of my choice and then play Axis of Evil. So we did, and I guess that’s when we started boarding the tabletop train.

By now, we have tried out quite a few tabletop games, but we do however have our favorites. If you feel like you want to try something out, here are my recommendations:

Castle Panic
The players work together as a team to defend the castle against the monsters that are attacking it. You win as a team and lose as a team, though the player who slayed most monsters get the title as Master Slayer – and of course you want that title! But remember, if your team loses, there is no Master Slayer, because you’re all dead.

Gloom
This is definitely one of my favorite games, and I’ve even bought expansion packs. You are a family of misfits, and your mission is to have them all die while being miserable. It sounds coldblooded, but it’s really fun. While playing, you tell the story of your characters and what happened to them to make them so miserable – or happy, since you can also put cards on your opponents’ characters to bring them some happiness.

Axis of Evil
This was one of the first tabletop games I played that wasn’t just Monopoly or something like that. It’s a card game, and fair warning, you shouldn’t be too easily offended if you play this game. You play a team of six Evil-Do’ers, and your mission is to kill every other Evil-Do’er and take control of the world. The thing that makes this game really fun is that you can form alliances with your co-players, so you can defend each other when someone is attacking you. But there is only one winner, so you better stab your allies in the back before they do the same thing to you!

Pandemic
This game is a pain in my… well, you know. The world has been infested by diseases(seriously, who came up with this?), and you and your co-players are the final hope to save humanity. Playing together as a task force from the Center of Disease Control, your goal is to keep the diseases from outbreaking, finding the cures and eliminating the diseases. This game is so damn difficult! We have played it seven times and never won! So we just keep playing, half out of stubbornness and half because, well, even though you’re just sitting around a table, your heart start racing whenever a city is close to an outbreak.

Settlers, Munchkins, Small World and Smash-up can also really be recommended, and so many other games! Seriously, tabletop nights are some of the best!

Felicia's Monday nights sound so awesome. Geeky but cool! Gloom and Pandemic (which definitely reminds me of the Kdrama 'The Virus') sound intriguing. And I think Felicia's friends are cool. Let's hang out when I visit Denmark. *wink wink*

Do you play board games? Are your Monday nights as interesting as Felicia's is? What do you do when you're not reading? Let's discuss more in the Comments!

A Silly Girl's Thoughts board games Features Felicia gaming guest posts Tabletop Club when I'm not reading When I'm Not Reading/Writing

4:00 AM

Adventures, a road trip, Northern Lights, love and friendship. Let's Get Lost promised all these and delivered... But fell short on other things.

Hype surrounded this book when it came out last year. And like a double-edged sword, the hype was both a blessing and a curse; anticipation along with expectation, and for some, disappointment.

Right from the start, the book felt off for me because of the insta-love. Don't get me wrong, I do believe that people can be attracted to each other at first sight. But to feel in love, like really in love? That's highly unlikely. It was so annoying, how Hudson pined for Leila within minutes of seeing her for the first time. One annoying instance is this:

He only allowed himself a quick glance at her, knowing as soon as he saw her that she was the kind of girl who could make you think your life was not complete unless she was in it. She was a jumble of contradictions: short but with long legs, fierce green eyes but a kind expression, baby-faced but wise. She was wearing a snug, plain red T-shirt that matched her car. Her hair was down, the black locks reaching just past her chin.

A quick glance made him see all those details. Huh.

But that's not the only unrealistic thing in this book. All four people that Leila met on the road were going through some big crisis. How convenient was it that this sort of manic pixie dream girl was present to help them with their problems?

As with anthology books and novels that are told from multiple POVs, the challenge is always character development. There are only 5 parts (Hudson, Bree, Elliot, Sonia, Leila) and each part was long enough for the author to be able to develop the characters and hopefully make the readers empathize with said characters. Unfortunately, I was not able to connect with these characters. I didn't care for them. I found Hudson's insufferable attraction to Leila to be irritating but Bree's part was the worst for me. Bree was reckless, a wandering adrenaline junkie who lives to seize the day. All of that rush from her dangerous escapades blocked her from thinking that her sister (her only living relative) might be worried about her. As she crossed paths with Leila, her recklessness soon rubbed off on Leila and I found myself shaking my head, I though I was going to break my neck. I think you can seize the day without being careless and thoughtless and inconsiderate of other people.

I can't say that I hated Sonia's short story but I didn't particularly love it either. I did enjoy Elliot's part. It kind of reminded me of The Perks of Being a Wallflower (if you've read both, you'll understand).

Leila's story is the most lame of all. It's just so... far-fetched. Which is probably why I couldn't care less if she succeeds with her mission or not.

Let's Get Lost tried to communicate important values such as love, friendship, family, and personal growth but the execution was lackluster. But despite its flaws and my complaints, this book is very quotable.

"People hurt each other. It happens to everyone. Intentionally, unintentionally, regretfully or not. It's a part of what we do as people. The beauty is that we have the ability to heal and forgive."

"It felt as if the city itself was laughing at him or, worse, indifferent to his heartbreak."

"It was time to let go of the mad desire to remember. It was time to start living whatever life would come. In the present, not the past. It was time to go home."

Let's Get Lost is not a bad read. There were parts that I enjoyed. Although I'm not in a hurry to recommend this, if you're just looking for a quick, light read that doesn't require you to think much, then go ahead.

As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.

3 Stars Adi Alsaid book review Contemporary Let's Get Lost NetGalley Reviews romance Travel Young Adult

4:00 AM

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]oes true love exist? Does love last forever? How do you give your heart to someone after having yours broken? Is it even possible to truly love another person when you've given your all to someone and failed miserably? These are the questions that My Name is Kim Sam Soon poses and tries to answer.

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"How great would it be if love had no expiration date? Is there nothing without an expiration date? Isn't there a love without expiration?"[/caption]

Some of you are probably familiar with the title. But for those who are new to Kdramas, My Name is Kim Sam Soon was a popular and award-winning Korean TV series that aired in 2005. It was dubbed in Filipino in the same year and it was a really funny, sweet rom-com (which, you probably know by now, is my weakness). The hit Kdrama was based on a novel of the same title by Ji Su-Hyun and it was recently translated to English by Kimchi Press. (Kudos to Kimchi Press and Summit Media for doing this!)

My Name is Kim Sam Soon uses the classic love-hate trope which you can usually see in Kdrama romcoms (The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, The Master's Sun, and My Love From Another Star are some of the best examples). It's very common but it works every time.

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"You're getting older, but you're still a fool who thinks everything will turn out well if people would just be honest."[/caption]

There were a few times when I thought the TV series was funnier and more entertaining than the book which isn't surprising -- the lead actors (Kim Sun-a and Hyun Bin) performed well and beyond what was required of them. But I also found myself shaking with laughter at several parts of the book and I loved how both characters were so candid and self-deprecating. Although the beginning felt slow, it was understandably so because it helped with character development. The romance, although predictable and inevitable, was not rushed.

Kim Sam Soon is one of the funniest protagonists I've encountered, also one of the most relatable. She's 29, chubby (which was probably why it was so famous -- it broke long-held Kdrama stereotypes), and brokenhearted -- very realistic. She is smart and kind, too but don't cross if her if you don't want a literally tear-jerking cake filled with chili powder. She's a pâtissier and she loves food so much. While she says this is the reason she's chubby, Do Yeong claims it makes her smell delicious. Awww!

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"People change, minds change, and even love changes too."[/caption]

But the most noteworthy thing about Sam Soon is her passion for love itself. She's had her share of heartaches but that didn't turn her into a cynic (like Do Yeong). She continues to believe that someday (and hopefully before she turns 30) she will find true, everlasting love. She is in love with love.

I guess I'm still in that period where it's pathetic, sorrowful, amazing, and gratifying to have my heart seem to palpitate because of someone else. I don't want to be cold yet. I want to love, even if it's a stupid kind of love.

While Kim Sam Soon is a breath of fresh air when it comes to female protagonists, Jang Do Yeong is the typical rich-and-handsome-but-mean-guy-with-a-painful-past love interest. I can't think of anything unique about him. But his temper, wit, and easy banter with Sam Soon definitely adds charm and entertainment value to the novel. And during the times that he shows his sincerity and sometimes, brutal honesty, I couldn't help but love the guy. Together, they make an odd, funny couple.

All I'm thinking is that you used to date an idiot. You should be relieved that you've broken up with him.

The use of third person omniscient POV in this novel give readers a sort of power. I knew what everyone, including the minor characters, were thinking and feeling. This approach doesn't always work because sometimes we prefer to be surprised but in this case, it was welcomed. It was clear that all I had to do was sit back, relax, and let the romance unfold.

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"The thing you just called phenylethylamine, that hormone which is produced when you sincerely love another, I think it has never disappeared from my body."[/caption]

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What the inside looks like...[/caption]

This was the first translated Korean novel that I read and I liked it. There were a few times where I had to reread a sentence because I couldn't get it the first time, and I'm guessing it's because of the translation. Maybe some sentences were differently structured in Korean?

But overall, this novel is a winner. My Name is Kim Sam Soon is a tasty contemporary romance that's got just enough sweetness, cheesiness, with a hint of bitterness and crunch that makes for a delicious read.

Have you read/watched My Name is Kim Sam Soon? Does true love exist? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.

Random PSA: Do you need any advice on love, school, work, or just life in general? Lauren Bjorkman, author of Miss Fortune Cookie, is guesting on The Bookshelf Intruder and she'd love to answer your burning questions! Leave your comments and I will make sure your questions get to her. :)

4 Stars Baking book review Chick-Lit Contemporary Food Ji Su-Hyun Kimchi Press Korean My Name is Kim Sam Soon Reviews romance Summit Media Translated work

4:00 AM

Burning question: Do you DNF books?

I recently checked my Goodreads Currently Reading shelf and found out that I'm currently reading ten books. Yes, your eyes didn't deceive you. 10 books. That's not exactly true though because out of those ten, I am only actually reading two. The rest are all DNFs (Did Not Finish).

I was not always a DNFer. I used to finish all the books that I started. But last year, when I started taking book blogging seriously, I got busier and I found myself putting down books for various reasons. Today, I'm listing down those eight books that I DNFed and why I didn't finish them.

1. The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White
Stopped at: 4th or 5th chapter
Reason for DNFing: I got a copy of a new release that I've been waiting for (that was Isla and the Happily Ever After, I think) and I had to drop this because Isla couldn't wait. Then I totally forgot about The Chaos of Stars even after I finished Isla.
Will I Get Back to It? Should I? The reviews I've seen for this one were not so encouraging so I doubt I'll get back to it.

2. Game, Set, Match by Nana Malone
Stopped at: 3rd chapter
Reason for DNFing: I'm a mood reader and I just wasn't in the mood for romance at that time.
Will I Get Back to It? Probably, I just don't know when.

3. Guardian of the Underworld by Rachel Tetley
Stopped at: 40%
Reason for DNFing: I don't know, honestly. Which probably means I should get back to it, especially since this is a review copy.
Will I Get Back to It? Yup. Soon, I hope.

4. Flawless by S.M. Lemmon
Stopped at: 60%
Reason for DNFing: It was so slow. I wanted some action and I think I gave it enough time. But I wasn't getting it so I just stopped and moved on to the next book.
Will I Get Back to It? Nope.

5. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Jennifer Probst
Stopped at: 1st chapter
Reason for DNFing: This book was on my holiday reading list. However, I didn't realize that it was a New Adult novel, bordering on erotica, until I started reading. I have read erotica novels before, I have nothing against this kind of books but I want my Christmas books wholesome and even cheesy sometimes. But not sexy.
Will I Get Back to It? Probably no.

6. A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
Stopped at: 70%
Reason for DNFing: Oh, this one was lovely. Not my usual holiday read but still lovely. I wanted to finish it so bad... but a life-altering event happened to me and I couldn't continue with this book. And when I finally wanted to read again, I couldn't bring myself to read something Christmas-y and happy.
Will I Get Back to It? YES! It's going straight to my 2015 Holiday Reading List.

7. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Stopped at: 10%
Reason for DNFing: Reading slump. 'nuff said.
Will I Get Back to It? Yes, and hopefully soon.

8. This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz
Stopped at: 45%
Reason for DNFing: I couldn't sympathize with the main protagonist and that's especially bad because this one was a character-driven book.
Will I Get Back to It? No.

My take-away from this list is this: there are many different reasons for DNFing a book. It probably didn't pique your interest enough, or maybe it was too slow for your taste, or you didn't like the characters. Or it could even be not because of the book but because you're just not in the mood. It could be anything.

I know this question has been asked a lot of times before but for the sake of discussion, when is it okay to not finish a book? And where do you stop? At the first few chapters of the books? Halfway through the book?

I don't know about you guys, but after going through a few slumps and reading books that didn't deserve my attention, I've learned to take this quote to heart.

Life is too short to read bad books or drink bad wine. -- Joy Daniels

How about you? Do you feel compelled to read a book until its last pages? Which books did you recently DNF?

A Week in Winter Awesome Lists Baby It's Cold Outside Bookish Discusssion Clockwork Angel DNF Features Flawless Game Set Match Guardian of the Underworld lists The Chaos of Stars This is How You Lose Her

4:00 AM

Do you ever get days when you remember your high school or teenage days and you think to yourself, thank God it's over? I do.

Devon Delaney has a bad habit of lying. Does that make her a bad person. No, not really. She lies her way to the A-list table, makes up a fake boyfriend (first book) and a fake ex-boyfriend (second book, which is funny because now she's had more fake boyfriends than real ones) just so she can fit in the popular crowd. I am not trying to justify her actions but I do understand her enough to care for her.

By the second book, I felt like smacking Devon (or Devi, as her cool friends call her) in the head and asking her, haven't you had enough of the lies? But Devon had the support of her two BFFs in the sequel, something she kinda screwed up with in the first book.

I loved the first book. I have fond memories of watching it around 7 years ago (which is why it looks battered -- see below) and enjoying it so much. It was one of the few books that my non-reader sisters also read so that's a plus. Devon was a really funny protagonist, albeit frustrating because I'm pretty sure she could've gotten out of her predicament faster if she just tried to be more honest. But she was funny and kind. The book also has a tear-jerking moment that involved Devon and her even funnier sister, Katie. Luke, on the other hand, provided the sweet moments in the book. I liked him a lot; I even listed him down as one of the best book boyfriends out there.

How did the sequel fare? I was annoyed that Devon still hasn't learned her lesson but to be fare, the story took place only two weeks after the first book so her relationship with Luke was still pretty new and thus, not yet strong. Devon now has two BFFs who are really nothing like her (one's dorky, one's A-list cool) but they're a solid trio. Devon has a good boyfriend (although really, note-passing with your ex is not the way to go, Luke) and parents that are slowly being more open to changes in Devon's life (a.k.a growing up). The problem really lies in Devon's insecurity and paranoia. If she just asked, then she wouldn't assume. If she didn't assume, then she wouldn't be paranoid. If she weren't paranoid, none of the problems she faced wouldn't have happened and she wouldn't stressed over nothing. But she did learn her lesson this time, and I don't see a third book in the horizon.

It makes up for a good story but when I think about it, man, I'm so glad I'm older. There's this freedom that comes along with adulthood. For one, you don't spend a lot of time fitting in and you're more comfortable with who you are and who you've become.

I'm getting side-tracked here... But hey, should you be in need of something light and quick, the two-part Devon Delaney series is a good choice. It's funny and cute and you can leave your brains at the door. Perfect for a weekend afternoon.

As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.

4 Stars book review Contemporary Devon Delaney Devon Delaney Should Totally Know Better Lauren Barnholdt Middle Grade Reviews romance The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney Tweens

10:00 AM

When I'm Not Reading #1: The oy of Obsessing Over K-Dramas

Say hello to The Bookshelf Intruder's NEW FEATURE!!! As you've probably guessed, When I'm Not Reading talks about things that we do when we're not bent over a book. Us, booknerds, we're a dedicated bunch. We live and breath books. But we also have lives outside books and it's fun to talk about it from time to time, in between our bookish discussions. When I'm Not Reading will feature other book bloggers and readers over the following weeks/months, too so watch out for that. :)

A couple of weeks ago, I went through a reading slump. Not because I didn't want to read or I didn't feel like reading or I couldn't bring myself to read. None of those usual reasons. I was just so... occupied. Occupied, distracted, and OBSESSED with Korean dramas. So much so that I chose not to read at all. For a whole week, I just devoured this one, lovely Korean show. I must admit, I was so hooked that I didn't mind not reading, and that made me want to do this feature.

Brief history of my K-drama obsession. In college, I had classmates who were fans of K-Pop and to be honest, I found them strange sometimes. I didn't get them at all. But in 2008, I watched Coffee Prince for the first time. It was a rom-com so it was really funny and sweet but it also has sad moments that made me cry while watching with other girls in the dorm. It was a hit in the Philippines. It was the first K-drama that I truly loved and I remember staying up late just to watch it even when I was tired and sleepy. And every time the local station airs reruns, I still watch it like it was the first time. I'm crazy like that. As if that wasn't enough, I even asked Paula and Irish to buddy-watch it with me last December. We fangirled over it and like the first time, I laughed and cried and felt all the feels with Han Gyul and Eun Chan. I didn't know it then but it was actually the start of something new for me: crazy, shameless love for Korean dramas.

Fun fact: The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince was originally a novel written by Lee Sun Mi. Just recently, it was translated by Kimchi Press (an imprint of Summit Books here in the Philippines) to English and of course, I got myself a copy (I don't even care if some people say it's not as good as the show - I HAVE TO HAVE IT).

The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince book (English translation)

After watching Coffee Prince for the nth time, I watched these other gems:

It's Okay That's Love
Also known as: It's Okay, It's Love / It's OK, This Is Love / It's Alright, It's Love / It's Alright, That's Love
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Melodrama, Medical
What I Love About It:
- unique plot that's full of twists and turns
- great cast
- amazing chemistry between the two leads
- beautiful soundtrack (with both Korean and English songs, including Family of the Year's Hero. Yep, I heard it here first, not on Boyhood.)
- Jo In Sung, who's like an angel sent from heaven. I mean, look at him.

I am forever thankful to Ella for recommending this to me. I was also going through a rough time when I was watching this so this was very helpful in cheering me up and --surprisingly-- teaching a few lessons. And it has an awesome soundtrack worth downloading. I really think you should check it out.

Marriage, Not Dating
Also known as: Marriage Over Love / Marriage Without Love / Marriage Without Dating
Genre: Romance, Comedy (I was so in the mood for rom-coms)
What I Love About It:
- the funny, crazy actors
- all the sweet, romantic moments
- the lead actress, who really felt authentic to me. She's crazy and naive at the same time but also very kind and strong.

Coming from It's Okay That's Love which was a really strong show, both in quality and ratings-wise (I know, I do my research like my life depends on it), Marriage Not Dating may seem like something of a let-down. But after all that intense crying scenes in episodes 14 & 15 (almost always the most crucial episodes of a Korean miniseries) of It's Okay That's Love, the light, funny moments in Marriage Not Dating were much needed.

The Master's Sun
Also known as: The Sun of My Master / The Sun of the Lord / Mr. Joo's Miss Tae
Genre: Romance, Horror, Comedy
What I Love About It: (uhm, besides everything?)
- The horror element, which was definitely something new. I was scared at first but it proved to be an asset as the show progressed.
- Gong Hyo Jin (also the lead in It's Okay That's Love) and her superpower: she has great chemistry with whoever she's paired up with
- all the "skinship"
- So Ji Sub's special line, "get lost"
- So Ji Sub, who is probably the sexiest man I've ever seen. Don't believe me? Take a look.

It's hard to list down the things I loved about The Master's Sun because I loved everything, even its imperfections. It was easy to dismiss its flaws because man, Gong Hyo Jin and So Ji Sub have super great chemistry. I shipped them like crazy. It was insane how invested I was with the show -- I watched until my eyelids were sagging, I obsessively researched about the actors (especially So Ji Sub), I read Dramabeans recaps after watching (which was pretty redundant but that's me when I can't get enough of a show), I downloaded gazillions of wallpapers for my laptop and phone, I downloaded a Korean language app, and I promoted the show to anyone who'd listen. I was the ultimate fangirl and I had no shame at all. That one week where I didn't read any book? Yep, I was watching The Master's Sun. As of writing, I haven't started with a new show yet because I'm not ready to part with TMS yet (I still rewatch some scenes from time to time).

Years after that first time I watched Coffee Prince, I can't believe that I've become the exact person that I found strange in the past. I still don't have plans to watch some Korean boyband in a concert but I know that I have reached an all-new level of craziness when after a busy, tiring day I lied in bed, not sleeping but checking whether Gong Hyo Jin and So Ji Sub ever dated in real life (told you I shipped them like crazy). And while I will always love reading, I am really glad to have the choice to enjoy something else. I'm happy with the knowledge that when I fall through a reading slump again, or just feel down, it won't be as bad because I have my K-dramas to cheer me up. :)

Which non-book-related activities do you enjoy?
Do you watch K-dramas? If yes, which show can you recommend to me? :)

Coffee Prince Favorites Features It's Okay That's Love Jo In Sung K-drama Korean Life Marriage Not Dating Master's Sun So Ji Sub TV when I'm not reading When I'm Not Reading/Writing

3:00 AM

I don't often get books from NetGalley because getting ARCs usually means deadlines. But My Best Everything's cover easily grabbed my attention and when I read the synopsis, I knew I had to request it. I'm glad I did.

There's so much to love about Sarah Tomp's amazing debut novel and of course, the best way to do this review is with a list!

1. The plot is different, fresh, and compelling.
My Best Everything's plot is not one you usually see in Young Adult novels. I struggle to think of any book that resembles it, but it did remind me of Breaking Bad for obvious reasons. But I literally could not guess what would happen next. The Appalachian setting definitely added charm to the whole thing. Who'd expect that a smart, goody-two-shoes girl from a small town will cook up moonshine so she can leave town and go to college? It all seemed so unlikely and that made this book a real page-turner.

2. It has valuable lessons.
My Best Everything has depth. Lulu has a serious, real-life problem and she decided to face it head on. Sure, moonshine isn't exactly the best solution to any problem but Lulu knew she had to take matters into her own hands because it's her life that's at stake.
Some of the issues that were tackled in the book were morality, chastity, religion, family values, and destiny. Is there really such a thing as meant-to-be? Read the book and decide for yourself.
Ultimately, this book illustrates the inevitability of change. Everything and everyone changes. It's an act of nature in itself and it can be a good or bad thing. Of course, I knew this already but it's nice to be reminded of this truth.

3. The writing style is PHENOMENAL.
The strength of this novel lies in the amazing writing style. Lulu is the narrator but she is not talking to the readers. She is talking to Mason and the book is basically a letter for him. You'd have to read it until the end to find out why she was writing to him. That's one of the many reasons why I continued flipping the pages -- I had to know what would happen to Mason. There were times when I felt scared of the ending because it seemed like something bad would happen to Mason. I can tell you now that I was satisfied with the ending.
The epistolary approach definitely kept things fresh. This book was so lyrical, which I don't usually like but in this case it worked perfectly. Great job for a debut novel!

4. The characters are believable.
My Best Everything is a character-driven book and I am glad to share that both the major and minor characters were believable. Relatable, even. I can't enjoy a book when I don't feel anything for the characters so this was a huge thing for me.
Lulu is a great protagonist. She is smart, fascinated with science, and very desperate to leave town. Her decisions affected not just herself but others as well and there were a few times that I wanted to hit her in the head but I certainly couldn't blame her for any of her actions. She was written so well that I understood her completely.
Mason was also very easy to love. He has a sexy voice (I could tell from his choice of words) and despite being a softie, he's brave and honest. None of those bad boy BS that you'd read from other YA romances. He does have a tinted reputation but throughout the book he didn't show any meanness to Lulu or any other characters.
I also loved Roni and Bucky, the supporting characters and the second half of the moonshine quartet. They started off as this lovely, very much in love couple who couldn't get their hands off each other and had plans of marrying and having children but Lulu's moonshine business shakes up their relationship and future. It was fun and bittersweet, watching their journey throughout the book.

5. It is a GOLD MINE OF QUOTES.
This book is very quotable. I told you the writing style was lyrical and everything sounded good, even when something bad was happening. From beginning to end, it was like the words were carefully chosen and yet also effortless.
Look at these great opening sentences:

The ingredients for moonshine are ordinary. Innocent.
Corn. Sugar. Yeast. Heat and time.

And this closing sentence that made me heave a sigh:

If I did believe in meant-to-be, that's what it would look like.
Come see.

6. Lulu and Mason's first kiss was the PERFECT kiss.
I wanted to end the list with number 5 but I couldn't leave this out. Lulu and Mason's first kiss did not happen fast and at one point I was getting frustrated with the lack of action (I'm a romance junkie after all) but the timing was PERFECT! It couldn't have happened at a better time. And when it happened, wow... it was amazing. I felt all the FEELS, you guys. Props to Sarah Tomp for creating such a lovely kissing scene that has a chance of beating Noah and Allie's kiss in The Notebook.

If these six reasons were not enough to convince you just how good this book is, I don't know what will. If you love coming-of-age novels and YA books that have something new to offer, I highly recommend Sarah Tomp's My Best Everything.

My Best Everything is out TODAY!

As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.

4 Stars book review Coming-of-age Contemporary debut novel My Best Everything Reviews romance Sarah Tomp Young Adult

8:00 AM

[dropcap]I[/dropcap] can't tell you how excited I am about this latest Slam Book interview. The last Slam Book I posted was for Jacqueline Patricks and that feels like eons ago. Now, it's back and with a BANG!!! Because I've interviewed one of my favorite authors ever. YAYYYYYYYYY!!!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="379"]

Jeremy Renner sums up what I'm feeling right now.[/caption]

If you don't know it already, let me just say that Jennifer E. Smith is awesome and I love her. One of her books, The Geography of You and Me, is finally coming out in paperback (I've waited a long time for this because I already have two of her books in paperback) this March 3, 2015 (although I have yet to check if it's the same date for our local bookstores here in the Philippines). Aside from that, her latest book, Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between, is set for release on September. And as most of you probably know, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is on its way to the big screen. So to celebrate all these accomplishments, Jennifer is here to answer my slam book!

Here we go!

About the Author:
Jennifer E. Smith is the auth

or of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, The Storm Makers, You Are Here, and The Comeback Season. She earned her master's degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and currently works as an editor in New York City. Her writing has been translated into 28 languages.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

NICKNAME: Jen
AGE: 34
ZODIAC SIGN: Scorpio
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS: nerdy, genuine, creative

FAVORITES
COLOR: lavender
ACTOR: Colin Firth
ACTRESS: Meryl Streep
SONG: Shelter from the Storm by Bob Dylan
BAND/SINGER: The Beatles
BOOK: Harry Potter
MOVIE: The Shawshank Redemption
BOOK-TURNED-MOVIE: The Devil Wears Prada
BOOK/MOVIE QUOTE: “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
FICTIONAL CHARACTER: Jo March from The Little Women
FOOD: Tacos
HOBBIES: Traveling
GUILTY PLEASURE: Too much TV
PET PEEVES: People who are thinking about the next thing they want to say instead of listening to what you’re saying.

THE REAL STUFF...
1. I've read three of your books (Statistical, Geography, and Happy) and I love all of them. The thing I love most about these books is the ending. It's happy, but not fireworks-blasting-in-the-background happy. It's more like, calm-and-lazy happy. Is this something that you consciously incorporate in your novels?
Yes, absolutely. I get a lot of questions about what happens to the characters later, since the books are a little bit open-ended. I always joke that they end with an ellipses instead of an exclamation point. But I think it’s more realistic to leave things on a happy and hopeful note, rather than a sweeping, fireworks-blasting, eternal-love kind of note, so that’s just what I tend to do. (Though as a reader, I always appreciate the fireworks-type of endings, too!)

2. Speaking of endings, do you believe in happily ever after?
I’m an optimist and a romantic, so yes!

3. I know this is like picking a favorite child, but I hope you can indulge us. Who's your favorite character from all of your books and why?
This is always such a hard question! But I’d have to go with Oliver, only because he was so much fun to write. He’s funny and charming and full of great banter, and definitely not the worst person to be stuck with on a long flight. (I'd go with Oliver, too! - Joy)

4. Last I heard, Hailee Steinfeld is set to star in the adaptation of Statistical. Any other updates? Have they picked a guy yet? I know he's supposed to be British (squeal!) and uber charming. Do you have someone in mind? :)
No updates yet, but hopefully soon!

5. Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between is coming out in September (lovely cover, by the way) and I am so excited. But I'm also a little bit scared because I can relate to the situation the characters find themselves in. So... can we expect a happy ending? And, my friend Laila asked, was this book inspired by actual events?
Thank you – I’m looking forward to it, too! It’s about a couple that’s been together for two years, and it’s their last night before they leave for separate colleges, and they’re still trying to decide whether or not to break up. It wasn’t inspired by real events in any sort of obvious way – I didn’t have a boyfriend at the time I was leaving for college – but that night has always stood out really sharply in my memory, so a lot of the smaller moments and emotions are very much based on my own experiences.

6. If you can go back in time (like, maybe 10, 15 years ago) and talk to your old self, what would you say?
Chin up! Just keep working hard, and good things will happen…

I'm in tears, you guys. I can't believe Jennifer E. Smith is actually on my blog.

Thank you so much, Jen, for answering my Slam Book. I know I can speak for other readers when I say that we enjoyed reading your responses and that it's so nice to know that you love Harry Potter, too. :D

Make sure to get the The Geography of You and Me paperback (this book's really good) and Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between once it comes out. I know I will.

Want to see your favorite author answer my Slam Book? Drop a comment!

Author Interview Contemporary Favorites Features Hello Goodbye and Everything in Between Jennifer E. Smith Slam Book Slam Book amp; Interviews spotlight The Geography of You and Me The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight This is What Happy Looks Like Young Adult

3:00 AM

Dork in Disguise is a dorky but cute Middle-Grade read

Dork in Disguise is for the dorks, geeks, and nerds in all of us. But really, what's the difference?

According to HelloGiggles:

Geek (n.)- Someone who spends a lot of time and energy in a certain area, not necessarily computers or technology; An outwardly normal person who has taken the time to learn technical skills. They are generally not athletic and enjoy video games, comic books, being on the internet, etc.

Nerd (n.)- A socially awkward person who has learned technical skills due to the spare time they enjoy from being generally neglected; one whose IQ exceeds his weight.

Dork (n.)- Someone who has odd interests and is often silly at times. A dork is also someone who can be themselves and not care what anyone thinks. Dorks are typically more noted for their quirky personality.

In short:
Geek- Smart but not awkward
Nerd- Smart and awkward
Dork- Smart in less useful areas, awkward but proud regardless

If I'm going to be technical about this, I can tell you that Jerry is not a dork. He's more like a nerd - smart and awkward. But these terms are used interchangeably nowadays so I'm okay either way.

Jerry is good at every subject in school, especially science (he even makes his own experiments) but he attempts to hide this for fear of embarrassment and rejection. He wants to be a cool guy with a swagger, a happy-go-lucky attitude, and rollerblading skills.

As he attempts to be cool, Jerry does things that are super stupid for me like not wearing his glasses even though he's nearsighted. As someone who has poor vision like Jerry, this felt like torture for me. I mean, eyeglasses are worn for vision, not fashion. And then he tries to act stupid by not answering teachers' questions even though he knows the answers. He plays dumb (Come on, who'd want to be dumb?!) and gets himself in danger.

The worst thing about this though is the amount of lies he'd had to tell people just so he can pull off this cool guy persona. This book reminded me a lot of The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney because of this.

This book had science, nerdy parts which I skipped but in general, I enjoyed it. It was a simple, quick read and although the plot and its lessons were not completely new, it still worked. The humor, I think, was what saved this book. Brenda, Jerry's friend, delivers most of the good lines. Like this:

Can you believe it? The guy's almost brain dead, and look at the attention he gets.

And since this is Middle Grade fiction, I didn't really expect anything that resembles romance so I was surprised with the ending.

Over all, Dork in Disguise, both despite and because of its simplicity, is worth reading. Pick it up in between your heavy, serious reads and you'll enjoy it.

As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.

3 Stars book review Carol Gorman Contemporary Dork in Disguise Middle Grade NetGalley Reviews

2:30 AM

12 Book Boyfriends You Should Date This Valentine's Day

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hatever your relationship status is on Facebook, if you're a certified book lover, you know that a date with a fictional character is one of the best ways to celebrate Valentine's Day. It can get a little bit stressful to celebrate the Day of Hearts because of the crowds and the lines and whatnot. So if you feel like staying inside the house and enjoying the comfort of your bed, these guys are your best companions. :)

1. Cricket from Lola and The Boy Next Door
Aha! You probably thought I'd pick Etienne St. Clair since I loved Anna and the French Kiss. Well, I did think of doing that but I think Cricket deserves some recognition this time. Unlike Etienne, Cricket is tall. He's a genius, an inventor who can literally give you the stars, and a really nice, sweet, kind guy. Plus, he can give you tickets to the next winter Olympics. ;)
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: A planetarium or an open area where you can stargaze. He's romantic and nerdy like that.

2. Dash from Dash and Lily's Book of Dares
Dash isn't a guy you can call romantic. But who needs romance when you can get a smart, oddly funny, and articulate guy like Dash? I don't imagine him to be super good-looking but he's definitely charming.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: A library where you can feed your book lust. You'll each pick a book and talk about it afterwards. Ideal booknerd date, if you ask me.

3. Percy Jackson from all the PJO and HoO books
No list is complete without Percy Jackson, right? LOL. By now you know all about my obsession with this demigod but I have good reasons, okay? This guy is seriously funny, sassy, confident, brave, cute (don't ask how I know. I just know, even without imagining Logan Lerman's face), smart, and strong. Plus, when he was given a chance to become a god and be immortal, he declined and chose to stay human with Annabeth (sorry, I hope I didn't spoil anyone) so you know that his heart's in the right place.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: Mount Olympus? Nah. He's more of a beach dude so he'll take you to the ocean. Probably a cruise with swimming lessons and kissing underwater (he can build a bubble big enough for the two of you so you won't drown). I don't know about you but I'm definitely signing up for that.

4. Adam from If I Stay and Where She Went
The Adam from If I Stay and the Adam from Where She Went are like two different guys because of all the drama between these two books. You get a cool, sweet, relaxed guy from the first book and a lonely, vulnerable man in the second one. It may sound depressing but hey, men aren't supposed to be always strong and unfazed. Sometimes, we like seeing them show feelings, too.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: Because he's a musician -- and a popular one at that -- he'll probably take you to a concert or a small out-of-town gig. You get to choose, actually. He's sensitive like that. #FEELS

5. Simon from The Mortal Instruments series
I like Jace. But I feel for the underdog. Simon, Clary's best friend since they were kids, is the most underrated character in their group simply because he's not a Shadowhunter and basically a mundane until he was bitten and turned into a vampire. Despite this, he's brave and he's willing to do anything for the people he love. He's willing to risk his life for his friends, even for Jace and Alec who are not really that close to him. And he was one of the most developed characters by the end of the series.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: Church? JK. Simon's a pretty low-key guy so he'll probably have coffee with you or have pizza delivered at your place. Is that boring?

6. Ethan from Something Borrowed and Something Blue
Of course I'm really thinking of John Krasinski from the movie and the guy is awesome. But Ethan from the books is also nice. Between him and Dex (from Something Borrowed), I think Ethan is the better guy. He's responsible, talented, kind, and sweet but he's also brutally honest. He didn't take crap from anyone, especially Darcy, and it made all the difference.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: The park, of course! A quiet, uncrowded, a little bit hidden park in London. :)

7. Will from the Slammed trilogy
I'm actually on the fence with this one because although Will has good qualities and he's been known to make girls swoon (myself included), I also found him to be too cheesy at times. But in general, he was a great man. And come on, any guy who rocks at slam poetry automatically makes it on my list.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: Besides poetry slam? Hmm... He'll probably take you for a ride on his truck. He'll bring grilled cheese sandwiches which he made himself.[pullquote][/pullquote]

8. Jake from Cinderella Screwed Me Over
Jake is one of the most patient characters I've ever encountered. He's kind, sweet, mega swoon-worthy, funny, and did I mention patient? He will listen to you as you blabber about your life and he will always be there when you need him. He's not perfect but he makes it look like he is.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: He owns a restaurant, you guys! But no, he won't take you there, that's so cliche. He's rich but he's pretty laid-back so he'll cook your favorite food and then you can watch action movies together.

9. Noah from The Notebook (and The Wedding, which you probably haven't read)
You probably saw this one coming from a mile away. I have read and watched so many Nicholas Sparks books/movies, and after watching The Best of Me, I was completely ready to stop. His novels have started looking generic to me. But Noah Calhoun remains a favorite to me. Of course, it helps that it was Ryan Gosling who portrayed him. But Noah from the books was just as awesome. He's passionate, persistent, hardworking, and a true blue romantic. If you're the type who believe in soul mates, Noah's someone you'd want to spend your whole life with.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: A Valentine's Day date is Noah's area of expertise. You'll start your day with breakfast in bed. Or by sipping coffee on the front porch. He'll give you flowers straight from his garden. And then you'll go to the beach or row your boat in the lake. If that isn't romantic, then I don't know what is.

10. Paul from A Thousand Pieces of You
If Noah's romance isn't for you, maybe you need a quiet, mysterious kind of guy who's not too big on words but is willing to risk everything for you. That's Paul Markov. He's a physicist so he's smart, but he's not arrogant. He's a man of few words but his words matter. What he lacks in words, he can make up in action. Paul's very brave and he won't think twice about risking his life for the ones he love.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: A super futuristic Japan? 16th century America? Or on a different planet? Take your pick, 'cause Paul's Firebird can take you there.

11. Graham from This is What Happy Looks Like
Graham Larkin is a star but don't let that fool you. Behind the camera, Graham is a funny, witty, down to earth teenage kid. And he has a pet pig named Wilbur who likes to take walks. I mean, isn't that enough reason to date him?
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: The beach, of course! You'll swim, eat whoopie pies, and make out before watching the sunset.

12. Luke from The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney (and Devon Delaney Should Totally Know Better, which I haven't read yet)
Has anyone read this adorable book? I have fond memories of reading this several years ago. I loved it so much. Luke was my favorite character and if you've read the book, you'll understand why. Luke hangs out with the school's cool group, the A-listers. But unlike his best friend, Luke is, in reality, smart and kind and funny. He's the type who cares about his school project. And he will walk you home and even play with your younger sibling. Thinking about him makes me want to read this book again.
Where He'll Most Likely Take You: To the ice skating rink! He's probably not good at it, but he knows you will like it. ;)

Whew! That was a long list. But I sure had fun doing this. :D

Do you have other book boyfriends that you think should be in this list? Let me know in the Comments!

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