It is the day before the last day of 2014 and I am reminiscing. This year has been tough for me... but it's also been a good one.

I started this book blog this year and while it's true that that made my life busier, I also had the best time whenever I'm doing something for the blog, whether it's reading, reviewing, or answering comments. It's been such a blast!

As a year-ender, I'd like to share with you my list of the best books I've read this year.

Best Books I've Read in 2014These books are the ones I gave rated 5 stars, books that made me happy, made me laugh and made me cry. These are not necessarily published in 2014 and arranged by the order of when I read them. Click the photos to see my reviews.

 

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
1. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - This is the 2nd book I read in 2014 (first one was Fangirl) and it made me laugh and cry at the same time. It's so beautiful. It turned me into a Rainbow Rowell fan for life.
Eleanor & Park by rainbow Rowell2. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - So I read the first 3 Rowell books in like, a week. Don't judge. Eleanor & Park is a gem, and it made me weep.
Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
3. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
I don't read a lot of nonfiction now and this was probably the most recent one I read. Piper Kerman's memoir is poignant and moving. It's also a lot different from the TV show, which I stopped watching after episode 2.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins4. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Hands down, my favorite YA romance book of all time. Enough said.

Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen5. Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen
I remember how much I laughed and secretly cried in bed while reading this book. Cinderella Screwed Me Over is like a reimagined fairytale, one that doesn't give you false hopes.

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare6. City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare
2014 is the year of series-enders. I waited for CoHF for a long time and when it finally came, I must admit that it took time for me to finally get into it. It had a slow start but the middle and last parts were mind-blowingly awesome. One of the best series enders I've read.

Isla and the happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins7. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
Speaking of series enders, Isla and the Happily Ever After is not officially one but it did wrap up Anna and Lola's stories well. Although Anna and Etienne remains my favorite YA couple, Isla and Josh are lovely, too, and just as adorable. So much that I made a playlist for them.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman8. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Right after watching If I Stay, I decided that I am finally ready to read Where She Went. So I did and I cried loads. I think it's wonderful that we get to see things from Adam's perspective. I found myself liking this book more than I did with If I Stay.

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods9. Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan
Before reading The Blood of Olympus, another series ender that I waited for, I read percy Jackson's Greek Gods. And I loved it so much. I wish I can say the same thing for BoO. Anyway, Greek Gods has tons of funny moments and trademark Percy Jackson sass and wit and humor. I love it to bits and pieces.

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

10. This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
I'm not usually swayed by celebrity-meets-ordinary-girl type of stories but this one is so good that I didn't care if the plot is not original. It felt real to me and beautiful and sad. I loved its simplicity and laid-back vibe.

Over all, I've read more good books this year and I hope 2015 brings me the same luck. :D And oh, Happy New Year, everyone!!!



How about you, guys? What are your favorite books this year?
2:30 AM
I don't even know what I just read.

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci, the 3rd book in my holiday reading list, is mixed genre novel. It has mystery in it, adventure, a little bit of adult drama, and romance. And a lot of cheesiness that I can usually tolerate but not this time. I think the main problem (and there were many) with this book is its tendency to overwhelm readers. It's trying to be so many things at the same time that sometimes, it just feels so messy.



For one, info dump. There are few dialogues here and more narrating and so much information about trains and the weather. That's cool and all if I wanted to study trains but in this case, it bored me. Despite the book being short, it had a lot of dragging moments.

Second, the characters. What is up with Tom? Why is he so dense? He is seriously the most dense character I've read in a long time. For a journalist, it's a shame that he couldn't figure out what went wrong with Eleanor. And Eleanor... I couldn't relate to her at all. She was described as smart and brave and a go-getter and yet in a short span of time, she falls for Tom again. It just seemed to easy to me.

The minor characters were okay, except Lelia, Tom's then-girlfriend. She's horrible.

I should also mention that there's a thief on board the train, probably to make things more interesting. Apart from that, his book was mostly cheesy, it was like watching Love Actually after a breakup. Don't get me wrong, I love Love Actually (favorite holiday movie!) But I wouldn't want to watch it after I get my heart broken. Same thing with this book. I found it corny and pretentious a lot of times.

But the worst thing about The Christmas Train is THE ENDING. I felt disappointed and cheated after that conclusion. Sigh...

I will not try to stop you from picking up this book. I know that some readers enjoyed it so maybe you will enjoy it. It's just not for me. But I still want to read another David Baldacci book someday.



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.
2:28 AM
Oh, I meant what I said in the title. This book will melt your heart.

A charming little kid who lost her mom. A gorgeous man who's clueless about parenting but will do anything for his niece. A widow who has so much love to give. A small town where everybody knows everyone. A perfect recipe for a holiday read, if you ask me.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor is the second book in my holiday reading list and it's a quick read. Despite this, Lisa Kleypas did a swell job in introducing her characters. Mark was a man who was fine with a stable relationship, the practical kind of guy who'd go for what he needs instead of what he wants. Maggie, on the other hand, is a naturally loving person but she has tried her hand at marriage and while it wasn't unsuccessful by any means, her husband's death drove her to think that she couldn't afford to give her heart to someone again. Holly, Mark's charming orphan niece, as you'd probably guessed, brings Mark and Maggie together but it's up to them to decide what to do with the attraction.

I loved all three main characters and the other minor ones -- even Shelby, Mark's girlfriend. It wasn't hard to imagine them, especially Holly. I picture a small, beautiful child with a toothy grin and I get choked up.

Mark and Maggie clearly had good chemistry and I liked that the romance wasn't forced. It took sweet time and it was great. It's easy to fall and be carried away with the holiday spirit but they also have a child to consider. I thought that was smart and realistic.

Despite Lisa Kleypas' fame, this is the first time I've read her work. Consider me a fan. I should mention though that this is the first book in the Friday Harbor series but don't let that fool you. It is totally fine if you don't read the next book immediately, no cliffhangers here. This book works as a stand-alone.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor was also adapted to a Hallmark TV movie. It was called "Christmas Eve with Holly" and it aired in 2012. I did try to watch it via streaming but darn, it was obvious from the start that they changed a lot of details so I didn't finish it. I like the book so much that I just couldn't tolerate the changes.

So yeah. Read the book. It won't disappoint. :)



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.
2:30 AM
After a busy week at work, I'm back on holiday mode. :)

Laila, who you probably remember from my countless mentions and our Isla and the Happily Ever After playlist, is back to help me bring holiday cheer to your playlists. So, without further ado, here's our playlist for the awesome YA holiday anthology, My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories. Enjoy!

My True Love Gave to Me Holiday Playlist

1. Midnights by Rainbow Rowell
All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...
I swear I was playing this song on repeat the entire time I was reading this book. I think this song is very upbeat and catchy and the lyrics really speaks about a person’s longing for someone on a holiday, someone your heart desires. And truly these short stories tell about a heart’s desire -  whether it's having your best friend return your feelings at last or finding a place you can call home, or being able to spend Christmas with your family… there is always this hopefulness during this special time of the year. But I picked this one for Rainbow Rowell’s Midnights because we know that deep down, Mags and Noel just want each other for Christmas and New Year's. - Laila

2. The Lady & The Fox by Kelly Link
Every Year, Every Christmas by Luther Vangross
I return every year, every Christmas
I come here every year, every Christmas...
Though this chapter did not really click with me and Laila, it's easy to think of a fitting song for it. Miranda and Fenny only see each other during Christmas... and only when it snows. How cruel is that? After listening to Luther Vangross' Every Year, Every Christmas, I did feel a little more tolerance towards this story. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. - Joy

3. Angels in the Snow by Matt Dela Pena
Let It Snow by Lady Antebellum
It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Shy and Haley’s accidental meeting was actually because of a snowstorm. They couldn’t go outside because of it and had to spend Christmas “alone together”. It seemed tragic in the beginning but it turned out to be a good thing because it gave Shy and Haley a chance to get to know each other. I loved how the romance in this story was not hurried and forced but you can tell that eventually, Shy and Haley will be good friends and maybe more. So yeah, let it snow some more! - Joy

4. Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han
Cold December Night by Michael Buble
So please just fall in love with me this Christmas
There's nothing else that I will need this Christmas
Won't be wrapped under a tree
I want something that lasts forever
So kiss me on this cold December night…
Jenny Han’s chapter has sad undertones despite the fact that it’s set in Santa’s home. The ending will either make you hopeful or brokenhearted. Cold December Night by Michael Buble is perfect for Natty. After years of living with Santa and his elves, Natty has only one wish. I don’t wanna spoil you though, so you’ll just have to read it to find out what that wish is and whether she’ll get it. ;) - Joy

5. It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins
Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson
And this year I will fall
With no worries at all
'Cause you are near and everything's clear
You're all I need
Underneath the tree...
This song has a very catchy melody that I really like and I think it also captures the funny romantic moments that were developing between Marigold and North in Stephanie Perkins’ It’s a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown. As they spent time together rearranging  Marigold’s place to find space for her Christmas tree at the end of the day something has changed between them and found that they are falling for each other. :D They are both such great and engaging characters. Marigold sought out North for a different reason in the beginning, only to gain something more wonderful  in the end. - Laila

6. Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan
Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande
Santa, tell me if you're really there
Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here
Next year…
Your Temporary Santa is a bittersweet story that starts off in a happy note and ends with a not-so-happy one. Like Polaris is Where You’ll Find Me, it’s one that makes you feel hopeful but also scared of the future. I wanted a song that will capture that, while also making me feel the holiday spirit and Ariana Grande’s new song is a good one I hope. - Joy

7. Krampuslauf by Holly Black
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve by Katharine McPhee
Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When its exactly twelve oclock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Years Eve...
Oh, Krampus! I loved this chapter so much because despite the myth behind Krampus (how he’s the evil counterpart of Santa Claus who punishes naughty kids), it still captures the holiday spirit. When Hanna invited this man dressed as Krampus to a New Year’s party, she didn’t exactly foresee how her long-forgotten wish will suddenly come true. I generally have a better time during Christmas than New Year’s but I like the idea of a trailer New Year party, just like the one Hanna organized. - Joy

8. What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman
Love is Christmas by Sara Bareilles
I don’t care if the gifts are wrapped,
Or there’s nothing here to open.
Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it.
Love is simply joy that I’m home…
Sophie and Russell are both outsiders -- big city people in a small town college. But who said home is a place? Gayle Forman’s story reminds us that you can be “at home” anywhere as long as you’re with the people who matter to you. And Christmas is not about the tree, the gifts, and the food… it’s about love and the people you share it with. Sara Bareilles’ Love is Christmas is perfect for this. :) - Joy

9. Beer Buckets & Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire
Winter Dreams by Kelly Clarkson
If this is love please let me be
Swept completely off my feet
This snow globe scene is turning me
This Christmas Eve, "I" became "we"
Don't wake me please from this winter dream...
I love stories about Christmas miracles and Myra McEntire’s chapter is a special one because the miracle is in the main protagonist. Vaughn is a mischievous kid who never runs out of pranks but when his latest practical joke turns into a disaster, he didn’t expect it to be his chance to finally show people who he really is. Winter Dreams is a good song that reminded me of how Vaughn found himself in an unexpected place, and ended up spending Christmas with the girl he likes. - Joy

10. Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White
Shake Up Christmas by Train
And let me meet a girl one day that
Wants to spread some love this way
We can let our souls run free and
She can open some happiness with me...
This song describes best the holiday attitude of Ben in Welcome to Christmas,CA by Kiersten White. This mysterious new chef has been cooking up a storm that is slowly affecting the diner where Maria works. His delicious menu is giving the residents of Christmas, CA exactly what they need to smile something about the holiday season and about life in general. Ben’s cheerful attitude spreads happiness, and he simply wants to make their customers happy because he has the instinct for it. - Laila

11. Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter
Where Are You Christmas by The Piano Guys & Sarah Schmidt
My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too
Where are you Christmas...
I love this song from the movie The Grinch. I feel that this song also fits Liddy Chambers situation in Ally Carter’s Star of Bethlehem. This young girl chose to run away on Christmas time, to escape her unhappy ,superficial life…and little did she know that her runaway tactic will led her to this little town called Bethlehem and rediscover the joy of celebrating Christmas with strangers who welcome her into their arms with no hesitation, despite hiding the truth about herself. Liddy used to know what Christmas was like but then tragedy strikes , the joy of Christmas was taken away from her too and along the way so is the meaning of Christmas for her. Then Ethan and his wonderful family came into her life and she found it again. - Laila
*Note: Laila originally wanted Elizabeth South’s version but I couldn’t find that one on Spotify so we’re using the one by The Piano Guys & Sarah Schmidt. Both versions are beautiful. :)

12. The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
This is my winter song.
December never felt so wrong, cause you’re not where you belong;
Inside my arms.
This is my winter song to you.
The storm is coming soon, it rolls in from the sea.
My love a beacon in the night, my words will be your light
To carry you to me...
I absolutely love Sara Bareilles and this song in particular reminded me of Laini Taylor’s The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer. The lyrics of the song speaks of someone’s love and promises that will serve as the  light and hope to  guide his/her love into their arms during dark times. That there is no need to feel lonely and afraid for someone  is there for you to carry you through the hard times. And this is what the ancient god is promising to Neve as he courted her, and I want to share this particular quote from that story:
“I will free you, and I will lift you. I will learn a thousand ways to make you laugh. Your smile will be the honey in my mead, your enchantment my delight.”
A fantastic and magical way to end the anthology and Laini Taylor delivers ;) - Laila

https://play.spotify.com/user/12137182201/playlist/3HVXF6MRZA15hn94YxEVye

So that’s our playlist! Definitely a bit more challenging than our previous collab but this was fun! It’s hard not to be excited about Christmas when you’re listening to holiday tunes like this. Thanks again, Laila, for joining me! :)

Have you read My True Love Gave to Me? Do you think we made the right song choices? What would you add if you were to make your own Christmas playlist? Let me know in the Comments!
4:12 AM
Where I've been = where I always am. The office or at home.
What I've been doing = working, working, sleeping, a little bit of reading

So that's what happened last week. I basically left the blogoverse to work. It's the busiest time of the year anywhere and since our office is taking a Christmas break, I had lots of work to do before I officially take my leave. I ended up sleeping in the office one night just so I can do more stuff. :-|

My last post was 11 days ago, and I haven't been able to comment on blogs either. But I expect things to be a bit lighter this week so slowly but surely, you will see blog posts again and I will be visiting blogs again. I missed you, guys!

I haven't done much reading either. I finished 3/5 of my holiday reading list and started reading book 4 (Baby, It's Cold Outside) but there is too much detailed sex so I don't know... I DNF'ed it and I probably won't post a review of it. I'm also getting a bit tired of all the holiday-ish reading and writing (for work) that I've been doing so I decided to put my holiday reading list on hold. Instead, I'm reading an early Christmas present from Laila, Miss Fortune Cookie by Lauren Bjorkman:

Miss Fortune Cookie

It's pretty, isn't it? And so far, I'm enjoying it. :)

I also bought My Name is Kim Sam Soon by Ji Su-Hyun, a Korean novel which was made into a TV series (which I loved!) and is now available in English.

My Name is Kim Sam Soon

So there. I'm excited to get back on track and catch up with the rest of you. Let me know how you've been in the Comments! :D
1:33 AM
This book is as awesome as Christmas.

Either I'm lucky or just really easy to please when it comes to Christmas-themed stories because I'm happy with the very few I've read. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn was the most recent one and I think it's the best one I've read so far.

Here are 9 reasons why I love Dash & Lily's Book of Dares:

1. A romance that started in a bookstore? Count me in! That's probably every booknerd's ideal love story. And Strand is a very popular bookstore in New York (home to 18 miles of books!) so that's a major plus.

Strand Bookstore New York

2. Dash. Let me borrow Lily's aunt's description of Dash: "I find young Dashiell to be not contemptible, for a specimen of teenage male. His persnicketiness is not nearly as delightful as he'd have one believe, but he has his own charm nonetheless. Articulate to a fault, perhaps -- but a forgivable and, dare I say, an admirable misdemeanor."
Dash loves words. Written words. He uses words like arcane, esoteric and rabblerouser. And he loves yogurt. So yeah, I'm in love.

3. Lily. She's a weirdo and an introvert but not insecure. I love how she changed throughout the book, how she became braver and more open about things.



4. Dash's friends are funny and chill. Boomer is so excitable, he's like a dog trying to be human that you just can't help but like him.

5. Lily's family. Can a family be more comforting? Lily has a gazillion relatives and they are the type you're always glad to have. They felt so real to me. You know how some relatives are so annoying but also very close to you? That's how it seemed to me.

6. Despite the short amount of time that Dash and Lily spent writing to each other, the romance did not feel hurried. It was lovely. Of course, I have my biases because my own love story started with letters that were passed around and left at hidden corners so there.

7. It made me laugh in the middle of the night. Humor is underrated. But it's important for me that a book evokes emotions and while I love a book that makes me cry tons, I highly appreciate a book that makes me cry tears of laughter. This book did that.
"Well," I said, "a few of my friends have actually met Lily, and I like to think they would've mentioned if she were eighty."

"Eighty!" The old woman feigned shock. "I'll have you know I'm not a year over forty-three."

"With all due respect," I said, "if you're forty-three, then I'm a fetus."

8. Max Brenner's chocolate pizza. Enough said.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="523"]Max Brenner Chocolate Pizza [Source][/caption]9. The quotable quotes. They are so, so beautiful.
"Too much. Too soon. Too fast. I put down the notebook, paced around the apartment."

"But whether or not you are here, you are here -- because these words are for you, and they wouldn't exist if you weren't here in some way. This notebook is a strange instrument -- the player doesn't know the music until it's being played."

"Sometimes, Dash, you take the fun out of fun," Boomer said with a sigh. "And you know what's left then? Nothing."

"You really think love needs to have a future?"

I hope that expresses just how much I love this book. Whether you're the type who's crazy about Christmas (like me) or the Grinch, I think you need Dash & Lily's Book of Dares in your life.

Only 21 days before Christmas! :D



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.
2:30 AM

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.
― Charles Dickens



Happy December 1st! This morning was met by rain but I didn't let it ruin my mood. It is December 1, I'm happy, I'm excited, nothing can ruin my day. :)


To kick off this awesome month, I am listing down five books that I plan to read this month. I was tempted to call it my "winter reading list" but we don't have winter in the Philippines so that would be inaccurate. So since December is basically one big holiday to me, "holiday reading list" it is. And it's just appropriate because I won't be reading anything dark or heavy this month -- just good ol' Christmas-y reads.


Dash & Lily's Book of Dares


Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan



“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own. [Source]

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor cover

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas



ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY
One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.

ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE
The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sister’s will gives him the instructions: There’s no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC…
Maggie Collins doesn’t dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.

…TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE
Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home… [Source]

The Christmas Train cover


The Christmas Train by David Baldacci



Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington D.C. to L.A in time for Christmas. Forced to travel by train, he begins a journey of rude awakenings, thrilling adventures and holiday magic. He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, as he rediscovers people's essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.

The Christmas Train is filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief ... and shows how we do get second chances to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, especially during this season of miracles. [Source]

Baby, It's Cold Outside cover


Baby, It's Cold Outside by Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kristen Proby, Melody Anne, & Kate Meader



Outside it may be frosty, so turn the heat way up with these stories of desire!

Can a determined woman executive and a playboy billionaire survive being stranded together in a snowstorm? Jennifer Probst depicts an encounter almost too hot to handle...

Drew and Kate play an encore to Tangled in this sexy take on a "Christmas Carol" by Emma Chase. When a Christmas Eve argument condemns Drew to a troubled night, three dream women teach him that no gift could be more tantalizing than Kate...

With Kristen Proby, ski slopes are quite delightful. Grace Douglas is sure she'll never learn to ski, but instructor Jacob Baxter could teach her lessons of a different kind...

Can a southern California transplant survive Montana's deep snows? Melody Anne, author of the bestselling Andersons series, melts the icy drifts completely away with the heat between sexy Hawk Winchester and brand-new teacher Natalie Duncan...

What could be hotter than a firefighter? Kate Meader shows how, as Beck Rivera and heiress-turned-tattoo-artist Lucy Cochrane discover, nothing ignites holiday flames like rekindling a lost love... [Source]

A Week in Winter cover


A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy



Stoneybridge is a small town on the west coast of Ireland where all the families know one another. When Chicky Starr decides to take an old, decaying mansion set high on the cliffs overlooking the windswept Atlantic Ocean and turn it into a restful place for a holiday by the sea, everyone thinks she is crazy. Helped by Rigger (a bad boy turned good who is handy around the house) and Orla, her niece (a whiz at business), Chicky is finally ready to welcome the first guests to Stone House’s big warm kitchen, log fires, and understated elegant bedrooms. John, the American movie star, thinks he has arrived incognito; Winnie and Lillian are forced into taking a holiday together; Nicola and Henry, husband and wife, have been shaken by seeing too much death practicing medicine; Anders hates his father’s business, but has a real talent for music; Miss Nell Howe, a retired schoolteacher, criticizes everything and leaves a day early, much to everyone’s relief; the Walls are disappointed to have won this second-prize holiday in a contest where first prize was Paris; and Freda, the librarian, is afraid of her own psychic visions. [Source]

Super stoked to read all these beauties. It's also a good time to take a break from the usual YA and rom-com stuff I devour. I am feeling very fired up and hopeful. It's been a good year, but it's not over yet so I'll make sure that this last month of the year turns out to be the most awesome ever!
2:53 AM
This Month on The Bookshelf Intruder

November is almost over and I couldn't be more excited. Don't get me wrong, I had a great -- busy but great -- month but boy, am I so excited for December! If you've read my previous recaps, you know that I love Christmas. I love love love it so much. But hey, before I dive into full-on Christmas mode, let me tell you about my November first.

Reviews:

Features:

As I've said earlier, I had a fairly busy month. You can read about it in detail here, here, and here. To save time, let me just give you the highlights, in case you missed it:

  • Sci-Fi November was a blast. I only posted 2 reviews and 1 interview for that, yes, but I did enjoy visiting other blogs with Sci-Fi November posts.

  • This month, I discovered Canva and had so much fun with it. Check out my Instagram page and you'll see pretty quote images that I've designed on Canva. :)

  • And I also used my weekends to watch the entire Harry Potter movie series with my sister. This is only the first time I've watched movie #5,6 & 7. I know. Don't judge. Anyhoo, these past few days, I've been struggling with Harry Potter separation anxiety. Thank Merlin for Pottermore!

  • I bought a signed copy of Isla and the Happily Ever After and it's one of my treasured purchases this year.

  • I watched Mockingjay part 1 and I loved it. Although I'd prefer to have the whole book in just one movie but oh well.


Quick mention of the blog posts I love this week:

And now, for the big announcement... A few nights ago, Paula of Her Book Thoughts and Irish of Nocturnal Reader and I'm Socially Awkward and I were tweeting about one of our favorite Korean series, Coffee Prince. For those who do not know what Coffee Prince is about, go check this out. After exchanging tweets about Coffee Prince, Paula and Irish and I thought, why not do a marathon/buddy watch (like buddy reading)? So that's what we're going to do next month. First, we're going to watch Coffee Prince and along the way we'll be selecting another Korean show (movie, even) to watch the following month. But it might get a little lonely and boring if it's just us. So we invite YOU to join us in watching this awesome, funny, lovely show and we want YOU to talk to us about it. The more, the merrier!

So if you'd like to join, please put your name in the "Link Title" and answer our short poll, just so we know how to schedule our buddy watch and Twitter chats. Blog posts are totally optional, but we'd really like you to be part of the Twitter chat. And tell your friends about it, too!




What to expect next month:
December is full-on holiday mode. That means, holiday (as in Christmas and winterish) reads, reviews, and lists. Nothing sad or stressful or too philosophical for me, just holly, jolly, Christmassy stuff. Also expect year-end posts which should be fun. I don't know about you but I like looking back and remembering the best books I've encountered. :)

There you have it. I hope you had a super fun November and I'm sure we'll have more fun next month. Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends! :)
8:00 AM
First of all, THAT COVER. Is it gorgeous or is it gorgeous?!

As I've mentioned on my review of Reader, I'm not really a sci-fi fan. But because of Sci-Fi November, I decided to read more sci-fi novels and watch more sci-fi flicks. A Thousand Pieces of You is one of the newer YA sci-fi novels that was recommended to me by several people. I can see why. Although I suck at Physics, I loved A Thousand Pieces of You.

I didn't read the blurb because lovely cover + recommendations = add to TBR/read ASAP. If I'd read the whole synopsis, I would have known that this is book 1 in a trilogy and I wouldn't have bought it. Nothing against trilogies or series in general but I struggle with waiting for the sequels. I am, however, happy that I went through with it because it's really good.

The concept of multiverse or multi-dimensional travel is not something new, and I've seen a few movies using this. Make no mistake, this is not time travel. Instead, Marguerite, Paul, and Theo jump into parallel (and supposedly, neighbor) universes which are in the same time period as their home dimensions. It was the 21st century (but I can't remember if the book mentioned a specific year) and the world is pretty much advanced. Marguerite jumps into a futuristic London, an imperial Russia, and other dimensions.

The world-building was great, very imaginative and vivid. I know some readers were disappointed that the jumps were not really "neighborly" because the characters went from futuristic London to very backwards Russia -- that was not a jump, that's a leap -- and it looked like time travel, which clearly isn't part of what the Firebird device can do. And maybe that's a flaw, a violation of the premise that Claudia Gray set early on. I tolerated this because I thought neighbor dimensions, which generally should be almost like Marguerite's home dimension with only minor differences, would be pretty boring and tougher to differentiate. Honestly, I just let it past because I enjoyed the Russian dimension too much. This dimension has the most FEELS.



Now that I think about it, yeah, it was strange and impressive at the same time that Marguerite had the best experiences *wink, wink* in a place and time that was full of conflict.

The characters were also well-written. I loved Marguerite. She's strong and brave and a badass. If I was in her position, I'd probably die of heart attack because of all the stressful, terrifying, and exhausting things that she had to go through. Paul and Theo were okay but it was sort of hard to hold on to them because their characters change from dimension to dimension. But I liked them. It was evident from the blurb that there is a love triangle but unlike some readers, it didn't bother me. It was pretty obvious from the get-go who Marguerite was going to end up/fall in love with.

Unlike the love triangle, the plot was not easy for me to figure out. Or maybe I'm just not very smart, no? I was definitely surprised with the twists and turns. They were not explosive but shocking to a certain degree, and these plot twists kept me turning the page. And surprisingly, even though I'm not very good at sci-fi, I enjoyed its unpredictability.


Anyone who loves sci-fi, especially the concept of multiverse, will love A Thousand Pieces of You. It's a quick read and despite the genre, it's not very intimidating as I thought it would be. Go, grab a copy, even just for the cover. :)

And now I leave you with my favorite quote from the book:
"Every Marguerite," he repeats, and the struggle is over.




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.
2:00 AM
This Week on The Bookshelf Intruder

This Week on the Bookshelf Intruder rounds up everything that happened on the blog, share-worthy links from around the web, my current reading list, and some offline happenings.



Another week has come and gone. Only one week left for November. Where did all that time go?!

This week was pretty awesome. Very busy and exhausting (got a little bit sick, too) but I feel thankful.

On the blog:

On Instagram:

[caption id="attachment_947" align="aligncenter" width="510"]instagram accounts Posted these pretties on my Instagram account. Those quote photos were made using Canva. :)[/caption]

On the blogoverse:

Movies:

  • Have you read Gayle Forman's Just One Day? You should, if you wanna watch the movie.

  • Anyone here who's read Before I Go to Sleep? I read this a couple of years ago and I only found out yesterday that it now has a movie version! I loved this book, it was creepy and mysterious and beautiful. I can't wait to see the movie!

  • This weekend's my 3rd Harry Potter marathon weekend. The first weekend, I watched The Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets. Last weekend, I watched Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, and Order of the Phoenix. I've already seen the first 4 movies before and read up to book 5. I don't think I'll ever have the time to read the last 2 books so this weekend, I'm watching Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows. It's so great to see the movies without the year-long wait because I get to see the cast literally grow up and I don't forget the details easily.

  • If you've seen my tweets and photos last Wednesday, then you probably already know that I went to the advanced screening of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 1. It was good! I wasn't expecting it to be great (that almost never happens with book adaptations) and I was actually disappointed that the movie was divided into 2 parts because if you've read Mockingjay then you know that all the action is in the latter part of the book. But overall, I think the movie was good.


2014-11-20 07.25.08

2014-11-19 18.56.20That was my eventful week. I wanna hear about yours. Tell me what you've been up to in the Comments! :)
7:51 AM
Musings of The Bookshelf Intruder

About a month ago, the book blogging community was shocked by a Guardian article written by a YA author, Kathleen Hale. By now I’m sure you’re all familiar with it so I won’t rehash it. Around this time, a fellow blogger from the Philippines, Ana of Tara! Let’s Be Happy, and I got in touch and started chatting on Facebook. I don’t remember how it started but we ended up talking about a lot of things for more or less three hours. It was the start of a beautiful, bookish friendship. :) And one of the things that we talked about in those three hours was the Kathleen Hale issue.

It gave me the idea of doing a collab post on my blog, talking about the basic issues and questions concerning this Kathleen Hale controversy. So here it is. Although the article came out last month and this seems a bit dated, we believe that these questions are still very relevant. So let’s take it away, Ana!



Question: Some authors warned Kathleen Hale against checking reviews of her book on Goodreads. Some authors have experienced bullying from readers/reviewers on the said platform. So, as a reader and reviewer, what do you think about Goodreads? Yay or nay?

Ana: Yay, definitely. Ever since I started on this book blogging journey, Goodreads has been there to hold my hand. It allowed me to catalogue the books I’ve read and the ones I’m planning on reading. It even helped me connect with some authors. I believe it’s a great tool for readers all around, not just for bloggers. Like with everything else, we just have to practice caution in using Goodreads. Make sure that whatever we’re using it for would be for the benefit of the community of readers that reads our reviews.

Joy: Yay! You may call me naive (or just clueless) for not being aware of the bullying that goes on in Goodreads. I didn't know anything about it until this Kathleen Hale thing happened. I mean, sure, there are reviewers who lambast authors and their works but I've always seen it as criticism. Sometimes constructive, sometimes mean and harsh but just criticism. I haven't come across something with curses or threats addressed to the author. That being said, Goodreads has been a really great tool for me. I'm able to list down the books I've read and will read, I get to read what other people think of the books I read, and I get really good recommendations there. Plus, if you don't have a blog, Goodreads is a great way to record your thoughts about the books you've read. I think like any platform on the Internet,  what matters is how you use it. For authors, don't let the bullies get you down. Flag them, alert Goodreads, or just ignore them.

Question: Any thoughts on stalking and (cyber)bullying, and the #HaleNo campaign?

Ana: A big NO to stalking & cyberbullying. Stalking is never justifiable. Whatever the reason behind a stalker’s motive, it’s never good. I believe that there are better ways of using one’s time instead of spending it on someone you don’t know. If you want to establish a communication, there are a number of ways to do this without overstepping someone else’s personal boundaries. And bullying of any kind is never okay. We live in a genre where leaving derogatory comments on someone’s Facebook wall seems okay. But it’s not. And it never will be. The #HaleNo campaign is an answer to someone who validates stalking. I understand the reason, but I’ve never taken part.

Joy: When I first read the Guardian article, my first reaction was, who has time to do these things (the making up of a fake identity and the stalking)? Don’t you have things to do? It was exasperating. Here we are, bloggers who try to keep up with our schedules, juggling school, work, reading, reviewing, and everyday life. Who has time to make up a fake identity and constantly tweet hurtful messages to another person? Crazy people, that’s who. But Kathleen Hale didn’t realize that. Instead of ignoring and moving on, she engaged this “Blythe Harris” and well, you know what happened next. I think they’re both wrong, just as both bullying and stalking are both not okay.

Question: Any thoughts on 1-star reviews?

Ana: I’m familiar with them, but my blog isn’t. Meaning, I don’t plan on posting one star reviews on my blog. Why? Because my blog is where I post about things I love. I love great books and I want them immortalized on my little space on the web. I don’t see anything wrong with others posting about a book they didn’t like. But I know that it isn’t for me. I can’t write about a book I didn’t like at all.

Joy: I've only given a 1-star rating once and I didn’t write a full review. It would have been depressing. If a book is so bad, I don't finish it. There are so many books in the world, why waste my time on a book that I will just end up hating just so I can say that I finished it? It doesn't make sense for me. So if I finished the book, there's probably a good thing or two about the book and it deserves 2 stars or above. If I ever do give a book 1 star, I won't publish my review.  Heck, I won't even write a review because how will I come up with something nice to say about it?

Question: What’s your take on using pseudonym in blogging/writing reviews?

Ana: I’m not that comfortable giving out my last name. I am using my real name as well as all the other details about me. However, I try to separate different aspects of my life. Why? Well, I think that’s what I’m comfortable sharing with other people for now.

Joy: I don’t have a pseudonym. As someone who works in digital marketing industry, it’s important for me to have a positive online presence -- it contributes to my “personal brand.” I don’t feel the need to hide behind a pseudonym but I understand why some people need to do that.

Bonus question: Is Logan Lerman hot? (First of all, Ana was the one who asked this, NOT ME. But we did write down these Q & A during the time that I was crazy about Logan. I still am but I can control my outbursts now. ;) )

Ana: Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joy: Super!!!!!!!!!! I mean, look at him!






I KNOW, RIGHT?!



While there are other issues out there concerning the book blogging community, we can’t tackle everything in one post. We think these -- Goodreads, stalking, bullying, 1-star reviews, pseudonyms -- are enough for now. And no, we’re not trying to be experts here. Just two Pinay bloggers and book lovers sounding off, and we’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Let us know what you think about this issues, or the book blogging community in general, in the Comments. :)
2:31 AM
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] It's time to celebrate![/caption]

So yeah, a week ago, I completed my Goodreads Reading Challenge.Reading Challenge
I know, I know, that number's too low for someone who claims to be a bookworm. But you see, I've been setting a higher number ever since I went on Goodreads and this is the only time I've reached my goal. It's not really because I set a lower number. It's because I set a number that I thought was more achievable given the amount of spare time I have. I work, and I also have a life outside books (although admittedly I sometimes love reading more than doing any of those stuff) so it's hard for me to finish 100 books in a year. The best estimate was one book per week which gives me 48 books in a year. But I also guessed that there might be a time that I will be too busy to read so I lowered it just a tiny bit to 45. There are a few more weeks before the year ends so I am going over my goal! Yayyy!!!

This may not be a big deal for most of you. After all, it's just a number and what's important is that you read, right? I agree. But see, this year, I've read more good books and made good friends because of those books, too!

Here are the books I read for my Reading Challenge:
1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - 4 stars
2. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - 5 stars
3. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell  - 5 stars(yeah, I had a Rainbow Rowell marathon in January. Great way to start the year.)
4. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman - 5 stars
5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - 5 stars
6. Marley and Me by John Grogan - 4 stars
7. Catching Jordan by Miranda Keneally - 2 stars
8. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - 4 stars
9. Diary of a Crush: French Kiss by Sarra Manning - 4 stars
10. Diary of a Crush: Kiss and Make Up by Sarra Manning - 3 stars
11. Diary of a Crush: Sealed with A Kiss by Sarra Manning - 4 stars
12. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen - 3 stars
13. Kipnuk the Talking Dog by Heather Wolf - 4 stars
14. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han - 2 stars
15. Fake Boyfriend by Kate Brian - 2 stars
16. Up in the Air by Walter Kirn - 1 star
17. The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan - 5 stars
18. Besides Naturalization by Isabel Chloe - 2 stars
19. Intertwined by Jerilee Kaye - 4 stars
20. My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak - 3 stars
21. Flirting with Maybe by Wendy Higgins - 4 stars
22. The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith - 4 stars
23. Children of Na by A. L. Burgess Jr. - 4 stars
24. Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen - 5 stars
25. The Girl He Knows by Kristi Rose - 4 stars
26. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare - 5 stars
27. Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz - 3 stars
28. Falling For Her Fiance by Cindi Madsen - 4 stars
29. An Officer and a Rebel by Cindi Madsen - 4 stars
30. Landline by Rainbow Rowell - 4 stars
31. The Giver by Lois Lowry - 3 stars
32. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - 5 stars
33. The Maid of Milan by Beverley Eikli - 4 stars
34. Dangerous Reflections by Shay West - 4 stars
35. Where She Went by Gayle Forman - 5 stars
36. The Staff of Serapis by Rick Riordan - 5 stars
37. Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan - 5 stars
38. Fairytale Apocalypse by Jacqueline Patricks - 4 stars
39. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey - 3 stars
40. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - 4 stars
41. The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan - 5 stars
42. This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith - 5 stars
43. Reader by Erec Stebbins - 4 stars
44. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins - 4 stars
45. A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray - 4 stars

Reading Challenge Pie Chart
I read more good books than bad so and that is a cause for celebration!

I'm excited to hear about your challenge. Are you done with it? How many books did you read? How many books do you still need to read? And what are your favorites so far? Share your thoughts on the Comments!
2:35 AM
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It might sound weird, but I love Christmas more than my birthday. My family makes a big deal out of Christmas – it’s this one big but intimate family event with lots of food, games, laughter, singing, and tons of gifts. I love Christmas and everything about it. Which was why I was very excited to read My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories. That, and the fact that Stephanie Perkins edited it and has a story in it.

My True Love Gave to Me

A couple of reminders before you go off reading this gem:

  1. The book is a collection of twelve short stories written by wonderful YA authors – Rainbow Rowell, Kelly Link, Matt de la Peña, Jenny Han, Stephanie Perkins, David Levithan, Holly Black, Gayle Forman, Myra McEntire, Kiesten White, Ally Carter, and Laini Taylor. Emphasis on short, which makes character and plot development more difficult. If you are the type who hates insta-love, be wary. You have to be open-minded about the limitations of a short story and if you can’t, then you probably shouldn't read this.

  2. Also, if you are the type who hates the general mushy vibe that holiday anthologies give off (in short, if you’re The Grinch), don’t read this! Holidays (not just Christmas) are supposed to be happy and positive, and yes, maybe a bit cheesy and mushy, so you can’t be too critical about it.


Now that that’s out of the way, let me tell you what I think about each of the stories.

1. Midnights by Rainbow Rowell - 5 stars
Midnights is about two friends -- Mags and Noel -- who spends four consecutive New Year's Eve together at a common friend's party. Since that first New Year's Eve party in 2010 (or was it 2011? I'm not sure), they've become best friends. Noel always kisses someone when the clock strikes twelve and on the fourth party, well, you'll have to read what happens!

Rainbow Rowell sure knows how to make her readers smile. Midnights is the perfect holiday read, especially if like me, you love romance between friends. Noel is such a sweet, adorable character. I think Midnights was a great opener for a collection of short stories because it promised more awesomeness.

2. The Lady & The Fox by Kelly Link - 1 star
Unfortunately, the promise of awesomeness fizzled out after I *endured* this chapter. So this girl, Miranda, spends the holidays at her friend's house. Every Christmas, when it snows, she sees a man outside the house. But he always disappears, and you know what? I will not even try to explain what happened because I really did not understand the point of this story. There was no explanation why what happens, happens. My reaction while reading was: WHAT IS THIS? A FILLER? WHAT THE HECK AM I READING? So yeah, Kelly Link was the weakest (here comes the pun!) link.

3. Angels In The Snow by Matt de la Peña - 4 star
Shy is a starving (literally) NYU student who is cat-sitting on a very snowy Christmas day. The cat's owner has a neighbor, Haley, whose shower isn't working and she ends up showering in Shy's boss' apartment.

Shy (who I found out is also the main protagonist of Matt de la Pena's novel, The Living) is a very funny but also sad guy. What I love about this story is the way Shy and Haley converse -- it sounds so natural and real.

4. Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han - 3.5 stars
This one is about a girl named Natalie (Natty for short) who was adopted by Santa Claus when she was a baby so she now lives in the North Pole. She falls for this elf, Flynn, but elves are only meant for well, elves.

Is it just me or are all of Jenny Han's main characters whiny and annoying? Natty reminded me a lot of Belly because of her whining. Despite this, I did enjoy this story but the ending, if you can even call it an ending, really threw me off. I need mooooore.

5. It's A Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins - 5 stars
Marigold needs the voice of this hot guy for an animation project. This guy, North, sells Christmas trees and Marigold ends up buying a Charlie Brown Christmas tree for Yule (winter solstice).

I have my biases towards Stephanie Perkins. For good reason. She really is a good writer and I love her books. But I think Perkins' strength lies in the conversations between the characters. I've always loved this about her books. Marigold and North bickered and told stories and basically talked their way through a busy and exhausting night. So in a way, what happened wasn't insta-love (also because Marigold has been eyeing out this guy for a month before they got formally introduced) but there is definitely instant attraction. Not surprisingly, I loved this chapter.

6. Your Temporary Santa David Levithan - 4 stars
This is about a Jewish boy who dresses up as Santa in an effort to make his boyfriend's sister believe in the magic of Christmas.

This was funny in the beginning. Then, slowly, it became sad. One minute I was laughing and then I was getting this bad feeling like something bad is about to happen.

Overall, this was a bittersweet story. I've always like David Levithan's works and this was a good one.

7. Krampuslauf by Holly Black - 5 stars
The book not only features stories set on Christmas or New Year's. Krampuslauf is an annual run joined by men dressed as Krampus -- a beast who, in contrast with Santa Claus, punishes children who had misbehaved. Hanna, the main character, goes to this celebration with her friends, Wren and Penny, to see if Penny's boyfriend is cheating on her. Hanna meets a man dressed as Krampus (or so she thinks) and a Krampusnacht miracle ensues.

This was surprisingly good. I didn't expect the fantasy element but that actually made it better. I like Hanna. And I like Krampus. Okay, that's probably a weird thing to say but this was very enjoyable. The best thing about this story? It reminds us that there is magic in the world and it's okay to imagine things.

8. What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman - 5 stars
Sophie Roth is big city. She studies in a small town college and feels out of place... until she meets Russell.

I doubt I'll ever dislike any of Gayle Forman's works. She's simply amazing. Sophie Roth has assumptions -- all misplaced of course. I love how she changed throughout the story.

9. Beer Buckets & Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire - 4.5 stars
Vaughn is a guy who never runs out of pranks and practical jokes and mischief. But then he almost sets fire on the local church, resulting to forty hours of community service. He ends up helping the church's annual Christmas production along with the pastor's daughter.

Oh, this was very cute! I appreciated the character development for Vaughn, and I loved how a guy like him is a perfect example of a Christmas miracle.

10. Welcome To Christmas, CA by Kiersten White - 4 stars
Christmas is a little town in California -- so little you won't see it on a map. But it's there and that's where Maria lives. She wants to leave but a new chef, who was hired by her mom (they have a Christmas-themed restaurant) starts whipping up magic meals that makes her rethink everything she knows about her town and family.

Kiersten White's chapter is very Christmas-y and I love it! It made me feel warm all over, made me want to have some hot choco and curl up in bed. I love how this shows you that on Christmas, everything feels better.

11. Star Of Bethlehem by Ally Carter - 5 stars
Lydia swaps plane tickets with an Icelandic stranger and ends up on an Oklahoma town, pretending to be the Icelandic girlfriend of a teenage cowboy. But Lydia has more secrets up her sleeve.

I loved this chapter because it was so much more than romance. It was more about family and loss and hope. It's definitely one of my favorites in this anthology.

12. The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer by Laini Taylor - 5 stars
Neve is from the Isle of Feathers. Advent is the time for betrothal and for 24 days, girls like Neve receive gifts from their suitors. On the 25th day, the pairs gather at the Hall. But Neve's courtship proves to be very different...

This is the only chapter with the alternating POVs, which was very impressive when you think about the limitations it had to face. Laini Taylor did a great job -- the world-building was perfect, the plot was perfect, the characters were truly fantastic. This story is not something you usually read about on the holidays but it was so well-written.

 

I've only read works written by Rainbow Rowell, Jenny Han, Stephanie Perkins, David Levithan, and Gayle Forman so it was really good to read from more YA authors. I thought I'd be able to get a glimpse of their writing styles through this anthology and I did. I'm definitely excited to read something from Matt de la Peña, Holly Black, Ally Carter, and Laini Taylor.

The best thing about this book (besides the awesomeness that is Christmas) is the diversity. The characters are of different races, have different religions and beliefs, sexual orientation, and backgrounds. The holidays are not even the same; in most it's Christmas, but there's also New Year's, Krampusnacht, Advent, Yule, and others. So when I say that this is a book for everyone, it really is a book for everyone.

But while I love this book, I was also (unfairly) comparing it to Let It Snow which is my favorite Christmas anthology book. I was hoping that My True Love Gave to Me will be as great as Let It Snow. It carried so much promise because of that lineup of authors. But I guess it's also because there are so many authors that there's little space for each story to really grow. That's just me though. I still think this is an awesome book and a lovely companion this holiday season.



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.
2:30 AM
This Week on The Bookshelf Intruder

This Week on the Bookshelf Intruder rounds up everything that happened on the blog, share-worthy links from around the web, my current reading list, and some offline happenings.



Another busy week has gone by and wow, we're halfway through November!

Although this time of the year is definitely more exhausting for me, I also love Christmas a lot so mostly, I just feel excited and very hopeful. :)

Anyway, these happened on the blog this week:

Jennifer E. Smith

I also finished reading A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray. It was good!

[caption id="attachment_917" align="aligncenter" width="350"]A Thousand Pieces of You One of the prettiest covers I've seen this year[/caption]

And last Sunday, I snagged a SIGNED COPY of my favorite book of 2014. I cannot believe my luck. There I was, looking for a paperback of Isla and the Happily Ever After (to match my paperback Anna and Lola) and then I saw this. Not paperback but SIGNED!!! And the odd thing is, it's cheaper than the unsigned ones.

Isla and the Happily Ever After

Also, I finished my Goodreads Reading Challenge last week and it was awesome! I did put a low number but what the heck, this is an accomplishment!

Goodreads Reading Chllenge

Due to my crazy work week, I wasn't able to visit a lot of blogs this week. But I did read some great posts:

So that was my week. How was yours? :)
7:30 AM
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