Reading Wrap-up and my TBR Pile

Since my academic life officially ended last week, I have every luxury of time to finally catch-up on my reading! I don't even know how I managed to squeeze in three books during January and February since they were loaded with thesis + defense and other requirements. But if you're a graduating college student, you probably know how tempting it is to slack off in the academic department just because you're so fed up with everything. Maybe this was the reason why I was able to kick-in my goodreads challenge. He he he.

thebookdepository experience!

I am currently writing this entry this third of May, 2012. It's a bright and sunny thursday afternoon. In all my frustrations of getting myself a copy of a much hyped-up book, I just want to with you all my journey.

Before I proceed though, I would want to apologize about a cancelled book giveaway. I only had no one three participants even after extending the date for entries. I shall hold another giveaway to improve more reader participation and hopefully, a bigger giveaway shall be in store.


**UNNECESSARY BLABBER STARTS HERE (Skip on to the next heading to proceed with the review proper)**


I was never a fan of hyped-up books even before. They always turn out to be huge disappointments for me (*coughs twilight here*) so I swore to myself to buy books I really like and not what all the others like. This goes the same with the Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins. I didn't even bother reading the synopsis as I thought it would be just another book craze. And I still resisted my urge even when most people didn't really give it horrible reviews. I almost got myself a boxed set when I saw one at National Bookstore as it turned out to be a huge bargain. However, I still resisted. I can't spend that much on a trilogy I might end up not liking. So I just dashed out of the store.

A year later people talked about the film adaptation and some even said it was better than the book. "Pfft. People and pop culture," I thought. I finally got someone to tell me a bit about the book. Coming from someone who has never read any YA dystopian books in her entire life, the plot sounded interesting to me. For a second there I thought of watching the film the following day. But I decided to grab the book first and that time I was finally decided. But then all bookstores were out of stock! Such a shame. In my desperation, I headed over to www.bookdepository.co.uk and bought myself The Hunger Games using my extra paypal funds.

Book Talk Saturday: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Most people don't know this but I love books. I like reading books. My love for books first began when I was about 9 years old. Years passed and I might have forgotten about books since I became pre-occupied with school and other stuff like music and dancing. Just about recently did I re-discover my passion on books through the form of graphic novels, then shifted to my traditional paperbacks.

 This would be my first sort-of book talk and I'm jumping in - this is not spoiler-free.

Side note--> I hate it that whenever people "review" books, they always end up just talking about how they love/hate the book. That my friends, is not what you call a review. It is simply a mere adoration or loath for a book. If you are going to review a book, review on various aspects like narrative, plot, characters, language, the writing, the themes and morals, the overall literature. I have to say that a few spoilers here and there is essential in giving a decent book review as I believe they make the (always subjective) review a bit more credible. However, I am not claiming that I am a book expert have a keen sense of literature that's why I call mine not a review but simply a book talk - straightforward, maybe brutally blunt, but honest. I may have skipped on technical aspects because my main reason for reading is just the story, no more, no less.