Extra giddy this week. I forgot I won these so I was pretty jazzed to see them waiting for me in my mail today. Thank you Autumn and Kari!!
Won:
Kindle ebook freebie purchases:
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Get The Best Caulking Gun For Your Project
6 years ago
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Book Loot Giddy
Extra giddy this week. I forgot I won these so I was pretty jazzed to see them waiting for me in my mail today. Thank you Autumn and Kari!!
Won:
Kindle ebook freebie purchases:
Friday, August 10, 2012
Brief Reviews: Playaway Edition
I'm so behind with reviews. These were read last month! My memory's not that great so going into detail is just not going to happen. Hence, here's the short and sweet version. :)
The Litigators by John Grisham, AF, 2011, Playaway digital audio, 11.5hrs, rating=4
Source: library
Small time lawyers Finley and Figg were going to finally play with the big guys with the help of recently hired to their firm, Harvard graduate, David Zinc. Boy, did they play!
Fabulous read! It had drama, comedy, and suspense. Wonderful characters. Now I see the fondness for Grisham.
Calico Joe by John Grisham, AF, 2012, Playaway digital audio, 4.5hrs, rating=4
Source: library
Oh wow, brace your heart. Here I discovered a shocking baseball practice (at least to me) but whoa, did that story exemplified moral qualities that father-son can learn from. Sad story but redemptive too.
Awesome quick read!
The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler, AF, 2012, Playaway digital audio, 6.5hrs, rating=3
Source: library
I imagine that losing a spouse would be downright devastating. Saying goodbye just wouldn't be in the vocabulary. Certainly Aaron wasn't prepared to let go of his wife Dorothy or vice versa (as illustrated by seeing her apparition) but he had no choice. He did however use this grieving period of time to reflect on their marriage and hence invited the readers to ponder about living for the moment. Thought provoking read if you read between the lines.
Taken, Elvis Cole #13, by Robert Crais, AF, 2012, Playaway digital audio, 8hrs, rating=2.5
Source: library
Tough topic of human trafficking here so it involved some rough language and violence. Not my usual cup of tea. I did like Elvis and Joe's tight friendship and loyalty. Since this is book #13, they must go way back. Nice to read that they remained faithful to their friendship. That's a good take out!
Source: library
Small time lawyers Finley and Figg were going to finally play with the big guys with the help of recently hired to their firm, Harvard graduate, David Zinc. Boy, did they play!
Fabulous read! It had drama, comedy, and suspense. Wonderful characters. Now I see the fondness for Grisham.
Source: library
Oh wow, brace your heart. Here I discovered a shocking baseball practice (at least to me) but whoa, did that story exemplified moral qualities that father-son can learn from. Sad story but redemptive too.
Awesome quick read!
Source: library
I imagine that losing a spouse would be downright devastating. Saying goodbye just wouldn't be in the vocabulary. Certainly Aaron wasn't prepared to let go of his wife Dorothy or vice versa (as illustrated by seeing her apparition) but he had no choice. He did however use this grieving period of time to reflect on their marriage and hence invited the readers to ponder about living for the moment. Thought provoking read if you read between the lines.
Source: library
Tough topic of human trafficking here so it involved some rough language and violence. Not my usual cup of tea. I did like Elvis and Joe's tight friendship and loyalty. Since this is book #13, they must go way back. Nice to read that they remained faithful to their friendship. That's a good take out!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Filipino Friday: Books and Friends
This week's question:
Books and Friends. We will have book discussions hosted by several book clubs during the ReaderCon, so to prepare us for that, let’s talk about books and friendships and book clubs. Are you a part of a book club? If yes, what made you join one? What’s your favorite activity that you have with them? If you’re not a part of one, will you consider joining one? Why or why not?
My answer:
I joined an online book club, The Filipino Group, in Goodreads a couple years ago. I was fairly new to the book blogosphere community and stumbled into Goodreads. There I sought out book club and found the Filipino group. I was thrilled and immediately made connections with some of the members. I was thrilled to find a group that shared a love for books and one that links me back to my native home. I especially like that the members make great efforts to get to know each other, whether by polls, stimulating threads, or face-to-face meet-ups. In the beginning I was able to participate in few key threads but later I got too busy with "life" and my participation became limited. However, this is the book group that is most dear to me so I will always poke my nose in there from time-to-time. I have made life long friends there. I know that if I visit the islands that I will have a place to stay and the same goes for them should they come my way.
I'm interested in putting culture in my reading so I joined The Classics Club this year. They've got a wonderful program going on because it's flexible ..set your own goal and pace. Perfect fit for me!
I do not choose to join any more book clubs right now because I know that I would not be able to commit to the time it takes to fully participate.
By the way, my continued prayers go out for relief and safety to my countrymen in Manila and other places struck by the monsoon rains. May the strength and resilience that you have shown thus far continue to shine! I love you. Be safe.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Young Adult Giveaway Hop
Welcome to my stop in this hop. I'm trying something new to me. I'll be giving away an ebook, Kindle edition, so those who has a Kindle/Kindle App may enter. I will be using Amazon.com's "Give as a Gift" purchasing method so please have a valid email.
The following books are up for grabs. Winner chooses one. Must be at least 13 years old, a follower of this blog, and fill out the Rafflecopter to enter. That's it! Good luck.
(Click on image for Goodreads' blurb)
 | Enclave (Razorland, #1) byAnn Aguirre |
 | Scarlet byA.C. Gaughen |
 | Storm (Elemental, #1) byBrigid Kemmerer |
 | Torn byStephanie Guerra |
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for entering. Now head on over to the list below for your chance to win some fabulous YA books!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
"Breaking the Devil's Heart"
Source: provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Find Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
When Stewart and Layla recruit a demon to spy on the Devil, their decision takes them on whirlwind ride through the afterlife. Journey alongside this young couple in H. A. Goodman’s new novel, Breaking the Devil’s Heart, and join forces with a teenage Angel outcast to bankrupt Satan's underground Company and save Heaven from civil war. H. A. Goodman's Breaking the Devil’s Heart is a roller coaster afterlife experience that tests a young couple's love, their grasp on reality, and the essence of human nature. What happens when Stewart and Layla tour Hell’s Marketing Department and Stock Exchange? What happens when their relationship is tested by Satan? This book is unlike anything you’ve ever read, or ever thought the afterlife might be like. Breaking the Devil’s Heart is an enlightening look into an alternate world, a new afterlife, and a profound journey inside the human conscience.(Goodreads)
First thing that comes to mind about this book is telling of the author and that is that Mr. Goodman cannot be accused of lacking imagination! This story was genuinely creative. The characters were engaging and the plot simply extraordinary. You're going to need your cerebrum for this book because it can get confusing ..the good kind. The kind that will challenge you to think. We could use that from time-to-time and this book will absolutely do that. At least it did for me!
I'm a give-me-a-book-that-touches-the-heart kind of girl so the bits that mentioned historical good and evil deeds were what stood out for me. Mr. Goodman didn't sugarcoat the evil ones therefore those parts were difficult to read but enhanced the point to be made. The good ones of course were comfort acknowledgments of the deserving worth of a human soul and that is always heartwarming to me. Overall, there was a message of hope for defeating our inner demons if we but learn from history and it took a metaphorical-satire type of venue (see blurb) to get me there. Pretty clever, Mr. Goodman! It was a bizarre read but quite thought provoking.
Just because I'm lost for eloquency, I will throw in some words that came to mind about what was dealt in this book: human pscyhe, philosophies, love, cruelty, humor, surprising twists, fanciful metaphor, putting oneself in another's shoes/mind, true nature, instincts, betrayal, loyalty, etc. ..oh yeah, logic. ;)
This book is currently 99 cents for the Kindle and Nook editions. What a steal! It is well worth the price and if the blurb or my review intrigued you then go for it! :)
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Filipino Friday: Weeks #2 & #3
My time lately have been very tight and I just haven't been able to put as much as I would like into reading and blogging so I've got some catching up to do!
Last week's question:
School of Reading. We all started reading somewhere, and more often than not, we were influenced by someone. Who got you into reading? Your parents? A friend? A librarian? One teacher who always lends out his/her books? How helpful was your school in helping your reading habit / fueling your book addiction?
My answer:
I think the reading bug is a divine gift to many. I was given it but it took a long while for me to recognize and accept it. I do recall a spark for reading during elementary years in response to a school reading challenge program but it pretty much ended when the challenge was completed (or so I thought). Unfortunately, my parents weren't book readers (Dad read newspapers) so I had very little reading influence at home. However, in retrospect, I found no burden in reading required readings during all my school years, including college, and I did read for pleasure every so often. It wasn't until a couple years ago that it just clicked for me and I finally started to refine the gift. I had had it all along, I just needed to polish it. So happy I finally got to this point. :)
This week's question:
Reading Habits and Book Formats. Where and how do you read? Can you read anywhere and everywhere, or do you need a certain place/mood/state of mind to get reading? Do you read more in the morning or at night or any minute that you can? Where and how do you usually read? Are you exclusively for print, or do you go for ebooks more than print? Have you ever tried audiobooks?
My answer:
I read whenever and wherever I can squeeze it into my day/night. Sometimes when I'm on that reading zeal I put some things aside, like house chores, and read instead ..sometimes overnight. It catches up on me sooner or later and I find myself on a major reading rut! So generally, my reading habit can be quite a roller coaster. I'm still figuring out a balance.
I mainly read printed books. It's the format I prefer. However, I've discovered a love for Playaway digital audio books for the ease of use and convenience. I am able to "read" while on the go and it's fabulous! However, I'm limited to what my library has because they're too expensive for me to actually purchase to own. Furthermore, a few months ago, I finally experienced the world of ebooks and I like it more than I thought I would. Problem with that is that my TBR list have doubled because Amazon makes it easy for me to place books in my Kindle!
Book Loot Giddy
I haven't had the time to post much lately so this is a couple weeks worth of giddiness. Yay, I got books in the mail! Thanks Adam and Annette!!
Won:
3 Catherine Ryan Hyde books from Adam @Roof Beam Reader (still waiting on Pay it Forward DVD)
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer and surprise bookmark from Annette @Annette's Book Spot
Kindle ebook freebie purchases (unless otherwise noted):
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 | (99 cents ..out today!!) |
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More Kindle freebies but Goodreads did not have them in their system:
How about you? How book loot giddy have you been lately?
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