Hey, world! Apologies if I haven't updated you on what's going on in my life. I haven't really got the time to sit down and just write. So much has happened in the past 5 months that's why I'm excited to share with you tidbits of what's happening in my life. Read below!

Books

• July •

Disney Manga: Stitch! Best Friends Forever! | I think a big chunk of the books I've read in the past 5 months were graphic novels and I started with this cute manga. I'm such a huge fan of Disney so I simply can't resist reading these kinds of books. When you're in a stressful environment, I really suggest for you guys to try reading children's books or fun graphic novels/comics. It will really help to de-stress you in an instant. You'll feel light-hearted in a jiff. This is a good book to share with your kids (for parents) or to your friends. Read my full review here.

Missing You by Meg Cabot

(Started: September 17, 2010; Finished: September 20, 2010)

Summary/Description:

Good-bye, Lightning Girl.

Ever since a walk home on a particularly stormy day, Jessica Mastriani has had an ability like no other. She became known worldwide as Lightning Girl--a psychic who could find the location of anyone, dead or alive. Jess finally had no choice but to embrace her newfound talent, and ended up lending her skills to the U.S. government.

But her work for them has taken a terrible toll, and Jess resurfaces months later a shadow of her former self, her powers gone, Lightning Girl no more. Her only hope is starting over in a new place, a big city where nobody knows her.

It's only when Rob Wilkins unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep that she's forced to face her past. Rob, all the way from back home, needs her help. But how can Jess, her powers gone, find anyone, let alone the sister of a man she once loved . . . when she can't even find herself?

Missing You, the fifth and final book in the 1-800-Where-R-You series. (From Goodreads)

Review: 4 stars

Publication Date: December 26, 2006

Publisher: HarperTempest

Shelf: Goodreads

Disclaimer: This is an old review (published last September 17, 2010) but this version is improved and edited.

This is a Twitteresque review (but I think exceeded 140 characters :P) so please bear with me and don't expect a lengthy one. Here we go:

Honestly, I was not satisfied and hooked with the story. It felt flat. The series started great and it should've been given a stronger ending but Meg Cabot wasn't able to do that. As for the characters, I think if the young adult characters, like Rob and Jess, were a little older and mature, I believe the plot would've worked better. Plotwise, I appreciate how the author tackled a worldwide issue that's still rampant nowadays. A bulk of it was still predictable but I wish it wasn't that easy for Jess to solve every single situation just to make it more real and relatable. Maybe if the difficulty of her obstacles were heightened, it could've also boosted the thrill and excitement of the readers--this applies to the second and fourth book of the series as well.

Overall, it was still a decent read and thank God it's over. I'm more than ready to move on to my next book!

Love lots, xx

Style Reader

• Riverdale: Despite having that Pretty Little Liars feel, it was able to leave its audience mind blown, thanks to the revelation of the killer and another mystery to solve.

• Pretty Little Liars: Caught up with the latest episodes and nothing has changed. It's still a disappointment.

Sanctuary by Meg Cabot

(Started & Finished: September 17, 2010)

Summary/Description:

JESS MASTRIANI

Knew she wasn't going to be able to hide her psychic powers from the U.S. government forever. But she never thought that she and Dr. Krantz, the special agent brought in to convince Jess to join his elite team of "specially gifted" crime solvers, would have something in common.

When a local boy's disappearance is attributed to a backwoods militia group, it turns out that Jess and Dr. Krantz have the same goal. Suddenly Jess finds herself collaborating with one enemy in order to stop a far worse one. In an atmosphere of hate and fear, Jess and Dr. Krantz must work together to unite a community and save a life...without losing their own. (From Goodreads)

Safe House by Meg Cabot

(Started: September 14, 2010; Finished: September 17, 2010)

Summary/Description:

JESS MASTRIANI was on vacation when Amber went missing. Most people blame Jess for Amber's brutal slaying, but how could Jess -- even with her psychic ability to find anyone, anywhere -- have stopped the cheerleader from turning up dead, without having known she was even missing? When yet another cheerleader disappears, Jess has a chance to redeem herself. If she can just find the girl before it's too late, maybe Jess will finally have a chance to be part of the in crowd. Except that it's starting to look like being in might just get you -- not to mention your loved ones -- killed. So much for popularity. (From Goodreads)

Here's last month's round up of what I was up to and new discoveries in general. Read on below!

Books

Since I'm the worst reader awardee this year (don't throw stones at me huhu), I'm just gonna share with you the ones I'm interested in reading and the #Bookgasm content I posted this year (click the books to know more and the book names for the reviews).

So remember when I reviewed The Lost Dacomé Files: The Battle for Arcanon Major (you can read it here)? Alexandra May messaged me a while back and I think it was during my trip in Korea. I got excited because she kept tabs and would love for me to review her new book. It was out last March 01 and I can't wait! I'm looking forward to have her over Style Reader for an interview or a guest post. We'll see. I'll be putting some sneak peek information below, enough for you all to get pumped up to read her next novel. I really hope it's better than the first installment.

It felt like November, December, January, February, and March were too short but I hope that I was able to spend it well. Wow. I still can't believe it's April already and we're in the second quarter of the year. I know it's been a while and I'll be sharing with you a bulk of what happened, what I did, and all of my musings for the past months in just one post. I hope you'll read it 'til the end.

Books

I'm so bad at reading these days that the only book I finished in a span of October 2016 to March 2017 is My Neighbor Totoro. I KNOW RIGHT!?!?! I don't even understand how I cannot finish a book lately. I wish I can really squeeze in some reading time on a normal and daily basis.
That's why in advance, I want to take this time to apologize to all the publishers who have been contacting me for blog tours, reviews, and spotlight features. I'm sorry for the delays and for not being able to respond as soon as I can but I want you to know that I'm really trying my hardest to be consistent and to accomplish everything.

Anyhoo. I'm currently reading the following awesome books:
I haven't updated my Goodreads yet, but I did some reading during my trip last week. I do it alternately so I can accomplish my goal for this year. (Oh please, help me reach it!)

Music

I'm pushing myself to discover more music and to catch up with the new releases. I've been a laggard ever since Grooveshark left me. Huhu I know. So my current jam is just the Global Top 50 of Spotify. I don't know. I just don't feel like thinking and curating my music lately. Tough times.

Games

I stopped playing a lot of games for a bit due to my schedule but I tried keeping up with my Disney Emoji Blitz. I love how I can play it even offline and while on the plane.


TV Series

As you all know I'm a TV show buff. I binge-watch everything and almost every time as long as I can. So here are the shows I recently watched and discovered (and some I forgot to share in the past few months):

• 666 Park Avenue: I rewatched the show and I finally got to finish it. It was good while it lasted. It had so much potential. I wish it had a bigger fanbase because I feel like the series can show so much more. It was intriguing, scandalous, and dark. But too bad it got canceled and too bad on how they ended things.

Hello everyone! I just got back from my recent trip and still recovering (and a bit lazing around, I suppose). I know it's not too late but I want to introduce you guys to this book by Zoe Cruz called Beastia. If you are one of those who love fairy tales and interested in reading the modern versions of it (like me), then this book is a cool addition to your TBR pile or your must-read list. Here's a brief background of the book and of course, an excerpt to give you a sneak peek on what's in store for you!

Summary:

The meanest of the mean girls, Rebekah Austin rules her Chicago school with sharp outfits and an even sharper tongue. She has a way of making even the most beautiful and brilliant girls in her class feel like dirt. But underneath the queen-bee façade is someone who feels ugly, repulsive…beastly.

When Rebekah falls prey to a madman, the bully becomes the bullied. Scarred and tormented, she abandons her previous life and adopts a new identity, but her ghastly appearance haunts her everywhere she goes. Only with the help of determined friends can she move past her horrifying experience—and maybe even let herself be loved.

And if the madman returns to finish what he started, will she be ready, or will she give up hope? (From Goodreads)

Excerpt:

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34451708-beastia

Get it on:
Amazon

Happy Reading!

Love lots, xx

Style Reader

I decided to keep this blog series just so I can update you with my life on a monthly basis. It's my sorry excuse for not posting consistently, wasting my yearly domain payment, and accumulating more and more backlogs.

October passed by that quickly that we're now down to the last two months of the year and here I am again, trying to chase the days I've lost and missed. Here's a rundown of what happened in my world last month.

Books

I finally finished Pseudonymous Bosch's Bad Magic and moved on to this adorable novel adaptation of My Neighbor Totoro.

It has been a series of blah. I don't feel like I'm enjoying it lately. But I still have to try. I browsed my old blog posts and tried to contemplate on what had changed, what am I doing with my life, etc.  I'm not sure if I lost the spark and the passion to strive for something, or anything. I lost touch of my groove and succumbed to the dull life of adulting. Am I losing every hour, minute, or second while doing this? Or is this the break I need? I feel relentless, pacing back and forth on what should I do next. After finishing a game, a book, a show, and/or task, why do I still feel empty? I'm bored to my wits and sooner or later, I will definitely lose it.

Anyway, enough of the hullabaloos and let's get started with the quick update.

Books

I'm currently reading the following (yep, all at the same time. Don't ask me why.):