tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83904915538065203402024-03-05T16:20:00.076+08:00One Page at a TimeAizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-40854786771764960382021-05-03T07:00:00.001+08:002021-05-03T07:00:00.198+08:00Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Title: </b></span>Messenger of Fear<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Author: </b></span>Michael Grant<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Genre:</b></span> August 26th 2014 by Electric Monkey<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Publication details:</b></span> YA, fantasy, supernatural<br /></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjciWXm_hPhhaaXa-zA8tYk_YPHT0FYofujgmNYYEl2wJG6ilPaXfWEqJ4zYBzEmBTLkJa2Frw7KJmt-JgkMlHFz8QoHbSuKG0A5fjSWN6_FGkl75KIUVc-XyGb90D3fg1K9ueekEMcfI/s2048/Messenger+of+Fear+book+review+michael+grant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjciWXm_hPhhaaXa-zA8tYk_YPHT0FYofujgmNYYEl2wJG6ilPaXfWEqJ4zYBzEmBTLkJa2Frw7KJmt-JgkMlHFz8QoHbSuKG0A5fjSWN6_FGkl75KIUVc-XyGb90D3fg1K9ueekEMcfI/w400-h400/Messenger+of+Fear+book+review+michael+grant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Michael Grant is one of my auto-buy authors, so I went ahead and bought <b>Messenger of Fear</b> even without knowing the plot. It was quite different from what I expected (based on the title) but it was an interesting read nevertheless. Here is a short review in bullets:<br /><ul><li>
The book deals with hard topics like bullying, self-harm, suicide. Hence, readers should proceed with caution.</li><li>
The story is set in the contemporary world, but somewhat in a different dimension.</li><li>
At first, I found it confusing and intriguing. As the story progresses though, I was able to predict some plot elements. Still it was an okay reading experience.</li><li>
It's somehow different from the author's writing style I am accustomed with. The plot is also not what I expected which affected my rating. (<i>I was expecting quite an action-packed, character-bombarded story.</i>)</li><li>
But sans that, I think the author was still able to deliver the message of the story clearly and directly.</li><li>
The book is a short, poignant read.</li><li>
<b>Messenger of Fear</b> reminds readers that there's more to a person than meets the eye, that we do not know the battle he/she is facing, and so we must treat each other kindly.</li><li>
It also reminds readers that our actions, regardless if it is small or big, affect someone whether we intend to or not. And thus, be mindful. Be kind.</li><li>
Seek professional help. Sometimes family and friends will not be able to help for various reasons. And there is social stigma with speaking up and/or seeking help for mental and emotional health. But help is available. Don't mind what others think. It's your life, not theirs.</li></ul><br />
Overall, <b>Messenger of Fear</b> is an okay read. It's not what I expected but still I had a good reading experience. I would recommend The Messenger of Fear as a "palate-cleanser", especially if you are mostly reading fantasy/science-fiction and want something short but impactful between hefty books.<br /></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpzGLlPDS9LCdC3xYYOPik96Usy4FoGeAclV5s2eV7EB3CkmvoPYp27D_Fbj7SXrbZIdmaPOGj3amktA09WK42sPY0d92MaF972YSCXqupMVtuvz5VgJtiN_KcXcxHx3_eYSX-b49V28/s187/myrating.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpzGLlPDS9LCdC3xYYOPik96Usy4FoGeAclV5s2eV7EB3CkmvoPYp27D_Fbj7SXrbZIdmaPOGj3amktA09WK42sPY0d92MaF972YSCXqupMVtuvz5VgJtiN_KcXcxHx3_eYSX-b49V28/s0/myrating.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB03V8cdZPlqxyjDgl4PiIaeYv60sf7rjigqJeYpYgFumlehY2d9O4pjd_xR2V2-pSQAsN300Cm9ozIKMsfWh9XxzmZwXJUrvl5RERSzAdB0DDILpIQSErvXldzQrjLARGj1fTCi72jo/s283/3.5+stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="87" data-original-width="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB03V8cdZPlqxyjDgl4PiIaeYv60sf7rjigqJeYpYgFumlehY2d9O4pjd_xR2V2-pSQAsN300Cm9ozIKMsfWh9XxzmZwXJUrvl5RERSzAdB0DDILpIQSErvXldzQrjLARGj1fTCi72jo/s0/3.5+stars.png" /></a></div></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-88052105900868123322021-02-25T07:00:00.033+08:002021-04-26T16:44:39.349+08:00Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Carol Wallace: Book Review<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Title: </b></span>Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Author:</b></span> Carol Wallace<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Publication details: </b></span>July 19th 2016 by Tyndale House Publishers <br />
<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">Genre:</span></b> Historical fiction, uly 19th 2016 by Tyndale House Publishers Christian<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh032K0J5vKhi-T9lEpvu9RC6NAYbz7MWSuEEbVOVpKlkRBYhevUkep8yoIHZMX569oqpIV_4ol7DAPnPgnok7FuO7JeHpc6MDaIkFG66BflIJlbXUr3vqPX_9-QDLLBGQjRTJ8FYHQr4A/s1691/ben+hur+book+review_1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1691" data-original-width="1691" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh032K0J5vKhi-T9lEpvu9RC6NAYbz7MWSuEEbVOVpKlkRBYhevUkep8yoIHZMX569oqpIV_4ol7DAPnPgnok7FuO7JeHpc6MDaIkFG66BflIJlbXUr3vqPX_9-QDLLBGQjRTJ8FYHQr4A/s600/ben+hur+book+review_1.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1Nv9WA89arFYMCBJdJ09LcJjteyQrNL29Pkg7L6RfPyfqFqnIWNDWMMHIrrYB-ctCYttOXCnIUbKey_EGNFGvR7EEnNs2mwu6rX8bJ2fRL6GwrFIiIgAUPHKo5QHDFpWzxNHjbbq-4M/s0/abouthebook.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1Nv9WA89arFYMCBJdJ09LcJjteyQrNL29Pkg7L6RfPyfqFqnIWNDWMMHIrrYB-ctCYttOXCnIUbKey_EGNFGvR7EEnNs2mwu6rX8bJ2fRL6GwrFIiIgAUPHKo5QHDFpWzxNHjbbq-4M/s0/abouthebook.png" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #faf9e4; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;"> As one of the bestselling stories of all time, Lew Wallace's Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ has captivated and enthralled millions around the world- both in print and on the big screen. Now Lew's great-great-granddaughter has taken the old-fashioned prose of this classic novel and breathed new life into it for today's audience.<br /><br />
The story follows Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman whose childhood friend Messala betrays him. Accused of trying to murder the new Roman governor in Jerusalem, Judah is sentenced to the galley ships and vows to seek revenge against the Romans and Messala. But a chance encounter with a carpenter from Nazareth sets Judah on a different path.</div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26459973-ben-hur" target="_blank"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26459973-ben-hur" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a><br /></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FyXZ5i7wH03zrCMQKxlsTAwoiSwDm0t2kPgHVN3cIBOy2IW0rX0y71pTvZopvPxCRyCMUQbrBNFXrOsjLyY96S9oo4v58aQWWIuXvQnBHdlrLVj-f0GuZnrs_b4CVbLGVMAuSMbFehg/s0/mythoughts.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FyXZ5i7wH03zrCMQKxlsTAwoiSwDm0t2kPgHVN3cIBOy2IW0rX0y71pTvZopvPxCRyCMUQbrBNFXrOsjLyY96S9oo4v58aQWWIuXvQnBHdlrLVj-f0GuZnrs_b4CVbLGVMAuSMbFehg/s0/mythoughts.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Note:</b> I have only read this updated version of Ben-Hur. I have not read the original version yet nor I have seen the movie. And so there will be no comparison in this review, and I will only share my thoughts about this version of Ben-Hur.</i><br /><br />
I bought this book at a secondhand bookshop and I cannot remember why I did so. I'm not sure if someone mentioned it to me or if I saw it being recommended on YouTube. But anyhow, I am glad I read this book.<br /><br />
I think this is my first historical fiction set in the time of Jesus. And while I am quite familiar with the setting and the life of Jews during the Roman empire (thru the Bible), it's still refreshing to 'experience' that period of time in the eyes of someone outside the Bible. I find it interesting to read about Judah's story and what it's like to be a witness to Jesus' ministry life. It made me think how amazing it would be if I did live in the time of Jesus and be in His presence.<br /><br />
The book follows Judah Ben-Hur, our main character, from the time he was falsely accused of attempting to murder a Roman governor to his sentence to the galley ship and to his vow for revenge. We follow Judah as he encounters pivots in his life that would ultimately set his path toward forgiveness and Jesus Christ.<br /><br />
The book covers many years and a lot has happened in the book. However, I don't think there are dragging parts and I think all the events are relevant to the plot and the main character developments. It is also fascinating how the author (the original author) was able to incorporate some stories in the Bible. Those stories made the book more relatable and easier to follow, and my reading experience more enjoyable. <br /><br />
One thing I am a tiny bit disappointed about is how the forgiveness theme did not give a strong impact- Ben-Hur's realization of Jesus' saving power, forgiveness and His Kingdom. I wish there are more scenes about it, since forgiveness is one of the major themes. And I was actually looking forward to reading more about Jesus, and hoping for more interactions between Jesus and Judah. Though the ending gives resolution and hope, the way it was told seemed hurried. But nevertheless, Jesus' impact on the lives of Ben-Hur and the early Christians are amazing to read about.<br /><br />
<b>Characters</b><br />
Aside from the main character, Judah, I also liked the secondary characters- especially Simonides, Malluch and Esther (I was really rooting for her). I also liked the fictional story of Balthasar and how the ending gives a good resolution to his journey. In general, I think the characters are well-written and contributed to the plot and main character's development.<br /><br />
<b>Writing</b><br />
Written in an omniscient, third person perspective, it was easy for me to understand the characters and follow their stories. As I mentioned, the original author incorporated Bible stories which added to my good reading experience. I also liked that there are movie stills in the book so it was easy for me to picture them in my head.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sMZAaFupPMLACRtpRoH2DN9VoIk1azI2UvxhyphenhyphenjMiMQdf0oTHNXp36xnc31_WmM540sEYpU7L36jESJMyUrA7G1MMixlJVT2FP-GN0GMaal4iqhcLLHkmMthF4mJjALKwvQwNvCzEhKE/s2048/ben+hur+book+review_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sMZAaFupPMLACRtpRoH2DN9VoIk1azI2UvxhyphenhyphenjMiMQdf0oTHNXp36xnc31_WmM540sEYpU7L36jESJMyUrA7G1MMixlJVT2FP-GN0GMaal4iqhcLLHkmMthF4mJjALKwvQwNvCzEhKE/s600/ben+hur+book+review_2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Ben-Hur. There was resolution in the end and it made me think how the early Christians lived after Jesus' death and resurrection, and how their faith moved and scattered throughout the world.<br /><br />If you are looking for a Christian historical fiction that is quite an easy read. I suggest reading this adapted version of Ben-Hur. I am also thinking of reading the original work. But we'll see about that. š<br /></div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJl5fNZIrhUSMOg25T_ZUtnhVJUEwFmnt86XK2PTQSRwaVe9XmLxod4fDFYs8inJ0jpkMcPnbGhLW64GKraUjRBrzVw1AKiaOd1cLqOEl2itii104gK8QW2h3nucmEiVQTx7pq8NiUNw/s0/4+stars.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXcsMr0Hi2er9pdGUF6dFC7zT53XzLjnsOEnio_S4_8kdek1-RW5wHrMMOod7uIAlhIRNH28XC70C_OalkzwfilamwXsgbjW3s5WTh8rz7zpMg1tm2US13d7_ttmz7UGazP2tj-iePQo/s0/myrating.png" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJl5fNZIrhUSMOg25T_ZUtnhVJUEwFmnt86XK2PTQSRwaVe9XmLxod4fDFYs8inJ0jpkMcPnbGhLW64GKraUjRBrzVw1AKiaOd1cLqOEl2itii104gK8QW2h3nucmEiVQTx7pq8NiUNw/s0/4+stars.png" /></a></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-85874092959695255672021-02-08T07:00:00.001+08:002021-02-08T07:00:04.686+08:00Series I'm Hoping to Finish in 2021<div style="text-align: justify;">Hi folks! How's your reading life so far? Mine's quite slow but at least I am reading something. I am quite torn to be honest- I want to read as much as I can but I also do not want to put any pressure in my reading life. Hmmmm. I guess I shall see how things will go. š<br /><br />
Anyway, in my previous post I shared those series I want to start reading in 2021. Well for this post, as the title says, I will be sharing the series I am hoping to finish in 2021. Some of them I have to do rereads but I guess that's fine. š<br /></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRVbgxRwnekDOl5W3SkmT5Wwf8UxiAiOa4Xu6aQu-GbSkNLNoZd6igy4fQu4hcW6ixperuzDvDlk5qFOR1GetSzhI-eeq3XEWPxp806Yoc5WLNexc_Be42ZG3A-vKdU-g56LPMAmEN2k/s0/Series+to+Finish+in+2021.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="712" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRVbgxRwnekDOl5W3SkmT5Wwf8UxiAiOa4Xu6aQu-GbSkNLNoZd6igy4fQu4hcW6ixperuzDvDlk5qFOR1GetSzhI-eeq3XEWPxp806Yoc5WLNexc_Be42ZG3A-vKdU-g56LPMAmEN2k/s0/Series+to+Finish+in+2021.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Without further ado, here are the series I am hoping to finish this year:<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaBVk8UnjjZi4Lot2hZy5FbqWvNB6-s7-C4dcrZVcb05-Q9RjBIhRLTNWmBReumTsBxHR-WfUScznzcx8IHenBvGY8eweHWorvWNNGqv-RBsXQjqbYBIOweBNGesWhgxbsUsEPSjNd00/s1728/An+Ember+in+the+Ashes+by+Sabaa+Tahir.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1727" data-original-width="1728" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaBVk8UnjjZi4Lot2hZy5FbqWvNB6-s7-C4dcrZVcb05-Q9RjBIhRLTNWmBReumTsBxHR-WfUScznzcx8IHenBvGY8eweHWorvWNNGqv-RBsXQjqbYBIOweBNGesWhgxbsUsEPSjNd00/s600/An+Ember+in+the+Ashes+by+Sabaa+Tahir.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <i><span style="font-size: large;">An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir</span></i>- I still do not have the last book but I'm hoping to buy it this year so I can finish the series! There were a lot of revelations in the third book so I am excited to know what will happen and how the plot will be tied up in the end.<br /></div><br />
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK: </b><i>An Ember in the Ashes</i>: Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.<br /><br />
Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.<br /><br />
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empireās impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. Theyāve seen what happens to those who do.<br /><br />
But when Laiaās brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empireās greatest military academy.<br /><br />
There, Laia meets Elias, the schoolās finest soldierāand secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny heās being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwinedāand that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself. (Goodreads)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh951ImsyN62HmA6a5t2rVFZMfzl8EpJQ7Fl3S_jWshro9kcahagBaIte3b7G3Wn9QUF9N6Eji3NijrCIsRiUjCd1eNogzABTBa1_ctTQYlYkQZdomqgUj31vVl6RAzsZRU306VaDFjBoE/s1699/Front+Lines+by+Michael+Grant.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1699" data-original-width="1699" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh951ImsyN62HmA6a5t2rVFZMfzl8EpJQ7Fl3S_jWshro9kcahagBaIte3b7G3Wn9QUF9N6Eji3NijrCIsRiUjCd1eNogzABTBa1_ctTQYlYkQZdomqgUj31vVl6RAzsZRU306VaDFjBoE/s600/Front+Lines+by+Michael+Grant.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Front Lines trilogy by Michael Grant</i></span>- I recently bought the third book so I am super ready to finish this trilogy. I will probably re-read Front Lines and then continue with the next books.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK:</b> <i>Front Lines: </i>1942. World War II. The most terrible war in human history. Millions are dead; millions more are still to die. The Nazis rampage across Europe and eye far-off America.<br /><br />
The green, untested American army is going up against the greatest fighting force ever assembledāthe armed forces of Nazi Germany.<br /><br />
But something has changed. A court decision makes females subject to the draft and eligible for service. So in this World War II, women and girls fight, too.<br /><br />
As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, three girls sign up to fight. Rio Richlin, Frangie Marr, and Rainy Schulterman are average girls, girls with dreams and aspirations, at the start of their lives, at the start of their loves. Each has her own reasons for volunteering. Not one expects to see actual combat. Not one expects to be on the front lines.<br /><br />
Rio, Frangie, and Rainy will play their parts in the war to defeat evil and save the human race. They will fear and they will rage; they will suffer and they will inflict suffering; they will hate and they will love. They will fight the greatest war the world has ever known. (Goodreads)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEa4ql-aY9QH_KEocnqCYcH3Jdt5PTVnX3bMbef3LOGM6bovvOy6VIt_U2NYqqCRdqikvf5Ehr5XFIfkOgUMcVHZoN1fvbTFIet6ad4R1GNW_ZHf2dOVFwJl8HV07BKstwNKPZioVZgfs/s1641/Red+Queen+by+Victoria+Aveyard.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1641" data-original-width="1641" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEa4ql-aY9QH_KEocnqCYcH3Jdt5PTVnX3bMbef3LOGM6bovvOy6VIt_U2NYqqCRdqikvf5Ehr5XFIfkOgUMcVHZoN1fvbTFIet6ad4R1GNW_ZHf2dOVFwJl8HV07BKstwNKPZioVZgfs/s600/Red+Queen+by+Victoria+Aveyard.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard</i></span>- I meant to finish this series last year but re-reading the third book put me in a reading slump. š I guess, I am not that invested anymore to Mare's story? But still I want to finish this series and see how things will end.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK: </b><i>Red Queen: </i>This is a world divided by blood - red or silver.<br /><br />
The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.<br /><br />
That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.<br /><br />
Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.<br /><br />
But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart... (Goodreads)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWW_Eh0Fw1pEiunoCUGNNrx-cfSaZojTupKruaer0y3h0U-nxO1MQ5gV67iWCudKHxj7NcH5Fsb_pXItm3KYOhyNIRznWFVXg6RU5K16B9WMbegflAQ2HPs4iTujCL1beNUFNnuxbbXs/s1402/Steelheart+by+Brandon+Sanderson.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="1402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWW_Eh0Fw1pEiunoCUGNNrx-cfSaZojTupKruaer0y3h0U-nxO1MQ5gV67iWCudKHxj7NcH5Fsb_pXItm3KYOhyNIRznWFVXg6RU5K16B9WMbegflAQ2HPs4iTujCL1beNUFNnuxbbXs/s600/Steelheart+by+Brandon+Sanderson.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <i><span style="font-size: large;">The Reckoners trilogy by Brandon Sanderson</span></i>- I bought the last book in 2019, I think, but I haven't finished the trilogy yet. Brandon Sanderson is one of my auto-buy authors so I don't know why I haven't picked it up again. But I am making it a priority this year. I am actually re-reading Steelheart this month!<br /><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK:</b> <i>Steelheart:</i> Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his will.<br /><br />
Nobody fights the Epics... nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.<br /><br />
And David wants in. He wants Steelheart ā the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father. For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning ā and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.<br /><br />
He's seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge. (Goodreads)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1SNS9zrSWyWNfMULS0lid_vUds1b6CDhMQ7n6WXa5zRiehJsaVeDdmwH-4q4ASjUu3X7XlDxbYSSimhh-hbsBQ9dUstWyxwgA4zc5dbOZwiwQzEBP5PdfI29GOrVsb6W78Lb_DBu6uo/s1508/The+Passage+book+by+Justin+Cronin.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1507" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1SNS9zrSWyWNfMULS0lid_vUds1b6CDhMQ7n6WXa5zRiehJsaVeDdmwH-4q4ASjUu3X7XlDxbYSSimhh-hbsBQ9dUstWyxwgA4zc5dbOZwiwQzEBP5PdfI29GOrVsb6W78Lb_DBu6uo/s600/The+Passage+book+by+Justin+Cronin.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <i><span style="font-size: large;">The Passage trilogy by Justin Cronin</span></i>- I also recently bought the third book so I am going to re-read the first and second books, and hopefully get to the third. The books are quite chunky though.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK:</b> <i>The Passage: </i>First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for the stunned survivors is the long fight ahead and a future ruled by fearāof darkness, of death, of a fate far worse.<br /><br />
As civilization swiftly crumbles into a primal landscape of predators and prey, two people flee in search of sanctuary. FBI agent Brad Wolgast is a good man haunted by what he's done in the line of duty. Six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte is a refugee from the doomed scientific project that has triggered apocalypse. Wolgast is determined to protect her from the horror set loose by her captors, but for Amy, escaping the bloody fallout is only the beginning of a much longer odysseyāspanning miles and decadesātoward the time an place where she must finish what should never have begun. (Goodreads)<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGb6MHXR_UQWNC_pA51d057AWJQe_w3sb4gXHynv7auED1CNiiZrR-u409yS7Zv-AgKCshzvAljzvKefrJz7v-tMvNBedRxV2H1Ozjf40zFfYVwyCi_Hyqey3-Ne2CdM1PhRQeelI32E/s1478/The+Witcher+series.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="1478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGb6MHXR_UQWNC_pA51d057AWJQe_w3sb4gXHynv7auED1CNiiZrR-u409yS7Zv-AgKCshzvAljzvKefrJz7v-tMvNBedRxV2H1Ozjf40zFfYVwyCi_Hyqey3-Ne2CdM1PhRQeelI32E/s600/The+Witcher+series.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski</i></span>- I read The Last Wish last year and I just finished Blood of Elves in January. I already own the complete series so I am hoping to read them all this year.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK: </b><i>Blood of Elves: </i>For over a century, humans, dwarves, gnomes, and elves have lived together in relative peace. But times have changed, the uneasy peace is over, and now the races are fighting once again. The only good elf, it seems, is a dead elf.<br /><br />
Geralt of Rivia, the cunning assassin known as The Witcher, has been waiting for the birth of a prophesied child. This child has the power to change the world - for good, or for evil.<br /><br />
As the threat of war hangs over the land and the child is hunted for her extraordinary powers, it will become Geralt's responsibility to protect them all - and the Witcher never accepts defeat. (Goodreads)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I am also looking into continuing the <b>Wheel of Time series</b> and the <b>Stormlight Archive series</b>, but since they are quite chunky, I'll probably read 2-3 books from the Wheel of Time series and 1-2 books from the Stormlight Archive. I still have a few series I am currently in the middle of, but I don't want to commit myself further. We shall see. We shall see. š<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
-o-<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think that's it! How about you folks? Any series you plan to finish in 2021?</div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-70444065279566896732021-02-01T07:00:00.038+08:002021-02-05T16:19:43.668+08:00Series I'm Hoping to Start in 2021<div style="text-align: justify;">Reading book series is one of my favorites. It is so easy to get lost in them- the characters, their world, the plot- especially if the world is huge with so many things to explore. It is an engrossing, enjoyable experience to spend more time with the characters and be part of their adventures. This is why I am always on the hunt for a good series. And thankfully there are plenty out already and Iām sure, more to come in the future!<br /><br />
My list is definitely long, who knows when I will read them all. But let me share some I am hoping to start this 2021.<br /></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_RzQCcDIKC0OFj6QkvpFEw2mVOFsCOgTJGoaTctMSMl5LRF7a3ouUj5__NtPbIl4X6ZkowfbJTJpmhb4a2rorNtnZIG0TjrHtLqYsRW9opqtoYfOYZBh5HQO0gl-DJbTVNu_DXowNTQ/s0/Series+to+Start+in+2021.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="712" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_RzQCcDIKC0OFj6QkvpFEw2mVOFsCOgTJGoaTctMSMl5LRF7a3ouUj5__NtPbIl4X6ZkowfbJTJpmhb4a2rorNtnZIG0TjrHtLqYsRW9opqtoYfOYZBh5HQO0gl-DJbTVNu_DXowNTQ/s0/Series+to+Start+in+2021.png" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">
Well, I know that I am in the middle of a lot of series. I have been starting quite a lot in the past years. And last year, I think I only finished two- <b>The Illuminae Files</b> and <b>Gone </b>series. But you know, new year, new series! I keep on seeing good books/series on BookTube so I really want to read them soon.<br /><br />
In 2020, I bought a few series starter (first book in a series) so this year I am hoping to get to them among other books I have yet to buy. And as I have mentioned in my <b><a href="https://aizelmacaldo.blogspot.com/2021/01/2021-reading-goals-and-tbr-cart.html" target="_blank">Reading Goals post</a></b>, I also want to read <b>The Lord of the Rings </b>before diving further into the fantasy genre. But anyway, here are the series I am hoping to start reading this year. In no particular order...<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien</span></i>- I know I said in no particular order, but this one is a must for me this year! I hope to buy a copy soon!<br />
</p><div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px;"><b>GENRE:</b> Fantasy, classics<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYDzUKJI6cczmvyI5VCJmykslJFoDcHDvZccdsIvnNoLIPVbYA55OaBpc5v_yQ-hvnvAQDvzPCI0nJMc2WPchoWCmEEwoEwVZC6Sa9eFWf9VjcJioj4kdZ2k3ocLKy72Zu218J-ScJHg/s2048/agatha+christie+poirot+books.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYDzUKJI6cczmvyI5VCJmykslJFoDcHDvZccdsIvnNoLIPVbYA55OaBpc5v_yQ-hvnvAQDvzPCI0nJMc2WPchoWCmEEwoEwVZC6Sa9eFWf9VjcJioj4kdZ2k3ocLKy72Zu218J-ScJHg/s600/agatha+christie+poirot+books.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Hercule Poirot series by Agatha Christie</i></span>- I still need to research which book I should start with, but I am excited to be finally reading Agatha Christie!<br /></div></div><br />
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px;"><b>GENRE: </b>Mystery, crime<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4BgeJzIhqWnWSF_MlnlI4VwHWtNZ9X2Z8Qr8WcnEAtZ1t7MIOJ9AGYH0D6QVqhyphenhyphenkBb8op5LlW7fLyioXpnBrX1MQSxlEx5J_6WnppeHQpYv29Z_isBRq2hrGSEBy-dK16IstOVedd_0/s1788/only+time+will+tell+jeffrey+archer+book.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1788" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4BgeJzIhqWnWSF_MlnlI4VwHWtNZ9X2Z8Qr8WcnEAtZ1t7MIOJ9AGYH0D6QVqhyphenhyphenkBb8op5LlW7fLyioXpnBrX1MQSxlEx5J_6WnppeHQpYv29Z_isBRq2hrGSEBy-dK16IstOVedd_0/s600/only+time+will+tell+jeffrey+archer+book.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer</i></span>- I already have up to book 5, so I am positive I can read these.<br /><br />
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px;"><b>GENRE: </b>Historical fiction<br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOMFtpoxiCnoIM-JiMJc1dy6_ZDZNswlJXrEn6CmiJelhfCWWaWy8uKZlsIVCCN1ulXNEujclU_fQYqWIEVykm5rGEEyqTOI96FEqnUli3SCYvTP7hlnyDNiex1GJtfAoOqFN2HvA7kE/s1987/scythe+book.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="1987" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOMFtpoxiCnoIM-JiMJc1dy6_ZDZNswlJXrEn6CmiJelhfCWWaWy8uKZlsIVCCN1ulXNEujclU_fQYqWIEVykm5rGEEyqTOI96FEqnUli3SCYvTP7hlnyDNiex1GJtfAoOqFN2HvA7kE/s600/scythe+book.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Arc of a Scythe Trilogy by Neal Schusterman</i></span>- I've been hearing good reviews about this trilogy so I bought it last year. The premise sounds good too. I hope I will enjoy it.<br /><br />
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px;"><b>GENRE: </b>Young adult fantasy, science fiction<br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwD3sPb0jFz0CsG3Omknj1igpS81v__w6cMC32Ao1-ZfPjMhtdBztSkYid4subgYStG7UPEhU3F08Lt0da4hSjtjijnlUQ2aeQ2kjmYAON7H9oAKeI-K697WtOM4q9cjMgjRPtSy2KS0/s1865/skyward+brandon+sanderson+book.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1865" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwD3sPb0jFz0CsG3Omknj1igpS81v__w6cMC32Ao1-ZfPjMhtdBztSkYid4subgYStG7UPEhU3F08Lt0da4hSjtjijnlUQ2aeQ2kjmYAON7H9oAKeI-K697WtOM4q9cjMgjRPtSy2KS0/s600/skyward+brandon+sanderson+book.jpg" width="600" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Skyward by Brandon Sanderson</span></i>- I want to read more of Brandon Sanderson's books so I want to try his YA books. Again, hopefully I will like them.<br /><br />
<div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px;"><b>GENRE: </b>Young adult science fiction<br /></div><br />And aside from the ones listed above, here are the others that are not my priority but still I want to check them out:<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>
<b>Malazan Book of the Fallen</b> by Steven Erikson</li><li><b>Lightbringer </b>Series by Brent Weeks</li><li><b>Farseer </b>Trilogy by Robin Hobb</li><li><b>Dune </b>Series by Frank Herbert</li></ul>and to be honest, many more! I really want to read more! š<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">-o-
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">That's all folks! I will be starting some of them this February, so yey! The first quarter of 2021 is a busy time for me at work, but my goal is to read more this year so I will make time for them.<br /><br />How about you? Any series you'll be starting this 2021? Please recommend me more books! š<br /></div></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-52701032674428274922021-01-14T07:00:00.006+08:002021-01-14T07:00:02.571+08:00Faith Journal 2021: Photo Diary<p style="text-align: justify;">One of my 2020 highlights is starting a faith journal. I remember spending a lot of time watching YouTube videos and browsing through Pinterest for ideas before finally starting one. At first, I intended to keep a lot of spreads, but eventually I just used it for my Bible Study notes.<br /><br />But even though I only used my journal for Bible study notes, it did help me a lot. My last year's journal can also be my reference whenever I need to look back on some of the books I studied. I used to include my Bible study notes in my life journal, so my notes are almost always forgotten. And so, it's nice to finally have a separate notebook for it where I can keep track of God's guidance through His Word.<br /><br />
For 2021, I thought of including additional pages in my faith journal- a Memory Verse a day page, a Chronological Reading Plan tracker and a Scripture Writing page. I am not sure if I can keep up with these additional pages. But nevertheless, I am excited to fill up the pages. Here are the pictures:<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ul718NeayxLPXzrFMbitUyQbSw9EoRWbPMCRwcfFqxCBMns_3Qjgf3e8J1x9k3oiSvOZ0SIUry-ZLmx-D7NtMB7SbNwG37P2cTyAfZXLt993CKv-LMt8JByLdXJbATv-o0zGQOkRUMo/s2048/faith+journal+2021_1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ul718NeayxLPXzrFMbitUyQbSw9EoRWbPMCRwcfFqxCBMns_3Qjgf3e8J1x9k3oiSvOZ0SIUry-ZLmx-D7NtMB7SbNwG37P2cTyAfZXLt993CKv-LMt8JByLdXJbATv-o0zGQOkRUMo/s600/faith+journal+2021_1.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> A simple title page. It looks bare to me so I might add more elements in the future or I might just change it entirely.<br /></div><div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEDLXkgP7Ew9jS8zyzkYjZdbvsB4OYv2iBlu7kT9FZf9KkFnLV5FTM8WdOCxiKJrYC5FeSQoSXvC7eD1VS4BFSI3U-PaDVeZBjgaQBsDa4JK6MhJPtf90jZCLT6pR5PGEBPSV9xwDbcQ/s2048/faith+journal+2021_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEDLXkgP7Ew9jS8zyzkYjZdbvsB4OYv2iBlu7kT9FZf9KkFnLV5FTM8WdOCxiKJrYC5FeSQoSXvC7eD1VS4BFSI3U-PaDVeZBjgaQBsDa4JK6MhJPtf90jZCLT6pR5PGEBPSV9xwDbcQ/s600/faith+journal+2021_2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I copied this <b>Purpose </b>page from my previous Faith Journal. It includes why I want and need to keep a Faith Journal to help remind me in times of laziness and during times of "busyness".<br /><br />As I am writing this post, I realized that I did not take a picture of my <b>Books of the Bible tracker</b>. In that page, there are small boxes and inside, I wrote the books of the Bible. Every time I finish studying a book, I can shade it.<br /></div></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuNZvXzi1hTHJJ94_6SbPyUN51-BMZvqhBUXbvPd007cXPNOWcs1LyysxtKOs9Tjy8lkg3Ps6qvt9pfYCMH85VsW3VoNSaPZMJTaDRyZ0P9LM_2SN3CcV_TkF-k9QM84fZXXSS9LIXvY/s2048/faith+journal+2021_3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuNZvXzi1hTHJJ94_6SbPyUN51-BMZvqhBUXbvPd007cXPNOWcs1LyysxtKOs9Tjy8lkg3Ps6qvt9pfYCMH85VsW3VoNSaPZMJTaDRyZ0P9LM_2SN3CcV_TkF-k9QM84fZXXSS9LIXvY/s600/faith+journal+2021_3.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Next page is my <b>Chronological Reading Plan tracker</b>. I forgot where I got this (probably Pinterest) but there are many references online.<br /><br />One of my goal this year is to read the entire Bible. I am praying that I can accomplish it since it's just reading. Studying the entire Bible is an entirely different goal.<br /></div></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdtOIH-hpG5ZZqzqXnty-KXt0czZ6BGFvywzBXbozgS7XpBxN1BYsi1llivjEdrlThFsei6lX0ZWSwhwR0laox0fhjZBFcc6fBV3iT2tryUP2ShqZCnfUnm1qn1Q_l117bTntHmF7J_g/s2048/faith+journal+2021_4.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdtOIH-hpG5ZZqzqXnty-KXt0czZ6BGFvywzBXbozgS7XpBxN1BYsi1llivjEdrlThFsei6lX0ZWSwhwR0laox0fhjZBFcc6fBV3iT2tryUP2ShqZCnfUnm1qn1Q_l117bTntHmF7J_g/s600/faith+journal+2021_4.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHc23xoO5QnHt4y0YCaLD0dDzfF_cQJRBaVYUgN8ri_PtEclU_NDUl_4DSGXUQ-A8_F6kS4fXvLMKmhdJXOoVIbb7799ZNd1NDHKqm-Sm24hbZtE5XD-CCl4Lg77svFL17Ou0rs7c_4RQ/s2048/faith+journal+2021_5.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHc23xoO5QnHt4y0YCaLD0dDzfF_cQJRBaVYUgN8ri_PtEclU_NDUl_4DSGXUQ-A8_F6kS4fXvLMKmhdJXOoVIbb7799ZNd1NDHKqm-Sm24hbZtE5XD-CCl4Lg77svFL17Ou0rs7c_4RQ/s600/faith+journal+2021_5.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0IwNhaaFnhM2LzMJ5G8kXZFtqaeZ4NqHnaMcXcB52xXYp21Xdq_L3G4C_IGnAaWdLLs_CqQEVmdv8M81dIHdVFc3apU9oCRhKXXm-stOpN4R5EPJIw-2hxzAXM8eoIOzAmRK35LvD84/s2048/faith+journal+2021_6.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0IwNhaaFnhM2LzMJ5G8kXZFtqaeZ4NqHnaMcXcB52xXYp21Xdq_L3G4C_IGnAaWdLLs_CqQEVmdv8M81dIHdVFc3apU9oCRhKXXm-stOpN4R5EPJIw-2hxzAXM8eoIOzAmRK35LvD84/s600/faith+journal+2021_6.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Here is my monthly <b>Verse of the Day page</b>. I got this idea from countless of YouTube videos I watched. My reference for the verses is the YouVersion Bible app.<br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn2_GzmpYH4tXq2MeTQkJ77wsIjrR6hb-4HfuBTUwTWOsevQoE6kEmgQQmQtLNx8uzUlOan105DQvg_6xPvk8dGTpFu7-9v4a_ayNPr45Wg-ufpQSYn1imYGtrMYazUoWi3P8gDtjUjY/s2048/faith+journal+2021_7.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn2_GzmpYH4tXq2MeTQkJ77wsIjrR6hb-4HfuBTUwTWOsevQoE6kEmgQQmQtLNx8uzUlOan105DQvg_6xPvk8dGTpFu7-9v4a_ayNPr45Wg-ufpQSYn1imYGtrMYazUoWi3P8gDtjUjY/s600/faith+journal+2021_7.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I actually am not sure if I will keep this <b>Scripture Writing page</b>. But for this one, I am planning to pick a few verses from the daily ones and deep dive into them. Or I can choose a verse from the book I'm currently studying. I shall see how this page will go.<br /></div></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdS5bqFXscyjkIQmXK9cjWjsfUMR316GcMI8JXqIdXBaWBWXOnXQAjQEDaYhS01o68FKjTZx7wpfN2fEVMVBoRVU-pYFxHyOqrzNo8BbOqk6m5wBGkyraWhHAgH1pA_WlUdoGB3ijoKk/s2048/faith+journal+2021_8.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdS5bqFXscyjkIQmXK9cjWjsfUMR316GcMI8JXqIdXBaWBWXOnXQAjQEDaYhS01o68FKjTZx7wpfN2fEVMVBoRVU-pYFxHyOqrzNo8BbOqk6m5wBGkyraWhHAgH1pA_WlUdoGB3ijoKk/s600/faith+journal+2021_8.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I still want to add more spreads and challenges. I keep on seeing ideas on Pinterest! However, I am not sure if I can commit to them. We'll see. And I will share on my Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aizel.daily">aizel.daily</a>) if I have new pages. š<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">-o-<br /></div><div><br />That's it folks! I hope you enjoyed my little tour. For January, I'm studying Matthew every weekends. After Matthew (whenever I finish it), I'm planning to study Job next! They both have many chapters but I hope I can do weekday study too so I can keep up. š<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">-o-<br /><br />
How about you folks? Do you also keep a faith journal? What are you currently studying?</div></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-18203727897039454302021-01-11T07:00:00.001+08:002021-01-11T07:00:04.066+08:00Life Journal 2021: Photo Diary<p style="text-align: justify;">I only started keeping a journal in ~2010. That was when college's getting busier and more difficult so I thought of keeping a journal as an outlet of my emotions and keeper of my prayers. It's quite a therapeutic habit- writing things, processing my thoughts and emotions. It's also quite nice to look back and browse my old journals- see how I learned and grew wiser through the years. Well, nice and cringe-y. And so, I make sure to have a journal every year. I try to journal regularly, but mostly I journal when I want to unwind.<br /><br />
For my 2021 journal, I am using again a binder notebook and dotted pages. I started using a binder in 2019. I like using it because I can rearrange my pages and freely scratch a page if I don't like it. I can also insert pages wherever I like and it can hold a year worth of thoughts.<br /><br />Anyway, without further ado, here is my 2021 life journal.
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitLg5hhFLMmh5TcyPFevF3lU-ATgXIy9UVXu96PpxHnESfLsUc11v3vMEu2xDRKoWPJpio4NpLW7AIHayVjWVud8RQR6YcqWWr53wDsT_IFvyQSBt2Ih16ucnYs0NyyHl5hCDY3O7TU0/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitLg5hhFLMmh5TcyPFevF3lU-ATgXIy9UVXu96PpxHnESfLsUc11v3vMEu2xDRKoWPJpio4NpLW7AIHayVjWVud8RQR6YcqWWr53wDsT_IFvyQSBt2Ih16ucnYs0NyyHl5hCDY3O7TU0/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_1.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWxykW-cAp0-_uj5vXIp5tAoCWqHhvpVoUXhDfuxqkoV6TGr_-qib78BDuYX4HGgYU5FzvVJWsbG0VwYYZzGkDdaYqpJddQtd7cv5lbKoe5rtoTH65wWof_FlakaxsPeD9ut7pD-KZDs/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWxykW-cAp0-_uj5vXIp5tAoCWqHhvpVoUXhDfuxqkoV6TGr_-qib78BDuYX4HGgYU5FzvVJWsbG0VwYYZzGkDdaYqpJddQtd7cv5lbKoe5rtoTH65wWof_FlakaxsPeD9ut7pD-KZDs/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Keeping my title page simple with this vellum paper and I just wrote 2021.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl92OuE8jEcx6-Ya78AAUu-VO150K_Y4bGwOxYATD1k3ZM4iJmMcCpvJnFbY03XwtwFVG8J1tdOHiGOmcdtEnI6bIp6rQGWpltlE90e2X807qEGMjXm0NEMZQJ3xmgkDqhtd0kka8vRAc/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl92OuE8jEcx6-Ya78AAUu-VO150K_Y4bGwOxYATD1k3ZM4iJmMcCpvJnFbY03XwtwFVG8J1tdOHiGOmcdtEnI6bIp6rQGWpltlE90e2X807qEGMjXm0NEMZQJ3xmgkDqhtd0kka8vRAc/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_3.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div> I always start my journal with a prayer. It sets my year.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3-yTds7bl3CjTjVlT4vFWbxdAtig8CMoHgEX9VWI5T7Lcx1uufeaW-O6a_XizgL9800qGOpQoYur3jZK7LBV8pKFLgbOi_ynP4-MUCVc1xDWbtClokBukK2lzgFfAVj-3z450cxLnow/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_4.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3-yTds7bl3CjTjVlT4vFWbxdAtig8CMoHgEX9VWI5T7Lcx1uufeaW-O6a_XizgL9800qGOpQoYur3jZK7LBV8pKFLgbOi_ynP4-MUCVc1xDWbtClokBukK2lzgFfAVj-3z450cxLnow/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_4.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div> And of course, my yearly goals. I am not the best in accomplishing my goals, to be honest. But I set them anyway. Something to focus on.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqNBAen9D6HNsa2XeCV_-VZlSJJ-KfMSTsQ7omJHOD19NIEvqPe8xcfMboS3h6CnkK85PklTTQ2DKTQ1L06EEV1emw03_NZ4hYKhalL3e_QvzCS21GrkSIWyZ5awakRcOV7N29GhVc-I/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_5.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqNBAen9D6HNsa2XeCV_-VZlSJJ-KfMSTsQ7omJHOD19NIEvqPe8xcfMboS3h6CnkK85PklTTQ2DKTQ1L06EEV1emw03_NZ4hYKhalL3e_QvzCS21GrkSIWyZ5awakRcOV7N29GhVc-I/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_5.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div> I also included a bucket list page. And then my future log.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDw-tAj-rEkBDHeaHb5nC4Ubugs1D142vPH536BfJjlWLhpsddvopy2VvNAyBN8eQn2UihrnrtLCpT_ZTvueuumhyphenhyphenZK9OgFyZKY3u-GHPRvdL3Qrhba_1tiRgSUGgTx6cy_k8UXVIk5Y/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_6.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDw-tAj-rEkBDHeaHb5nC4Ubugs1D142vPH536BfJjlWLhpsddvopy2VvNAyBN8eQn2UihrnrtLCpT_ZTvueuumhyphenhyphenZK9OgFyZKY3u-GHPRvdL3Qrhba_1tiRgSUGgTx6cy_k8UXVIk5Y/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_6.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div> In my future log, I write my anticipated travels/events. I also usually write my busy days/weeks at work. By doing so, blocking off my busy days, I can easily schedule travels.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjs9bjpYZxaE5OiCczbW90scjNuTwHcnefRIn6Wj5HLAqzaFZ-zsW-L6ZVCi5Awkh8XmIVE99kCnkRM2E-f98Bf1AC-3KqPG7DQzr-DBQOkJox3aVkcKTcjs3QktJmSc1eaNXG5ti6LE/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_7.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjs9bjpYZxaE5OiCczbW90scjNuTwHcnefRIn6Wj5HLAqzaFZ-zsW-L6ZVCi5Awkh8XmIVE99kCnkRM2E-f98Bf1AC-3KqPG7DQzr-DBQOkJox3aVkcKTcjs3QktJmSc1eaNXG5ti6LE/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_7.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div> As mentioned in my previous post, I will not be keeping a separate reading journal. Hence, I have these following pages dedicated to books/reading.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeV_BB5yrt4-aWAAeKwOBXoSRqxsfmNshSssFDVbvbdP-v9M1wKJJj8ljTtroYw3jCtCnGtIOJnJju8r4GibLuOZeBHJ0BX7N4onCijWlicHqMUTEmULU-RQhP34hQFGXEc6Ahtq5vUQ/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_8.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeV_BB5yrt4-aWAAeKwOBXoSRqxsfmNshSssFDVbvbdP-v9M1wKJJj8ljTtroYw3jCtCnGtIOJnJju8r4GibLuOZeBHJ0BX7N4onCijWlicHqMUTEmULU-RQhP34hQFGXEc6Ahtq5vUQ/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_8.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div> This Book Hauls page will also help me track my book expenses. I am limiting myself to Php 10k!<br /></div></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4QRoi46FOVYZUdrYtvVLOqbM3vry1GDxcBKNrGKgYg_WpjN1gAC8GnOGfDp4h1eAOEAXvtxu919yXAV4hE9xVPQLlz087Tw_2kYfH0QLNv9eQZ2L-XRcAP2KYZfUuLaleZVFL4ypX7Y/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_9.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4QRoi46FOVYZUdrYtvVLOqbM3vry1GDxcBKNrGKgYg_WpjN1gAC8GnOGfDp4h1eAOEAXvtxu919yXAV4hE9xVPQLlz087Tw_2kYfH0QLNv9eQZ2L-XRcAP2KYZfUuLaleZVFL4ypX7Y/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_9.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Next, my financial tracker. I also have a monthly budget planner, but I made it at a later date (after I took pictures for this post), so I was not able to include it here. It's just a simple page though with tables.<br /><br />On the next page, my usual Highlights page where I will write whatever special/memorable moments 2021 will bring. I am hoping it will contain travel highlights, but with COVID, who knows?<br /></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVvoiezC4sJehN4uUJZjzztwE257XvYTtA4Pfpjml1HmDVp641ouwOqCjUuBeCnXKNjgf22tsler4c9BkNBWw-cAngGt8woLDnXwhFvLtXlZNVzXaECT_BTcVi1TVKI-kQekJ-UU8pMg/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_10.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVvoiezC4sJehN4uUJZjzztwE257XvYTtA4Pfpjml1HmDVp641ouwOqCjUuBeCnXKNjgf22tsler4c9BkNBWw-cAngGt8woLDnXwhFvLtXlZNVzXaECT_BTcVi1TVKI-kQekJ-UU8pMg/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_10.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is an addition to my usual pages- a <b>Goals Bingo</b> page- hoping that it will help me achieve my goals. As the year goes, I can check which goals need progress and I will write them here to hopefully tick off. We'll see.<br /><br />For that mini to-do list page, I actually changed that page to a half length-wise page for my monthly to-do list. Since I am using a binder, I can move that page to whatever week I am on.<br /></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDIh3zrnh8848K3o2WOOI_SJ9kQFUl3yvIF4pPlYBhGZKaTqpAEy2IGvRpxRjXQsFiTVYS8qSDM_N7XyHaphhIi6oCrC3qf_dxkSYvjqC1fsySWsoIeefV7Zw2oUhDtNCIpXugOjkTs4/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_11.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDIh3zrnh8848K3o2WOOI_SJ9kQFUl3yvIF4pPlYBhGZKaTqpAEy2IGvRpxRjXQsFiTVYS8qSDM_N7XyHaphhIi6oCrC3qf_dxkSYvjqC1fsySWsoIeefV7Zw2oUhDtNCIpXugOjkTs4/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_11.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And another addition, a Goals Check-in page. Hoping again that this will help me be in track of my goals. I made one page for every quarter.<br /></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tppvpQLeZzs7nocf1UwunjaZGAsqQsvtAuuF5JW-l-2gMMkPXMVV646cXW0Vp472SCaVaRJpzSGTFSGPPmS-w6WZ0bCGqcTFsoI2CqHHhepOYMNaDwWnr4EYs3pEYTQWeI9HrjNSSQM/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_january_1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tppvpQLeZzs7nocf1UwunjaZGAsqQsvtAuuF5JW-l-2gMMkPXMVV646cXW0Vp472SCaVaRJpzSGTFSGPPmS-w6WZ0bCGqcTFsoI2CqHHhepOYMNaDwWnr4EYs3pEYTQWeI9HrjNSSQM/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_january_1.jpg" width="600" /></a>And finally, my January dashboard. I am also keeping it simple since I do not refer to this page often. I already posted my January spread on my IG account, please take a look! (<a href="http://instagram.com/aizel.daily">@</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aizel.daily" target="_blank">aizel.daily</a>).<br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br />-o-<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br />
That's it folks for my 2021 life journal! I am excited to fill up this journal. I know it will contain random stuff, some deeper thoughts, and a lot of prayers. I am really hoping that 2021 will be better. But whatever happens, Jesus is my anchor and refuge. I am excited to face this new year with Him!<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">-o-<br /><br />Happy reading folks!<br /></p></div></div></div></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-50597306278904312552021-01-07T07:00:00.003+08:002021-01-10T14:07:14.103+08:002021 Goals: Hoping for a Better Year<div style="text-align: justify;">Setting yearly goals has been my tradition. I don't think I can go into the new year without something to focus on even though I don't really achieve most of them. Haha! Still, it's like my anchor. And so, even though 2021 is very blurry and uncertain, I'm still setting goals for myself and just hope for the best!
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WqsHqZ0HyhX3VjIbjcxxyYW0ozKNQJKtVo590ZP0j5wP7UhyphenhyphenRtei_4Jclb17p6SMHySVlW1ApbrxlNlDoN9DdibAr7cQsIOzK4D03Q5l0lKS43WWsUAtPxU5AQ8gaUaY718dhf9sTQU/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WqsHqZ0HyhX3VjIbjcxxyYW0ozKNQJKtVo590ZP0j5wP7UhyphenhyphenRtei_4Jclb17p6SMHySVlW1ApbrxlNlDoN9DdibAr7cQsIOzK4D03Q5l0lKS43WWsUAtPxU5AQ8gaUaY718dhf9sTQU/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, I won't be sharing all of my goals since some of them are very personal. But here's a brief glance of what I'm hoping to accomplish in 2021 on top of my reading goals (here's <a href="https://aizelmacaldo.blogspot.com/2021/01/2021-reading-goals-and-tbr-cart.html" target="_blank">my post</a>):</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>
Read the entire Bible</li><li>
Study at least 6 books of the Bible</li><li>
Complete my prayer journal</li><li>
Create at least 20 creative faith journal pages</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">
Majority of 2021 will most likely be spent at home, so I want to focus on being closer to God and doing things I wouldn't be able to do if I am always out for work and travel.<br /><br />
Again there's no guarantee if I will truly accomplish these things. But if there's a better time to be optimistic, it's the start of year.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSCV7OIIDC-P0P8ABDHMlovF1WpETPJB6GeE4xFDIPHZdplORxfJ5ND3bwpq6yTfYZbm4s3cnE7UQbCrvCXWsATVV-o2hxeowc8COwbHXwVqN8Tjp-5bU-v1mhLVR25jP1rnIamXnPQI/s2048/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_4.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSCV7OIIDC-P0P8ABDHMlovF1WpETPJB6GeE4xFDIPHZdplORxfJ5ND3bwpq6yTfYZbm4s3cnE7UQbCrvCXWsATVV-o2hxeowc8COwbHXwVqN8Tjp-5bU-v1mhLVR25jP1rnIamXnPQI/s600/life+journal+bullet+journal+2021_4.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
On another note, here are some things I hope to do this year but are not exactly my goals. They will still depend on COVID situation and my ever-busy schedule.<br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>
Solo travel or staycation</li><li>
Paragliding</li><li>
At least one travel outside Luzon</li><li>
Create more crochet projects</li><li>
Blog and blog-hop more often</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">
-o-<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />As I have mentioned multiple times in my previous posts, I do not know what 2021 will be like- if it will be an extension of 2020 or if things will somewhat be better. Regardless, I pray that 2021 will be a year of healing for me, for everyone. 2020 brought us a lot of difficult stuff, and I pray that the lessons of the past year will make us stronger and wiser in this new year. Life will probably not get easier. Who knows? But let us rest and find refuge in God. He knows our future. He knows us more than we will ever know ourselves.<br /><br />
I wish you all the best this new year! Stay strong! We will get through this!
</div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-30316859887022885492021-01-04T07:00:00.006+08:002021-01-04T07:00:01.521+08:002021 Reading Goals and TBR Cart<div style="text-align: center;">Hi folks!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
It's that time again to set up our yearly goals! And even though the probability of me accomplishing them is low, it's still fun for me to think of my goals and plan for them. I don't know, but there's something about the new year that motivates me to plan and start anew!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGefnEZMGxKagC-UhRKnzn9eQl4pygzvlUwX9I7hZuNJ7-GKw1KksZH-jMOi8poI5iXzo9ybN08U8z6wVzsX5xV8ZAsZuBH5kpZzdeL0C2UcbefWrJbgggqg8ZwHuvL5IPgRYRzrrRQ-4/s0/2021+Reading+Goals.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="712" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGefnEZMGxKagC-UhRKnzn9eQl4pygzvlUwX9I7hZuNJ7-GKw1KksZH-jMOi8poI5iXzo9ybN08U8z6wVzsX5xV8ZAsZuBH5kpZzdeL0C2UcbefWrJbgggqg8ZwHuvL5IPgRYRzrrRQ-4/s0/2021+Reading+Goals.png"/></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My reading goals are:<br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>
<b>Read 30 books</b> - It's not much but with my schedule and other activities that's what I can only set for myself. It would be great to read more than 30 though!</li><li>
<b>Read at least 5 books from my TBR shelves</b> - That is those books I bought from 2019 below.</li><li>
<b>Finish at least 3 series</b> - I think I have around 10 series that I haven't finished reading yet.</li><li>
<b>Read Lord of the Rings before diving into other fantasy books</b> - I have a few fantasy series I want to read in 2021, but I want to read the classic LOTR first before diving into them.</li><li><b>Read more books by Filipino authors</b> - The classic ones. And hopefully, review them here on my blog. <br /></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">
Other book-related goals:<br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>
<b>Limit my book expenses to Php 10k</b> - I normally spend around Php 10k in books every year, but in 2020 I might have exceeded. Lol. So I'm bringing it back to Php 10k. I really need to control my book-buying habits.</li><li>
<b>Sell/donate my unhauled books</b> - I have already pulled out the books I want to unhaul. I only need to sell or donate them.</li></ul>
As for my 2021 TBR cart, I have already showed it in my previous post. It mostly contains the books I bought in 2020 but I have added a few more from my TBR pile. This is not yet final and I still have to buy (<i>ehem</i>) LOTR and some books by Filipino authors. And as I have mentioned multiple times, I am a mood reader so let's see how things will turn out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiojbTaZ_mb_pJnHgC3DBvHi51Eg-vxdHN2CH2w7XwQeC4UF-OJNnzjwz95DiOAKe9r0CS2A1sTRzADxKqwGvtwFyK3pasrJjhWxNsk4DOT-odXFfLHJuT_GUkQj9NQkVY9_16ntMDHmY/s2048/2021+TBR+CART_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiojbTaZ_mb_pJnHgC3DBvHi51Eg-vxdHN2CH2w7XwQeC4UF-OJNnzjwz95DiOAKe9r0CS2A1sTRzADxKqwGvtwFyK3pasrJjhWxNsk4DOT-odXFfLHJuT_GUkQj9NQkVY9_16ntMDHmY/s600/2021+TBR+CART_2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJaJMaOSwE4UOUXGovHRUTC09gryDg9m2EaFuNOcVeOLfQgdQFmJ0It84hthhhFWE8nYPBzwABMZN9mAP7Salxxy6mfiYloUEAT3XCbp1QV0UOmf7BMDaZGUllFH4R2blLSa0Gb2uu_U/s2048/2021+TBR+CART_3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJaJMaOSwE4UOUXGovHRUTC09gryDg9m2EaFuNOcVeOLfQgdQFmJ0It84hthhhFWE8nYPBzwABMZN9mAP7Salxxy6mfiYloUEAT3XCbp1QV0UOmf7BMDaZGUllFH4R2blLSa0Gb2uu_U/s600/2021+TBR+CART_3.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiZejGi0ocd7c2n4Tba_htV3sEwl2neOsthr85f-ANfL6cbgqu7QItmjMXi0N1mj7GoWYy1dUBHL4oQfSW50DO-3vK5N5pQJlOrV3uIHxTKIoXS1oQw33L6Qbh2q8dNeMfkSgjwCHnOQ/s2048/2021+TBR+CART_4.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiZejGi0ocd7c2n4Tba_htV3sEwl2neOsthr85f-ANfL6cbgqu7QItmjMXi0N1mj7GoWYy1dUBHL4oQfSW50DO-3vK5N5pQJlOrV3uIHxTKIoXS1oQw33L6Qbh2q8dNeMfkSgjwCHnOQ/s600/2021+TBR+CART_4.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
-o-<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
I think that's all for my 2021 reading/bookish goals. Who knows if I will be able to achieve them? But regardless, I am excited to start anew!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">2021 will be somewhat an interesting year because the uncertainty has been doubled or tripled. But we will see. Let's take life one day at a time. Read one page at a time!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
Happy reading!</div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-61583576958426860032020-12-31T07:00:00.003+08:002020-12-31T08:24:43.436+08:00What My Year Was: 2020<div style="text-align: justify;">As mentioned in my previous post, 2020 was a crazy year. A lot has happened, from Taal volcano eruption (here in the Philippines) to COVID-19, typhoons, and the chaotic government, it was a roller coaster of events and emotions. I definitely had a fair share of ups and downs, mountains and valleys. Again, crazy year.<br /><br />
Still, I want to review my 2020 and focus on some positive things. God has been with me and blessed me throughout this year. So let me recap the <b>highlights of my 2020</b>. Most of them are small wins, but still wins nonetheless.<br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>MT. DARAITAN AND TINIPAK RIVER HIKE</b><br /></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gU89UWagCsz3gwdwOQekND9u1F5A3mLyxdhCJFkjvGAPl_YDR_nHv26LBKfhmPqPAYrO5WjsjJn9LnZYPqm07lAoHOnEE_Tf-W4sctTWnnOWb66GcJjTmdVDGBRizA80N1z9nrkStYQ/s2048/mt+daraitan+2020+hike.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gU89UWagCsz3gwdwOQekND9u1F5A3mLyxdhCJFkjvGAPl_YDR_nHv26LBKfhmPqPAYrO5WjsjJn9LnZYPqm07lAoHOnEE_Tf-W4sctTWnnOWb66GcJjTmdVDGBRizA80N1z9nrkStYQ/w400-h300/mt+daraitan+2020+hike.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>BIG BAD WOLF BOOK FAIR</b><br /></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVoOzc6RWNBiz21ppGCPOf5GmV5lm0NabViZ6ZXFW_KXA5US3SJuuEqT1LQv4KlUNQG7N0XIk2QYXRgkaakIsImR7vxrLAWVbULKX54SOTdtypTzpL5vbHQ6hFaz3PugjjxkLZ3tehko/s2048/big+bad+wolf+philippines+2020.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVoOzc6RWNBiz21ppGCPOf5GmV5lm0NabViZ6ZXFW_KXA5US3SJuuEqT1LQv4KlUNQG7N0XIk2QYXRgkaakIsImR7vxrLAWVbULKX54SOTdtypTzpL5vbHQ6hFaz3PugjjxkLZ3tehko/w400-h300/big+bad+wolf+philippines+2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>CAMAYA COAST WITH HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS</b>
</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccnf9NP_qJJ5cXyxxeevxfO-irggVTuAjPBP1IySZalfe1Kt-fzijO6kwL2DrrdzNrjSqaU5BukvHQHBS60wQkSHNVx2QstZh3XbBPwtxl1HynGqg__E7J4kwyG0FwMLdcokDzgTD0SE/s2048/camaya+coast+2020.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccnf9NP_qJJ5cXyxxeevxfO-irggVTuAjPBP1IySZalfe1Kt-fzijO6kwL2DrrdzNrjSqaU5BukvHQHBS60wQkSHNVx2QstZh3XbBPwtxl1HynGqg__E7J4kwyG0FwMLdcokDzgTD0SE/w400-h300/camaya+coast+2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>
<b>JAPAN TRAVEL - OSAKA, NARA, KYOTO, KOBE, MIE</b></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiScf_10ue5sAzJvQ3d0BJL555S8fdRMUBLhTiouq4OPEogLq3c7klIICnXDTovaKJ-5sUmHbFXa1MV-Pcf36x0FuyAwfv8KU3qwzfTLYndMDovDWaBqbxKoe_sg3rd0BL3hJFUS2GXtw/s2048/osaka+japan+travel+2020.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiScf_10ue5sAzJvQ3d0BJL555S8fdRMUBLhTiouq4OPEogLq3c7klIICnXDTovaKJ-5sUmHbFXa1MV-Pcf36x0FuyAwfv8KU3qwzfTLYndMDovDWaBqbxKoe_sg3rd0BL3hJFUS2GXtw/w400-h300/osaka+japan+travel+2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>
<b>BOUGHT MY FIRST JOURNALING BIBLE </b></li><li><b>
BIBLE STUDY DURING THE WEEKENDS</b></li><li><b>
STARTED MY CREATIVE FAITH JOURNAL</b></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7xDtXk4mWLwWU9vaYKnXIJd5sREZJ-PiQyQ05pTvUv67wDvTtvOLjEWxt6UKlfFVFmcQla1cHJEIwYLz_cbrDTN1MAb_Cj4Os64wM-OEg145kT-KIw81nvukT-A6gvH1l17hubeohTI/s2048/CREATIVE+FAITH+JOURNAL+2020.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7xDtXk4mWLwWU9vaYKnXIJd5sREZJ-PiQyQ05pTvUv67wDvTtvOLjEWxt6UKlfFVFmcQla1cHJEIwYLz_cbrDTN1MAb_Cj4Os64wM-OEg145kT-KIw81nvukT-A6gvH1l17hubeohTI/s400/CREATIVE+FAITH+JOURNAL+2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>
<b>STARTED A PRAYER JOURNAL</b></li><li><b>RIVERFRONT GARDEN RESORT AFTER 7 MONTHS OF LOCK DOWN
</b></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTYse_lefV4WJb5chlTLe00ldXDEFkQJqH9_0ebm5nTlodplXS2NOnB_e2KHtOvIH19WVEZ8i6BB_YuBJ9Z5HRbL-qz5ulymoCzzrW5DIiLWnNcdN0hIWQakK4YNCJOu0n2oaZpd_lUw/s1955/riverfront+garden+resort_2020.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1955" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTYse_lefV4WJb5chlTLe00ldXDEFkQJqH9_0ebm5nTlodplXS2NOnB_e2KHtOvIH19WVEZ8i6BB_YuBJ9Z5HRbL-qz5ulymoCzzrW5DIiLWnNcdN0hIWQakK4YNCJOu0n2oaZpd_lUw/s400/riverfront+garden+resort_2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>MT. KALISUNGAN HIKE AFTER MONTHS OF LOCK DOWN
</b></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur2AMY6T5sh_zfhC9l4wo1zn5Dy9ju1PQ6rmsgNG-QohVNFlyGr1xT8ZbQboHOfKR2M_IeW7AfZP7E3BIA6d1fnH98T4CQdneQVSF_4759fxZYt3c5wYUbKb__vveu_gspsk_4AuX_yQ/s2048/mt+kalisungan+laguna_2020.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur2AMY6T5sh_zfhC9l4wo1zn5Dy9ju1PQ6rmsgNG-QohVNFlyGr1xT8ZbQboHOfKR2M_IeW7AfZP7E3BIA6d1fnH98T4CQdneQVSF_4759fxZYt3c5wYUbKb__vveu_gspsk_4AuX_yQ/s400/mt+kalisungan+laguna_2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>
<b>STARTED CROCHETING</b></li><li><b>COMPLETED MY EMERGENCY FUND</b></li><li><b>BOUGHT IKEA DESK AND CHAIR FOR MY HOME OFFICE NOOK</b></li><li><b>STARTED HAVING A FAITH JOURNAL</b></li><li><b>BOUGHT AN IPL HAIR REMOVAL DEVICE</b></li><li><b>CLEARER AND HEALTHIER SKIN</b></li><li><b>READ 22 BOOKS</b></li><li><b>BOUGHT A CART FOR MY TBR BOOKS</b></li><li><b>STARTED READING MANGA</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">And lastly, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>surviving 2020</b></span>. I listed my wins but really, most of my free time were spent on YouTube and Shopee. Coping. Escaping. So surviving this year is definitely a big win!<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
2020 was a year to remember. (<i>Need I say crazy again?</i>) It definitely opened our eyes to certain realizations, made us more grateful to little things, things we often take for granted. So here, folks, are some of the lessons, reminders and realizations I got from this year:<br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>
<b>Nothing in this world is ever certain. </b>You can plan all you want, but if things are not meant to be, they are not meant to be. I learned to let go of things that are not according to God's will. I learned to trust God, to trust the best future He has for me.</li><li>
It's still okay to plan and think of the future, but remember to <b>surrender everything to God</b>.</li><li>
<b>Prayer is powerful.</b></li><li>
<b>Be grateful in anything.</b></li><li>
<b>Focus on your purpose</b>- to <b>glorify and love God above all else</b>. Do not seek success and happiness in this world, in material things and in the validation of others. At the end of the day, we will only answer to God. True joy and peace can only be found in Jesus.</li><li>
<b>Love more.</b> It's a long journey ahead and probably a challenging one, but love is important. Love more. And if you feel empty, feel incapable of loving, ask God for His unending supply. He will surely replenish you and bless you.</li><li>
Silence. Sometimes, <b>knowing when to be silent</b> is important.</li><li>
Be informed but know when to turn it off. When information and news are deafening, when they feel suffocating and they start affecting your emotions, it's okay to turn them off for a while. <b>Rest for a while. And pray.</b></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">
I still have a few lessons that I would like to keep private. But surely, I will put them in my head and remember them in the future- for me to move forward, for me to go wherever I am meant to be.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Highlights, lessons, worries - they make up my 2020. No matter how crazy things have been, I am still thankful for the blessings. And if there's one thing I am most grateful for, it is the time I spent with God through my faith and prayer journaling and Bible study. Without Him, I don't know where I would be. I learned a lot and was reminded of God's sovereignty. I was reminded to trust God over and over again despite the uncertainties and fear. It's amazing how God works. And I should always remember that I am His daughter and He will not forsake me. He is love. He is my refuge.<br /><br />
So yes, 2020 may be awful. 2021 is blurry. But still, I know God is with me, through His Son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His peace, love and strength sustain me. And I am ready. Ready for another set of blessings, highlights and lessons. Ready for 2021.
</div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-21033045089020911442020-12-30T07:00:00.055+08:002020-12-30T07:00:00.307+08:002020 Reading Wrap-up<div style="text-align: center;">Hi folks! What a year 2020 has been, eh?<br /></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUkeQgfujemwX-pz7v2xik_pX48RtM8xdXbp8pVGudEr7mw9G_2Gur4vqtxKG3vHKBk-xlK5CXV8e_NdSjbAqLGJLiFB5-SjirOC6Wod-OdX-DcxB3FDR6G4abVSByRfUl-f3uSh-9JE/s2048/2020+reading+wrap+up+bookshelves.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUkeQgfujemwX-pz7v2xik_pX48RtM8xdXbp8pVGudEr7mw9G_2Gur4vqtxKG3vHKBk-xlK5CXV8e_NdSjbAqLGJLiFB5-SjirOC6Wod-OdX-DcxB3FDR6G4abVSByRfUl-f3uSh-9JE/s600/2020+reading+wrap+up+bookshelves.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Most, if not all, would agree with me that 2020 turned out very differently. It was a crazy year!<br /><br />
Since we went on lock down and started working from home, one would think that I would have read more books and reached my reading goals. But alas, I did not. And I only meant to read 30 books! I still got some reading done but I was also in a reading slump. Plus, I picked up a few hobbies or activities that kind of took over my reading time. Lol <i>(And of course, work's busy as usual)</i> But it's okay. Everything's fine. š<br /><br />
I did not finish a book in January and February because of work, so I only started reading in March. So yeah, here's my recap.<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: #e0c2b8; color: black; font-size: large; padding: 3px;"><i>March</i></span><br />
The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan - āāāā.5<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: #e0c2b8; color: black; font-size: large; padding: 3px;"><i>April</i></span><br />
Red Rising by Pierce Brown - āāā.5<br />
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir - <i>reread</i><br />
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir - <i>reread</i><br />
A Repear at the Gate by Sabaa Tahir - āāāā<br />
Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames - āāāāā<br />
Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - āāāā.5<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: #e0c2b8; color: black; font-size: large; padding: 3px;"><i>May</i></span><br />
Fear by Michael Grant - āāāā<br />
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng - āāā.5<br />
Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh - āāā.5<br />
Light by Michael Grant - āāāā<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: #e0c2b8; color: black; font-size: large; padding: 3px;"><i>June</i></span><br />
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris - āāāā.5<br />
The Road by Cormac McCarthy - āāāā.5<br />
Changelling by Philippa Gregory - āāā.5<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: #e0c2b8; color: black; font-size: large; padding: 3px;"><i>August</i></span><br />
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - āāāāā<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: #e0c2b8; color: black; font-size: large; padding: 3px;"><i>September</i></span><br />
Stormbringer by Philippa Gregory - āāā.5<br />
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway - āāā<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: #e0c2b8; color: black; font-size: large; padding: 3px;"><i>October</i></span><br />
Mutiny on the Bounty by John Boyne - āāā.5<br />
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - āāāāā<br />
Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant - āāā.5<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: #e0c2b8; color: black; font-size: large; padding: 3px;"><i>November</i></span><br />
Ben-Hur by Carol Wallace - āāāā<br /><br />
<span style="background-color: #e0c2b8; color: black; font-size: large; padding: 3px;"><i>December</i></span><br />
12.21 by Dustin Thomason - āāā.5</div><br />
I read a total of <span style="font-size: large;"><b>22 books</b></span>! But aside from them, I also started reading <b>Manga</b>, specifically <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Attack on Titan</b></span>. I am currently on <b>Volume 4</b>.<br /><br />
Other update reading-wise is I finally got a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>TBR Cart</b></span>! It currently has some of the books I bought in 2020, so here's my incomplete 2020 book haul.<br /></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Ik21hPgQaze-wODuvrzLB7tVv_3tFdIo6BR1vgT47mdnsDXCZnqr2-wbgZSiZ5RInq-wtGbQaGYQIFP7Fn_zNRB4wNPhHeZJ2Q7eroxiJ-xgQmCxZTHGgY8d13Ylr4w9M7qlr4d8bU/s2048/2021+tbr+cart.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Ik21hPgQaze-wODuvrzLB7tVv_3tFdIo6BR1vgT47mdnsDXCZnqr2-wbgZSiZ5RInq-wtGbQaGYQIFP7Fn_zNRB4wNPhHeZJ2Q7eroxiJ-xgQmCxZTHGgY8d13Ylr4w9M7qlr4d8bU/s600/2021+tbr+cart.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
For the <b>blog</b>, I did not post much but that is not something unusual. Haha! I was actually debating whether I should still continue this blog or not. But even though my laziness gets the best of me, I still enjoy writing and sharing anything book-related so I will keep this.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
For my <b>reading journal</b> and <b>reading challenges</b>, nothing really significant happened! š I don't think I will be keeping a separate journal for my reading/books so I will just have a few pages dedicated to books in my life journal. <i>I will post a 2021 journal tour soon!</i> But still here are some pages from my 2020 reading journal. <br />
<table align="center"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYifQ595okPtUw1Jqj2gfmwXqaBnTWPKibRmsJ5thAs1xfMkft362QjGjeIyMpt2Je6xaNyK3BSSL03IbfJXj6pQfqux8TKsruSrLm6Sn_NKSwaKuamo0mPmrYeArUa8v0GKp1baDe0zI/s2048/2020+reading+journal_1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYifQ595okPtUw1Jqj2gfmwXqaBnTWPKibRmsJ5thAs1xfMkft362QjGjeIyMpt2Je6xaNyK3BSSL03IbfJXj6pQfqux8TKsruSrLm6Sn_NKSwaKuamo0mPmrYeArUa8v0GKp1baDe0zI/s320/2020+reading+journal_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcjOYWOQV37kEiXZqmXxvKG8qbsJAc4Ca3xTTgzoGY9OvgOw0MH8GinsPVwUXMITgLlx_xQAhFcTnpZdUhuovQEHJbBCCIgwiucY82H_4X-rRMZw7VMmltBWG4VE1Z8MQRO1XSPV707A/s2048/2020+reading+journal_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcjOYWOQV37kEiXZqmXxvKG8qbsJAc4Ca3xTTgzoGY9OvgOw0MH8GinsPVwUXMITgLlx_xQAhFcTnpZdUhuovQEHJbBCCIgwiucY82H_4X-rRMZw7VMmltBWG4VE1Z8MQRO1XSPV707A/s320/2020+reading+journal_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP23GbyS8KXtl0qeNoqxE8Ctn4eHCGOElF6XcPYDS5weZzm_yeFAzfsQIUkqWnIqQ7rrODnZz8KZ3OVsUMRNdAFlSU9kiZ1WtOwGZ6LzPUBLBE1L236EDQ62_o3_Px_h_8d6ZLuf1bvY/s2048/2020+reading+journal_3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP23GbyS8KXtl0qeNoqxE8Ctn4eHCGOElF6XcPYDS5weZzm_yeFAzfsQIUkqWnIqQ7rrODnZz8KZ3OVsUMRNdAFlSU9kiZ1WtOwGZ6LzPUBLBE1L236EDQ62_o3_Px_h_8d6ZLuf1bvY/s320/2020+reading+journal_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARqHSl6z0xlK0wHOes9KPB1INXpVZe7Xm13Z0Ql4gzlRRKX3nNr05SPdXH_new9TPCgSROLhUOfxf0hu1nsYbdJcPQNYzbaivFcVGAkJmRSbeWrJxuQDT0GB9DNdjF7vKPAj1gQNVKgo/s2048/2020+reading+journal_4.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARqHSl6z0xlK0wHOes9KPB1INXpVZe7Xm13Z0Ql4gzlRRKX3nNr05SPdXH_new9TPCgSROLhUOfxf0hu1nsYbdJcPQNYzbaivFcVGAkJmRSbeWrJxuQDT0GB9DNdjF7vKPAj1gQNVKgo/s320/2020+reading+journal_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dCUYrDCxn4BNG9tD4nEc7fPMJiYPF5uCowUfh1VNQ0idJeYG_EzeS3puao1QDxopTbq3RCUScI7QeLttdKpDtsGTw99VmMy3fHKzmaKHZlEesF3KRL_SoQXHHC7Vm1EGLiCaqs6_cKg/s4608/2020+reading+journal_5.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dCUYrDCxn4BNG9tD4nEc7fPMJiYPF5uCowUfh1VNQ0idJeYG_EzeS3puao1QDxopTbq3RCUScI7QeLttdKpDtsGTw99VmMy3fHKzmaKHZlEesF3KRL_SoQXHHC7Vm1EGLiCaqs6_cKg/s320/2020+reading+journal_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td> <td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIN6pnse95iKLnsK_jdjw7AafAgHkj1WPnQfUxzlGt6LOLortBYN5Hr_mCIf1HlEy1h8TazSqDoFUzYIPY95tyKZF2L4x72ZAxBkFLwj72gxfXtEL_AGq9W8tthyV2Fa51HUjzERt5TQ/s2048/2020+reading+journal_6.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIN6pnse95iKLnsK_jdjw7AafAgHkj1WPnQfUxzlGt6LOLortBYN5Hr_mCIf1HlEy1h8TazSqDoFUzYIPY95tyKZF2L4x72ZAxBkFLwj72gxfXtEL_AGq9W8tthyV2Fa51HUjzERt5TQ/s320/2020+reading+journal_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As for my <b>Instagram </b>account, I deleted my existing bookstagram and created a new one where I post anything related to books, journaling, faith, and lifestyle. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Please follow me: <a href="https://instagram.com/aizel.daily">aizel.daily</a>!</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_QW8JmK_ebcW0MuntfXb4WvsvX-qW6cm2uPyA8swJqaNFrNRx6tvQZF3pymkszuOK5QntKqfhh701JSOxjQYUM79kD9QmjJFAVcusmubwSxQy__6u2B-3mzTaZ4hD0Sw0cWwlvl7jo4/s715/aizel.daily+instagram+account.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="715" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_QW8JmK_ebcW0MuntfXb4WvsvX-qW6cm2uPyA8swJqaNFrNRx6tvQZF3pymkszuOK5QntKqfhh701JSOxjQYUM79kD9QmjJFAVcusmubwSxQy__6u2B-3mzTaZ4hD0Sw0cWwlvl7jo4/s600/aizel.daily+instagram+account.png" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's it folks! I know I should've read more in 2020, but you know, life. I hope 2021 will be a better reading year for me. I am planning to read more fantasy books but we shall see.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">For non-bookish things, I have yet to decide what I'll be focusing on in 2021, especially since I will be turning 30! But regardless I am just hoping for a great year! š<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">-o-<br /><br />
Happy reading folks!
</div></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-2028220525281434012020-12-28T07:00:00.001+08:002020-12-28T07:00:09.063+08:00A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Title:</b></span> A Man Called Ove<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Author:</b></span> Fredrik Backman<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Publication details: </b></span>May 5th 2015 by Washington Square Press (first published August 2012)<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Genre: </b></span>Literary fiction<br /></div><div>
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A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.<br /><br />
Meet Ove. Heās a curmudgeonāthe kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him āthe bitter neighbor from hell.ā But must Ove be bitter just because he doesnāt walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?<br /><br />
Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Oveās mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residentsā association to their very foundations.
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I have heard mixed reviews about <b>A Man Called Ove</b>- some people liked it, some did not. I also heard in one podcast that listening to an audio book will give a better reading experience. But since I have a hard time getting into audio books plus the fact that I don't usually gravitate towards literary fiction, I did not pay much attention to the book. However, I chanced upon it at a used bookstore and thought why not. It's cheaper and the book is still in good condition, hence I bought it. Good thing I did though because it is such a good read.<br /><br />
Told in a nonlinear way, <b>A Man Called Ove</b> tells the story of what others might label as a grumpy old man. In the book, we follow Ove, our main character, as he tries to execute a big decision of his life, but at the same time deal with the people around him. It was a roller coaster of emotions but deep with reminders and meaning.<br /><br />
<b>A Man Called Ove </b>made me laugh and cry. It is such a beautiful story about family and friendship, and of support, acceptance and kindness. It is heartwarming, thought-provoking and a tear-jerker. I liked how the story unfolded, the dynamics between characters, and the resolution. The ending is bittersweet but I liked how the author was able to tie things for our main character and for the secondary ones as well.<br /><br />
One caveat though, one of the subjects in the book is suicide. So if you are sensitive about topics dealing with suicide, suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, please read with caution.<br /><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Characters</b></span><br />
For the most part, I can totally relate to Ove's sentiments about his neighborhood and the people around him. He is a sticker for rules which may make him seem grumpy. He may also not be the most friendly person you'll ever meet, but he's really genuine and a good friend. And although it was not directly stated, I think Ove has an undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome. Of course, I knew little about the condition, but he presented some form of high-functioning autism. I could be wrong though. But regardless, I liked how the author was able to present Ove and made his story known, his thoughts, his feelings.<br /><br />
I also liked how understanding his wife was. I admire her dedication to her husband despite the difficulties they faced. I am not 100% certain, but the wife may have had known Ove's condition but still overlooked it, chose him and stood by him.<br /><br />
As for the secondary characters, the 'friends' of Ove, I liked them all. Their introduction may not be seamless, but still they played huge roles in Ove's character development, as well as in the plot development. There might be one that irritated me a bit but I know that she genuinely cares for Ove.<br /><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Writing</b></span><br />
This is my first Fredrik Backman book, and I will definitely read more of his works.<br /><br />
Though <b>A Man Called Ove</b> has many time points, I was still able to follow and understand the story easily. I don't remember having any difficulties with the terms and no confusion about the setting. As mentioned, the introduction of some characters may not be seamless, but it did not significantly affect my reading experience.<br /><br />
I liked how the author was able to tell Ove's story and the story of the other characters in a thoughtful way and without being condescending. His writing was able to evoke many emotions and at the same time give reminders and lessons.<br /><br />
Overall, I'm happy I read <b>A Man Called Ove</b>. It reminded me that there's more to a person (or situation) than meets the eye. It tells us that we should not be quick to judge and that an act of kindness goes a long way.<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
-o-<br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
If you are looking for a heart-warming, though-provoking read that will elicit both laughter and tears, then I recommend <b>A Man Called Ove</b>. It is such a good read!<br /></div><div><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Author:</b></span> John Boyne<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Publication details: </b></span>May 7th 2009 by Black Swan (first published 2008)<br />
<b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Genre:</span></b> Historical fiction<br /></div><div>
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Pickpocket John Jacob Turnstile is on his way to be detained at His Majesty's Pleasure when he is offered a lifeline, what seems like a freedom of sorts - the job of personal valet to a departing naval captain. Little does he realise that it is anything but - and by accepting the devil's bargain he will put his life in perilous danger. For the ship is HMS Bounty, his new captain William Bligh and their destination Tahiti.<br /><br />
From the moment the ship leaves port, Turnstile's life is turned upside down, for not only must he put his own demons to rest, but he must also confront the many adversaries he will encounter on the Bounty's extraordinary last voyage. Walking a dangerous line between an unhappy crew and a captain he comes to admire, he finds himself in a no-man's land where the distinction between friend and foe is increasingly difficult to determine... (Source: From the back cover)</div><br />
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I first saw <b>Mutiny on the Bounty</b> at a used bookstore. The premise isn't really my cup of tea and it's not something I would usually read. But since I liked <b>The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas</b>, I went ahead and bought the book. I guess John Boyne is one of auto-buy authors now eh? š<br /><br />
I am not sure if I have already read something set in the 1780s and I have zero knowledge about ships, voyages and even the history that inspired the book. However, despite these and some technical term difficulties, I still have an enjoyable reading experience.<br /><br />
The story opens with the usual introduction of our main character, his "trade" and a little of his background. We get to see how he came about being onboard and from there follows his journey with the captain, the officers and the rest of the crew toward Otaheite.<br /><br />
It was quite an entertaining read. I did not know what to expect and how the story will go. It was quite refreshing to be able to experience the voyage through Turnstile's eyes (the main character), to be a witness to the politics between officers, to somehow see the then-'newly explored' land, and just be a part of their fateful journey.<br /><br />
There were difficult events and topics, and sad moments too. However, in general, my reading experience did not feel heavy because of how the story was narrated- laced with humor. The main character was able to narrate his story in a light manner but nevertheless was still able to stir up emotions. Note though that <b>Mutiny on the Bounty</b> isn't a middle-grade book since it contains sexual themes and violence.<br /><br />
As I have mentioned, there were some difficulties understanding the setting and terms because I am unfamiliar with them. And while it did not significantly hinder my reading experience, I had difficult time relating to the sentiments of the men onboard. The secondary characters' backgrounds were not really explored in depth so I was not able to understand their situation. However, I did root for some of the secondary characters and was curious to a couple of them after the big incident happened. Unfortunately, the book provided little resolution in that part. But perhaps, if I read this after knowing what really happened in history, I would be more satisfied with what was presented in the book.<br /><br />
Regardless, I think the author was able to tie the major loose threads, albeit hasty. The ending was satisfactory in general but I somehow felt like it was rushed. Still, it is bittersweet and it left me wishing all the best for the main character.<br /><br />
Overall, <b>Mutiny on the Bounty</b> is a good read. Since it is my first time to read a voyage story set in the 1780s, it was fascinating to explore such setting and I will definitely look for other stories in that category (and of course, the real mutiny on the bounty! š). And lastly, I will definitely read John Boyne's other works. I actually have 2 more of his on my shelves.<br /></div></div>
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I long for the days before the Last Desolation. Before the Heralds abandoned us and the Knights Radiant turned against us. When there was still magic in Roshar and honor in the hearts of men.<br /><br />
In the end, not war but victory proved the greater test. Did our foes see that the harder they fought, the fiercer our resistance? Fire and hammer forge a sword; time and neglect rust it away. So we won the world, yet lost it.<br /><br />
Now there are four whom we watch: the surgeon, forced to forsake healing and fight in the most brutal war of our time; the assassin, who weeps as he kills; the liar, who wears her scholar's mantle over a thief's heart; and the prince, whose eyes open to the ancient past as his thirst for battle wanes.<br /><br />
One of them may redeem us. One of them will destroy us.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9647295-the-way-of-kings" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a><br /></div>
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I tried writing a thorough review of <b>The Way of Kings</b>, but I had a hard time organizing my thoughts and putting words to how I feel about this book. One thing's for sure though, Brandon Sanderson is officially in my auto-buy author list.<br /><br />
It was only last year that I started getting into adult fantasy, so I have nothing much to compare <b>The Way of Kings </b>to. As for the author's other books, I have only read the <b>Mistborn </b>trilogy and the first two books in <b>The Reckoners </b>trilogy. But wow! I was amazed yet again by the world-building, characters, plot development and writing style!<br /><br /><b>The Way of Kings </b>begins with intrigue and mystery as the author introduces the characters and the world. There are multiple characters and so we get to explore the world and piece the plot together from these characters. I liked how the author reveals the plot threads slowly and with just enough details to understand what is happening, but not in a dragging way. It felt satisfying and amazing when some pieces are just clicking together for both characters and plot. I was exploring and learning with the characters so it was really an engrossing read.<br /><br />
In terms of epic fantasy tropes, it may seem like it follows the traditional fantasy path. And yes, we do have the usual tropes but Brandon Sanderson made a lot of twists to these fantasy elements that made <b>The Way of Kings </b>a refreshing read <i>(for me at least)</i>.<br /><br />
Another thing I like is the vast world. The history, the cultures, the people, the races- they are so rich and diverse, and something I look forward to knowing more of. I would like to know in the next books <i>(I heard there will be 10 books in this series!)</i> how these rich, varying cultures will play in the development of the plot, as well as how they will affect the main characters. Aaaaah there's just so much to explore in this world and I am so excited to read more of it!<br /><br />
The main characters are all well written and are interesting to read about. They are three-dimensional, relatable and thankfully, not annoying. Since <b>The Way of Kings</b> is just the first book in the series, they are still raw and unsure of things. Thus, I am excited to know how the main characters will fulfill their tasks and fates and how they will develop as the story progresses.<br /><br />
The secondary characters are also interesting and worth looking forward to! I feel like none of the characters will be wasted. And each has his/her own intrigue and contribution to the plot and effect to the main characters. Ah! I am just so excited, I hope Brandon Sanderson will write the other books fast. Haha! <br /><br />
Speaking of writing the books fast, another reason for this is the ending. Brandon Sanderson has this signature style of ending his books that makes you crave for the continuation of the story. I am also intrigued how he will tie up The Stormlight Archive books. I am sure it will have satisfying ending!<br /><br />
So folks, if you are a fantasy reader and haven't read Brandon Sanderson yet, then go now and read his works! You'll love them!<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIexNNUEjc-HWIfAgiYJuUHEQ0eWWRcziD3xMal4oZ2U1AZ6D7T9ffiSrYrHDXwL2SEcPchKPTkjCBCjs-xC-pi8TBMvVvlpyZzYnnNoQmEfXYZ7Fp3a2IrEaRJiO7h5y9PBhiGJhTvzM/s0/5+stars.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqYhxmSlPpBkxq2uPsNEnXW9rohS7l3h5bUZUpxAHVaP95Hw72GhAwO0OhIppmu5OIQXG9dbY62NCY-gp9_k3p52cWHwT-7wRvvzyjPQQpRIre4Tsp-HygPtBWHPr7IEiAU4YHHWF55Q/s0/myrating.png" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIexNNUEjc-HWIfAgiYJuUHEQ0eWWRcziD3xMal4oZ2U1AZ6D7T9ffiSrYrHDXwL2SEcPchKPTkjCBCjs-xC-pi8TBMvVvlpyZzYnnNoQmEfXYZ7Fp3a2IrEaRJiO7h5y9PBhiGJhTvzM/s0/5+stars.png" /></a></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-43684473315794894542020-09-14T07:00:00.002+08:002020-09-15T16:26:10.068+08:00Gone Series by Michael Grant: Series Review<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Series Title: </b></span>Gone<br /><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Books in the series: </b></span>Gone, Hunger, Lies, Plague, Fear, Light<br /><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Author: </b></span>Michael Grant<br /><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Genre: </b></span>Science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, supernatural<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/45284-gone" target="_blank">GOODREADS<br /></a></div>
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After five years, I finally finished reading the <b>Gone </b>series by Michael Grant. I read <b>Gone </b>in 2015, <b>Hunger </b>in 2016, <b>Lies </b>in 2017, <b>Plague </b>in 2019, and then <b>Fear </b>and <b>Light </b>in May 2020. I did not know it would take me a while to finish but finally I did!<br /><br />
But regardless, it was quite a reading experience to have known and followed the main characters to the end, to see how the characters grew and developed, and to see how the plot threads are tied in the end. <br /><br />
The Gone series is about a group or community of teenagers when one day all the adults and teens (16 years and up) suddenly disappear, and a translucent barrier formed around an area of fictional California- which the kids eventually called The FAYZ. We follow these kids as they try to figure out what caused the barrier and possible ways to end it, to try to implement a sense of order, but mostly to survive, with dwindling food supplies, and with all the weird, messed up, evil things that kept on happening. <br />
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Speaking of weird and messed up, there are quite a lot in this book, so beware of trigger warnings, example, for drug abuse, suicide, cruelty, violence. I cannot clearly remember the specifics, but readers should be aware that some scenes are disturbing.<br /><br />
I am not sure how I will categorize the series. It's a mix of mystery, fantasy and sci-fi, probably paranormal or supernatural? But it isn't heavy on technical terms and the plot is generally easy to follow and understand. And then we have, as I have mentioned, the disturbing things.<br /><br />
As with other Michael Grant books, Gone series has a lot of characters so you might want to take down notes for reference. I liked how the author writes his characters as three-dimensional and somehow easy to relate to. Another trademark of the author's writing style is he is not hesitant to kill off characters. I have only read 3 more books (BZRK 1 & 2 and Front Lines) of the author outside this series, but man, you will just never know what will happen! Michael Grant has this way of introducing you to a character, giving you his/her back story, and then the next you read about is his/her demise. š<br /><br />
Another thing I liked about the series is its unpredictability. I find myself intrigued about that next weird major plot element, or that next trouble they will have to face. It really added thrill and intrigue to my reading experience.<br /><br />
Overall, I think I will rate the whole series a 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed the books. It was entertaining for me, and quite refreshing too.<br /><br />
Finally, I will definitely recommend the Gone series, especially if you don't mind the messed up stuff. I'd say that this is a great start if you want to ease in to Stephen King-ish books? But honestly, I just read one book of Stephen King (The Stand) so I don't really know. (I have his other books though and I will read them soon. š)<br /><br />
That's it for this series review! Michael Grant is my auto-buy author so I can't wait to read more of his works. There is actually another series following the events of Gone series so I am looking forward to reading those books as well. And also I have yet to finish the BZRK and Front Lines trilogy, but I will surely get to that.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
That's all folks! Happy reading!<br /></div><br />
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Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-76225515786855942392020-08-17T07:00:00.001+08:002020-08-17T07:00:05.005+08:00The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris: Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Title: </b></span>The Tattooist of Auschwitz<br /><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Author: </b></span>Heather Morris<br /><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Publication
details: </b></span>September 4, 2018 by Harper (first published January 27, 2018)<br /><b><span style="color: #0c343d;">Genre: </span></b>Historical fiction, World War II<br /><br />
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<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIXgW-Y0gj-1B2CwrXrvM8o9zjYOSTWdVhv5NeNYjZ-WJAaxdRH2f-gNmYfjpb5VNlBZwgQ9IT9aadAs8FXDL1BzUFz1Pvlv9jeZxVpNWpQVuLoGqvhtkAyoE9_f6-VSz9uV_z141Us0/s257/abouthebook.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIXgW-Y0gj-1B2CwrXrvM8o9zjYOSTWdVhv5NeNYjZ-WJAaxdRH2f-gNmYfjpb5VNlBZwgQ9IT9aadAs8FXDL1BzUFz1Pvlv9jeZxVpNWpQVuLoGqvhtkAyoE9_f6-VSz9uV_z141Us0/s0/abouthebook.png" /></a>
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In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a TƤtowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.</div><div style="background-color: #ebf4fa; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;">Imprisoned for more than two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarismābut also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive. </div><div style="background-color: #ebf4fa; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;">One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.</div><div style="background-color: #ebf4fa; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;">A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful re-creation of Lale Sokolov's experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions (Goodreads).
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38359036-the-tattooist-of-auschwitz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a>
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I did not read any synopsis or reviews when I read <b>The Tattooist of Auschwitz</b>.
From the cover, I only knew that it is historical fiction and that it is based
on true story. But since historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, I
automatically put this in my TBR.<br /><br /><b>The Tattooist of Auschwitz
</b> presents another face to the World War II stories- another side to the
atrocious stories of Holocaust, but nevertheless poignant and teeming with
lessons and reminders for readers.<br /><br />The story starts when our main
character, Lale, is transported to Auschwitz, the infamous concentration camp
not only for the Jews, but also for the political enemies, enemy soldiers and
even the Romani people, also known as 'gypsies'. In the beginning of the
story, Auschwitz was still on going construction. Many buildings were not yet
finished, and some camps were not yet fully occupied. Hope was still alive in
many.<br /><br />And so we follow Lale as he go through each day, trying to
survive as a "regular" prisoner and then as a <i>Tatowierer </i>of Auschwitz; as he
hold on to life but also risking it to help others survive; as he found the
love of his life in the middle of adversities; and as he found his way
home.<br /><br />I couldn't say that I have read and watched many
concentration camp stories. But from those I have read and watched, I remember
feeling the atmosphere of cruelty, depression and hurt. Weirdly though, with
<b>The Tattooist of Auschwitz </b>I was not able to experience that heavy feeling
while I was reading. Of course, it was a horrible and sad event in our
history, and there were events in the book that made me sad, but in general,
this book did not have a depressing effect on me. Perhaps it can be attributed
to the "relatively light" situation of Lale, but I am not entirely sure.<br /><br />Regardless,
the book still depicts the horror of Holocaust, that some men are just made
evil, blinded by their personal ideologies and successes. The book, like many
other stories of this genre, tells the story of how one can survive despite
probable death, how one can still hold on to humanity through the most
difficult times, and how one can do anything just to survive, just to live.<br /><br />Another
aspect I liked about the book is how it also gave a glimpse of what it was
like during the last days, the end of concentration camps and the coming of
Russians. I don't think I have ever read those events in a fiction before, so
it was quite a refreshing perspective. It also added depth to Lale and Gita's
love story and told a lot about their bravery and resiliency.<br /><br />And
speaking of love story, another thing that makes <b>The Tattooist of Auschwitz</b> a
refreshing war historical fiction novel is the love story element. Who would
have thought that someone found love during these times? I honestly had a hard
time believing it at first, but as I read and especially the in the end, it
made me realize that yeah, it could work. Love at first sight can happen. Love
can be the main driving force for survival.<br /><br />Like most books in this
genre, the ending is a bittersweet one. And it definitely sealed the point
that true love can be real despite whatever difficulties.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lastly, the characters. I don't think it is appropriate to 'review' them since this book is based on a true story. However, I liked how the author was able to convey their stories, even the secondary characters', giving me a wider view of what was happening and how they relate to the main characters and/or to each other. It definitely added depth and value to the importance of relationships even through the difficult times, and the importance of preserving humanity in the face of brutality and death.<br /><br />Overall,
I really liked <b>The Tattooist of Auschwitz</b>. It is poignant and is a good
reminder for readers of what it's like to not just survive life but also live,
not losing hope and love.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book. And I
will definitely be in the look-out for future works of the author.
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Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-11988995689908453062020-06-23T07:00:00.010+08:002020-06-23T07:00:00.812+08:00Kings of the Wyld (The Band #1) by Nicholas Eames: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #313c4d;"><b>Title: </b></span>Kings of the Wyld</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #313c4d;">Author:</span></b><b><span style="color: #313c4d;"> </span></b>Nicholas Eames</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #313c4d;">Publication details: </span></b>February 2017 by Orbit<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #313c4d;"><b>Series: </b></span>The Band #1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #313c4d;"><b>Genre: </b></span>Fantasy</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP3kPbIuw5UH6OSnfoYnCHvOKWEwB9bLB5ZFs_h7qDipZf9Wb9_-3LR9HoaslPG5-Yq5quq85JF7Q11DW_BDnSsIXsyMPpPeKXlzxwUNO0ZJVafuD3vEAke0rGG2MfsrfEiZEN4fSmrA/s4608/kings+of+the+wyld+book+review.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP3kPbIuw5UH6OSnfoYnCHvOKWEwB9bLB5ZFs_h7qDipZf9Wb9_-3LR9HoaslPG5-Yq5quq85JF7Q11DW_BDnSsIXsyMPpPeKXlzxwUNO0ZJVafuD3vEAke0rGG2MfsrfEiZEN4fSmrA/w625-h469/kings+of+the+wyld+book+review.JPG" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6u9mJDDvBkerY-cWAt_RDUYmoCgGQ15doNwCrr8H_pCoIGrkFuRjXvNlI1sLYMhovR0Ze6wdRh7pj-5aZqv2LqVrFcuvVQeP8Wymnno_9voH8JyKHp25fA0n92Q3p76I5bYDmrA7lSk/s257/abouthebook.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6u9mJDDvBkerY-cWAt_RDUYmoCgGQ15doNwCrr8H_pCoIGrkFuRjXvNlI1sLYMhovR0Ze6wdRh7pj-5aZqv2LqVrFcuvVQeP8Wymnno_9voH8JyKHp25fA0n92Q3p76I5bYDmrA7lSk/" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px;">Clay Cooper and his band were once the best of the best - the meanest, dirtiest, most feared crew of mercenaries this side of the Heartwyld.</div><div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px;">
Their glory days long past, the mercs have grown apart and grown old, fat, drunk - or a combination of the three. Then an ex-bandmate turns up at Clay's door with a plea for help. His daughter Rose is trapped in a city besieged by an enemy one hundred thousand strong and hungry for blood. Rescuing Rose is the kind of mission that only the very brave or the very stupid would sign up for.</div><div style="background-color: #e3e7ea; color: black; padding: 10px;">
It's time to get the band back together for one last tour across the Wyld. (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30841984-kings-of-the-wyld" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a>)<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFRew_GaK5mTdCB-D_aLGgYiJJRJIELCTTHPOQ0ArtBZ8RqDJ03WVbC7hG4GDHXGr1MmTbIpG2Q8H0dg5QFsaOcz_gnH5beAsOD-Xd6OpXRGwDFGQ1jQFiLtI-gbASbzWKXfPovGuG7E/s223/mythoughts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFRew_GaK5mTdCB-D_aLGgYiJJRJIELCTTHPOQ0ArtBZ8RqDJ03WVbC7hG4GDHXGr1MmTbIpG2Q8H0dg5QFsaOcz_gnH5beAsOD-Xd6OpXRGwDFGQ1jQFiLtI-gbASbzWKXfPovGuG7E/" /></a></div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have been in a fantasy kick since last year so I have been watching a lot of BookTubers recommend fantasy and even sci-fi books. It's dangerously adding many books in my TBR pile. But what can I do? The girl's got to read. š<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, <b>Kings of the Wyld</b> is one of the recommended books (<i>surprise, surprise</i>). Though it wasn't really high on my list, I was able to get an e-book copy so I thought I'd give it a try. And thank goodness I did!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Like most of the books I read, I went in blind with <b>Kings of the Wyld</b>. I was expecting it to be a high, serious fantasy read, but I was very wrong. Surprisingly, the approach of the author worked well and I really had a good reading experience.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
In the book, fantastical creatures are concentrated in the Heartwyld- a forest of unimaginable horror and weirdness. And while most creatures stay in the Wyld, many still venture out into human civilization. With this, we have bands or mercenaries who are hired to root out, kill or tame the evil creatures lurking around and threatening the people. That is until bands have finally seemed to outnumber the creatures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Kings of the Wyld</b> follows one of this band. A once famous band. What's interesting is that our protagonists are not the young and courageous heroes many readers might be expecting. Well, they were once young and courageous. But years have passed and our protagonists are now retired members who have separated from each other.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
And so we follow their journey as they are presented with an almost impossible but necessary quest. But first, they must come together, reconcile and muster up again the fierceness and bravery they once have lived by.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>
Kings of the Wyld </b>is quite a unique fantasy read for me. I have never read anything like it before. We do have the usual fantastical creatures and the medieval-ish setting. However, there are a lot of refreshing elements, and one of which I have mentioned before- retired heroes. If I remember correctly they are in their 50s or more! It made me think of the previous fantasy protagonists I have read before and what life must have been like for them once they are 'retired' from their quests.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, another thing I find refreshing is how 'light' the atmosphere is. I am not sure if I can explain correctly but I don't think I felt the gravity of their conquest although it is a life or death situation. I'm not even sure if it is a good thing. It is quite unbelievable, but it worked for me. If a fantasy genre can be a light read, this is a good example.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
One thing that contributed to it perhaps is the humor generously placed throughout the book. Another thing is the mish mash of all the fantastical creatures. They are absurd and on a different level of weird but again, it worked and I find them funny. Of course, we still have the serious scenes. The turning point and deep realization scenes, but the humour won it for me. I really enjoyed this books from the first chapter up to the last.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Toward the end, scenes became fast-paced and quite action-packed. I honestly don't think I was able to read the scenes properly because I was also reading fast. š But there's one particular plot element that might set the conflict in the next book. Hence, I am looking forward to how that will turn out for the characters and the plot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
As mentioned, the humor is the number one selling point of the book for me. But the themes are not lost. While the lightness and weirdness of the book are very obvious, <b>Kings of the Wyld</b> also tells a lot about the importance of family and friends. The family and friendship dynamics between the characters (main and secondary) are note-worthy as they are the main drivers of the story.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
I also liked how the book gives importance to one of the characters' dilemma in choosing the comforts of home vs. doing what is right and/or living out of the comfort zone to experience more and be more. I especially liked the point of how it is human to feel scared, to feel inadequate. But what makes a difference is what we do with these emotions and overcoming our self-imposed hindrances.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Nicholas Eames is surely another author that will be on my radar. I really liked his writing style. It is easy to read and understand. It is funny, light but with substance. And though <b>Kings of the Wyld</b> is his debut novel, I can't wait to read more of his works.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
Overall, <b>Kings of the Wyld </b>is a very entertaining, refreshing fantasy read. I actually have an e-book copy of the second book, but I want to read from a physical copy! I hope I can find one online soon!</div><div><br /></div><div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1ugiFaSMaUkS9lVlHk9tsW3AOeZc5jUGfZm9GOuZ88R2pPFmCmyQXxBKDCcET8fKMVR9EJNQBMtecMDAHNyRyRBswug98bfiNjnKUIQ5LrVj8MJP7vwbObDRk5yE8SGQhH9fUBd39sI/s187/myrating.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1ugiFaSMaUkS9lVlHk9tsW3AOeZc5jUGfZm9GOuZ88R2pPFmCmyQXxBKDCcET8fKMVR9EJNQBMtecMDAHNyRyRBswug98bfiNjnKUIQ5LrVj8MJP7vwbObDRk5yE8SGQhH9fUBd39sI/" /></a></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuhyRRGb9IOwDXXvHlpWWTwL5o4YTd_v9AMBjKU7rEa0pW-Cx4QPXmzk512BUp4abT3UJVY1IOIKUio-1es6DltPWko2VEsK5j4NcdDCJ7b-Dh9QjA9_wGMNWikziet4b7fzuI1ZhJag/s393/5+stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuhyRRGb9IOwDXXvHlpWWTwL5o4YTd_v9AMBjKU7rEa0pW-Cx4QPXmzk512BUp4abT3UJVY1IOIKUio-1es6DltPWko2VEsK5j4NcdDCJ7b-Dh9QjA9_wGMNWikziet4b7fzuI1ZhJag/s320/5+stars.png" width="320" /></a></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-73376925288579598122020-05-25T07:00:00.001+08:002020-05-25T07:00:00.456+08:00The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time #1) by Robert Jordan: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Title: </b>The Eye of the World</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Author: </b>Robert Jordan</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Series: </b>The Wheel of Time #1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Publication details:</b> November 15th 1990 by Tor Books (first published January 15th 1990)<b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Genre: </b>Fantasy, adventure</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbJNheX85oURtjsNmjBxyjDfQsd0G1pZklqX7n7d_66NfizZuAG9-ff95_LLmDKWmD5pC0LHaVPYiH4LWl9nseXCTtQjvg7hwzqpoIOQH1eKVRJXD8FUAxbE5Ru4_IGFKQJ2jxD_Y56M/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1683" data-original-width="2243" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbJNheX85oURtjsNmjBxyjDfQsd0G1pZklqX7n7d_66NfizZuAG9-ff95_LLmDKWmD5pC0LHaVPYiH4LWl9nseXCTtQjvg7hwzqpoIOQH1eKVRJXD8FUAxbE5Ru4_IGFKQJ2jxD_Y56M/w640-h480/the+wheel+of+time+book+review.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWdAa4sUPNKpdJxbN3HFUWlTpq1n9YQaIhAMkGLaXegQU2yQAqGEaxlZNjK_-fGIN5QPh4blrF3HItEJiw87BNHjf8LLqqPUA-Xvl1tZ834PVNj7ZWA9Z6nvRQDJ9ofF7l02c6pkerdY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWdAa4sUPNKpdJxbN3HFUWlTpq1n9YQaIhAMkGLaXegQU2yQAqGEaxlZNjK_-fGIN5QPh4blrF3HItEJiw87BNHjf8LLqqPUA-Xvl1tZ834PVNj7ZWA9Z6nvRQDJ9ofF7l02c6pkerdY/" /></a></div><br />
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The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. (Goodreads)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228665.The_Eye_of_the_World" target="_blank">GOODREADS<br /></a></div>
<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3FyUCCdhEFQrDYmcuDpU42to19BBLOwHbDntGvWnzOZNN0e_StKFj_Tg9P9eQpdO12-3kH0c2Joy9toXYGwJZdSZyTrrjU6ux25QOcdT5jtao9M0x3WZGPV3pcG9gKw2tYvb7q_hUhw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3FyUCCdhEFQrDYmcuDpU42to19BBLOwHbDntGvWnzOZNN0e_StKFj_Tg9P9eQpdO12-3kH0c2Joy9toXYGwJZdSZyTrrjU6ux25QOcdT5jtao9M0x3WZGPV3pcG9gKw2tYvb7q_hUhw/" /></a></div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Robert Jordan is one of the famous names in the fantasy genre. His epic fantasy series <b>The Wheel of Time</b> is highly and widely praised both by the 'veteran' fantasy readers and newbies. I think it was also from a BookTuber where I first heard about the series. I was really intrigued. And so with great anticipation, I finally dived into the world of <b>The Wheel of Time</b>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I did not read any synopsis prior to starting this book, hence I had no idea what it is about except that it is fantasy. Prologue tells a tiny bit of the background story which is intriguing enough to hold my attention. What follows then is an adventure of exploring places, getting to know people, and taking courage to go beyond the boundaries- an adventure that slowly but surely pulled me in.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Eye of the Wo</b><b>rld </b>follows a group of characters as they venture out into an unknown world, getting to know their identities and trying to understand yet defy the prophecy. At first, I was not sure I would like the book. I was not really interested in any of the characters and their circumstances. But as I went through my reading, I got hooked and found myself really enjoying it. I had quite a hard time with some technical terms even though there is a glossary, but I don't think it affected my reading experience much.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I liked that the book started with an air of mystery and looming chaos. Slowly but surely the plot and characters pulled me in until all I wanted was to finish the book. The flow of events is smooth and easy to follow. All scenes are relevant to the plot and characters. And it is amazing how each plot thread is connected and fits with one another. <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To be honest, I am not sure if I completely grasped the high points in the plot. I think it will be one of my reasons to reread <b>The Eye of the World</b>. But the turn of events is quite sudden, and the events leading to the end is fast-paced and gripping. The end also promises more adventures for the characters, as well as posing further conflicts and mystery, which really made me excited to read the next book.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The constructed world is a rich mixture of different cultures and backgrounds. I definitely enjoy reading them. It is fascinating to explore the world in the eyes of the characters. The fantasy elements and creatures are not as varied in this first book as in the other fantasy books, but the author was able to convey that the world is vast and that there are a lot to learn and see in the next books.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AMRBqqgl1klp8TORFU3INyICAC5ATq7_qrlHMIskubRV_am5VvpGuI2vVkCPbWLliaYyqXFRXE-bwY-cRC0TWoMW3bnkbptNDoAJVujxczLvatv6uVi6ibtGNwc_y-pSHyUosX6Ci7g/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The magic system is also not a complex one. It is straightforward and easy to grasp, but since <b>The Eye of the World </b>is just the first book in a long series, there might be development in the magic system. I am excited to know how things will unfold for the main characters in relation to this magic system.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are loads of characters in the book. And I am assuming that more will be added. I guess one advice when reading this book is to have a note of characters to avoid confusion. Both main and secondary characters are well-written and fun to read. I think their dynamics are easy to get into. I also liked how it felt like I was exploring with the main characters, finding out their identities with them and the roles they have to play. I can't wait to see how the characters will develop in the next books!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are a number of themes one can get from <b>The Eye of the World</b>. But one of those is the knowing and accepting oneself. The main characters battled with this making them more relatable. Sometimes we cast judgment upon ourselves, pulling ourselves down, when in fact we can do so much more. We can be more. Easier said than done, I know. But the realization of what can be is a step. I think the main characters are more or less far from this realization and acceptance, but it's one of the many things I am looking forward to read about in the future.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall, I really enjoyed reading <b>The Eye of the World</b>. As mentioned, in the beginning I was only so-so about it, but as I continued, I found myself engrossed in my reading. There is so much more to explore in its world, the characters and the plot. I am definitely going to continue with the series! <br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIayH9rkTo2C6_arorRZ5uLjfNG3Ls-TcamBNmdpC4V91-f4NFTyTJhU0LQzXhW_Di0ZWzRqwQq5y-0NMr6MVUBS2G4PbdiLPOsc9JvL9Z9EGFw2fc76MJAeXgAFyM0zrrnZoieQ0xRI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIayH9rkTo2C6_arorRZ5uLjfNG3Ls-TcamBNmdpC4V91-f4NFTyTJhU0LQzXhW_Di0ZWzRqwQq5y-0NMr6MVUBS2G4PbdiLPOsc9JvL9Z9EGFw2fc76MJAeXgAFyM0zrrnZoieQ0xRI/" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8Azw4iV_gJ4EFOeT8qkaw04-0GYB-6tECB6W0ZiHkmNkD-d7Ln7zZikvsQuc7PEu3M3o8b7GFciIrUNRM_8ywhJTHGFMrq8IFSBPtXMrY1LBIV1a8W7yuT611DjMU4GqcPdbF1DhqT4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8Azw4iV_gJ4EFOeT8qkaw04-0GYB-6tECB6W0ZiHkmNkD-d7Ln7zZikvsQuc7PEu3M3o8b7GFciIrUNRM_8ywhJTHGFMrq8IFSBPtXMrY1LBIV1a8W7yuT611DjMU4GqcPdbF1DhqT4/s320/4.5+stars.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-87596184380865569012020-05-16T10:46:00.037+08:002020-05-16T17:13:26.187+08:00To Be Read Bookshelf Tour 2020: Photo Diary<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This post is long overdue. I have been meaning to do a bookshelf tour since January, but work and life got busy. And most importantly, I was not in the mood to do it. The first quarter of 2020 was so busy I didn't even finish a book!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My initial plan was to create a video to show you folks each book in my TBR shelves and do a voice over. However, while I have more time currently than before, I couldn't do it in this hot and humid PH weather. My office nook is sweltering, so this would suffice for now. I promise to do a video soon (perhaps once rainy season starts).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, let's take a look at my shelves.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zRrRZAdg-agN6pk5GzsyAHUQPVFnhsNPOSNmAtuKdkQm2nv43TsZBbxTZ0nAE10vjkq1USVXCQtWssB3gFc1mzzCwfSK7byQfOeuj70SvlsMMtMK2cWasuYpHY5vtUISauW1OAXDkuo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="711" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zRrRZAdg-agN6pk5GzsyAHUQPVFnhsNPOSNmAtuKdkQm2nv43TsZBbxTZ0nAE10vjkq1USVXCQtWssB3gFc1mzzCwfSK7byQfOeuj70SvlsMMtMK2cWasuYpHY5vtUISauW1OAXDkuo/d/2020+TBR+Bookshelf+tour.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I have five shelves of unread books. They are not very organized, and I gave up on a system a long time ago. But at least they are not cluttered (<i>for now</i>). Whenever I have new books I just stack them on the shelves, and soon I know things will be more chaotic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Note that these are my unread books as of February 2020. My <b>Big Bad Wolf</b> books are already here. I haven't bought books since then, which is surprising and kind of rewarding for me. Haha! (<i>I am trying my best to ignore the ones in my online shopping cart.</i>)<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKwpP0mLNfIMqoB3afk2OvVlIkHmHfXYkO8YK2uWajo_CMiQOaysg7tqMYndVM4ytib1V3ofwa7-Evm0jRhmgu4-uyhNuJtgUK0La19yRZAlfbLa4wbiXgMtL266eSSUGcsPZNKXsqsU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="3583" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKwpP0mLNfIMqoB3afk2OvVlIkHmHfXYkO8YK2uWajo_CMiQOaysg7tqMYndVM4ytib1V3ofwa7-Evm0jRhmgu4-uyhNuJtgUK0La19yRZAlfbLa4wbiXgMtL266eSSUGcsPZNKXsqsU/w640-h256/to+be+read+shelf+2020_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The first shelf mostly contains YA, except for <b>The Way of Kings</b> by <i>Brandon Sanderson</i> and <i>Agatha Christie</i>'s books. The system stops there. Haha! From the second shelf to the last one, I just put whatever fits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I will have to do another bookshelf reorganization and cleaning but like I mentioned, I cannot do it in this hot and humid weather. I will soon, though. Soon.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB_uJfmL-Hcb7eLY0B_C0XWXlSSaNMMm0pa4LN_dWEuwS3S5mdpNZ0JcctoJqOEQ7AZHH2OmR1bs33vPWr9zOUqjmtlJwxoYLCcX1uOEWWIStXuTfAVqcq2AyLjrYM_ND-zV6P0yy6Dw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3272" data-original-width="3784" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB_uJfmL-Hcb7eLY0B_C0XWXlSSaNMMm0pa4LN_dWEuwS3S5mdpNZ0JcctoJqOEQ7AZHH2OmR1bs33vPWr9zOUqjmtlJwxoYLCcX1uOEWWIStXuTfAVqcq2AyLjrYM_ND-zV6P0yy6Dw/w640-h554/to+be+read+shelf+2020_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF4a8hGEk2k3KJNBgrt7Q0GEewtOrD1UiSDIekIKYpc2VEFuZob5YqEoVoc4b3zuGLdNgK5Dw9CTXUyuajcGfmwGXu5MHVK-4sIVe-jttN6oQFGfF09l5cxvYCZMkI0wyuUTVYR1I3X8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3108" data-original-width="3832" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF4a8hGEk2k3KJNBgrt7Q0GEewtOrD1UiSDIekIKYpc2VEFuZob5YqEoVoc4b3zuGLdNgK5Dw9CTXUyuajcGfmwGXu5MHVK-4sIVe-jttN6oQFGfF09l5cxvYCZMkI0wyuUTVYR1I3X8/w640-h520/to+be+read+shelf+2020_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I actually have another pile in the back of this last stack (in the last shelf), mostly nonfiction. Obviously, I am running out of shelf space. I hope to buy another one soon because surely I still have more books to buy! I am actually eyeing a TBR cart, but since we are still in quarantine I don't know when I will be able to buy one.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There's also a list of my TBR books in my <b>reading journal</b>. My post can be found <a href="https://aizelmacaldo.blogspot.com/2020/01/2020-tbr-challenge.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>. There are 115 books listed plus the books I bought in January and February, so I have <i><b>135 unread books </b></i>as of February 2020. One of my 2020 reading goals is to tackle my physical TBR, so hopefully I will finish a good percentage of it. I am not pressuring myself, but perhaps this little challenge will slightly push me to read my TBR books.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I hope you had a good time looking at my shelves. I know they are not well organized, but I tried. <i>I tried. </i>I will really reorganize it soon. Haha!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-o-<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's all folks! How many are your TBRs? And what are you currently reading?<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy reading!<br /></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-45633536217679754392020-05-04T07:00:00.000+08:002020-05-04T07:00:00.674+08:00To Be Read: May 2020 Quarantine Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hi folks! How are you all doing? It's a tough year, isn't it? And it's only May! I hope you are all staying safe and healthy.</div>
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Most of us are in the waiting game. Waiting for this pandemic to end. Hoping and praying that all patients will heal, that there will be no new cases, and most importantly that the vaccines and drugs being developed will be successful. Our lives are at a standstill. Waiting.</div>
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I have been in quarantine since March. I had a travel history (Japan) so I need to do self-quarantine, and while doing that the PH government enforced a Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). The ECQ got extended until May 14 (for now). And so, I haven't been outside since March 13 and I have been working from home.</div>
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One thing this ECQ is giving me though is time. Not really lots of it because I still have to work but relatively more time than I have before. Time to do what I need to do for my personal well-being. And one aspect of that is my reading life.</div>
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I finished my <b>first book in March</b> (<i>I know</i>) and in <b>April I read 7 books</b>. Hence with what is going on in my reading life, I thought of setting again a monthly TBR. It is an ambitious pile since I am a mood reader. But I'll do what I can.</div>
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Here are the books I want to read (and hoping to read) this month: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUl3QaColwAsvZpHr1PdStLKqoSQlCBtbc02k-UFvJn91GLHneSHtxwNnVV_Oc8IaHuMmV1AZ-4nIpOh2vY7m0YHeSNczE6jBzWZEynehfSQMLSUbmKWB7UklVrIrLju5FUATSgYqZYA/s1600/may+2020+quarantine+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUl3QaColwAsvZpHr1PdStLKqoSQlCBtbc02k-UFvJn91GLHneSHtxwNnVV_Oc8IaHuMmV1AZ-4nIpOh2vY7m0YHeSNczE6jBzWZEynehfSQMLSUbmKWB7UklVrIrLju5FUATSgYqZYA/s640/may+2020+quarantine+books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><b>Fear </b>(Gone #5) by <i>Michael Grant</i>- I am currently at 30% of the book.</li>
<li><b>Light </b>(Gone #6) by <i>Michael Grant</i></li>
<li><b>Little Fires Everywhere </b>by <i>Celeste Ng</i> - I have started this book in January or February but I have not finished it yet.</li>
<li><b>Flame in the Mist </b>by <i>Renee Ahdieh</i>- I also started this in February, I think, but I have not continued with it too. I had a hard time following the events. lol But I shall see. I will start it again.</li>
<li><b>Smoke in the Sun </b>by <i>Renee Ahdieh</i></li>
<li><b>War Storm </b>(Red Queen #4) by <i>Victoria Aveyard</i>- I am quite hesitant to start this one, the last book in the series, because I have a feeling someone will die. lol</li>
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It's a bit of a stretch really. After finishing Obsidio last month, I had no idea what to read. It was quite difficult to choose what I think I want to read for this month. But I am really hoping to reduce my physical TBR to half this year. I am not expecting to reach most of my 2020 goals but I hope the reading goals will be reached somehow.</div>
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Anyway, that's all folks for a quick update! Let us all pray for hope and healing. Stay healthy, stay strong! We will get through this!</div>
Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-82081669583234278322020-05-02T07:00:00.000+08:002020-05-02T07:00:05.517+08:00Red Rising (Red Rising Saga #1) by Pierce Brown: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Title: </b></span>Red Rising</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Author: </b></span>Pierce Brown</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Series: </b></span>Red Rising Saga #1</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Publication details: </b></span>January 28th 2014 by Del Rey (Random House)</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Genre: </b></span>Dystopian, utopian, YA</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoPmYaWfSbx-BDm18Qi9TyvEHDusxNGRa6Ow-fyms8SUPKDe14ZhG-wZOqUdErSZsOUP8Lm2ds9r8w24R5nxj66JVEdUxgVM1ZTNJF81As1KTrqd9WKhSqTdauozsnpeVoByZpswnA5k/s1600/red+rising+book+review.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoPmYaWfSbx-BDm18Qi9TyvEHDusxNGRa6Ow-fyms8SUPKDe14ZhG-wZOqUdErSZsOUP8Lm2ds9r8w24R5nxj66JVEdUxgVM1ZTNJF81As1KTrqd9WKhSqTdauozsnpeVoByZpswnA5k/s640/red+rising+book+review.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsViR1jZsrREvwcgzrSIbZ351OxrpUdBVbOaNYzolk7ld7SNW71EqI5ilB5iftO3xxX-g7Oh1hYsOwZsdq4Odu1zSeRcOEa_4QY7zDjTuqrVxnIC3_R7TCsAPZ-CZtrcntPK_eYMoC38Q/s1600/abouthebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsViR1jZsrREvwcgzrSIbZ351OxrpUdBVbOaNYzolk7ld7SNW71EqI5ilB5iftO3xxX-g7Oh1hYsOwZsdq4Odu1zSeRcOEa_4QY7zDjTuqrVxnIC3_R7TCsAPZ-CZtrcntPK_eYMoC38Q/s1600/abouthebook.png" /></a></div>
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Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.<br />
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Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.<br />
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But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrowāand Reds like himāare nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.<br />
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Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so. (Goodreads)</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839976-red-rising">GOODREADS</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg506ksmman2kyQI0OnvIEOn0qNL-DiOjHFYXSqhEAiV0lA8y5iNIHhZQIbcT1JDSqqXVQ8b7Z7f18HJtqV5GfGFAHyHPL8JbjASboadLbL5Ubx0XyHbxbzzLZYfGvYIU1brz0CKVL-C2Y/s1600/mythoughts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg506ksmman2kyQI0OnvIEOn0qNL-DiOjHFYXSqhEAiV0lA8y5iNIHhZQIbcT1JDSqqXVQ8b7Z7f18HJtqV5GfGFAHyHPL8JbjASboadLbL5Ubx0XyHbxbzzLZYfGvYIU1brz0CKVL-C2Y/s1600/mythoughts.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Red Rising </b>is one of the books I decided to read because of the hype. I am not sure of the exact year, but there was a time when YouTubers and Filipino book lovers cannot seem to stop talking about it. So for that reason and the fact that the author is cute (<i>valid reason folks</i>), I put <b>Red Rising </b>in my to-buy and TBR list.</div>
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<b>Red Rising</b> is set in a dystopian/utopian world where the society is divided by color. Much like a lot of books in this genre, there is caste system where the Golds occupy the highest rank in the society, while Reds are the lowest. I am not sure how many colors there are, but each color has a specific role in the society to which they do not really diverge from.</div>
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Told in the first person perspective, we follow Darrow, the main character, as he introduced us to the conditions of the Reds, as well as glimpses of other colors. The beginning is quite slow, though it is intriguing enough for me to continue. Some technical words are lost to me, but I don't think it took much away from my reading experience.</div>
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Since the story is told in Darrow's perspective, I also have a limited view of what is happening and the true condition of the people, the planet and the universe. And so as the story progresses, it felt like I was also learning with Darrow as he explores and navigates his environment.</div>
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Majority of the book is set in the Institute, the Gold's command school. It was an interesting plot element, and gave an avenue for the plot and characters to develop. I think <b>Red Rising </b>is compared to Hunger Games because of this.</div>
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Towards the end, the pacing becomes faster and there are a lot of actions involved. To be honest, I was not sure if most of those scenes are essential to the plot and/or characters, but I guess for purposes unbeknown to me, they are alright. <i>Lol</i> The ending, however, sets up a lot of possibilities for the next book.</div>
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The characters, I think, are just okay. I do not love them nor do I hate them. I am not sure but I was just not able to connect to any of them. I was actually just rooting for Sevro throughout the book. But I did see how Darrow rose up to fulfill what he's supposed to do. I was able to see how he gradually changes, losing his past self bit by bit.</div>
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Though I am never for any kind of violence, in this book, I do understand the characters and their plights, how their actions are stemming from different factors innate and man-made. And I think that aspect of the book speaks a lot about humanity.</div>
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There are quite a number of YA dystopian tropes in <b>Red Rising</b>. However, one element I find refreshing is the world-building. I have never read a book set in Mars, so it's quite fascinating to see how life is being cultivated in the planet, as well as a lot of technological advances.</div>
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Overall, <b>Red Rising</b> is an entertaining dystopian/utopian read that resonates a lot of reality. It has an action-packed bits and is quite unpredictable. I do understand why a lot of readers liked it. </div>
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I had a good reading experience but unfortunately, I was not totally amazed by it mainly because I was not able to connect to the characters and because of the dystopian tropes. I also had high expectations because of the hype, so I guess that's also one reason.</div>
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Will I continue with the series? I am not 100% sure. Perhaps if I find a cheap/preloved copy, I will buy them and read, eventually. But they are not in my priority list.</div>
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Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-9043428386965711452020-03-14T11:25:00.000+08:002020-03-14T11:25:03.656+08:001-2020 Book Haul: Big Bad Wolf Book Fair Manila 2020<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi folks!</div>
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How is the first quarter of your 2020? Whew! Personally, I felt like it's already been 6 months. Life has been super busy and stressful (mainly because of work and the COVID-19). But on a brighter side, I also had a one-week trip to Japan! Yey! And of course, in February, we had the Big Bad Wolf Book Fair.</div>
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Without further ado, here are the books I bought in Big Bad Wolf Book Fair!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuU0p-cZ8K83Ue9iWFjCoAB8LBLbcwJVBecKcqYoktxriwyVsqAr5r1AgKLQy5bxWzq22KPwewiH_5cVAR49jyp0Ngw841lHTS2ncxjhOH_sNYcTRSJG8uwCg0ZzPluaI864HT3zX4es8/s1600/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuU0p-cZ8K83Ue9iWFjCoAB8LBLbcwJVBecKcqYoktxriwyVsqAr5r1AgKLQy5bxWzq22KPwewiH_5cVAR49jyp0Ngw841lHTS2ncxjhOH_sNYcTRSJG8uwCg0ZzPluaI864HT3zX4es8/s640/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar4MMRMOlM-by-3cfj3OeW7lxyzqUZcQ16Fmqak6y6srv_n00lDqKnJy20QJhVArkYGjZ5mem-3ruK8TB3kMU3gNtiGJLT4avjd3lwB45PDql3EnqgmfX9wyrGaApFqHHiUcM_MPmoT0/s1600/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar4MMRMOlM-by-3cfj3OeW7lxyzqUZcQ16Fmqak6y6srv_n00lDqKnJy20QJhVArkYGjZ5mem-3ruK8TB3kMU3gNtiGJLT4avjd3lwB45PDql3EnqgmfX9wyrGaApFqHHiUcM_MPmoT0/s640/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Because I want to read more of Stephen King's works, I decided to buy these books. I hope I will enjoy them all. I certainly enjoyed reading The Stand. š</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlfSaJChgTeVn8Sf1Yg_Jjgl7eAaCQYZtoEjjfU5lJ4BYks7qbsJl0AHL_-tQEZrderdXI2PuGTWFOP-Az8qBJb8v_akgb0bDlJUefN8it9-z3V6YHLQuNVBH1BN6ifGZWbVLl87_0ik/s1600/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlfSaJChgTeVn8Sf1Yg_Jjgl7eAaCQYZtoEjjfU5lJ4BYks7qbsJl0AHL_-tQEZrderdXI2PuGTWFOP-Az8qBJb8v_akgb0bDlJUefN8it9-z3V6YHLQuNVBH1BN6ifGZWbVLl87_0ik/s640/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Assorted titles. I wanted to buy more but I was on a tight budget because of my Japan trip. Haha! No regrets though. I will make sure to buy more next year! š</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wiaPnl2t4eaf3SyCDvWDhV6-3G2dO98kXXnfLEmb1FAIPOTm-2pZEef7dHSCaS1dEPX61NuF7Jhi-DRt4MhH4cLRr8vY5weMcyji3f9HzkuwwWNQBDnw4kk00drvNdZO2N5DLCU5CLw/s1600/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wiaPnl2t4eaf3SyCDvWDhV6-3G2dO98kXXnfLEmb1FAIPOTm-2pZEef7dHSCaS1dEPX61NuF7Jhi-DRt4MhH4cLRr8vY5weMcyji3f9HzkuwwWNQBDnw4kk00drvNdZO2N5DLCU5CLw/s640/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I only know that this series is a historical fiction. But I am not 100% sure. Haha! It seems interesting though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpB5RzEQCsdSQoIunKkiE1kKTbeEPu3Ax0GRjqwb7EuJ0wiNpTAnV4q9JFx2RvyfVBkJwZowhgXbq6Mupmp2iv3rSVjZA9OWO_GnHsYJZLtJwkZrU3vFaqjxZ1PyJBp9pVE25e8R7978/s1600/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpB5RzEQCsdSQoIunKkiE1kKTbeEPu3Ax0GRjqwb7EuJ0wiNpTAnV4q9JFx2RvyfVBkJwZowhgXbq6Mupmp2iv3rSVjZA9OWO_GnHsYJZLtJwkZrU3vFaqjxZ1PyJBp9pVE25e8R7978/s640/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My first ever box set! Haha! I have not read any of Agatha Christie's books, but I am curious and it seems like they are right up my alley!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhwFk9vkKyTAefXYeDvretimNrpWysX0HucTXR9IfL4sXY3lQesgpUjRhzlYGmTYMr7w7LITDJmMdC7bJtFNbpgKTIGB-Oq8iVpOpHldhkZWl0u8LEf759-RKOKluMVL6sLV6Rna358A/s1600/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhwFk9vkKyTAefXYeDvretimNrpWysX0HucTXR9IfL4sXY3lQesgpUjRhzlYGmTYMr7w7LITDJmMdC7bJtFNbpgKTIGB-Oq8iVpOpHldhkZWl0u8LEf759-RKOKluMVL6sLV6Rna358A/s640/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNvQItsolWD7BOFhR8AFkUsZLypDLXCGlVdgSvayLjW-9VnB1HDHF_Txohaa0E5Vb7vZLhuPP9UQMd1g34jX0MH17_UelYZR0mAzOgaMqO90wNYS2gXZi2qk5Veb9AmozT4OioXzRGw0/s1600/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNvQItsolWD7BOFhR8AFkUsZLypDLXCGlVdgSvayLjW-9VnB1HDHF_Txohaa0E5Vb7vZLhuPP9UQMd1g34jX0MH17_UelYZR0mAzOgaMqO90wNYS2gXZi2qk5Veb9AmozT4OioXzRGw0/s320/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td> <td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5yvcpEzXK3FR2xE-xVAA8-HsdEzEWE39CPIdjXeceH4RneMG5LOsZewcqY39ibrK4djLL4eP0-0WI5ahGKDV0JEEaKGPIyoNVdshFxDKD3V7CBlFzwDT3kNuAUi7xHzlvSOckJe8N-I/s1600/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_8.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5yvcpEzXK3FR2xE-xVAA8-HsdEzEWE39CPIdjXeceH4RneMG5LOsZewcqY39ibrK4djLL4eP0-0WI5ahGKDV0JEEaKGPIyoNVdshFxDKD3V7CBlFzwDT3kNuAUi7xHzlvSOckJe8N-I/s320/big+bad+wolf+manila+book+haul+2020_8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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I also bought one magnetic book mark, because why not? š</div>
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That's all folks for my book haul! Honestly, I am in a reading slump because of my busy schedule. I haven't finished a book! I hope things will get better in the second quarter- for my reading life, work, travel, health and for the world.</div>
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Let us all pray that COVID-19 will soon end!</div>
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Happy reading folks!</div>
Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-91023215643019425632020-02-14T07:00:00.000+08:002020-02-23T14:00:02.393+08:00Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor #1) by Mark Lawrence: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Title: </b></span>Red Sister</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Author: </b></span>Mark Lawrence</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Series: </b></span>Book of the Ancestor #1</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Publication details: </b></span>April 4th 2017 by Ace</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Genre: </b></span>Fantasy</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBl89VhLRAoZbnlxmB7OKHkDKMEE2O7q8hjqCJ0jfb7DpfUmmVW4nq7fGHlJSlhygSVs7CpkKmSDdK2lw0GDMEOyOwnKuJYk-26T14MOtAS5vv4_kfv8s_hqL9URb5O6xWDanlHVVyJ0/s1600/RED+SISTER+the+ancestor+trilogy+book+review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBl89VhLRAoZbnlxmB7OKHkDKMEE2O7q8hjqCJ0jfb7DpfUmmVW4nq7fGHlJSlhygSVs7CpkKmSDdK2lw0GDMEOyOwnKuJYk-26T14MOtAS5vv4_kfv8s_hqL9URb5O6xWDanlHVVyJ0/s640/RED+SISTER+the+ancestor+trilogy+book+review.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZk3YRCUkxYdPvwkKaW2iCpOjSxNBZZ52m724SbRsmpcDxLH9tmIk3rVzr4tEJdfkMBs5Ca8SfUCLcuxjtXGdBvHrv6rmmcgRiY2wpZI7XvvJbA_vWgnNMy-9cujXDzIdFp8t3SeihYr8/s1600/abouthebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZk3YRCUkxYdPvwkKaW2iCpOjSxNBZZ52m724SbRsmpcDxLH9tmIk3rVzr4tEJdfkMBs5Ca8SfUCLcuxjtXGdBvHrv6rmmcgRiY2wpZI7XvvJbA_vWgnNMy-9cujXDzIdFp8t3SeihYr8/s1600/abouthebook.png" /></a></div>
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At the Convent of Sweet Mercy young girls are raised to be killers. In a few the old bloods show, gifting talents rarely seen since the tribes beached their ships on Abeth. Sweet Mercy hones its novicesā skills to deadly effect: it takes ten years to educate a Red Sister in the ways of blade and fist.<br />
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But even the mistresses of sword and shadow donāt truly understand what they have purchased when Nona Grey is brought to their halls as a bloodstained child of eight, falsely accused of murder: guilty of worse.<br />
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Stolen from the shadow of the noose, Nona is sought by powerful enemies, and for good reason. Despite the security and isolation of the convent her secret and violent past will find her out. Beneath a dying sun that shines upon a crumbling empire, Nona Grey must come to terms with her demons and learn to become a deadly assassin if she is to survive...</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25895524-red-sister">GOODREADS</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3fztQFusvZmbvRuSHfrrsHBAVZSgGN8THxCLntSzCRzMpMaZ8nfBR4k5H20sgUyyIbdHwd5S_z_-QopqC9Rq9TjNK43P_FPEREttOj1oCfmmIKjqn6plgEHgOIgu4LSenTTl8hwdOV0/s1600/mythoughts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3fztQFusvZmbvRuSHfrrsHBAVZSgGN8THxCLntSzCRzMpMaZ8nfBR4k5H20sgUyyIbdHwd5S_z_-QopqC9Rq9TjNK43P_FPEREttOj1oCfmmIKjqn6plgEHgOIgu4LSenTTl8hwdOV0/s1600/mythoughts.png" /></a></div>
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I have heard about the Red Sister from some BookTubers in 2019. And since I have been in the fantasy kick for months now, I was intrigued and I had to read it. Thankfully I did, because it was definitely one of my good reads in 2019.</div>
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In the Red Sister, the first book in the Ancestor trilogy, we follow Nona as she trains to be a nun at the Convent of Sweet Mercy, navigating her way to an unknown world and slowly uncovering her identity to herself and to the people around her.</div>
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When I started reading, I had little idea of what the book is about. I only know that there's a girl, a school setting, and fantasy elements. And so it was an exciting experience for me to tread into an unknown world. The magic system is also interesting and is quite refreshing. I don't think I have ever read something like it before. Or at the very least, the way they are woven together make it a refreshing read.</div>
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At times, I felt that some scenes are dragging. And my interest dwindled a bit in some chapters. However, things picked up a few more chapters forward, as some plot threads are revealed. With these, my curiosity was slowly piqued and I found myself wanting to read more and know more.</div>
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I also thought it would have a predictable plot and plot twist, but I was wrong. I was surprised by the turn of events. And as mentioned, the pacing became faster and things got more appealing.</div>
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One of the things that put me off was it did not feel like the main character and her friends are children. I felt like their actions and thinking are for adults rather than for children. Hence, I had to frame my mind that they have different world, different culture, and harsher surroundings to account for their behaviour.</div>
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Other things that made it not an easier read for me are the lack of map and index. I am not sure if it is because I only had a mass market paper back edition, but the book only had an index of characters in the beginning. With this, I had a hard time following some events. But nevertheless, I don't think I missed out a lot. Perhaps, this will allow me to still have an enjoyable time when I re-read this book.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSbdakttThMAXlrFG-Kpdlqqg62Bq22vVucIKgXQnG_GHlP3TYLxYcWJZK-vSlYPD1gGHJsBXG52rCd0cT36VZ1_A_Zy5bhzRyEM1Be7xRVYU_BhVFYLM3eFpOAW128SCfyd8fKe-ouE/s1600/RED+SISTER+the+ancestor+trilogy+book+review_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSbdakttThMAXlrFG-Kpdlqqg62Bq22vVucIKgXQnG_GHlP3TYLxYcWJZK-vSlYPD1gGHJsBXG52rCd0cT36VZ1_A_Zy5bhzRyEM1Be7xRVYU_BhVFYLM3eFpOAW128SCfyd8fKe-ouE/s640/RED+SISTER+the+ancestor+trilogy+book+review_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As mentioned, I find it quite odd that the children act like adults. But looking past that, the characters, while I don't find any of them relatable, are interesting to read. They are three-dimensional. And thankfully, none of them are annoying. I am excited to know more about Nona and how her character will develop further, as well as her future adventures.</div>
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Overall, Red Sister is an entertaining, unique fantasy read for me. I had some difficulty reading because of the technical terms, but nevertheless, I want to know more. I will definitely continue with the trilogy. And I will read more of the author's works.</div>
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Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-31122827581440597112020-02-07T07:00:00.000+08:002020-02-07T07:00:09.277+08:00The Last Wish (The Witcher #0.5) by Andrzej Sapkowski: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Title: </b></span>The Last Wish</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Author: </b></span>Andrzej Sapkowski<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Translator: </b></span>Danusia Stok </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Series: </b></span>The Witcher #0.5</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Publication details (mass market paperback): </b></span>May 1st 2008 by Orbit (first published in 1993)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Genre: </b></span>Fantasy, high fantasy</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfPy-Iu_2yqBqjc7g1AxyjMErEwDJLelq5K9gjtCTnqzd4aL1qzJyB49W56dRoQbeoPLThbRlN_mNNKkmGQgsjP0LjBQaGKxk6t3Pbo5QKbi8iHv-Nh0vll6krrOqAo6QYoQ6oG_h1gk/s1600/the+last+wish_witcher+series+book+review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfPy-Iu_2yqBqjc7g1AxyjMErEwDJLelq5K9gjtCTnqzd4aL1qzJyB49W56dRoQbeoPLThbRlN_mNNKkmGQgsjP0LjBQaGKxk6t3Pbo5QKbi8iHv-Nh0vll6krrOqAo6QYoQ6oG_h1gk/s640/the+last+wish_witcher+series+book+review.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tLfOgLQkZyPV60UFe4-EeQeIoc73ToKPgtVM9-cHWVzijlCwzxWs511GX2NRB6LWBc0P_CtluCTUUmov3glt4Gtqu2dG8by8HlsPppmBpJQbvYG211v9hsSHnKRFc-xggLMSGJRYTvQ/s1600/abouthebook.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="59" data-original-width="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tLfOgLQkZyPV60UFe4-EeQeIoc73ToKPgtVM9-cHWVzijlCwzxWs511GX2NRB6LWBc0P_CtluCTUUmov3glt4Gtqu2dG8by8HlsPppmBpJQbvYG211v9hsSHnKRFc-xggLMSGJRYTvQ/s1600/abouthebook.png" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #ebf4fa; color: black; padding: 10px; text-align: justify;">Geralt of Rivia is a witcher. A cunning sorcerer. A merciless assassin. And a cold-blooded killer. His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world. But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good... and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.<br />
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A collection of short stories introducing Geralt of Rivia, to be followed by the first novel in the actual series, The Blood of Elves. Note that, while The Last Wish was published after The Sword of Destiny, the stories contained in The Last Wish take place first chronologically, and many of the individual stories were published before The Sword of Destiny. (Source: Goodreads)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2287468.The_Last_Wish">GOODREADS</a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dBYDsbshI5muNclAEyPYKORgVroNLK70YaXuRtzLUbBKgQaHpV0S_fosZzRxdhPrTg1HP_9HVf9_U6LZi3eS7Q0lGF92e45coyw-0n6998y00Z-H5tsIWqSmusiuUDmnjhiOs23m9qg/s1600/mythoughts.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dBYDsbshI5muNclAEyPYKORgVroNLK70YaXuRtzLUbBKgQaHpV0S_fosZzRxdhPrTg1HP_9HVf9_U6LZi3eS7Q0lGF92e45coyw-0n6998y00Z-H5tsIWqSmusiuUDmnjhiOs23m9qg/s1600/mythoughts.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Propelling and intriguing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Last Wish </b>is the first of the two collections of short stories in the Witcher series. The stories herein follows Geralt of Rivia- his dealings and adventures prior to the events of the first book, <b>Blood of Elves</b>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is my first dip into the world of the Witcher series, hence I was not able to fully grasp the characters yet. However, I did not have a hard time following each short story. And it hooked me instantly. There are a lot of fantasy elements to dive into, and the world seems vast. I am pretty sure I will have an enjoyable reading experience once I get to the main books of the series.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The characters are three-dimensional. And the dynamics between some of them is also intriguing. I am very much looking forward to read more of them, and witness how their character arcs will develop.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One thing I especially liked about <b>The Last Wish </b>is the retelling of a few fairy tales. I am not sure if this is also the case in the main books, but I find it interesting to read how these fairy tales were incorporated and twisted to fit into the world of the Witcher.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will definitely continue with the series. And I am excited to explore its world and characters. I will probably re-read these short stories after I read the first book (or perhaps up to the third) of the Witcher series.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am not sure if the author has written other books or series. But if there are others, I will definitely read them too! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5s_9nol6QK3nYRhUnWCzxeyFK0EQtBuYrjgqPWd0iDYVdMFnbd-qgDB-8YdYUmfQeSh_VpVtSimhZPo05NZl46wkWRQ9xtCj85U7fFTK0Fw_WAhHg8Gj_iVkUiwI_Nycd0Dm1bNWy_0/s1600/myrating.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5s_9nol6QK3nYRhUnWCzxeyFK0EQtBuYrjgqPWd0iDYVdMFnbd-qgDB-8YdYUmfQeSh_VpVtSimhZPo05NZl46wkWRQ9xtCj85U7fFTK0Fw_WAhHg8Gj_iVkUiwI_Nycd0Dm1bNWy_0/s1600/myrating.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXQVLOyyQ4f66yWpHHKrB6bgNOvYhNZ4uVDaP137LJ-D3ou4SQHKRa0jONj3w8-YScRIZL0-lYoysiTtvl3zG9zXjgD0FZbDcqYJGp8gAReQZCyPeuMbZSY2oeRVHWoxDqaDzVJntL9A/s1600/4.5+stars.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXQVLOyyQ4f66yWpHHKrB6bgNOvYhNZ4uVDaP137LJ-D3ou4SQHKRa0jONj3w8-YScRIZL0-lYoysiTtvl3zG9zXjgD0FZbDcqYJGp8gAReQZCyPeuMbZSY2oeRVHWoxDqaDzVJntL9A/s1600/4.5+stars.png" /></a></div>Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8390491553806520340.post-45023460976265017182020-01-31T07:00:00.001+08:002020-05-16T09:21:26.728+08:002020 TBR Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi folks!</div>
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Buying books is a natural habit for us book lovers. It's like breathing for us. It's normal, a lifestyle. Book-buying ban? Who are we kidding? Haha!</div>
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But really, it is inevitable. I don't know about you, but I find book-buying therapeutic. I even enjoy watching book hauls on YouTube!</div>
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Consequently, I add more books to my never-ending TBR pile. To be honest, I still have unread books that have been on my shelves for 2-3 years (<i>mood reader problems</i>). And just last month, I posted the 2020 books I want to check out this year (<a href="https://aizelmacaldo.blogspot.com/2020/01/2020-book-releases-to-check-out.html" target="_blank">click here</a>). Of course, I still have more books to buy this year during sales and book fairs, the 'unexpected gems'. And so, I think it's about time to force myself to tackle my TBR pile. This 2020, I will try to decrease my TBR pile. That is, all the physical books I currently own.<br />
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Here are some of my unread books:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS0dNHi8WK6UrGNLzyZu3SUZR2VaH3BWGn2c4H1KQEpviIuYGKO1r3TjhJ1ci7cbLzQS8hH9zXw7Q6Es0NqnTOAzGhBT8KFGKLp1czN6SFo9EKdqQjTi_XYf_jZWIFWo-GURH8SlCBBM/s1600/tbr+reading+challenge+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS0dNHi8WK6UrGNLzyZu3SUZR2VaH3BWGn2c4H1KQEpviIuYGKO1r3TjhJ1ci7cbLzQS8hH9zXw7Q6Es0NqnTOAzGhBT8KFGKLp1czN6SFo9EKdqQjTi_XYf_jZWIFWo-GURH8SlCBBM/s640/tbr+reading+challenge+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here is the list from my reading journal:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1c4QBnwqFdRSOY3_mN7z-bKWlFk6J2A_m-JR3kh1qmPooYs3Fav-xnSI5GZ75V4seyLRYL6VsS1c4JMwxgtS1RLPYem2sgtfJNfSEpjV1-YIin-N3q-e_6nQq8tqYRCgcOqvHKSMiUQ/s1600/reading+journal_tbr_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1c4QBnwqFdRSOY3_mN7z-bKWlFk6J2A_m-JR3kh1qmPooYs3Fav-xnSI5GZ75V4seyLRYL6VsS1c4JMwxgtS1RLPYem2sgtfJNfSEpjV1-YIin-N3q-e_6nQq8tqYRCgcOqvHKSMiUQ/s640/reading+journal_tbr_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8xczQfbA5pqPe1Z5lL3mW6JNvZtNTCHHjVXHNzfMBd2v16eEYbeFwDT4ee1AbTwQmn4WlbJKCd2W4yrSX2QTD_PQ7N5Vob2VmiZ6W8kitBpbNOVI2NAxGc58lNZiMhilAXUFP6obCV8/s1600/reading+journal_tbr_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8xczQfbA5pqPe1Z5lL3mW6JNvZtNTCHHjVXHNzfMBd2v16eEYbeFwDT4ee1AbTwQmn4WlbJKCd2W4yrSX2QTD_PQ7N5Vob2VmiZ6W8kitBpbNOVI2NAxGc58lNZiMhilAXUFP6obCV8/s640/reading+journal_tbr_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see, I have 115 unread books. Since my reading goal this year is 30 books, I only set 20 books for this challenge. I am a mood reader so I will probably read the ones I will eventually buy this year. š </div>
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Anyway, I made a list in my reading journal so it'll be more challenging for me. Haha! I am hoping that by writing them down, I will be challenged to tick them off my list. (Let's see how that will go. š)</div>
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That's it! I do hope I will get to them, well, to at least 20 of them. Haha! With my schedule, I am keeping my fingers crossed.<br />
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That's all folks!</div>
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How about you? Any reading challenges for 2020? </div>
Aizel Macaldohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745860105308884568noreply@blogger.com