May Wrap-up and June TBR

I feel like everything in the past month just flew by. It’s already the third day of June which means I have exactly 37 days left of freedom. But to be honest, (I can’t believe I’m about to say this!) I kinda miss school. Some days I’d like to start on those big and intimidating medical reads but most of the time, I dread the arrival of July coz that’s when the real thing starts. But before I jump into the other life that I’ve also been dreaming of, I have planned how my June’s gonna go, as bookish as it’s supposed to be. And before I share it with you guys, here’s a wrap-up for the month of May. I have read 6 books in total and I’d say it was a quality over quantity kind of book month.

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Clean Break

(4 out of 5 stars)

I got a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review and honestly, this book was surprisingly engrossing and full of humor. You may read my full review HERE!

The Mansion Twins

(4 out of 5 stars)

I also got a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. A very exhilarating read! It was all funny, adrenaline-packed and magical. I have enjoyed the adventures of the Senka twins and I can’t wait to read more about them and their world. You may read my full review HERE! 

Knife of Never Letting Go

(5 out of 5 stars)

Patrick Ness is a cold-hearted storyteller in the most hauntingly awesome way! I have probably held most breaths reading this books than in any real life events. It was an exhilarating read and the writing was so captivating and engaging you simply cannot resist the urge to read the next page. This novel is dark, brutal, full of suspense and kept my awake at night until I finish it. Full review to come.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods

(4 out of 5 stars)

A book that talks about life, death and an unlikely friendship between a young man and an old man. The story was a mixture of happiness and sadness. It is insightful and very much a great read. Full review to come. 

Six of Crows

(5 out of 5 stars)

I am lost for words. Damn it, it was so badass and dark and aaargghh. Inej and Kaz oh my gosh. I am drawn to the darkness in both of them. Jesper and Wylan, I love reading through their conversations.  And oh my gosh Matthias and Nina made me feel love both the good and bad side. I can’t wait for the sequel *grabby hands* and I still can’t move on from this world. *stares into the abyss* Full review to come. 

The Forgotten Flapper

(4 out of 5 stars)

I got a free copy of this novel from the author. A great read. It felt like I was brought back in time when everything else happened. Because clearly this was a well-researched story. Honestly, reading it feels different, like even though I have to put it aside for awhile, the moment I get back to it again, I’m instantly drawn into the story like I never even put down in the first place. Full review to come. 

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There you have it, my kind of May. See how every book I’ve read is a great book? What a way to live this year indeed! *contented sigh* And if you have noticed, I have yet to publish a lot of reviews, so stay updated. And without further ado, I present to you my reading plans this month of June! drumroll please….

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Note: Click on the titles to read a synopsis from Goodreads.

The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness

This is actually my current read. And I’m more than half-way through the book. Slow-paced than the first one but boy the premise is still hauntingly unique and engrossing. This is the second book of the Chaos Walking Trilogy.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami

Yes, I recently purchased yet another book of Haruki Murakami because why shouldn’t I?

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I know your shocked. I’ve been eyeing this one off in every bookstore that I pass by last year. But I have to summon every self-control I have left not to buy it just yet because I might ravage my way into reading it and fail another exam. And now that vacation’s still here, I will be perusing its pages before it’s too late.

A Court of Thrones and Roses &  A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

The hype around this book series got me into a not-to-be-disregarded kind of curiosity. And also, I’ve enjoyed reading fairytale retellings. I usually take a step back around books with so much hype by not reading any reviews about it to avoid destructive expectations. So yes, I am picking it up this month with one blind eye.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

I am also currently reading this book because yes, I get distracted easily too. Deciding to read this book took me a lot of courage because I may read crime fiction but this one is on a whole new level. All these mysteries, murders, secrets and horrors of killings is just way too dark and eerie I am shocked I picked it up at night. But I’m really drawn to it already so there is no turning back.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

I found this book while I was supposedly window shopping in a bookstore. It;s a coming-of-age classic novel that talks about friendship and growing up during the time of World War II.

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Note: Source for all book images is Goodreads. 

And there you have it! I have 7 books on my June TBR and I do hope to read all of it this month. I will also be posting the promised reviews mentioned above along with the other review requests from authors anytime starting next week. 😀

I hope you have/had a wonderful day wherever part of the planet you are! God bless you, readers 😘

 

Not So Bookish Blogs You Must Visit

Top Ten Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Now for this Tuesday, the theme is not so bookish. It’s about the top ten websites or blogs that you enjoy visiting. As for me I have decided to share a list of awesome blogs that I love to visit. This is a combination of travel, photography and writing blogs. Trust me, you gotta check them all out. Also, I think this is an opportunity to spread the love in the blogosphere ❤

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TRAVELS

 Camera and Cheese

It’s one of my favorite blogs to visit and I especially go through her travel diaries every time I do. Her travels are unique and the photos she took for each travel are so impressive it makes me want to visit the place ASAP! And her blog offers more than just her travels. She have inputs on fashion, beauty and some of her advocacies.

Fave Post: Travel Guide to Kalanggaman Island

PepperMench

I’m not really sure if it’s a travel blog, but it sure is something like that and a whole other stuff. Hi ate Mench hehe 😀 I like reading through her posts because it’s not merely about showing the beauty of a place but more on telling the story of the place. And she’s also an advocate of nature. The author loves both surfing and mountain climbing, two things I’d love to do myself someday.

Fave Post: On the road

 The Travel Buff

And yet another awesome travel blog this is! I recently discovered this blog and finding that the author is also a bibliophile could have influenced me at some point. But really, the reason I love this blog is her travels are mostly here in the Philippines. And it’s a promise I made to myself to travel around the Philippines before I head out of the country again.

Fave Post: Travel Guide: Coron Palawan

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PHOTOGRAPHY

The Darkroom Nerd 

Well, as most of you may know I love photography even though I’m not a great at it. And this blog is one of the first that I have discovered. If you are interested in it too, you should definitely check out this blog. Her photography makes me want to learn more about the art.

 Joshi Daniel Photography

I believe this photographer is a professional one. I mean check out his photos it’s GAAHHH! I don’t how to critic these kind of stuff but I’d say his photos are unique and it speaks if that makes sense. Just check it out.

Aniket Sharma Photography

Another one of my favorites! I love the depth and uniqueness in his photos. UGH now my insecurities are out again. HAHA

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WRITING

In Noir Velvet

I am particularly drawn to this blog what with the author’s profound and thought-provoking words. The author writes six words to fifty words stories and everytime, it strikes me deeply. 😀

Girl on the Contrary 

Now if you’re looking for some hilarious yet substantial at some point stuff I think this blog offers just the right amount. I enjoy her posts coz it’s honest, funny and just reality.

The Renegade Press

This is one of those blogs I peruse when I need something that’s both profound and inspiring. The owner of this blog is a writer so of course, you’d expect those stuff I just mentioned. But really, I also enjoy reading some short stories that he writes and posts in his blog.

Latest post: Halcyon

Motivating Giraffe

And of course, just look at that blog name and tell me why I don’t love it. 😀 Also, her motivations includes some cool and funny giraffe photos. What else can I ask for, right?

Motivational post: Do what you can

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So what’s your list about? Feel free to share it with us and let’s spread the blogosphere love! ❤

Clean Break: ARC Review

Author: Abby Vegas

Expected Publication: May 16th 2016

Genre: Chick Lit, New Adult Fiction, Crime novel

Synposis (via Goodreads):

Lane Haviland can’t seem to catch a break. She’s dead broke, barely functioning as an adult, and completely alone in New York City. Her so-called “apartment” is a six-by-nine cell in a Brooklyn basement. And her new boss hasn’t ever met a personal or professional boundary she can’t bulldoze through.

Still, Lane’s determined to at least attempt to claw her way back to respectability. But she can’t seem to get her mysterious handyman, Viktor, out of her apartment – or her headspace. Maybe that’s a good thing: Viktor’s easy on the eyes, and that deep-voiced Russian accent is beyond sexy. But as he and Lane grow closer, he can no longer hide his connections with a dangerous criminal underworld – where secrets can be deadly.

Note: I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Review:

Clean Break talks about a young woman fighting her way back into life. To be honest, the first few pages was hard to get into because it all sounded too cliché for me. But after spending nights with Lane Haviland and her adventures I realized that I’m already hooked. I guess it’s the authenticity of the characters that got me engaged with the whole story. What I’m trying to say is that the author managed to give the truthfulness of how things actually happen in real life and how a person would naturally react to such things.

Now, that brings me to the characters in this story. First of course is our protagonist, Lane Haviland. Before everything went south, Lane had everything in her life-a wonderful family, money and love. But, it’s not life if everything seems to go by your way right? So life happened.

Now that part sounded cliche know, but hear me out. An accident happened to Lane’s family that got her messed up real bad. But one thing I admire about her character is the urge in her to live even though grief claws its way back into her life. I personally enjoyed reading about her character because first: all her references (ex. Dolores Umbridge hem-hem) were about the things I love,

second: she can be so real, funny and logical if need be. I admire her growth and independence as a woman.

But of course, there should be a man. For those who know, romance genres are not really up my alley but I read some as long as it’s not in its pure state. I can’t handle them in the pure state.

Now this book, thankfully, is diluted. I was actually hooked with the budding romance between Lane Haviland and his Russian man Viktor. Why? Because again, it was just the right amount, there was mystery in it and it was carefully told.  And nope there is no love triangle in this one. THANK GOODNESS! Yes there is a third man, Detective Jarrett but I disliked him as much as Lane does so he really doesn’t count. I have an extremely negative feeling towards the man.

Maybe again that is why I connect with Lane, she kinda thinks the way I do, with respect to the events in the story of course.

With regards to the writing and the plot, you’d be expecting secrets, mysteries and plot twists! Totally got the plot twist way ahead of schedule 😀 Anyways, this novel is an amalgam of genres to be honest. There is humor, a little action, mystery, a touch of romance if you’d ask and a walk through life. The life of Lane Haviland is surprisingly interesting, hilariously fascinating in some ways yet honest if need be.

So to my lovely readers, you should definitely check this out when it’s out in the market! 🙂

My Rating:

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Check author (Abby Vegas):

Website: http://www.AbbyVegasAuthor.com

Twitter: AwkwardCeleb

Add book on: Goodreads

MED SCHOOL 101 – What it’s actually like to be a first year med student!

15. First year of medical school is PURE EXCITEMENT!  

Oh, how pumped up you are to get started! 

14. BUT, there’s the predicament of finding new friends.

You scan the room full of eager (nervous as hell) first year medical students. You try to evaluate who you’re gonna sit with, because you have to look for that one person, the right person, whom yourself (the introvert that you are) is willing to spend an entire lunch with. 

Note: Only applicable if you have decided to enroll in a medical school where you don’t know anybody even the lunch lady.

13. First time reading the syllabus and class schedule be like…

12. Meeting the doctors who are gonna guide you through the whole year is quite unnerving!

But guess what? They don’t bite. Proven and tested! So chill. After one complete small group discussion for a case with your facilitator, you’ll start thinking of them as your best friend! 

11. However, when the Mother of Dragons Doctors shows herself, stay low, keep calm, don’t do anything stupid, follow instructions, obey the rules and voila! You’ll get a smile and you’ll live.

10. When it’s already been a month and you’re actually living the syllabus and class schedule.

9. That feeling you get when you first have a glimpse of your very own stethoscope and that moment when you get to use it to a patient, even though it’s just simulated is beyond words!

8. Thinking about working on a cadaver is a realm of emotions!

7. Eat up. Sleep when you can. Drink. Remember: NEVER FORGET TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Celebrate the temporary end of your exams–pass or fail! Best advice ever. It works. It’s legit. 

6. You will always have tons of reading material in your hands and books are gonna be piling up in your desk, still sometimes you can’t find the determination to get things started. 

For the love of coconuts! Don’t bug your medfriends about it. They’ve got the same workload as you do. So go outside, take a walk, grab an ice cream or a beer and sleep if you must. Determination will come crawling back to you once you get to relax your mind. Find your zen!

5. GROUP STUDY-OUTS? Works just right only if you don’t know anybody in the group.

For me, my place works just fine. However, when lazy days and comfy bed tries to work its magic on me, I study out. But I think the most productive way is to do it your way. Stop listening to one advice after the other. What could make them fly could make you fall. Create your own timetable. Manage your readings independently. Highlight texts as colourful as you want. Just do find what works for you and stick to that!

4. There will be a day or DAYS that you’d start posting your personal drama on your social media accounts.

But hey, those comments from my friends made me smile. And sometimes, that’s all you need. 

3. You’ll often get 2A.M. life evaluations. That’s normal. You will stare at the wall for what seemed like ages and it’s still nothing. You’ll talk to yourself once in a while. Still, that’s normal. I guess. 

2. You’ll cry. Hell, you’re gonna breakdown! And that’s ok.

You get to have tears after that failed exam. You’re allowed to release your anger because of all those sleepless nights of reading Guyton, Netter and Gray and still it seemed like it’s gone to waste. You can have one night of literal and figurative darkness. JUST DON’T WALLOW IN IT. I know you’ll hear this often, I’ve been there but I tried to make reality hit me one more time. To tell me that I won’t make it any better if I don’t start by turning on the light. One good thing you get out of a failed exam is the sense of urgency and determination that could help you ace the next one. 

1. Then first year is over and you realize, you’re just getting started! 

Into the Realms of Make Believe