Book Review: Dekada ’70 by Lualhati Bautista

Posted on 06/26/2022 by Lenn

Title: Dekada ’70

Author: Lualhati Bautista

Publication Date: 1983

Number of Pages: 227

Publisher: Anvil Publishing

Genre: Classic, Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

Si Amanda Bartolome ay isang pangkaraniwang babae – asawa ni Julian at ina ng limang anak na lalaki. Sa kanilang subdibisyon, pinakamalaking problema na niya ang mga kapitbahay nilang hindi na natapos magreklamo tungkol sa mga malokong batang Bartolome.

Ngunit ang panahon ng martial law ay hindi pangkaraniwang panahon. Sa pangunguna ng panganay nilang si Jules at ang kanyang pagsabak sa madugong rebolusyon, di maiiwasang harapin ng pamilya ang karahasan ng batas militar. Habang ang kanyang mga anak ay hinuhubog ng malagim na dekada, at nahahanap ang kanya-kanyang sariling adhikain sa gitna ng kaguluhan, tinatanong at tinutuklas din ni Amanda ang sarili kung ano nga ba ang kanyang tungkulin at kakanyahan bilang ina, bilang babae, bilang Pilipino.

Continue reading →

Books #Bookstagram Made Me Buy

Posted on 06/24/2022 by Lenn

Bookstagram has been one of my favorite book communities in the past couple of years. It’s been alive for quite some time now, but I believe that it regained its peak during the pandemic. The book community as a whole is one of the most beloved community in the web because the people are just so kind and genuine, especially when talking about their favorite books.

With that said, I would like to dedicate a blogpost the the bookstagram community and share with you the titles that I’ve bought because of it. You may also check Fully Booked Online to find you next great read!

*Throughout this post, I’ll be including my affiliate links for each of the books in the list. Note that I earn a small commission whenever you use my affiliate links to purchase these books. Continue reading →

Book Review: The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3) by Dan Brown

Posted on 06/22/2022 by Lenn

20211123_111027_0000

Title: The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3)

Author: Dan Brown

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Publication Date: September 15, 2009

Number of Pages: 639

Publisher: Anchor Books

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Adult Fiction, Crime

Synopsis:

In this stunning follow-up to the global phenomenon “The Da Vinci Code,” Dan Brown demonstrates once again why he is the world’s most popular thriller writer. The Lost Symbol is a masterstroke of storytelling–a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets, and unseen truths . . . all under the watchful eye of Brown’s most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., The Lost Symbol accelerates through a startling landscape toward an unthinkable finale.

As the story opens, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned unexpectedly to deliver an evening lecture in the U.S. Capitol Building. Within minutes of his arrival, however, the night takes a bizarre turn. A disturbing object–artfully encoded with five symbols–is discovered in the Capitol Building. Langdon recognizes the object as an ancient invitation . . . one meant to usher its recipient into a long-lost world of esoteric wisdom.

When Langdon’s beloved mentor, Peter Solomon–a prominent Mason and philanthropist–is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes his only hope of saving Peter is to accept this mystical invitation and follow wherever it leads him. Langdon is instantly plunged into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and never-before-seen locations–all of which seem to be dragging him toward a single, inconceivable truth.

Continue reading →

Travel Bag: Packing My Luggage

Posted on 06/19/2022 by Lenn

As the world slowly opens up and returns to ‘normal,’ we are finally allowed to travel again! This year, we’ve scheduled domestic trips first, and this month, we’re heading to Bohol. It’s one of the most well-known destinations in the country—not just for its iconic tourist spots like the famous Chocolate Hills but also for its incredible dive sites. In recent years, more and more people have taken an interest in diving, and Bohol is definitely one of the top spots in the country to enjoy this sport.

This will be my first time visiting, so I’m really looking forward to exploring the place. One of my goals is to swim with the sardines—and, if I’m lucky, with the turtles too! I’m excited to share my experience on my blog once we get back, but for this specific post, I want to share the things I always bring with me when I travel. Think of it as a “What’s in My Bag” post—except it’s my luggage. Haha!

Continue reading →

Book Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer, #1) by Jenny Han

Posted on 06/18/2022 by Lenn

Title: The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer, #1)

Author: Jenny Han

Format: Paperback

Publication Date: May 5, 2009

Number of Pages: 276

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance,

Synopsis:

Some summers are just destined to be pretty.

When each summer begins, Belly leaves her school life behind and escapes to Cousins Beach, the place she has spent every summer of her life. Not only does the beach house mean home away from home, but her favorite people are there: Susannah, her mother’s best friend, and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah.

Belly has been chasing Conrad for as long as she can remember, and more than anything, she hopes this summer will be different. Despite distractions from a new guy named Cam and lingering looks from Conrad’s brother, Jeremiah, Belly’s heart belongs to Conrad.

Will he offer his to her?

Will this be the summer that changes everything?

Continue reading →

Five-Star Predictions

Posted on 06/16/2022 by Lenn

I don’t think I’ve ever done one this kind of list before, so I decided to do one. As you all know, I have a ton of books on my physical TBR and though I have been slowly putting a dent on it, I have also been adding new titles every once in a while. Well, that’s quite the life of most bookworms, wouldn’t you agree so? Haha

So I took the time to stare at my bookcase and skimmed through the titles that I think (and badly hoping) would be a 5 star read for me. I chose these five books because I honestly have high expectations for them given that there have been quite some hype for them around the book community.

To my Filipino readers, you may check Fully Booked Online to find your next great read and avail their free shipping for orders P799 and above!

*Throughout this post, I’ll be including my affiliate links for each of the books in the list. Note that I earn a small commission whenever you use my affiliate links to purchase these books.

Continue reading →

Book Reivew: Dawwang by Gantala Press

Posted on 06/14/2022 by Lenn

Title: Dawwang

Author: Gantala Press, Illustrated by Nina Martinez

Format: Paperback

Publication Date: 2021

Number of Pages: 48

Publisher: Gantala Press

Genre: Comics, Non-fiction, Philippine Literature, Historical

Synopsis:

Si Leticia ‘Tining’ Bula-at ay mula sa grupong Naneng sa probinsiya ng Kalinga. Noong dekada ‘70, may bantang lunurin ng proyektong Chico River Dam ni Presidente Ferdinand Marcos at ng World Bank ang ili ng mga Naneng at iba pang ili sa Kordilyera. Dalawampu’t walong anyos si ‘Nay Tining nang dumating ang National Power Corporation at Philippine Constabulary sa kanilang bayan para simulan ang pagtatayo ng dam. Linabanan ito ng mga umili: nagtayo sila ng mga barikada, binaklas nila ang mga kampo, at direkta nilang hinarap ang mga sundalo. Sa kabila ng pisikal at sikolohikal na karahasan, nagpatuloy ang kilos-protesta ng pamayanan, at nakansela ang dam ni Marcos. Sa kasalukuyan, patuloy ang pakikibaka nina ‘Nay Tining at iba pang kababaihang tagapagtanggol ng Kordilyera laban sa mga korporasyon at mapanirang mga proyekto ng gobyerno sa Ilog Chico at mga karatig-lugar.

Ang DAWWANG (salita ng mga Naneng para sa “ilog”) ay bersiyon sa Filipino ng komiks na ito na nilathala bilang LET THE RIVER FLOW FREE (Ingles) at LASST DEN FLUSS FLIESSEN (Aleman) sa ilalim ng proyektong Movements and Moments: Feminist Generations ng Goethe Institut-Indonesien.

Continue reading →

10 Queer Books I Want to Read

Posted on 06/08/2022 by Lenn

Howdy! And I’m back with another list for you. This time, I’m sharing with you some queer books that I would like to read. In recent years, the number of books relating to and/or about LGBTQ+ have grown and it’s something that we must all be proud of. I must admit, I haven’t read a lot of LGBTQ+ books and I promised myself to work on that this year and the succeeding years. With that said, I picked the top 10 queer books on my Goodreads TBR to create this list.

To my Filipino readers, you may check Fully Booked Online for their Pride Collection! Throughout this post, I’ll be including my affiliate links for each of the books I’ll be mentioning. Note that I earn a small commission whenever you use my affiliate links to purchase these books.

Continue reading →

5 Books I Love

Posted on 06/07/2022 by Lenn

I’ve made another recommendations style entry, but in no particular genre — just a list of books I absolutely love and has stuck with me ever since I’ve read them. This list contains a variety of different genre and authors that you might want to add in your TBR as well. Without further ado, let’s dive right into the list:

Continue reading →