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TBR of the Month

These are the books that I’m hoping to finish this month.

As you all know, I’ve read the second book in the Mara Dyer series last November and I was hunting down the third book right after I finished reading it, but it always seemed out of stock, but just a few weeks ago, my officemate told me he saw it in a Fullybooked branch near their place in QC and yeah, I asked him to buy it for me. Finally, I’d be able to know the conclusion to Mara and Noah’s story! Meanwhile, I stumbled upon Kissing Ted Callahan and Other Boys yesterday and the cover was just so cute and I knew that I just had to have it!

There are so many things I’m looking forward to this month and I just can’t wait! Commissioner’s Cup will also start next week, so yeah, more basketball! Yay!

Source: dustypromises

On Reading

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Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated whenever I see someone reading a book. It always seems to me that they shut the world out and they’re in a different dimension, but what really started this hobby was when our English teacher asked us to read Plagues and Federation: Diary of Kitty Barnes by Vashti Farrer for our book report and then I started reading Nicholas Sparks books and it was heavenly and after that, I never really knew how to leave the house without anything to read inside my bag anymore.

These days, I find it really hard to squeeze in some reading because I’ve been busy with a lot of things; Work, family, basketball and other stuff too. I was still able to finish reading one or two books a month during the past year but this year, so far, I suck at my reading challenge/status. I still haven’t finished anything since 2016 started and I’m really frustrated about it.

I’m currently stuck with White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout and it’s really going well and I don’t have a decent excuse about not being able to finish it other than I usually just end up sleeping when I get home from work. So, yeah. Boo me.

Source: dustypromises

Farewell, Lolo Jo

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Last Friday, we were shocked with another heart-breaking news. Another person who was very dear to our family passed away.

Lolo Joe was my grandfather’s uncle, his mom’s brother. Last May, we got the news that he was very ill and was having a hard time eating. He was confined in the hospital for weeks but was also discharged. I remember how relieved we all were when he was finally discharged, we visit him almost every week in their house at BF until he was confined again and undergone an operation. The operation was successful and for a moment, we all thought he was getting better, he even gained weight.

So last Friday, September 25, two weeks after his operation, I was at the salon and was having my hair done which was an annual routine for me, and then I got a message from my mom that Lolo Joe is, again, badly ill. I informed my hairstylist that I wouldn’t have my hair colored anymore. My grandparents just got to our rest house in Tagaytay that morning and was rushing back home right after they got the news. At around 11:40, my mom texted me again and told me that he’s already gone. I was so teary-eyed at the salon. I went home crying because the last time I saw him was at the hospital, after his operation. We all thought he was getting better.

I hated myself for being so selfish because I didn’t want him to die even when I know that he’s already too tired. A hundred years really is something. I know he misses his parents, his sister and wife, but I seriously wasn’t ready to lose him.

Lolo Joe, I know you’re happy now and I’m sorry that it took me a hard time to really let you go. We miss you, we miss you so much it hurts. We miss you everyday. Rest in peace, Lolo. See you soon.

Source: dustypromises

Farewell, Tito Aries

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Yesterday was such a shock to all of us. We lost a very good friend, an awesome person and a strong, undaunted investigative reporter.

I have always looked up to you for being so fearless when it comes to knowing the truth. I have always loved writing but when I met you and learned the way you write your articles and reports, I’ve been much more eager to be just like you. It was just too bad that I didn’t take up Journalism.

You were such a blessing to everyone around you. You were always willing to help in every way you can, you’d go out of your way when one of your friends needs someone to talk to, you’re truly one of a kind. You were such a good person and I guess, it’s true that good people go to heaven early.

You’re only 45, so, so young. Death stole you too soon. You’re still having the time of your life, we’re still learning from everything you impart. Everyone misses you already, Tito Aries.

We went to your wake this afternoon. The first time I looked at you inside the coffin, I was still hoping that everyone would start laughing and tell me that this was all a bad joke, but none of it ever happened. You’re really gone. When I was about to turn my back on you and walk towards the nearest chair, for a second, for a split second I thought your lips curled into a smile and that immediately made me look at you again. You looked as if you were just sleeping and playing a big bad joke on us. My mom, beside me, said, “Aries, gising na. Ang haba na ng tulog mo.” And again, for a split second I thought your eyes moved a bit and if I was in a different person’s wake, I would literally run out, screaming, but with you, I didn’t get scared. I actually wanted you to wake up. I really wanted to believe that you were just sleeping but you weren’t. Everyday, I would have to convince myself that you are gone…

I know you’re going to be safe and happy up there, but it just hurts to lose someone like you. But with all that being said, I thank you for being one of my strongest inspiration when it comes to writing. Thank you for simply existing. Everyone who knew you are blessed. This isn’t goodbye, we’ll see you again in the next lifetime, Tito Aries! And while we’re waiting, when you finally get to heaven, please write a story of how beautiful it is in person. I’ll read it when I get there! Have a safe trip to heaven, Tito! ❤

Source: dustypromises

Book Review: The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

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So I finished reading this book today, I loved it! And I really really wish they’d make a movie out of this. Hihi!

This book made me realize that no matter how fucked up and messed up people may seem, they’d always find something or someone who’ll help them keep their sanity.

Source: dustypromises

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

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Rating: ★★★★★

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris, and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret: one she’s kept hidden from everyone, because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves … or it might be what destroys her.

I have been planning to read this for a long time, but I was always so broke when I visit a bookstore. And when I heard that they’re already making a movie out of it, I was eager to read it, so when I accompanied my brother to buy art materials, I didn’t hesitate in buying it anymore, since I don’t want to watch the movie first before reading it.

The story catches me off-guard with Tris’ determination and belief. Despite all the obstacles she’s been through in the initiation, she manages to stay strong and prove all the people around her that even though she’s a girl, a Stiff and small, she can still be brave and courageous. I learned that selflessness isn’t actually far from being brave.

Divergent will surely keep you up at night with the eagerness to know what will happen next in Tris’ extraordinary journey. With this, here is what really moved and made a mark on me. Straight inside my heart:

“I believe in ordinary acts of bravery; in the courage that drives one person to stand for another.”

Source: dustypromises

Book Review: The Mortal Instruments (Book Four): City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

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Rating: ★★★★

It took me almost a month to finish this book. Not because I got bored or something, but because I had so many school works, defenses and projects to attend to.

But finally, I was able to finish reading it last night. I was actually excited about reading it because the first three books was really awesome. I really read almost half of the book during the first few days of reading it, but a lot of things got in the way lately… The story actually made me giddy and all because of the events that had unfolded in the first few chapters.

Though, I’m not going to elaborate any further because I might write things that’ll spoil you guys. But it’s just that, I really hate how it ended. It pissed me off, literally. </////3

Source: dustypromises

Book Review: On A Night Like This by Ellen Sussman

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Rating: ★★★

It took me a long time to read the book because I kind of got bored in the first few pages. When I got in the middle, it thrilled me, wanting to know what will happen next to Luke and Emily, Blair and Amanda.

It’s disappointing at the end though, because it ended without knowing if Blair tried to fight her illness or not, and what happened to Emily after Luke left.

Source: dustypromises

Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

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Rating: ★★★★★

I read it for two days. The story was just so grand. I can just feel Hazel’s pain and I wanted to just jump inside the book between the pages and letters and hug her and tell her that she’s just so strong and that if I was in her shoes I wouldn’t be able to survive.

I cried. Twice. After what happened to Augustus and after reading the last page. The words John Green used was just so moving that it made the story stay and linger in my heart. His words literally killed me.

“Some infinities are larger than other infinities.”

Source: dustypromises

Book Review: Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho

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Rating: ★★★★★

After reading the book, I’ve come to realize that a lot of tragic things happen to each and everyone of us before the true happiness arrives. In the middle of reading and turning pages, I found myself helping Maria look for her true love and reach her dreams, I just never thought the book would give me that kind of feeling of happiness after reading its ending. It never occurred to me that such book will make me teary-eyed.

Really, Paulo Coelho is such an amazing writer. He never fails to give me knowledge about a lot of things, may it be love or life.

Source: dustypromises