Follow Up: Top Influential Books In My Life

Almost a month ago, I wrote a post listing my top influential books in my life. The biggest challenge for that exercise was NOT to say any reasons whatsoever. I decided to write a follow up post to that, but also decided to film a video talking about them! I gave very brief reasons and I tried not to ramble. If you have time, please watch.

If you would just like to read, here are my very basic reasons as to why these books are included in my top influential books list. 

• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling 
  This was my gateway to reading, writing, and all things books. It made me realize the power of imagination and creativity, and my dreams were heavily inspired by this series.

• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
  I opened my eyes to the realities of human condition, and made me want to learn about mental health. It also made me realize the importance of stability, not just in our careers, finances, and goals in life, but also in our relationships with others, but more importantly, our relationship with ourselves.  

• 100 Love Sonnets by Pablo Neruda 
  This introduced me to the world of poetry. In high school, after reading this book, I started writing a lot of poetry, drawing inspiration from his work. Sonnet 17 is still my favorite poem/sonnet of all time.

• Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
  I read this the week of my high school graduation in 2007, and this was recommended to me by my English teacher! It was an interesting read, and the process was a great learning experience.

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  The is the one book that got me started interested in learning about that time in our history as human beings. It was a powerful testament that life can be good despite the rough times, and it also made me see the true power of words in our lives.

• Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
  This was one of the first books I read when I first came here to the U.S. after living in the Philippines for 15 years. English was hardly a second language to me; I understood and spoke it fluently, but my vocabulary wasn't that great. This book had tons of words I couldn't really understand or haven't used before, so it opened up so many opportunities to learn more. It what ignited my appreciation and love for linguistics and language.

• The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
  I read this during a tough break up. It was a good book to accompany me during the healing process!

• The Stranger by Albert Camus
  I was 10 years old (or so) when my grandparents sneakily took my cousins and I to the bookstore. At that time, my parents didn't want me to get more books because they were only supposed to be given as a prize if we were doing good at school, etc. But my grandparents told us we could pick ONE book of our choice anyway, no questions asked. The cover of The Stranger caught my eye, and it was in a language I couldn't understand - French. It sort of was the beginning of me being a Francophile, but in all honesty, I just loved that my grandparents let me pick any book, giving me freedom. Having grandparents who not only supported reading, but also encouraged it, will always be something I will be thankful for.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
  I was a kid when I first read it, so I only appreciated its story and its artwork (which is fantastic!) But now that I think about it, it's what inspired me to start writing short stories, and I remember always imitating the book's style. Today, I feel like there was so much more to this book. It contains so many hidden messages about life and humanity. 

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So that's it for my reasons!! Tell me your reasons for your list that you added. 

Here were the other bloggers that participated in this challenge. 

Adam at Roof Beam Reader
Melissa at Avid Reader's Musings
Sarah at The Everyday Reader
Chris at Wild Moo Books
Brona at Brona's Books

Dewey's Readathon this Saturday!

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon is this Saturday, the 26th already! This is going to be my very first time joining a readathon (can you believe it?) and I seriously can't wait.

The 24 hour readathon is basically an event that happens twice a year, where we read as much as we can, talk about our reading throughout the hours, and visit other blogs that are participating in the event. Throughout the day, there are also mini-challenges, which sounds extremely fun. The last time I checked, there are 281 readers signed up! 

I don't have an 'official stack of books' yet, but I am thinking of books that are 300 pages or less, short stories, and graphic novels/comics. Since I live in California, my start time is at 5am, but I have to work that day at 7:45-11:45. Other than that though, the whole day will be pretty much devoted to the event.

I wanted to put this post up as to ask you if you are joining the readathon as well, and if you are, please link your blogs and twitter accounts below, as I definitely want to follow you before Saturday! 

Let me know also your planned stack of books, and random question... what's your must-haves during the day? Snacks, etc. Haha. Anyway, I hope you have a great rest of the week! 

In the meantime, follow me on twitter! 

New Blog Look + Easter Sunday

First thing's first. I have a new blog design! This is a pre-made template that I got off from a graphic designer and web designer online.  I still adore my old blog design created by a good friend and fellow book blogger, but after four years, I just needed change. I went for more of a minimalist design, and a bigger blog text space. I hope you like it!

I also hope your Easter Sunday was eventful. We went to a local winery and had a simple picnic. It was nice and quaint, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon. 

I made sure to sneak in a bit of reading time. Currently, I am reading Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, which I haven't read. 

How was your Easer, or if you don't celebrate it, how was your Sunday? What are you currently reading? And what do you think of the new blog design?

Anyway, I hope you have a happy week ahead!

Bookish Related Things: Update

Last year, I wrote a post, showing all the bookish related things I own. Since then, my collection has grown. Not by a lot, but some awesome items have been added for sure. If you have the time, please watch the video on my new youtube channel, subscribe, and share!

I also tag YOU to do this challenge. I love looking at people's bookish items so I am definitely looking forward to seeing yours! 

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Genre: Historical and Contemporary (narrator switches from 1930s to 2011)

Rating: 3 stars

I have to give this book a 3 star rating. While the book itself was overall a good read, it does have many flaws - a seemingly rushed ending, underdeveloped characters, odd pacing, and overall execution of the conclusion.

The good thing about this is that it is a quick read. I read it in a matter of two days. It was a very easy read and an engaging one at that. I liked the author's way of narrating the story; I thought that she did a good job telling it in a way that naturally flows.
As far as the subjects behind the story, they are topics I am not entirely familiar with, which I appreciated. I like the fact that the author dealt with these unfamiliar themes.

However, as I have mentioned, the ending seemed a bit rushed for me, and I didn't feel like the main characters were completely developed just yet. I was just starting to get to know them, I was just starting to root for them. I also felt like their relationship with each other was odd, as I didn't feel that they really connected all that much. All of a sudden though, we were near the end and before I knew it, the plot was concluded. I felt like there were so many finer details missing in between. It lacked events that supported its overall conclusion. And that ending... it was done and presented in a neatly tied bow, which I just didn't buy.

I think that the subject matter is a darker part of our history, and should have been explored more, not just touched on. 

Like I said though, it was still a solid read. 

If I Stay Trailer!

Gah. When I first read this book, there are honestly no words to express how it made me feel. I sobbed for quite some time after finishing it! Now the trailer for the movie is here. It looks pretty promising. Can't wait.

Have you read this YA novel?
I rated the first one with 5 stars - read here.
I rated its sequel with 5 stars - read here.
Did you like it, and if so are you excited? I am!

This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl

I am not sure how to begin this "review," if I could even call it that. If you don't know who Esther Earl is first of all, she was a fellow nerdfighter who inspired so many people in (and outside) the  nerdfighter and Harry Potter community. She was diagnosed with metastasized papillary thyroid cancer in 2006. She died in 2010. She was 16.

This Star Won't Go Out is a collection of her journal entries gathered from her physical journals as well as her online entries. It also has words, letters, and testimonials from her family, friends (both 'in real life' and on the internet). It has doodles, drawings, and photos.

She meant so much to the community and to so many people that John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, though it is not about her, is dedicated to her and her short but amazingly meaningful life. 

I read this book out loud to someone, who has never heard of Esther Earl and isn't as familiar with nerdfighteria. But let me tell you this: it was hard for him to listen to this book because of how emotional it is, and it was incredibly difficult for me to keep my emotions in check. The whole time I was reading, I was on the edge and just wanted to start bawling. My chest was  so tight as I read; I couldn't help but think about how life can be cruel and unfair sometimes. Yet, I also couldn't help but feel amazed and inspired at how a young person can do so much in the short amount of time she had. If there's one thing I know for sure, Esther is so alive in this book, and I felt every word she wrote. 

I also couldn't help but laugh at times. She was funny, light-hearted, positive, and so enthusiastic about life. She was also mature and smart beyond her years. 

I read this in one sitting, and read several parts again in the next few days. All I have to say is I've always been amazed at her story, but more so after reading this. She will always be a special one, and having the opportunity to read her words, as well as her loved ones', was so special. 

Where Are You From and Places YOU Want to Visit

I've been blogging for four years, and got my 700th follower yesterday! So funny that my 700th follower has the same name as me! Shout out to Jillian of Jillian's Books.  

Anyway, this post is random and out-of-nowhere. I am curious as to where you all are from! What country, what state. You don't have to say which city of course (privacy reasons and all) but I am curious as to where this blog's readers live or have lived!

I was born in California, but moved to the Philippines when I was a few weeks old. I grew up there, and when I was fifteen, my family and I moved back to the Bay Area in San Francisco, California. I love my hometown, and am proud of my Filipino heritage. I also love the city of San Francisco; it is an interesting and fun place full of so many different cultures and eclectic people and activities! I have to say my favorite place would be Washington State though; I fell in love with that state (especially the area in and outside of Seattle). It's similar to San Francisco, but more low key and more nature-y. 

As far as places I want to visit, here are the top of my realistic must-visit places.

1. New York (I've been there, but I want to go back!) 

2. London 

3. France (Paris and the country side) - my top travel destination for sure!

4. Go back to the Philippines for a visit

Tell me about where you are from and where you live, and the top places you would like to visit someday!