Year-End Blogger Accomplishment and Appreciation Report

Hello blog followers and readers! First and foremost, I would like to thank each and every one of you for sticking up with my little blog baby for the past year. This has been one crazy year for me, both in my bookish life and my personal life. There had been a lot of ups and downs, but I managed to make it to the end of the year. Hurray!!!

One of the most significant part of 2013 for me was finally having the courage to officially start a book blog. I have been wanting to put up a blog since the moment I knew book blogs existed, but I just had a lot of doubts with myself and you know, the usual "I don't know if I can do it" thoughts. I tried to overcome them, note: tried. Even though I have already been blogging, I'm still doubtful.

Anyway, what happened this 2013?

Top 10 of 2013: Books I’m (Really) Looking Forward to in 2014

Rachel from Fiktshun along with Jaime from Two Chicks on Books and Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads are back to host the TOP 10 OF 2013!!!

Today's list will be composed of the books to be released in 2014 that I am extremely excited for. Now if that's the case, I think I have a lot on my plate. But to narrow it down, here are my top ten in no particular order, most of which are from authors I have already read.

Top 10 of 2013: Best Book Boyfriends

Rachel from Fiktshun along with Jaime from Two Chicks on Books and Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads are back to host the TOP 10 OF 2013!!!

Here are my top ten book boyfriends of 2013. But before you look into it, you must know that they may or may not be in order. I'm not really a hundred percent sure if they are in the right ranking. But I'm sure boyfriend #1 is in his rightful position. I'm positive he is my one and only super book boyfriend.

So here it goes...

The Late Christmas Post!

Hello!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I just dropped by to greet every one. I hope everybody had a blast yesterday. :)

Now that the 25th is over, 2014 is just around the corner.

Eeeeep!! Who's excited for the coming new year?

Anyway, may it be Christmas or New Year, I hope it'll always be a good day for every body!

Bye!

 

Stacking The Shelves (7)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! Hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

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It's Monday here, and this post is two days late! I really need to fix my schedule. Anyway...

Netgalley Approvals:

Where You'll Find Me by Erin Fletcher

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Kindle Purchases (Free):

 

Broken Symmetry by Dan Rix

Breakable by Aimee L. Salter

Shucked by Megg Jensen

Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover

Invisible by Cecily Anne Paterson

Just Breathe by Heather Allen

Gift:

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Birthday present from my sister!!! :) Thank you!!!

 

Speaking of birthdays, I have a BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY up on the blog. It is open to both US and International participants. Maybe you want to join?

Birthday Giveaway Part 1:

Win copies of American Girl On Saturn and Chasing Forever Down by Nikki Godwin (Int)

Birthday Giveaway Part 2:

Win book swags/swag pack from Jennifer L. Armentrout (US only)

Win a book from Huntley Fitzpatrick, author of My Life Next Door (Int)

 

What books have you bought or received this week? :)

Feature & Follow Friday (12)

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme

hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read!

Activity/Question: 

Pick a book in your favorite genre that you’d recommend to a reluctant reader.

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I don't have a particular genre that I can say is my favorite, but I love Dystopian, Contemporary and Fantasy (mostly paranormal) books.

For Dystopian books, I think everybody has already heard of The Hunger Games. Although I highly recommend that trilogy, that is not what I'm going to feature. My pick would be the LEGEND trilogy by Marie Lu. 

Birthday Giveaway Part 2: Let's Ship It

The second part of the Birthday Giveaway is now up and running! You'll have a chance to win book swags and a book copy from the wonderful Jennifer L. Armentrout and Huntley Fitzpatrick, respectively.

The vague DETAILS:

If you haven't heard the name Jennifer L. Armentrout or J.Lynn, you probably have been missing out on a lot of bookish updates recently. Why? Because she has been very active lately in the book community and she has released a lot of books and novellas already. It's really hard to miss. Just this year, she has released more than five books! Yeah! How awesome can she be?

Birthday Giveaway Part 1: Fangirl Moments

Let's admit it! All of us has been a fangirl (or fanboy) at least once or twice in our life. Whether it's the amazingly gorgeous lead guy in a movie or television series, the close-to-perfect hero of your favorite book, or the out of this world boy band you have always been dying to meet. There's always that rush of excitement and pleasure whenever you see them, think about them or hear them.

I have experienced that, too. Countless of times, actually. From Logan Lerman, to William Herondale; from Ian Somerhalder/Damon Salvatore to the Jonas Brothers; from Alex Pettyfer to One Direction (and a lot more!) I am a true blue fangirl from head to toe.

Anyway, the point is I have been so busy this year that I haven't really been much of a screaming fangirl like a was before. To add to the despair I am feeling, my ultimate favorite teenage boy band/group, the Jonas Brothers, has disbanded. Yeah, that sucks for me! So to sum up, I haven't been feeling the fangirl buzz for the past few months. Well, not until I read Nikki Godwin's American Girl on Saturn. (and NO! It is not about aliens or a girl who went to outer space!)

The Random Birthday Post

Hey! Guess what? It's December 16 and today is my birthday!!!

I actually have no idea what I want to write about on this "birthday post". I have been squeezing my brain juices for days now, but I still can't think of anything good to share. So if you are reading this right now, you must know that this blog post is the outcome of all the randomness I can think of, and that this has not been extensively prepared for.

Now, what to write about? Hmmmm... Okay! I'll start with some random facts about me (which some of you probably won't be interested in).

1. I am 20 years old today, but I still feel (and probably look) like 16.

2. I am already on my fourth year in college, and I am taking up Accountancy.

3. I am a very shy person. I never had the guts to do anything exciting.

4. I think I suck at English (and writing). I really do. But here I am, book blogging.

5. I love Algebra and Geometry. Yes, I am sort of a Math geek.

6. I don't eat vegetables. I try, but that rarely happens.

7. I collect chocolate wrappers. (My mother thinks this is pointless).

8. I hate sports and I really suck at physical activities, except dancing. I enjoy dancing, but I'm not really good at it.

9. I live in a small city with only one bookstore offering new books, and two secondhand bookstores.

10. Only four of my school friends and my sister know that I have a blog. The rest have no clue what I've been up to.

11. I never had a boyfriend. It is a prohibited topic inside the house (Lol! Kidding!) But seriously, I'm not allowed to have one until I graduate.

12. I have never been inside a bar or a club. I have never even tasted beer in my 20 years of existence.

13. I have a very poor eyesight. If I don't have my glasses on and you're standing a few feet from me, I probably won't recognize you.

14. I am a frustrated singer. I really want to sing. But sadly, I am tone-deaf and my voice is from the land of tralala.

15. I did not want to read when I was younger. I thought it was boring.

16. I am a very short person. As I have mentioned, I am a little over 5 feet but not over 5'1".

17. I am not a teenager anymore!!! *sobs*

18. I am afraid to really grow up.

19. My favorite color is orange. But I don't like orange-flavored stuff.

20. *still thinking*

If by chance some of my life's tidbits had caught your interest and you want to know more, ask away! I'll try to answer if I can.

*additional randomness*

Did you know that I share birthdays with Ludwig van Bethooven and Jane Austen? It's kind of ironic that I share birthdays with a musician and a writer, because I am a crappy writer and I don't have an ear (or voice) for music. Gaaaah! It's a little frustrating whenever I think of it. I also share birthdays with Theo James, who plays Four in the upcoming Divergent movie, and Anna Popplewell, who plays Susan in The Chronicles of Narnia.

Anyway, since it's my birthday, I am expecting gifts from everybody who read this post. Kidding!!! Lol!  It's me who has something for every one today. So, make sure to check out the blog every once in a while today. You'll never know when I'm going to post it.

CLUE: It starts with the letter G and ends in Y.

Update:
Birthday Giveaway Part 1 (INT)
Birthday Giveaway Part 2 (US and INT) 

Stacking The Shelves (6)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! Hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

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I bought two pre-loved books from our school's College Student Council. I think it was a fund-raising event to help children this coming Christmas (I'm not sure), with all the proceeds of the sale going to charity projects. So YAY to cheap books and YAY to helping other people! :) Here they are:

Starters by Lissa Price
Just One Day by Gayle Forman

This book feels a little bit like cheating because I  actually bought this one as a gift for my younger sister. And I think I have no right to actually include this on the post. But we do share a lot of things, including our little bookshelf, so that counts as "adding books to your shelf" right? And I know she loves me too much to even make a fuss about this.

Anyway, the last book I bought this week is
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. 

 and...

(Belated) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR SISTER!!!

Feature & Follow Friday (11)

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme

hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read!

Activity:

Bookselling Time: Go to your biggest bookcases. Go to the second shelf from the top and pick out the sixth book from the left. Hardsell that book to us – even if you haven’t read it or if you hated it. (If you don’t have bookcases, don’t have six books on one shelf, etc, pick a book at random.)

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The books on my second shelf are not really arranged that way. Some of them are piled up, so the one I got is the sixth book from the bottom.

Time Between Us
by Tamara Ireland Stone

If you love contemporary novels, I'm sure you'll love the sweet tale of Anna and Bennett in Time Between Us. If you're thinking that this is probably one of the many cliche love stories out there, think again.  But how are they different from all the other YA couples out there? Well, this relationship is not just tested by distance, but tested by time as well. Anna is from 1995 while Bennett is from 2012. Bennett's unusual condition enables him to travel to different places at different times. He meets Anna in 1995. He falls in love. He keeps coming back and, you know how the rest of that goes... or at least you think you know. *devious grin*

I swear, you won't regret this one. This is a must have on every bookcase in the world. Not just because of the great story, but the cover looks wonderful as well. It would look very good sitting there on your shelf. :) Plus, there's that possibility that this book might turn into a movie. Wouldn't you want to say that I have already read that before all the movie drama/hype starts?

BOOK BLURB: Allegiant (Divergent #3)

ALLEGIANT (Divergent #3)
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Number of Pages: 526
Date Published: October 22, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Dystopia

Goodreads:

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. 

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

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My Thoughts:

Stacking The Shelves (5)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! Hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

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 I have not purchased anything for the past weeks, and this week is no different. The only new book I got this week is from Netgalley.

Another Little Piece of My Heart 

by Tracey Martin

What if your devastating break-up became this summer’s hit single? In this rock-and-roll retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, music can either bring you together or tear you apart.

  

Eeeeep! That line alone immediately made me click the "want to read" button. So, a big THANK YOU to Netgalley for accepting my request.

Books I Want to Read Before 2013 Ends

In less than a month, another year will come to a close. And with that closing comes the end of another annual reading challenge for several bookworms across the globe, including me.

I have not set a very high number of books to read this 2013. It's just enough to fit to my busy school life. And thankfully, I'm a bit ahead of my reading challenge. I'm two books away from completing it (yay!), and there's still a few weeks of December left. So what do I do? Continue reading, of course! (I'm kinda experiencing a bit of  a reading slump these past few weeks, though.)

Here's a list of the books I really want need to read before the year ends (as of December 3, 2013). I feel like I have an obligation to read them this year, not next year, or the year after that (weird!). Most of these books are the last installment in their respective series.

1. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

I know! I'm soooooo behind from everyone who loves the TID trilogy. Sorry, I just can't read it when every one was gushing and crying over it. I think I needed people to calm down first before I start reading the conclusion to Tessa, Will and Jem's story. And I just can't say goodbye to Will yet.

2. United We Spy by Ally Carter

This has been one of the books that I was extremely anticipating this year. But when it came out, I just didn't have the chance to read it. I wanted to read it, but maybe I have attachment/detachment issues with books. Lol!

3. Gates of Paradise by Melissa dela Cruz

The Blue Bloods series has been one of the first series that I really liked. And now that it's on its final book, I can't seem to bring myself to grab the book and read it. It's not that I'm lazy (well, maybe I am), I just don't feel like reading it yet.

4. Champion by Marie Lu

I started this trilogy a few months ago (this year), and I immediately got hooked. I am currently reading it, so yay me! :D

5. Time After Time by Tamara Ireland Stone

The second book to the time-travel contemporary that I completely adore. I can't find a copy yet. :(

The next books are sequels, and are less prioritized than the first five.

6. The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
7. The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead
8. Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins
9. Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
10. Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff

Gift Suggestions For Book Lovers

Let's admit it, not all our friends know what kind of book we like to read, and sometimes they don't know what books we already own and  what we want to own. And we don't know all our friends book preferences as well. It might ruin the element of surprise if we/they ask, wouldn't it? So instead of giving each other books for the Holidays, or some book store gift cards, why not give other bookish stuff?

Here are some suggestions (click on the links to lead you to the stores)

1. Book Ends 

 Book ends are the perfect gift for those book lovers who ran out of shelf space and uses the table top to place their books. And wouldn't you want book ends like this that scream your personality (if you were a girl, of course).

Image: MochiThings.com

BOOK BLURB: Across a Star-Swept Sea (For Darkness Shows the Stars #2)

Across a Star-Swept Sea

Author: Diana Peterfreund

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Number of Pages: 464

Date Published: October 15, 2013

Genre:Young Adult Science Fiction, Dystopia

Goodreads:

Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, the two islands of New Pacifica stand alone, a terraformed paradise where even the Reduction—the devastating brain disorder that sparked the wars—is a distant memory. Yet on the isle of Galatea, an uprising against the ruling aristocrats has turned deadly. The revolutionaries’ weapon is a drug that damages their enemies’ brains, and the only hope is rescue by a mysterious spy known as the Wild Poppy.

On the neighboring island of Albion, no one suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous aristocrat Persis Blake. The teenager uses her shallow, socialite trappings to hide her true purpose: her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo… is her most dangerous mission ever.

Though Persis is falling for Justen, she can’t risk showing him her true self, especially once she learns he’s hiding far more than simply his disenchantment with his country’s revolution and his undeniable attraction to the silly socialite he’s pretending to love. His darkest secret could plunge both islands into a new dark age, and Persis realizes that when it comes to Justen Helo, she’s not only risking her heart, she’s risking the world she’s sworn to protect.

Feature & Follow Friday (10)

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme

hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read!

Question:

What book (or TV show or movie) have you not read that seemingly everyone else has?

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Book: Harry Potter series, Percy Jackson and other Rick Riordan books, The Iron Fey series and other Julie Kagawa books, (I have read the first book of all those three series but haven't continued with the rest). and Game of Thrones. That's all I could think of at the moment.

TV Show: Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, Supernatural, Pretty Little Liars,  etc...

Movie: Avatar,  Lord of The Rings (I haven't read that as well).

BOOK BLURB: This Song Will Save Your Life

This Song Will Save Your Life

Author: Leila Sales

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Number of Pages: 288

Date Published: September 17, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Amazon:

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, Leila Sales' THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

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Stacking The Shelves (4)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! Hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

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On my fourth Stacking the Shelves post, I will be showcasing not only the books I received or purchased for this week, but also the books I have gotten from the past months that I still haven't posted. Don't expect too much, because I haven't really been buying a lot of books the time I was temporarily away. I wanted to, but certain circumstances don't allow me. Anyway, moving on to the books...

Here are the new additions to my shelf!
Listed from top to bottom:

*top photo

13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope #1)

Uglies (Uglies #1)

White Cat (The Curse Workers #1)

Shadowhunter's Guide: City of Bones

Time Between Us (Time Between Us #1)

*bottom photo

Flipped

Love Story

Paper Towns

Every Day (Every Day #1)

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4)

Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)

Wither (The Chemical Garden #1)

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

COVER CRAZY: The One (The Selection #3)

35 GIRLS. 1 CROWN. THE COMPETITION OF A LIFETIME.

35 GIRLS CAME TO THE PALACE. ONLY 6 REMAIN.

ONLY 1 GIRL CAN WIN THE CROWN.

Who wouldn't be captivated by those striking catch phrases? I'm sure I would. But whenever I hear The Selection or Kiera Cass, what comes to my mind immediately are those gorgeous book covers of her The Selection Trilogy. If you haven't seen it yet, you should look it up and prepared to be blown away. And just recently, Kiera Cass has revealed the cover of the third and final book of the trilogy, THE ONE.

Of course, that got me excited. I'm really raising my expectations over the bar for this cover, and thankfully, it did not disappoint me. It is GORGEOUS, BEAUTIFUL and every other adjective you can describe for something as stunning as this one. I didn't expect it to be white, but holy moly! This white cover is magnificent! (If you haven't noticed, the adjective I'm using were just googled because I can't even begin hoe to describe how good this cover looks like.)

I haven't found any blurbs yet for the third book's plot so that's why it's not here. And to be honest, Ihave only read the first book in the series. I still don't have a copy of The Elite (the second book) because it's not my priority right now. Maybe next time.

  DROOOOOL!!!! Pretty Dresssssss!

Feature & Follow Friday (9)

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme

hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read!

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY:

Reading Nook Tour: Give us a tour of your favorite reading spots.

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My blog title says it all: LIBROCUBICULARIST, a noun pertaining to a person who reads in bed. MY BED, it is the one and only spot I feel very comfortable when reading books. Any other place is okay, but nothing can compare to my bed.

That was my room before we moved to a new place a few months ago. I still have the same bed and the same things, but the place is a little different. And I still love to read in bed.

(I chose this photo because my room looks clean here. Hahahahaha! And by bed is neatly fixed. Yay me!)