That "Random Post" explaining everything...

It is that time of the year again where we look back to the things we accomplished, paths and adventures we took, and of course, the books we have read for the past twelve months. This year has been one hell of roller coaster ride for me. It is the year of many accomplishments and a few downfalls. Nevertheless, it has been one great year. Despite the many hardships and problems encountered, I can still say I faced them proudly (although not very gracefully).

This blog post will generally be about the pressing issue the bothers me the most… my absence and the complete silence in my little blog. Yes, I was away, and I am truly and terribly sorry for not being able to post reviews or book hauls for the past few months. As I have said, many things have happened in the past couple of months (which you will know in a little while if you continue to read this blog post). I do not know how I will be able to manage reading, writing reviews, responding to comments and being up to date with all the bookish stuff while thinking of school requirements, studying for the boards and all that important life stuff that will help build your career in the future. So again, I apologize and thank everyone who came to visit the blog when I was away.

When January 2015 came, I knew I had to make a very difficult decision to leave the blog unattended for a while. I will be graduating on March, and I will be taking a professional board examination a few months after. To cut things short, I will be very busy studying and I really need to focus. Thankfully, I was able to graduate last March 2015, and I passed the Board Examination last October 2015. It took months, years even, of hard work, sleepless nights, a lot of sacrifice (Oh, the horror of not being able to read novels because of exams and recitations!), and heart-felt prayers. And now, I finally did it.

That is the main reason why I was not able to blog for several months. I was very busy, and I swear it hurts to see the blog very quiet. Also, the number of books I've read this year disappoints me (I will tell all about that in another post). However, I am back, and I am ready for another year (I think). Hopefully, my 2016 in the blogosphere will be way better than 2015.

To all those people who visited, followed, read, commented or whatever you did, thank you! May your new year be better than the last. And HELLO all the way from the Philippines.

Stacking The Shelves (10): Extended Edition

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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Hello!

Welcome to my Stacking the Shelves post, the Extended Edition! Why "extended", you ask? Well, because I realized that it has been 364 days since I last shared my weekly/monthly book haul. I missed a lot of times to share the new books I bought and received. So now, I am sharing all the books I got from November 2014 to March 2015 (I did not get anything this April, Sad.).

Here they are...

NBS Book Signing Events (Mid 2015)

For the past years, National Book Store has been graciously bringing authors to the Philippines for book signing events and blogger forums. They have brought both Ransom Riggs and Tahereh Mafi, Veronica Rossi, Gayle Forman, Jennifer E. Smith, Jenny Han, Mitch Albom, Marie Lu and a lot more authors closer to their Filipino fans. And although it is extremely frustrating that I haven't attended any of these book signing events (not even once), there is still that exciting thought that, for a moment, we are all in the same time zone, stepping on the same land, breathing the same air, and all that cheesy stuff you say to try and convince yourself to get over that crappy feeling of not being there.

This coming June and July, four beloved authors are coming to the Philippines to meet some of their Filipino fans and grant them the privilege of having their books signed. We have National Book Store to thank for that.

So, who are we (we does not include me, probably) going to meet this coming months? Drum roll, please...

SUMMER READS: Mini Reviews

It's officially summer in the Philippines. It has been for almost a month now. And that means no school, no homework, and no annoying exams (happy dance!). And thus, more time to sleep, read and binge watch movies and television series.

I don't know about you guys,but I'm seeing "summer reads" all around, and whenever I hear that or anything similar, the first thing that comes to my mind are the contemporary/realistic young adult books. Yes, the YA Contemporaries in general - not limited to those beach reads. Although I read a wide variety of YAs every summer, I think majority of the books I have read are contemporaries. And right now, all that I have read since the last day of school are books like that.

The three most recent books I have read just a few days ago are:

Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian

Aimee and the Heartthrob by Ophelia London

Three contemporary romances with three very different themes.

The NEW FACE of Jace

If you’ve been following the Shadowhunter/TMI updates for the past couple of months, I’m sure it’s not a surprise to you that Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series has been given a second chance - second chance to prove to people how insanely badass the story is and another chance to redeem itself.

As a fan of the series, I can’t tell you how both extremely excited and nervous I was when it was announced years ago that they were going to make a movie out of the books. Finally, the Shadowhunters and friends (especially the famous glittery warlock) will be personified. But as the casting went on, my excitement deflated. I was having a hard time picturing some of the characters playing their respective roles. But I tried to have faith with the people behind the movie. I convinced myself that they know what they were doing.  And the movie came out after a few months. I did not expect much, but I was still a little bummed that it was not as good as I wanted it to be. I guess it was okay. It’s not one of those movies that I would gush about for days and force my friend to watch.

Then, the news broke out that The Mortal Instruments series will be made into a television series. Well, for me, that is definitely good news. There’s a chance that the story will be closer to the books, and the story won’t be rushed because you have an entire season (and more seasons to come, hopefully) to map out the plot. Aside from that, another thing to be excited about is the new cast. Yay!

*ignore the TMI back story and fast forward to the casting news*

DOMINIC SHERWOOD will be the new JACE!!!

I am not really a fan of Dom Sherwood. You might have seen him on Vampire Academy playing Lissa’s love interest, and on Taylor Swift’s Style music video. He’s okay, but not the picture of Jace I had in mind.  There’s actually no vivid picture of Jace in my head. Hahahahaha! Anyway, after I found out about the casting, I searched for pictures and videos of him.  The pictures were “hmmm… no comment” (he’s appearance is similar to Robert Pattinson, and I don’t like Rob), but the videos I’ve seen were pretty good. Maybe it was his charm, or the British accent, or maybe even his different colored eyes. Whatever it is, there was something that told me he might play Jace well. There might be chance that he’s Jace after all.

Right now, I'm sure my Shadowhunter friends are waiting for the next casting news. *fingers crossed*

Random Note: This is my first post this 2015. I miss doing this!!!

Summer Book Crush: Book Boyfriends Are Here!

What would you say to over 80 titles with many undeniably-hot BOOK BOYFRIENDS that leave you wanting more? Yep, we've got you covered. The second annual SUMMER BOOK CRUSH event runs this year from June 19th through June 22nd. Don't miss it, or you will have to wait a full year for the next one! So many ways to fall in love with just a right BOOK BOYFRIEND! And the best part? You can purchase your dream Book Boyfriend for only 99¢ each, but for a limited time only.

Today, I Swear I'm Not Doing Anything

Hi! I just want to tell everyone that my classes has started last week, so expect a lot of creepy inactivity on this little blog. I have a class every day of the week, from Monday to Friday, and most of my free "home" time are spent doing school work and studying. Why? Because everyday is exam day. Well, not really. But just to be safe, I am assuming there will be an exam everyday. We really did have a terribly traumatizing exam on the first day of school, another exam on the second day, and another on the third day. Yes, three consecutive exams on the first week of school. What a very lucky week!

Anyway, see you around! I'll be back sooooooon!

And NO, I haven't watched The Fault in Our Stars yet. I want to, but I feel guilty spending money on a movie when I haven't even paid all my school fees yet.

Oh, look! School work! Very exciting and extremely enjoying! These are my review note, by the way.

BYE!

**Please don't mind the title of this blog post. I just can't think of anything good to put there**

Feature & Follow Friday (17)

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme

hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read!

Hello there!!!

I am teepee, and this is my blog, Little Librocubicularist. This blog (and I) is so fortunate to have been chosen as one of the featured blogs this week. Thank you Parajunkee and Alison Can Read!

Interview Questions:

1. When did you start blogging?

I officially started blogging January last year. But the blogger account has been around since March 2011. It was just a requirement for a school subject we had back then. Then, I discovered book blogging and wanted to try it out. I reconstructed the blog on October 2012 and posted a some random book reviews from Goodreads. I realized how awful and disorganized the blog looks back then, so I remodeled it again. At the start of 2013, Little Librocubicularist has been officially born.

2. What is your favorite part of book blogging?

Getting and reading books, and people actually liking what I had written. I feel relieved and glad whenever someone comments on one of my reviews, or even give them likes on Goodreads, It's like an assurance that what I'm doing is okay (if not good), and I can continue doing it.

3. What type of books do you mainly blog about?

The blog is dedicated mostly to Young Adult books, and a few selected New Adult books as well. I read all genres of YA except horror, so expect a a diverse selection of books. But lately, I've been having a Contemporary fixation.

4. What are your favorite books?

Can we skip this question? It's so hard.

Okay, here are some of my favorite books

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta is one of my favorite books. It has been one of the few books that has left me speechless after reading. Also, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (I have not read Clockwork Princess yet) and My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park has recently been added to my favorites list. There are a few more but I can't seem to remember... I feel bad for those who have not been mentioned.

5. What has been the best thing that has happened to you because of book blogging?

To be honest, getting books from authors or publishers is by far the most squeal-worthy moment I've ever experienced. It is number one on my list. And not far from the top spot is the part where authors actually acknowledge the things you said about their books. If getting books is squeal-worthy, this experience just blows my mind away.