July: Book Discrimination Awareness Month

How would you define book discrimination? 

On how I understand it, book discrimination is about how people put stereotypes on the novels based on what they see on the movies or what they hear over the social media without having to read the book itself, like there is this saying 'Don't judge the book by it's movie'. Non-readers tend to say a lot of things about these books being turned into major picture, they are entitled with their opinions, I just hoped they can put some thought into it. Also, with YA books being the new 'in thing' these days that is widely read by many, not only young adults in particular, It caught my attention that they seemed put labels with series that are in same genre like how they say "this is the new, hunger games" referring to divergent trilogy. Just because the book has the same literary genres doesn't mean it is trying to replace something, books are meant to be read and enjoyed, It is the pleasure they can give, the comfort they can offer and the escape they can provide. Each and every book are trying to make a name for itself and not behind the shadows of the 'popular' books. 

How do you feel about it?

As I reader/fangirl, It is painful to see that people see books differently as how we see it, that double standard stops people from seeing the good in books.  

What do you think is the cause of book discrimination?

It is from various causes I believe, can be how the book is written, how the cover looks like, how the plot is given, even how it is adapted as a movie. But of course, these are all my opinions. people tend to generalize things just because it is too mainstream or it is the talk of the town. 

What would you do against it?

I can never be sure what i can do that make such difference but i believe small acts can be a good step towards it, I try not to one of them, by not being part of those people who  say so many thoughtless words when it comes to books. Just read and don't ever judge it, if you don't like it, other people appreciate it's beauty. It is a matter of having good perspective. 

Fill in the blanks. More people should read ________ by ________ because ________.

just read books. any book you can find, any genre, what ever you feel like reading, if it cultivates you to become the person you really are. No books should be labeled as 'overrated' or 'underrated' 


BE PART OF THE BOOK DISCRIMINATION AWARENESS MONTH. 
HERE: http://bibliophilesoprano.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/july-book-discrimination-awareness-month/

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THE ONE BY KIERA CASS (BOOK REVIEW)

POV:  lead protagonist America Singer, First Person POV

SETTING: Palace of Illea

RATING: 5/5 stars 9maybe even 999999999999999999999 stars

SUMMARY:

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned

via goodreads

Time check 2:40 am, May 7, 2014 and I just finished The One! I'm hungry for more!!

By the time, I saw the last sentence I thought there is still few chapters to go, but when I turn the other page, the next thing I saw is "Acknowledgements" and I lie down on my bed, thinking this can't be the ending! I need to read more Maxon and America in my life! I want someone to tell that my copy has missing a few pages toward the ending. but it isn't!

I would like to quote this one from one of letters Maxon gave to America the moment he confirmed that he is choosing her:
“This isn’t happily ever after.
It’s so much more than that.”

It is indeed true! the book ended the way I wanted it to be, what I always hoped for. I want Prince Maxon to marry America, for Aspen to fall in love with someone else, for the King to be out of the picture (though I never thought he will die but trust me it crossed my mind- i want to kill him myself- because he is holding America back to love Maxon.)

the best part of this book is when America and Maxon is on the rooftop and it is raining and they kissed, like Maxon is just waiting for her to say those 3 words, 8 letters and they will be engaged that moment. I love how America finally realized she is in love with Maxon, that she love him so much all along, such a perfect moment!

I remember after they slept together. It is too perfect, the way they kissed, confessed their love on each another and then the tickle war that startled the guard especially Aspen who opened the door pointing his gun.It ruined the bubble when she tried to tell Aspen right after Maxon left, she could have told everything to Aspen while they were in Carolina or when they were on the plane..
When Maxon left, I really thought for one second they will never be together because he is sending America home, that mini heart attack, what a plot twist!!

like What Marlee says “America, you are full of nothing but bad ideas. Great intentions but awful ideas.”

I just want to know more about Maxon and America's married life, if they even have children, how their life has been after the caste are removed.

To see Aspen's life with Lucy after she retired being America's maid.

BUT at the end, I have so many unresolved questions in my mind.I can't fall asleep by thinking about it. so here are the few:
(maybe it could be a classroom discussion later on, kidding!!)

1. What is the cause of of America's Father's death? (it is so sudden though he has letter 3 years ago, is he keeping some kind of illness? what so?)

2. How did Maxon forgave America so easily after knowing about Aspen? (I know he loves her so much, but I could have at least wanted some clarification, there is like a missing piece here)

3. Is that what Aspen trying to say to America long time ago, that is he is in love with Lucy?

4.What happened to Illea after the erasing the Caste? Is Maxon and America still be the King and Queen?

5. What happened to Kriss? How did Maxon tell her that it is America all along that he wanted to marry? especially, after the attack in the palace on the day of the announcement.

6. How many days/weeks passed after the last attack before America and Maxon's wedding?

7. Where is America's head maid, Anne go? Is she dead?

8. How long did Lucy and Aspen been hiding their relationship? Is it the reason why Lucy looks so upset when she found out Aspen and America has a past before the selection even begin?

9.What happens to the Southern Rebels after the massive attack that got them kill the King and Queen? how about the Northern Rebels?

10. why is there is no funeral for the King and Queen

11. Is Kriss one of the "sources" or the "insider" from the Palace that informs the rebels what's going on? is Gavril too?

12. Why Princess Nicoletta and the other Italian Royals not present in the wedding?

13. will America and Maxon still live in the Palace when the caste is finally erased?

14. Who will rule the Illea now?

15. What happens to Elise and Celeste after they were sent home? ( I know the lives of the other girls who left the selection are not particularly shared because it is on America's POV, so only the things she sees is what she can share but I was hoping something more from the other Elites)

OVERALL, the book is so amazing! I can really feel Maxon, America and the other characters real, in my heart. I will miss them and their journey. I really love this book so much, I tend to over think things about their lives. It is bitter sweet to see a series finally come to an end, I'm completely grateful this book didn't hurt as much the other "series ending" books out there *insert ALLEGIANT here*.

I want to find my own Maxon, real soon! xoxo

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MAYBE SOMEDAY BY COLLEEN HOOVER (BOOK REVIEW)

This book is the newest book of Colleen Hoover, released March 18, 2014

POV: Alternating first person perspective by Sydney Blake and Ridge Lawson

SETTING: Sydney's / Ridge apartment

RATING: 5/5 STARS (I want to rate this book 10000000000000000 stars on goodreads, trust me)

SUMMARY: 

At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.


Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…

via goodreads

While making this review let me tell you that I'm currently listening to the soundtrack by Griffin Peterson and it is making me nostalgic, Author Colleen Hoover wanted to make it more genuine so she decided to actually put songs in this book, Griffin Peterson wrote the songs, I find it all amazing! 

It brings fresh memories into my mind like the way I read the book.

I finished this book in 2 days because I can't simply put it down. 

Maybe Someday started with a prologue telling what happened to Sydney, that she is standing in the rain after breaking up with her cheating boyfriend, Hunter with her roommate and best friend, Tori that just sucks considering it is her birthday, to makes things worse. 

She gets some help from her neighbor named, Ridge and he let her stay in his apartment... and this is how things started to grow!

this book is filled with Plot twists, I can't even count.. but here's a few:

1. Ridge is DEAF. 

After reading the part where he let Sydney in his apartment he told her that if she is not going to look into him while talking they might as well go back to texting. I started rolling in my seat and raising my brows in confusion, I don't get it. really, it doesn't hit me the tiniest bit. 

I mean, HE IS PLAYING GUITAR IN THE BALCONY and Sydney loves to listen to his songs and one time she even mouthing her very own lyrics to it so he decided, to ask for her number and make her text the lyrics to him. I never see this one coming, I thought this is just the greatest prank of all.

2. Sydney and Ridge both has relationship. He has a Girlfriend named Maggie, which is also DEAF.  

I mean, ever since I read that Sydney has been listening to her neighbor in the balcony while he is playing playing guitar, I know they are my OTP already, so it is a shocked to me when her boyfriend came over and kissed her, then later on Ridge reveals he also have a girlfriend who happens to visit him, every 2 weeks or so or when she is not busy doing the T word (I don't know if i'm allowed to say this but it is THESIS)

3. Ridge is the one who found out that Sydney's bf is cheating on her.

Since, he is always out in his balcony playing guitar and he is the one who witness what is going on. He even thinks that the betrayal happens when Sydney is out or in the sower because he notice they always make it quick. He knew it all along and he doesn't even know how to tell her. 

That maybe explains why Sydney saw him leave the balcony with a unlikely face, because he it. 

Hunter, the boyfriend kissing Sydney yet he is aloof. 

4. Maggie 

After Sydney and Ridge's first kiss, everything is just laid in front of them, every truth, every emotion they hide, feelings they try to control but it all goes to the point that they really develop a strong attachment together, because of music, it paved the way for them to have this sense of connection to each other, it took them a while for the two of them to admit they are both in love because Ridge has Maggie and he can't leave her (and he won't) because he is holding her sickness, that he can't leave her because she is not in good condition, that he is holding for the fact that they been together for years and yet he felt something so strong for someone else, and the moment comes when it is too hard for the two of them to write music together and set aside their feelings for each other, Sydney found Maggie in the bathroom unconscious and that's the time she found out she is sick and the reason he don't wanna leave her. 

Sooner, Maggie found out everything by reading all the messages Ridge and Sydney exchanged. 

From there, It feels like, every turn of the page this book made me cry, like how I cried when I read THE FAULT IN OUR STARS in 2012 or ALLEGIANT last year..  maybe I even shred more tears in this book, than any other books I read because it reminds me of someone I used to love and he is also passionate about music. 

There mere fact, It all started so nice and lovey-dovey I never knew I will be going to this twist and turn ride of emotions one way to the next and there are few moments where in I'm going to squeal because it is so cheesy. sometimes I go "OMG WHAT IS THIS?" 

While reading this book, it is like a roller coaster ride, going up and down and messing up with emotions. 

I cried a lot in this book (I say it like I am so proud, which is, I am) and I love every minute of it, I love how Sydney doesn't change the way he treats Ridge even after she knows he is deaf, I like that a lot! I love how in this book, they never treated the deafness of the characters as a hindrance.  

I really love Colleen Hoover now and for sure, I'm going to read her previous books, because after reading Maybe Someday which I consider a masterpiece, She made me a fan in an instant! 

I WILL RE-READ IT AGAIN AND CRY ALL OVER AGAIN! 

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THE ELITE BY KIERA CASS (BOOK REVIEW)

Second installment in The Selection by Kiera Cass

POV: First person perspective narrated by the main protagonist, America Singer

SETTING: Palace in the Country called Illea

RATING:  4/5 stars

SUMMARY:

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn't sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.


Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

via goodreads

First thing's first, I was about to rate this book 2.8 stars or maybe 3 stars because It started really nice and romantic then thee next chapters followed nothing but confusing and misbehaving America but the ending of the book made me changed my mind, see how the ending can really affect my judgement.
I am so happy and giddy while the first book and it turned the other way around for the second book *tsk tsk tsk*

The mere fact that they are only remaining 6 girls left from the Selection, who are now called THE ELITES the competition is really getting tough yet she chose to make a fool of herself by creating a mess out of everything.

I really don't know why she is over thinking her place, every situation and she stresses herself over the things she can't even control.

She is acting all jealous when Maxon is spending time with the other Elites yet she doesn't even making up her mind to choose him. urgh!!!! I'm always irritated when she spends time with Aspen and act at all frustrated when she brought that problem to herself, she is literally sabotaging her own self and screwing things up and thinking things will fall into places?

it came to me, that maybe this book is filled with conflicts to show that having this "fairy tale happily ever after" life doesn't come out easily and smoothly.. you will face a lot of rocky roads that will make you go nuts to make everything worth the fight.

these are the few status I wrote while reading the book:

> for some reason, even though Celeste is not having any interaction with America, i can't push the thought behind my head that she is up to no good. and she shouldn't be telling his Dad about the secret books.. urgh

> for god sake, america make up your mind and choose the Prince.. you know it was him all along, stop thinking about that guy that keeping you and making you hold everything back..

>  let me get this straight, America! Let me strangle you for a minute, i hate it when you get jealous over Krissy when Maxon is showing her affection yet here you are doing business with Aspen while the Prince is gone, can you see im so mad here?! I'm so annoyed..

I'm just grateful that at the end of the book, America somehow made it clear that this time she will fight for Maxon now.. or else I will really pull her hair and strangle her to the ground (*LOL, KIDDING)

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THE SELECTION BY KIERA CASS (BOOK REVIEW)

First novel in The Selection trilogy by Kiera Cass

POV:  First Person Point of View of America Singer, Five (it means she is in the 5th level of the caste or the social status in this book, One being the highest and royalty).

SETTING:   Country of Illea 

RATING: 5/5 Stars

SUMMARY: 

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.


Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

via goodreads 

One thing is for sure, while I was reading this book, I'm having this roller coaster of emotions that goes up and down and twist and turn.

 I've been dying to read this book for ages and guess what? it never disappointed me, I think i'm obsessed with yet another series.

This book reminded me how much I love Princess Mia Thermopolis of Genovia from the Princess diaries and how it brought nostalgic memories when i have a thing about being a Princess, meeting my prince and have this happily ever after back when i was little.

there is this question hanging in my head: Why are they keeping their Relationship? it is forbidden for some Five to fall in love with a Six?

And by the end of the Novel, that question is still unanswered.

In the beginning, she have this secret relationship with a boy named Aspen Leger, Six. they seem so in love and happy but it occur to me that they have such forbidden relationship because they are hiding it from everyone, nobody knows in their family, and meeting secretly being to careful not being caught.

And then Fast forward to the First Kiss of America and Prince Maxon after the Capital Report, they were in the balcony in her room, no maids present, just the two of them. They have this tiny bubble of conversation about the what happened to the recent interview and how America reacted when the Prince pressed to make her confessed about their first meeting after she admitted  she is the girl who scolded the Prince and called him shallow. He just came in to lean and kiss and in that second America stepped back, and they felt this little awkwardness between them, like most first kisses went. So, America said they can re-write history and she is flattered when she realized that the Prince wanted her to be his first kiss *SWWWOOONNNN*

Then, there is conflict where Aspen, America's former boyfriend suddenly showed up as a guard in the palace, to be honest, it always removes the light giddy feeling I have, by him being there. I feel like he is the one holding back things why America and Maxon can't have their happily ending yet, but who knows, I mean this is only the first book in the series.

the ending of book one, really satisfied me and it gave some hope that book 2 will be better between all the Characters, I hope I'm right.

Just so you know, I'm head over heels smitten with Prince Maxon, and I just added him in my fictional boyfriends.

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new and improved blog

i will update soon and im going to start posting from a the experience i had since January, 2014 is a blast so far!!

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GAYLE FORMAN BOOK SIGNING EVENT

 January 18, 2014 at Nationa book store, glorietta

 here is my Instagram post that day: http://instagram.com/p/jT4CvWj_sQ/


I just can't believe that I met the Author @Gayleforman today!
The moment that im already standing in front of her i cant help but say
 "Are you real? Oh my God, I'm shaking" then she said "Yes! Im real come give me a hug"
and then i started to cry so she offered me a tissue! I am so happy, the whole experience itself is so surreal..
To meet one of your favorite authors is such a dream come true! #blessed #Happy#allthefeels #gayleforman #booksigning #book #ifistay
#wheresewent #nbsevents#bookmark #collection #tears #instacollage

I woke early in the morning January 18, because I'm that excited to meet the author Gayle Forman, she is the behind the books 'IF I STAY' and sequel 'WHERE SHE WENT' and the 'JUST ONE YEAR' and 'JUST ONE YEAR'..  I am a really huge fan of hers, so imagine my excitement to finally meet an author and to finally meet an author that i love because one day, I want to be one too!

On the way to Glorietta , I overhead some girls who are also going to the event because they are talking about her books, because i get so giddy, so i asked my cousin if she is excited and she said yes..

Once we are already in Glorietta, it took us a while to find the right place, we can't locate the exact national book store and it took us few minutes, I'm so close of losing hope because we've been searching the place and we are both sweating because of exhausted and nervousness. then suddenly after a few more walks we already saw the line where there people are waiting right in front of the door of glorietta mall because it opens exactly 10 am., then the guard finally opened the door and most of the girls like me, rush towards national because we need to get first in line because it is a first time- first serve basis, for the registration.

On the line, it felt kinda awkward because i'm only talking to my cousin who is a girl of a few words.. she is so quiet. Luckily, after a while, a girl in front of me approached me what is my name and if i a fan of Gayle Forman, I said yes and we started talking about books and the genre that she reads and how she has a friend in Chicago, who recently published a book and that she is present in the event to get an idea to help her friend to promote her book.

Since the signing will not start until 4 pm, we decided to take a de tour at the mall and have some lunch instead, after such my cousin and I just waited inside the bookstore.. standing because most of the seats are already reserved if not taken..

THE MOMENT COMES....
after a few hours of waiting and sitting on the ground reading and talking and observing all the other fans come and go, she finally arrived and she is very enthusiastic! Gayle said it is so hot in here in the Philippines so she removed her blazer and swing it in he air before on of her staff took it, or else it will in my hands.. (kidding!)

                                              Gayle taking wacky selfie on her phone! 

 She talked about her inspirations in writing her books, the movie adaptation of IF I STAY starring Chloe Grace Moretz as Mia and Jaimie Blackley as Adam soon in theaters AUGUST 22, 2014! 

              Gayle is currently working on her new book "I WAS HERE' set for 2013 release..
    Fans are like 'awww that long.." and Gayle is so col saying "guys, i am also a mom, I do laundry                       and cooking, i need to feed my husband and my children..." HAHA! 

When Im already standing in front of her and she is about to sign my book, I am shaking, I even asked her "are you real? oh my God! i'm shaking" and she replied "Yes, come give me a hug" AND THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE MOMENT I ever had in my life, I am fighting the tears that are about to escape in my eyes.. she offered me tissue and  i actually kept it inside my book..

That's me she is hugging. woohoo 

                                                       

                                                           Then it is my cousin's turn!

after that, I am lost in thought I can't find the words to say or to make sense that finally i met one of my favorite authors and i thought i will ever meet one!


ONE LAST THING: IF I STAY movie opens in theaters AUGUST 22, 2014!!
better watch it guys, so better read the books now!

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SHATTER ME BY TAHEREH MAFI (BOOK REVIEW)

                                                                                 This book is enthralling!

First novel in the Shatter Me trilogy by Tahereh Mafi

POV:  First person perspective, narrated by the main protagonist Juliette Ferrars

SETTING:  Prison, Asylum and later on Omega Point

RATING:  5/5 stars

SUMMARY:

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior

via goodreads 

To be honest, while i was reading this book, i feel like I can't put myself into Juliette's shoes.. I m having troubles focusing on her and the place she in, but that is only in the first pages..

As I continue reading this book, i understand that Juliette is locked up in an Asylum because she is lethal, because she is allegedly killed someone and people even her parents thinks she is crazy.
Her character revolves in the 4 corners of that wall and she is only writing all her thoughts in her journal, because she doesn't have anyone to talk to.

Until one day she gets to have a cell mate, to share her agony.. 
as the two of them interact with each other, i learned that they are classmates back in grade school but Juliette is lost in thought to even remember until Adam opened up that he is the one who tried to be friends with Juliette and from there she remembers he the boy she once saw being beaten up by his own father. 

Why Do i love this book?

This is so mysterious and exciting read! this a must-read dystopian novel, it is filled strong eccentric feeling! I love how this books makes you feel like there are some parts that is hidden from you and that will make you crave for more to find out answers on those hidden messages.

it is also has enough romance to spice everything up, imagine how can someone who has a lethal skin, who can't be touched love someone who is also hungry for affection? it feels like they are the new star-crossed lovers next to the most famous OTP's out there.. (yes, I just used the word OTP)!

This is riveting series, promising.. 

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HAPPY NEW YEAR: FIRST LOOKBOOK POST

                                         Hype my look at LOOKBOOK 

Happy New Year!

It's is the first day of the year and this is my first ever lookbook post!

Since last year, I always waned to do fashion blogs, it's just that everything seems a little hassle, so this 2014, I included in my bucket list that i will satisfy the inner fashionista in me. 

I'm wearing white lacy and blue romper shorts from my own online shop: THE DUCHESS COLLECTION

this is taken outside the mall, just before we watch a movie. what do think of my look?

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/booksbracesdresses?ref=hl

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changes..

Hello Fangirls! Christmas is coming in3 days! 

of course, there are tons of Christmas parties you need to attend, share gifts and shopping for more! 

Since most of my friends in school loves to read books, we decided to have a "book exchange gifts" and I recently got 3 new books to read (yey) 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (sounds like me) 

Where She went by Gayle Forman (sequel to If i Stay, which i find really thrilling and emotional to read but i really love it) 

Beautiful Darkness by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia (Books 2 of the Caster chronicles, i read the book 1 over the summer and just to lazy post my review).. 

i will soon post pics of them on my instagam (Follow me at instagram.com/saoirsemae) 

before anything else, i wanted to tell you guys that starting 2014, aside from books and reviews, I will posting also from fashion (i also have lookbook account  follow me at lookbook.nu/saoirsemae) and my personal stuffs about my braces (im so excited to tell you guys about it coz i just got them almost a month ago) 

okay this post is so long.. much love from Esh 

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