Oh my, Belai! ♥: May 2013

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

recently read - may 2013

Inferno
The 5th Wave
The Program
Legend
Prodigy
Life Before Legend
Matched
Crossed
Reached
The Selection
The Elite
The Prince
Razor Sharp
Walking Disaster
The Last Letter from Your Lover
Vendetta
Love Irresistibly
Soul Possession
Weekend Warriors
Fast Track
Cross Roads
The Jury
Deja Vu
Beautiful Stranger
Collateral Damage
Lethal Justice
Someone to Love
Vanishing Act
Home Free
Just Remember to Breathe
Free Fall
The Trouble with Love
Fool for Love
Seeing is Believing
Game Over
Burning Rubber
Deadly Deals
The Best Man

maybe sometimes it's ok to judge a book by its cover

We were told early on to never judge a book by it's cover. Of course, this English idiom, according to Wikipedia, is a metaphorical phrase which means "you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something, by its outward appearance alone."

Now, literally speaking, we shouldn't discount a book just because its cover ~~is ugly~~ ~~is hideous~~ isn't pleasing to the eye.

I've been known to break this rule every now and then.

I'm not a picky reader. If you recommend a book saying it's good, chances are I'd add it to my reading list and get to it sooner or later. I do have specific genres I stick to. I'm a fan of all things romance (I mean, come on, who isn't?) and chick-lits. However, my ultimate favorite would be suspense, mystery and crime; mostly law (John Grisham, etc.), forensics and police work (Tess Gerritsen, JD Robb, etc.).

I also read young adult fiction - I literally grew up with JK Rowling's Harry Potter (which is THE ultimate, in my own opinion). And I'm a fan of Rick Riordan's books, too. I read a few fantasy books, such as Abbi Glines' Existence Trilogy, but that's about it.

I was never a fan of Dystopian novels, until about recently. And even now, I'm still not sure if I'm a fan per se, but I do enjoy it.

The first Dystopia-type books I've read was the Hunger Games Trilogy, and I was ~~a bit~~ late in that. I had no actual plans of reading it, but last month, I finally gave in. It opened up a whole new world for me, and that was the start of my Dystopian adventure. Friends gave me more recommendations, starting with Veronica Roth's Divergent, and Lauren Oliver's Delirium Series.

I preferred to choose on my own, though. I was still undecided when I saw Kiera Cass' The Selection. Now, if you've seen this book, then you can see why I was attracted to the cover.

Isn't it pretty?

So I read it because the cover was nice, and I continued reading it (even finishing the 2nd book and the novella) because the story was good.

This is a very Dystopian month for me. After Kiera Cass, I moved to to Ally Condie's Matched Trilogy, Rick Yancey's The 5th Wave (sadly, I didn't like this), Suzanne Young's The Program, and the first two books of Marie Lu's Legend Trilogy.

Dystopia aside, I also discovered lots of authors this way. I've been "judging" books by its covers way back, and from time to time, I'd pick up a book with an author I've never heard of. And despite being unfamiliar with the author and the way he/she writes, I'd read that book because I liked the cover. If I didn't like the book, then no harm, no foul. But if I did, then I can add another author to my must-reads. I think it's a win-win situation for me.

So maybe, just maybe, sometimes, something good comes out of judging a book by it's cover after all.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

kindle giveaway from inspired kathy

Inspired Kathy of http://www.iamareader.com/ is giving away a Kindle Fire! =)

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER SPONSORED GIVEAWAY!

Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). Ends 5/31/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

can't wait for my new kindle

I'm moving on. I've been in denial over the past few months, unable to accept that my Kindle isn't working anymore (yes, I'm one of those weird people who get attached to inanimate objects). But now I'm finally moving forward.

I contacted Amazon's support team by chat, and they placed the order for me. I wanted a brand new unit, but as a replacement for my damaged Kindle, I have the option of getting the refurbished unit PLUS a 20% discount. Yes, it's not brand new, however it's like I'm still getting a new unit since a refurbished unit looks and works like new, and it also comes with a 1-year warranty.

And I know that there a more high-end units available, like the Touch, Paperwhite and Fire, but I still chose the cheapest and simplest one. Yes, I am on a tight budget, that's not the main reason, though. I simple prefer a unit with page-turning buttons at the side.

I ordered on May 16, and had it shipped to my boyfriend's brother-in-law who's currently at the States. Yesterday, Lex told me that my Kindle is already with RY. Granted, I won't receive it til he comes home late June, but still.

I'm so happy that I was able to save a couple thousand pesos on my purchase (on eBay Philippines, Kindles are usually priced around 4000-7000 pesos each, depending on the unit). I was able to get mine for only $51.45 (that's roughly 2000+ pesos), and Tamryn, the support who placed the order for me, kindly waived the shipping fee for me.

On another note, Tamryn told me that she'd email me a pre-paid post label so I could ship my old Kindle back. They'd be the one to recycle it. When I mentioned that the unit is here in the Philippines, she told me that they'd refund the shipping cost, but if it is too much hassle, she told me to recycle it in a safe way. I opted to keep it, but I'm not recycling it. No, I'm keeping it as a souvenir. Maybe I'll start my Kindle collection. =)

So now, because I had a little extra from the money I set aside, I'm currently browsing thru the Amazon website looking for accessories. =)

Saturday, May 18, 2013

recently read - april 2012

Twisted Perfection
Hot Ticket
The Silver Linings Playbook
I Choose You
Unmaking Hunter Kennedy
Stealing Parker
Trust in Me
Things I Can't Forget
The Hunger Games
Rock Hard
Emancipating Andie
Snowed In
Hawthorne, Rachel
Make it Last
Mockingjay
Fever Dreams
Selling Scarlett
Catching Fire
Calculated in Death
Running Time
Backstage Pass
Double Time

Thursday, May 16, 2013

i guess this is goodbye..

I'm a well-known bookworm among my peers. I'd read almost anything I can get my hands into (well, except for textbooks - they bore me), and I'm usually seen with a book, even way back my elementary and high school days. I'm the student who always carries a novel with me, I knew who Albus Dumbledore was even before JK Rowling's books became a worldwide phenomenon, and I'm probably the only one in class who never complained about our quarterly book reports.

In this day and age of technology, I guess it came as no surprise when I was the first among my friends to get a Kindle. I prefer reading an actual book, but back when I was unemployed, books became an unnecessary expense. Of course, it didn't stop me from buying them, but even on sale, it still cut a huge chunk out of my budget. It was by chance that I discovered Amazon's Kindle. And from the very first time I read about it online, I knew that I just had to have it.

Of course, buying it was a problem. I don't know where I can buy it here in the Philippines. I thought about buying it straight from Amazon's website, but I figured the shipping fee would be expensive. So I decided to wait it out. And good thing I did, too. Last February 2011, Mom went to Singapore with her brother, and lo and behold! She brought home my very own Kindle.

For almost 2 years, I was never without that gadget. I bring it almost everywhere with me (yes, even when I have to go to the comfort room). I was so proud of that baby, proud of the fact that I owned something most of my friends never heard of. I loved that little thing.

That's why it breaks my heart to say goodbye to this nifty gadget, my bestfriend, my reliable companion.

It started having problems late last year. While I'm reading a book, it would suddenly freeze up, then it would restart on its own. And just when I thought all is well, it would freeze up and restart all over again. I contacted Amazon support, but none of the troubleshooting tips they gave me worked. So I had to stop using it.

Sometime last year, I bought an iPad Mini. It now doubles as a tablet, and my primary e-reader.

But despite having a new gadget I can use for reading, I can't seem to let my old Kindle go. A couple weeks ago, I picked it up but when I slid the sleep button, it won't turn on. I tried charging it, but it still won't power up. So I contacted Amazon support again, and they said that my Kindle's issues can't be resolved. They provided me with replacement offers, though. I can buy a refurbished Kindle (it's "like new" and also comes with a one-year warranty) with discount.

I opted for the Certified Refurbished Kindle (I think some call this Kindle 4) that costs $59 that became $47.20 because of the discount. I'm having it shipped to my boyfriend's sister's husband who's in the States right now, and he'll bring it home to me.

And the customer support I chatted with was so nice. She gave me an option of a $13.98 2-day shipping or the free super saver shipping, so of course I chose the free one, but then she said, "Actually I will leave it on 2-day shipping. I have waived the shipping fee for you." How's that for awesome? Thank you, Tamryn.

For only $51.45 ($47.20 for the unit, plus $4.25 tax), it's a steal. I can't wait!

So I guess this is the end of the road for us, buddy. We had fun together, but nothing lasts forever, so.. Thank for almost 2 awesome years together. I'll never forget you.

RIP Kindle 3

February 14, 2011 - May 16, 2013

You will be missed.