Mark Your Calendars: Alex London in PH

Hi there Misfit Booknerds! Another amazing author is coming to the Philippines! HOOORAH!!! 

Join Alex London for a book signing here in the Philippines, August 30.  Follow National Book Store on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more details. Tag #AlexLondoninPH to join the discussion.

For further information, check out the National Book Store FAQ's page or check it out here:

When and where is the book signing?
August 30, 2:00 p.m., at National Book Store, SM Aura

When will the registration be?
Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on August 30 at National Book Store, SM Aura. Each guest will be asked to fill out the registration form upon arrival. First come, first served.

Is there a registration fee?
No. There is no registration fee.

How many books can I have signed? Is there a limit as to how many people can have their books signed? You may have any number of books signed as long as they were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers or Powerbooks, and we do not have any preset limit as to the number of people.

However, although we will take every effort to get as many books signed as possible, depending on the number of attendees, we reserve the right to limit the number of copies per person or limit the number of people in line. First come, first served.

Can I bring old books or other editions of the books?
Yes, as long as the books were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers and Powerbooks.

Do I need to buy on-site?
No. You can buy books before or during the event.

Can I have other items signed?
No. Only books will be allowed to be signed by the authors.

Can we have our photo taken with the author?
Yes, you can have your photo with the author when she signs your book. However, we strictly allow one photo per person only.

How much are the books?
Proxy (Trade Paperback – P419)
Proxy (Hardcover – P729)
Guardian (Hardcover – P755)

ABOUT PROXY

Knox was born into one of the City's wealthiest families. A Patron, he has everything a boy could possibly want—the latest tech, the coolest clothes, and a Proxy to take all his punishments. When Knox breaks a vase, Syd is beaten. When Knox plays a practical joke, Syd is forced to haul rocks. And when Knox crashes a car, killing one of his friends, Syd is branded and sentenced to death.

Syd is a Proxy. His life is not his own.

Then again, neither is Knox’s. Knox and Syd have more in common than either would guess. So when Knox and Syd realize that the only way to beat the system is to save each other, they flee. Yet Knox’s father is no ordinary Patron, and Syd is no ordinary Proxy. The ensuing cross-country chase will uncover a secret society of rebels, test both boys’ resolve, and shine a blinding light onto a world of those who owe and those who pay. Some debts, it turns out, cannot be repaid.

A fast-paced, thrill-ride of novel full of non-stop action, heart-hammering suspense and true friendship—just as moving as it is exhilarating. Fans of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series, James Dashner's Maze Runner, Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking series, and Marie Lu's Legend will be swept away by this story.

ABOUT GUARDIAN

In the new world led by the Rebooters, former Proxy Syd is the figurehead of the Revolution, beloved by some and hated by others. Liam, a seventeen-year-old Rebooter, is Syd’s bodyguard and must protect him with his life. But armed Machinists aren’t the only danger.

People are falling ill—their veins show through their skin, they find it hard to speak, and sores erupt all over their bodies. Guardians, the violent enforcers of the old system, are hit first, and the government does nothing to help. The old elites fall next, and in the face of an indifferent government, Syd decides it’s up to him to find a cure . . . and what he discovers leaves him stunned.

This heart-stopping thriller is packed with action, adventure, and heroics. Guardian will leave you breathless until the final page.

A fast-paced, thrill-ride of novel full of non-stop action, heart-hammering suspense and true friendship—just as moving as it is exhilarating. Fans of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series, James Dashner's Maze Runner, Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking series, and Marie Lu's Legend trilogy will be swept away by this story.

I WILL LOOK FORWARD IN SEEING YOU THERE MISFIT BOOKNERDS! COZ I DON'T WANNA MISS OUT AGAIN! YAY!

The event is made possible in partnership with Raffles Makati, Metro magazine, Chalk magazine, Sweep and SM Aura. 

Waiting on Wednesday #9: Some Boys by Patty Blount

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are just waiting to have our hands on!

Title: Some Boys
Author: Patty Blount
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Expected Release Date: August 1st 2014
Pre-order or buy on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

SYNOPSIS:

When Grace meets Ian she's afraid. Afraid he'll reject her like the rest of the school, like her own family. After she accuses the town golden boy of rape, everyone turns against Grace. They call her a slut and a liar. But...Ian doesn't. He's funny and kind with secrets of his own.

But how do you trust the best friend of the boy who raped you? How do you believe in love?

A gut-wrenching, powerful love story told from alternating points of view by the acclaimed author of Send.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Technical writer by day, fiction writer by night, Patty mines her day job for ideas to use in her novels. Her debut YA "Send" was born after a manager suggested she research social networks. Patty adores chocolate, her boys, and books, though not necessarily in that order.

Book Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went (If I Stay #2)

Author: Gayle Forman

Publication: April 17th 2012, Speak

Format: Trade Paperback, 274 pages

Source: Own Copy from NBS

Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | National Book Store / FullyBooked (PH)

SYNOPSIS:

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Misfit Review: 

I just knew from the moment that I read If I Stay that it could've been the end. Cliffhangers and all, but then Where She Went presented itself and I had the gut feeling that I should read it. And it was one of the best and worst decisions of my entire life. My feelings died, leaped, died again and leaped again at the same moments. Where She Went was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

She kissed me goodbye. She told me she loved me more than life itself. Then she stepped through security.

She never came back.

The Bucket List (A Short Story)

So, it has been quite sometime since I last posted a short story. I have been writing, but somehow I find myself not confident enough to share some of my stories. But since I miss seeing what you think of the stories, I suppose that I can do with this one.

Her name was Lucy. She lived in the hospital I believe, or I just so happen to see her there, in Room 614 every day when I pass by. You see, my friend Clyde had an accident and had to go on surgery because his back got all deformed. I’m not really sure about it all, but yeah, Clyde didn’t like being alone in the hospital. His girl, Lois, broke up with him after the accident... Damn, that must’ve hurt, with the surgery and all. Anyway, he needed a friend, and being an awesome friend I am, I volunteered my ass off to help him recover at the hospital. 

It’s been almost a week since I gave away my freedom to entertain Clyde while he talked about Lois and how great she was at making cookies and laughing. I got sick of Clyde, so one day, I decided to stroll around the halls of the hospital. There wasn’t much, you know, “fun” stuff. It was like, I can’t touch anything or I’d break them. I sat at one of the staircases, just to relax, when I heard hurrying feet. A group of nurses, went on running to Room 614. That was the first time I saw Lucy.

Book Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay (If I Stay #1)
Author: Gayle Forman
Publication: April 6th 2010, Speak
Format: Trade Paperback, 262 pages
Source: Own copy from NBS
Buy it on:  Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | National Book Store / Fully Booked (PH)

SYNOPSIS: 

On a day that started like any other,

Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, admiring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. In an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left. It is the most important decision she'll ever make.

Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving.

Misfit Review: 

Holding onto things is hard. You have to have courage especially if those things have lost their reason. It is so much harder to hold onto life when you've lost almost every reason for you to live. There is no more meaning to life. That's the challenge for 17 year old Mia Hall, as she goes through the brink of living and dying after losing her parents and younger brother in an accident. 

The first time I read the novel, back in 2013, I related to Mia in a way. I was operated at a young age because of a complication. I was put into this position where I was deciding whether I wanted to stay or to live. But my problem could never compare to what Mia was going through, losing her family in an accident. She had more reason to go. The second time I read it, GODS! The feeling still come surging in like a hurricane!

The Misfit Interviews with Cammie McGovern

Hi there Misfit Booknerds! So it's another awesome time to raise the spotlight to an amazing author! I interviewed Cammie McGovern, author of the newly released novel, Say What You Will! Get to know her more and how she is as an author! *book shimmy*

BASIC DEETS

What breakfast staple do you usually eat?  

• Smoothies!  I’m trying to get healthier!

As per tradition, what is your favorite color?  

• Green

What TV show are you currently addicted to?  

• Parks and Rec and Modern Family are long-time staples in my life.

Who would you like to do a collaboration with if you were given the chance?   

• I have MANY fellow writers I absolutely adore, but it’s hard for me to imagine collaborating on a long project like a novel (I feel like my first drafts are so horrible that I would never want to show them to anyone—I’d be gripped by self-conciousness and then would quickly become moody and hard to work with…) I could see doing something like a collection of essays or stories featuring kids with disabilities or something like that, maybe! There’s an idea!

AUTHOR STUFF

You started your author career with your first novel Art of Seeing but it was really Eye Contact that made you a breakout star! What would you say inspires you to write these fantastic stories?

• You’re right—EYE CONTACT has been my best selling book so far. I suspect this is because it’s the one that’s closest to my own life. It’s about an autistic boy who witnesses a murder after he’s wandered away from the school playground and into the woods. He’s pretty traumatized and can’t tell anyone what he’s seen so it’s up to his mom to figure out his clues and try to solve the murder. As the mom of an autistic boy, I can say your whole life sometimes feels like you’re trying to figure out clues for what your kid is trying to say.

Say What You Will is your current novel and has been compared to bestsellers like The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. What made you write this story about a girl with cerebral palsy and a neurotic?

• I helped start an organization called WHOLE CHILDREN that runs programs for kids and teens with disabilities which means I’ve gotten to know a LOT of these kids and I want more people to hear some of their stories.  One of the surprising things about teens with disabilities is how much they want the same things as their typically-developing peers—like friendships, love, independence, all of that.  I never would have thought my son was interested in girls and romance and then, bam, he became a teenager and started talking about it!  I was really surprised (and touched.)

When you do research for certain stories, how do you condition yourself for them? Does it take you a while to gather data?

• I read a ton.  Memoirs are fantastic, but you have to make sure you read a few different ones to make sure you aren't copying one person’s story too closely.  I read a lot of books written by people with OCD or some form of anxiety disorder.   It’s fascinating and much more common than you would think!

If you had chance to do a side story of Say What You Will, which of the characters would you wish you can extend the stories of? (Sanjay's story seems great in a way even if he is a jerk)

• What an interesting idea! I love it!   I actually have toyed with the idea of revisiting Amy and Matthew down the line a bit, like when Amy gets toward the end of college, just to see where they’re at.  I LOVED the sequel to IF I STAY where she picked up the story a few years later and the couple are so far apart, so you’re rooting for them to get together all over again.  The thing is, I don’t think I’ll do it any time soon.  My editor says aging the characters too much takes it out of Young Adult and makes it  New Adult book.  So I’d have to think about this more…

Finally, what is your advise for writers (such as myself) who wish to embark in the world of publishing and becoming authors too?

• I think you’re already doing my number one recommendation, which is READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN!  The more you read, the better a writer you become.  It’s as simple as that.  Reading expands your vocabulary, but more importantly, it teaches you about good story development, writing effective sentences, things like that.    My other big suggestion is to write as much as you can and not to get too discouraged when things don’t turn out as great as you were hoping they’d be right away.  This is how it ALWAYS is, even for people who have published many books!  I still re-read first drafts and think, how can I be this bad when I've written books that are good? Terrible first drafts can turn into very good books, it just takes a lot of work. 

DEDICATION

I want to thank Cammie for all of her kindness throughout the process and for giving me the time of day! I LOVE YOU! And you can interact with Cammie too through her social media sites: Twitter, Facebook and her Goodreads! She is really nice!

I wouldn't have done any of this without your support Misfit Booknerds! You are all amazing!

Book Review: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Title: Animal Farm
Author: George Orwell
Publication:  1996, Signet Classics
Format: Paperback, 140 pages
Source: Borrowed from a schoolmate (Thank you Joemar!)
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | National Book Store / Fully Booked (PH)

SYNOPSIS:

As ferociously fresh as it was more than a half century ago, this remarkable allegory of a downtrodden society of overworked, mistreated animals and their quest to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality is one of the most scathing satires ever published. As readers witness the rise and bloody fall of the revolutionary animals, they begin to recognize the seeds of totalitarianism in the most idealistic organization and in the most charismatic leaders, the souls of the cruelest oppressors.

.
Misfit Review:

While I grabbed the novel one fine day, I didn't know what exactly came over me. I was definitely interested to read it but I wasn't fully invested on the thought of reading it so early. But I still did and boy was I wrong.

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

Ladies and gentlemen, Animal Farm is the story that will clear your head and fill you with laughter and also the realization that the world is full of egotistical scumbags, "pigs" if you will, and that long before, then have been pulling our legs with much chagrin.

“Let's face it: our lives are miserable, laborious, and short.”

Animal Farm is a satirical take on the totalitarianism that spread over so long ago. The animals take over the farm from the humans and fight for what is right, but consequences happened. George Orwell decided that to make a mockery it, he decided to represent the officials and the people as animals. The pigs represented the leaders, the dogs are the soldiers while the other farm animals posed as the ostracized humans, slaved for years. 

I was never a fan of discussing politics because it always disgusts me. I would rather read a 5 year old's picture book than listen to government officials bicker and pride themselves for what they've done. But the satirical element dragged me from my disinterest and read the novel.

I was disgusted with the pigs, particularly Squealer. Why must a character exist in a novel, but then again, that's the power of it all. To open our eyes towards the problem. Squealer was meant to be hated. Orwell got to me again.

The different situations captured in the book such as the windmill, the attacks on the farm and the deceit, represented real life situations that I wish I was more familiar with so I would've been more insightful, which was the reason why it took me a while to finish the book but still, it was indeed an eye opener. 

“Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

The characters were either annoying or pitiful. You know at some point you can't root for them to have a better life. You know that throughout the course of the book. Orwell went for the simple route to narrate it simply, write conspiracies that are delusional and quite funny. His style is not like most I have read and also I'm not very familiar with satire novels, more on films. Again, his writing was collected, not all too dramatic, but drew an impact up until the end. Seriously, read the end. It is worth it.

Animal Farm will open up doors for a better understanding of human nature and that deception definitely works on the gullible.

About The Author:

Eric Arthur Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist. His work is marked by keen intelligence and wit, a profound awareness of social injustice, an intense opposition to totalitarianism, a passion for clarity in language, and a belief in democratic socialism.

Considered perhaps the twentieth century's best chronicler of English culture, Orwell wrote fiction, polemical journalism, literary criticism and poetry. He is best known for the dystopian novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four" (published in 1949) and the satirical novella "Animal Farm" (1945)—they have together sold more copies than any two books by any other twentieth-century author. His 1938 book "Homage to Catalonia", an account of his experiences as a volunteer on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War, together with numerous essays on politics, literature, language, and culture, are widely acclaimed.

Orwell's influence on contemporary culture, popular and political, continues decades after his death. Several of his neologisms, along with the term "Orwellian" — now a byword for any oppressive or manipulative social phenomenon opposed to a free society — have entered the vernacular.


Thank you for your support Misfit Booknerds! I'm sorry if I have been on a reviewing slump lately, but I will make it up this week. I will post a few reviews till the end of the month so please, be patient!

{Blog Tour} Excerpt + Giveaway: The Real Score by Kesh Tanglao

Title: The Real Score (Gezellig #1)
Author: Kesh Tanglao
Publication: Aug 28th 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Chick-Lit
Buy it on:  Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords

SYNOPSIS:

Caitlin's friendship with Marcus, the de facto frontman of the world's biggest boy band Gezellig, has long been an object of scrutiny by almost everyone--their friends and families, the media, and his fans--ever since they "went public" a couple of years back. Who wouldn't be interested? She was a nobody, catapulted into the limelight of his fame when he struck an unusual friendship with her.

To both Caitlin and Marcus, what they have is a "perfect little thing." But then something comes along and threatens it.

In a no-holds-barred interview, will they finally be forced to settle the score?

EXCERPT

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Goodreads

Kesh Tanglao is a full-time market researcher. When she’s not crunching numbers, she spends most of her free time watching TV shows, listening to music, and reading. Also a self-proclaimed fangirl, she likes cheering for her favorite sports teams and supporting her favorite artists.

Keep in check for more tours from Oops I Read Again Tours and for more exciting book highlights here! Thanks Misfit Booknerds!

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Top 10 Favorite Movies or TV Shows

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where, each week, a Top Ten list is posted based on a particular topic.

Hi there everyone! It is Tuesday again, which means I'll be sharing some stuff with you guys, and the topic this week is my favorite movies or TV shows. I love both form of media so I'll share 5 of my fave movies and 5 of my fave TV shows. How's that sound? Okay! Lezz go!

MOVIES!

1. The Spectacular Now

Hands down, one of my favorite movies of all time. It is raw, honest and totally gets to me every time. The story is beautiful and totally relatable! You guys should see it! I did a review for it already! So, you already know how much  I love it!

2. (500) Days of Summer

I am a person that totally dies for sweet, sappy love stories. This movie is unconventional in it's way of delivering the story between Tom and Summer. Every time I watch it, I go into an odd state of happiness, sadness and crying fits. Watching this movie is not for people going through bad breakups. Nah-ah. But then again, it does give that great lesson in the end. Let's go! I think I'm gonna do a marathon soon for a review!

3. Wall-E

Awww dear, sweet Wall-E. Touches my heart every, freaking time. And the comedic factor of the movie has shown that words are not the most important in relaying a message of love and the truth that the future can look like the world around Wall-E.

4. The Breakfast Club

A movie for the young and the young at heart. Everyone can relate to the differences between the characters, yet there is always that want to break that wall between the merging of those differences. A beautiful film of acceptance and growing up. And that soundtrack!!! DON'T, DON'T, DON'T, DON'T! DON'T YOUUU, FORGET ABOUT MEEE!

5. Silver Linings Playbook

Raw emotions that at some point hits directly at home. Though for most people, this movie are whacked up, in my case, it's a beautiful symphony of sensitive and comedy. Applause to David O. Russel and to the beautiful cast specifically, Bradley Copper and Jennifer Lawrence.

I have a few more movie favorites to be honest, like,70 more, or more. LOL! But yeah, these 5 are worth watching! :)

TV SHOWS

1. Community

Y'all know how much I love Community and it's characters, particularly Abed. The story is diverse, quirky, fun and all out fantastic! I have no words! AND BECAUSE YAHOO SAVED COMMUNITY, GIVING THE SIXTH SEASON THAT IT DESERVED, I AM PARTYING LIKE A FREAK AND WAITING FOR FALL TO ARRIVE! YAAAAY!

2. Sherlock

*dies* Nuff said. Well, I have a lot of things to say, but it would probably take 3 parts of posts. But yes, I have to wait for 2016 to watch Season 4, while watching 9 episodes total of 3 seasons and laughing like a fool and trying to solve the cases with Sherlock.  Can it be 2016 already? Thank you! And Benedict Cumberbatch! ACK!

3. Teen Wolf

Hot high school boys, supernatural creatures and hunters, with an awesome story line? Then come on and join the Teen Wolf fandom! We wish you good luck while watching the first season all the way to the 3rd *winks* The 4th season is currently on air and boy oh boy oh boy! NEW KIDS! <3

4. Glee

I will forever be in love with Glee, it's characters (till Season 3) and it's story line. I will forever lament the loss the show's loss over Cory Monteith and cry at every opportunity I get. I hope they do justice to the the sixth season's 13 episodes.*prays*

5. The Big Bang Theory

I'm a nerd, a geek, and I relate! HAHAHA! I have social issues too and the show caters to the guys' every day endeavors when dealing with people while playing video games and solving the questions of the universe. Truly funny and witty!

Same with movies, I have a ton of TV shows I love. But yeah, just 5 this time!

Well, that's it for this week! I hope you enjoyed my list! Do share yours in the comments below! Check out the next topic next week! Top Ten Characters I Would Want With Me On A Deserted Island (pick based on however you want...skills they would bring, their company...or pure hotness factor :P) YAY! Thank you Misfit Booknerds!

Stacking The Shelves #5: T'WAS MAIL WEEK (Again)

Stacking The Shelves is a feature hosted by Tynga’s Reviews where bloggers share what books (both physical and digital) they received, won, bought, and borrowed.

Hi! So it's another Stacking The Shelves week Misfit Booknerds and  I was actually expecting to receive some awesome things in the mail today. They are more like temporary babies because I only borrowed them, and they are like, tour books. I borrowed it from Dianne of Oops I Read A Book Again, and she has been nothing but nice to me! Honestly, I love her!

FOR REVIEW

Jennifer Mathieu---The Truth About Alice

C.J. Flood---Infinite Sky

Elizabeth Fama---Plus One

Hopefully next time I do a Stacking The Shelves post, it will be a haul, but with so many stuff being paid for school, I cannot anymore! But I'm saving up definitely! Anyway, thanks for the support Misfit Booknerds, you are all amazing!

{Book Blitz} Excerpt + Giveaway: This Summer by Katlyn Duncan

Title: This Summer

Author:  Katlyn Duncan 

Publication: July 9th 2014, Carina UK
Buy it on: Amazon | Amazon UK | iBooks
Watch the trailer here

SYNOPSIS:

Before college, before responsibilities, Hadley Beauman and best friend Lily are determined to have a summer to remember. There will be all the usual dramas - ex-boyfriends who don't seem to know what 'ex' means, pesky younger brothers with unrequited crushes, but what Hadley didn't anticipate was the out-of-the-blue return of the seriously hot boy-next-door, Will Carson. The boy who broke her heart when he skipped town two years ago Will may have shot up a foot and filled out (oh yes), but inside he carries the weight of guilt - for leaving, for coming back... Now he's just passing through to tie up loose ends but it's clear the old chemistry still crackles between him and Hadley. Trouble is, it's built on two years of lies... This summer might just be the best time of their lives, but is Hadley ready for everything to change - again?

EXCERPT

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

Book Blitz Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

For more tours and chances for giveaways, then keep tuned in! Thanks Misfit Booknerds!