Happy Bookish & Misfit Holidays

Hi there Misfit Booknerds!!! It's Christmas!!! Happy Happy Holidays! This is short and sweet!

Thank you for making this year fun filled! I'll gush out on my December 31st post instead! Anyway, again, thank you for a joyous Christmas and for all the support for the blog, even though I'm not as active like I should be... Let's see if I can offer up a giveaway or half of my body to you.

I've felt a lot better writing on my blog this year coz I've been so depressed and out of it even. I try to be at least happy with the stuff I type in to bring in a fun atmosphere while I work. Again, thank you and happy happy holildays! Merry Christmas! Cuddle next to a book, celebrate it with your family or loved ones and offer this day to the Lord! :)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Kwanzaa and just stay happy everyone!!! Talk to you in a few days! :)

Reading YA Novels For The First Time

The reading community is growing, slowly but surely. And for first time readers of fictional novels, certain reactions are bound to ensue. Booknerds of the like, support these new, fellow booknerds, especially this holiday season, because you have gone through this too.

1. It's a whole new experience.

Watching TV shows and movies could never compare to the wide array of emotions a book could give. You may think up a world so different to what the other person may have thought about. Characters are complex, may look different to what a movie may show. In short, a book lets your imagination run extremely wild!

2. OH THE FEELS!

New to the world of young adult fiction, you may encounter scenes in a book that bring what we fandom people call, FEELS, like a surge of different emotions wrapped with an intricate bow ready to explode. At first, you won't understand why you hold these emotions towards a character and that everything that he or she does is somehow swoon worthy or insanely evil, bringing the reader into thinking, "WHAT IS GOING ON!? Am I supposed to feel this way?"

3. Having too many favorites already (We won't judge you.)

You can never have too many favorites when you stumble upon them in a novel. You'd end up liking the protagonist, liking his or her friend, then loooving the antagonist and you basically don't know who to side with and who to support.

4. Dealing with character deaths

The questions is: How? I mean, if it's your first character death, coping up is almost impossible, most especially if it's a favorite character of yours. SHOUT OUT TO READERS OF ALEX LONDON'S PROXY! Anyway, I know that maybe watching movies and stuff has prepared you for it or maybe even you know how to deal with it. But you won't understand. Sometimes the murder just arrives, almost instantly thus breaking your heart into pieces. Don't worry, another book might cheer you up.

NOTE: Signs of hangover from previous book may incur. Refer to my post, BOOK HANGOVER.  And yes, read a new book. Results may vary of course.

5. THE URGE

After reading a Young Adult novel, there's only a few words to say: YOU CAN NEVER GO BACK! THERE'S NO TURNING NOW! MUAHAHAHAHAHA! Thus resulting to stacks of To-Be-Read books and urges to buy new books. Yes, I have suffered this in high school, I'm sure you guys won't be any different.

And I guess same goes for any book genre. It is hard to stay away from a book once you've read one, especially if it's fantastic! How about you? Do you remember the first time you've read a YA novel? How did you feel? Were you able to relate? Tell me about all that in the comments below! :)

Thanks for all the support Misfit Booknerds! Get some holiday reading down before school starts! *winks*, especially the newbies!

December Playlist: Top 5

Hi there Misfit Booknerds! It's time to share with you some of the songs I've been listening to! And because it's December, it should definitely include some sad or romantic music or just plainly good music. Seriously guys!

But I have noticed I've been listening to a lot of mainstream stuff. I guess I'll put "Look for more indies" on my New Year's Resolution.

1. The Love Club by Lorde

I've listened to this song countless times before, but it's been a while since I've actually listened to it last and when I found out that it was on the Extended version of Pure Heroine, I played it and my days were never the same again. The lyrics are raw and subtle, but packs a real punch. I like how it talks about how frats or sororities could be your second family, no matter how harsh it may be. And that acceptance has its price. And sometimes, endgame will always be home too. That's how I interpret it anyway. 
2. Night Changes by One Direction
I may not seem like a One Direction fan to you for I don't really binge listen to 1D anyway, but their new album, FOUR, I would say, is pretty good. And I especially love this track because it's cute and when I listen to it, I get fuzzy feels. So, NO JUDGING. lol
3. Unkiss Me by Maroon 5
When I heard that Maroon 5 released a new album, I grabbed the opportunity to listen to the whole album and this song really stuck to me. It's like a cry for something that shouldn't have happened. It was cute but sad at the same time. Like having your first love but wishing you never actually loved him/her.
4. NEW DORP. NEW YORK by SBTKRT
I tuned in to my indie self and started to listen to indie music again, even if it was just for a few days. And then I discovered a whole array of musicians I've never heard of before including SBTKRT, whose song, NEW DORP. NEW YORK reminded me of jazz meets hip-hop vibe. It also features vocals that reminds of the Suits opening theme, which is pretty cute. Whenever I hear this, it makes me jump up and down!
5. Lonely One by Dresses
Another indie that I discovered. This song is playful but somehow ironic because it does talk about a person who is alone and in a way lonely. What truly attracted me to this duo is their vocals and how it reminded me of a Japanese vocalist I used to listen to before, and also some psychedelic musicians. But the vocals make me happy and in fact, just makes me extremely glad I discovered Dresses, because I will be listening to them for a long, long time! So there! Five of my favorite songs to listen to this December. Maybe we share some music we've been listening! Follow me on Spotify to check the playlists I've made including this one! Leave a comment below of what you've been listening to till late and some songs you think I should listen to! 

TOP TEN TUESDAY: SANTA, PLEASE GIMME!

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 Misfit Booknerds? How've you been? Are you decorating your Christmas Tree with books yet? Or did you make the infamous BOOK TREE? I don't really have sturdy books to make it but still, I hope you guys tried!

Anyway, this week's list consist of books I wish Santa would bring me for Christmas! I mean, don't we all wish for tons of books this Christmas? I do! And that's why I'm preparing this list, in case I have a few Santas from the readers of my blog or those who just feel sorry for me... *winks*. I accept late offerings! LOL.

1. All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

It's on pre-order over at Amazon and The Book Depository, so pleeeeeease? Thanks!

2. Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

I know I know, I was suppose to get this for my birthday, but I didn't really gift myself with a book for le birthday, so maybe you can offer one to me and make me happy? Thanks!

3. Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

Santa, I hear such amazing things about this book, no matter how harsh the theme may be. And because I love being masochistic, a holiday hurt my not be so bad. Thanks.

4. The Whole Lotus War Trilogy by Jay Kristoff

Yeah, 3 books Santa. But they will make me happy. Very happy! Thanks!

5. The Queen of Tearling by Erika Johansen

A friend said it was gorgeous and because I'm looking forward to the movie with Emma Watson in it, so, Santa, gimme. Thanks!

6. Zodiac by Romina Russell

I heard the Sagittarius character on this one is pretty awesome, and because I'm a Sag myself, I'd really love to read this book, Santa. Thanks!

7. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

I'm a sucker for stories that have been extracted from classics and twisting it up into a fine story, and because of that, I would love a copy. Thanks!

8. Anatomy of A Misfit by Andrea Portes

I feel like such a blasphemous person, Santa, because I haven't read this yet and I call myself a misfit. So this holiday season, it would be lovely to have this! Thanks!

9. Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer

It has been a dream to read this, but I haven't purchased it yet. *cries* So please, Santa. Thanks!

10. I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Why didn't I buy this soon enough anyway? So maybe do it for me? Thanks!


Yeah, so that wraps up my list. I haven't been a real good girl this year, but maybe Santa can spare a book or two. LOL. Anyway, share with me your list and leave comments below on what you think Santa should give me! Thanks Misfit Booknerds! And Merry Christmas!

Review: Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang

Title: Falling Into Place
Author: Amy Zhang
Publication: September 9th 2014, Greenwillow Books
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Own copy from NBS
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | The Book Depository | Kobo | National Book Store / Fully Booked (PH)

SYNOPSIS:

On the day Liz Emerson tries to die, they had reviewed Newton’s laws of motion in physics class. Then, after school, she put them into practice by running her Mercedes off the road.

Why? Why did Liz Emerson decide that the world would be better off without her? Why did she give up? Vividly told by an unexpected and surprising narrator, this heartbreaking and nonlinear novel pieces together the short and devastating life of Meridian High’s most popular junior girl. Mass, acceleration, momentum, force—Liz didn’t understand it in physics, and even as her Mercedes hurtles toward the tree, she doesn’t understand it now. How do we impact one another? How do our actions reverberate? What does it mean to be a friend? To love someone? To be a daughter? Or a mother? Is life truly more than cause and effect? Amy Zhang’s haunting and universal story will appeal to fans of Lauren Oliver, Gayle Forman, and Jay Asher.

Misfit Review:

My plan was to review this book as soon as I finished it... But it almost took a few days before I can actually say what I thought about it here, right now... Falling Into Place ruined me. Ruined and unraveled something in me and I can't even tell if it's good or bad.

The story is about Liz Emerson and how her almost perfect life was shattered into pieces when she decided to kill herself in a car accident. Liz seems incredibly fine with it. She had it all planned out but of course she still thought that something, someone could stop her from doing it but still, she did. We are then taken into her thoughts, her best friends' Kennie and Julia's and that one boy, Liam  whom she tormented and the narrator who seems to know everything going around in her life while Liz is in a coma in the ICU.

What struck me most about how the story was handled is the nonlinear direction of the plot line which reminded me very much of The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. If you have read the book, you can see that the chapter titles are mostly about a certain day or time before or after Liz Emerson crashed her car and they don't actually go on chronological order. In those certain time frames, we see more of Liz as she drops off her mask of happiness and perfection and we are introduced to a totally different person.

THIS GOT ME LIKE:

Liz, by far, has become one of my most favorite intriguing characters. Even now as I have finished the book, I am still intrigued as to why she had to do the things she did aside from crashing her car that is. There's just something so fascinating about her. Her honesty, raw emotions and frustrations somehow leads the reader into feeling entirely sorry for her though you wouldn't exactly think that with how she is in her background. Liz, as I have analyzed, is the image of every young girl who has stooped into the level of letting peer pressure get to her. Her nonchalant character may seem all that but in fact she worries and thinks of the things she did, how these actions hurt people and even labeling herself as the cancer; the tumor that eats up and ruins everyone, thus leading for her to think of ending herself.

THIS GOT ME LIKE:

And then there's her friends Kennie and Julia who are as broken as Liz. Fortunately for them, their guilt and insecurities haven't eaten them up yet, but indeed slowly. Out of the two of them, I felt for Kennie. Julia was a little bit more rational even with her actions and didn't seem as entirely vulnerable as Kennie but she seems to be the most caring. Kennie on the other hand is far more emotional, scared and insecure and would drown herself to the idea that she is popular if she acts the way people expect her to act. But there was a certain scene in the hospital that made me feel bad for Kennie and I cried for her as much as I cried for Liz.

Which brings me to this realization, true to Beyonce's song, Pretty Hurts, that even the most beautiful, the most popular of people can go through certain moments in their lives where they've had enough and could not take anymore of the pressure, pain, misunderstanding and maybe even the lost of appeal of the world. We have objectified the popular kids and thought that they never get hurt or they never ever feel the burden of what they've done. We've always rooted for the underdogs and the misfits, but Amy Zhang opens up a door, so rarely opened, into the world of the highest of the high and see them slowly go down.

THIS GOT ME LIKE:

The novel is fresh, smart, heart aching and in many ways relatable to the young teens of this generation holding on to the talons of drugs, sex, first world problems and the ever amazing social media.

The rise of young adult fiction revolving around the vulnerabilities of teens and their tendencies and acts of committing suicide is very much apparent, but Falling Into Place doesn't, in it's own grandeur, fall behind from any of them. It has it's charms to send you into a spree of depression, glee and maybe even hope.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Amy Zhang used to have lots of imaginary friends. When people told her to grow up, she turned her imaginary friends into characters and started telling their stories. When she isn't writing, she can be found playing piano, hitting balls on the tennis court, or struggling through her weekly existential crisis. She lives in Wisconsin with her family.

Artist Interview: B I B L I O D U C K S, A Graphic Collaboration

Hi there Misfit Booknerds! How you've been? It's been some time since I featured some very special talents here in the blog and I have been lucky enough to be acquainted with some of them and two of which I'll be featuring right now. Meet Sayyeda and Drei of BIBLIODUCKS.

Sayyeda Shah is the graphic illustrator for SAII Illustrations while Drei San Juan manages Aegisdea. Both gruel their time in making amazing graphic illustrations and layouts. Though they have different aesthetics and styles, they decided to work together to form BIBLIODUCKS, a page dedicated to provide fanarts of fictional characters, may it be from books, favorite TV shows and the likes. They print out posters and bookmarks lately but damn these guys should include t-shirt printing to their roster!

I decided to stalk them for a bit and ask them some questions! Here it is!

All photos and illustrations used in this post are copyrighted and owned by the designers. I received permission to use this for the interview. 

1. Hi there guys! So, were you always inclined to art at an early age?

Sayyeda (S): Oh gosh no. Haha. The only art I was into before was poetry lol. But visual? Not so much. I guess I haven't discovered the joys of digital art yet, but back then I didn't see myself doing art when I grew up. I only decided to do art when I was around my third year in highschool.

Drei (D): Hullo! Well according to my parents I have been inclined to it since I was 5. The only memory I remember though was when I sas 7 years old and Voltes V was showing on the telly and since then I aspire to draw things anime!

2. How did you guys meet or get to know each other and how did the collaboration start?

S: I met Drei last year at the fandom group of TMIPH. Haha. She was posting pretty awesome character illustrations back then so I decided to add her. The collab started when I was planning for Marie Lu's booksigning here. I remember her doing character illustrations for The Young Elites so I thought it would be cool to turn them into posters.

D: Well, it was back in 2013, when I was a total noob in the TMI fandom (Or in the YA fandom in general). I did not expect people to like my drawings when I shared it in the Filipino Shadowhunters group, Ate Dianne and Saii were one if the few people who caught my attention. They were kind and they fangirl a lot! Saii had Stark as her surname so I instantly added her as a friend (To be honest, I don't remember if I was the one who added her). Little did I know that she was an illustrator too. So here I was, silently liking her entries from the shadows (I love how she does her eyeliner hahahaha). We didn't get to talk much up until now, I'm also a very awkward person in online chatting. But I'm happy to have met her! And I'm very excited for our collaboration!

3. As graphic designers, how do you set yourselves apart from other's works? Would you say your style has changed over the years?

S: My style is mostly vector. I know there are a lot of vector artists out there too, but lately I've been going for more colorful illustrations. And I've been playing with brushes in Illustrator too.

D: It's funny because it was only 2014 that my style became very consistent in comparsion to the previous years.

4. Why start BIBLIODUCKS? What things did you consider first before starting this collaboration?

S: After Marie Lu's signing, a lot of people were asking me if we will be selling the posters cause they'd definitely buy it. Drei and I talked about it and decided that yes, we'd be releasing posters for sale. I guess the biggest thing we needed to consider was the production of these posters and if we'd have time to do so. Since I am in charge of the printing and shipping, I decided to do all those on the weekends since I have work and have no time on weekdays.


D: Well, it all started when Marie Lu went ti the Philippines. Saii pm'd me and asked if it's okay to use the fanarts I made for TYE. I was like, "SURE". I was truly happy that Saii considered using my drawings for fan banners in the event. I mean even though I can't go to the signing at least my artworks can, riiight? Riiight?

After a few days, when Saii posted a picture of the printed posters she made, people have been asking if we're going to sell them. At first I was too shy to talk to Saii about it, since I'm aware how tiring managing an online store is plus we're a state away from each other, printing and payments will become a hassle. But then people keep on talking about, so that basically motivated me to talk to Saii about it. It's really overwhelming to know that people loved the posters that she and I made.

5. What specific things inspire you as artists?

S: For me it's anything, really. What's fun and a bit frustrating though, is that ideas and inspiration come at the most random and unexpected moments so once the idea hits me, I really have to write it down or else I'll eventually forget about it.

D: A lot of things inspire me!

Artists and their etiquette and style inspire me. The people who believe I have the potential in art inspires the hell out of me. Being an aspiring illustartor has lots of ups and downs and It's overwhelming to know that majority of the people who sees my artworks believe that I'm going to go places and that idea just inspires me to work hard, learn more stuff and improve my craft more!

6. Starting a business such as poster and bookmark printing is pretty rare! What other merchandise do you guys wish to sell and the same as being artists, how will you set yourselves apart from the competition since the market of the fandom business is rampant out there?

S: We're not really sure about these plans yet. For now we're just doing prints. Maybe shirts someday? I guess what sets us apart are the works are more of Illustrations. Like, you see other shirts are more on typography or simple vector designs. Also, the designs were really made by us, so there's an extra personal touch to that.


D: Starting a business such as poster and bookmark printing is pretty rare! What other merchandise do you guys wish to sell and the same as being artists, how will you set yourselves apart from the competition since the market of the fandom business is rampant out there?

- It'll be awesome if we get to print our stuff on tshirts, mugs and totebags!

We're different from the rest because we have our original works on our side!

7. Issues about copyright and crediting the artist for one's work is been going around lately. What are your thoughts?

S: Crediting is not enough. People have to ask permission from the artists to use their work, that's why when I got the poster idea I consulted with Drei first if she would allow me to use her illustrations.


D: I still don't get why people have the nerve to steal artworks and sell them without the permission of the artist.

I believe an artwork is a part of an artist's soul that was picked out and honed aeasthetically for the world to see and feel its creator's vision and feelings. Reposting/stealing an artwork without any credits is like mutilating an artist limb by limb. Okay, that sounded gruesome, but you get my point!

8. Finally! What are your messages to other graphic artists out there who wish to go into business or just with their art?

S: Find your style and develop it. Refine it. Make it your own. Love that style because that is going to be your identity as an artist. You are your worst critic so don't be so hard on yourself. If you feel that you artwork is not enough, keep on practicing until you become satisfied

D: Finally! What are your messages to other graphic artists out there who wish to go into business or just with their art?

- KEEP ON DRAWING GUYSSSS! There will be a lot of ups and downs, but that will pass! Practice will make you better! And don't be ashamed to be heavily inspired and influenced by other artists! Don't hesitate to dream big!

Love you lots! Don't give up!

Well there you go! That's it for the interview part! Let's see more of their works! 

By the way, I do not tolerate any form of usage of the photos that will be featured in this post for any personal or business purposes. They are copyrighted material, so please, if you wish to purchase or use the photos in any way, you may contact either Sayyeda or Drei. I will leave their Facebook pages for you. Thank you!

Adelina Amouteru and The Reaper from The Young Elites

Khaleesi! *cries*

Simon and Clary from The Mortal Instruments

THIS EPIC GIF OF TEREN FROM THE YOUNG ELITES

Badass Tyrion!!! 

Cute original from Saii! 

To buy from BIBLIODUCKS, like their Facebook page and inquire: BIBLIODUCKS or email them at biblioducks@gmail.com

To know more about Sayyeda's SAII Illustrations, check out her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/saiiborg.art

 Behance website: http://behance.net/sayyeduck

Drei's Aegisdea's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/aegisdea

Tumblr website: http://www.aegisdea.tumblr.com/
Society6: http://society6.com/aegisdea

I do encourage some authors to contact these wonderful graphic artists because they have talent and yeah, they are amazing! As for all the Misfit Booknerds out there, help spread the word out! Thank you!!! Support amazing artists like them! :)

{BLOG TOUR} Excerpt + Giveaway: The Boyfriend Backtrack by Dawn Lanuza

Title: The Boyfriend Backtrack
Author: Dawn Lanuza
Publication: October 3rd 2014,
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy it on: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

If they say that life flashes right before your eyes when you die, do you also get a flashback of your exes when your perfect boyfriend is proposing to you? At least that's the case for Regina Cortez. There's her dramatic high school boyfriend, her first college crush, the irresistible heart breaker, and the ever elusive one. By backtracking to her past, will Regina make it to 'I Do'? Or will she just keep running away?

EXCERPT

“What if we get married,” he blurts out. No, more like, he spat it out.

I lean back on my chair, completely taken aback, “What?”

Kevin pulls his hand away and reaches into his pocket. He fishes out a blue velvet box. I squeeze my eyes shut. That is not what I think that is. This is not happening. Is it really? I open my eyes. Yup, box still in the table. I try to recall if there was a hint of proposal in our earlier conversation but all I could remember was whether or not we’re having Japanese or French tonight. So no, definitely, no.

“I mean, it makes sense, doesn’t it?” He asks me, snapping me back to focus.

I lean back to the table to gauge his reaction. Is he serious? Is he being forced to marry so he can settle back to Sacramento? I find myself looking back down at the box. Kevin begins to talk again but I couldn’t make out a single word.

I bet it’s the wrong ring. Kevin has weird taste in jewelry. As much as he’s got good taste in everything else, the man can’t seem to get it right when it comes to jewelry. Last time, he bought me these earrings that I only wore for a night and never wore again. I do not look good in hoop earrings, never did and never will.

And in the middle of me thinking about where I put those earrings, the most bizarre thing happened. It was more bizarre than the fact that I was thinking about these earrings when my boyfriend just dropped the word marriage into the table.

In movies, they call this bit a ‘montage’: a series of shots edited into a sequence. In my case, it was a series of all the men I’ve dated before I landed in this very table, in a quaint French restaurant, drinking wine from some French villa, staring at a blue velvet box from my boyfriend of three years. 

There weren’t many of them, but it was disturbing, still. I mean, Dirk was in it. Dirk, who I’m not even sure I even really liked to begin with. And then there was Thomas, and Josh…

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Dawn Lanuza has been imagining and writing love stories since she was a kid. She works for the music industry by day, and writes about meet cutes and snappy comebacks by night. She writes short stories, chick lit and young-adult fiction. She has a degree in Development Communication from the University of the Philippines.

OMG! She graduated from the same program as I do! Soooo awesome! Anyway, thanks to Dianne of OIRA Tours for this! Be sure to keep in check with other blog tours!

{BLOG TOUR} Excerpt + Giveaway: The Light in The Wound by Christine Brae

Title: The Light in The Wound
Author: Christine Brae
Publication: July 23rd 2013, CreateSpace
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Fully Booked (PH)

SYNOPSIS:

Affected by her parents’ highly publicized divorce, Isabel grows up isolated and alone, with a resolve to never fall in love and repeat their mistakes.

When Jesse Cain enters her life, she falls hopelessly in love with him, and every sadness she’s ever felt is washed away by his intensity and passion. But people change as they grow up. Things can never stay the same forever.

Jesse and Isabel fight to stay together, determined to hold on to what they once had. Isabel wonders if a second love can ever be enough to make her forget her first.

EXCERPT

“Isabel, you are so pretty. No, exquisite. Beautiful.”

And then it happened. Our first kiss. Slow and gentle at first, tentative and unsure. He smelled like cool grass and sun and all I wanted to do was inhale him. And though I closed my eyes, I saw him clearly. I had learned in my life that the good things were fleeting, and everything always came to an end. I wanted to remember this moment forever.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

Christine Brae is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. She is currently working on her third book which she hopes to release in June,2014.

When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago.

Thank you to Amanda for inviting me to the Bookish Diaries Book Tours! Congratulations on the first tour ever! Be sure to join in for review opportunities and blitzes! :)