Some Of My Very, Very, Verrry Favourite Books of 2012
See what I did there? No? Okay. ;) So the predicted doomsday (12.21.12) did not happen, apparently, which made me think that this is probably the best time to finally publish this draft that I was working on since I cannot even remember.
One of the posts that I always look forward to reading, back in our glorious Multiply days, was my mate
Jofer's year end book/film/TV show list. It is interesting to read and it gives me a lot of insights on which to read next or which movie to see next. He's one of those friends whose judgment you could really trust, and I respect because he's got a good taste, AND I DON'T. (Pimping you much, mate? Hahaha. But siriusly.) My choices are mostly based on suggestions and I do not have a, well, definite criteria when it comes to the books and movies that I consume my time with. So one time he's told me to do my own list as well and I thought, why not.
So here's my biased Top 5 books/films of 2012, not necessarily released this past year, that I get to read/see this year. Like what I have mentioned earlier, there are no definite criteria on how I came up with this list. Maybe I liked an aspect of it, the theme, the author, the actors.. maybe I was feeling so down that time and it seemed to be the distraction, the outlet that I need. Maybe... But one thing is for sure, in one way or another, I liked it. You may agree or disagree with my choices but hey, you're free to do your own Top 5 list, if you wish. ;-)
Note 1: May I borrow Jofer's line, please don't judge me by the books/movies that I read/watch.
Note 2: I did not focus on the story/plot so it would not be too spoiler-ish so to speak. Mostly, these are the things that for me, has made impact on me. Also, I'm just a young lady, I get kilig easily. There, I think you already have an idea. Hahahaha
Note 3: This year has been really fully-packed (my first year at work) I might have had lost track of the time. I am not sure if it really has occurred this year, or last year... my short-term memory is so messed up. I have been everywhere, too, that I have not read nor see a lot of stuff, I could not remember. Having said that I only have a few to choose from. Being a busy demigod witch really has its ups and downs.
Note 4: I really suck at posting short stuff, so please bear with my another lengthy entry. Hey, I'm trying to be brief, but unfortunately, when my thoughts are out and I'm putting them into words, I can't seem to stop, even when sometimes I am not making any sense anymore. See, even my introduction is long! lol so anyway...
~TOP 5 BOOKS OF 2012~
No. 5 -
The Mark of Athena,
Rick Riordan
I may have finished reading the
Percy Jackson series long ago, but I have just started reading the
Heroes of Olympus series, even though I already have my copy also long ago, when
The Mark of Athena was out last October. I was spoiled by my demigod sisters early on that Scribe's been cruel yet again and gave us another cliffhanger so I took my time. I'll have to wait for another year for
The House of Hades, anyway. Which reminded me of why I am thankful that I was a late bloomer in the world of Harry Potter for all the books are already out when I started reading it. I do not have to wait for some fing unbearable years to have a grasp of the next. Going back, I have to say that despite the cliffhanger ending, this is the best book of the series so far. And I may or may not have shipped
Percabeth even more.
“We're staying together," he promised. "You're not getting away from me. Never again.”
And I like
Leo Valdez. He's a comic relief, just like Ronald. I have just realised that I always have a soft spot for the sidekicks. Not the he was but, with him being the seventh wheel, there's always that
left out feels.
TMoA equation: Percy > Jason, at least for me. Elai and I theorized that since TMoA's written with mostly Percy, Annabeth and Leo's POV's, we are going to miss them on the fourth installment. I am still stoked nonetheless.
Another realisation: I kept on making Harry Potter references, oh darn. J.K. Rowling, look at what you've done to me!
________________________________________________________________________________
No. 4 -
The Very Ordered Existence (VOE) of Merilee Marvelous,
Suzanne Crowley
I cannot find any normal character in this and it is not even a fantasy novel. But it is marvelous with all its quirks. My only problem is that
Merilee Monroe speaks older than a thirteen year old.
“There's a thin line between genius and bottom-barrel stupidness. I hover delicately on a tightrope between the two, wondering where I'll land if I'll ever fall.” is how she describes herself, see? But then upon finishing the book, I understood why. And it is for you to discover. Not bad.
_________________________________________________________________________________
No. 3 -
The Perks of Being a Wallflower,
Stephen Chbosky
Not gonna lie, I only read this book because of the film, but I loved it. And although I could not relate to the whole wallflower thing, because I was not and I have already discussed that on my previous Perks post I guess, I still could feel Charlie. I believe
there's a Charlie in all of us. Maybe not sexually abused, but still abused in a way. And even though I swear in this moment, this quote has been overused in the web, I still feel infinite and a little less lonely (no matter how redundant that was) after reading it.
“And even if somebody else has it much worse, that doesn't really change the fact that you have what you have. Good and bad.”
_________________________________________________________________________________
No. 2 -
Thoughtless/Effortless, S.C. Stephens
The dark horse on my list. This is the first of its genre that I have actually read and surprisingly, even though some parts horrified me to the point of actually thinking of skipping pages, did not disappoint me. I refuse to read
Fifty Shades of Grey because of its theme + the author's style and yet I gave this one a chance. Hey, I didn't know
Thoughtless was actually an erotic novel until I get to the hot parts. (Defensive?) You, Rhiane, you... didn't tell me!! Hahahahah dang it. I was on a point of no turning back and I hate to not finish any book no matter how lame (I mean, the other books, this one isn't.) it'd be so I did and I thought maybe it is time to grow up a bit. A step towards reading J.K.'s adult book haha, and this even went more. So I have this love/hate feeling towards the book especially with the lead girl's confusing stance on love and the almost never ending deceit and the reoccurring scenes that is sometimes boring. But how does one know if you're reading a good porn novel when you don't have much to compare it with? I still refuse to read 50 Shades (because J.K. vows not to, so do I). The thing that's made me stay is the music/band element. I am such a sucker for rock stars, the hot and sweet kind and Kellan Kyle is just that. And with that I believe he beats Christian Grey by far. Because as far as my friends who's read it and from the feedback from
Goodreads, Grey is too fictional. I'm not saying Kyle is real but he is at least believable.
So for the cheese-fest:
“I knew then, that I would stay with you…even if it killed me.”
“I love you and you understand what that phrase means to me. I don’t say it…to anyone…ever.”
“You…the only woman I’ve ever loved…ever. You thought I’d toss that out? Do you really think anyone in this world compares to you in my eyes?”
"No, I know that I have to be with you. Everything else is just .... details.”
Thank you, I may or may not need a new set of ovaries because of these. Sheesh these alpha-males setting standards. Now I wonder if I'll ever get to have any real boyfriend. (Kidding!)
S.C. Stephens is an independent author, and her writing style isn't perfect. I may be exposed to some good writers out there and it is may be wrong to compare her with them but despite her flaws, there's something about the
Thoughtless series (yes, trilogy actually. Reckless is to be out on March.) that is likeable, at least for me especially on the family aspect on the second book, and not just about Kellan, mind you. In a way, it reminded me of
Sidney Sheldon's
A Stranger in the Mirror. Okay Sheldon's is better, and even more cruel and rad; but at some point, Stephen's deep just the same so haters, you may now all sod off. This lady is awesome.
Oh, and S.C. replied to my email! Bonus!
_________________________________________________________________________________
No. 1 -
The Fault in our Stars, John Green
Predictable. Okay.
“You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.”
Time Magazine's Best Book of 2012 and I could not agree more. For not getting to shed tears while reading Sheldon's
Rage of Angels last year, I almost thought I already have a heart of stone. But I don't. Kill me now, I bawled while reading this, was depressed for two days before I decided to move forward and I am not even exaggerating. I hate John for killing Gus. I love John for bringing Gus and Hazel into existence. Also, what's made me fall deeply is the cancer element and the different view that he's, perhaps, introduced. It isn't a secret how my aunt's succumbed to the big C just this year and reading this months after losing a loved one just emphasized the emotions even more. I cannot seem to put the shedding of tears into a halt. She (my aunt) and the book left us forever scarred, but in a very good way I'd like to think. So yes, this is my top/remarkable book of the year, hands down.
_________________________________________________________________________________
To read next:
The Casual Vacancy (J.K. The Queen Rowling).
Yes. I am ready for you.
Looking For Alaska (John Green)
You're next.
Books that has been on hold:
The Undomestic Goddess (Sophie Kinsella),
Have A Little Faith (Mitch Albom) I don't know why I cannot get myself into reading these yet, but I'll get on with these too, hopefully soon.
Long, yeah? I'll probably just do my films list on a separate post... IF I would not get lazy. We'll see. X
 |
I just felt
like I needed to post a photo with some of my books in it.
Got no time to capture my recent buys but... anyway.
|
2 comments: