Librouhaha

As a kid, I thought there was nothing more glorious than filling...

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:03:00 +0800

As a kid, I thought there was nothing more glorious than filling a room with books, and so I had gotten excited whenever my collection grew.

The reality is a lot less romantic. I don’t have that much space for books, and I can’t read as much as I used to—which is why I’ve decided to find new homes for a handful of old books. These are the books I’ve neglected, ones I’ll never read again, and ones I don’t see myself reading in the near future.

Giving these books away doesn’t mean I love reading or books any less. My desire has just shifted from filling a room with books (including those I don’t love so much) to filling just a small shelf with ones I just can’t live without. I get more shelf space for new books, my friends get books for free. Everybody wins. So maybe the reality is more romantic, after all.

Today I hoarded more books, but I don’t feel too bad ‘cause I...

Wed, 08 May 2013 22:08:45 +0800

Today I hoarded more books, but I don’t feel too bad ‘cause I got all four for PhP225: Neil Gaiman’s Fragile Things and Anansi Boys, Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe! I just inserted the exclamation point for feeling. It’s safe to say it was a great day.

Last week, I finally got the Chu’s Day posters we ordered from...

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:23:00 +0800

Last week, I finally got the Chu’s Day posters we ordered from Books of Wonder. Each limited edition poster, which supports charity, was signed by Neil Gaiman and Adam Rex.

When I get my own house someday, I’ll save a special spot for putting this up.

I’ve never bawled while reading, but hey, there’s a first for...

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 21:19:43 +0800

I’ve never bawled while reading, but hey, there’s a first for everything. Cried over The Book Thief, woke up with swollen eyes, and tweeted about it. And Markus Zusak replied.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak | National Bookstore, Robinsons...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:55:00 +0800

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak | National Bookstore, Robinsons Pioneer | PhP99

Still need to catch up on my reading, but I find it a lovely coincidence that I’m reading a book about a book (with a book within a book) on World Book Day. To more pages—cheers!

"I know that big people don’t like questions from children. They can ask all the questions they..."

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:48:00 +0800

“I know that big people don’t like questions from children. They can ask all the questions they like, How’s school? Are you a good boy? Did you say your prayers? but if you ask them did they say their prayers you might be hit on the head.”

- Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Neil Gaiman just posted the cover of his new book for kids,...

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 14:11:00 +0800

Neil Gaiman just posted the cover of his new book for kids, Fortunately, The Milk, which will be out this September. It’s illustrated by Skottie Young, and the art looks fun and kooky!

Harlequin Valentine, written and read by Neil Gaiman

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:51:00 +0800

Harlequin Valentine, written and read by Neil Gaiman:

My favorite Valentine’s Day-themed story, for today or any other day. This version of Harlequin Valentine especially, because it’s read by Neil Gaiman.

(And I love the story because I think I’m a bit of a Missy—not that I’m proud of it.)

The Goblet of Fire, and Other Drinks

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:10:00 +0800

The Goblet of Fire, and Other Drinks:

Two things I love come together: Harry Potter + Drinks.

I just downloaded the storybook app, The Artifacts, and I’m so...

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:29:00 +0800

I just downloaded the storybook app, The Artifacts, and I’m so blown away by the art! The Slap Happy Larry team’s working on the next one, Midnight Feast—I, for one, can’t wait.

"Local tales and superstitions thrive best in these sheltered, long settled retreats; but are..."

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:27:46 +0800

“Local tales and superstitions thrive best in these sheltered, long settled retreats; but are trampled under foot, by the shifting throng that forms the population of most of our country places.”

- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak | PhP50 I’m not even halfway...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:37:21 +0800

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak | PhP50

I’m not even halfway done with the other Zusak book I should be reading, but this one just had to be adopted. I’m giving myself until the end of February to finish this.

"Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star, Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to..."

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 23:35:00 +0800

“Roads go ever ever on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.”

- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Today is Chu’s Day!

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:56:58 +0800

Today is Chu’s Day!

"Besides, the few miracles attributed to the angel showed a certain mental disorder, like the blind..."

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 23:53:51 +0800

“Besides, the few miracles attributed to the angel showed a certain mental disorder, like the blind man who didn’t recover his sight but grew three new teeth, or the paralytic who didn’t get to walk but almost won the lottery, and the leper whose sores sprouted sunflowers.”

- A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

It’s not everyday that I get a reply tweet from one of my...

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 01:50:00 +0800

It’s not everyday that I get a reply tweet from one of my favorite authors. And today wasn’t one of those everydays.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin Got this for Christmas,...

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:51:00 +0800

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Got this for Christmas, and I think reading this would be a great way to kick off 2013.

501 Must-read Books I took a look at their list, and I’m...

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 20:20:00 +0800

501 Must-read Books

I took a look at their list, and I’m nowhere near 501. I think they just forced me to start my own list—thing is, I’m not sure I’ve read that many books.

Bookish Ornaments

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:11:00 +0800

Bookish Ornaments:

With books and Christmas, the world’s alright, and I don’t really know what I should be bitching about.

"It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and..."

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 23:44:00 +0800

“It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”

- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens