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Showing posts from July, 2011

Bookish Memorabilia

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Aside from having dreams of owning a library that magically refills itself with the latest books, I also fantasize about having a collection of bookish toys and memorabilia. Figurines, posters, plushies, and replicas of implements and costumes of literary characters.  Here are some of what I've been wanting: Funko Lord of the Rings Gandalf Plushies See Amazon.com Funko Lord of the Rings Legolas Plushie See Amazon.com Look at how cute Gandalf is! I can't believe I'd use "cute" and "Gandalf" in the same sentence. LOTR fans don't hate me. Neca Coraline Doll, 10" See Amazon.com Here's an equally cute Legolas. The Coraline Doll with B-b-bubuttons used by the evil "The Other Mother" as the means to spy on her in the real world. The Hunger Games Necklace Pendant See Amazon.com I would prefer it to be a pin, like the one in the book The Hunger Games but a neckl

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

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It's been awhile since I've read a Contemporary Young Adult book. Most  stellar Young Adult reads I've had are under fantasy or dystopia. Nothing from Contemporary YA really stood out for me, save for Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. But I decided to get back and test the waters on this genre once more. Call it a Fantasy/Dystopia Purge.  So, I was quite amazed at my latest discovery that is Laurie Halse Anderson.  Image from goodreads Wintergirls tells a story about Cassie and Lia, best of friends, sharing everything even the obsession with being skinny to the point of having an eating disorder. Cassie suddenly breaks off her friendship with Lia leaving the latter confused and devastated. Over six months the two had no communication up until the 33 phone calls Lia received  from Cassie over the weekend. Lia, still filled with anger at their sudden break-up, refused to pick up the phone. Little did she know that those were Cassie's distress calls as she was already spiral

Fairytales by Lotte Reineger with music by Amiina

On my visit to Singapore, I was fortunate enough to catch the show Fairytales by Lotte Reineger with music by Amiina at the National Museum of Singapore.  Here is the description of the show taken from the National Museum of Singapore website :  Fairy Tales of Lotte Reiniger with music by Amiina (Germany & Iceland) Lotte Reiniger is one of the greatest creators in animation history. Inspired by Chinese silhouette puppetry, she made 60 beautiful and mesmerising films, 40 of which still survive today. These delicately wrought black and white marvels revolutionised the film industry in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, and brought timeless faerie tales to life for children and adults to enjoy like never before.  Three members from Icelandic group Amiina created delicate and ethereal scores for Reiniger’s silent films of Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. Well known for their work with Icelandic band Sigur Rós, Amiina uses an assortment of instruments – incl

Instead of Three Wishes by Megan Whalen Turner

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Image from Goodreads The first time I've heard of Megan Whalen Turner is through Chachic of Chachic's Book Nook . If you follow/frequent her blog, you'd know that she is a huge fan of Whalen's The Thief Series. Being a fantasy fan myself, I've put in The Thief in my (very long) book wish list. Since, I haven't really gotten around acquiring The Thief just yet, when I saw her name on this book I thought it would be a good chance for me to get acquainted with Whalen's writing style. Instead of Three Wishes contains seven short stories, all depicting the existence of magic in everyday lives. 1. Plague of Leprechaun - Tells the story of how a small idyllic town of North Twicking is shaken up by the news of a Leprechaun Sighting, bringing in an influx of tourists coveting the bag of gold that a leprechaun brings. All this chaos proves to be too much for Mag Malleaster, the local innkeeper, and to Roger Otterly, a struggling painter commissioned to come up w

In My Mailbox

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In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Story Siren . It features books you've received or bought during the week. Margaret Atwood Books are just a few among the many books that intimidates me. I've also mentioned before that most Man Booker winners/finalists also scare the wits out of me. The Blind Assassin being both a Margaret Atwood book and a Man Booker Winner seems to be a double whammy. But with my recent surprising success with Vernon God Little (A Man Booker Winner) I'm eager to be surprised yet again.  Anyone of you read this one or any Margaret Atwood book for that matter? I'd love to hear your thoughts about it. And if you've received anything in your mailbox, do share! 

Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre

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Image from goodreads Man Booker Prize Books have always been a difficult read for me . I've read three, liked two but my pacing was more of trudging than  flipping through the pages. But despite my reservations, I still bought this book because it has an interesting premise and was on sale. I'm glad I did. Summary from the back cover: When sixteen kids are shot on high school grounds, everyone looks for someone to blame. Meet Vernon Little, under arrest at the sheriff's office, a teenager wearing nothing but yesterday's underwear and his prized logo sneakers. Moments after the shooter, his best buddy, turns the gun on himself, Vernon is pinned as an accomplice. Out for revenge are the townspeople, the cable news networks, and Deputy Vaine Gurie, a woman whose zeal for the Pritikin diet is eclipsed only by her appetite for barbecued ribs from the Bar-B-Chew Barn. So Vernon does what any red-blooded American teenager would do; he takes off for Mexico. Vernon God Li

Matilda by Roald Dahl

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Image from goodreads I loved all movie adaptations of Roald Dahl books but I haven't read a single one *hangs head in shame*, up until now. I remember being completely taken with Disney's James and the Giant Peach, then there was Matilda and the more recent releases of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr. Fox. All of which I really enjoyed. So, I was exceptionally pleased when I got Matilda at a bargain price, making this my first Roald Dahl experience.  Summary From Goodreads: Poor, misunderstood Matilda fights back against an unappreciative world through a hidden talent: Matilda is the world's greatest practical joker! Little effort is needed to put one over on her obnoxious parents, but can shy little Matilda handle the formidable headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, and win the respect of every kid in school? Yes! Since I was familiar with the movie adaptation, there are  bits and pieces of the story I already knew but still the entire book held my atte