Filipino Firdays #5: Celebrating the Best


I have discovered a lot of wonderful reads this 2012 and most of them earned a spot on my list of favorites. Here they are (in no particular order):

 1. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier - A lovely, heartbreaking, fantasy read based on the Six Swans Tale. And has a bit of Czech lore in it too.

2. A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly - This is my favorite hands down. It made me appreciate words and books even more.

3. Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner - An absolute page turner, I couldn't put this down. Smart and brilliant fantasy read.

 4. The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness - A great second installment and I never doubted for a moment that I wouldn't love this. I'm excited (and a bit sad, since it's the last) for Monster of Men. 

 5. The Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandel - A lovely novel in prose that made me fall in love with Chivalry and Arthurian Legends all over again.

 6. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart - A great contemporary YA read which I appreciated for the wordplay, satire, and the cleverness of it.

 7. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - A contemporary YA which explored death and dying. It's a beautiful and haunting story that is reflection inducing and thought provoking. (Quick question, is If I Stay by Gayle Forman worth reading still or is it too similar to this one?) 

8. Beauty by Robin Mckinley and The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale - I am addicted to fairy tale retellings and these two are among the best.

9. Heroes of Olympus 1-2 by Rick Riordan -  I'm happy that Rick Riordan created this because it's a better and improved version of the Percy Jackson books.

10. Bartimaues Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud - A hilarious and "for the middle grade readers version" of Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell. It's a whole lot of magical fun!

As for my Filipino Literature reads:

 11. Kwentillion Magazine - I thoroughly enjoyed this very promising magazine. It held many great stories and wonderful illustrations from talented Pinoys.

 12. Gerry Alanguilan's ELMER - A local graphic novel about chickens, capable of thought and speech, now living side by side with humans. The whole thing is wonderfully absurd. It is unique and brilliant. I had to sleep late at night because I so wanted to finish it. I hope to get a hold of Wasted, from the same author and explore more local graphic novels. Special thanks to Tricia of In Lesbians with Books for recommending Gerry Alanguilan's books. :)

Finally! Tomorrow's the 2nd Filipino ReaderCon at Filipinas Heritage Library! Do drop by and have fun! I wish I can be there but I can't. *sniff*  
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Comments

  1. LynaiAugust 16, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    The Ask And The Answer! Do read Monsters of Men soonest! :)

    I haven't read Before I Fall yet, but I've read If I Stay and Where She Went and I really really love it. It's bittersweet and thought-provoking and just downright beautiful. (Okay, enough gushing). :)

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    Replies
    1. TinAugust 16, 2012 at 8:48 PM

      I know Lynai! I hope I get to have a copy soon! You had reading buddies for this one right? I so hope Patrick Ness won't kill anyone off in this last installment. But I have a feeling that won't be the case. :)

      Gushing is more than welcome here. :) And because of that, I think I will get a copy of If I Stay.

      Delete
    2. LynaiAugust 17, 2012 at 12:10 AM

      I have ebooks of If I Stay and Where She Went. Just let me know if you want to have them, I'll gladly email them to you. ;)

      Delete
    3. TinAugust 17, 2012 at 5:18 AM

      Oh I would love that Lynai! Sadly, I don't have an e-reader and I can't take the glare when I read from my laptop. But may I take you up on that offer if and when I get an e-reader? :D

      Delete
  2. JVAugust 16, 2012 at 10:36 PM

    Some reviewers say if you like Before I Fall, you'd like If I Stay as well. As for the similarity, I'm clueless on the matter, haven't read it yet. As for Before I Fall, I really liked it... *whisper* Psst! I was crying like crazy during the ending. Don't tell. LOL.

    Happy weekend! :)

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    Replies
    1. TinAugust 17, 2012 at 5:28 AM

      LOL! Your secret's safe with me. :) It's such a sad and heartbreaking read but at the same time it kinda makes you appreciate your life even more no?

      I hope you'll have a great weekend too Janus! Maybe a bookish one if you'll get to drop by tomorrow's ReaderCon. :)

      Delete
  3. CelinaAugust 16, 2012 at 10:57 PM

    Oooh, about half of your list are some of my favorites too, and the other half are on my TBR.

    I agree with Lynai, I haven't read Before I Fall either, but I think If I Stay is a worthwhile read.:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TinAugust 17, 2012 at 5:37 AM

      Hi Celina! It's nice to know that we have similar tastes in books! :)

      With Lynai's gushing and your affirmation, I'd definitely keep If I Stay on my to acquire and read list.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousAugust 17, 2012 at 3:42 AM

    The only books I've read from your list are the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan, hahaha! A few are on my to-buy and to-be-read list. Will definitely look into some of the titles more from your list of favorites. ^_^

    My favorite reads this year so far are Who's Afraid of Mr. Wolfe by Hazel Osmond, The Book Thief and I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. hihi!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TinAugust 17, 2012 at 5:42 AM

      I adored The Book Thief! It's one of my favorite historical fiction reads. Maybe I would like I am the Messenger too since it's written by the same author no? I'll put it on my list. :)

      I do hope you'll get to read some of the titles on this post Rhin! :)

      Delete
  5. JinkyAugust 17, 2012 at 12:53 PM

    Riordan books have been on my tbr for so long ..I'll have to pick one up soon! --Hmm, is Elmer a satire like Animal Farm?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TinAugust 17, 2012 at 7:32 PM

      If you love mythology, I think you'll enjoy Riordan's books. They're fun reads! The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series called Mark of Athena will be coming out October this year, if I'm not mistaken.

      I haven't read Animal Farm yet but I have an idea of how the story goes. And yeah, I think it is along the lines of how Elmer is as well, a satire as you say. I hope you'll get to pick this one up Jinky, both the story and the illustrations are great! :D

      Delete

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