What's Cool? SUMMER!

What's Cool? is an anytime meme where I talk about anything Cool that has happened to me

or the Cool things I got!

What's Cool?
SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!

It's FINALLY summer break and you know how much happy I am about it??

I'm am so glad that my third year in nursing is SO done! Now I can't wait to be on my fourth year next sem and graduate after a year! Ain't that supah Cool? :D

Apart from the amazing two months of toxic-free from school and duty, I can now read all the books from my tbr. I have to finish them ALL because I'd be busier when June comes. And of course, there'll be another Cool batch of titles!

Wanna take a look on my summer?

Here you go:

They've been stuck on my shelf since I was really busy for the past few months. Not to mention the ebooks I have. The feeling is a combination of Coolness (because I love reading) and pressure (must finish soon!!!!). So good luck to me. XD

• Haul!

Those books above aren't my  haul. Those are the books I have to read this summer. You can see my haul from the past few weeks below!

Fore review:

Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan (Fractured Light #1)

Insignia by S.J Kincaid (Insignia #1)

Stray by Monica Hesse

The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines (The Vincent Boys #1)

Transparent by Natalie Whipple (Transparent #1)

The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan (The Dispossessed #1)
Rapunzel Entangled by Cindy C. Bennett

Swapped:
Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Lux #2)

Borrowed:

Reckless by S.C Stephens (Thoughtless #3)

Huge thanks to Olivia and Hot Key Books, Rachel McClellan, Kelly and Cedar Fort Books, and Chyna of Lite_Rate_Ture!

• New stuff (outside blogging)

So..wondering what's new about me? See the picture on the left? That's my new pair of drumsticks!

I really want to know how to play the drums and I'm so lucky to be learning it now--for free! Thanks to the people of Johia church.

If you're thinking I'm now good at it, you're wrong. I suck, really. 16th note is so fast I can't keep up! But hey, remember I'm still a beginner. There's always a time for practicing. One day, I can finally do it. I might let you see me playing the drums! :D

I bought this Cool pair of drumsticks almost a month ago. I just kept on forgetting to show them to you. XD

• Feature and Follow: The Comeback!

Now that I have time to hop on other blogs, I'm back with Feature and Follow! I'm not sure if can continue doing this Friday meme when first sem (June) starts because I'd be really busy (I've told you that a million times, if I'm not mistaken) that time. For now, don't forget to stop by my FF post, leave your link on the comment section, follow and I'll return all the favor!

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Tell me all the Cool things you've got/done/doing/about to do! You can also share your In My Mailbox, Stacking The Shelves, or any meme that you think that's similar with What's Cool?. If you want What's Cool on your blog, just copy the meme image above, the brief but clear description of the meme and the link to this post.

Now, don't let your thoughts left unshared! Have a Cool weekend! :)

Feature & Follow #16: The Comeback!

Now that I'm *temporarily* free of stress of college because of summer vacay, Michelle Shouts Random is now back with Feature and Follow! I'm hoping to see a lot of blogs to follow, and of course, new followers. It's so nice to do this again! Without further ado, lemme answer this week's question. ;)

Q: Tell us about the most emotional scene you’ve ever read in a book – and how did you react?

A: I've read a couple of books that broke my heart and made me tear up. The first book was Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. I also remember tearing up on P.S I Love You by Cecelia Ahern. The most recent books that made me cry are the books written by Colleen Hoover: Slammed and Point of Retreat. Thoughtless and Effortless by S.C Stephens also make my heart cry.

There were certain parts of these books that made me cry. And I realized that it's always because of the love they felt for that person. The true love, even if it resulted in broken hearts or tears of joy. Either way, it always make my heart react in a way and cry. I mean, I literally tear up when I read these books.

There were also books--dystopians or fantasy, to be more particular--that make me put on the edge. Of my seat. Not in a emotional-cry way but in a crap-my-heart's-pounding-so-hard-I-feel-like-being-chase-as-well and sometimes, it makes me scream out of frustration. You see, I'm always absorbed on what I read. XD

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Let me know your reactions on the books you read! Share your links to your FF post, follow me in any way that you can (though I'd appreciate if through GFC) and I'll visit your post and follow back!

Have a happy Easter weekend! :)


Don't forget to hop on the other blogs!

WWW Wednesdays (27) / Waiting on Wednesday (29): The Distance Between Us

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?






It's summer break!!!!!!!! And I love it. :D

Currently Reading:

I just picked up Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan (Fractured Light #1) after finishing The Madman's Daughter this morning. I'm now more than the half of Rapunzel Entangled by Cindy C. Bennett

Finished Reading:

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd (The Madman's Daughter #1) (review to come!) and Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons (Article 5 #2)

Now this book (Breaking Point) really surprised me. I love how Kristen wrote it! Check out my review here.

Read Next:

After reading Rapunzel Untangled, I'll continue reading The Boys of Summer by C.J Duggan (Summer #1), which I put down for a while for scheduled-books reasons. Aaand, I'll start Insignia by S.J Kincaid (Insignia #1) after I finish Fractured Light.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, originally started by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming book releases everyone is waiting on.

The Distance Between Us
by Kasie West

Expected publication: July 2nd 2013 by Harper Teen

Blurb (Goodreads):

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.


And because I'm reading a lot of dystopians lately, I feel like reading a good contemporary. Doesn't this sound like a really good + cute one?

I didn't know Kasie has an upcoming contemp til one blogger dropped by my WoW last week and shared hers. And I fell for it immediately! I have her debut book, Pivot Point, in my shelf--which I can't wait to read either--and here's another one of hers! Can't wait!



Pre-order The Distance Between Us now!

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Share your books with me! :)

Blog Tour (Review): Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons

Welcome to my stop of Breaking Point Philippine blog tour hosted by Pinoy Book Tours! I'm so excited to share my thoughts about the second installment of Article 5 trilogy. Wanna know why? Read on... ;)

Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons, hardback edition cover

Breaking Point

by Kristen Simmons

Series: Article 5 #2

Editions available: Hardback, ebook, Kindle

Published February 12th 2013 by Tor Teen

Source: Publisher through Pinoy Book Tours (tour host)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Indiebound * Amazon

Blurb (Goodreads):
The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series.

After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.

Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….

Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.

Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.

With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?


My Thoughts:

I was looking forward in reading this book. If you'd ask me (again) how I felt about Article 5, I'd honestly say that I was disappointed in it. But there's something about it, the ending, the characters, or their world pushed my Curiosity button that made me want to read Breaking Point.

I was hesitant in reading it first. I don't know if I should really continue this series since the first book disappointed me, but I kept on reading and reading til I was lost in the world of Chase and Ember and Resistance and Government once again.

Ember Miller is broken because of her mother's death. But she tried to remain strong and fearless for her and Chase's safety, even for the people who she started to grew fond of. Chase somehow pulled off the cold mask he's been wearing during the first book and showed how much he still cares about Ember. I began to finally know him better, now that he lowered his guard to his personal feelings. He appeared to be charming, thoughtful and caring person. I also finally saw his heroism--his concern for Ember and his fight for the truth and freedom. As I continue reading, I fell into these characters and appreciate them even more.

I also began to like the new/supporting characters like Billy and Wallace, even if they didn't much appeared on this book. I felt their love for each other--their family--and these are just some things on this book that made it feel like it was real. That it was not just running away and fighting back. There's also love and caring for each other.

One certain character from the Article 5--which will remain unnamed just to be clear of spoilers, and must be found out by you--appeared again on this book. I'd say that I was happy to see him again (not that I liked him or something; he's so mean!) because he was like a gasoline added to the spark Breaking Point has created, til it flamed and become more dangerous, yet more brighter. Powerful.

I was so absorbed in reading this book that it took me a little break to realize that I'm loving the faster pace it has become, the unstoppable ground-breaking scenes, and more interesting and mysterious the story has been. It was like riding a roller coaster, without being aware of it til you feel the rush and the little your breath has become from holding it. I knew Breaking Point will be better but I wasn't aware that it will be THIS good. I was awestruck and god, you can't imagine how my heart pounded and my breath catches everytime I turn the pages. Yes, it's full of surprises and action that I really don't want to drop the book for a while, if not for my major exams. This book exceeded my expectations. If the first book quite disappointed me, this book gave me more than I could ever think of. Really Wow-worthy.

The romance, which I kind of not liked on the first book, made me love it this time. Chase's and Ember's moments together are limited but when they come closer and think of each other, it's like I was also being electrified.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who loved fast-paced and action-packed  dystopian with the right romance. If you have the same issues with me on the first book, drop it and read this book. I promise, it's sooo much better. I loved it!

Check out my review for the first book, Article 5.

Thanks to Tor Teen for providing individual (hardback) review copies to the tour participants! 

Rating:

Blog Tour (Excerpt + Giveaway): Boys of Summer by C.J Duggan

Summer is here! The best way to start it? Reading a hot YA contemporary summer novel! Learn more about this exciting novel by C.J Duggan, read an excerpt and five lucky winners will get an ecopy of The Boys of Summer (Summer #1)! Don't forget to check out the previous and future tour stops for reviews, guest posts, excerpts and interviews, hosted by YA Bound (schedule here).

The Boys of Summer
(Summer #1)
by C.J. Duggan 

Release Date: 12/17/12

Blurb (Goodreads): 
It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘OnslowBoys’. Every time they swaggered in the front doorof the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.
To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer ofworking expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget. 
It will be a summer she will always remember.
Warning: sexual references, and occasional course language.

Excerpt:

     Moon rays filtered through the windshield, giving the cabin an otherworldly glow. 

     Toby’s perfect teeth were illuminated when he smiled. “You know, you are the worst winner!” He shook his head. “Ever since you won the bet, you’ve been apologising. Just go with it, enjoy it, because I assure you, next time …” - he leaned closer - “… you will not be the winner.” He pulled back, smug. 

     I curved a brow. “Next time?” 

     He nodded. “I fully intend to redeem myself.” 

     “Want a chance to rebuild your shattered ego, do you? I bet you’re itching to fix my bike so you can be rid of me once and for all.” I shouldered him gently, teasing him as I would Adam. And then I realised what I had done; I had treated him like my friends. He looked down at his shoulder, then up at me. His eyes shadowed with untold meanings that I couldn’t read. 

     “What if I didn’t want to fix your bike?” he said in all seriousness. 

     “Why, is my company so stimulating that you can’t bear the thought of being without me?” I teased nervously. 

     I was aiming for light and airy, but something must have gone wrong with my delivery because Toby’s face went blank. He looked out into the lights of Onslow, ran his tongue over his bottom lip and sighed.

About the Author:

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook






Buy The Boys of Summer now!
Barnes & Noble * Amazon * Kindle

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WWW Wednesdays (26) / Waiting on Wednesday (28): Isla and the Happily Ever After

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?






It's exam week so obviously, I have little reading progress. After this, I could read as many books as I want! :D




I'm still currently reading Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons (Article 5 #2) for my tour stop on the 25th (which I'm nervous about getting finish before my stop). I also started reading The Boys of Summer by C.J Duggan (Summer #1). I finished Reckless by S.C Stephens (Thoughtless #3), and I loved it, maybe I'll post my review soon.

Since I'm not even on the half of the two books I'm currently reading and I'm busy this week for my finals exam, I might be picking up new book after a week or so. And if I do, I'll continue reading The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd (The Madman's Daughter #1). 

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, originally started by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming book releases everyone is waiting on.

Isla and the Happily Ever After
by Stephanie Perkins

Expected publication: September 17th 2013 by Dutton

Blurb (Goodreads):

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

I've been waiting for this book the moment I finished reading Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door. I looove Stephanie Perkins big-time since her debut book and I promised myself to read every book she writes. And here Isla goes. Gosh, doesn't that simple blurb there make you wanna grab the book now??

It finally has a cover! It quite different with Anna and Lola, though. But whatever, as long as it gonna publish this year. September is a looong wait, though. *sigh*

Oh! And because September is my birthday month, I'd highly appreciate if you'll send this as a birthday gift for me. Haha! (Just kiddin'. But then again, it's not a bad idea... ;) :P

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How's your week been doing? Busy like me? Free as a bird? Either way, share them (and your booklist, of course) with me below!

Happy Wednesday and enjoy reading! :)