Dear Harry

Thank you for all the moments where I've laughed and cried with you, Ron, and Hermione. Thank you for teaching me that there is always hope, even during the darkest times. Thank you for teaching me that there is bravery within everyone, and that friendship is the most valuable prize. Thank you for teaching me that love conquers all. Thank you for showing me that it is our choices, far more than our abilities, that show us who we truly are. Thank you for teaching me to never give up on something I really want. Thank you for showing me that doing the right thing may not be the easiest path, but it will be the best path.

Thank you and happy birthday, Harry.

Thank you to the Boy Who Lived.

Arielle is a demigod

Presenting the finished results of the Camp Half Blood shirt I first blogged about here! I'm very very VERY pleased with the results! I'm definitely feeling the demigod vibes! What do you guys think? :)

Current Project

I aplogize for the low quality photo. I used my webcam for this. But anyway, here's the current project  I'm working on! A Camp Half-Blood shirt! I've been meaning to make this for quite a while now, and I'm really excited to wear it when it's done! I'll upload a better quality photo of the finished product soon! :-)

The Book Hunter

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Found this on Tumblr and thought it was awfully adorable. I absolutely had to share it with all of you! 

The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

[image via Google images]

My rating: ★★★★★

Summary: Carter and Sadie Kane are siblings who grew up more like strangers ever since their mother's death. While Sadie has been living in London with her grandparents, Carter has been travelling the world with their father, Dr. Julius Kane, the brilliant Egyptologist. One night, when they are reunited, their father brings them to the British Museum, where he accidentally unleashes the Egyptian god Set, the god of deserts and chaos, who banishes Julius to oblivion and forces the siblings to flee for their lives. Soon, Carter and Sadie discover that the gods of Ancient Egypt are waking and that the worst of them - Set - is after the Kanes. To stop him, they embark on a dangerous journey around the world, on a quest that brings them closer to the truth about their family and their destiny.

What I Like: Rick Riordan really knows how to keep people reading! I enjoyed the book so much, I couldn't put it down. I love how Rick Riordan merges the modern world with mythology and make it into something interesting for the youth of today! 

What I Didn't Like: I know that this book is about gods, but we should always remember that there is one TRUE God that oversees everything in this world.

My Comments: I couldn't help but start making my own movie cast for this. (If they do make a movie of this, I hope they follow the books.) Also, I finished the second book, The Throne of Fire, in a day and I'm currently reading the final one, The Serpent's Shadow.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My Rating: ★★★★

Summary:  

The story follows 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen,   from the country of Panem (the post-apocalyptic North America), who volunteers as a tribute for District 12 in the 74th Hunger Games in place of her younger sister.  The Hunger Games are an annual event in which one boy and one girl from each of the 12 surrounding the Capitol are selected to compete in a televised battle where only one person can survive.

What I Like:

The story was extremely action packed that I couldn't put the book down!  The games were very exciting and I found the characters very interesting as well.  Cinna was probably my favorite character.

What I Don't Like:

Don't get me wrong, I love Katniss and Peeta.  But I personally think they went a little overboard with all the kissing and...yeah.  *insert straight face here*

My Comments:

I'm actually reading the second book in the trilogy, Catching Fire.  I cannot wait for the movie!  If they mess it up, I don't know what to do anymore.  I hope it'll be awesome!

Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums by Trenton Lee Stewart

[image via Goodreads]

My rating: ★★★★★

Summary:  

Ever wondered what kind of mind-boggling puzzles Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance solved?  Well, enter the world of the Mysterious Benedict Society with Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums!  It's packed with very interesting puzzles and full-color illustrations that will definitely get your brain cells working! 

What I Like:  

Finally, I get to step into the world of The Mysterious Benedict Society!  I've always wanted to know what it would be like to solve all those puzzles and wonder if I was as smart as them.  Man, this book is more than what I expected.  The puzzles really get my brain working so much! (Plus, there's a sneak peak of the new series Trenton Lee Stewart is writing: The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict!)

What I Don't Like: 

Oh, the feeling that your brain is practically squeezed out from too much thinking and working on the puzzles!  I realized I do not have a mind like the Mysterious Benedict Society kids.  Bummer.  

My Comments:

Again, beautiful illustrations by Diana Sudyka.  I just love how simple they are, and the colors she uses! Also, I absolutely cannot wait until The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict comes out!

The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World

As you all know, I am a huge bookworm, and it is one of my constant delights to visit bookstores and breathe the wonderful scent of paper in the air.  It's amazing how something simple like a book can bring so much joy.

My mom happened to come across this link while she was surfing the net.  She showed it to me and I was completely awestruck. Behold, the 20 most beautiful bookstores in the world!  Okay, something new to add to my bucket list!  Visit all these bookstores!  I especially love these among the 20: 

• The Selexyz Bookstore in Maastricht, Holland.  It used to be an old Dominican church now converted to a beautiful haven of reading!

 

• The Bookàbar Bookshop in Rome, Italy.  Its modern design is lovely!

• The Plural Bookshop in Rome, Italy.

• Popular Kids' Republic in Beijing, China.  Is there a better way to spell awesomeness?!

•  Cook & Book in Brussels, Belgium.

 [ all images from Flavorwire.com ]

Party like it's 2012!

2011 has passed, so let us welcome the year 2012!  Last year has been full of blessings, so I hope that this year would be the same.

This year I promise to:

• be more productive! 
• finish whatever challenges I started!
• write more!
• draw more!
• upload more covers on Youtube!

Yes, I hope that I get to achieve these goals for 2012.  

Speaking of challenges, I have finally found myself a copy of Keri Smith's Wreck This Journal and I plan to make it my 2012 blog challenge.  Starting today, I will do one of the book's instructions and wreck the journal the best way I can.

Today, I accomplished this page: "Poke holes in this page using a pencil."  It felt good, yet it was saddening to poke holes into a page of a beautiful book.

So, Happy 2012 again, my lovely readers!  Stay tuned for the next Wreck This Journal activity soon!

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Summary: If Jason Grace was sent to Camp Half-Blood, where was Percy Jackson sent?  The Son of Neptune follows Percy's journey at Camp Jupiter, where he meets two new friends, Hazel and Frank.  The three then go on a quest that will bring the Greek and Roman demigods together and give us hints on the Prophecy of Seven. 

What I Like:  It's the second book in the Heroes of Olympus series!  I loved The Lost Hero and I also loved this one!  I enjoyed all the moments where Percy was slowly regaining his memory, where Hazel would have flashbacks, and when Frank's grandmother would explain what's in store for him.  I literally couldn't put the book down!  It was also nice to see how it is in the Roman camp for demigods.  Oh!  I also loved Leo's teensy part towards the end.  You can't handle Leo Valdez's swag.

What I don't Like:  I truly missed all the Percy/Annabeth moments.  I also miss the original trio: Percy, Annabeth, and Grover.  I especially don't like the fact that I have to wait a whole year for The Mark of Athena.  Huhuhu. *cries*

My comments:  The book was such a cliffhanger!  October 2012, please come faster!  Oh, and people have been asking me which side I'm on.  Greek or Roman?  Greek all the way, people!  You're talking to a daughter of Poseidon here.  Haha, just kidding!

The Manila International Bookfair!

Oh how I love going to the Manila International Bookfair every year!  I always love splurging on great buys! 

This year, I bought Wicked by Gregory Maguire & the Wicked piano scorebook!  Wicked is probably my favorite Broadway musical next to Annie, and I dream of playing Elphaba one day.

I also bought a drawing book about anatomy, so I can better understand the human figure and draw better pictures of people with better proportions! 

Let us not forget Sherlock Holmes!  I really like reading about mystery, crime & detectives, so I bought Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  I wonder how long it will take me to read both volumes...

In the Tahanan Books booth, I found hilarious post-its with funny grammar errors by Filipinos.  I chose 'For your FYI'.  It's so cute!  The illustrations are by Elbert Or, who actually dropped by the booth & made On The Spot drawings.  He was amazing!  I was so inspired after that!

I really can't wait for next year's bookfair! 

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

My rating: ★★★★★

Summary:  When a peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of myterious, brain-twisting tests.  But in the end, only four very special children succeed.  Their challenge is to go on a very secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children can complete.  With their newfound friendship, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?

What I Like: 

The story was very interesting and I didn't get bored at all!  It made me think a lot!  It was extremely mind-bending!

What I Don't Like: 

I loved every bit of the book, even the illustrations!  Well, Mr. Curtain kind of creeped me out a bit. Haha!

My Comments:

They should definitely make this into an animated movie!  I want to voice Constance, my favorite character! 

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

My rating: ★★★★★

Summary:  

Juli Baker has always thought of Bryce Loski's eyes  as the World's Most Dazzling Eyes, ever since they were seven years old!  Bryce had always thought of Juli as the annoying girl across the street, ever since he moved into the neighborhood.  Things eventually change as Juli and Bryce enter the Eighth Grade.  Bryce starts seeing Juli in a different light then finally flips for her.  Juli, however, wonders if Bryce is really as dreamy as she thought.

What I Like:

The book is so easy to relate to!  You can really understand what Juli and Bryce are going through.  The theme is so simple and pure. 

What I Don't Like:

The ending!  It was just too sudden.  I hope Wendelin Van Draanen makes a sequel.

My Comments: 

I'd recommend this to someone who was going to read teen romance for the very first time.  It's a really good starter.  I also loved the movie version!  

We will be remembered.

"Long live, the walls we crashed through

All the kingdom lights shine, just for me and you

I was screaming, long live all the magic we made

And bring on all the pretenders, one day we will be remembered"

Long Live, Taylor Swift

Long Live has been stuck in my head for these past few days.  I was thinking, "This could be a good graduation song." Haha!  Yes, I have been listening to a lot of Taylor Swift.  (And Justin Bieber)

So what have you guys been up to?  Well, I've been pretty much obsessed with Nickelodeon's new TV series, House of Anubis.  It's like my favorite show now.  I have no favorite character because I practically like the entire cast!  Every time I watch, I'll be thinking, "Oh how I wish I could study in a boarding school like House of Anubis and then I get to solve mysteries and stuff like that!  That would be legit!"  Oh wait, there's HoA later!  Yay!  I better watch.  Haha!  Shows my obsession with British things.  I am such an anglophile!

Oh no!  I am 21 books behind in my 2011 Reading Challenge.  Ugh.  MUST. READ. MORE.  Speaking of reading,  I'm currently reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Hihihi.  I just love the smell of paperback books.  (Random, much?)

A random thought just popped up in my head.  If I could hind in anyone's attic, whose would I hide in?  Hmm..OH! I'd probably hide in Tim Burton's attic.  Maybe I could find loads of his old drawings there.  Tim Burton is just amazing!  Really amazing.  I love Edward Scissorhands and Alice in Wonderland.  /thumbs up

I've been looking for the book, Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen.  I really want to read that book, but it wasn't available in Fully Booked the last time I asked.  I'm also looking for the DVD!  I was watching the trailer of the movie and I really want to watch it with my best friends! /winkwink

Anyways, that's all for tonight.  See you guys later! 

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street

My rating: ★★★★★

Summary:

The Penderwicks are back home on Gardam Street!  When Mr. Penderwick's sister, Aunt Claire, decides that he should start dating again.  This means trouble for the sisters!  Follow Rosalind, Skye, Jane and Batty as they try to achieve their Save-Daddy-Plan! 

What I Like:

It's the second Penderwicks book!  You can really relate to it!  If the first book is a great vacation read, this book is the perfect read on a Sunday afternoon, right at home! 

What I Don't Like:

I loved everything from Rosalind and Tommy's relationship to Batty's spying on 'Bug Man'.

My Comments:

I really think they should make the books into movies.  It's really good.

Savvy by Ingrid Law

My rating: ★★★★★

Summary:

Mibs Beaumont can't wait to turn thirteen, the age when  all Beaumonts discover their supernatural power - their savvy.  But when Poppa is hurt in a terrible accident, Mibs needs more than just her savvy.  It will take new friends, a strong family and an extraordinary adventure to set things right.

What I Like:

The story is easy to relate to.  I also love the relationship Mibs has with her family.  They practically help each other in everything!  What I like the most is that the book encourages us to find our own savvy - the one quality that is unique about us! 

What I Don't Like:

There's nothing not to like about this book!  It's a very encouraging and inspiring book, and I love everything about it! 

My Comments:
After I read the last sentence of this book, it got me thinking.  What's my savvy?  It'll probably be my art or my hyperness.  How about you?  What's your savvy?

Fudge-A-Mania by Judy Blume

My rating: ★★★★★

Summary: 

Peter Hatcher can't survive living with his younger brother Fudge.  Fudge has big plans on marrying Peter's sworn enemy, Sheila Tubman.  That was already enough to ruin Peter's summer.  But when his parents decide to rent a summer house next to Sheila "the Cootie Queen's" house,  Peter will be trapped with Fudge and Sheila for three whole weeks!  

What I Like: 

I love how Judy Blume describes Peter's point of view.  I can easily relate to it because I know how it feels to have a younger sibling.  The book is really funny too!  I loved reading about Fudge's crazy antics.

What I Don't Like: 

Sheila.  For some reason, her character does not appeal to me.  She's so annoying and is such a show off!  No wonder she's Peter's worst enemy! 

My Comments: 

This book is a great read if you're down and want to laugh.  It's a thin book, so you can read it over and over again. 

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

My rating:  ★★★★★

Summary: 

The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall, is about four sisters who spend their holidays at the Arundel estate.  Since it's summer, they can't wait to explore the whole place!  What else is exciting?  They meet Jeffrey, the son of Arundel's owner, is their perfect companion for all their summer adventures!  However,  Jeffrey's mother isn't happy with the Penderwick sisters.  She warns Jeffrey and his new friends to stay out of trouble.  Of course they'll stay out of trouble, won't they?

What I Like:

I love the way the author shows the different characteristics of the Penderwick sisters from oldest to youngest.  The close relationship the girls have with their dad and each other are clearly defined when I read the book.  I also like the way the author describes all the adventures & mischief the Penderwicks and Jeffrey get into.

What I Don't Like:   

What's not to like about this book?  The whole book is very enjoyable and there's no swear words!  (Thank goodness!) It's a great book for all ages. 

My Comments:

This book should be made into a movie!  I reckon that it'll be a great family movie to watch! This book is just awesome.

Book Mode!

Hey everyone! How are you guys? 

I haven't been experimenting with the camera lately, because I have so much to do for school! With Hybrid classes back on track, I'm going to have to schedule all my assignments and all that.  Oh the tiredness.  I don't even have that much time to read! 

I was reading Pride and Prejudice a few days ago.  I decided to stop reading it because romance stories aren't really for me.  Haha.  I finished Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.  As you can see in the picture, I am currently reading The School Story by Andrew Clements.  So far, I find it a cute story and it is inspiring me to write a book / story one day. 

Well I better go now!  Here's to the next blog post!

Nothing Crushes Us!

Image from Google

  

I was watching Bridge to Terabithia yesterday...and gosh.  I cried.

It was so sad!  I mean, I've watched it before, but I guess the meaning never hit me.  But when I watched it yesterday, I was getting so teary eyed that my sister started giving me weird looks!  It hit me real hard! 

But seriously.  I felt really bad for Jess.  I mean, he was just a loner at school and he has to deal with his strict dad and his family's struggling financial problems.  Then here comes Leslie, who's the new girl at school, and the total opposite of Jess.  It's amazing the two became the best of friends. (Oh gosh, I'm getting teary eyed as I write this.)

I really wish I could be like Leslie.  She has such a positive outlook on life and she never stops using her imagination!  I feel like I'm a Jess in some way.  Haha! (Plus I love the way Leslie dresses.)

Anyways, I plan on buying the book the next time I go to Powerbooks or Fully Booked.  Another book to read!  I am going to try to read 150 books this 2011.  (Mental Note:  Arielle, you started this challenge.  Now you must finish it!  Haha!)