Mr. Darcy's Diary

After reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen a while ago, I happened to stumble upon Mr. Darcy’s Diary while scouring a bookstore’s shelves. I bought a copy hoping that it will clear up some questions in my mind and of course as with most, if not all, women, I also want to know what were the things going on inside Mr. Darcy’s mind. Or generally speaking, how does a man’s mind works? Well, taking note of the fact that Pride and Prejudice was written a long, long time ago; not to mention that it is fiction, it really is intriguing the way a man thinks. So, just to have a peek inside Mr. Darcy’s mind, I finally gave in and bought myself a copy after a long deliberation.

Although I am really excited to read this novel, I find Mr. Darcy’s Diary a little dragging. Maya used Old English in her book but using it is a little inconsistent. Nevertheless, it gave me a window, a chance, to peek in and have a glimpse of what Mr. Darcy was thinking. In Pride and Prejudice, we mostly read about what Liz thinks, so this one might give you some answers to your curiosity. It also explains some scenes from Pride and Prejudice a little more clearly, and in a fashionable manner.

I also understood the romance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy much better through this, although I find it being more intense using Jane Austen’s method. Well, who can blame me? Anyway, I admit that I am a sucker for serious, cold men who eventually bare their soul to and for the women they love.

Holly's Inbox

Who wouldn't love a vector-designed, pastel colored cover on a chic-lit novel? And, who wouldn't want to take a peek on somebody else's inbox, much more snoop around and read every single email of somebody else's inbox?

cute ain't it?

These two things are the first things that lured me to read Holly's Inbox. I love the cool-to-the-eyes cover, and of course, the office table vector-design cover. At first I was reluctant to read this because I'm afraid I might get bored reading e-mails after e-mails, but as I have read almost the same format of a mail before (see: Love Rosie), and I had enjoyed reading that one, I finally gave in and read it.

Holly's Inbox is a fun read. Whenever you feel down, stressed, tired, and when you feel so burdened, this is the one novel that you would like to pick up.

While reading it, I find myself laughing uncontrollably more than three times, not mentioning the giggles and chuckles in-between. Although a thick book, I finished reading it in less than two days. That is how enjoyable it is.

thick, considering it's trade paperback

But Holly's Inbox also taught me a thing or two. One is, do not believe in everything a guy says. Learn how to decipher a coded booty call. Second being, over-judging a person by being together for a short period of time. The saying "do not judge a book by its cover" fits perfectly here.

I'm happy that Holly and Toby got back together although I think it is quite superficial. I just hope that they did not make it a novel version of a TV drama. But all in all, really a fun read. In fact, I'm waiting for the next installment already.

The Joy of Books

This video has become viral through various social media sites a while ago, but I have watched it only now thus the late post.

Have you ever wondered how books behave behind close doors? Sound silly? Maybe. But I know that the little child in us will surely like this video that was put together by Sean Ohlenkamp and friends and uploaded to YouTube.

So without further ado, The Joy of Books, now showing...

Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata

Its Heart's Day today and I want to post a review about a love story as a celebration for this romantic day, but I realized that I do not have a love story review in the waiting. I searched and searched until I decided to do this one instead. This one is a love story in its own rights, anyway.

So here it goes...

Naniniwala ka ba sa mga aswang at tikbalang? Eh sa mga manananggal? Eh pa'no kung manananggal na bakla? Sa bagong nobela ni Ricky Lee, matutuwa ka sa thought na puwede nga pala'ng magkaroon ng mag-syotang manananggal, teacher na hati, at baklang lumilipad. In short, it's a manananggals' world. At ang mas nakakaloka, may multiple personality pa ang bakla! Oh, sa'n ka pa?! Pero hindi lang 'yon. Ang haba pa ng hair nitong baklang ito dahil may papa na totoong na-inlove sa kaniya. Pati ang anak ng papa, mahal ang hitad!

Pero, paano kung sa gitna ng problemang may multiple personality, manananggal na at... may misyon pa?! Akalain mo bang hinangad niya at (mas shocking) itinakda siyang maging tagapagligtas ng Pilipinas? Carry niyo 'yon?!

First two pages pa lang tawa na ako ng tawa. Hindi siya advisable na dalhin at basahin sa pampublikong lugar dahil tatawa ka talaga at 'di mo mapipigilan. Pero siyempre may aspetong pamilya rin ito kaya 'di mawawala ang konting luha at lungkot. Pero mostly you will laugh your ass off.

Magaling talaga si Ricky Lee. Sobrang hanga ako sa kaniya at lalo ko siyang nagustuhan dahil kay "Ate Amy". Tingin ko mas mabilis basahin itong Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata kumpara sa Para Kay B. Mas straight to the point at iba sa medyo maligoy na Para Kay B. Mas politikal para sa akin ang Para Kay B. Ang Amapola ay may aspetong politikal rin pero sinulat ito sa paraan'g well-incorporated sa istorya.

Maganda ang librong ito. Cover pa lang hahanga ka na. At matutuwa ka sa mapa ng Tomas Morato sa back cover (cute ng "handwriting"). At ang mas nakakatuwa ay naisipan pa nila maglagay ng bookmark sa libro.

Over-all, joy read ito (redundant na, alam ko). Pero ngayon pa lang sinasabi ko na hindi happy ang ending nito, tulad din ng sa totoong buhay. Salamin din ito ng totoong buhay, tulad ng sinabi ni Amapola na sa huli babae pa rin ang hahanapin ni Homer.

"Mahusay siya (Zaldy). Kumikita siya. Iniipon niya para kay Amapola dahil bulagsak ito sa pera."