MARCH 2016 RECAP + BOOK OF THE MONTH.

I am absolutely happy that my March is kind of loaded by the looks of it. My target at the moment is to review/read 4-6 books a month but I feel disappointed that I've only reviewed 4. Weird that I'm beating myself hard. Anyway, I've gotten a lot of books this month (and it is my first time to order from BookDepo and BookOutlet!!) but then I unhauled like, 70 books! Been selling them locally on a cheaper price (IG handle: @tbbstorePH) and yes, it hurts to let them go but also so liberating to see that my room looks spacey and I have now a reason to buy hard bounds. Hopefully, this would continue as a source of extra moolah. Also, I hate summer.

March 01 - March 2016 Release Picks.
March 02 - Waiting on Wednesday (49): Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman.
March 05 - Stacking the Shelves (70): The Homecoming Edition.
March 07 - Review: 3 stars for The Shadow Queen by CJ Redwine.
March 08 - Meeting the Author: Victoria Aveyard in PH 2016.
March 09 - Waiting on Wednesday (50): Nevernight by Jay Kristoff.
March 11 - Review: 2 stars for The Lies About Truth by Courtney C. Stevens.
March 12 - Stacking the Shelves (71): The Pre-loved Edition.
March 14 - Meeting the Author: Sarah J. Maas in PH 2016 + Giveaway.
March 15 - Top Ten Tuesday (05): Spring TBR.
March 17 - Waiting on Wednesday (51): The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi.
March 18 - Review: 4 stars for Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton.
March 19 - Stacking the Shelves (72): The Star Wars Edition.
March 22 - Top Ten Tuesday (06): Underrated Books.
March 23 - Waiting on Wednesday (52): Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake.
March 24 - Review: 4 stars for Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.
March 26 - Stacking the Shelves (73): The Last Time We Say Goodbye Edition.
March 30 - New Bloggery: Bookish Haven featuring Fullybooked Fort.
March 31 - March 2016 Recap + Book of the Month.

This month I've only read four books which two are so-so and the other two I really enjoyed. I am torn between the two I enjoyed since they have the same rating but they are on different genres. Ok, let's just go with it!

The Bookaholic Blurbs' Book of the Month is

REBEL OF THE SANDS BY ALWYN HAMILTON

My Blurb: "Rebel of the Sands is such a thrilling debut novel you would trade sleep for! Amazingly plotted, exponentially breath-taking and one of a kind ride! Cannot wait for book 2!"

Cannot wait to rock this April! Cheers guys!

BOOKISH HAVEN: FULLYBOOKED FORT.

A new feature here on The Bookaholic Blurbs where I share places I go to on a monthly basis that are all cozy and bookish! Not in any way sponsored by the establishments. Just personal bookish adoration for the win!

I worked within the Bonifacio High Street area for a little less than two years. It was around the time I was pretty much new in the blogging community. BGC is my top favorite place here in the metro because the area is clean, cozy, beautiful (especially two years ago when buildings were less), the fields are so open and well, people are nice. It is also the area where Fullybooked (local bookstore) is located. Perfect combination for a bookish person like me.

Ground floor: Best sellers area near the Customer Service booth and cashiers.

Whenever I feel down or if I am hunting for a certain elusive title, Fullybooked in Fort is one of the places I always go to. Not only the place is inviting but I feel so much at home there. I can browse their shelves and I could even grab a book and just read in a corner. There is also a Starbucks upstairs and a huge room for graphic novels and Funko Pops!

My fave floor which I name the YA Floor. Their YA is up to that wall that the back.

This store is huge. I think they have like, 5 floors? I usually just go to the second floor (and sometimes upstairs to check their graphic novels) because their Young Adult section is in there. I love it there so much. Fullybooked has the most up-to-date shelves so I don't feel like am being left behind when it comes to newly released titles. They are a little expensive though as opposed to their competitor but I love their Customer Service so much.

One section there with beautiful art by Herakut

Lucy (@_Fullybooked) has been my bookish virtual friend for a while now. It started with tweets reserving books or asking for titles. She answers right away! Then after years of doing that I could say, there was a nice virtual friendship there. I knew back then who was manning the account. However, back in 2014 when I was on a terrible blogging slump, I stopped ordering books and then found out the original Lucy left the company. The new one now doesn't know me anymore and they stopped taking tweets for orders. But to make this short, Lucy provided top notch customer service and that's one thing that kept me going back. I mean, the business is a beast alright but it amazes me how world class the service they provide. I also have been fond of their staff Joyce and Chitz.

Shot from the third floor.

Been visiting this place for ages but I haven't taken a photo of this beautiful piece of art until I needed for this post. It is so gorgeous in person and the artist is amazing. Perfect focal point for the bookstore. They have a lot of artworks around the store and seriously, you wouldn't get tired of staring at these wondrous pieces of paintings.

Close up shot of the bookish art, still by Herakut.

Fullybooked Fort earned my love through all these times I've visited. It's a haven for book lovers because of its ambiance, friendly staff and superb titles. It's a bookstore with such huge welcoming smile for everyone, It kind of set the standards of what high quality service is when I visit other bookstores. Fullybooked, Fort indeed is certainly one hundred percent BLURB-ified.

What do you think of the bookstore? Hope you enjoyed this post!

STACKING THE SHELVES (73): THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE EDITION.

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that showcases newly acquired books or goodies we bought, received or borrowed during the week.

So I think I finally completed the English eds of The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand. As you all know, it is my top favorite book of all time so I thought of collecting all english eds. I got the eARC, then Kai of Amaterasu Reads gifted me her printed ARC. I then bought the hard cover first edition. When the paperback came out last month, I immediately ran to the nearest bookstore and grabbed my copy. I was sooooo happy!

When my boss told us he will be coming over, it just finally clicked that he's from AUS (duuuuhhh, took me a while to have the guts) so why not ask him to buy me the AUS edition of the book. Hell, it was expensive BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT! I will also get the international edition if I could find one.

BOUGHT:
🔼 The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
(US Paperback and AUS editions)

My glowing posts about this fantastic book:

8-star review

5 Reasons Why I Love TLTWSG

You can recommend other English eds of this book if you know another one! Also, what titles do you have multiple copies of?

REVIEW: ME BEFORE YOU BY JOJO MOYES.

Title: Me Before You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Series: Me Before You #1
Edition: Paperback
Publication: December 31st 2012 by Pamela Dorman Books/Viking
Source: Bought from National Bookstore MOA
Pages: 369
Genre: Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Synopsis:

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

ISBN: 9780670026609

Amazon 🔼 Barnes and Noble 🔼 Book Depository

Took a while for me to get a hold of my own copy of Me Before You because it was practically sold out locally. I couldn't watch the trailer (SAM CLAFLIN!!!!!!) because I want to read the book first. Well, I've been meaning to really read this one but I thought that it was too expensive for a paperback so I just kept stalling and stalling. But this issue was fixed two nights ago when I finished reading Me Before You.

Lovely people from social media only said one thing about this book that I know nothing about: THIS IS A TEARJERKER STORY. I am all ready for tears to leave my eyes any time and all yes to books that require tissues but to be honest, this one didn't make me bawl as much as I expected I would. Though there were scenes on the book that made my throat constrict, my jaw twitch, my eyes slightly damp and my heart ache so freaking much, but no hard core bawling happened. Sorry, guys. I am absolutely sorry. Maybe because I expected too much and I kept waiting and waiting for the things that people said would make me cry but up until the last forty pages, there were still no tsunami tears.

I loved Me Before You in three different aspects:
a) Unique plot
b) Louissa's character development
c) Will's determination

a) You probably know why, right? I don't normally encounter Quadriplegia in books so having Me Before You as my first is quite invigorating. It made me more sensitive when it comes to quadriplegic needs. Like. now? when I walk, I check if there are ramps available or where would they cross if there aren't and all that. I've also become much aware of what a quadriplegic goes through. I mean, I may not understand hundred percent, but this book exposed me to a much larger scale of sensitivity when it comes to disability.

b) I felt like I grew up with Lou. I felt like I was there beside her the entire time that I legit felt how she's feeling. I saw bits and pieces of myself in her and I just adored how kind she is even if people are mean to her. She wasn't afraid to say what she feels. Her development was slow just as what the story needed! There were times she has to be told what to do which irked me but she did well at the end. I love how simple she in as a person but bold with fashion.

c) Okay. Will was a little unlikable. I tried to and I did a little at the end. Even though he was rude all the time, I was able to fully understand his attitude. I saw how much he is hurting (physically, emotionally, mentally) and all of his decisions are fair in my opinion. It was his body, life and take after all. That no matter how hard people convince him to fight, his situation is just so unbearable. I wish I had known him before the accident and seen how big his life was before the wheelchair. I was so sorry for him and for people who've met such terrible accident. I mean, I wouldn't know what I'd do if I were him. I just cannot. His determination though was incredible and that determination is full of love, understanding and compassion. *okay my eyes are watering* There was just this miserable feeling in my heart that made me totally understand what he had done. I do not condone it, but I understand. And what he did for Lou? *am drying my eyes okay*

Me Before You is truly a heart-wrenching novel. Combined with wit, the pain that bled through each page is worth so much more than I could handle. An inspiring read that would surely gut your feels.

"Some mistakes... Just have greater consequences than others. But you don't have to let the result of one mistake be the thing that defines you. You, Clark, have the choice not to let that happen."

"I will never, ever regret the things I've done. Because most days, all you have are places in your memory that you can go to."

"Live boldly. Push yourself. Don't settle. Just live well. Just live."

"Sometimes , Clark, you are pretty much the only thing that makes me want to get up in the morning."

"You're going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. It always does feel strange to be knocked out of your comfort zone."

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY (52): THREE DARK CROWNS BY KENDARE BLAKE.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine that highlights our much anticipated books.

Expected Publication Date: September 20th 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Add to Goodreads

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.

Young adult high-fantasy has been on a high note in the blogosphere lately. Well I mean, beautiful books just keep getting published in such fast rate that I couldn't keep up because I want them all! The trends lately are calligraphy fonts (these are mostly seen on contemporaries) and then crownish titles or gownish covers are to swoon for. The pattern is just obvious and I kind of love them all.

I loved Kendare's Anna Dressed in Blood and I've been really wanting to read more from the author. So when I saw Three Dark Crowns? Crownish? Queens? Evil Queen? Triplet queens with powers to go Hunger Games on each other? PLEASE, ARC GODDESS, SEND ME ONE ADVANCE COPY BECAUSE I NEED THIS LIKE YESTERDAY. OMG I CANNOT EVEN

What are your pick/s this week?

TOP TEN TUESDAY (06): UNDERRATED BOOKS.

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. They have topics set every week and we just have to showcase our answers anyway we want to!

~Ten Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven't Talked About Enough.~

I really enjoyed today's TTT topic because I get to revisit my old books and old reviews. The grammar was so hideous and the formatting was just all over the place but it made me smile because at least, now, I can strongly sense some progress. The blog's layout is one thing I will always be happy about -- okay am digressing - but yes, I loved revisiting my old posts. There are also several books hidden at the back of my double-stacked shelf that I need to unearth to take a photo of and I think that the books I have on this list today deserve highlighting more than ever. These titles are the ones I loved so much but I think are all underrated.

🔼 After the End (After the End #1) by Amy Plum 🔼

I loved this book so much and because I couldn't shut my Twitter mouth during the time I was reading it, Amy sent me a signed bookmark and book plate! After the End was one of those amazingly delivered Dystopias I've read. Juneau grew up in the mountains and was told that they are the last humans to ever exist but she was lied to. There's a civilization outside her tribe she has yet to discover to save her people.

🔼 The Ward (The Ward #1) by Jordan Frankel 🔼

I've read this one back in 2013 and I haven't heard much about it in the blogosphere. The Ward is another dystopian novel that I did enjoy where the world has been flooded. Reminds me now of San Andreas movie minus the Earthquake.

🔼 When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney 🔼

When You Were Here was my first Daisy White read and it was so good! Such emotionally invested story that would melt your heart and for some, might hit home.

🔼 Me Since You by Laura Wiess 🔼

Another emotionally invested story that I don't see around very often. This one really struck home because this story showcased the love of a father to his daughter. Just thinking about it makes me teary-eyed.

🔼 My Life After Now by Jessica Verdi 🔼

Another contemporary that just made me cry! This story is about Lucy who had one night stand then acquired HIV and how it changed everything. This one would not only teach you lessons but also would teach you humility and love and respect.

🔼 One Moment by Kristina McBride 🔼

One Moment is a tragic story between friends and I loved this one as well. As I have told you all before, I like my contemporaries striking and this is one of those gripping reads!

🔼 Black City Series by Elizabeth Richards 🔼

Black City 🔼 Phoenix 🔼 Wings

OMG guys! This series is one of my all time fave series! How can one creature with two hearts can live without a heartbeat? Are you not sold by that? The romance guys! SO WELL-DEVELOPED and the world building was so eerie! You need to come check this series out!

🔼 All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill 🔼

This book is so underrated I cannot understand why because All Our Yesterdays is one of the best time-travel novels I have ever read! It was so thrilling and OMG I CANNOT EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW AWESOME THIS IS.

🔼 The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand 🔼

If someone would as me if there is only one book I could read for the rest of my life, what would it be and why? THIS IS IT. This is the book I will forever love until my last breathe. This is everything to me and I cannot grasp why it isn't an NYT Bestseller yet.

🔼 Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama 🔼

This is the second book I would bring if the question changed to TWO books. BECAUSE FAMA THE ULTIMATE HEARTBREAKER OF HER GENERATION AND ALSO BECAUSE EZRAAAA

I think I've said the words 'amazing', gripping' and 'thrilling' quite frequently but guys, I think these books are so good but we don't hear much about. Check these ones out if you haven't!

STACKING THE SHELVES (72): THE STAR WARS EDITION.

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that showcases newly acquired books or goodies we bought, received or borrowed during the week.

So last week's STS post, I mentioned that I won't buy books for a while since I bought a box of sweet goodies from BookOutlet (I currently have 8 books on my cart waiting to be checked out oh so help me God). Book Buying Ban is definitely up from today till probably June but with exemption. We'll be having book signing events in the next coming months (SO SO EXCITED!!) so I need to get books for those events. Anyway, I got these books last Monday from National Bookstore in SM Mall of Asia branch because I need them. Like, legit need. I have an ARC of Illuminae but I need the finished copy and then I just saw a second hardback edition that is the Library Edition! Me Before You movie will hit cinemas this June. I want to read the book before seeing the movie. Me Before You has been out of stock for the longest time, thankfully, National Bookstore's order came in right on time.

Umm, about the toys (I call them The Guardians of the Library). There's this small mall near my workplace and they have one store there that sells Gundam and Legos. So when I visited two nights ago, I saw these Star Wars Converge kits! I bought 3 and Polaris bought me 2! I am not a fan of Legos so when I saw these Converge ones, I knew I had to get them. Unfortunately, this line up released by Bandai didn't come with BB-8 so my Funko cherry was popped last night! I finally bought my first Funko. Why did I wait this long? I was also given a Super Deformed EX-Standard Astray Red Frame Gundam, I just didn't include it in the photo.

So what now? I dunno. I just can't stop staring at my BB-8 Funko. I AM SICKENINGLY HAPPY!

BOUGHT: (Toys)
BB-8 Funko Pop
Bandai Star Wars Converge Kit: Stormtrooper
Bandai Star Wars Converge Kit: Darth Vader
Bandai Star Wars Converge Kit: R2-D2

GIFTED:
Bandai Star Wars Converge Kit: Jango Fett
Bandai Star Wars Converge Kit: Clone Trooper
SD Gundam Ex-Standard Astray  Red Frame

BOOKS:
Me Before You (Me Before You #1) by Jojo Moyes
Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff 

Thank you to Polaris for the toys, Toytown Glorietta, Hobbies and Comics MCS and National Bookstore Mall of Asia!

REVIEW: REBEL OF THE SANDS BY ALWYN HAMILTON.

Title: Rebel of the Sands
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Series: Rebel of the Sands #1
Edition: Paperback
Publication: March 8, 2016 by Viking Books for Young Readers
Source: ARC provided by the publisher
Pages: 320
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Arabic Culture-inspired

Synopsis:

She’s more gunpowder than girl—and the fate of the desert lies in her hands.

Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mystical beasts still roam the wild and barren wastes, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinni still practice their magic. But there's nothing mystical or magical about Dustwalk, the dead-end town that Amani can't wait to escape from.

Destined to wind up "wed or dead," Amani’s counting on her sharpshooting skills to get her out of Dustwalk. When she meets Jin, a mysterious and devastatingly handsome foreigner, in a shooting contest, she figures he’s the perfect escape route. But in all her years spent dreaming of leaving home, she never imagined she'd gallop away on a mythical horse, fleeing the murderous Sultan's army, with a fugitive who's wanted for treason. And she'd never have predicted she'd fall in love with him...or that he'd help her unlock the powerful truth of who she really is.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

ISBN: 9780698410428

Amazon 🔼 Barnes and Noble 🔼 Book Depository

Damn it. This book totally rocks!

Rebel of the Sands is an original story that didn't disappoint. I was afraid that I might not enjoy it because there are a lot of possible elements I might not be able to wrap my mind into. I was afraid it would let me down. But hell no, Rebel of the Sands is a thief - it steals your ability to put the book down because everything you'd like in your high-fantasy novel is in it and them some more.

God, I've been wishing for a high-fantasy novel that is outside the norm. I wanted a story that would tour me not only around the world I know, but a world outside what YA had offered. This YA book is the first one that granted my wish. It gave me so much more than what I had hoped for and that I absolutely loved. I loved the Middle Eastern inspiration, all the mythical creatures, the magic and the romance/character developments. I most specifically adored the world building! It makes me want to lay on the sand and will it to do my bidding! (I will will it to let me sand surf!) It was such a well-written story that grasp so much of my heart. I want more. I need more.

Rebel of the Sands is such a thrilling debut novel you would trade sleep for! Amazingly plotted, exponentially breath-taking and one of a kind ride! Cannot wait for book 2!

Thank you so much Penguin Random for sending this beautiful ARC for review!

"The world makes things for each place. Fish for the sea, Rocs for the mountain skies, and girls with sun in their skin and perfect aim for a desert that doesn't let weakness live."

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY (51): THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN BY ROSHANI CHOKSHI.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine that highlights our much anticipated books.

Expected Publication Date: April 26, 2016
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Add to Goodreads

Cursed with a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, sixteen-year-old Maya has only earned the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her world is upheaved when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. But when her wedding takes a fatal turn, Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Yet neither roles are what she expected. As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds friendship and warmth.

But Akaran has its own secrets - thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Beneath Akaran's magic, Maya begins to suspect her life is in danger. When she ignores Amar's plea for patience, her discoveries put more than new love at risk - it threatens the balance of all realms, human and Otherworldly.

Now, Maya must confront a secret that spans reincarnated lives and fight her way through the dangerous underbelly of the Otherworld if she wants to protect the people she loves.

Inspired by Indian mythology.

I am currently reading Rebel of the Sands and this book is touched by Arabic inspiration. I AM LOVING EVERY WORD FROM IT! So when I heard that TSTQ is inspired by Indian Mythology, I am immediately sold! YOU HAD ME AT "INSPIRED BY INDIAN MYTHOLOGY"!! I need diverse books not only characters but the story as a whole. I know there would be generic tropes but the concept? SO MUCH WIN.

What did you pick this week?