MEETING THE AUTHOR: LAUREN KATE IN MANILA 2016.

So 16 hours after the event, my legs are still noodles and my shoulders still hurt but my heart is happy. I missed my blogger friends so much I wish I had seen them all yesterday but most of them are busy they couldn't attend. Thankfully, Louisse, Hazel and Lyra attended the event and it was all I could hope for. It has been a while since I went to a public signing and true, it was legit tiring but you know, nothing could top off the screaming and enthusiasm of fans! Just worth all the blood and pain haha

Just like what I told Hazel, Fallen series is one of the first novels that introduced me to Young Adult that's why my love for it just never dwindles. Imagine meeting the love of your life but when you kiss her, she dies? Then you meet each other again after seventeen years? Then this time, when she dies, that's it? LIKE WTAF? My faves are Fallen and Rapture because I think the essense of the entire series are in there. I have been trying to find hardbounds of these but the only ones I saw are in a boxed sets. I want them all in hardbound, you guys.

I arrived in Greenbelt 5 around 12 noon and I was 228 in line. So we went around first, ate lunch then waited. I wasn't there when Lauren and Harrison arrived but the Q and A was happening. Harrison Gilbertson looked short from afar but when I stood next to him, I think he's around 5'9"! Oh and he's soooo good looking you guys! HAHA! I never heard of him actually but when he was waving hello, I couldn't help but giggle! He's sooooo nice! (AND SOFT)

I was only able to get three of my books signed: Fallen in Love, Torment and Unforgiven because I don't have Fallen, Passion and Rapture in hardbound (also because only three books are allowed). So yeah, I have no issues waiting for like, three or four hours to get to meet Lauren but I was legit disheartened when it was my moment, right there, in front of her. She was absolutely tired AF and didn't have the energy to talk. She sounded condescending in a way, like, she didn't wanna talk at all? I DUNNO MAN AM SORRY BUT SHE SOUNDED SARCASTIC LOL. I didn't ask her what I've been wanting to anymore because I felt like she just wanted to get the signing over with. (Now I am actually wondering how Victoria Aveyard did it for 1k fans). I waited for this moment, to meet Lauren, since that time I fell in love with Fallen which was around 2012. I am thankful forever to National Bookstore for bringing her here. But it wasn't what I hoped it would be. It felt like Colleen Hoover Encounter again but worst.

I'm still grateful though that I was able to have the opportunity to meet her and I will forever treasure the experience. I cannot wait to re-read Fallen series! Fallen and Rapture are my top faves! (I said that, right?)

"What if the person you were meant to be with could never be yours?" - Fallen

"I want you to know that I would do it all again. I will choose you every time." - Rapture

Thank you National Bookstore, Lauren, Harrison, Pioneer Films, Greenbelt and Penguin!

MEETING THE AUTHOR: MORGAN MATSON.

Where I relive the experience and share all the feels before, during and after meeting these fantastic authors WHO ARE BASICALLY LIFE.

Back in September (17 to be exact), National Bookstore once again filled my bookish heart with such warm love. They brought one of the authors I wanted to meet. I honestly haven't read any books from this author (I did DNF one though) but Second Chance Summer has been on my radar for a long time now. I guess I was just waiting for the right time with good enough reasons to hoard her books because I bought them all without batting an eyelash and thank you, Morgan, for signing them.

Morgan Matson is definitely tall and pretty! She also has a Canadian accent! Sorry if I am obviously clueless! Anyway, my blogger friends asked questions and 3 lovely ladies flew in all the way from Cebu for this event! Talk about dedication! I haven't read any of her books but I am so ready to marathon them especially now that I needed a comtemporary fix.

Her answers are found here:

Oops, I Read a Book Again!

Tomebound

Bibliophile Kid

I didn't record the Q and A so hehe I don't remember much of what was discussed. But I distinctly remember this very awkward thing when I was in front of Morgan. I was just literally quiet the whole time she was signing. I couldn't come up with any questions because I haven't read any of her books plus my neurons are dead that time so the moment of silence just fucking dragged haha! You wouldn't know how long 20 seconds is until you are in that exact situation. Anyway, I saw her nailart and a little convo started from there. Gaaad how embarrassing! But she asked me questions about nailart (which thankfully I have knowledge of, ha!) but she practically initiated the convo. She's so nice, guys. Thanks for saving me, Morgan, from completely falling into a puddle of my own embarrassment.

She has a very touching message for us, Filipino readers and I will upload it later tonight so make sure you watch this page up for the video.

"A thousand moments that I had just taken for granted- mostly because I had assumed that there would be a thousand more." - Second Chance Summer

"I'd always loved the chance to become someone else for a few hours. Someone for whom the words had been written, every gesture and emotion plotted, and the ending figured out. Almost like life. Just without the surprises." - Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

Thank you so much, National Bookstore for this wonderful chance!

WHEN THERE'S TEA, THERE'S BLOGGER PARTY!

BOOKISH EVENT: PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE GLOBAL TEAM'S BLOGGER TEA PARTY.

This is my first time trying this graphic text thingy as a header of the blog post and well, I am cringing because ugh OCD but I love making it! The blog needs a little breather from the flowerish headers and this is another reason for me to stock up on photos! Weeeeh for photo ops/BTS!

Anyway, last August 29 (Monday), I attended *cue screaming* Penguin Random House's Blogger Tea Party at Bizu in Greenbelt! Well, it's shocking that I had a hard time searching for the darn place (booo Google Maps!) so I arrived 15 minutes late and to be honest, my normal office attire wasn't made for the place. (I should have been a little bit presentable because my office clothes are combo of pants, shirts, sneakers) BUT HOLY MACARON I FINALLY MET CHRISTINE SWEDOWSKY AFTER FOUR YEARS OF WORKING WITH HER!!! Christine is my first ever contact (back from her previous company) and we go way back, like 2012. I was so thrilled when I got invited in this party because I've been wanting to meet her! Epppppp!!

Christine is so bubbly and she even told us she finally experienced riding a tricycle! She's all smiles and very approachable. JM and the other kept pitching Nicola Yoon and I was all JAY KRISTOFF JAY KRISTOFF JAY KRISTOFFFF! I met not only Christine but Jennifer Javier which is a PRH rep! Guys, she's so elegant! Honey Peralta, another lovely PRH rep, was there too and I loved how she asked questions about blogging, Snap Chat (I never used this app so am clueless), the panel prior the tea party and a lot more bookish things. Honey made me feel an important part of the bookish community because she asked like she needed my answers? You know? That feeling? I wasn't able to talk much to Jennifer because she's at the other end of the table.

I also met new bloggers because of this Tea Party! I met Nicka of Read by Nicka, Beatrice of Beatrice Learns to Read and Jasmine of Jasmine Pearl Reads! Jhed of When Books Defy Gravity, Camelle of Home of A Book Blogger, JM of Book Freak Revelations, Hazel of Stay Bookish and Kai of Ammaterasu Reads are all old friends of mine and aaaaah, so happy to see them all!

Group photo with these lovely peeps! Can't thank them enough for making me a part of this amazing meet-up!

Honey and Jennifer

With Christine

Aside from treating us yummy food, PRH Global Team gifted us these books! I wasn't able to take a photo of the Penguin Tote. The Peculiar Tote, movie poster and pins I hosted a giveaway for on Twitter! Such thrilling gift pack from the team! That Unforgiven copy is signeeeeed (JDHSUIYDUAHSDKJAHDFJKH!!!!) plus 2017 galleys!! *CUE SHRIEKING!!!!!*

▴ Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1) by Ransom Riggs (Movie Tie-In cover)
▴ Unforgiven (Fallen #5) by Lauren Kate (SIGNEDDDDDD!!!!!!)
▴ 10 Things I Can See from Here by Carrie Mac
▴ Because of the Sun by Jenny Torres Sanchez
▴ Poison's Kiss (Poison's Kiss #1) by Breeana Shields
▴ Penguin Tote
▴ Peculiar Tote
▴ Peculiar Movie Poster
▴ Peculiar buttons

Thank you ever so much bloggers, Honey, Jennifer. Christine and PRH Global Team for making this happen! So happy to met you all!

MEETING THE AUTHOR: VICTORIA AVEYARD IN MANILA 2016.

Where do I begin? Been writing recaps for the past couple of years and this is the point where I kind of get tired recapping shit. I mean, its just the same old thing. Only difference is the author. This is just probably the pressured me -- too tired to transcribe shit so pardon things you would read here. We've been bashed over and over online these past several weeks and I know it is gonna be crazy next week but hell I am dead tired of that shit as well. Just so damn tired being judged and criticized. Blah blah blah let me get coffee

*Two hours later*

What makes this recap different from all other recaps I've written? The intro for one. And I seriously don't know. OH OH! The turn out of this event! That is what makes this different. Okay, am getting the groove now. Let's start for real.

Early morning around 9, I arrived at the forum event and waited for my lovely blogger friends to arrive. Powerbooks let us wait outside the store for about thirty minutes and we've exchanged stories while we waited to be allowed to go in. We've registered, picked seats (I usually stand or sit on the carpet), took pictures and chit-chatted about our endless love/hate relationship with books. That's always gonna be one of the highlights of every event: I get to share my bookish thoughts and feels with my bookish people. And then VA arrived with Molly of HarperCollins (whom I didn't have a photo with).

Hardest Selfie #13 with Jesselle, Lyra and Louisse!

Unfortunately, I forgot (OF ALL THINGS IMPORTANT) to bring my glasses and I usually stand at the back of the event so I was unable to really see VA that clearly. I was forcing my eyes to macro focus but it maybe hard to accept, my eyesight is blurry now. So I was just listening to the Q and A while recording it. The Q and A guys didn't just focus on writing tips but I noticed that they were deeper this time. Most questions where about how did she write certain scenes, what parts of the story were the hardest to write, which she prefer - most screen writing or novel writing, why the series was extended to four books (because it was what the story needed) and all that. She was certainly chatty and I loved how much info she gave us with each question.

Precious of Fragmants of Life has posted some of the answers here!

And here comes the signing part. When I was in front of her (remember when I said I didn't bring my glasses I couldn't see her clearly?), I was SOOOO starstuck right there. I wasn't able to take photos, I just stood there staring at her and then Kate be like: DID YOU LIKE OUR MANGOES?! I was like, WTF is wrong with me man, like that's so ridiculous I wanted to punch myself in the face! I mean, of all things I could ask Victoria Aveyard it was the poor mango thing I thought of. Siiiigh. Anyway, guys, she is stunning. Like, If Madeleine Roux is badass sexy, Victoria Aveyard has the Latina sexy vibe.

VA with the Bloggers!

After the signing, I went to the public signing. I stayed at the verrrrrryy back to film the screaming (audio was terrible but the vid is up on my IG) and waited until VA entered the store! The line was insane! And when I say insane, it was absolutely insane-insane! No one, I think not even National Bookstore anticipated the VA fever here in Manila. The line was cutoff when they reached the ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED mark! Should NBS had known that this signing will turn out like this, they would have booked Activity Center. Wow. I am just a semi-fan (I DNF-ed Red Queen twice) but I was floored by how much Filipino readers love VA. Amazing number! It was truly an amazing and wow-ing kind of an event turn out!

Victoria's message to Filipino fans!

My signed goodies!

LOOK AT HER FACE, PEOPLE! SHE IS SOLID PRETTY

THANK YOU NATIONAL BOOKSTORE FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR READERS IN THE PHILIPPINES DESPITE THE PRESSURE. KEEP IMPROVING AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS EVENT!

BOOKISH EVENT: BOOK BLOGGING 101 PANEL TALK.

Hello, awesome people!

How have you guys been? Well, as always, am so caught up with adulting thus the lack of posts. But here's one incredible event I would like to invite you to.

Kai of Amaterasu Reads, Hazel of Stay Bookish, Jesselle of The Lifelong Bookworm and I will be in a panel this coming November 28th in Alabang! We were invited to talk about Book Blogging 101 hosted by Southville International School and Colleges! This is my very first "talk" in my entire bookish life and to be honest, I am absolutely thrilled! I am a little nervous but I am trying to mask that with excitement! Cannot wait to meet you, guys!

If you are:

• Free that day, just within the area and/or willing to travel to FullyBooked Alabang Town Center Branch, feel free to visit us!
• Into books and been thinking about starting a book blog but a little bit hesistant, this is definitely perfect for you!
• Blogging already and would like to know tips on how we manage things for our bookish life and other whatnots about the bookish community, SEE US!
• Interested in hearing us talk about what we love most, this is your cue to go!

This event is NOT exclusive to Southville students so we can all go there! This is also a free event!

Kindly register by calling, texting or emailing with your name, age and Book Blogging 101 to --(02) 820 0935 local 315/327/100 or 0917 8532450 and pr@southville.edu.ph

Also, check these blog posts about the event!

Southville

FullyBooked

Hazel of Stay Bookish

Kai of Amaterasu Reads

SEE YOU THERE AND LET'S TALK BOOKISHLY!

BOOK SIGNING: KIERA CASS IN MANILA 2015.

I was feeling absolutely under the weather last Sunday, September 20. I believe it was because I was so beat the day before (I attended two events: APCC Manila and MIBF). That didn't stop me though from seeing my blogger friends and from attending Kiera Cass' second Philippines Book Signing, Manila Leg. (Here's a recap of first)

There were fewer of us this time and the forum was short. Most of my co-bloggers asked questions and Kiera didn't hold back in answering. She didn't change (in my opinion). She's still the same bubbly person I met a few years ago. Kiera is still lovely and humble.

I haven't read The One yet (but let's be honest, you could smell all the way from The Elite what could possibly happen in it) so I didn't get The Heir (though I wanted to just because of that gorgeous cover alone). Imagine how the question and answer spoiled me (I tried covering my ears to no avail HAHA). I wasn't surprised at all so am still good.

 Dianne, Sab, Jesselle, MEEEEE, Leslie and Maricar! Thanks, Kai for the photo!

From the Q and A, I only remembered a few pointers: how Kiera doesn't read her books once it's published because she doesn't want to feel like "tweaking" the story. She also mentioned she was asked a question about The One and she nearly blurted an answer that eventually became a vital plot twist in The Heir. She also said she grew up in the 90's and survived when N'Sync/Back Street Boys/etc disbanded, so Zayn leaving One Direction she also moved on from.

THE KAI SELFIE WITH KIERA!

The signing I think lasted 20 minutes tops and I noticed she wasn't writing any dedication so since I was the last in line (TOO BAD THERE WERE NO MORE GORG GORG BOOKMARKS LEFT GIMME ONEEE), I asked her to kindly write a quote by Maxon. She flipped my book and wrote something from a a random page. Clever, Kiera. Very clever.

The best part of this day was not only the signing but the bonding after. This one hell of a lunch date at the food court was absolutely fun and honestly, I missed that. YOU GUYS MAKE ME FEEL THAT I BELONG *cue tears*. Thank you, guys!

KIERA CASS' MESSAGE TO HER FILIPINO FANS!

Signed goodies!

KC with KC :)

Again, my endless gratitude to National Bookstore. With you guys and your passion for books, we wouldn't have wild events like this. Just want you to know you guys are deeply appreciated and love you, much! Thank you, HarperCollins, Callaway and Kiera!