Tea-rrific Post #3: To All the Boys I've Loved Before...

Jenny Han's latest book, To All The Boys I've Loved Before, is probably the bestselling book for the ladies this past few weeks. It's literally sold out in almost all of our local bookstores nationwide! So during Jenny Han's visit here in Manila, Philippines, I grabbed the opportunity to ask some ladies to finish the phrase:

While waiting for their turn to have their books signed, I interviewed these four beautiful ladies and asked their permission if I can take a photo of them showing off their copy of To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han and post it here on my blog, along with their message. Let's see what they want to say to all those boys they've loved before!

To all the boys I've loved before...

"...thank you for coming into my life and I hope you go through the same sh*t you've put me through. Goodluck to your lives."

-M.C. (@emceeyy)

To all the boys I've loved before...

"...thank you for teaching me lessons about life and love. BUT SCREW YOU."

-Alex (@ughlexandrugh)

To all the boys I've loved before...

..."thank you for everything we've been through. Thank you for the memories even if they weren't so great. Even though things didn't go the way I wanted to, you'll always have a special place in my heart."

-Mika (@MIKAtniss)

To all the boys I've loved before...

"...may you be happy with your life and go for what makes you happy."

-Bea (@beamarciales)

I want to give these pretty ladies a huge hug and thank you for their cooperation and being so nice to let me ask them this favor! Thank you very much M.C., Alex, Mika, and Bea! It's nice to meet you! You can read my review of To All The Boys I've Loved Before here and see what my thoughts about the book are. And of course, I also have a message to all the boys that came in my life...

I'm Not Sure If...

I'm not sure
If all the time here on earth
Is enough to spend with you
I'm not sure if the world
Will be enough to travel with you
I'm not sure if my hands
Are wide enough to offer you the biggest hug
I'm not sure if I
Am warm enough to comfort you
I'm not sure if my lips
Are sweet enough to give you the sweetest kiss
I'm not sure if my heart
Is big enough to give you all the love you need
I'm not sure if words
Are many enough to tell you how much I love you

But one thing is sure
My love is enough to make you feel loved

Certainty in Uncertainty

He is the one who keeps me inspired everyday
Just one sweet text message from him, all the bad bad vibes would go away
We've been through a lot for the past years
We shared sadness and joy, laughter and tears
Our plans for the future are already secured
All the trials and problems, we're ready to endure

I never even thought a man like him would exist
He is the type I just couldn't resist
He may be that I-am-always-in-trouble type of guy
Yet he gives that wink and smile that reaches the sky
He says for him I was perfect
That it's my beauty within that reflects

He may seem so far away from me
But when I close my eyes, he's all I see
He painted my life with the colors of the rainbow
With him by my side, I never feel low
In his arms, I never have to worry
And that I will never be sorry

Just like fireworks he took my fears away
I promised that for as long as he wants, I'll stay
Yes, we're apart and must stay in touch
But this only made me love him so much
I miss him every second, every minute and every hour of the day
And I know he feels that same too anyway

I really hate it when he acts cold like the ice cream
But with his sweet nothings, my heart would scream
I love the way he tickles me
'Cause I know it's my laughs and smiles he wants to see
During my bad days he makes me laugh
In his jokes I just can't get enough

When he chats with other girls
I want to straighten his curls! XD
I want him to flirt to no one but me
He gave me his honesty and loyalty
Missing him is such a terrible feeling
Day by day, the pain is only increasing

He made me hold onto his words and promises
Promised to give me more hugs and kisses
He's the only one who made my feel this way
My heart doesn't want him to go away
So, the question is, "Is he the one?"
Well, I guess the answer is YES, he is the only one. 

Book review: The Lost Saint (A Dark Divine Novel book # 2)

Title: The Lost Saint (Book #2,  A Dark Divine Novel)

Author: Bree Despain
Series: A Dark Divine

Page count: 404 pages

Rating: 5 stars

Book sysnopsis:

A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger - in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her - not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

Bree Despain delivers sizzling romance and thrilling action in the heart-pounding sequel to the The Dark Divine.

Book review:
Honestly, the main reason I bought this book is because of the cover, especially I love blue. I have no idea what the story is about. But then when I read the first pages, it immediately caught one of my interests: werewolves. It also includes vampires but the protagonist is a werewolf and I love the way she tried to control and use her abilities for good.

"I know what evil existed in the world, and I couldn't just sit anymore. I guess that's why in all those comic books, the superheroes have to create an alter ego -- the person who pretends to be ordinary so they can still be with the ones they love." -Grace Divine

There are so many twists in the story especially when it comes to Grace's lost brother, Jude. Grace and Daniel seems to have so much chemistry together but of course, like in any other relationships, they also experience problems and turmoil in life. In this book, Grace met a new man, gorgeous and a hottie, named Talbot who adds excitement to the story. I also love the witty personality of April! She's an ideal friend because she is very supportive and I just love how she loved to make costumes for Grace as a 'superhero' thingy.

"I felt like a different person, and part of me longed for Daniel's arms, strong and true, to wrap me in his warm embrace. I wanted to hear him tell me that it was okay for me to be different now. That he still loved me no matter what." -Grace Divine

This book talks about romance, friendship, and family which makes it a must-read for YA readers out there. I wish I could find The Dark Divine book in any bookstore here and I can't wait to read the next book entitled The Savage Grace.

"But if you can hold on to that love, and if you can hold on to that faith, then you are stronger than any monster out there. No outside power, no force, no evil can make you turn into the wolf as long as you hold on to that love." -Daniel

Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower 

Author: Stephen Chbosky

Page Count: 231 pages

Rating: 5 stars :))

Book synopsis:
Standing on the fringes of life... offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

My review:
This is probably one of the best books I've ever read. The words and sentences used are simple, yet it produced a very much captivating story of a normal teenage boy who faces the challenges of growing up around a bunch of people he doesn't really know. Any teen can relate to his life, as well as get clues, tips, and pieces of advice on how to reflect on life, love and friendship. Well, if you're not a teen anymore and you read this, you'll be able to go back in your growing up days and remember those crazy things you have done. Hands up for this book! Must read! Yay!

NAPATINGIN ako sa iyong mga mata

At sa isang iglap, ako ay natulala

Puso ko ay muling tumibok

Ngunit, di kaya ako lamang ay mapusok?

NAGUSTUHAN ko ang iyong mga ngiti

Wala akong pinalalampas na sandali

Nais ko'y araw-araw kang masilayan

Sa bawat sandali, ika'y mahawakan

MINAHAL ko ang lahat sa iyo

Sa buhay kong ito, kuntento na ako

Salamat sa pagdating sa aking buhay

Dahil pinintahan mo ito ng kaygagandang mga kulay

Book review: Hey Nostradamus!

Title: Hey Nostradamus

Author: Douglas Coupland

Page count: 244 + 15 (Ideas, interviews, features...)

Rating: 5 stars

Book synopsis:
The novel follows the stories of victims of a fictional school shooting in North Vancouver in 1988. Coupland has expressed his concern that the killers of the Columbine received more focus than the victims; this is his story about the victims of tragedy. The novel is told in four parts, each with a different narrator and focus.

Book review:
The book talks about how the four stories were connected, and Cheryl's doodle on her notes "God is nowhere, God is now here". It talks about love, pain, family, miracles, and God. My favorite story was that of Cheryl's, because I think it has the most interesting parts. She and Jason were secretly married, she's pregnant, and active in her religious group "Youth Alive!". Jason killed one of the killers, trying to save Cheryl but its too late. Then he's accused and found guilty in the incident. Many believed he's a hero, but his father (Reg) didn't so her mother breaks down and angrily attacked Reg. Because of this family issue, he was then introduced to a darker side of the world. He ran away from home. Later on Reg realized his fault and tried wrote letters for Jason to come home to him, and posted them on trees hoping that one day, Jason would be able to read one of them.

I really recommend reading this book, and it is listed in the 101 books you should read before you die. The book is filled with twists and excitements that it kept me up the whole night to finish reading it. It made me feel the events that happened, as well as the trauma felt by the characters because of the high school massacre. At the back pages of the book, there were some facts and interviews about the author and the book as well. I learned that this was inspired by the book  She said YES" which is about Cassie Bernall, written by her own mother Misty Bernall. It is the true story of Cassie, who's one of the victims in the Columbine high school massacre.

I found the book and I'll post a review about it later this month.

The distance

What can you say about a relationship that gives no assurance? Are you willing to take the risk? Are you ready to accept the pain?

In this situation, you need a lot of trust, loyalty, faith, and most of all love. You haev to believe and hold on to the promises you made for each other -- not just to believe, but to have faith and hope that you will still be together in the end. You should believe and hope that you will be able to surpass the trials that might face you and survive together.

But what is the hardest and most painful part in this relationship?

The hardest part in this kind of relationship is that it gives you no assurance. It can be hard to fight and resist temptations as it is everywhere. But it can be easy to resist if you are sure and really determined to be with that person for the rest of your life.

Sometimes, love, trust and faith aren't enough. It hurts so much when you miss that person. You cry hard just because of thinking about that person and you know for yourself that nobody and nothing can make you stop because you just miss the person even more. When you see couples walking around, holding each other''s hand, it kills you and eventually you start missing that special someone again.

Of course, there are ways to fight this painful feeling. You text the person everyday, call him/her to hear his/her voice, and sometimes webcam chatting so you can see each other despite the distance. There are also times when you tend to send packages filled with sweet nothings just to make the person smile and feel even more special.

In the end, if both of you are able to survive, you'll realize that it's all worth the long wait. By the time you see each other again, you'll be able to feel that the love that connects you miles away becomes stronger and unbreakable. When you're together, you make every second count and you don't want to waste any single minute of your time together..

It's still up to both of you if you really love each other and are willing to wait until fate brings you closer to each other, that you no longer have to feel the pain of being far away from the person you love the most..

So, who says long distance relationships doesn't work?

..but I know that I already found my forever

I will no longer search for another one

Look not into what is perfect, but look on what is right

Happy or sad, whatever, just stay with me forever