MPHonline 15th Anniversary Red Hot Sale!

Banner taken from mphonline.com

For booklovers (mainly in Malaysia), please take note! 

Our local online bookstore is currently having a book sale. Since it's online, the sale is only for online purchase. 

DATE: 23rd May - 29th May 2014 (today until next Thursday)

There are pretty exciting books on sale, such as The Mortal Instrument box set, the latest release of the last book of The Selection trilogy (The One), Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and more! Adult fiction such as The Hobbit and To Kill A Mocking Bird are also in the sale bundle. Almost all up to 20% off. 

In case you're not aware, mphonline is one of the online bookstore existing. The books sold there are usually in good bargain and they often held sales. Furthermore, you can pre-order books there for 30% off. 

All books are priced in terms of Malaysian Ringgit. For more information, click the banner. 

Happy book-shopping!

Summer

Holiday in Death by J.D.Robb

My first official post here!

My first blogspot post dedicated to the In Death series by J.D.Robb. The above is the 7th book and this series goes up to 30 over books and it is still ongoing. If you do not already know, J.D.Robb is actually Nora Roberts, one of the famous Romance novelist. This series has been around since 1998, if not mistaken. & I knew about it in 2011, I think. I started collecting them ever since. 

The In Death series is a thriller adult fiction (more like CSI), which revolves around two main characters, Eve and Roarke. Since I can't spoil you on anything regarding this series, I will just briefly talk about these two main characters.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a Homicide Lieutenant of the New York Police and Security Department. She has had a broken childhood and still suffered from nightmares of it until she met Roarke. Roarke, on the other hand, is a billionaire Irish rogue, who owns almost half of New York's properties. Eve met him as a suspect in the first book, Naked in Death. Roarke was actually not merely a filthy rich businessman but he, too, had a traumatising past. As both characters met and developed a romantic relationship towards one another, they clicked and patched up each other as puzzle pieces. This series recites on their relationship and how Roarke (having all gadgets and monetary power) helps Eve in solving crimes. 

The characters. Eve is a badass. She's a cop and she's freaking badass. I have no words for her personality. She's badass, brave, fierce, compassionate (in her own ways) and everything else needed for a heroine protagonist. On the other hand, Roarke is the hot stuff. He's rich, handsome, smart (business type) and swoon-worthy. Okay, like any typical hot stuff male protagonist. 

What I like about the series? This series takes place in the future, around year 2058. It's in New York, where automatons are all around the place. There are androids, AutoChef, airbus (literally) and high-tech gadgets. Despite those, crimes still take place. 

Also, I love the author's writings. It's built up from different characters POV, sort-of third person view. However, at some point, you can read about other characters' thoughts. & I like it. I like that I know what the other person were thinking at that moment. Plus, Robb's play of words was beautifully done. 

One thing to note for readers. These books do contain adult scenes, although it may have cut down a little through out the series. It also contains explicit gruesome crime scenes, since it is an adult fiction, so there goes. Nevertheless, I love my crime fiction books, what more series. 

Summer

To start form scratch: Naked In Death (first book) 

I just finished Holiday In Death (seven book)! This series (regarding the crimes) does not necessarily go as episode by episode but it is encouraged to read from the first book, since the romance story does go by episodes (well, the first few books). 

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The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie

original post

The 2nd book of the Poirot series by Agatha Christie. 

"An urgent cry for help brings Poirot to France. But he arrives too late to save his client, whose brutally stabbed body now lies face downwards in a shallow grave on a golf course. But why is the dead man wearing an overcoat that is too big for him? And who was the impassioned love-letter in the pocket for? Before Poirot can answer these questions, the case is turned upside down by the discovery of a second, identically murdered corpse…" - SYNOPSIS

My 4th Poirot book. If you do not know, I’m a huge fan for crime-mystery-detective books. Hercule Poirot is another fiction detective created by the Queen of Crime - Agatha Christie. (& I would not go on and on about how amazing she is)

& YES! Of course I adore the petit Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. I like his witty sarcasm, his often random acts which drives Hastings mad, his short cries in French and also his grey cells. 

'My friend, in working upon a case, one does not take into account only the things that are “mentioned”. There is no reason to mention many things which may be important. Equally, there is often an excellent reason for not mentioning them. You can take your choice of the two motives.'

Indeed, this book was a fast read. Many series of events unfold in one case. I, personally, found it very intriguing and exciting. The wow-factor, blessing for Hastings. 

Of course, usually when I read reviews regarding long-standing detective novels (Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, Sidney Seldon’s & more), they would criticised them aspredictable (& some other funny thoughts). To be honest, I really dislike those comments. Think, for the authors to have written such amazing plots during those years were pretty incredible. Because nobody can predict the vast technology improvement or whatsoever. These novels were written in those times when cars were barely doorless. So, in my opinions, these works, these literatures are spectacular. 

*pardon me being carried off*

& yes, a definite 5-stars on Goodreads. Looking forward to the 4th book - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, as I heard it was one of the best among the Poirot series. 

I’ve read The Mysterious Affair at Styles(1st), Poirot Investigates(3rd) & Death on the Nile(7th). Toodles. Oh, my first book for peruse project​’s #shitihavetoomanybooks read-a-thon. (I end up joining -.-)

Summer

To Dive into this book: The Murder on the Links

If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones

original post

- SYNOPSIS LINK -

First book of the Inside Out Trilogy. An adult erotic thriller so if you’re not around the age and mentality, just be aware. 

I picked up this book all thanks to the paint-brush pen free gift. & thanks topolandbananas20 / xtinemay1920 for her hilarious booktube videos. 

First off, for people who made comparisons of this book with 50 Shades of Gray, you got the wrong idea. I agree that both books are about BDSM but the plots were greatly distinct in every scene. (maybe not the rich and sexy part. LOL)

Skipping through all sexual scenes, IIWY started off being captivating, intriguing and mysterious. That keeps me from reading it to till the end. 

Okay, how do I start?

I like the detective moments where Sara (the main character) vows to solve this Rebecca’s mystery. First 100 pages (around there) of the book, Sara was still very keen on seeking out for Rebecca but the detective instinct sort of stopped though out the middle of the book. Then later, only comes back at the near end of the book. & I didn’t like it. I wanted to know about Rebecca, her mysterious life, her encounter with that dominant ‘master’ and where the hell is she? 

Agree or not, through out the book, I believe all readers are constantly questioning - Mark or Chris, is the man with Rebecca? If you’re not, what are you reading then?

At first, I really thought it would be Mark. He’s arrogance and fetish with “punishments”. But as the story unfolds, I kinda shift the burden to Chris. So, I can’t be sure. OHOHOH, I did came up with this theory of Chris and Mark are actually working together to victimise on Sara. That would be picked up on the part where they constantly have cockfights with each other. & Ava is another mysterious character. & Elle and her fiancé. So much of mystery going on I had to get the rest of the trilogy. 

Note on the plot twist where Sara was actually a daughter of a rich established businessman. That was a real surprise. (Not to mention, surprises in books are good.) 

[EDIT A LITTLE] I totally forgotten to mention about the artsy-futsy settings. Yes, it levels up the whole mood of the book! I really like it when the characters were discussing about arts and wines, it’s like I’m learning some extra knowledge. 

To be honest, kinky BDSM erotica is not my cup of tea but the thriller aspect is. If someone who kindly message me on the spoiler of this trilogy I would be so glad. Seriously. I don’t like this cliffhanger feels. Even if I had to buy the rest of the 2 books, it will take weeks for them to arrive. 

The reason for 4-stars on Goodreads. There are some parts where I really couldn’t accept it. I was swearing through those moments. Yeah so. 

Find Rebecca,

Summer

To Get into the Inside Out Trilogy:

If I Were You / Being Me / Revealing Us

The Elements of Eloquence by Mark Forsyth

original post

p.s I’ve writing this in the midst of a flu. Pardon me on any mistake. 

- SYNOPSIS LINK -

Yes, my first review on a non-fiction book. I rarely read non-fiction asides from studies-related ones. 

I actually heard of this book from littlebookowl on her booktube channel. (unintentional advertisement, I would say giving credits.)

Back to the book. This is an interesting, mind-blowing book. It’s about English writing style. The author discussed about various writing style, such as hyperbole, personification, assonance and more. (stating those more obvious ones) He talked about how those very simple (not obvious) tones in writing, yet they amplified the whole sentence. 

He stated that Shakespeare isn’t a genius but he played with words and techniques. He shared thoughts on Shakespeare’s and many different poems and even song lyrics (The Beatles & Katy Perry). He wrote about how these styles of writings enhanced the writer’s works. 

Transferred Epithets: when an adjective is applied to the wrong noun. i.e “The man smoked a nervous cigarette.”

Transferred Epithets is my personal favourite. I love how the words played around. Instead of saying ‘the nervous man’, you say ‘a nervous cigarette’. & clearly, the latter gave more impact on the reader. 

What I found most interesting about this book is that the author wrote it in a simple, easy-to-understand way. I can assure you that if those techniques were to be written in a textbook, it would be difficult to decipher. He did also wrote in a humorous style, a little critiques. 

Overall, a 5-stars book. It’s easy to read and I learnt a lot from it. 

Helpful, interesting & magical,

Summer

To Get this book: The Elements of Eloquence  

Cress by Marissa Meyer

original post

The 3rd book of the Lunar Chronicles series. 

- SYNOPSIS LINK - (rather not read it since it’s the 3rd book of the series)

Goner. THIS WAS SO DAMN GOOD.

*The following contains spoilers of the series, if you have not started the series, you are advised to START READING IT NOW.*

When I was reading Cinder, I thought I would just ‘ship Cinder&Kai; then when I was reading Scarlet, I loved Scarlet&Wolf; when I was reading Cress, man, Cress&Thorne were so adorable. When I was ending Cress, I fell back to ‘ship of Cinder&Kai. wtfthisthisseriesdoingtomeman?

First off, the plot is very well thought off. It wasn’t just fairy tale retelling, where you could guess what would happen next. But, as the story flows, I was like ‘right, this happen in the original story’, instead of, ‘right, I knew this would happen’. Big Difference. 

Secondly, Cress&Thorne. Carswell Thorne was hilarious. His self-esteem, his jokes, his care for Cress and his blindness (what?) - Thorne, you’re my man. Cress is adorable. Little Crescent Moon, I love her. Her innocent crush towards Thorne and heart-breaks when she thought Thorne would not come and save her. Oh gosh, I couldn’t help but love her more. 

"Believe me, Cress. The pleasure was all mine."

CAN’T YOU NOT LOVE THEM?

I like that these books aren’t written just from one main character POV. They were written from various POVs and from that, we would know what’s happening at different venues. 

Thirdly, I can’t wait for Winter. It would be mind-blowing! A little sneak-peek of Winter while she talked to Scarlet. She’s a mad girl and she could foresee the future, I presume. I’m already in love with her. Plus, Jacin. He’s still a mystery but I’m anticipating. He would either be the prince for Winter or one of the 7 dwarfs. Oh, the 7 dwarfs, can’t wait to read about them!

Definitely a 5-stars on Goodreads.

Another review coming up,

Summer

To Get Into the Lunar Chronicles series:

Cinder / Scarlet / Cress