Showing posts with label kesh tanglao. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kesh tanglao. Show all posts

Thursday, December 4, 2014

14 Books for 2014



I have a confession to make: After reading over a hundred books by July, I've pretty much slowed down on reading the last couple of months this year (boo, I know).
I learned that it's actually my anxiety that caused me to have such short attention span. There were days when I'd start reading a new book and I'd end up not finishing it at all. There are also a couple of books in my shelves that I haven't gotten to read yet--and that never really happened before, at least not because I was lazy. And well, I've also been busy with work, like a lot, coz I enjoy it and I know that's not an excuse to be such a lazy reader, but yeah, well, things happen.

Anyway, that does not mean that I don't read anymore. Of course it doesn't. It's just that I'm currently only reading short ones and all these articles, but I'll get back my "I can read extremely long books with no problem whatsoever" groove soon. And besides, I was able to read  (insert number here) this year so that's not bad.

(side note: as of now, I'm reading Pretty Little Liars: Vicious, so yeah, there's some progress right there... ^^)
 
That said, here are my favorite books of 2014. (14 for 2014!). (I know it's early but before I hibernate again and get sucked up in all these things, let me do this now) Some of these were published this year, some weren't, but the point is that I read them all these year. And ta-daaaa, here they are:

Dwellers
 Oh my god, this one is really, really good. I couldn't count the number of times that I read this in the past couple of months. It's a weird but good bedtime story (at least for me hihihi). I like how it's not just about the horror, but how it incorporated some elements of weird romances, plus a whole lot of pain and craziness into it. And I LOVE the characters. Each of them had their own unique traits, even if most of them were downright crazy. Celeste stood out from the pack, in my opinion, She's just different, and assertive, and deep--and I really like her.

The Descendants
 I've seen the movie years ago and it became one of my favorites and when I read the book, I realized how great they both were and it's just really amazing. I like how realistic this story is and the way it was written was just on point. 

 This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl 

 This one's really special and it's one of those stories that will stay with me forever. It's not just a story--it's a real story. Reading Esther's thoughts, seeing some of her drawings, and just feeling like you know her--even for just a while--is just something else. Most importantly, you'd realize how big her heart was and how much she loved--and is loved. Even my guy is touched by this one--we love it to pieces. Oh and it's Goodreads' Best Memoir/Autobiography for 2014, too, yay!!!

We Were Liars
Oh man, this book broke my heart in more ways than one. It's just on a league of its own and you'd definitely feel for the characters. Plus, you'd also get to think about why things are that way, or how events in the story came to be And once you get to the end, your brain will just be rattled and you'll probably say "Why oh why", or "NOOOOOO!" and that's the reason why this book rocks, for me. Oh, and it also won a Goodreads Choice Award for best Young Adult Fiction! Woot!

The Heiresses
 It's like, this adult version of Pretty Little Liars (which I am obviously obsessed with) but it also has different elements to it. Plus, the characters feel so real and you kind of wish that you live in their world (but not be part of the whole fiasco lol)

The Kitchen When it Sizzles
 This is one of those books that just made me want to read again after being lazy. It's beautiful and sexy in all the right places plus it would really make you feel "Kilig"--and to me, that's kind of a mark of an effective love story: when you feel "kilig" and want to be part of the story yourself.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell
 Ah, Rainbow Rowell is a gem, isn't she? I like this novel primarily because it deals with the harsh realities of love and relationships. I like how it makes you think about what you have in life, and why things work out or why they don't. It's not your usual mushy love story, but it's great because it's more realistic than fictional and that's really good. And this is also Goodreads' Best Fiction for 2014!!! <3

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon  
This is also another book that I read over and over again--and it's in Tagalog! Hooray! It's one of those local books that I'm truly proud of coz it's so good. You have this average guy as the hero and it's written in a real world perspective which makes you think that "hey, what if that really happens?" and the thought will probably scare you. 

The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike, #2)
Can JKR do anything wrong? No, absolutely not. I like Cuckoo's Calling better, though, but this one is also great because you learn a lot from it. PLUS CORMOROBIN!!!! You can't go wrong with that. 

Heat of the Moment  
This story is special to me and even if I didn't know it from the beginning, I'd still say that it's amazing. Really will make you "kilig" plus if you're looking for a story that's steamy and classy but will just really make you want to read more, I'd say you do have to read this one. 

While this one may not really happen in real life, you still wouldn't help but feel "kilig" over what goes on in it. And sometimes, that makes a story great, too: when you know that something may be impossible but you still put some hope into it.

This is seriously one of the cutest, most romantic, and "kilig" books that I read this year--and possibly for all time. It's simple, it's not trying to be deep and all that stuff, but you'll love it because of that. And my friend Alyssa and I have fangirled over this over and over and over...hihi

The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales  
Because why not? I found a great copy this year and I instantly bought it. It's nice to read all those fairy tales again, though some of them were really weird. Like Cat Skin! Oh my god, I can't even.

The Geography of You and Me
 I think I read this one in one sitting because it's just sooooo "kilig" and though it'll also break your heart, it's a story that's just pretty realistic, too, so that makes it one of the best love stories ever.

So, that's it. Here's to more years of reading (and hopefully, I'll get back to my reading streak in full force soon). Xx



Sunday, July 27, 2014

Gezellig 2:(Unbreakable) -- Book Review

Author: Kesh Tanglao

Lorin Perez's life is finally back on track after almost losing it six years ago. She knows meeting and dating sizzling hot professional rugby player Spence Clarke is a huge part of her healing process. But with her father starting a new family, she decides to follow her best friend Caitlin to UK--Spence's home country--and start a new life.

However, moving to UK brings certain complications in the form of Gezellig band member Nigel Whitmore, a.k.a. the one who didn't follow through three years ago. And even though Lorin is very clear about her no commitment rule, Nigel ignores this and pursues Lorin like never before.

Caught between the man who made her feel safe and the one who makes her feel alive, will she finally be able to set her heart free and make the right choice?


***
If you loved THE REAL SCORE then you'll certainly love (UN)BREAKABLE, too.  This one focuses on Lorin, Caitlin's best friend and how she's torn between two lovers--or something like it. Not to worry though because you'd still see how Cait and Marcus are doing and there certainly are loads of surprises here and there.

Lorin is a strong woman who asserts her right to choose but that doesn't mean that she never gets confused (seriously, with two hot guys like that, how can you not?). With her new choices in life comes complications and that's what she has to deal with. 

The characters are well-written. You can just see through them and it's so hard not to fall in love or get attached to them. 

What's great about this book is that even though the story is not as realistic as you want it to be, the beauty is that it makes you dream and hope that maybe, someday, you'll find your own person, too. You'll find that person who will be right for you in every possible way, whatever twists and turns may lay ahead. As a fangirl, it's good to know that someone writes about your hopes and aspirations in life. 

If you would like a book that'll make you kilig and make you want to finally decide on what you have to do in life, this certainly is it.

***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kesh Tanglao is a lover of books, music, and TV shows. A self-proclaimed fangirl, she likes cheering for her favorite sports teams and supporting her favorite artists. When she's not writing (or fangirling), she works as a researcher.


 



Thursday, December 19, 2013

The Real Score: Author Interview + GIVEAWAY


Hi everyone! So, I posted a review of The Real Score a few days ago, but I got another surprise for you. You see, I got the chance to ask Kesh Tanglao, the author of "The Real Score" a few quick questions. That said, here's my interview with her:

Q: So, what's your inspiration for "The Real Score"?
A: Celebrities always fascinate me, and best friends had always been one of the most relatable stories to people. This wasn’t my intended #romanceclass story—I had to start all over again because I wasn’t feeling the initial plot I had—and it was just something that came to me during a bus ride. Writing The Real Score was easier compared to other stories I did because it just ‘clicked.’

Q: In your personal opinion, do you think a relationship between a fan and a celebrity would work in real life?
A: Inclined to say yes (because that would be fun and look at The Hansons, who married fans!), but it would be tough and would take a lot of work from both of them. I’d think celebs would go for people in their own ‘circles’ because they would like someone who could get where they’re coming from, but who knows? :)

Q: Do you consider yourself a Fangirl?
A: Yes. But I’m not the hardcore type. I’m passionate about the subjects of my fangirling (I’d probably pick a fight or two if someone insults them and I have tons of pictures and videos of my favorite artists saved in my laptop), but put them in front of me and I won’t ask for a picture or an autograph! I’m shy, so I’d just watch them from afar.

Q: What is love for you?
A: Oh boy, this is hard! I’m tempted to make references to songs or to a popular bible verse or to the cliché responses when answering slumbooks (I just dated myself, didn’t I?). But I think love is a complicated feeling. It can make you feel all sorts of things, take you on a rollercoaster ride, and make you do things you don’t usually do, but at the end of the day, it will make everything worth it. Whether you end up getting hurt (and you learn a lesson from it) or you end up happy, it is always something worth taking a risk for.

Q: A message to your readers.
A: Thank you so much for taking a chance and reading my first book! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I had fun making it. And I wish you would stick around because there’s still more to come! *crosses fingers and hope I didn’t just jinx it*

Aha! So we might probably be seeing (err, reading?) more of Marcus and Caitlin soon, huh? And while we wait, you should join this AWESOME GIVEAWAY first and get a chance to win AMAZING prizes!

***GIVEAWAY TIME!***


 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Real Score: Book Review

Hello everyone! Welcome to The Real Score's stop on my blog! 
 Title: The Real Score
Author: Kesh Tanglao
Kobo 

Caitlin's friendship with Marcus, the de facto frontman of the world's biggest boy band Gezellig, has long been an object of scrutiny by almost everyone--their friends and families, the media, and his fans--ever since they "went public" a couple of years back. Who wouldn't be interested? She was a nobody, catapulted into the limelight of his fame when he struck an unusual friendship with her. 

To both Caitlin and Marcus, what they have is a "perfect little thing." But then something comes along and threatens it. 

In a no-holds-barred interview, will they finally be forced to settle the score?

***
Have you ever hated a band so much only to find yourself being friends with the band's frontman, and letting go of all the things you once believed were true? This is the situation where Caitlin Tan finds herself in.

As one of those people who are not that keen on the world's most popular boyband, Gezellig, Caitlin finds herself in one of the meet and greet events of the band, courtesy of her best girl friend. And then Caitlin realizes that there's so much more to the band than meets the eye--and so much more to Marcus, the band's hunk of a frontman, than being just another band member that girls oggle upon.



You know what? This book is perfect for every girl out there who have once been a fangirl, or is still a fangirl. It's even perfect for those who do not want to deal with this whole pop-culture obsessed world. In short, it's the kind of book that mostly everyone will like because 1) it is keeping up with the times, 2) it's a light, easy read that'll surely cure your boredom and make you smile, and 3) because, who has not been obsessed with a boyband at least once in his/her life? Come on, you have to admit that what I said was true.

Anyway, another thing I loved about this book is the fact that it does not try to be deep, or overbearing. It's just what it is, and is very good that way. This book is something that you might finish in one sitting coz it's hard to put down and well, fangirls, I'm pretty sure you'll agree that it has ALL THE FEEEEEELS.

A book that's meant for youngsters, and those who are young at heart, I'd have to say that The Real Score is one of the best Filipino chick-lit novels of the year. Read it and you'll agree.

***

KeshTanglao is a full-time market researcher. When she’s not crunching numbers, she spends most of her free time watching TV shows, listening to music, and reading. Also a self-proclaimed fangirl, she likes cheering for her favorite sports teams and supporting her favorite artists. The Real Score is her first published novella.

AUTHOR LINKS
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sparksfire_
8tracks: http://8tracks.com/sparksfire_ (for the companion playlists of books)