Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Book review: The Maze Runner trilogy


The publisher's son of Chicken House said that The Maze Runner makes The Hunger Games "feel like a walk in a park." - and I couldn't agree more.

One of my girlfriend told me to read this trilogy, after she watched the Glitterature book review on YouTube. She said since I am a big fan of the Hunger Games, I will love this too. So I went and get the books, and started it after finishing my Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.

Speaking of Fifty Shades of Trilogy, you can check out my post on that HERE.

The Maze Runner was the book I couldn't leave the house without. It was also the book I brought along with me to go shopping, the book I had to sneak-read when my mom wasn't looking while she was talking, and the book I hid under the dining table to read. I just couldn't put it down for a minute. ALL THREE OF THEM.

I finished the trilogy is 6 days. I'm not much of a speed-reader. I have a friend who can finish a trilogy in 16 hours. God-speed.

So what this trilogy talks about is that, this boy, Thomas, was sent to a big field where all dozens of other boys were there. These boys do not remember who they are, or where they came from, or even their last name, all they know is their first name. They were like trapped in a small world, on a big field, with a maze beyond it. For years, they have been trying to solve the maze to find the way out, as they believed. However, things are not as easy as it seemed. Every midnight, the maze walls will change. And ugly, awful creatures will come out and eat people who stuck in the maze, after the doors closed at midnight. It is basically similiar as THG as they too have Creators (in THG it's the Gamemakers) to create the maze and watch them all the time and make things work. All I can tell you is that it is like they are running an experiement, to study the power of human brain and its responses to variables. That's all I can tell you. I won't reveal much anymore, and therefore won't spoil the fun here. But it sure did give me to creeps reading it. It's super addictive, so good, I don't even know the right words to describe it. If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, this is surely the next big thing you don't wanna miss. I assure you. I've read many comments of people giving up during the first few chapters of the first book, because it involves slang that made specially for the story. But it's alright, not so confusing as they say.

James Dashner, you did one hell of a great work.

Time to tackle another book. Any suggestions? I don't go for self-enrichment or motivating books. I prefer something more of the adventure, great story-plotting type. Something like the books I reviewed.

"Is there anyone try to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home?"

I'm With You - Avril Lavigne.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Book review: Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy



In my brief research, I came to know that the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy was originally a Twilight fan fiction, which got popular and the names of main characters are changed to Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, instead of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. Jeez, thank goodness for that. And since the story is too long, therefore it is separated into 3 books.

I admit, I am a fan of the Twilight sequel. Althought people make fun of it because the movie turned out stupid. But I really really wanted to check out what's the damn hype of Fifty. So yea, I'm in love with Christian Grey right now, something like how I went head over heels for Edward Cullen. *ahem* Please note the past tense.

Well, the story went like this: Ana Steele went for an interview when her roommate (who was assigned for the task) fell sick, and met the multi-millionaire, drop-dead gorgeous Christian Grey, who is an entrepreneur and owns his own company at the age of 27, living life on the luxury line, and god-damn successful. As when he proposes an unusual deal/contract/arrangements after making an impression that he is indeed interested in her, she realizes that he is deep-down "tormented by a demon". But she could not resist him, and decides to go along and explore her own dark desires.

I gotta admit, this is like reading porn. And I learnt a lot about BDSM too. No kidding. I enjoyed this trilogy though, also another books I cound't stop reading. Not to mention my lecturer saw me reading it minutes before the finals exam when I was supposed to be studying. I find that the first book is more on the romance and sex. And that it gets more intense and full of dramas in the second (Fifty Shades Darker) and third book (Fifty Shades Freed). Not many will be interested in this kind of books, but Fifty is interesting. Well done, EL James.


I heard Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy topped Harry Potter as the fastest best-selling books. Well, I guess sex sells.

Gotta go now. Laters, baby.

"On the balcony ripping the rails,
Slowly I'm pulling you near,
Sayin', shh, babe don't make too much noise,
There's a lot of peoples who live around here."

Making Good Love - Avant

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Book review: Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green



Simply. Beautiful.

I picked up this book at Popular bookstore. I thought the short synopsis at the back of the book was interesting enough, not to mention it has Jodi Picoult's review on it. And true enough, I wasn't disappointed.

This book delivers important messages of the power of imagination, loyalty and love. An adventure of how this imaginary friend, Budo, went on to save his human friend, Max, who was in serious trouble. Basically, imaginary friends poof off when the human friend dies, or simply stop believing in them. Imaginary friends can be in many forms and with different abilities, all depends on their human friends' imagination. And that's all I can tell you about imaginary friends, you really need to read it yourself to understand more. The further you read, the more nerve-wrecking it is. I was almost of out my seat reading the final chapters, and I couldn't put down the book, even I didn't do that when I was reading The Hunger Games. Lol.

If you have read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, you'll find this somewhat similiar, in ways of narrating. Because this isn't your typical books with long sentences and complex logic, it's simple, straightforward, and somewhat humorous. You might think that simple books like this won't be interesting, but I tell you, you won't be disappointed. Highly recommended, it will capture you completely.

I tweeted that I bought this book with a twitpic of the book. And then guess what? The author himself replied me!


After I finished the book 3 days later, I tweeted him back, kind of as a thank-you. Actually I tweet about what books I just bought and read, everytime. 


I really wish this book makes it to the bestselling list. So that I can say "I told you so".

A random snapshot to end my Saturday. 


Enjoy your Sunday while you still can. Go anywhere you want, don't care what your boyfriend says, make him drive you.

Am I the only who thinks "Call Me Maybe" is a stupid song? 

"Oh why's this world keeps spinning,
you and I keep fishing flying kites,
and wishing for something nice,
and I know there's missing with every chance I'm taking,
but this and that is life."

This and That Is Life - David Choi

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Book review: Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

I told you, I never stop reading.

I can't really count the amount of Picoult's book I have already. More like lazy to count because there are really many of them. I think this is the 16th or 17th one.



I picked up this book after I watched the movie. The movie wasn't really WOW. When I finished this book, I thought the movie was still a bit different, given that Picoult herself stated on Facebook that she has read the script, and it apparently "follows" the book. But never mind.


The story is about Jack St. Bride who got out of prison after serving 8 months sentence, wandered into a sleepy town Salem Falls. He was determined to put his past behind him forever, and got himself a job as a dishwasher at a local diner. Just when he thought things were starting to settle down while he and the diner's owner, Addie's love just started to blossom , his past caught up with him. And it didn't help when a teenage girl (or I should say witch) was obsessed over him and accused him of raping her. Of course, this wasn't the first time anymore.


You know, when I read this book. I won't say I'm surprised that Picoult re-used the same character from some of her other books. I was just surprised to see Jordan McAfee's name popped up. Boy, he IS my favorite character from her books so far. 


Looking forward for her new book, Between The Lines.


Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Til then, peace out.


Ohmaigawd I want a getaway. 

"I tear my heart open and sew myself shut,
my weakness is that I care too much."

Scars - Papa Roach.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Cameron Highlands trip

I'm back from my long-awaited trouble-causing trip. It's really good to have at least few days away from the city's heat and to somewhere so high up and the cooling weather and beautiful scenery. 

Nik and I spent 2 nights at Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands near Kea Farm, further up from Brinchang. The hotel located at the peak, so it is naturally the coolest. Really, when the room fan is on I was complaining it was too cold. Lol. Walking distance to all hotspots like buttefly farm etc. They offer this good cash-back offer especially for couples, where you pay around RM198++ a night and get RM88 F&B allowance a night, to spend at their hotel restaurants. And I tell you, their food at Coffee Shop will NOT disappoint you. I didn't take any photos of the food, as we were too busy gorging ourselves with it. But it really worth a try, and their freshly brewed coffee is really really good too!

We drove there, the journey took about 2 to 3 hours using the new road up to Camerons. Just follow the signboard that says towards Simpang Pulai, and NOT the turning into Genting Highlands which comes before that. The old road down is really scary.

So when we got there, checked in, and were too hungry to go eat somewhere down town Tanah Rata. So we decided to give the restaurant there a try. It is called the Coffee Shop. Simple name, but with delicious food. And yes, coffee, which helped us with the exhaustion from the journey.

After lunch we walked down to the Butterfly Farm. It has plenty of butterfly farms and bee farms and rose centres, take your own time to pick which one you want to visit. The one we went entrance fee was RM5 an adult.


*Strictly no stealing of the photos below, just a warning. It is watermarked, I just did it in a way that it is not too obvious. Think twice before you try.






Oh, they have bunnies and reptiles and toads towards the end of the butterfly farm!






Then the next day we went to Kea Bee Farm. To be honest it was nothing much to see at all. Unless you want to buy honey there.


Then we went to Rose Valley. Paid RM4 an adult to get in there.












After that we went to Bharat tea plantation which also known as Cameron Valley. They have really good specialty tea and the chocolate cream cheese was really good too, which a scoop of ice cream on top.

Cameron Valley

Can't stop satisfying my cake craving, with good tea. Highly recommended!

So on the last day, we went to a place called The Lakehouse. It's almost halfway downhill, but the place is really pretty. Tudor-style english cottages, also has honeymoon suite and deluxe rooms for RM700+ a night. Click on the link to check out their FB page.

But we just dropped by that place to chill with the nice weather before we leave, and sat down to enjoy their famous homemade scones and tea while also enjoying the cool breeze and view.
They serve scones with buttercream, butter and homemade strawberry jam, and tea :P

Isn't this place beautiful?
All in all, we didn't really go many places. Would love to go to the waterfall there sometime soon. It was still a good trip for both of us, and just the 2 of us.

Ahh, how I miss the place already.

"That's why I'm easy,
I'm easy like Sunday morning."

Easy - Faith No More

Monday, May 21, 2012

Book Review: Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer

I don't really remember when was the last time I did a book review. Lol. But one thing is for sure I never stop reading.


I finished this book about 2 weeks ago. To be honest, I am still amazed with how this book turned out. Jeffrey Archer is an amazing story teller. Ok. Basically the story started off with Danny Cartwright proposed to his girlfriend Beth, and then they went to a bar to celebrate their engagement with Beth's brother, also Danny's best buddy, Bernie Wilson. That was the night of the beginning of a nightmare, when Bernie was stabbed to death at the back alley of the bar.


With 4 prosecution witness (one's a popular actor, a barrister, an aristocrat, and the youngest law firm partner) against Danny, who couldn't read or write. So who's going to believe that Danny was innocent?


Danny was sentenced to 22 years at the top security prison where no prisoner has ever escaped. But the 4 prosecution witnesses underestimated Danny and Beth's determination to seek justice. Jeffrey Archer's amazing tale starts right there.


This book is filled with amazement, the adrenaline rush, and humor. And until you turn the last page of this book, you will be amazed at how the story is flawlessly crafted. I highly recommend it.


Oh, before I forget. I picked up this book randomly at Bookalicious, Summit Subang because of the price of the book. It was a hard cover, veryyy thick. With original price RM94.90, they were selling it at RM19.90. I KNOW RIGHT?? Do check out the bookstore. It offers wonderful prices for good books, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.


"Have you read my blog today,
300 million little USAs,
your doorstep is just a click away,
we'll get together one of these days."

Slice - Five For Fighting

Sexyback. Just kidding.

I'm not dead. Not yet.


I'm back in Blogger, after not blogging for nearly 1 or 2 years wtf.


Just a quick recap of what happened during the time when I'm gone. I am now in my final year, graduating this year (like finally). Didn't really walk around places like how I used to anymore, so expect some changes in this blog. From my last post, the one on KLIMS, got like, countless of comments. I've never received so many comment on ONE SINGLE BLOG POST BEFORE. I even deleted some of them. But the rest, spam or not, I'd just publish them all.


So yea. Things changed. You changed. I changed. Major changes about me will be mostly on my weight. Or how I look now for that matter. Mind you, I was 57kg back then, with the height of 166cm. Now? I'm 43. Underweight? HELL YES.


But so what? I get to eat whatever fuck I want!


To you people who always make comments on how skinny I am now, or how my head looks bigger than my now-smaller body bla bla bla. SCREW YOU. Judgmental or criticizing people like you, were the reason why high school kids nowadays starve themselves, and how young girls now have so low self-esteem, you just did it by just simply calling people "fat". Maybe you should applaud yourselves for that.


But I didn't starve myself. And I am sure as HELL NOT aneroxic forgodssake. I just went on a diet. Don't ask me how I did it, I won't tell.


Let's skip the details of how I lose all the weight. And back on the people who are on my nerves now. Tell you what, making comments about me for being too unhealthy (I'm sorry, I don't remember you being a doctor accessing people's health) or how my head is now too big (what do you want me to do? HEAD REDUCTION SURGERY?!), isn't going to change how you want me to look. Oh, and the girl who drew a picture of a big-head alien on a tissue paper and then waved it in my face saying "This is how you look like, your head is so much bigger than your body HAHAHA!" WTFF?! What are you, 12? I was surprised your dad didn't slap you right there, because if I were him, I would. Just kidding. I won't. Your face is ugly enough just like your heart anyway.




I can really eat. I eat like a horse. Friends who know me, they know that for a fact.


"Oh, she must have WORMS in her stomach. Eat so much, still so skinny, must be worms." Oh bitch please. I'm sorry that I can't be like you, who eats only 2 tablespoons of rice and STILL NOT LOSE A SINGLE WEIGHT. Do a favor for yourself and take a look at yourself first ok? Making fun about my weight, won't make you look smarter, nor lose any of your fats. You need to remember that, because you really sound like a jealous bitch, and I pity you. Btw, since when you have a masters in studying stomachs-and-wormatology? Are you really that insecure about yourself till you have to bring me down along with you? 


One more time. I swear I'll blow.


But pushing aside all this shit thats going on, I feel good. I never felt I looked good in my whole life before. I'm proud of my curves and I'm proud of my face. I was stupid back then when people tell me I was fat. I was stupid enough to even believe them. But we all have done things we are not proud of. At least now I know, after all I've been through, I'm stronger, I'm confident, and I'm sure as hell beautiful.


To all girls out there, don't give in to losers. They just want to see you break, and then be happy themselves. As long as you're healthy, you're good to go. You don't need a supermodel figure or a flawless face to define beauty, and you don't need to join modelling or pageants look pretty. Those are for show (and for pleasure purposes, ifyouknowwhatimean.jpg) and it's honestly getting boring to see. I see photos like that  EVERYDAY on Facebook, each gets like 300+ likes wtf. Be yourself, not what others want to see. Someone out there will love you for being you. 


Remember, you don't need to strip near naked (or show boobies cleavage) just to get more likes on your photo. 


Til then, peace out.


I'm still doing my signature song lyric closing.


"Life's too short to even care at all."
Cough Syrup - Young The Giant