Death of a Writer

Michael Crichton died unexpectedly last November 4 due to cancer.

Although his books where highly technical to a then, 12-year old, I loved them and read Jurassic Park, The Lost World, The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Sphere, and Timeline.

Image: Google

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Merry Grinchmas!

I love Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas a lot! I have seen the cartoon adaptations, saw The Grinch with Jim Carrey, and I have read the storybook (aww that was a long long time ago, perhaps I'll read it again?) and he is absolutely one of my Christmas haters characters! Dr. Seuss is amazing, what with his rhymes and meters...astounding! Oh by the way, I count Ebeneezer Scrooge as one of my faves, as well.

I'm spreading all this Grinch humor to all you bloggers who absolutely love the timeless classics. This song is sung by Thurl Ravenscroft. Isn't it music to your ears? nyahahahahahaha

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
You're as charming as an eel.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a bad banana
With a greasy black peel.

You're a monster, Mr. Grinch.
Your heart's an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders,
You've got garlic in your soul.
Mr. Grinch.

I wouldn't touch you, with a
thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.

You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch.
You have termites in your smile.
You have all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile.
Mr. Grinch.

Given the choice between the two of you
I'd take the seasick crockodile.

You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch.
You're a nasty, wasty skunk.
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk.
Mr. Grinch.

The three words that best describe you,
are, and I quote: "Stink. Stank. Stunk."

You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch.
You're the king of sinful sots.
Your heart's a dead tomato splot
With moldy purple spots,
Mr. Grinch.

Your soul is an apalling dump heap overflowing
with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable
rubbish imaginable,
Mangled up in tangled up knots.

You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch.
With a nauseaus super-naus.
You're a crooked jerky jockey
And you drive a crooked horse.
Mr. Grinch.

You're a three decker saurkraut and toadstool
sandwich
With arsenic sauce.

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Blog Niche: Books Books Books

A few weeks ago, Miss Julie talked about blog niches and asked us what niche would we want to blog about. Because I am a self-proclaimed book worm and have been reading most of my life, I wanted to have a multi-authored blog niche about books and books reviews. Read about the whole article here.

Fast forward to a last week when our blog Books Books Books was created and is now up and running! I am joined by my really close friends Ehn and Lurchie. Incidentally, we have been friends since grade school and have shared our passions with books.

In fact, Books Books Books was coined from our favorite bargain bookstore back in Dumaguete. Well, it's not really called Books Books Books but the big sign by their shop had BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS written in bold letters so we thought that was what it was called!

Now that the bookstore has transfered to a less accessible location, we don't go out of our way to check it out but we still retained our love for books.

So join us in our quest to dissect books and give out free eBooks (if available).

Happy book worming!

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Readings: Again the Magic

I'm an avid Historical Romance reader and I've acquired a few Ebooks related to this genre from different romance authors.

This book is one of my favorites written by Lisa Kleypas. Again the Magic is about an earl's daughter Aline and an orphan servant John McKenna. When their budding romance is discovered by Aline's father, McKenna is banished from their estate. To protect McKenna's life, Aline lies to him making him believe that she doesn't love him and is rejecting him because of his lowly status. McKenna leaves England and becomes a real estate tycoon in Mew York City and return to Aline's life with plans of revenge. However, previous events keep secrets between Aline and McKenna and further complicates their relationship.

Here's the free Ebook in Microsoft Reader format: Again the Magic
If you don't have the Microsoft Reader you can also download it here.



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What's in your Booklist?

I am currently beside myself in downloading E-books for reading. However, I still cannot restrain myself from buying old school paperbacks! It's really different reading from your lappy or personal computer and reading in your own nook and cranny curled up with a new book. So even with the advent of newer technologies, I still stick to the real thing! Of course I have E-books lined up and I enjoyed reading some of them but it is just not the same!

My favorite E-book format is the .lit format which opens in the Microsoft Reader program. I don't play it, by the way, because the robotic voice drives me nuts! Not to mention the atrocious pronunciation of some words!
I'm already straying from the topic at hand (the blabbermouth)! Unfortunately, I am not buying new books this time. I know I cannot bring my whole library and ship it back to the US so it's staying right here. Good thing I have E-books. Ah! I'm straying again! Anyway, I am revisiting the world of wizardry and magic that J.K. Rowling created. I am currently re-reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I know, I know, more tears for Dumbledore's death! I am enjoying this book again and I must say I am also looking forward to the movie. However, I still believe that the first two Harry Potter films were the best adaptations to date. Oh, that doesn't mean to say that I love the movies more the the books. Nope. Books are so much better than on-screen adaptations. Well, it is for me, as I can lose myself in my own imaginings and let my imagination run away with me.

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E-booklist

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Books Books BOOKS

These are the books worth looking into....

SILVER ANGEL by Johanna Lindsey

Chantelle Burke fears her life has ended when she's abducted and sold into slavery. The newest addition to the harem of the mighty Pasha, the proud young Englishwoman will never call him "master" or bow to his ruthless will. But her resolve weakens once within the silken splendor of his chambers, when she encounters the breathtakingly handsome, powerfully muscular, and surprisingly tender desert chieftain for the first time. Yet, beneath his exotic eastern garb, the Pasha hides his true identity—one he must conceal at all costs . . . even as he burns to surrender everything to the bewitching Chantelle: his heart, his passion, and his very soul.

LORD OF SCOUNDRELS by Loretta Chase

They call him many names, but Angelic isn't one of them . . .

Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the "Bane and Blight of the Ballisters"—and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He's determined to continue doing what he does best—sin and sin again—and all that's going swimmingly, thank you . . . until the day a shop door opens and she walks in.

She's too intelligent to fall for the worst man in the world . . .

Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she's going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him—and with him, her family and future—means taking on the devil himself, she won't back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is—herself!

UNTOUCHED by Anna Campbell

Beautiful Grace Paget has no reason not to believe these words. After all, she was kidnapped, spirited away to a remote country manor, and told she is to grant this man his every desire . . . or lose her life. But Grace is no common trollop. So she risks everything to save her virtue by planning a daring escape, even though she finds herself tempted by this handsome man. There is something in his eyes that makes her wonder if he is as dangerous as he would have her believe.

Sheene knew nothing of the plan to bring him this woman. Locked up as a prisoner, called "mad" by all of the world, he will do anything to reclaim his life, and Grace's sensuous beauty has distracted him from his goals. And although he finds her irresistible, he is horrified to hold her against her will. Now, together, they must both revolt against the strange set of circumstances that have forced them together—for only then will Grace truly surrender to him . . . forever.

TO WED A HIGHLAND BRIDE by Sarah Gabriel

A reluctant groom . . .

Noble warrior James MacCarran has no desire to venture onto the thorny battlefield of marriage. But his grandmother's will issues an ultimatum—marry or forfeit his rightful inheritance—and now he must find a bride. Only the most ravishing woman could make it worth his while, but when he meets Elspeth MacArthur, she is nothing like he anticipated. Yes, she is beautiful, luminous really, but there is something mysterious about this lass . . . An enchanting bride . . .

Reluctant to leave her Highland home, Elspeth must keep an astonishing secret when unexpected circumstances force her to marry. But as an unseen threat draws ever closer, about to reveal the truth of her life in the mystical Highlands, she soon realizes that her only haven is in James' passionate embrace . . . and that carries the greatest risk of all.

AN AFFAIR BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Eloisa James

Magic under the mistletoe . . .

One spectacular Christmas, Lady Perdita Selby, known to her friends and family as Poppy, met the man she thought she would love forever. The devilishly attractive Duke of Fletcher was the perfect match for the innocent, breathtakingly beautiful young Englishwoman, and theirs was the most romantic wedding she had ever seen. Four years later, Poppy and the duke have become the toast of the ton . . . but behind closed doors the spark of their love affair has burned out.

Unwilling to lose the woman he still lusts after, the duke is determined to win back his beguiling bride's delectable affections . . . and surpass the heady days of first love with a truly sinful seduction.

ONE KNIGHT ONLY by Julia Lantham

She knew she would have to risk her life . . .

Daring and adventurous, Anne Kendall would give anything to join the secret band of warrior knights known as the League of the Blade, and she eagerly agrees to a perilous masquerade. But then Sir Philip Clifford, a reckless, brutally handsome knight, joins their party, bringing back memories of stolen kisses, passionate longings, and one night when she would have done anything to be his.

But not her heart . . .

Anne would prefer to concentrate on the dangerous mission at hand . . . but the glorious, savage passion that begins to develop between her and this unruly warrior may prove him to be the knight of her dreams . . . and her fantasies.

You can find more books at Harper Collins

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The Deathly Hallows

24 hours and a lot of distractions later and the final book is over! I've read it all! Ohhhh, I was practically like a kid on Christmas morning, salivating over the bundles of gifts under the tree just for me! I just can't believe that it's finally over! I never expected some of the things that took place in the book, although I guessed some parts of it right.

Thank God I never listened to all those false rumors circulating through text messages and through the internet! All of those where all wrong!
In this final chapter of Harry, Hermione, and Ron's life, everything has been explained and finally, my questions have been answered! Where did Snape's loyalties lie? Why did he kill Dumbledore? Who is RAB? Did Ron die? Hermione? Harry? (Well! These where the rumors...one of the 3 died...oh well!) Who else will die? What were the reamaining Horcruxes? If Harry lives, will Ginny and Him get back together? Will Ron and Hermione get together? Yes I'm going to answer all these questions! hahahaha SPOILER ALERT! So for those of you who would rather not read further than I suggest you quickly click the close button or click the back button because I'm about to spill the beans! I just can't take this anymore! I'm bursting with the news! So here goes! Remember for those of you who haven't read the book yet you have been given enough warning. SPOILER ahead!

Where did Snape's loyalties lie?
As a matter of fact, Severus Snape was Dumbledore's man! He was indeed spying for Dumbledore and even giving the Drak Lord information about the Order's plans at Dumbledore's request. This is partly because Severus was neighbor's with Lily Evan's long before they ever went to Hogwarts! In fact, it was hinted that they were best of friends! This was revealed when Harry went into Snape's pensieve after Snape was killed by Lord Voldemort and saw bits and pieces of Snape's life. The phrase, "You have you're mother's eyes," really important because this is what made Snape Dumbledore's man. Since Snape was really in love with Lily, now Lily Potter, he begged the Dark Lord that he would not want Lily to be hurt or killed when Voldemort would attack the Potters. Yes, Snape did loathe James but he loved Lily. In another memory, it was revealed that Snape pleaded with Dumbledore to save Lily Potter. Since James trusted Wormtail (Peter Petigrew), their secret keeper, Voldemort was able to penetrate the defenses at Godric's Hallow and kill the Potters, except Harry, of course. Since they died, Dumbledore made a bargain with Snape that they would protect Harry because of what Lily did - she died trying to save Harry. Dumbledore also let slip that Harry has "his mother's eyes" which, for me, cinched the deal for me. It was also later revealed, via the pensieve, that Snape was actually getting to be fond of Harry, although he kept seeing bits of James in Harry and his hate resurfaced. Snape died in the Shrieking Shack, killed by Voldemort with Harry under the invisibility cloak a witness to his death. When Voldemort departed the shack soon after, Harry approached Snape and his last words where "look at me." I believe Snape was seeing Lily again, through Harry's eyes.

Why did he (Snape) kill Dumbledore?
This was because of Dumbledore's orders! How amazing is that?! In the Half Blood Prince, Dumbledore was begging Snape and calling out "Severus..." in a weak voice because it meant that it was time for Snape to do his job and kill him. It was revealed again through the pensieve that Dumbledore only had about a year left to live because of what happened whan he destroyed the Gaunt ring, Voldemort's Horcrux. It was at this time that Dumbledore realized that the ring was indeed a Resurection Stone, one of the Deathly Hallows. This stone would enable the dead to live again but not as a complete human or a ghost. It was described that they would be more or less like Inferi but not evil, depending on the bearer of the stone. This book revealed the hidden life of Albus Dumbledore and what he was before he became the greatest wizard. In fact, Dumbledore was friends with the evil wizard Grindelwald who he defeated (as stated in the chocolate frog card). It was during this time, after Dumbledore's mother Kendra died that he met Grindelwald (he was Bathilda Bogshot's nephew) in Dumbledore's hometown Godric's Hallow (eh? Harry lived there, too!). Because they were both exceptional wizards and around the same age, so they became fast friends. It was at this point in Dumbledore's life that they sought out the Deahtly Hallows, the three objects that would conquer Death itself. These object where the Invisibility Cloak (Harry's!), the Resurection Stone (Marvolo Gaunt), and the Elder Wand (Dumbledore's own wand after he defeated Grindelwald). Aberforth, Albus' brother was also mentioned (he is the bar keeper at Hog's Head) because he saved Harry's life two times! Albus and Aberforth's life as brothers were also revealed (in Rita Skeeter's biography of Dumbledore which was surprisingly true). Dumbledore's sister Ariana was also mentioned because she became quite mad when Muggles attacked her when she was still a child and performed magic unknowingly. This was also the reason why Albus's father got sent to Azkaban where he later died, because he killed the 3 Muggle boys who terrorized his daughter. I mentioned this because his sister is precisely why Dumbledore refused to become Minister of Magic, and why Dumbledore died. Dumbledore confided to Harry (this was when Harry was hit by Voldemort before the final battle began) that he blamed himself for Ariana's death. He wasn't sure which of them killed her (Grindelwald, Aberforth, and Albus where involved in a duel). It was at this point that Dumbledore realized that he was not the person to have authority or power because he himself craved power. This was also why he died - because he wore the Gaunt ring, Voldemorts Horcrux, which was also the Resurection Stone. I think he wore it because of guilt. He wanted to say he was sorry to his parents and his sister about what happened. He blamed himself for their deaths. The story was sketchy after that but it was revealed that Snape treated Dumbledore and told him that the curse was very powerful and would grow more powerful as time went buy until it would consume him. So basically, Dumbledore signed his own death warant. Dumbledore ordered Snape to kill him (as what happened in Book 6) when the time was right for him to die. This was also precisely why Dumbledore taught Harry about the Horcruxes.

Who is R.A.B.?
R.A.B. is in fact Regulus Arcturus Black! Serius' own brother, the Death Eater! It was revealed that after joining the Death Eater's he regretted his decision and decided to fool Voldemort! It was then decided that he would volunteer his house elf, Kreacher as ginea pig to Voldemort's Horcrux, the one in the middle of the lake. It was Kreacher who drank the liquid before Voldemort placed the necklace inside and left Kreacher there. Since Regulus knew about this, he summoned his elf back and hatched a plan to steal the Horcrux and destroy it. As explained by Dumbledore, Voldemort never realized that an elf could escape his defenses since he never thought about those beneath him which was a wrong move on Voldemort's part. Anyway, Regulus went back into the cave with Kreacher and drank the poison, asked Kreacher to take the necklace and then replace it with a fake one with a note that he took it (see Book 6). He ordered Kreacher to destroy it and leave him there to die. Of course the Horcux cannot be destroyed by anything except those rare and magical stuff (ha! I forgot what they where! I can only remember that a Basilisk Venom and Godric Griffyndoor's sword could destroy it). Anyway, the locket wasn't destroyed and was stolen by Mandungus and was bought by Umbridge!

Will Rone, Hermione, Harry die?
No of course not! And I don't need to elaborate on that! Although, they never went back to school and they were part of Dumbledore's will. Harry got a snitch, Ron got a Deluminator, and Hermione got a book of Children's Stories. All these will prove crucial and relevant to the defeat of Voldemort and the recovery of the Deathly Hallows.

Who else will die?
I'll just list down all the characters mentioned in the previous books. There where deaths of new characters but I'll just concentrate on the old ones.
Hedwig, Harry's bird, died when he was leaving Number 4 Privet Drive
Alastor "Mad-eye" Moody
Dobby the house elf
Tonks
Remus Lupin
Colin Creevy
Fred Weasley

What where the remaining Horcuxes?
The first of the Horcruxes where the Diary, the Gaunt ring, the necklacem and Nagini the snake. All of these were mentioned in the previos books.
The 5th Horcrux was Hufflepuff's cup which was locked inside the Lestrange's vault at Gringott's where Harry, Ron, and Hermione stole it.
The 6th Horcux was Ravenclaw's Tiara hidden at Hogwarts in the Room of Requirement.
The 7th and final Horcrux is Harry! It was during the fight at Godric's Hallow that a part of Voldemort's soul attached to Harry. This was the reason why Harry could see into the thoughts of Voldemort (this has been happening quite frequently in this book but this was also to Harry's advantage). the Horcrux Harry was defeated when he submitted himself to Voldemort and was killed! But there was a flaw! Harry wasn't killed at all! It was Voldemort's soul that was in Harry that was destroyed! As revealed in Book 4 (The Goblet of Fire), Voldemort took Harry's blood. He didn't know that Harry was still protected by his mother. Remember, Lily gave her life for Harry and Harry's blood was already inside Voldemort. He didn't realize this because he didn't understand love. When Harry gave himself up to Voldemort and submitted himself to be killed so that no one else would die on his behalf, he also did what his mother did. He protected all the poeople at Hogwarts. Again, Harry didn't die because it was Voldemort's soul that was destroyed because Voldemort still coundn't kill Harry because Harry's blood was inside Voldemort's.

If Harry lives, will Ginny and Harry get back together? Will Ron and Hermione get together?
Actually, the Epilogue happened 19 years later. Harry indeed married Ginny and they had three kids. The eldest is named James. The second is named Albus Severus (he also had Lily's eyes!). The youngest is named Lily. Ron and Hermione also got married and had two kids: Rose and Hugo. It was also during the war that Remus and Tonks gave birth to a son Teddy. Even though they died, they still left a son with Harry being the Godfather!

Okay! that's it! For now! I still need time to digest what I just read plus I still have to make NCPs and FHPs and prepare for our SHT tomorrow! Whew! What a life! Oh well....as Albus said.... FOR THE GREATER GOOD....

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Tornado of Souls

Hmmm my Harry Potter clock has gone haywire (see above)! Please spare me the details because Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is already out! Now this is a time where I hate, hate, hate my small and sometimes insignificant? town of Dumzville! Just think! We're ages behind in premiere's plus our theaters really suck, BIG TIME! But whatever! I just want to see the movie. I just can't wait!

Anywhoo, National Bookstore just opened a mere onth ago and get this, I already reserved my HP7! Whew! What a relief! This beats having to wait about 2 months for a copy from Barnes and Noble! Okay okay, so I'm a 23 year old who still reads kids books but hey, it's not just me! It's just that this Harry Potter phenomenon has taken the world by storm and it seems that I've been carried along with it. Oh well, that's life I guess....just living it as I see fit...

I also got a copy of Barry Trotter and the Unnecessary Sequel by Michael Gerber last week but I haven't even started reading yet. The only thing I would spill is that Barry and Ermine are married (Okay fine! I bought the wrong book! I should've bought Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody, but it's already marked in stone..errmmm it's a you break it you buy it thing...)! Hahahaha get the analogy peeps? All you H heart H fans out there should read this parody because it has already been established that H heart R are going to be together... hrrrmmmm I already saw the sparks fly between those two since book one (oh, and I don't mean Harry and Ron! Hahahaha)

So it's 5 days for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

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Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody

Now, you guys know how I love Harry Potter....and so while I was avoiding the Level IV Assembly last Monday (I really HATE these assemblies! They are totally a waste of my time AND energy), I stumbled upon an amazing find! It's this little book called Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody by Michael Berger. Ha! That's what playing hooky will do to you - you find extremely useless, but I believe, priceless finds! And this one is no exception.

Since everyone is so familiar with J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, I'd like to tell you a little more about Barry Trotter. Barry Trotter is a parody of the popular Harry Potter series that I mentioned before. This really caught my eye because of the name Barry Trotter. I picked up the book, since it almost looked like Harry Potter and started reading the synopsis which really captivated my interrest. Since I am also a fan of parodies (I really enjoy reading the Mad Magazine, watching shows like Mad TV, Saturday Night Live, and other comedy series on TV), I immediately searched the web (how convenient, I love the world wide web!) and found the website for Barry Trotter. There have already been three books published in this series and I intend to get a box set for the price of three (nice one Mike Gerber!) Hehehehe just visit the website and see for yourself. I already enjoyed reading the first chapter and I am looking forwards to purchasing the book and finish reading it.

For more info, Barry Trotter's website is http://www.barrytrotter.com

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