Month: August 2017
My life in books
Reading has been my past time in a long time. Growing up in the province my access to reading materials when I was a kid is very limited but I was contented with reading the short stories in my English and Filipino textbooks. In high school, I now have access to fiction books from the school library. Most of the books in the library are the classics and literary novels. These were required reading and we have to make book reports so reading them became a chore and not enjoyable. Until I found out about the Choose Your Own Adventure Books. I pretty much enjoyed those books. In college I may have forgotten reading for pleasure. Even if I had time to read, the college library does not carry fiction novels. The only time I enjoyed reading is from reading the comics collection of a friend. I remember reading issues of X-Men, X-Factor, Superman, and D.P. 7.
My interest in reading returned when I chanced upon a battered book when I already started working. It does not have a cover and the story is set on a world where technology is based on organic materials and not on metals. The story intrigued me and I kept on reading the book during my down time. Too bad I can’t remember the title of the story or who wrote it. This book showed me that my genre of choice is science fiction (or speculative fiction in general).
Since I am already working (meaning I have the means) and staying in the city (meaning I have the access), I can now buy my own reading materials. The bookstore is like a candy store! Too many books to choose from. The bookstore also introduced me to Star Trek original novels and media tie-in books in general. This is also the time that I started buying comic books, mostly from the X-Men line. And then I discovered used books stores. The books are dirt cheap. Then I started hording. I also branched to magazines by this point.
It came to a point that I acquire 5 but only finishing 2 then acquiring a new batch again. I realized that this a problem when I moved apartments more than 3 times now. I now have a book buying ban: buy one paperback book at most in a month. I am now shifting to electronic books and digital comics. Also a recent development, listening to audio books. I am pretty much becoming format agnostic as long as I like the story. In the next few months, I will try to unload my paperback books. (Cue Elsa, “let it go, let it go…”)
I have a bad habit of starting a book but not finishing it or reading multiple books at a time. Also when I read a book, I pretty much jump to another book immediately. I do not give myself enough time to reflect on the book I read. When someone asks me how I see the book, all I can say is “I liked it” or “not liked it” with no further elaboration. I would like to change that. Well, I tried it before but the only word that can describes my attempt to write reviews is “terse”. Most actually fits as a tweet.
How should I do it? I asked myself. I need a structure. So I made one that I hope I can follow (I might also use these guide questions as section headings).
1. Why did you pick this up?
2. What is it?
3. What is it all about? (for non-fiction)/What happened? (for fiction)
4. Did you liked it?
5. Would you recommend it?
There you go, a book review for at least 5 sentences!
I will also do a status update on the first 10% placing my initial impression of the book. And on the 20% mark or after 50 pages (whichever comes first), I will evaluate if I need to proceed reading. If I will DNF the book (short for did-not-finish), I will post a status update as to why and if I there is chance that I might revisit the book in the near future.
I now have a plan for this book blog. I hope I can stick with it. Crossing fingers.
Review: A Darker Shade of Magic (2015) by V.E. Schwab
I am fascinated with the many worlds concept both in theoretical physics and fictional worlds. To read recently released paperback books (I usually buy used books released years ago), I picked up A Darker Shade of Magic. I wanted to know how the concept of parallel worlds is used in a fantasy setting. Previously, I read fantasy stories with only two worlds, the mundane and the magical. Now I get to read four worlds in one.
A Darker Shade of Magic is the first of a trilogy written by V.E. Schwab. This is my first book from her. This book was first released in 2015.
This is the story of Kell, one of the few remaining Antari. They are magicians that can traverse in between worlds. There are four worlds with one thing in common: all have a city named London. These Londons are designated by color: Gray, Red, White, and Black. Kell is from Red London. He grew up with the royal family but was not a part of it. He considers Prince Rhy, his brother. Officially, Kell is the ambassador to the White and Gray London. (Traveling to the Black London is forbidden.) Unofficially, he is a smuggler for items only found in other Londons. One day, he came across a dangerous artifact that, in the wrong hand, could be used to destroy the walls separating the Londons. He crosses paths with Lila, the pickpocket from Gray London, and together, they set things the right way.
Kell is the best-written character. Other characters, including the antagonists, are not as much. I liked how the differences of the Londons were written. I, as the reader, can easily tell which London is which. The plot lines are tied in the end. I can end reading now or pick up the next books.
I recommend this book for those who like to mix and match their genres. I haven’t read the blurbs of the next books, but I will pick them up, but not anytime soon.
Rating: 
Next in the Shades of Magic series:
: https://promdigeek.blog/2017/08/15/review-a-darker-shade-of-magic-2015-by-v-e-schwab/
I hate to admit it; 36w na naman ang pants ko.
Calm the mind.