This is the cover of my ebook

Rating:  * * * *

I wanted to give this a 5 out 5 star rating because I really enjoyed the book. Proof of that is the length of time it took me to finish the book: 2 days. That's despite of the fact that I have an 8-5 job and a total of 4 hours commute to contend with.

However, I have some reservations about the it. Yeah, it was quite funny and entertaining. The premise of the story is a bit different from the paranormal novels I've read so far. And the characters are very likeable.

Charley was snarky, witty, apparently beautiful, and a grim reaper. Yeah, kind of reminds me of, first, Bleach (you know, soul reaper), second, Grimm the TV series. But they have totally different takes on the reaper job. Me, I always thought they collect souls, in a bad kind of way (read: Grim).

Meanwhile, Reyes--I know, I know it's a funny name, add that to being Filipino where Reyes is a common surname rather than a first name--was as mysterious as they come. Nothing is known about him except for that brief encounter with Charley some 10 years ago. And he's been described as dark, tall, brooding, and super hot. In fact, I can imagine him as looking like this:

Actor Jason Behr

And if that is not proof enough that most of those who read the book are probably in love with him, how about this image that's on the Internet:


Ok, Reyes Farrow is hot. But that didn't make me like the book more. :D

I just thought that, as one review in Goodreads said, a thousand wisecracks does not make a novel. And I agree with that. It was amusing at first, but if every bit of thought and comment that pops out of Charley is a wisecrack, where is the fun in that? After a while it got a little too old. Makes you wonder if someone really can think that way EVERY FREAKIN' TIME.

And I just cringed at the almost end part when Charley was describing the universe and et al being formed. Ack. Skipped most of it. It was way too cheezy for me.

Anyway, I think it's a good first novel of the series, and I wouldn't mind grabbing the second, third, fourth...wait. Is there are 6th book already? Hmmm.

Ok, it's been a while since I've written anything. Lately, or just late last week, I've been fangirling on SHINee--a 5-man boyband from South Korea. I'm not new to K-pop, but I wasn't a fan either. I like J-pop more, which is probably because of the animes I watch. :D

I've always wanted a tree house. But here in the Philippines, it's not really a common thing to have, especially when you live in the city. The closest I've come to a tree house is in our province in Pangasinan. The old house of my uncle was a typical bahay kubo where the first floor was open space where you can keep your chickens and other stuff.

A typical Bahay Kubo in the Philippines

I loved that house. It was cool, airy, and it was shaded with trees. The floors were made of bamboo slats from which you can see the open first floor. I remember many days with my cousins when we used to scrounge for pukak (for the life of me, I don't know what this fruit seed really is called, I just know this is what we call it) seeds and my auntie would roast them while we wait on the dining table. Good times. Happy good times.

Anyway, going back to tree houses. This one I found on the Internet takes the cake. It's not just a tree house you play in with friends. It can totally be a real house - just up in the trees. It's really idyllic and I can see myself reading a gazillion books and writing novels and drinking coffee and doing crafts and baking...yeah, all those homey things I like to do but don't have the time for.

This makes me wish we had a big tree and space in our yard...

From Apartment Therapy

I accidentally came across the sister-duo Karmina when I watched a clip of Tony and Ziva on Youtube. The song used for the clip was Karmina's The Kiss, which I instantly loved. I, of course, searched for more of their songs and was very happy to discover their great music, which they're calling Sparkle Rock. I dunno what that is at the moment, but I like it.

They do remind me of Jennifer Paige (of the "Sober" and "Always You" fame), especially in the song Slow Down. Take a listen here.

But they also have great slow (and melancholy, IMHO) songs like Inside of You and Walk You Home.

Find out more about Karmina and their great music here:

I remember buying a tub of shortbread cookies dipped in milk chocolate at Costco whenever I visit my relatives in California. For a time, I was also able to purchase the same shortbread cookies at a local membership warehouse S&R here in the Philippines. Sadly, I can't find them here anymore. =(

However, there are a few other stores where I can get my chocolate shortbread cookie fix. But sometimes, I'd like to be able to try other variations of this delicate biscuit, like this Meyer Lemon Shortbread Cookie from Tiny Urban Kitchen.