The Story Of Us by Deb Caletti

I don't like whiny books (or whiny people for that matter). Even when the narrator was saying, "that's beautiful" it felt like she was still complaining. Add up the Dear Janssen parts which were completely unnecessary. I didn't mind that he only "appeared" for 30seconds in the end of the story but the letters were really ... annoying and the most whiny part.

To be fair it had its good and funny moments, thus, 3 stars. You can easily fall in love with this crazy family and Cricket's dilemma is something that most people can easily relate to. I think that's what pulls people to read the book. I also liked the "forever" quotes.

But maybe I would've liked it better without the letters. And also if it was less whiny.

The Seed and Other Fairy Tales by Joseph Hillenbrand ...100th book of the year :)

This is a writing debut, from what I gather, and when an author releases a book it's important not only to get exposure but also get the right audience. I'm big on short stories so I was ecstatic when I found out I was getting a free copy for review. Early this year, I took to reading adaptations of fairy tales (sleeping beauty and belle made into modern women and snow white and red riding hood in erotica) which I got bored of after a while. The Seed & Other Fairy Tales, however, is sort of a breath of fresh air.
Most reviews said this is a collection of quirky tales and after reading Unwished and Applebite, I had to agree. It would leave you thinking. These tales are dark. I was expecting some would be twisted too, although there is no promise of that in the blurb. Twisted just sometimes comes with dark lol. Broken down:

The Seed is a mix of traditional fairy tale and the modern world that won't be out of place in the original Grimm tales.

Unwished left me feeling too slow and unworthy haha. I'm really confused. SPOILER! Did the woman eat the rabbit (hasenpfeffer), the frog (cuisse de grenouille) and the fishes [smoothie - (yuck)]? Or did she bring them to the park because she knew the guy she fancies was going to be there and show off by granting the one wish he had (whatever that is)? 

The Girl in the Forest is one of my favorites. I liked how the man found out what the girl wants from each creature without being told what they were and the text don't say what those are (bluntly) too.

Two and One is pretty basic and funny. Of all the stories, this one might be most appropriate for children. I don't think the collection as a whole is suitable for kids. This is more of a fairy tale collection for older people.

Calimire is mostly a love story ... right? This is the more "traditional" fairy tale with evil step moms and love conquering all stuff.

My All ... talk about unpunished good deeds.

Hunger Pangs OMG I LOVE THIS. It's the shortest of the collection, I think. But the prose, the meaning behind each word, the literature ... gaaaah

Applebite ... when I dream the details are vivid. And random. And weird. Applebite reminds me of my subconscious. I don't know what to make of the ending, though.

Sand Castles is one of my favorites. I thought this would be a feel good kind of story, but alas. Lol. But I liked the ending.

In general, the prose is simple and ... fairy tale-ish. Lol. There are pretty good quotes in this book, that I highlighted on my Kindle and I was so sure that some would already be on Goodreads but looks like I have to add it myself. Speaking of quotes, it kind of reminds me of the first (and only) Paolo Coelho book (Mahktub) that I read ... but in a good way. Because, unlike the other one I actually enjoyed the seed. I would have finished this sooner if I wasn't so busy. It's a very easy and quick read.

So thanks for this, Mr. Hillenbrand. I think you just gained yourself a fan. Lol.

---

In other news, this is my 100th book for 2013. :)

Inferno by Dan Brown

I don't have a lot to say about this except it's a bit predictable and so ... Hollywood. My major issue would be the need for an intelligent and attractive leading lady in every Langdon story. A different one in each book too. It's like I'm reading about a nerd James Bond. Saving the world from terrorism while running around with a leading lady. Except this one isn't adept with firearms.

I know a lot of people don't like Dan Brown's prose. I don't really mind. I liked his twists in the previous books but this one, not so much. It dragged and dragged only to give a weak twist towards the end. It paled in comparison to The Lost Symbol and Angels and Demons.

I think part of Robert Langdon's appeal to me is that I can actually read about history and literature and the arts in a less ... boring way. Lol.

Christmas Rush playlist (and random ... ranting)

Let's do vocabulary, shall we? Nothing fancy. Just something made-up in line with the holidays.

This usually starts around November, sometimes earlier, and can extend up to February, being Valentines and all. It's funny when you think about it. It's not when you actually experience it. Like every year it's okay to get some "hi's" and "how are you's". But it's not okay to get "i'll be in town next week" and "you're single now? wow me too!".

Seriously? You can't like a person occasionally. Only because it's Christmas and you're lonely. It's either you like a person or not.

Anyhooooooo, I made a playlist. Originally, a friend made a Christmas Rush playlist for me (for all the men I've loved before, ha! jk). I thought I'd make one now because, well, I just received messages this morning from a couple ... people ... from ... a life I left behind.

In no particular order:

• Shame For You by Lily Allen

"Oh my gosh you must be joking me
If you think that you'll be poking me"
--seriously

• These Boots Are Made For Walking by Nancy Sinatra

"I just found me a brand new box of matches
And what he knows you ain't had time to learn"
--start walking

• You Don't Know Me by Ben Folds

"If I'm the person that you think I am
Clueless chump you seem to think I am
So easily led astray
An errant dog who occasionally escapes 
and needs a shorter leash then,
Why the fuck would you want me back?"
--maybe it's because you don't know me at all? heh

• The Party by Regina Spektor

"You taste like birthday, you look like new year
You're like a big parade through town
You leave such a mess, but you're so fun"
--so ... nope. never again. lol.

• Ring-a-Ling by BEP

"Cause if I call you at 2 in the morning
It only means one thing"
--ah ... those 2am calls

• Don't Cha by Colbie Calliat

"See you don't care but I, I don't wanna share"
--erm ... yeah

• Warm Water by Banks

"I got this thing for you
If you come closer I can whisper in your ear"
--tease, i know

• Temporary One by Susie Suh

"I was your second-hand
And you were just my temporary one"
--admit it! ADMIT IT!!! :p

• In The Moonlight by Susie Suh

"All we got is this moment
And I say we own it"
-- ...hey, You :(

• Why Can't I by Liz Phair

"Got a girlfriend you say it isn't right
And I got someone waiting too"
--argh! You again! :(

• 9 Crimes by Damien Rice

"It's the wrong kind of place to be cheating on you
It's the wrong time she's pulling me through
It's a small crime, and I got no excuse
--i really don't have any, sorry

• Vacation by The Go-Gos

"When you looked at me, I should have run
But I thought it was just for fun"
--i should have known

• Don't Call Me Baby by Madison Avenue

"You know I don't belong to you"
--i belong to me

• How You Like Me Now by The Heavy

"If I was to cheat, would you see right through me?"
--i see you're checking out my instagram