The Fireman by Joe Hill

Oxytocin. Social interaction. Empathy. Attachment. Emotional memories. I loved the concept of how a certain hormone that is responsible for so many positive human emotions can be turned into a scary sci-fi/horror disease stimulant because it's not really far from the truth. I'm not talking about spontaneous combustion but the fact that oxytocin triggers protective instincts but can also trigger possessive and demanding attitude. It turns belief into obsession. It promotes social connection but can also be the reason for mob mentality. Moral of the story? Individualism, ladies and gentlemen. Okay I kid but you get the gist. It's something so positive but if you don't get a good grip at it it can turn sideways very easily.

The story sort of mimicked Harry Potter in a sense that it covered tyranny and I thought it was brilliant how two stories can tackle the same issue in two very different, very elaborate ways.

I mentioned HP because the author dedicated it to J.K. Rowling. Now, I can't tell if reading the inscription helped me understand the book or if the fact ruined it for me. Don't get me wrong, I love J.K. Rowling and the HP series but I found there's too much reference to it and most of them I found ... off. Also, I'm not sure why the title is Fireman. Shouldn't it be Harper?

I loved this book as well, hence the 4 stars, but I would've given it more if not for the constant mention of Dumbledore and other works of British authors. It's like the author wanted the story to revolve around books but not really so he only did it half-heartedly throwing in a title or a character whenever he seemed appropriate. Except it didn't seem appropriate for me. But that's just me.

Love is Red (Nightsong Trilogy #1) by Sophie Jaff

I always thought great story telling is better than a great plot. I haven't met a book that proved me wrong. Take this book for example. Some parts were told in first person and some in second. Yes, second person. I mean who does that?! In fiction no less! I understand how the book is told in different perspectives and for some books that can work. The story telling has to be full proof, though. And whose voice does the second person story telling belong to? If that's not enough there are a couple of chapters towards the end that were told in third person. I blame artistic freedom. If you can get over the constant switching of voices you might like this.

Or not. Because Love is Red had such great potential if it didn't try to put so many ideas in one book. The birth of Jesus Christ and the alien wise man (I SHIT YOU NOT), some Wiccan tale which didn't really relate to the ... colors (don't even get me started with this), and of course the main mystery. This is the first book of a trilogy, if I might add. I got more questions than answers when I'm done. I'm hoping these will be clarified in the next two instalments, not that I'm holding my breath for those. Okay sorry but the colors ... the colors should've at least been mentioned at the beginning not in the middle with no explanations whatsoever. I'm not saying the writing isn't good.

It is ... for the most part. I wouldn't finish it if not. And I also kind of understand why this is in first and second person because there are a couple of chapters written in 3rd person and this is how one sounded like: 

Chapter 28: The woman opens her eyes. Her eyes are open in the darkness. It is too dark in here.

I rest my case.

Random Ramblings On The Beginning of 2018

A popular photo blogger recently announced he is coming over to the PH to gather content and feature "random" people in the country as he did on his own. Great. Awesome, actually. And honestly.

He reached out to social media and asked for resumes and references because he needed an interpreter to help with this project. I understand that Filipinos are a proud and competitive race. I think this is why there were so many people who said that this guy doesn't need an interpreter. Apparently every Filipino speaks English. Partly true. Most Filipinos know some English to be able to help a brother out.

But here's the difference between people who feel they are significant when they post something online and people who knows the shit they post online: They know that (proper) research and meticulous analysis is the best way to gain credibility. So hey, if they have resources why stop them from getting what they need.

When you want to gather content to present to people with the intent of informing and not just making yourself look like a know-it-all influencer, you do not just look at something, hear 2 words about it and decide you already have it figured out. And then tell the world wide web you got it figured out. More than experiencing things (because everyone knows if you've experienced it once you are an expert? -- lol), responsible people actually think before opening their mouths (or in the case of social media, before typing three letters on a comment box).

I've said this before and I'll say it again, it's very easy to make content but there's a TON of gullible people online. Some people believe everything they read online -- I mean a few minutes ago I just Googled DIY frothy milk because I wanted a cappuccino and I'm too lazy to walk a couple blocks to the nearest Starbucks and all I have at home is drip coffee and some full cream fresh milk. I followed the instructions online because it said "full proof" ... just saying.