It was during my OJT that I decided to leaf through some pages again since the work was pretty boring, especially during mornings. So the first book I read that time was The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. As usual, Mr. Brown never fails to leave my mouth hanging in awe. A two-thumbs up yet again.

That’s how I got myself wanting more, and more. I even got the chance to read Looking for Alaska by John Green. Finally. After many months of looking for a copy. Then, I found out it was banned. I mean, come on, you people. Banning this book is so ridiculous that I want to make an appeal. It had powerful writing. Fascinating in its ways. This isn’t “pornographic” and not intended to shock readers, but simply to explore teen sexuality. I even think that Julie Garwood’s books contain more sensitive scenes than this one. Looking for Alaska was a remarkably intelligent book and managed to rise above the condescension that teen novels usually have. I can’t help but appreciate the depth that this novel had shown. It’s apparently one of my favorites. I love how it explores life and death.

Finally, my most recent read. The Hunger Games trilogy, only that the third and last installment is yet to be released this August. The first two books are awesome. Fascinating. Remarkable. Hands down to Suzanne Collins’ originality and creativity. I’m not sure if there’s a similar story with this trilogy, but I doubt it since I had never encountered one. And I tell you, bookworms, you’ll regret not giving these books a chance. It’s too riveting, if not amazing, to put down.

I seriously can’t wait for August 24. I’m dying to know the aftermath of their defiance to the Capitol. Katniss. Gale. Peeta. Haymitch. Finnick. Et cetera. And, yes, I was so thrilled when I searched The Hunger Games on imdb.com

Yes, I have an acquired passion for books [excluding the academic ones, unfortunately]. I don’t know when I started liking these stuff. Grade school, maybe.

I remember, when I was just a little kid, I had this Dr. Seuss book entitled “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”. It is an illustrative rhyming book for beginners with a freewheeling plot about a boy and a girl, and the amazing creatures as their friends and pets. I was so fond of the book, even until now, that I really memorized some parts by heart. One of my favorites was…

Some are sad. And some are glad. And some are very, very bad.

Why are they sad and glad and bad? I do not know. Go ask your dad.

Some are thin. And some are fat.

The fat one has a yellow hat.

From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere.

That was when I was small. And, as I extended my horizon, I discovered more. From Julie Garwood to Sidney Sheldon [who now Rocks In Perpetuity], to Ken Follet, to Nora Roberts, to JD Salinger, to Jane Austen, to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and a whole lot more. I sometimes consider these as my guilty pleasures because I love books to the bones, but I overspend at times. Haha! Oh well… I can’t blame myself. Yes, no one should be blaming someone for satisfying his/her fire in the belly…

Oh yeah! Like, today. Ha ha! Gahd! This afternoon, a package arrived, containing the two items I purchased from avalon.ph. And last week [by 090409], National Bookstore left me Php268 short. Actually, it was supposed to be Php335, but they’re having this “CUT PRICE Book Sale” Haha! Irresistible XD So, for this month, I got 3 books […and counting. LOL]

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes & Oranges are not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

Sidney Sheldon’s Mistress of the Game by Tilly Bagshawe

You, book-lover, should check avalon.ph. It’s where you can find rare books for less :)) I am also amazed with the site owner. He responds immediately to my queries. I love it XD

Nothing’s permanent. Not even death.

Quite a quote to start with, eh? That is actually a Johnny-Depp-line. Oh yes! Really, it is. And I’m getting all excited.

Yesterday, I was browsing through PerezHilton’s site and one post got my attention. It was the “First Trailer Of Heath Ledger’s Last Film!” This information is kinda new to me because I really thought that The Dark Knight was his last. I don’t usually read the whole article on Perez’s site since it is mostly shitty, but this one got me. Ha ha ha! That’s not the best part yet…(or, at least, for me!)

As I read the remainder of the article, this was what I found: “.…stars Jude Law, Johnny Depp, & Colin Farrell, who all stepped in for Heath after his death.”

That just about made my day. Ha ha ha! I know I’m being silly. But I just love JD. He’s a good person. He learns from his mistakes. And he’s a magnificent actor, making every character he portrays comes to life.

So, back to the film, it is entitled The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. It’s a fantasy film. I searched for some info over the WWW. And I’d like to share the plot:

In the present day, immortal 1,000-year-old Doctor Parnassus leads a traveling theatre troupe—including a sleight of hand expert, Anton, and a dwarf, Percy—that offers audience members a chance to go beyond reality through a magical mirror in his possession^. Parnassus had been able to guide the imagination of others through a deal with the Devil, who now comes to collect on the arrangement, targeting the doctor’s daughter. The troupe, which is joined by a mysterious outsider named Tony (portrayed by Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell)^, embark through parallel worlds to rescue the girl. –from here.

Right then, I decided to watch this film. It’s not only because JD’s part of it… I love fantasy films. It somehow gives our imagination a little time to play. From the trailer below, you can see how visually breathtaking it is. Enjoy!

Fun Facts:

• He will be playing the iconic vampire, Barnabas Collins, in Dark Shadows (the next Tim Burton film). But the production of this movie will have to wait until Johnny finishes the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean.
• During a Christie’s auction of entertainment items, Edward Scissorhands’ scissorhands was one of the top earners, selling for an astounding $16,000!!!
• Martin Scorsese is set to helm an authorized biopic of Frank Sinatra and….. Universal’s first choice for the role is the talented Johnny Depp.

More movies to come as well! Woohoo!