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[avidreaderdiary]

This Week on Bookstagram 01 | 10th-16th June 2018

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[joywithinbooks-blog]

The Twilight era introduced me to so many vampire series but the Morganville Vampire series is by far my favorite. Even though the series has ended, I'm always reading the books over and over again. I love the dilemma, growth, and comedy portrayed through the main characters. It wasn't until the last couple of books that Caine would write in a way that would keep me at the edge of my seat. (SPOILER) Like the way Claire died and how Shane almost killed himself thinking he couldn't get her back. It broke my heart. What's your favorite vampire series? #morganvillevampires #claireandshane #biteclub #rachelcaine #vampire #fictionbooks #bookstagram #bookish #weeklybookstagram #bibliophile #minimalistic #milkandcookies

[kammartinez]

For the #weeklybookstagram challenge by @bookaddictsguide, 07/11 - 07/17. Theme: Bright & Bold. 

People tend to think that nonfiction - especially scientific nonfiction - is dull and dry, but really, it's all a matter of finding the right author. A really nice cover helps, too ;). And of course, poetry is always lovely - especially so when it comes bound in such a beautiful cover. 

Books featured: #ThisisImprobableToo by #MarcAbrahams - a collection of short scientific research stories from the archive the man who founded the Ig Nobel Prize. Who said serious scientific research couldn't be funny? 

#Gulp by #MaryRoach - a tour of the human digestive system, done in extremely fun and hilarious style by the inimitable Mary Roach (her latest book, #Grunt, is already available in bookstores). 

#TheViolinistsThumb by #SamKean - a lovely ramble through the past, present, and future of human biology, and a whole lot more besides. Kean takes the same approach as Roach, but his style is slightly different. Still eminently readable and entertaining though. 

#TheBigRedBook trans. by Coleman Barks - a collection of the poetry of Sufi mystic Rumi, who is hands-down one of my favorite poets ever. It's lovely to open the book at random every now and then and discover some gorgeous new jewel of language and imagery.

[kammartinez]

For the #weeklybookstagram challenge by @bookaddictsguide, 07/05 - 07/10. Theme: Book and Sunglasses. 

This is yet another prompt that doesn't quite slot in with what's currently happening on my side of the world right now, because though it's intended to be a very summery prompt, it is in fact the monsoon season here in the Philippines. It might be sunny in the mornings, but by the afternoon the skies turn gray and rain starts to fall. 

Nevertheless, it's also a good time to reminisce on the summer gone by (which in my country tends to happen around March to early June), hence I pulled out one of my favorite sunglasses and paired it with #TheUnitedStatesofJapan by #PeterTieryas, which I'm about to start reading. However, because it does tend to rain in the afternoons, I've also decided to include one of my favorite teacups, which is a lovely container for a warm cup of oolong to accompany my reading while I listen to the thunder roll in and the rain pattering against the window.

[lgbtqreads]

Happy 4th, America! #lgbtqreads #lgbtq #bookstagram #weeklybookstagram #bookflag

[kammartinez]

For the #weeklybookstagram challenge by @bookaddictsguide, 06/27-07/04. Theme: Red, White, and Blue. . Contemplating the theme "Red, White, and Blue" was an interesting exercise, to say the least - primarily because I am not American: I'm Filipino. Given the fact that the Americans took away my country's independence and turned us into a colony in the early 1900s (only granting us our independence on, ironically, July 4, 1946), it is easy to understand the cognitive dissonance I experience in participating in this particular prompt, which celebrates the moment when the US won it's independence from Britain. 

However, I've decided that this also presents me with an opportunity to celebrate my own people's writing: a chance to promote to the wider world the creative talent of my people - and perhaps to remind Americans of their own history, to show them that their celebration of freedom is not as simple as they might think or wish it to be. After all, if my people write and speak in English, it is because of American colonization. 

The books presented are: 

#SmallerandSmallerCircles by #FHBatacan - an award-winning crime thriller that was available in the Philippines in the early 2000s but is now available worldwide in an expanded form. There's a movie adaptation in the works as well. 

#Boneshepherds by #PatrickRosal - I haven't yet read Rosal's poetry, but I am excited to do so. Reviewers say he writes in a musical, rhythmic style. Boneshepherds is his latest collection, if I'm not mistaken. 

#ZsaZsaZaturnnah by #CarloVergara - a hilarious graphic novel about a gay hairdresser who becomes a superhero. It is a love letter to and a parody of the Filipino superheroine Darna, the Filipino answer to Wonder Woman. This is unfortunately unavailable in English, but maybe a publisher in the US will pick it up and bring it over in translation. In the meantime, non-Tagalog readers are advised to find Filipino friends to help them read and understand the nuances of this graphic novel.

[kammartinez]

For the #weeklybookstagram challenge by @bookaddictsguide, 06/13 - 06/19. Theme: Cutest Contemp. I don't usually read contemporary books, but when a close friend of mine suggested I pick up #Fangirl by #RainbowRowell, I think she knew just how much I would relate to Cath because of my history in and relationship with fandom and fanfic (though I was never as famous in fandom as Cath). And while yes, the story is quite cute, it also touches on themes of independence, family, and love that cut very near to my heart. That quote, in particular, has become something of a personal mantra: "It ain't love, Kam, unless he CHOOSES you - maybe not over everyone, because that's impossible, but that you ARE something he would choose, and choose WILLINGLY."

[tamaraniac]

Ships in romance novels are great, but I’ve found the pairings that I really love with all my heart are those forged in darkness and danger, like all the couples in the Lunar Chronicles. 💖 Happy Valentine’s Day! #weeklybookstagram