Space saver book boxes

I had book shelves at home. One was a typical book shelf that you can see in most libraries. The other was with built-in glass.

But I notice, when you are living at the hot and humid environment, books are prone to dust and bugs. Of course, as a certified book collector, I intend to protect my precious collections.

I come up with the idea of tote boxes.

Ideal place for books indeed. Protects them from dust, bugs or any harmful substance that will damage the books. It wasn't air lock of course, but I find it more convenient than bulky book shelves.

Girls Life Application Bible - A Cute Bible

One of the coolest way to catch young ones attention. The book was covered with soft leather, engraved with floral and hearts designs. Thick. Bigger than ordinary trade pb. Around 8 1/2 inches tall. 1000+ pages. From Old Testament to New.

But that extra cover with handle was sold separately.

So I am in the mood for a little creativity. I added butterfly trinket on the bible case. 

And a little teddy bear keychain on it. Every kids will love it. Oh well I would say my way of motivation technique. 

Book grabs for this week

I  will always be the Historical Romance Fan. I was in junior high when I first read a romance novel. Mills & Boons and Harlequin was the pioneer back then. 

At first, I enjoyed looking at the covers. The painting was so amazing. It wasn't a picture with the touch of airbrush from a computer program.

Computer generated painting isn't existing back then. It was all manually draw from real life models. My amazement draw my curiosity to read the book. 

Then the rest was history. 

I loved it! My eyes were opened to another world. I find historical romance more pleasant to read than contemporaries that time. I need something substantial to enhance my vocabulary. 

Since then, I got all hooked up. 

Fast forward... not bad for $30 value. All hard covers, from Good to VG condition. 

The Bookworm loves Cats!

Most of people loves dogs, and only few loves cats if you compare them altogether. 

However, since I am a cat lover, let me tell you my personal observation. 

Cat lover are more reserved but sweet. They tend to be manipulative but obedient at the same time. They are introvert, open-minded and more sensitive than dog lovers.

Cat people also tended to be non-conformists, preferring to be expedient and independent. They always do their own thing. They always think as they observe.

Oh well,  I wonder what he was thinking as he hang around on my books... 

Taking care of your books - Ironing the dust jacket

I am an obsessive compulsive bookworm. I like my books to be close to perfect condition. But I am very practical. I may love books so much, but I still look for the best prices.

Most of the book I purchased was either pull-out from the book shelves of someone else's or either dispatch by the bookstores from their old stock.

 But unfortunately, since it was bought from bargains, expect flaws from it. Like spine crease, yellowish pages, worn out marks from the book shelves, traces of stickers or stamps and dust jacket curls.

I normally put plastic on the dust jackets. But sometimes, it wouldn't flatten out no matter what I do. It still curl on the top edges and spine.

So I come up with a solution.

Flat Ironing the dust jacket.

How it works?

Well dust jackets has a built-in laminate plastic in front. So we wouldn't want to melt that, right?

• I suggest to iron it in low setting. Very minimal heat.
• Put extra padding on the ironing board so it won't leave the marks upon pressing it. 
• Press the iron on the opposite of the cover, not to the picture itself. That is the white part of the dust jacket.

Here's the result...

Book Shopping

My tote boxes need to be filled with new books. After my Friends ransack my collections, I was thinking of replacing it. So I sort out bookstores and I can't find anything interesting.

Instead, I surf via ebay. Oh my gosh! Smorgasbord! Best price too. Here's what I bought...

Not bad for the price 1,200 php/ $30.00 isn't it? I can't wait to read them all.

Romance Collectors must-have

Let me give you a glimpse of my personal library. My most kept possessions were hard cover. I had trade paper backs and pocketbooks. But I still love the hard covers.

And here's the closer look to the all-time bestsellers collections...

Taking Care of your books - Plastic covering your book Dust Jacket

Some people use Brodart Cover for the dust jacket, but I still prefer the traditional book plastic cover sold commercially in bookstores.

Brodart is thinner compare to plastic. 

Personally I like thicker cover. Thicker plastic last longer. I am more comfortable with it.

Here I show you photos of my own way of covering my dust jacket.

Mirror Image by Sandra Brown - Review

Mirror Image by Sandra Brown 

Plot:

A jet crash handed Avery Daniels a golden opportunity. Mistaken for Carole Rutledge, the badly injured Avery has found that plastic surgery has given her Carole's face, the famous senatorial candidate for a husband, and a powerful Texas dynasty for in-laws. She makes the shattering discovery that someone close to the senator plans to assassinate him. Now to save the life of the man she loves, Avery must live another woman's life-and risk her own.

Grandma Lydia and Katerina's Spoilers

 err... an argument actually!

Let me introduce you folks to my loving Grandma. Well she's not my Lola technically. But she's someone I grew up with. She is my book buddy. I was take after her I think. I grew up sneaking on her personal library. That part of the house is actually our sanctuary. 

Well, as I grew, bantering about books has become our everyday ritual. 

Here's one of our memorable debate about Sandra Brown's masterpiece. I was recording my review and plan to post it on youtube. So I start narrating...

Catey: ahm... first of all... the story's actually lacking of realism-- 

Lola  Lydia : Huh? It is fiction, Catey! It not real. Why expect realism on it?   

Catey: I know, I know... (with my sour look) Will you hear me out first? I want you to stop reading literotica stuff from the internet. I want your full attention.

'Kay, I was ignored by my loving Grandma. She still continue reading from her Ipad. So I decided to keep going. 

I know my Lola, she's a multi tasker. She can play Clash of Clans and read at the same time while her Television is on. 

Catey: Lola, don't close my app, okay? I'm still updating it!

Lola Lydia: Yeah, yeah whateverrr...   (then she went busy again) 

Catey: Where are we? (I looked at the camera again.) Okay when i say lacking of realism? Let me tell you.

- how can a plane crash victim survive when 80% of her body was burned and damaged? More than likely, she'll die in an infection. Or suffer some serious complications.

The book was outdated, which is okay.  

Even with the present technology, there's no breakthrough yet on restoring the face of a burn patient. What more back then?

And she healed within 3 to 6 months? 

Healing process takes years. Plus numerous therapies and all that. 

On the story she was aware that she wasn't Carole. but she played along because of her inability to speak. 

But in fairness, when you became drawn to Ms. Brown's writings, you tend to forget the loopholes on it. I think she can get away with it since she's more focus on in depth feelings of her character more than superficiality and bling -blings.

Though the book was published during the early eighties, but I don't feel like I am more than two decades behind. She never pinpoint car models, hair style, or clothing. When she talks about it, she only mention few details. 

She mentioned some designer brand stuff, but never go in depth on material things. 

Unlike the other authors i have read. Where authors always mention the monetary value of things in her story. 

Some authors write unnecessary details to the point that she would tell you if the condom is made in china.

    

Lola Lydia : Condoms!? (she peeked though her eye glasses as she looked at me.)

Catey :    Lola, you pick that up loud and clear? 

Lola Lydia : Oh of course! I hate condoms. It's giving me an itch.

Catey:    (my jaw dropped) 'La! the camera's rolling, you know!

Lola Lydia :  Just edit it then! 

Catey:    You are already menopause even before Grandpa dies!

(Nah ah. She ignored me. She looked too absorbed on what she was reading.)

Anyway... Tate (the husband) was clueless that the woman he called Carole was somebody else.

He hated his wife Carole (soon to be ex because they were in a process of separation before the plane crash happened.) 

 He seemed to be confused of the new Carole he is facing now. How come that she became a devoted wife and loving mother after the crash?

Life and death experience is no excuse. Carole was an adulterer, mean to their daughter, estranged to his family. 

Okay let me skip a little bit. Because you already knew what happened, right? Just like we watched on movies or soap. Fairly predictable.

Well... if I am Avery, I would have impostor-ed Carole too. Ooh lala!! His bed prowess amazed me!!! He can make love with different emotions.

- when he's angry

- when he's confused

- when he felt free to express it all!

Okay baby, you can be rough on me. Bring it on!

Lola Lydia : Huuu! what a flirt! (she rolled her eyes then resume playing Fishdom)

Catey : (ignore mode) Ooh! The ending was superb. 

"When you look at me, whom did you see?"

"I saw the woman who saved my life. The woman I love. the woman who carries my child." 

"What I mean is--"

"I know what you mean..." he leaned over to the couch and kissed her lovingly " I see Avery."

Eeekkk!!! Tate, hayyy... (Kilig mode)

Lola Lydia: Hoy! You're already late for the Guild Fight!

Catey: OMGeee!  (I ran upstairs to get my tablet and I forgot to turn off the video camera)

Taking care of your Books - Sandpaper sponge

I love collecting hard cover edition books. Some people don't. They say it is consuming too much space, bulky, heavy, etc.

Hard cover books are pretty handy to maintain. Some collectors built customized book shelf for it. Or purchase glass cabinet so they can have them displayed in their mini library or bedroom.

Personally, I preferred my books to be stored in a tote box. That way, they are safe in exposure to dirt, insects, humidity and other elements that could be damaging to the books. 

Years of exposure to the shelf can cause discoloration of the edges of the book. 

Some advise to use bleach. But I guess you have to be doing that for years so it won't damage your books. 

I guess I am more comfortable with using sandpaper. Here is the video to show you how...

Viking by Connie Mason - Book Review

Synopsis and summary:

Thorne the Relentless spots Fiona the Learned in a pool naked on the Isle of Man after he feels a compulsion to go to the island. Immediately he is enchanted and has to have her. He is scared off but returns a year later after suffering a whole year dreaming about her and obsessing about her until he is sure he is bewitched. He is sent to kill the 'witch' on the Isle of Man. He soon finds he can't kill her, he'd rather stop breathing for he feels completely under her siren spell and must have her.

Fiona is no witch, she is a healer. Since she was small, her friend and teacher Brann, has told her she will be captured by her future soulmate, a Viking, on a raid. She is appalled and aghast. She isn't sure Brann is correct, but when Thorne shows up and takes her to his homeland. She soons realizes she is indeed his soulmate and can't understand how Thorne will accept this since he firmly believes she is a witch and has cast a spell on him.

Spoilers and review:

I thought I wouldn't be interested in Viking theme, until I had a glimpse of the movie Pathfinder.

Though the movie is another thing to discuss.

Well according to King Arthur's history, they were vicious, savage, notorious and mean! They not just plunder and steal, but they raped women... They want the women to carry their blood.

On this book, Thorne was strolling at the beach called Isle of Man (that's in Ireland by the way). He was called by the siren's voice.

Lured, hooked and seduced by the clan's princess named Fiona. She was approached by the stranger and 'seduced' her.

Okay, in the modern day, we have an apt word for it. It's called sexual assault.

She was about to compromise her virtue, but she kicked him hard and ran away.

Okay nice move, Fiona. But next time, don't bathe naked in the river!

The Viking hero possess arrogance and pride. He won't stop until he got what he wants. Oh well, an arrogant brat. He is a prince, and that's an  excuse I think.

Blaming the witch he saw at the island for not a 'raising his flag' back home.

Then the king told him: "Return to the island and bring the woman's head! That way you'll be free of her witch spells!"

Alright, we understand that this is the old days. People are were too wrapped up with superstitions. But nobody ever figure out that he just liked the girl. Period!

Maybe heads will roll if they figure it out for him then.

So he attacked the island, came and conquer.

Yeah, violence and sex. But it'll spoil the whole romantic thing going on if Mason elaborate it further.
  
But oh! Here's the catch. He came to kill her because she bewitched him. (eyes rolling)

Then he couldn't thrust the sword on her neck up to the last minute because he claimed to be under the witch craft spell!

Okay, don't u get it dude!? Obviously it was love at first sight!

Then he changed his mind of killing her. He kept her as a slave instead...

And here goes the cheesy dialogues

"give me your virginity! I will have you now!'

"marry me before you claim my body..."

"Are you mad? Why would I marry you!? You're my slave. I can bed you whenever I please!"

"If you bed me against my wishes, I'll put your family under my spell too!"
    
I sometimes wanna scream in frustration as I go further.  Dude, you're in love with the girl! Get it!?

The book has a lot of sex. I lost count already.

Expect it from Mason. When she writes, expect oozing hot sex. She knew how to arouse the readers thoughts. If you're a romance novel fan, this writer actually had the formula you were looking for. Sensual, sexy, hot.

She's good in characterization. You can easily relate to the characters personality. Though her characters made foolish decisions or poor judgement sometimes. Rationality is always at stake.

That's frustrating.


Plot:                    2 and half stars - Somewhat Entertaining.
Sex:                     Is there any higher than 5 stars?
Story overall:      3 stars.