bb: Fangirl

book blurbs

Hello my fabulous people. I have been reading like crazy lately, both inside and outside the classroom, and I can't stop entering Barnes and Nobles lately. If you're interested on what I am putting on my must read sections look no further! Mari's daily bb's (book blurbs) are here at your service!

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On my need to read list:

credit wonder reads

I have been dying to read Fangirl for a while. After this book, I will be constantly reading Crazy Rich Asian, but honestly I am still a little heartbroken through this book. I am a little unhappy that there weren't any more pages, but I knocked this book out in two weeks. 

Synopsis (fair warning - very bland):

The book follows twins Cather and Wren as they set off to college. Both are obsessed with the Simon Snow series ever since they were kids. Cather and Wren have even made a series of fanfiction dedicated to Simon and Baz, who can be compared to Harry and Draco. Both have been writing this fanfic for three years, but as they are now in college, Wren is starting to slip away from her sister's grasp. She's turning more to her roommate Courtney and showing less interest in Simon Snow. Cather has never strayed so far from her sister before, for they always did everything together. Hell, they're twins and shared the same room in the same house for eighteen years. Now Cather is left to fend by herself even if she has her roommate Reagan. 

Excerpts from Fangirl (1)
credit sallybutter

While Wren has been living the perfect college life any other girl would love, Cather stays in her room eating protein bars and staying alone. Well not entirely. Reagan's off and on again boyfriend, Levi, tends to swing by as he please, or whenever Cath is there. She always wonders why he's there even if his girlfriend isn't, but she can't seem to brush him off her shoulders. Levi is bright like the sun, yet he cannot take the hint that he's unwanted.

Throughout the book, the reader follows Cath on her journey from her dad who suffers a mental disorder, the now estrange relationship with her twin, the never ending annoyance of her roommate's boyfriend while she is taking a upper level class with junior and seniors with a professor who is one of her favorite writers. 

Probably one of my favorite lines in Fangirl,
especially when it's snide comments to Twilight.

Review:

I had been wanting to read this particular Rainbow Rowell book since Eleanor and Park. Her humor always makes me laugh, literally out loud, while I read. Some of her writing just cracked me up, but due to spoilers, I will not give some away. I also loved this book in since it was the first book that I have read that addressed fandoms and the fanfiction culture. 

Maybe my inner child that use to read Naruto, Digimon, and a whole lot of anime fanfiction while in elementary school came out. Ok, I'm not gonna lie about reading some EXO fanfiction here and there when I'm sad, but that topic is up for debate for another day.

Rainbow Rowell is a probably one of my favorite writers through her humor and the connection with pop culture she made throughout this book. The book was made last year, and the references to Kanye West, Harry Potter, Starbucks, Twilight, and the basic college experience is there. She also made a literary allusion to The Outsiders, my favorite book in middle school.

It has all the basic things any ordinary teen who can understand being in college and invested in a fandom, especially if it's a heavily grossed out one, dealing with family issues, and more themes too. Many have called this the Tumblr book, and frankly I could potentially understand this claim. Cath is that typical girl who probably, if not due to school, would sit and scroll through the Internet.

Here's a few other reasons why you should read this book:

credit redvineranger

Honestly a great read, and like the many people who have posted reviews on Goodreads, it will make you think "Where will I go on from here?"

If you ever have time to read a simple book from a girl who spends her time on the Internet, like any other teenager or young adult in this century, give Fangirl a try. It's worth it. 

Here are some other excerpts that I snagged from tumblr and a few other texts and arts of the Fangirl fandom, some spoilers may apply:

Mari's 1354: True at first light, false by noon

Entry Seven | September 16th, 2014 
Prompt: Write about something that is true at first light and false by noon (from 714 More Things To Write About)

A Night in Seoul #2 by Hajin Bae

That's Love Hajin Bae

"Count the stars," I whisper into his ear.

He attempted by closing one eye, using his thumb to count the one's he saw while I scoffed. 

Though not ridiculous as we were painted out to be, we were in our element. No competition, no rules or guidelines, no danger, just us.

We never could be like this again until the darkness trailed slowly and painfully behind. True at first light, false by noon: it was who we are. 

Once the sky turned azure, I could finally race through the dimmed streets. I was eager to catch a mere glimpse of him, even for a few seconds. My relentlessness always erupts during the night since we could never achieve the life we desired. He always told me that I could escape this fantasy. Daytime always felt lacking since I was never content. The short nights that barely let me caress his skin helped supply the energy I needed to fight off the day. He worried that I always put him before myself. 

And I did. 

To Dusk until dawn, the somber skies brighten while the stars sang for his divine presence. The breeze in the air was caused by his laughter, for the wind adored it like a melody. The clouds darken during his dejected moods. Bitter rain came to offer its comforts to brighten his spirits. The sun always rose when it wanted to take him away from me; it knew we would always lure each other to a dead end.

Far from simplistic were we, if only we could count the stars whenever we please. The restrictions and boundaries were difficult, but we tried even if our hands were bloody and scabbed. In the end, he'd kiss them away and I would do the same. We attempt to linger close to one another once the light drove us away, but it was rare to see each other once the rays of light touched our skin.

"How long until-" 

"An hour," he sighed.

I crept closer to his shoulder and tried to shield myself from the rising sun in the distance. The end was near, and the moon could no longer shield us from the blaze.

"Tomorrow, where do you want us to go?" I whispered. 

Cupping my ear, he softly hummed, "A place where the light doesn't chase you away from me."

I wish so too.

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Another melancholy-like mood, I know. I am sorry, but I got inspiration for this prompt this morning. I looked at this prompt before, but I had no idea what I could spark to make it happen. It cried out to me, and I could not find anything, material for that matter, that is true at first light and false by noon except for morning dew. This idea popped in my mind at 7AM this morning, and I had to rush to find my laptop to write. I promise I'll try for a more happier prompt later! At least this somewhat was bright...okay no it wasn't.

Mari's 1354: I'm sorry, these four words are hard.

Entry Five | September 14th, 2014 

Prompt: Explain why you stayed with someone you didn't love (from 714 More Things To Write About)

Art by Regan Morris

"I don't love you like I did...yesterday" 

- My Chemical Romance  //  I Don't Love You

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He'd stay when I cried and try to block the world through my grief. He tend to hold my hand and wiped the tears, even when I was a mess with snot clogging my nose. 

My presence changed his appearance. His smile never fell and lit like the hot summer Vegas nights.

He loved the way I'd seek adventure. I was a curious cat, and he'd always let me roam as I please, but only if I return back into his arms. 

He'd kiss me a if it would be our last. Goodbyes were never his forte and hated the thought of me leaving. 

Even if it wasn't a hot day, he'd always buy me a slurpee at 7/11, so I would never be thirsty.

He loved me even if his parents did not accept my lifestyle at the time. I was so unworthy of his attention with my behavior, but he did not think less of me. 

He never got mad or hated me for kissing lips that did not belong to his. 

With just a mere touch I had him hooked. He would probably go through hell and back just to let me hold his hand. 

He was...too perfect.

Art by Regan Morris

Although he accompanied my misery with comfort, these feelings started through him. 

I loved to stray away. It meant I did not need to see his eager face. I grew tired of his bright smile as soon as he uttered the L-word. 

He secured boundaries if I ventured too far. I was restricted to his rules, and not the freedom I thrived upon.

Surely the goodbyes were hard, especially when he took eons to let me leave his car. 

He catered to me, but I did not need a waiter. I wanted a companionship.

His parents were right: we were not fit. I cursed, drank, lied, used and abused. I was a mere leech to suck his soul dry for pleasure. I was the walking nightmare, and yet he fended away from his parents’ protection.

I kissed countless of men so that in turn he'd give up, but he was always such a pushover. He was too understanding.

Clingy is the one word he always was. I would need a pair of pliers to help rid his skinship. He always thought I was heaven, but I knew he was the scorching pains of hell.

He was never mine, but he always found solace to make me his regardless of the price.

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It has been a long time since I last put a Mari's 1354 post, but here it is guys. Hoped you enjoyed this new prompt I had wrote just recently. Hope you all are doing great and please tell me your opinions of it. Sorry for the overwhelming sappy and broken-down relationship topics recently, but it always gives me inspiration. I'll try to make the next one more happier and or cheerful!

Wake Up San Francisco

It has been almost a month since I have made a post on my blog, and I send my deepest apologies. I have been acquainting myself with the city of San Francisco for three weeks, and I finally have time to discuss my experiences.

Someone please cue the Full House music!

Mari in the Bay Episode 1: Wake Up San Francisco

Silvia and I now live together, which is great (cue my menical laughter). Silvia and I had talked previously of living together in the past, and living with one's best friend is fun. Maybe it's a dream come true, or maybe a nightmare awaiting to occur. I still think it's weird that I get to see her everyday compared to the times I would only see her ever other month while in high school (if you did not know, Silvia and I lived an hour apart from one another making it rare to see each other). I rarely see Silvia since she works and has a different schedule than me, but it still makes living in California fun for now.

Hanging out with the bae in the bay

For the past few weeks, I also have been embedded in my studies. Times are rare when I could update this blog, for I have homework that needs to be taken care as soon as possible. I also respectfully see the differences between Nevada and California education. Although I am not saying my experiences at UNLV were not educating or helpful, I must say California education forces one to never stray far from their studies. I am currently taking four classes, each and every class are four credits, which is far less than the amount I would have taken at UNLV. I am taking a variety of classes such as: Asian American Literature, Economics, Philosophy, and English. All classes have submitted heavy doses of texts to read. At least on the bright side I am able to do homework on my off days which are Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

I also admit the weather is not to my liking. My uncle has told me countless of times that the weather where I live gets hot during September. Unfortunately, I have been wearing clothes that are too prepared for the cold and not the heat. Here are some of my greatest encounters while walking to and from home in the intense heat:

Mari not understanding California weather

Mari dying of heat part two for wearing all black AGAIN

Besides education, I have immersed myself in other areas San Francisco holds. I live in San Bruno (apart of South San Francisco) and visit Tanforan mall more often than not. The mall is less than a minute walk from the BART I come to and from school, so it is hard to stay away. I had learned through my Asian American Literature class that the mall use to be a enclosure for Japanse Americans and Japanese immigrants for their internment camp arrangements. I had forgotten how old the city is and sometimes feel sorrowful of the dark past America holds, but now let's move on from less depressing topics.

South San Francisco sign in San Bruno

Discovered a new store called Ichiban Kan selling cute
Japanese items for less like this 8 pocket folder and agenda

Other items from Ichiban Kan that I bought:
large bento case and traveling utensils set

I visited Japan Town twice: once with Silvia and another during my free day away from school. The main reason why Silvia and I had gone was for my sister. She has been begging me to buy her an Alpacaso, and I began looking for stores that sell them. I saw (below) this one for $50, and I still do not understand why my sister needs this stuff animal greatly. When I do not need to carry many items in my purse, I will finally buy her useless plush and ship it to Las Vegas. Besides looking for alpaca plushies, we stopped by DAISO, a cheap Japanese store with items for less than $2. Through the two visits in Japan Town, here are some items I discovered while at Japan Town:

Mini Alpacaso's ($15)

The stupid $50 Alpacaso my sister wants

DC Domo Pop Vinyls

DC Domo Pop Vinyl's cont.

Alongside many of the Japanese merchandise, I came across a section entirely dedicated to AKB48. I had to awaken the inner fangirl in me and took probably 10-15 minutes in this section. And yes, I am straight, but how would you feel if there's a big section with the girls you love in it? I fucking thought so.

Tomochin Graduation Photobook that I will be buying soon~

I believe this is Tomomi Kasai's graduation photobook

Maeda Atsuko Graduation Photobook

Other AKB48 merchandise and memorabilia 

Union Square and Westfield mall were other destinations I had came across since Silvia works in one of the stores, but I haven't been able to avidly shop than what I intended (even though I have enough money to shop since I am saving more than needed). I only shopped at H&M for shoes and going to shop at UNIQLO when I have time. I had instead shopped at MUJI to buy supplies for Silvia and unfortunately got lost looking for the bus. I accidentally stumbled upon the ghetto since most of the street signs I came across were numbers. I had to ask for directions and luckily made it home safely since I kept panicing that I probably would die from my stupidity from not finding a mere bus stop. Once I got on the bus, I still was timid in finding Balboa Park BART, but luckily two nice ladies had guided the way for me.

A few other items I had picked up:

Heart tea leaves infuser and cute fox
toothbrush holder from Japan Town

DAISO small bunny bento container

San Francisco is truly a big change than from the Henderson streets I am use to. I have not yet realized that Henderson is pretty small compared to the big city life of San Francisco. I had not realized how small Las Vegas and Henderson are compared to San Francisco. People often commute more than those in Henderson wasting their money on gas for their cars. I find it more efficient to ride the BART, MUNI, and other public transits to get to and from places (especially since I get to ride SF commute systems for free). I play games with myself on the BART and MUNI by staring at random people until they look away, which makes me win, but if I look away, I lose. Besides commute system fun, I really miss seeing old friends since it is a little bit tougher if any to find friends at school. Maybe it is because people already established friendships in the previous semesters, but I am more lonely here than what I had thought. I also miss my family more than I need to since I do not have the luxery to see them as often. On a brighter note, I had gotten close to my cousins, which was one of the things I wanted to do whilst moving here. Although being in California is a bit rough emotionally and socially, I feel I will be able to bare through with it.

Hope you guys hear more from me soon ^^

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