Bookbed reviews: ‘The X Factor: Confessions of a Naïve Fashion Model’ by Ivan Sivec

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by Clarissa Chua THE STORY It takes three mistakes to be swallowed up and spat out by the fashion industry. You trust the wrong people. You think you know everything there is to know about life. You take drugs. Maja started off as a regular 17-year-old high-school kid, fighting her inner insecurities while dreaming to become an actress like Marilyn Monroe. At a party her boyfriend Klemen introduces her to a renowned modelling agent. He sees a special X Factor hidden insight her. And a great business opportunity for himself… Fast forward a few weeks later. Maja’s charm and talent land…

Bookmarked: Christmas in Bookmarks

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by Lindy Gamolo and Willy Nieuwveld and Natalia Crespo Can you believe it, less than 24 hours to go and it’s Christmas day! (If you’re reading this instead of doing your last minute gift shopping, we just want to say thank you! (Although you should really get on with it. We were supposed to put this up yesterday but we went shopping for gifts instead. Sorry!) Anyway, as the last Bookmarked post for the year, we wanted to leave you with a quick reminder for the holidays and show you Christmas-themed bookmarks from different parts of the world. Do you know how to say Merry…

Last Book Syndrome: ‘Calculus’ by Ron Larson and Bruce Edwards

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by Clarissa Chua I haven’t read a book for almost three weeks now. That is unless you count my Calculus book by Ron Larson and Bruce Edwards… Okay, maybe I’ll count that as one and that is why we’re here! And while this might just be one of the nerdiest posts, if not the most, you’ll ever read here, don’t let this intimidate you. Because I’m delighted to report that we’re not going to take about lessons on numbers here, but lessons practical to our everyday lives. 1. Sometimes, explanations are not enough. You just have to show it. For a book about numbers,…

The Matter of “The Great TBR”

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by Wina Puangco I’m not writing for Crossed Wires today but something—among other things—has been bothering me lately. As someone who participates in Booktube and other reading communities (Goodreads, etc.), I’ve noticed that when talking about their To-Be-Read piles or TBRs, a lot of people are fond of acting guilty for not getting through said pile of books fast enough and/or talking about their TBRs like they are burdens to bear—“I’m soooo behind” or “Ugh, I guess this goes to my super big TBR.” Now, while I understand the feeling of too many books, not enough time, and am by no…

Bookbed reviews: ‘Barking Madness’ by Ryan Hill

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by Nina Arquiza THE STORY “My life is crumbling away before my eyes while I do nothing to prevent it. I have visited too many funerals, for too many friends who haunt my dreams. Everybody dies eventually, right? No, everybody dies young when they befriend me. Was I born to die young? I don’t think so. I’m the only one here with the nerve to stay alive. I can’t be left alone. Not with that hollow man, the one who hides his face. That’s what he wants, me to be alone, because once I’m alone he’s going to kill me!” …

Ink Blots: ‘The Invitation’ by Oriah

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by Kariza Montealegre It’s been a while since the last Ink Blots, but I hope you’re all good, making the most of the remaining days of the year. (Can you believe 2015 is almost over?) Whatever you may be up to these days, allow me to drizzle you with some inspiration today. Today’s piece is about the joy in accepting one’s true self and finding the beauty of life. First shared in 1994, The Invitation by Oriah was published in the book of the same title in 1999. Often shared through word of mouth, quoted in the web and recited in…