Take this book if you want to get lost

To say that majority of the "secret" places in this book are awe-inspiring for the rookie and the newbie kind is an understatement because even if you're a non-traveler, I guarantee that you will feel that urge to grab the rucksack and start writing that list of places-you-want-to-visit-before-you-die. You read it right---you can take this book if you want to get lost, and mind-blown at the same time!

I'm giving this collection a rating of 4.5 stars because the authors & editors themselves deserved it. The Sumaguing Cave in Sagada is a worthy inclusion but I just wish they added more historically-relevant but less-known places in the Philippines like the Pandanan Island shipwreck diving site near South Palawan or the Bequibel Midden Shell site in a quaint location in Butuan.

 Bike tree in Vashon Island, Washington, USA

The world's quietest room in Minneapolis, USA

Devil's Marbles in Wauchope, Northern Territory, Australia

All images belonged to their respective owners.

Genre: Non-Fiction, Geography, History
Rating: Magnitude 4.5 

Bloodshot Reborn Deluxe Edition 1

The art is top-notch for a character that reminds me heavily of Punisher, Deadpool, and Wolverine. But reading the whole edition covering Bloodshot Reborn issues 1 to 13 makes me conclude that the Bloodshot story here looks very familiar. I thought the emphasis should have been pinned into the secret of nanotechnology and its possible weaknesses (I wanted to see a possible counter-technology to the Nanites) but the "magic" of the Nanites was swept under the rug in exchange for action and continuity of the whole Bloodshot legend---or aptly, Bloodshot's Reborn. This is definitely more of an action story than a sci fi story because the narrative theme here belongs to Bloodshot himself---Ray Garrison, not some damn nanotechnology.  It's just not so original as it seems. There are scenes that are so familiar like the last eye-candy Mad Max film reboot, Marvel Comics' Old Man Logan, and the first Matrix film when Neo woke up from the pod. Yup. That I think, sums it all.

P.S. I got a review copy of this comic book via the Net Galley and reading it via Adobe Digital Editions app in my laptop is not a smooth read. I was still able to capture some screenshots though, just for review purposes. All images owned by Valiant Comics.

Genre: Adult Action, Sci Fi
Rating: 3 pints of nano-blood 

The Secret of Sinbad's Cave by Brydie Walker Bain

I took this novel around July last year and finishing it sixteen months later (with apologies to the author), I can say that the young readers will love this book. This fantasy-adventure story reminds me so much of Steven Spielberg's 1985 film The Goonies regarding the search for a lost treasure and skirmishes with modern day hunters and pirates. This one though, is populated with vibrant New Zealand flora and fauna like nikau palm, rewarewa seedlings, kereru, tui, koura, Waitomo glow worm, and also elements and representatives of Maori Mythology like the Pouakai (Haast Eagle) , Taotoru (Orions Belt), and the patupaiarehe (fairy) bird.

Story-wise and as stated earlier, it caters to the YA readership but I think adult readers will also appreciate it especially if you love the New Zealand outdoors (as widely popularized by Peter Jackson's LOTR film trilogy) and the adventures of spelunking/potholing/caving. My only issue so far is how the character Mike was depicted as having no clue with regard to his daughter's whereabouts just after that child asked him about the location of hidden caves in the area. In real world, a parent can connect-the-dot quickly. It appears that Mike is the opposite, the counter-weight to Abraham's wisdom that creates a balancing order, an unexpected equilibrium shared by the two patriarchs for the whole pack. The children on the other hand are reckless being themselves and definitely lucky making you realize that you are indeed reading a fantastic novel. What I like most in this book are the background stories concerning the protagonist's ancestry, all ancient and in some angle, mythological. Tattoed Maori warriors summoned into haka dance is also a memorable scene.

Overall the adventure here is quick paced and there is a promise of new adventures and new worlds to see for the gang and especially for their leader Nat. For her though, this is just a first step.

Pounamu Taunga necklace

Genre: Fantasy-adventure, YA
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

To change with change is the changeless state

Even if Bruce Lee was never my favorite fighter in history (he is in my top five though), this book deserves a 4 star rating for his wisdom, sincerity and character-driven philosophy far from his Hollywood-celebrity persona. His first idea ("Be water my friend") clearly grabs your attention and will assure you that you can expect solid punches for the duration of the book. Moreover, he is also skillful in illustrating dynamic scenes that perfectly fit into his popular (like the title of this post) and non-popular mantra.

Genre: Collection, Philosophy, Non Fiction
Rating: 4 nonchaku

Adam David's The El Bimbo Variations

Ang Huling El Bimbo unarguably is Eraserheads' most popular heartbroken song. It is the anthem of a generation, the nostalgic Pinoy Gen X and Gen Y (Basti Artadi practically described them as teenyboppers) demographic. It's easy to see that Adam David belonged in that group and using Queneau and le Lionnais' Oulipo system as his weapon-of-choice, the author here executed a well-planned literary "heist" and ran away unscathed making us readers asking out for more deconstruction+reform, and more fun. I am actually asking  for a Shake Yer Head Variations as a sequel. I think it's more fun.

The rule of the game looks simple: focus on the first line "Kamukha mo si Paraluman, nung tayo ay bata pa" then deconstruct/revise/reform it using Oulipian constraints while anchored within the 90's Pinoy context to create a new piece of literature. Try it and you'll realize it's not so easy as it seems. At this instant I can only create a "Bullied & Spiteful Version" of it, in my own childhood context. It's far from being heartbroken literally: "Kamukha mo si Buaya, nung tayo ay bata pa..."

My most favorite constraints here are Dalit (for obvious reasons), Ad Copy, Spoonerisms, and Limerick. The end notes I think is the best and most important part of the book especially for readers with weak or zero literary background like me. I would have rated this book lower if there is no end note. Reading this without an end note is like a Martian trying to appreciate an abstract art by Henri Matisse. Adam David describes the Oulipian technique of writing constraints as a marriage of mathematics and literature. The product of that technique is this book. And since the author promotes it freely from its first public release in 2005, you can download a copy here thanks to Cloudup.

Category: Poetry
Rating: 3.5 cuts of Goat Placenta soap

The Indispensable Calvin & Hobbes (1992)

Even if Bill Watterson ended the adventures of a rascal and his sardonic stuff tiger 20 years ago, there is still no comic strip in this world that has the same depth and meaning than Calvin & Hobbes. The 1992 collection easily earns my 5/5 rating simply because of this. The execution of a wordless story is perfect.


Genre: Humor, Comic strips
Rating: 5 flying snow balls out of 5

100 of the Worst Ideas in History

Reading this e-book is NOT a bad idea at all.

Genre: History, Factoids
Rating: 3 kilos of Frankenfish

Rawlicious Superfoods by Peter and Bery Daniel

I've been doing a lot of guerrilla cooking lately and this book is one of my newly discovered guide to learn the habit of cooking better foods off from the traditional Pinoy menu of meats, oils, herbs, and spices.

This is not a traditional review. Because this book is basically a reference and I will surely return to reading it again and again as much as the mission of cooking better foods continue to evolve through time.  This book may earn a different rating for my next reading but it wont matter; for more than just a cook book, this is also loaded with historical and practical information on specific native fruits, herbs, seaweeds, mushroom, hemp, honey, the Cacao seeds, even the Baobab tree from Africa---all that can be organically and naturally grown and harvested.

The illustrations inside the book are very good and interesting. The authors described it clearly in the How to Use this Book section:  "Each magical superfood illustration has a corresponding mandala and has been inspired by hours of discussion around its historical use, medicinal benefits, and mythology."

After seeing a cut of an image of "Tino-tino"--a familiar childhood wild fruit and known commonly as caped gooseberry, I knew the authors know what they are writing about but I can only wish that they also consider more native plants from Southeast Asia (not just native fruits from China and Japan)  because I know we have more to offer than just a variation of coconut species. Southeast Asians also have diverse ways of cooking native foods. Just look at how you cook adobo and check its derivatives in the Adobo Book by Alejandro & Lumen.

Being mostly raw and non-meat, the steps are easy to follow and each menu wont take long to prepare. Most of the steps end in "blending them all" because we dont want to waste nutrients in cooking. In the Functional Food section: "Emphasis is placed on eating green leafy vegetables by either juicing or blending them. Choosing organic food is almost more important than keeping it raw."

The authors also suggested aiming at least 50%  raw component in the diet. I also learned in this book that the toxin acrylamide starts to form in foods when cooked above 248°F (120°C). By just looking at how we traditionally grill meats, I know 120°C is very easy to reach especially when you rush your barbecue before the New Year's Eve's festivity. Additionally, there is a procedure here on how to prepare a Bao Beer from the powdered Baobab seed including tips on storing foods and using the right kind of food containers (to slow down the decomposition) as well as choosing the preferred kitchen tools like blenders, juicers, and dehydrators  or driers.

The suggestions in Quality is Key section are noteworthy even if they are not so easy to follow but it all just lead to how you balance your preferred kind of food. We all follow certain guides for food and all I can say is that this book is a good alternative. When food is no longer food, then perhaps it's time to try the Superfoods cooked in low-heat and dense in essential nutrients.

Rating: 3.5 cups of Bao Sorbet
Genre: Reference, Non Fiction

MPH by Millar & Fegredo

No pun intended but it was really a blast. Fast and yet, remarkably good enough to earn four stars. Ladies and gentlemen, if you're going to read one graphic novel this year, you should read this one by Mark Millar and Duncan Fegredo.

It's a modern day hybrid of Robin Hood, the 2012 film Chronicle, and DC Comics' Flash as we encounter a gang of four in Detroit come to grips with the temporary ability to run faster than the speed of sound. Mark Millar is the mastermind behind Wanted, Kick Ass 1-3, The Secret Service, Jupiter's Legacy, Nemesis, Superior, Super Crooks, American Jesus, Starlight and Chrononauts. We have seen Wanted, Kick Ass 1 & 2, and Kingsman: The Secret Service adapted into feature films. His other works are under development at major film studios. Millar also penned Superman: Red Son at DC Comics while doing Wolverine: Old Man Logan, the Civil War series, and creating The Ultimates at Marvel Comics. Duncan Fegredo on the other hand, pencilled various books for Vertigo-DC like Kid Eternity, Enigma, and Lucifer and also worked for a Hellboy miniseries at Dark Horse Comics.

This is my first read and my first review at Net Galley and I just liked what I just read. Originally published in 5 issues last year, this complete collection will not bore you with its ending. I have one or two questions that need to be answered but with the tight narrative and essential build up to conflicts and altercations being served abruptly like a bullet shot that was never wasted, they overpowered my need to think further of the plausibility and the science behind it. It was never disturbing nor head-scratching as watching the ending of Chris Nolan's Interstellar.  Speaking of films, I'm expecting a film adaptation of this book two to three years from now.

It's that good.

Rating: 4 banks robbed out of 5
Genre: Sci Fi

Lost in Translation

It's always a pleasure to learn a foreign word, or two (or three). Especially when you encounter or recall unique ones like Wabi-sabi or Ubuntu that has become iconic and symbolic, the way that each of them are untranslatable (no equivalent word in English) prompts any "word warrior" to dig deeper into each of their histories, including their evolution. In the end, you will appreciate the word more. You might want to share it with your loved ones or perhaps the rest of the World.

Compiled and illustrated by Ella Frances Sanders, this is a beautiful and interesting collection of unique words of the World. Thanks for including the Tagalog word "Kilig" in the collection because it is indeed, unique.

Images above belonged to the author.


Genre: Art, Language, Word Collection
Rating: 4 luftmensch out of 5

Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities

"You have to believe the magic to see it."  --Guillermo Del Toro

There was an actor who referred to Steven Spielberg as the Thomas Edison of the movie industry. Whether you agree or not all I can say is that if Spielberg is the Edison, then perhaps Guillermo Del Toro is the Nikola Tesla.

His creations inside the Bleak House may wear the mask of horror and intricacy of a machine, but uniquely beautiful and humane at heart. In one complete package his creations are awesome in their imperfections and visually stunning in their details, as evident in his notebooks, sculptures, and varied artistic pieces highly comparable to the works of Da Vinci.

His "cabinet" of curiosities provides hindsight on his creative thought processes as the western world have already seen in his fantasy and science fiction oeuvre such as The Devil's Backbone, Mimic, Cronos, Blade II, Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy I and II, and Pacific Rim. From these films his central characters usually triumph if they hold true to themselves when put to the test. In his stories there is always a child-like warrior finishing a silent victory.

From the introductory piece written by James Cameron, I am also looking forward for the birth of Mephisto's Bridge, The List of Seven, and At the Mountain of Madness on the silver screen. The sequence of my experience in reading this collection is opposite to the sequence of his idea above; I saw the magic first before believing it.

The magic remains the same.

Notebook 3, Page 4B

Images © 2013 Guillermo del Toro

Genre: Collections, Reference
Rating: 4.5 inches of bloody scalpel out of five

Fancy Pants Poetry 2

Probably it's highly subjective when the relevance of every poem to a reader is involved as I find myself surprisingly detached and distant in reading this collection in contrast to my clinging with the first. If the first book can be considered a world of diverse thoughts and expressions, this one is probably the northern hemisphere of that world. There are maybe three or four gems I discovered (I like The Same Old Story, I Can See The End Ahead, Tough Times, and Unknown Road) after re-reading and reading again for the third time to at least reconsider the things that I might have possibly missed. The cover design on the other hand is a big improvement from the first.

The challenge in creating a sequel is how you maintain the quality to be at par with the first. I am giving this collection three out of five ratings simply because it is substantial as a collection and a sequel to the first book. This collection still has visuals and depth, but the "fresh factor" weighs heavier in the first collection.

Genre: Poetry
Rating: Three lemons

Agostino Scafidi's Fancy Pants Poetry

The title of Agostino Scafidi's collection of poems reminds me highly of a personal favorite Sam Raimi horror-comedy film---Army of Darkness (Evil Dead 3) where Ash Williams mocks Duke Henry the Red  as "Mr. Fancypants." This is the reason why (additional to the author's kind request for this review) I gave this collection a shot. It's a short book to begin with and given the free time, I was looking for a hidden gem inside this Fancy Pants Poetry and luckily, I have found more than one.   

I like the in-your-face simplicity of "Roger, Yankee, Foxtrot" and the visuals of "A Place To Go." I like the mystery of "Secrets" and the cliched darkness of "Master of the Abyss," the realism of "Survival And Looks" and "Do It." The inevitability that sacrifice is liberating is indeed true. In "Let's Be Irrational," the author laments about the perils of honesty. But if honesty is hated, so does lying but his disdain of honesty's repercussions is at least, genuine. Everybody feels it especially if you're living in this 21st Century. "Drive Away Fast" is very common theme popularized by Jack Kerouac. These things I mentioned are gems with sure value.

The best kind of poetry is less like something that is operated and dissected inside the "writing lab" of an English Lit Major. Real poetry is more on something that is being experienced by a common person, crossing cultures and boundaries. This one is a good experience. By reading the short passages, you can conjure a world of your own, a story not far from what the author is trying to say no matter what the literary technique is being used.

We have been told many times that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As a piece of expression and a work of art, that remains the magic of poetry. The author may write a short collection of verses, but a world of meaning can be created depending on the one who reads it. If that created world has no meaning, the author simply failed. This one though, is the author's success representative of 21st Century poetry. But it's just my opinion.

"Well, hello Mr Fancypants..."

Genre: Poetry
Rating: Three and a half sharks among whales

For more of the author's works, check here: http://agostinoscafidi.bigcartel.com/

Google Play Books

There's a specific bug for this Android App that reverts your initial choice of settings (E-book being readable offline) without your permission. Another bug is if you put a bookmark and try to read offline, the page before and after that bookmarked page are missing and you need to reconnect to wifi again just to reload the whole E-book.

I'm reading a modern thriller novel by Marcus Sakey. This book reading app is good, but not enough. It really needs an improvement for the next update.

      

  

      

Platform:  E-Reader, Android App
Rating: 2.5 Bitcoins out of 5 

Seth Godin's THE DIP

"Quit the wrong stuff. 

Stick with the right stuff.

Have the guts to do one or the other."

One of the best characteristics of a strategy book is being brief. Another one is being easy to understand. Written by the creator of Squidoo, the book may not be necessarily agreeable as per reader, but a little push is something we might just need in improving ourselves within the dynamics of the current professional ecosystem. But the basic ideas you can learn here is applicable anywhere and in any forms of relationship be it organizational or one-on-one. Illustrations by Hugh Macleod provide an additional comic relief.

Genre: Strategy

Rating: 4 pawns

Blog with Integrity

By displaying the Blog with Integrity badge or signing the pledge, I assert that the trust of my readers and the blogging community is important to me.

I treat others respectfully, attacking ideas and not people. I also welcome respectful disagreement with my own ideas.

I believe in intellectual property rights, providing links, citing sources, and crediting inspiration where appropriate.

I disclose my material relationships, policies and business practices. My readers will know the difference between editorial, advertorial, and advertising, should I choose to have it. If I do sponsored or paid posts, they are clearly marked.

When collaborating with marketers and PR professionals, I handle myself professionally and abide by basic journalistic standards.

I always present my honest opinions to the best of my ability.

I own my words. Even if I occasionally have to eat them.

Nobody spanked me nor nagged me to do this pledge because first, I spank myself whenever I find myself at fault and second, I believe it's about time to be true to the word of honor both in traditional and digital format.

Fresh Off The [Digital] Press

The long wait is over, Sci Fi readers! Philippine Speculative Fiction Vol.7 is officially available for download via Flipside. Raving about this anthology is the least I can do since I could not make it for the official launch yesterday. This cover art by Les Banzuelo and Adam David looks like the anthology is created as a graphic novel, but it isn't.

cover image © Flipside Publishing

read fast, die old

Take the test here.

Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 1

Published by Dark Horse Comics

Titled in Japanese as Kozure Okami, Lone Wolf and Cub is a manga series written by Kazuo Koike and illustrated by Goseki Kojima originally published in 1970. Republished in the west by Dark Horse comics, Frank Miller and Lynn Varley paired for the cover art. The series that culminates in the 28th volume  became an influential read as it tells the story of a timeless and epic samurai adventure. This first volume The Assassin's Road gives us a glimpse of the classically themed father-and-son tandem carving a road of revenge in the Japanese Era of the Shogunate while serving as assassins for hire to earn a living.

This first volume is composed of 9 parts. The first part begins in the middle of the story until reaching the final part where it all began. You will see why the two chose to walk the most dangerous and treacherous path to clear the name of an executioner and avenge the demise of a clan. The era of the Tokugawa Shogunate was one of the momentous period in the history of Japanese Monarchy since it was during these times when majority of the order of samurai (Bushi) became renegades (Ronin) due to their lord's eventual demise (Daimyo). The Shogun controled the Daimyo lords with an iron fist, but not for long when some of them resisted. When an executioner failed to perform his duty to kill a Daimyo for the Shogun, he was ordered to sacrifice his life, or be killed. The samurai executioner chose to live, and swore to clear his name and avenge the extinction of his Ogami Clan. His name is Ogami Itto.

But Ogami Itto cannot leave his son alone, given that his wife was already killed with his clan. The young Daigoro must choose to be with his mother's side, or be with his father taking the road to "hell." Daigoro chooses to be with his father. How Ogami Itto allow his son to choose between a sword and a ball is a very memorable scene of the whole book.

page 186, bottom panel

I give the story 4 stars and the illustration 3.5 stars to earn the overall (rounded off) rating of 4 stars out of five. This whole series is actually an inspiration of various forms of visual storytelling since a film adaptation was already made (and remade) in Japan years ago including the Hollywood film Road To Perdition starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, and Daniel Craig. It was arguably Tom Hank's darkest role to date.

page 66

One of the early Japanese film adaptations

Hollywood version starring Tom Hanks & Paul Newman

Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4 packs of wolves out of 5

Hungry for more?

Ridley Scott's Gladiator, Golding's Lord of the Flies, and Miss Universe wrapped into one. Such is the first book in the series for young adults by Suzanne Collins.

The novel is an easy read and I must admit that it's a good respite from the current hype of Vampires, Werewolves, Wizards, Witches, and Conspiracy Theories --all in the realm of the fantastic. Though I think this book is also turning into a hype on its own, it's still a good story to keep you awake in this rainy season, even while in your work trips.

There are hints of irony in the story, evident in the founding of the Games itself that aims to remind everyone in a fictional place named Panem about their survival from a brutal history. This reminder can only be done by the spectacle and glamour of sacrificing 24 lives of children every year, so that the rest will continue living while entertained by this sadistic game at the same time. What a perfect show.

I like the part when the mockingjays are serenading (or perhaps mourning) at a child's death, providing the background music in one of the better part of the story. It was fun with the tracker jacks stinging the players' a$$es to death, and the resulting hallucinations from their venom. I was horrified and at the same time thrilled by the Napalm-like attack, and I enjoyed the kids shooting, slicing, and cutting while trying to kill and outfox each other. I enjoyed Thresh smashing Clove's head with a piece of rock, and the mangled Cato begging Katniss for an instant death. I laughed at that part when the frantic Claudius finally announced the winners of the Game due to an apparent act of double suicide that symbolically slapped the Gamemakers' faces, and would have threatened to render the Game's outcome moot.

After reading the book, you realize that you're slightly hungry too. Hungry for more. If only a silvery parachute will fall from heaven carrying the next book of the series for me to devour, the same way the players cheat death by instant aids from their capitalistic sponsors.

I look forward to Katniss fulfilling her revenge to the Gamemakers and the Capitol. As things will never be the same again at the return of Katniss to District 12 by the end of the book, I can say that she's hungry for revenge. In the final book of the series, we might see an arrow puncturing the skull of President Snow. Violent? Nothing is more brutal in this book, and probably for the whole series too.


some hungry passages:

Rue's death has forced me to confront my own fury against the cruelty, the injustice they inflict upon us. But here, even more strongly than at home, I feel my impotence. There's no way to take revenge on the Capitol. Is there?

----------------

Katniss Everdeen. A girl who lives in the Seam. Hunts in the woods. Trades in the Hob. I stare in the mirror as I try to remember who I am and who I am not. By the time I join the others, the pressure of Peeta's arm around my shoulders feels alien.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 tracker jacks
Genre: YA, Dystopia