Review: Vapiano's Apple Parfiat

Some time ago, my cousin invited me to have lunch at Vapiano. Since it's opening, it's had great reviews, and the locals constantly crave it. At the time, being full of my own lunch an hour before, I decided to just enjoy one of their desserts and tea while my awesome cousin ate her own delicious and mouthwatering pasta right in front of me. It felt like torture, watching her twist her fork into that pasta. 

But alas, when this beautiful creamy looking dessert was put in front of me, my craving for pasta floated away, and my mouth watered just looking at that creamy dessert. Though I am unsure of the exact name of the dish,  I recall that it was a special of the day/week. It looks somewhat like a parfait, and since the main element of flavoring was the apples at the bottom, I'm assuming it's an Apple Parfait. But please correct me if I'm wrong. :) 

The creamy dessert had peeled sweet apples at the bottom, with a thick layer of yogurt and cream, and all topped with chopped walnuts and a point of mint. 

I just went right in there and attacked the thing. The texture of the cream was smooth, and with the apples, a bomb of sweetness exploded in my mouth. The walnuts were chewy and gave the dish the right crunch, along with the apples. 

A great dessert from Vapiano. I recommend this to those with a sweet tooth for apples and crunch. If you enjoy apple pie, you'll enjoy this one.

  

[Review] Bridgerton #1 - The Duke & I by Julia Quinn

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgerton (book 1)
Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend's sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it's all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.
But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it's hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it's his devilish smile, certainly it's the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her... but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke... for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love..
Can there be any greater challenge to London's Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke? — Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1813 - Goodreads

Review

It took me a surprisingly long time to finish this book. I thought, since it was a historical romance, I'd finish it faster.

The Duke and I is a witty, heart clenching, laugh out loud kind of book. There were many instances where I'd be literally bursting out with laughter. But ironically, I didn't feel the book like I do with other historical romances until I got within spitting distance to the ending. Don't get me wrong, it's a really good book, it was really interesting, and a definite page turner, but I couldn't grasp the world of the Bridgertons' tight enough to become apart of it.

Fortunately, as I got towards the ending, I couldn't put it down. Cocooned in my blanket, reading into the night and getting drawn into the world of the Bridgertons' was utterly relaxing. I'll be picking up the next book of the series soon.

I recommend this to all those who enjoy the pleasure of historical romance. Every historical romance addict should get a glimpse of Julia Quinns writing, because she is said to be one of the best historical romance writers out there

 

[Books] Losing It by Cora Carmack

Goodreads | Booklikes
Dec 9 - Dec 12

Synopsis

Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, Bliss Edwards decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible - a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

Review

I was extremely excited to start this book. I saw it on goodreads, read the synopsis and hastily went to bookdepository to buy it!

The book started off okay, it was straight to the point. Bliss wanted to lose her v-card and the best way she could do it was to have a one night stand. In the end she gets too nervous and leaves the guy naked on her bed as she ran away. The next day she sees the same guy she left the night before standing in front of her class and introduced himself as her new professor. Dan dan daaaaaan.

First of all, the cover. I just want to point out that being in the middle east, I can't just go around carrying a book with a book cover like that without a book jacket. So it barely left my room. I can't stop starring at Garrick on the cover. It is perfect ;) (okay mixed feelings there)

I was glued to this book for daaaays. It was a very sweet and slightly angsty, just a bit, but the humor covers up most of the angst. Again, I just have to say that I love how it's all straight to the point, which makes it a perfect short and enjoyable read.

This book really reminds me of a dirtier version of those boy-next-door contemporary YA books.

I recommend this book to those who are all into those forbidden love scenarios. This could be a choice for you.

  

[Books] Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Goodreads | Booklikes
Oct 14 - 30, 2013

Synopsis

Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her-and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

Review

Tempest Rising revolves around a teenager, Tempest, who would have the ability to transform into a mermaid when she turns 17. Ever since her mother; who is also a mermaid, left her beloved family to return to ocean, Tempest has hated and dreaded the idea of becoming a mermaid, until she feels a powerful temptation to go into the water and welcome the life under the sea.

Tempest Rising is a great young adult novel, and it's been a while, or at least it felt like a while, since I've read an actual paranormal YA novel. And I have to admit there were times when I would go "Oh come on! You're only 17!"

I was super excited to read this book. I always love reading about mermaids, the sea and the ocean. I literally picked up the book and jumped around for a couple of seconds, squealing. I'm so weird.

I started it off really well, I couldn't put it down for days. Until I reached the middle of the book. I am unsure whether it was because I got busy with reality that it ruined my comfortable ideal reading hours that made reading the book feel like a drag, or whether it was the book itself. I'll go with the busy statement. xD

One of the things that drew me into the book was the writing; it was funny as well as very creative, and of course Kona. That's apparently hot and sexy mysterious man with long hair...hmm..

Though the action-packed scene in the book didn't seem very action-y. I didn't feel the excitement that these scenes were supposed to give you when you read them. But it was all still very entertaining to read and enjoy.

All in all, Tempest Rising is a great book! There were tragic deaths, happy times and mixed-feeling endings. These are all you need to enjoy a great book! 

If you enjoy the words of the waves and the land under that sea along with a splash of teenage romance, this is the book for you! 

I can't wait to get the rest of the series! 

[Books] His Dark Materials #1: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Goodreads | Booklikes
Finished on: Oct 27 2013

Synopsis 
Here lives an orphaned ward named Lyra Belacqua, whose carefree life among the scholars at Oxford's Jordan College is shattered by the arrival of two powerful visitors. First, her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, appears with evidence of mystery and danger in the far North, including photographs of a mysterious celestial phenomenon called Dust and the dim outline of a city suspended in the Aurora Borealis that he suspects is part of an alternate universe. He leaves Lyra in the care of Mrs. Coulter, an enigmatic scholar and explorer who offers to give Lyra the attention her uncle has long refused her. In this multilayered narrative, however,nothing is as it seems. Lyra sets out for the top of the world in search of her kidnapped playmate, Roger, bearing a rare truth-telling instrument, the compass of the title. All around her children are disappearing—victims of so-called "Gobblers"—and being used as subjects in terrible experiments that separate humans from their daemons, creatures that reflect each person's inner being. And somehow, both Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter are involved

Review

In a world where each person has their very own dæmon, and where there are witches, armored bears and a great amusement for "dust". The book revolves around it's protagonist; an 11 year old girl, Lyra. She sets out to find her friend Roger who has mysteriously gone missing. In the process, she meets new people and discovers that children everywhere are getting taken away from their families to be used for experiments. Lyra sets out to find out more about these "experiments" and tries to find a way to stop them.

Now that I read the summary for the first time, I don't think I would've read this book if it wasn't for the movie and how awesome it looked. The idea of having your very own dæmon that is connected to your and will always be by your side is what drew me into this series.

I really enjoyed this book from the very beginning, until I started to get a little uninterested. I wasn't bored, it was very exciting, but it just suddenly felt uninteresting to me, until the pace went back up again and my interest grew back up towards the ending of the book.

The characters were alright, but favorite was Serafina Pekkala and most of the witches. My least favorite after Ms Coulter was Lord Asreal. I honestly didn't expect him to act that way towards his own daughter. Okay I won't say more.

The story line was fantastic, it was a whole new world that I think everyone should experience with an open mind. I recommend this trilogy to those who enjoy reading about different worlds that is filled with loads of action. I'm looking forward to starting the next book.

[Books] Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Synopsis

Orphaned, penniless, Jacob Jankowski jumps a freight train in the dark, and in that instant, transforms his future.
By morning, he's landed a job with the Flying Squadron of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. By nightfall, he's in love.
In an America made colourless by prohibition and the Depression, the circus is a refuge of sequins and sensuality. But behind the glamour lies a darker world, where both animals and men are dispensable. Where falling in love is the most dangerous act of all... 

Goodreads 

Review

I bought this book a couple of years back, and it's been on my shelf for ages. I recently found the audiobook I thought might as well read and listen at the same time to make things faster.

This was the kind of book that I thought would bored me bu I was surprised that I really enjoyed it. It was the same feeling I had when I read The Help, it sucked me in from the very first words. Though it did take me quite a while to finish the book, I just wasn't in the reading/listening mood for the past few weeks. 

I've grown to love these kind of book that not only focuses on the romance part but focuses on everything and has meaning behind it all. 

The book focuses on Jacob Jankowski and his life when he runs away from his home town and joins a circus. 

I immensely enjoyed this book. It was intriguing, adventurous and a slightly easy read. The characters were very diverse and fun; hence circus. 

As for the narrators of the audio version, they were fantastic and did a great job. They kept the listener listening. And the production was delightful, with all the soothing music that I swayed along to for that couple of seconds

Water for Elephants is a great novel, I would read it again in time. And I definitely recommend this novel to anyone, absolutely anyone who enjoys reading something outside their genre. Though I have to warn those who want to let younger readers read this, it has explicit sexual content.

[Books] P.S I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Goodreads

Sept 10 - 18, 2013

Synopsis 

Childhood sweethearts, they could finish each other's sentences and even when they fought, they laughed. No one could imagine Holly and Gerry without each other.

Until the unthinkable happens. Gerry's death devastates Holly. But as her 30th birthday looms, Gerry comes back to her. He's left her a bundle of notes, gently guiding Holly into her new life without him, each note signed 'PS, I Love You'.

As the notes are gradually opened, and as they year unfolds, Holly is both cheered up and challenged. The man who knows her better than anyone sets out to teach her that life goes on. With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing — and being braver than ever before.

Life is for living, she realizes — but it always helps if there's an angel watching over you.

Review

My first Cecelia Ahern novel and it wasn't a disappointment.

Holly has lost her husband and she's been having a hard time getting out of her grieving stage and back on her feet. Her husband Gerry, left her a list of things do to after he'd died, and I believe it was such a great way of closure for Holly. Go Gerry!

I expected this book to be sad and filled with sobs but I thought wrong. It was funny and there were literally times when I would burst out laughing. And Yes it was a bit sad at the beginning and the mention of death depressed me, but the characters were filled with so much wit and bluntness, it made the book so much brighter.

The main character Holly, poor thing, had lost her husband and her time of grieving saddened me so much into almost tears. It sounds weird to me but I enjoyed seeing how she picks herself up again (no idea why that sounds weird) and how she went back to being her better self just because of those letters that was sent by her dead husband Gerry. 

This different way of closure after someone close to you had passed inspires me to make my own list for those around me, or maybe just that one person. xD

What else can I say about this book, it is sad but the sadness was overlapped by laughs and sweet hopeful smiles towards the end. It's a great book for anyone to enjoy. If you're into romance and self-help books that will help you become a better you, this book may inspire you. 

[Books] Leaving Paradise #2 - Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Goodreads
Sept 2 - 10, 2013

Synopsis

Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.

Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She's determined to make a new life for herself.

But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie's accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them. 

Review

Return to Paradise, the sequel to Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles, is about teenage drama, family drama, the typical love that a man and woman fight for. 

I started this book right after I finished writing the review for the first book (Leaving Paradise). I wanted to know what would happen next because I hate cliff hangers so much.

The book started off with the reckless Caleb and what his life has been since he left Paradise. I was okay with Caleb in the first book, he was like a lost confused puppy who doesn't know what he wants and doesn't know how to deal with his life after he got released. 

In this sequel, I have to say that I'm very proud of Caleb and how he's grown from a coward who runs away (literally runs away) instead of facing his problems head on into a mature independent man that would do anything for his girl. 

Maggie, I also have to say that I'm super duper proud of Maggie and how much confidence she grew. She's no longer the Maggie that was scared and hated how she looked because of her disability. She's stronger, proud and way more confident in herself. 

I enjoyed this book much more than the first. It made me giggle from the very beginning and that one person who made me burst out giggling (either than Mrs Reynolds, RIP) was Lenny. I found him gross at first, but I've grown to like him. He's so random and laid back. I love characters like him and Mrs Reynolds, they can always brighten up a book like this one. 

I am so happy that Elkeles wrote a sequel to Leaving Paradise.

This is a mild YA novel, it's a great book for when you just want to read something small that's out of your genre. It is filled with young adult drama, runaways, and lets not forget the thriving hormones (don't worry it's clean). It is also funny and heartwarming!