Dracula wonders why this “Edward” and “Bella” are people he may know

IMG_0296I avoided bookstores last December because I’m prone to splurging more at the end of the year (and God knows I have entirely too many books waiting for me at home) but there was one book that I couldn’t pass up buying, because of itsĀ  sheer entertainment value (for me, at least).

It’s a book entitled, “Ophelia Joined the Group Maidens Who Don’t Float: Classic Lit Signs on to Facebook” by Sarah Schmelling, who catapulted to fame with her Facebook news feed edition of Hamlet.

For an impulse buy, it didn’t come cheap (it was P600+, or over US $12) which I rarely spend on a single book unless I’m fanatically compelled to buy it; but as soon as I read a few pages into this book I knew I had to get a copy.

The book is a treat for avid readers who are on Facebook, as it is a compilation of Facebook pages of various literary characters and even some authors, much like historical tweets or other social networking site parodies.

It’s pretty hilarious if you get them, but if you’re not much of a reader, a lot of jokes will probably sail right past you — uhmm, I tried passing the book around at the office because they were wondering why I was laughing so hysterically and the jokes fell quite flat because I had to keep explaining them.

Continue reading “Dracula wonders why this “Edward” and “Bella” are people he may know”

The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

I’ve been looking for this book for ages, and I temporarily lifted my book-buying moratorium because I chanced upon it at book sale (I love you guys, whoever’s behind the store, even though that beatrix potter book I’ve requested online from you still hasn’t been confirmed, and that was a whole year ago!)… Whee!

I discovered The Stinky Cheese Man and my love for Lane Smith when I was taking Illustration classes under Panch Alcaraz, when she lent me the book to use as a reference for my thesis. I’ve been looking for it for three years now (heartbroken at the INKmas party, when someone turned it in as an exchange gift, and it missed me by a couple of persons during the passing), and I finally have it! Yehey!

To those not familiar with the book, it’s an irreverent parody of fairy tales, one of the best examples of post-modern children’s books today, deconstructing not only the fairy tale but the concept of a book as well. It’s funny in a way both kids and grownups can enjoy (Chickoy and I had a fun time reading it together!), no matter how many times you read it.

I love it love it love it!

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My copy: hardcover with dust jacket, from Book Sale

My rating: 5/5 stars