Monday Muse: My Blog and Things I’ll Never Understand in It

 Happy Monday, awesome readers! :)

I was looking at my blog stats, and of course, things I found there never cease to amaze me. People seem to find Catch the Lune using every kind of unimaginable keywords. Some people lurk in this site from place I’ve never thought. Posts when I babble seem to get higher stats (why oh why). Those stuffs make me think about when I first start blogging, and all the goods that come from it.

Being a good procrastinator I am, of course I have to put down whatever I'm supposed to do and write these things in my Monday Muse post. (In fact I was supposed to be writing my essay by the time I wrote this, but well… some things can wait #legitprocrastinator)

 My Blog and Things I’ll Never Understand in It

“PICTURES OF BOYS” KEYWORD IN GOOGLE SEARCH
 

Let’s see. Some of you type “pictures of boys” and you got yourself here. Interesting.

…

I know I’m supposed to gush about cute guys’ abs and Ian Somerholder and Matt Bomer. What am I doing writing reviews about books. Huh.

…

Too bad, I’m not too good in writing about cute guys. I can’t ever get past “OMG IAN MATT CHACE TOO PERFECT GAAAH TAKE OFF MY MONEY AND SHOWS US THOSE ABS”.

Not good enough to make blog post, no.

Oh yeah, definitely the kind of stuff that I actually want to write about.

But here’s Douglas to compensate little lambs who are lost here. Yeah, I’m perfectly content with Chace for now, thank you.

Ugh. Those looking-through-your-soul-eyes. *wipe drools*

 LARGE RUSSIAN AUDIENCE



Interestingly, my biggest blog audience after USA (Americans! I love you!) is Russia. Strange, because:

1. I've only read a handful books set in Russia.

2. As you see, this blog is written in English.

3. I don’t remember having interacted much with any Russian blogger.

And thus, the reason why my 2nd biggest audience are Russians is my biggest mystery.
 
Here's a shoutout to my silent Russian readers! Please don’t be lurkers and talk to me, guys! I occasionally serve biscuits and tea, and I promise I don’t bite. Let’s talk about the beauty of St. Petersburg and the aching love story of Tatiana and Alexander in The Bronze Horseman series! x)

Как дела? Меня зовут Хилда. Приятно познакомиться! (finally my Russian class pays off. I promise it’s not Google Translate)


HIGHEST ALL-TIME STATISTICAL HITS FOR MONDAY MUSE POSTS
 

Come on, guys. Catch the Lune is a serious literary blog (please let me dream) and it’s not like I gush about cute guys every week. Somehow the posts with the biggest hits are giveaway (understandable) and my Monday Muse series (questionable) though. I don’t remember ever put anything important in this… I think I only talk about something slightly serious things sometimes. For some reasons, people seem to find this blog more amusing when I rave nonstop about cute guys / the sweetness of Peeta / Finnick and how hot he is. Wait, they are basically the same thing.

I’m not going to clutter this blog with my rambling, but I’ll do my best to post Monday Muse regularly. Please do check out every Monday to read a little bit of silliness (and whatever in my mind at that time haha)! ;)


COMMENTS ON MY ABOUT ME PAGE

It’s so lovely that you guys take some time commenting in my "About Me "page! It’s also the page with biggest hits in this blog. Originally, I forgot to turn off comment section in that page but now I’m so grateful. You guys are so kind for taking your time reading it. <3

LETTERS INSIDE OUT AS ONE OF THE TOP REFERRERS TO THIS BLOG

Letters Inside Out is a wonderful blog managed by Amanda, and I remember participating in one book tour she organizes. It’s a bit confusing though that people seems to find my blog through her site! I don’t interact much with lovely Amanda, and I think my blog is not listed in her blogroll. In addition, she has quit blogging for the meantime so her site is down now. So why… is it still top referrer?
 

CONCLUSION

• I guess some things are never meant to be solved.
• You guys could be from any nation and I'd still thank you for reading this blog! Thanks! :)
• I hope you guys will be okay with me posting totally strange things like this!
• Yeah yeah, this post is mainly slightly an excuse for me to post Chace Crawford's picture in my blog. Major needs to blog about him, sorry! :P

 

Is there anything in your blog that confuses you as well? Like many hits on unexpected posts or hilarious keyword search on your stats? :)

Thank you for reading this week's Monday Muse! Have a wonderful day, everyone! :)

Monday Muse: My Favorite Book-to-Movie Adaptations

Hello everyone, and happy Monday! It has been awhile since I last did Monday Muse. I hope you guys are ready for another dose of silly conversation hehe. Today I’ve prepared a list of my favorite book-to-movie adaptations! This list is heavily biased and in no way serves as movie analysis device, but I hope you’ll like it anyway! ;)

1. The Hunger Games

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Oh, heaven knows my obsession over The Hunger Games trilogy. I just can’t get enough of Finnick Peeta. While Katniss might not be the easiest heroine to relate to, I just can’t seem to hate her. That girl is so awkward in letting herself being loved. I think Jennifer Lawrence is perfect for Katniss! ♥ Katniss doesn’t say much but the emotion is totally palpable on her face.

The first movie, The Hunger Games, has great portion of action and romance. I think they do great job in the second movie, Catching Fire, as well, adding more action in order to make things more interesting. Fingers crossed they’ll do awesome job in the third movie, Mockingjay, which focuses on Katniss’ unstable emotional state. Raise your hand if you’re going to watch Mockingjay: Part 1 as well in November! ;)

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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 EZRA MILLER I LOVE YOU. Ezraaa.

Cough, sorry for the fangirl moment. I just need a little shout out moment for one of my favorite actors ever, Ezra Miller. Ezra plays a really wonderful part as Partrick, one of the main trios in the movie adaptation of this book.

Oh Patrick how much I adore you.

When I read the book, I was like, “Oh Patrick yeah he’s cool”. But when I saw Ezra in the movie I was like, “WHAT PATRICK I LOVE THAT GUY MAN YOU GOT ME AT THAT SMIRK”. So, um, yeah. #fangirlproblem

The Perks of Being a Wallflower has a really good story and stunning casts. I think that the cinematography is very beautiful as well (though I’m in no way expert in that area haha). Thanks to this movie, I ended up listening to songs from bands which I wasn’t accustomed to like The Smiths. And yeah, they’re cool like Ezra’s hair. (LOVE HIS HAIR AAAHHH)

Practically everyone's favorite part.

3. Julie and Julia

I’m a big fan of cooking show. I can’t whip up anything more complicated than brownies or spaghetti, but watching people cook always make me happy. Julie and Julia, with lovely storyline, adorable accent, and delicious-looking dishes, is totally on my favorite list. How I wish I could get into the movie and taste the dishes! (I’ll even try escargot gah)

This is a cute movie I’ll recommend for watching together with your friends! Julie and Julia makes me want to take my apron and get into the kitchen. But for the safety of everyone, let’s just stick to making more brownies(es), Hilda! xD

I want a kitchen like this! (and extra boost of cooking talent would be good too haha)
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4. Howl’s Moving Castle

idea for cutest date ever (hanging out among the clouds)

This animation movie is an adaptation from classic fantasy book by British author, Diana Peterfeund Jones. Some of you know how much I adore animation movie and especially the producer of this amazing work, Ghibli. Howl’s Moving Castle is romantic and appropriate for all ages. It has a quirky heroine, Sophie, who has been magically transformed into a grandma and totally okay with it. There’s also Howl, the hero who is sometimes a coward but still very lovable. I highly recommend watching Howl’s Moving Castle with your children/younger cousins/anyone who enjoy animation movie!

You can check other works from Ghibli if you want to (they’re as amazing!): My Neighbor Totoro, The Borrower’s Arriety, and Princess Mononoke. Ghibli is very popular in Japan and when I met new Japanese friends, we ended up talking about Ghibli movies. Therefore, it’s a great way to branch to other movie genre and meet new friends! ;)

5. The Devil Wears Prada

hang in there, Andy!

I’m sorry but I really like The Devil Wears Prada. #sorrynotsorry It’s a total chick-flick movie, yes, but who am I to resist the temptation of chick-flick? ;) It has great storyline, wonderful casts, and GORGEOUS sets of clothes and shoes. I’m a happy audience, thank you. ♥

The plots in the movie deviate from the book, but I like it so it’s okay. Plus, no one can pull of Chanel like Anne Hathaway can.

I'm fabulous and I know it.

6. Pride and Prejudice

Mr. Darcy! I first watched the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice when I was much younger (about 12 years old...?). Needless to say how confusing the story was for me. Re-watched again when I was few years older and I have to say that people of different eras think of the same thing! Marriage. Sisterly bond. Not fitting in. Lizzie, Jane, and other Bennett sisters are just like reflections of girls in this time (minus the corset). Applause for the cinematography: simply breathtaking.

If you haven’t watched it (gee, I don't know you live under a rock), please watch it. What, you have watched it before? Good. NOW WATCH IT AGAIN. ♥

7. The Fault in Our Stars

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GAHHH THE FEEELLLLSSS. I’m so grateful that I didn’t watch The Fault in Our Stars in cinema because OMG I was such a mess when I was watching this. I cried a river and made incoherent noises and was practically a puddle of mess haha. The movie is ROMANTIC with capitals. I'm glad that some of my guy friends managed to enjoy it though! :)

However,I did miss some of my favorite quotes from the book ("My words are stars I can’t fathom into constellations"), but I’m content with all the staring and unspoken words between Gus and Hazel. ♥

Kinda wish that they had put more highlight into Gus’ breakdown moment in the car because it is the moment we see a crack in tough Augustus Waters. The movie also ignores some symbolisms in the story, like when Gus and Hazel watch movie in the plane and Gus’ movie is few seconds quicker than Hazel so he always laughs/exclaims first. Still, I think it’s a very lovely movie and a definite tear-jerker. You gave us a beautiful love story within the numbered pages, and for that we’re grateful, Mr. John Green.

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And that’s my short list (and looooong explanation) of my favorite book-to-movie adaptations! Do you find any of your favorite in my list? What is your favorite book-to-movie? :)

Happy Monday, and thanks always for reading, everyone! I hope you’re having a wonderful (and inspirational!) Monday! :)

Monday Muse: Negative Review

Happy Monday! I should have published this post loooong time ago but some things and others prevented me to do so. I’m very sorry. *bows deeply* Today, I’m going to talk about something that has been in my mind for a long long long time: negative review.

I don’t mind reading negative reviews, but writing it is another thing. Why is it hard for me to write negative reviews?

• I don’t know how to make it balanced. It’s very difficult not to rant about books I don’t like in my reviews.  
• Sometimes I am not capable of explaining clearly why I don’t like that book. Some problems I had were very minor and mostly related to the attitude of the main character or the illogical plots, but it’s hard to explain it in writing. There were times when it’s just the writing that ticks me off, or how illogical the plot is in my opinion.
• It takes me much much much longer time to write a negative review because I need to formulate my sentences carefully in order to stay polite yet true to myself.

I write negative reviews in order to provide constructive feedback and send warning for other readers who may not enjoy it, but not to discourage them from reading it or even tackle the author personally. 

Most of the time, I spend time checking Goodreads before I decide to buy a book. Sometimes negative reviews with strong cases make me even more interested to give the book a try. :)

How about you? Do you like reading negative reviews? How much does book review influence you? Feel free to share your thoughts! :)

Monday Muse: Books for Vacation

Monday Muse is a weekly blog feature in which I talk about book-related things: review book-to-movie adapation, lists of my favorite heroines, etc. But really, it's just a feature to excuse my random rants so as not to clutter this blog.


It's officially the first week of holiday! FINALLY. *sheds tears* Technically it's the second week of holiday, but since I spent my first week hiking a mountain and went around with my adrenaline-junkie friends, I only have time to rest and read now. Ah. Bliss. *rolls around* Check out my post yesterday to see pictures of the mountain! :P

Anyways, happy Monday Muse! Today I have a list of books that will be perfect choices for your holiday. Hope you'll find some books that you'll like! :)

1. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige | Goodreads 


OZ! You can watch The Wizard of Oz during your vacation, but you know what else you can do? You can read Dorothy Must Die in which Dorothy becomes bad and a new heroine must kill her! Yay! Not the same old tale we all love and know anymore, right? ;)

Wishing for twists in your book? Give Dorothy Must Die a go. :)

2. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins | Goodreads

Anna and the French Kiss is especially perfect for beach reading. Short, sweet, and definitely swoon-worthy! And it's all set in France, which makes this book even more awesome. Recommended for anyone with beating heart for romance. ♥

Such sweet, sweet book. Prepare to fall in love!


 

3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho | Goodreads

MUAHAHAHA. Yes you read it right. I give you The Alchemist for vacation book! Hehe, one of my friends actually read it for train reading in last week's vacation and it gives me idea to include the book in this list. The Alchemist is a short book, a must-read-at-least-once-in-a-lifetime book, and truth be told, it's good to impress people.

Need a book to read in a plane/train/anything with lots of people passing by? The Alchemist it is.







4. The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes | Goodreads

Want something light and sweet to entertain your day? Pick The Art of Lainey! It may sound like typical getting-back-the-ex boyfriend story (yawn....), but no! Lainey is a very fun character, and she uses Sun Tzu's The Art of War in order to get back her ex! Now that's EPIC.

Good fluffy reading with friendship, family, and romance in a package!



  


 

5. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers | Goodreads

Let's not forget our readers in Southern hemisphere! ;) This is Not a Test is a perfect read in snow, drizzle, or anything without sun in sight. It's gripping, crazy... perfect. Zombie is not my favorite undead creature (vampire FTW!), but Courtney Summers' take of zombies in this book is very interesting.

Not a usual zombie book, I highly recommend This is Not a Test! 





 
 


6. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen | Goodreads

I read This Lullaby loooong time ago and it's still one of my favorites summer time read. ♥ It's simple and sweet, and there's something about restoring faith in love that makes the story even cuter. ;)

If you haven't read anything by Sarah Dessen, This Lullaby can be your introduction to this wordsmith's work!

 

 




 7. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han | Goodreads

It's cute cute cute. To All the Boys I've Loved Before is the story of a Korean-American girl who writes letter to her crushes and put it inside box instead of admitting it. But then: her sealed letters are mailed! Yeah, chaos. And awesomeness. :)

Perfect for light reading and yay for heroine from minority! :) It's going to be turned into a movie! Can't wait!! :)

8. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard | Goodreads

I loved Wanderlove. Backpacking! Have always wanted to try that in Wanderlove, we meet Bria who actually does that. Backpacking is not always nice - mosquito ugh - but of course, a good companion makes everything much better (preferably a hot guy like Rowan haha ;)).

Adorned with illustrations, I bet Wanderlove makes you want to grab your backpack and travel around the world.






 
9. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson | Goodreads

Second Chance Summer is a very powerful read. Heart-touching with strong sets of characters, you may avoid reading this in beach though... red eyes from crying are not very attractive. ;) Really, Second Chance Summer is too good to let go even if you have to go through your stock of Kleenex.

A great choice for fans of realistic contemporary. ♥










 10. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith | Goodreads

A mystery thriller by J. K. Rowling Robert Galbraith. If you missed The Cuckoo's Calling, now is the time to catch up with everyone by reading The Silkworm! I'm the kind of person who jumps in a series even if it's the tenth book in the series (for real), so no worries if you haven't read the first book! Just grab the second book and enjoy it. ;)

Friendship, mystery, and murder. Ah, what else we can ask?
   






And that's the list of my book recommendation for vacation! Is there any book that grabs your attention from the list above? What do you plan to read for vacation? :)

Stay inspiring, get inspired, and have inspiration! Happy Monday, awesome people! ♥