DEKADA ’70 — Lualhati Bautista

🎭 Genre:

Panlipunan / Pampulitika

📅 Date Finished:

Enero 2026

⭐ Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

About the book:

Isang nobelang tumatalakay sa buhay ng isang pamilyang Pilipino sa gitna ng magulong dekada ’70, kung saan unti-unting nahahayag ang epekto ng pulitika, patriyarkiya, at katahimikan sa loob ng tahanan.

My thoughts:

“Ang takot ay hindi dahilan para tumigil sa pakikialam.”

Bilang isang mambabasa na matagal nang humahanga at nakabasa na ng ilang akda ni Lualhati Bautista, masasabi kong muli na naman niyang pinatunayan kung bakit siya isa sa mga haligi ng panitikang Pilipino. Ang Dekada ’70 ay mahusay, mapangahas, at malalim—isang librong hindi mo lang binabasa, kundi pinagninilayan. Habang umuusad ang kuwento, ramdam mong unti-unting namumulat ang isipan mo sa mga isyung matagal na sanang binibigyan ng pansin.

“Kapag natutong magsalita ang isang babae, wala nang makakapigil sa kanya.”

Kung pag-uusapan ang mga karakter, pinaka-tumatak sa akin si Amanda. Naawa ako sa kanya—dahil para siyang larawan ng maraming babaeng natutong manahimik at magtiis. Tinanggap niya ang uri ng pagmamahal na akala niya’y iyon na ang nararapat para sa kanya. Kaya naman napakasarap basahin ang mga bahagi ng kuwento kung saan unti-unti niyang natagpuan ang sariling boses, lalo na nang tuluyan niyang ipahayag ang tunay niyang nararamdaman sa kanyang asawa. Hindi man perpekto ang naging pagbabago, malinaw na may paglago—at sapat na iyon.

“May mga sugat na hindi nakikita, pero habang-buhay na dinadala.”

Isa ring dahilan kung bakit naging kawili-wili ang nobela ay ang iba-ibang personalidad ng limang magkakapatid. Bawat isa ay may sariling paninindigan at paraan ng pagharap sa magulong sitwasyon ng dekada ’70. May mga pangyayaring hindi ko talaga inaasahan, lalo na ang biglaang pagpanaw ng isang karakter—isang eksenang tumimo at hindi madaling kalimutan. Sa totoo lang, habang binabasa ko ito, napaisip ako: kung nabuhay ako noong panahong iyon, baka hindi rin ako nagtagal 🤣 dahil malamang, kabilang ako sa uri ni Jules—palaban, mapanuri, at hindi marunong manahimik.

“May mga panahong kailangan mong pumili kung mananahimik o lalaban.”

Sa kabuuan, labis kong nagustuhan ang tuluy-tuloy na daloy ng pagbabasa sa librong ito. Hindi lamang ito nakapagbigay-aliw, kundi nakapagdulot din ng kaalaman, mga bagong pananaw, at mga tanong na hanggang ngayon ay patuloy ko pa ring iniisip—mga tanong na maaaring wala ring tiyak na sagot.

“Ang katahimikan ay isang uri rin ng pagsang-ayon.”

Inabot ako ng mahigit dalawang oras bago ko matapos ang aklat, at masasabi kong napakagandang unang libro para sa taon na ito. Isa rin itong paalala at pangako sa sarili na simulan nang basahin ang mga physical books na matagal ko nang itinatabi.

“Hindi puwedeng manatiling bulag habang may nangyayaring mali.”

Sa huli, si Lualhati Bautista ay isa sa mga manunulat na masasabi kong hinding-hindi sayang ang oras at perang ilalaan mo sa kanyang mga akda. May lalim, may tapang, at may saysay.

Would I recommend it?

Yes. Lubos kong inirerekomenda ang librong ito, lalo na sa mga mambabasang handang mag-isip, makaramdam, at makialam.

IT: Welcome to Derry (Season 1)

📌 Type: TV Series

🎭 Genre: Horror / Psychological Horror / Drama

📅 Date Watched: December 2025 – January 2, 2026

⭐ Rating: 3.5 / 5

What it’s about:

Set decades before the events of IT, the series explores the dark history of Derry and the recurring presence of an ancient evil that feeds on fear, trauma, and silence.

My thoughts:

IT: Welcome to Derry feels intentionally unfinished, and that works both for and against it. I found myself rewatching both IT films and revisiting Stephen King’s novel just to fully absorb the experience. Eventually, the line between the book and the movies began to blur, but instead of feeling confusing, it actually added depth. Seeing familiar faces while still carrying the weight of the novel made the story more immersive and personal.

The series doesn’t shy away from disturbing material. This is not casual horror meant for all viewers—it is heavy, slow-burning, and psychologically unsettling. Several scenes are genuinely uncomfortable, dealing with abuse, fear, and trauma in ways that linger long after the episode ends. As a horror enthusiast, I appreciated how unapologetically dark the show is, proving that effective horror comes from sustained tension rather than constant shock value.

One of the strongest aspects of the series is its cast, particularly the children. Their performances feel natural and grounded, making their fear and resilience believable. Because of this, the deaths hit harder and feel tragic rather than sensationalized. The show’s approach to Pennywise’s origins also works well—it expands the lore without overexplaining, respecting both the novel and the films while preserving the mystery.

Overall, Welcome to Derry succeeds as a dark companion piece to the IT universe. It is especially rewarding for Stephen King fans, but it also stands on its own as a grim and immersive horror series. Season 2 holds a lot of promise, and I only hope the story is given more room to grow.

Would I recommend it?

Depends. If you’re avoiding spoilers from Stephen King’s novel, this might not be for you. But if you’re looking for a truly unsettling and dark horror experience, this series is worth watching.

Stranger Things – Suspicious Minds by Gwenda Bond ❸/❺ 🌠

≛ Honestly? I enjoyed it. It’s not mind-blowing or super intense, but if you’re a Stranger Things fan, it’s definitely worth reading. It gives you a deeper look into Eleven’s mom, Terry Ives, and how twisted the Hawkins Lab experiments really were.

≛ It’s the kind of story that doesn’t need to be flashy — it’s more about understanding the past, and it actually made me appreciate the show even more.

≛ I’ve always been curious about Kali (008) too, and I was hoping the book would go deeper into her, but at least she was mentioned.

≛ What I really wish is that we saw more of Terry after everything she went through — her story is tragic, and I was really invested in what would happen to her.

≛ Overall, it’s a good read. Not something I’d call unforgettable, but definitely one of those “good to know” backstories that make the series hit even harder.

≛ If you’re rewatching the show or getting ready for the final season (like I am 😎), this is a solid companion to the Stranger Things universe.

≛ Highly recommended for fans who want more context, more depth, and more heartbreak behind the story we all love. 🧠🖤

ᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙᚙ

ᳮ Set in 1969, years before Stranger Things, this novel follows Terry Ives, a college student who volunteers for a secret government experiment at Hawkins National Laboratory. But what begins as science quickly turns into something far more dangerous.

ᳮ As Terry uncovers the lab’s dark secrets and meets a mysterious young girl with strange abilities, she finds herself caught in a terrifying conspiracy — one that leads to the origins of Eleven and the horrors to come. 👀

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ: 21st of July

#readingwrapup #strangerthings #suspiciousminds #gwendabond #sciencefiction #horror #fantasy #thriller #mystery #randomunbosom #bibliobibuli #bookstagram #2025reads #bookwhore

🍳🍱 Food for the Soul (Hibi wa Sugiredo Meshi Umashi) – A Comforting Slice of Life I’ll Always Come Back To ᥫ᭡

5/5 🌟

ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠) I just found another favorite anime to add to my list! Food for the Soul is the perfect example of what I love in a series—relaxing, healing, and full of heart. It's one of those shows that makes you feel at peace, the kind that you can watch after a long day and instantly feel better. It reminded me a lot of Yuru Camp—slow-paced, cozy, and deeply comforting.

ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠) The characters? All so different, yet each one shines in their own way. What really touched me was how every single one of them had character growth. You can really feel how they influence and support one another. Their dynamic as a group is just so wholesome.

ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠) I found myself laughing out loud so many times! There’s a soft kind of humor here—nothing loud or forced, just pure, natural fun that feels like you’re laughing with friends.

ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠) And Mako? I loved her parts when she explains each dish she makes. There’s something so calming and intimate about the way she talks about food. You can tell how much it means to her—and somehow, you end up feeling the same.

ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠) But more than anything, it was the friendship that hit me the most. Their bond was so genuine, it honestly made me wish I could jump into the anime and be part of their group. 🥺 The warmth they share, the way they look out for one another—it’s beautiful.

ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠) And let me just say: Tsutsuji is my favorite!! 🧩 She’s so funny, a little clumsy, but super warm and dependable. Actually, all of them are! I loved each character in their own way. It’s rare to find a show where you’re rooting for the entire cast.

ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠) Honestly, I can’t recommend this anime enough. It’s a slow burn, but in the most rewarding way. If you’re looking for something to soothe your soul, lift your mood, and make you smile like a goofball at 2 AM—watch this.

ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠) Because friendship isn’t always about how long you’ve known someone. Sometimes, it’s about the people who show up when it matters. And in today’s world, where true friendships are rare, Food for the Soul reminds you how precious those connections are.

ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠) So if you’ve got friends like that? Cherish them. Don’t take them for granted. 🌼

۶ৎ ۶ৎ ۶ৎ ۶ৎ ۶ৎ ۶ৎ ۶ৎ ۶ৎ ۶ৎ ۶ৎ ۶ৎ

ᰔ Shy and anxious college freshman Mako Kawai struggles to eat around others—until she’s invited by her lively childhood friend Shinon to join the laid-back Food Culture Research Club. Together with a small group of quirky and kind-hearted girls, they cook, eat, laugh, and slowly build a genuine friendship.

ᰔ As Mako learns to open up and find comfort in food and companionship, the anime gently explores healing, growth, and the joy of everyday moments shared over a warm meal.

ᰔ A cozy, slice-of-life series that’s all about friendship, food, and finding your place. જ⁀➴

#foodforthesoul #anime #sliceoflife #iyashikei #comedy #cooking #animelove #animewrapup2025

Like a Charm by 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 (and other authors)

3.5/5 ⭐️

“The many charms would forever tell their stories: the key to vanity, the gluttony of the monkey, the greed of the dollar sign, the envious ballerina, the angry goblin, the lustful tiger and even the cross…”

ꔛ Like a Charm is one of those rare anthologies that creeps under your skin without you realizing it. Each short story is unique, yet there's this haunting thread that ties them all together—a strange, cursed book that passes through different hands, places, and eras.

ꔛ Some stories are genuinely chilling. They're not in-your-face horror, but that quiet, unsettling kind. The kind that lingers. There's something incredibly atmospheric about this collection. You can almost hear the creak of old floorboards or feel a cold draft brush past your neck while reading. It really makes you think—What if? And to achieve that in short story format? That’s talent.

ꔛ What amazed me most was how well-written the stories were. Despite being penned by different authors, the quality remained consistently strong. Each piece stood on its own, but together they formed something even more powerful. It’s proof that you're in the hands of skilled storytellers who know how to work with mood, tension, and human emotion.

ꔛ Highly recommended if you’re in the mood for something mysterious, eerie, and thought-provoking—something that’ll make you pause and look over your shoulder once in a while. 😉

➺➻➼➽➺➻➼➽➺➻➼➽➺➻➼➽➺➼➽➺➻➼➽

ᬊ Desire leaves a man destroyed – a young girl's curiosity reveals secrets better left hidden – an accidental encounter on a train ends violently – ambition leads to a curious exchange – an uncanny likeness changes two lives forever.

ᬊ A novel in sixteen chilling parts, linked by a glittering charm bracelet which brings misfortune to everyone who handles it. In Like A Charm, the cream of British and American crime writers combine for a must-have collection.

ᬊ From nineteenth-century Georgia, where the bracelet is forged in fire, to wartime Leeds, a steam train across Europe, the violent backstreets of 1980s Scotland, present-day London, a Manhattan taxi, the Mojave desert and back to Georgia, each writer weaves a gripping story of murder, betrayal and intrigue.

#readingwrapup #likeacharm #shortstories #anthologies #thriller #mystery #crime #karinslaughter #suspense #randomunbosom #bibliobibuli #bookstagram #2025reads #bookwhore 

“Last Breath” (The Good Daughter #0.5) by Karin Slaughter

A Short Read That Cuts Deep

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 3.5/5 ✮

⚠️SPOILER ALERT⚠️

☙ I should’ve known better—Karin Slaughter never lets us rest. "Last Breath" may be a short story, but it delivers a punch that leaves you feeling frustrated, impressed, and emotionally bruised all at once.

☙ Flora Faulkner is unforgettable—not because she’s lovable, but because she’s manipulative to the core. She appears sweet, helpless, and vulnerable… until the cracks show. And by the time they do, it’s too late. Like Charlie, I was fooled—and that’s a testament to how cleverly written this story is.

☙ As always, Charlie Quinn stands out. Her heart is in the right place, and despite the trauma she carries, she still chooses to fight for others. That’s what makes her so compelling—and what makes Flora’s betrayal hit even harder. It’s painful to watch good people get used, especially when all they wanted was to help.

☙ The ending? Frustrating and intentionally unresolved. Don’t expect justice here. Karin Slaughter leaves you hanging—emotionally and morally—and somehow, it works. It’s not satisfying, but it’s exactly the kind of discomfort the story demands.

☙ Flora honestly reminded me of Lena Adams—manipulative, infuriating, and still breathing when you wish she weren’t. 😅

☙ If you’re a Slaughter fan, this one’s worth picking up. It’s dark, sharp, and psychologically twisted—exactly what you’d expect from her. Just prepare yourself: it won’t give you closure. Just emotional damage.

▌│█║▌║▌║ - ║▌║▌║█│▌

⌘ Protecting someone always comes at a cost.

⌘ At the age of thirteen, Charlie Quinn’s childhood came to an abrupt and devastating end. Two men, with a grudge against her lawyer father, broke into her home – and after that shocking night, Charlie's world was never the same.

⌘ Now a lawyer herself, Charlie has made it her mission to defend those with no one else to turn to. So when Flora Faulkner, a motherless teen, begs for help, Charlie is reminded of her own past, and is powerless to say no.

⌘ But honour-student Flora is in far deeper trouble than Charlie could ever have anticipated. Soon she must ask herself: How far should she go to protect her client? And can she truly believe everything she is being told?

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ: 11th of July

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐬: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Suspense

#bookstagram #readingwrapup #bookreview #thelastbreath #karinslaughter #randomunbosom #bibliobibuli #bookwhore #2025reads

Violet Evergarden Rating: 9/10 🌟⁣⁣

"Words can have different interpretations. What one says isn't the whole truth."

– Claudia Hodgins

๑ Violet Evergarden is an emotionally profound anime that demands the right mindset and emotional preparedness. It’s not something you can watch casually—each episode carries heavy themes of grief, loss, and moving forward.

๑ What sets this series apart is its execution. It doesn’t rely on cheap drama to evoke tears; instead, it delivers deeply emotional, well-crafted stories that resonate on a personal level. The journey of Violet, from a detached soldier to someone who learns to understand emotions and love, is both beautiful and heartbreaking to witness.

๑ This isn’t an anime for everyone, nor is it for just any mood. Some may struggle to connect if they’re not emotionally ready, but for those who watch at the right time, Violet Evergarden leaves a lasting impact. Through the letters she writes, Violet’s story becomes a touching exploration of human emotions, loss, and the meaning of love. ♡🪻

║▌║▌║SYNOPSIS║▌║▌║

⁣

⸙ Violet Evergarden follows the story of violet, a young girl raised for the sole purpose of decimating enemy lines. 

⸙ Hospitalized and injured after the war's end, she starts a new life at CH Postal Services. There, she witnesses the work of an "Auto Memory Doll," amanuenses who transcribe people's thoughts and feelings into words. 

⸙ Moved by this, violet begins work as an Auto Memory Doll, embarking on a journey that will reshape the lives of her clients and lead to self-discovery. 📝

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tags: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life, Based on a Light novel

Date: 26.03.2025

#anime #violetevergarden #fantasy #drama #action #basesonalightnovel #animelove #animewrapup2025