Replica by Lauren Oliver : review.

I don't like clones, I don't know why they scare me, besides they are mainly short-lived creatures with no brains , at least until Lauren Oliver decided to write a book ( I mean two books) about them . I was hesitant, doubtful , reluctant , I didn't want to read it but I had to give it a try , it was Lauren Oliver after all. My fears were unfounded, the novels are good at the beginning and they gradually get better. I even liked the clones!. The fact that the main characters were into each other quickly didn't disappoint me , I understood that they really needed to find someone to rely on and to love , their loneliness was unbearable.

However, like many other readers I thought the book was a stand alone novel and I was utterly surprised when it ended.

I would recommend this book to YA readers, but younger fans should take into account that the topics the author deals with are not pleasant and I must confess I skipped a page or two because of a vivid and extremely sad description I am not going to reveal here. I also recommend reading the novel alternating the chapters, it's much more interesting that way, I wouldn't say fun , because it is not a fun read ,it is thought-provoking and gripping but not fun.

Pura Besakih in Bali

This beautiful place is on the slopes of Mount Augung in eastern Bali. We were lucky to visit  it on a wonderful sunny day and thoroughly enjoyed this Hindu temple.

Gilt Hollow by Laurie Langdon : opinion.

I liked the book but not as much as I thought I would .I think I found it too formulaic for several reasons:

1- The hot bad guy we know from the beginning is not so bat at all.

2- The hot good guy we know from the beginning is not so good at all.

3- The average girl who seems to attract all the boys at school despite her plain appearance.

4- Childhood friendship that turns into passionate love almost at first sight.

5- Dumb and clueless adults.

To make matters worse I guessed from the moment a murder scene was described who the murderer was . However , in spite of being so predictable (perhaps I've read too many books), some YA readers will enjoy it.

The Next Together by Lauren James : review

I don't know why I thought that this was going to be like the Firebird series by Claudia Gray; there are some similarities in the plot but unfortunately I didn't find The Next Together as appealing. There are three main locations but none of them attracted my attention. I started the book with the wrong idea about the plot and that preventend me from enjoying it. Nevertheless many young readers may find this novel interesting.

Doubt TV Show Trailer : Kathering Heighl as a Lawer.

This CBS TV show seems really entertaining. As to the premiere date,I haven't found out for sure yet, problably midseason 2017 . I hope it's sooner.

What to buy in Japan: Cow Soap

  There is an old saying in Japan, “business as slow but steady pace of the cow” , hence the name of this trade mark. The company was set up in 1909 and this brand is known and sold all over the country.
I  bought a bar of soap after reading about all the must buy drugstore items in Japan and it didn't  disappoint me.
The scent is subtle, just a hint of jasmine,  it's  really good , smells like pure cleanness to me. The main ingredients are milk and milk fat and its rich foam is soft and won't dry your skin.

There's also a rose scented one that comes in a red packet. The price is more than affordable for such an excellent quality.

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Beji Temple in Bali

Beji temple is located in the north of the Island in Lovina , it is known as Pura Subak among the locals and here they worship Dewi Sri the Goddess of rice.