Book Review: ABCs of Journaling by Abbey Sy

Letterer, instructor, entrepreneur and all-around talented gal Abbey Sy is back with her second boo and she’s sharing tips on journaling creatively. The book wasn’t available yet in Zamboanga and being the crazy person I was, I asked my friend to buy it from me from a National Bookstore Makati branch which was just within walking distance from where he was staying. I received it the next weekend. 

Abbey Sy

I’m a fan of Abbey Sy and one of the people excited to get a copy for myself when it was announced on Instagram. I also have her first book and knowing Abbey Sy, she’s really put her heart into the completion of her published works. 

Highlights

Abbey introduced the definition of terms to those who are new at journaling. It’s a good guide for newbies. I also like the tips all over the book and the author distinctly promotes sketching and drawing in transit. It’s a great way to preserve modern-day adventures. Also, here are helpful tips on how to pack up materials like washi and watercolor while on travel.

There’s also a section featuring local artists who have done journaling in different styles. I’m thinking of applying some tips in my upcoming travel where I will be doing some interesting activities up north.

The sticker sheet is a bonus with the travel-inspired stickers. My only suggestion is that it should have a couple of sheets for international and domestic travel.

I’ve been documenting and journaling on my own for a while now, but some tips are also relevant here from her book. Abbey Sy is a letterer and her works really shine in each of her travel pages. She draws scenes from food, to buildings and she has the patience (and the time) to complete each one of them.

On the other hand, I don’t have that much time when I travel especially when I’m with people who want to hop from one place to another, and my sketching skills are not as advanced. This is where smartphone photos come in, and for days when my mirrorless camera is kind of too heavy. But I can manage especially when I sit down and start jotting down notes and experiences of the day.

For my personal travel journal, I can’t wait for an upcoming adventure and for me to gain new experiences and to cross off a few items on my bucket list. 

NBS Haul: Exploring Different Genres and Author Writing Styles

I went on a business trip last month and was really pushing to drop by any National Bookstore (NBS) branch to check out. As you can see, I have an assortment of paperback copies from my last NBS visit. I only got to visit an NBS branch on the very last day of my trip and found another NBS branch at NAIA Terminal III (which only got to affirm the theory that the Kobo is tempting me).

So, after a busy month, I dearly hope that I could go back to writing more about books, reviews and just blogging more basically. More about my haul, there’s a mixture of authors and genre in there, I confess that I just pulled them off the shelves due to lack of “quality time” with the book store and more books. 

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen by Paul Torday- I’ve seen only a scene from the movie on HBO, and this copy has a movie tie-in cover, and how I wish I got the copy that has the original artwork like the one below. I’m not that fond of buying copies with movie tie-in covers. I haven’t started reading it yet, and have no idea what the style is. It’s still sealed as of this post, but if you want me to write a review about it you can let me know. 

150 Style Essentials For Every Girl by Tricia Gosingtian- Tricia G shows any girl how to style the most basic and available pieces out there, complete with sections on accessories, makeup and blogging tips, making this a good primer for anyone thinking of starting with fashion. If you’re someone who is looking into acquiring the essentials for your wardrobe, this is a welcome companion for mixing up style for both fashion and beauty.

The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice writing as A.N. Roquelaure- I’ve been wanting to read about this for a long time now. I have to say, Anne Rice deviates from her vampire writing style over here, but this is just too delicious (in an erotica way), very different from the other soft-paranormal erotica that I have encountered from Laura Esquivel. Oh and this is only the first part of a trilogy so I have to think really hard if I want to continue reading onto the second and third parts.

That’s about it for the book haul, thank goodness for business trips and NBS so I can look at my wallet empty of cash and wait for the next chance to get lost in book stores again. If you want me to review (or giveaway) any of these, drop me a hint? 

National Bookstore Latest Purchase: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

A visit to the mall would definitely not be complete without picking up a book that I have always wanted to read. The truth is I could have only one book purchased because I left my bag at the coffee shop where my Dad and Lola were catching up and I had only 400 bucks with me. I could have gone back to fetch my wallet but it's a long way back. Anyway, this is what I got, I swear if I had more on me I could no longer get onto the boat all the way to my uncle's place...

Would you be interested in winning a paperback copy? Would you leave me a comment below?