We don't judge the book by its cover but a cover gives impression and at least a bit of idea what the story is about. So when I saw this book on a shelf of a thrifty bookshop I had second thought about buying it although it cost only ten pesos.Ten pesos. As if I was about to purchase a candy or a lollipop in a tiny candy store so I gave it a try but I couldn't expect a lot for a book that cost only ten coins plus its gloomy, ghastly, horrible photo in the cover added ugly notion towards the book.
But wait until you have read the few chapters. This was my first attempt to read Peter Robinson's writings and he didn't disconcert me, though I still relish to suggest a better cover.
Every chapter is narrated by one of a pair of characters. A young university student, Kirsten, who is attacked by unknown killer but when she wakes up in the hospital she has no recollection about everything happened to her during the attack; and a beautiful lady Martha Browne who poses as an author doing research for a book but is hunting a certain quarry. Kirsten and Martha Browne's cryptic connection is something you can look forward to. Thumbs up for the narration and well structured story line. The characters are well-established and compelling. But for me, there is still a bit lacking on the plot, especially in the end part. The murderer should have done something more than just relinquished himself to death without even uttering more sensible words to defend his lunatic self. Well yeah, the author didn't give him a chance since the protagonist has already deciphered everything about the culprit herself. She, the protagonist, is impressively smart, capable of figuring out a person's locality by listening to his accent. You should read the book to understand what I'm blatting.
The novel is not that horrid but the mystery is enough to urge you to read it until the last page, which is the most important.
I find Eddie's conversation with a Filipino kid funny. The child refers to her clothes as baro and saya which are correct naman, bakya—her shoes, her iridescent seashells by her feet—capiz, then a woven bamboo mat—banig. She calls her mother ina but as a Pinoy we usually call our mother nanay or inay. The kid said sundalong when what she really meant is sundalo minus ng, Filipino for soldier. I forgive her and I convince myself that it isn't author's mistake but the character's fault since she is five years old and tend to err in her words and language.
We really have no idea about what the real heaven looks like neither what will occupy us when we're dead nor what else will matter after this life, but Mitch Albom's idea of heaven is enthralling and makes me want to think it's true and makes me want to wonder who will be the five people I'll meet in heaven (if ever I get to heaven) and who is going to come to meet me and whom I'll share my stories with. Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven blows my mind.
“No life is a waste,” the Blue Man said. “The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone." -Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
At Booksale Metrotown Mall Tarlac, I bought the book for thirty pesos. I've read somewhere I couldn't remember where that Puppet is the very first novel written by Joy Fielding (if they aren't mistaken). Anyhow, I didn't do any research about the aforementioned author since she doesn't defeat my favorite Sidney Sheldon in terms of writing mystery or suspense thriller. What I happened to like about her is her style of writing, which for me, isn't sufficient to consider her fiction a masterpiece. Well, you can savor her book yourself.The main protagonist is Amanda Travis, 28 years of age and a criminal lawyer. The story begins when her ex-husband Ben Myers (who represents her mother as her attorney) phoned her after eight years of no communication, only to ask her to come home for her mother, Gwen Price has shot and killed a total stranger in the lobby of a hotel. She's forced to return home in her hometown of Toronto although very much reluctant for some reasons: she hates memories of her past. She hates her mother who was very cruel and uncaring to her as a child and her father whom she was always craving attention from him but has died abruptly. The first few chapters are intriguing and would make you want to pursue it until you figure out what's going on, but it's just frustrating when I was almost more than half of it but couldn't really shed some light on what's really happening.
Amanda Travis isn't a likable character because at her certain age of 28 she somehow stuck in her rebellious teenage past. Understandable for teenagers that might act preposterous, angsty and undergo rebellious tendencies but in her case, all I really wanted to tell her is 'Please grow up!' Aside from she likes having mindless sex with total strangers she has shut her door on her two former husbands, first, Ben Myers whom she married at the age of eighteen, and second, Sean Travis who is almost as old as her father. She's suffering from some kind of behavioral disorder in my very opinion because no emotionally stable person would just sleep with unknown people especially married men.
I would not want to add any spoiler so I'd just recommend the book for those who are into hard-to-figure-out novels. Perhaps I should have read Lost, another Joy Fielding's which I heard is better and a page-turner one.
Better late than never. Shame on me 'cause I couldn't watch the movie nor read Eclipse back when almost everyone was babbling about the you-know-what love triangle. I had been too busy, perhaps, during those times. Better late than never, all right. I ain't able to catch up the film for now, just this book, so let me blabber about only the book.
My first time to read Stephenie Meyer's writing and most of my chosen genres are far different from this one. Why some romantic stories are too romantic to be true? Very frankly speaking, I am not a fan, really, of romance kind of thing, especially if deadly serious. I want some kick-ass comedy filled plot. No, don't get me wrong. I like Twilight Saga at some point. I like too-good-to-be-true Edward Cullen and the rest of the vampires.
If you were Bella who would you choose? Fire or ice? Vampire or Werewolf? Very difficult decision indeed if you love them both that you didn't want to hurt any of them. That you wanted to keep them, save special portions of your heart for each of the two. But in love, there must be only one. How unethical to hold hands with another while you're kissing the other. That's being too selfish.
If you were Bella who would you choose? Fire or ice? Vampire or Werewolf? Very difficult decision indeed if you love them both that you didn't want to hurt any of them. That you wanted to keep them, save special portions of your heart for each of the two. But in love, there must be only one. How unethical to hold hands with another while you're kissing the other. That's being too selfish.
Bella Swan had to choose. At first, she wasn't aware of her affection for Jacob Black (werewolf) until chaos came. The werewolves had to help and cooperate with the Cullens to kill newborn vampires whose aim was to kill Bella. Victoria was the creator of more or less 18 newborn vampires who were the reason for the massive slaughtering of innocent people in Seattle. Though werewolves and vampires were natural foes, for that instance they became allies for one common reason. To protect the beautiful oversensitive girl (Edward's adjective for Bella). Bella was deeply concerned for her friends.
Till she realized that she loved Jake. Jacob was right, all along. He wasn't just a friend. She loved him more than she should but it wasn't enough to change anything. Edward Cullen (vampire) was her life though it hurt her worse. I remember her conversation with Jacob.
"He's (Edward) like a drug for you, Bella." His voice was still gentle, not at all critical. "I see that you can't live without him now. It's too late. But I would have been healthier for you. Not a drug; I would have been the air, the sun."
The corner of my mouth turned up in a wistful half-smile. "I used to think of you that way, know. Like the sun. My personal sun. You balanced out the clouds nicely for me."
He sighed. "The clouds I can handle. But I can't fight with an eclipse." -page 599-600
A lot of romantic beautiful lines in the novel. Honestly, the first thing I had on my mind was corny, but then I reckoned without those lines in the story, the novel would be bland and tasteless. Love makes the world go round; paints the colors in the rainbows. One of the sweetest statement of Edward to Bella was: "If there were are any way for me to become human for you - the matter what the price was, I would pay it." -page 273. One of the sweetest statement of Jacob was: "Maybe... if you weren't a disgusting vampire who was planning to suck out the life of the girl I love... well, no, not even then." -page 503.
I tackled only less half of the plot. I know you already know this before I was just starting to know (I'm not always up to date). At least I refreshed your memories about these. Cheers.
October 5, 2011Dear friend,
I could say that I am too old for the novel. Sometimes I think and feel older than I should. Maybe if I was in my teenage years having a tremendous confusion about the difference between masturbation and ejaculation and I happened to be a boy and I read it, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, then I think I would enjoy it immensely more than I enjoyed it these days. The novel is somehow a lousy one for a grownup in my very own opinion and nothing could beat Jerome David Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye's portrayal of adolescents' angst. Maybe because I've read The Catcher in the Rye when I was in high school and I've appreciated it so much.
I only got an e-book copy of the novel
You'll love the novel if:
1. You were a teenager.
2. You feel like a teenager.
3. Both.
Love always,
The Bookworm
Robert Fulghum's All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten
8 book talk Posted by The Bookworm at 10:47 AM
As one of the fans of Bob Ong, I've read all of his works including Stainless Longanisa, which Bob Ong had mentioned his favorite author. We were in high school then and we were hanging out in bookstores most of the time. Surprisingly, I spotted a familiar name while looking around. "Robert Fulghum!" I knew I was the first one who noticed the book author if I'm not mistaken but my friend was first one who got it from the pile of books on the shelves. "He's the favorite author of Bob Ong!" And because everyone loved Bob Ong, everyone wanted the book and thus our pal who got it first from the shelf was able to purchase it (the only copy available that time). But that was not the end of the story, we came back again in the same store and kapow, there were three other copies of the book. Yes, we bought them all. I keep Robert Fulghum's All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten for more than four years now because I never lend it to anyone. Thanks Bob Ong.
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| Robert Fulghum |
The book is nonfiction. It is not a novel. It is a compilation of sort of short narratives and essays from a sentimental minister who loves Chicken-fried steak and Beethoven. A gentle sentimental old man who doesn't kill spiders nor eat mushrooms, who doesn't rake leaves nor shove snow in his yard, who loves to create Crayola bomb, and who always wanted a cuckoo clock. He's Robert Fulghum, a natural-born storyteller whose stories were remarkable yet so simple. You may find yourself smiling at his paradoxes and then saying with a sigh, "That's very true."
Let me share with you my favorite excerpts from the book:
I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge.
That myth is more potent than history.
That dreams are more powerful than facts.
That hope always triumphs over experience.
That laughter is the only cure for grief.
And I believe that love is stronger than death.
Don't sell yourself short. You may never have the proof of your importance, but you are more important than you think.
The lions are so prolific that the zoo has had to place IUDs in each of the lionesses. So all the lions do is eat and sleep and scratch fleas and have sex without consequences.
My friend says if you want to know the truth about people, it's the place to go. All you have to do is look in the drawers and shelves and cabinets in the bathroom. And take a look at the robes and pajamas and nightgowns hanging on the hook behind the door. You'll get the picture. He says all their habits and hopes and dreams and sorrows, illnesses and hangups, and even their sex life-all stand revealed in that one small room.
I suppose it's harmless enough for a yearning to be so strong that what you need becomes very real in some corner of your heart. Picasso said, "Everything you can imagine is real." And I understand that.
-all those who are different, who do not fit the norm and who do not accept the available boxes and pigeonholes? Answer that question and you can build a school, a nation or a world on it.
Peace is not something you wish for; it's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away!
Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A Beauty Bomb. And every time crisis developed, we would launched one. It would explode high in the air-explode softly-and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air.
Yelling at living things does tend to kill the spirit in them. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words may break our hearts.
I want my childhood back. A child who is impractical, unrealistic, simpleminded, and terribly vulnerable to joy.
...she usually doesn't really like what I give her for Christmas, anyway, and I usually end up with it in the end, so I figured I might as well start out by giving her something I want in the first place, so when I get it back I can be truly grateful.
Not many people have murdered a cuckoo-clock bird, but I had done it. I could see Christmas morning: "Here. dear, a cuckoo clock. For you. The bird is dead.
But me, I think old God is Sardine player. And will be found the same way everybody gets found in Sardines-by the sound of laughter of those heaped together at the end.
And many more. Robert Fulghum, like his book, is exceptional. His positive perspectives about life, his humour, his uncommon thoughts on common stuff and how he has seen Christmas in late August are which I always ponder and admire. A good person really makes a good book. Honestly, I want to meet him in person and I'll ask him, 'Sir, who's your favorite book author?' And of course I'll search it again among the thick piles of books on the shelves of every bookstores.
I bought the book for some reasons:
1. I wondered how male authors write romantic novels. Apparently, most romance writers are female. And I haven't read romantic fiction that is written by a masculine before. I believed that there could be a difference between how a woman handles and how a man sees love in their very own point of view, I reckon. It could reflect in their writings.
2. I wanted to try reading romance fiction in English for the first time.
3. The book was cheap, 150 pesos only.
4. The book cover was cute.
Vince O. Teves' Vince's Life was a cute story of guy who was very in love with a girl. The plot is all concerning Vince and his love for Andrea. It would be more suitable if the title was 'Vince's Life with Andrea'. But it was cute. I liked how it's written in male first person point of view. From what I've read, I could say that there was no big difference between a man and a woman if they are absolutely in love. They say that girls are more emotional and serious in relationships while boys are often incapable of fidelity and less emotional. They say that ladies love one man at a time while men are less serious and always flirting every pretty and sexy ladies they know. But in the novel, it breaks the rules and wrong perceptions about gentlemen. There is no such thing as incapable of fidelity. Vince's pure love for a one and only woman, that's Andrea, was amazing. Boys and girls, if Mr.Cupid struck our hearts there would be no less emotional nor less serious. Everyone gets serious and emotional for the special feeling we have for the dearest person in our lives. By the way, there are two other books (sequel) follow after this one.
I'm not really good writing reviews about novels slash books 'cause I simply want to read and adore the book afterwards, 'cause that's why books slash novels are written. To entertain us. And if they fail, then read another one that suits your taste and preference. I don't wanna be too critical and my mind is just programmed to admire good books and authors.
Stephen King's Dreamcatcher is one of my favorite book though I have heard too much negative comments and reactions against the novel. This is another book from Booksale which has approximately 800 plus pages. I liked how Stephen King has fleshed out every characters perfectly. I loved how he has illustrated every details cunningly in his very own style of writing.
I'm waiting for my friend to return this book to me after borrowing few weeks ago. Just a force of habit to smell the pages of the book before I will write something about it. But like any other books of mine that haven't returned to the owner, I expect the worse. So what, I can buy hundreds of copies of Dreamcatcher by Stehen King if I long to (sourgraping).
Same shit different day, that's my favorite motto originated from four protagonists. Pete, Beaver, Henry and Jonesy. Everyone has the same load of shit and unhappiness. They were childhood best of friends. In their childhood they encountered a bullied kid named Doughlas Cavell, with Down Syndrome. They saved him from bullies and from then on, they've done so much favor just for him. The character of Douglas also known as Duddits touched me deep down. I named my new puppy Duddits and claiming that my puppy also could possess the power of mental telepathy like what the real Duddits in the novel has.
Beside Aslan of The Chronicles of Narnia, Duddits is my favorite fictional character (as if it matters). Simply because he loves his friends. He would do anything for his friends, even it risks his life. I really wanted to discuss some parts of the story but I prefer not to spoil the mystery and fun of discovering it yourself.
Yes, it has a movie adaptation. But I tell you, if you're a bookworm like me, you may want the book copy rather than the disc.
I'm waiting for my friend to return this book to me after borrowing few weeks ago. Just a force of habit to smell the pages of the book before I will write something about it. But like any other books of mine that haven't returned to the owner, I expect the worse. So what, I can buy hundreds of copies of Dreamcatcher by Stehen King if I long to (sourgraping).
Same shit different day, that's my favorite motto originated from four protagonists. Pete, Beaver, Henry and Jonesy. Everyone has the same load of shit and unhappiness. They were childhood best of friends. In their childhood they encountered a bullied kid named Doughlas Cavell, with Down Syndrome. They saved him from bullies and from then on, they've done so much favor just for him. The character of Douglas also known as Duddits touched me deep down. I named my new puppy Duddits and claiming that my puppy also could possess the power of mental telepathy like what the real Duddits in the novel has.
Beside Aslan of The Chronicles of Narnia, Duddits is my favorite fictional character (as if it matters). Simply because he loves his friends. He would do anything for his friends, even it risks his life. I really wanted to discuss some parts of the story but I prefer not to spoil the mystery and fun of discovering it yourself.
Yes, it has a movie adaptation. But I tell you, if you're a bookworm like me, you may want the book copy rather than the disc.
I purchased Sidney Sheldon's The Doomsday Conspiracy at Booksale SM Pampanga for only 75 pesos and I really don't buy too expensive reading stuff (spell frugality) and thank goodness it costs only that less.
My initial reaction after reading the first few pages was like 'Alien sucks big time!' I was quite doubtful if it could be as good as Tell Me Your Dreams, The Naked Face and Morning, Noon and Night (which I've already read) merely because I was not interested in alien invasions sort of which were pretty summed up in the book. I often thought that aliens are for kiddies and I almost wished to get my 75 pesos back.
The book has two parts: 1. The Hunter, and 2. The Hunted. The first part, Commander Robert Bellamy, the protagonist and a secret agent, had given a very crucial task to track down and identify the unknown witnesses of the mysterious crash of weather balloon. After accomplishing his impossible mission of hunting the ten unfortunate witnesses, he got into very serious predicament. In the second part, he was now being hunted holding a huge and highly important secret that might cost his life.
Yes, about sucking aliens but not exactly what I had expected at first. There were plenty of twists in the plot, Sheldon's best expertise. He never fails to fascinate his fans. I couldn't put it down. You may want a movie adaptation. I recommend you to read the novel if you don't like alien crap, like me, because it's gonna change your mind about aliens, for sure.
Hey. I dunno what brought me onto this but I think this is fun. Blogging has always been fun, right?
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