Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
One Day
Exactly after a month (well, after 28 days), I finished reading this book. This is probably the thickest book that I have read so far and finished in just a month. I enjoyed reading this book, it's not the typical love story, I liked the extreme qualities (but a perfect blend) of the main characters, Dexter and Emma, and their almost 2 decades of hate-love relationship. I was kinda shocked with how the story ended but I thought that it was very possible...
I got more excited to finish the book when Rocel told me that this is now being filmed, Anne Hathaway (one of my favorite Hollywood stars) will play as Emma and Jim Sturgess as Dexter. I hope that the movie will do justice to this very well-written novel, I also hope that it will be released in Manila this year.
I got more excited to finish the book when Rocel told me that this is now being filmed, Anne Hathaway (one of my favorite Hollywood stars) will play as Emma and Jim Sturgess as Dexter. I hope that the movie will do justice to this very well-written novel, I also hope that it will be released in Manila this year.
To my movie buddies, this is a must-see! ;)
Next please..
As you know, I have several books to read, just yesterday, I finished reading "Love the One You're with." The book is quite thick but the font isn't that small. I was able to finish it in a week's time because I like the writing style of the author and there are no dragging chapters. The storyline, the characters, the lines and the emotions seemed so real to me, I also liked how the story ended. I can relate to the story, in some ways. ;)
Now I'm off to the next book, I skipped a few books and decided to read "One Day." This book is as thick as "Love the One You're with" but the font is relatively much smaller so I will need atleast a month to finish it. ;)
God Never Blinks by Regina Brett
This is a repost from my previous blogsite.
This book, a birthday gift from Gillian for my 31st, is my "most" favorite so far amongst the many. I have come up with my own list, 31 Lessons at 31, to be posted here soon! ;)
In a gist, here are the 50 lessons by Regina Brett, I highlighted my personal favorites:
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.2. When in doubt, just take the next right step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. The most important sex organ is the brain.
10. God never gives us more than we were designed to carry.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be kept secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything life hands you if you stay put in the day you are in and don't jump ahead.
18. A writer is someone who writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special enough.
22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. Start saving 10 percent for retirement as soon as you get your first paycheck.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. The passage of time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. No matter how good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick but your friends will. Stay in touch with them.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative. Dying young looks only good in movies.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. No matter what your faith, they cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting for you to discover.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and got a look at everyone else’s, we’d fight to get back our own.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have everything you truly need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up for life.
47. Breathe. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
***
When I am feeling down, I just grab this book, read on and I feel better each time. This is definitely my fail-safe book!
How about you, what lessons have you learned so far? ;)
***
When I am feeling down, I just grab this book, read on and I feel better each time. This is definitely my fail-safe book!
How about you, what lessons have you learned so far? ;)
One Day..
My dear friend, Rocel, told me that this book, One Day by David Nicholls, is a good read. I really trust her judgment because I know that she is intelligent, a wide-reader and has a very good taste especially with books. She also suggested some Dalai Lama books, everytime I drop by a bookstore, I inquire about those books. Just today, while waiting for Lianne at Powerbooks, I looked for Dalai Lama's books but the titles I was looking for were not available. So I asked for David Nicholl's One Day, I was told that it's out of stock, but I was directed to his other books, while browsing through his books, I saw a copy of One Day, at the back of "The Understudy." That was the last copy, so I asked the saleslady if I could get a discount, they gave me 5% discount, well, better than nothing. ;) With this new addition to my books, I already have 10 books on hand waiting for my time and attention... I hope I could stop buying and start reading. ;)
Yesterday, after more than a month of intermittent reading, I finally finished "By the River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept." So now, I can move on to the next book on queue, Emily Giffin's Love the One You are With.
Going Green
In my pursuit to "live green," I bought a book entitled Green is the New Black by Tamsin Blanchard in October 2009. Well, more than a year after, I still have not finished reading it. I reached only halfway but no worries, I have plans of reading it until the end, very soon. :) Based on the few chapters I have read, I realized one thing, going green as a lifestyle is not yet 100% feasible in our country because of two main reasons:
* first, we have to accept the fact that organic (natural, eco-friendly) products (from beauty to home products, as well as organic fruits and vegetables) are more expensive than non-organic, artificial products;
* second, several necessities (including clothing) and wants (bags, shoes) are not yet locally produced (thus expensive) and not readily accessible, so only the ones with means can apply this kind of lifestyle, they can shop online or travel and buy items, materials which are "ethically-produced."
But this reality should not stop us from doing small acts of going (living) green. Every small act counts. If there are times that I fail to bring my ecobag and I happen to shop or buy something, if it can fit inside my bag, I will tell the cashier not to pack or put it in a plastic bag anymore (early on, even though I have lots of ecobags at home, I will still buy an ecobag if there's one within my reach just to avoid using plastic bags). If I have to choose between products and I see that one brand is organic or naturally produced, I will choose the organic one even if it will cost me a little more. Using recycled paper at home and in the office, using both sides of the paper, using a glass when brushing your teeth to save on water, turning off your computer, lights and other appliances when not in use, are just some of the simple ways we can go (and live) green.
If money weren't an object, this is one lifestyle I would certainly and happily put into practice, 100%. Not only good for mother earth but also good for our health. ;)
Hardbound
It is my dream to collect all my favorite books in hardbound form.
This afternoon, I dropped by the nearest bookstore to look for 2 of Dalai Lama's books and a book by David Nicholls entitled One Day. I learned about these 3 books from a dear friend, Rocel. Though I know that I still have more than 3 books on queue, I was just trying my luck if I could find these books, so I asked the saleslady to assist me in finding these books. While waiting for her to return, I saw a table of books on sale, worth Php99 each, all hardbound. I looked for familiar titles, familiar authors, when I was about to give up, I saw two familiar titles (and authors). The first one was Candace Bushnell's One Fifth Avenue and the second book was John Grisham's The Broker, without second thought, I got it and paid for it. The books that I was initially looking for were all not available, but since I got two hardbound books on sale, I went home with a smile of my face. These two books will be an addition to my first ever hardbound book entitled How to be Lovely (The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life) by Melissa Hellstern.
Books on Queue
Last December 2010, I received 5 new books from friends as Christmas gifts.
The first one is Paulo Coehlo's By the River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept. I am currently reading this book and I plan to finish it this weekend. This was given by Edmond. In one of our chats, I mentioned to him that I like to read this book, he remembered he has 2 copies of it, he thought that he lost his copy and when he bought the second copy, a friend returned the first one to him. So he gave the second one, still unopened, to me last Christmas. :)
The second book that I received was from Lianne. I personally hand-picked this book and asked her to buy it as her Christmas gift to me. ;) I already read 80% of the book in December. This book is a lifetime guide so I can read it as the need arises. ;) By the way, the title of the book is "The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage" by Stormie Omartian.
Next on my list is by Emily Giffin entitled Love the One You are with. I got this from our Kris Kringle, for the "final gift," my friends and I agreed to make a wish-list and we posted it in our gift box so our "mommy" can see it and grant our wish. I listed 5 books from which my mommy can choose from. Thank God she's generous, she gave me two out of the 5 books that I listed. The other book she gave me is Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.
The last book was a gift from Gillian. I've been wanting to buy this book since I first saw it and then momentarily forgot about it. Thanks to Gill, she really knows my choice especially when it comes to books. This book is entitled How to Walk in High Heels (A Girl's Guide to Everything) by Camilla Morton. I already browsed the contents of the book and I can assure you that this is a must-read for all of us!
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new year, new hope, new life, new me