Catch a Falling Star

Date read: March 9, 2011 - March 10, 2011
My Edition: 148 pages, 2009
Published by: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
Rating: 4 kisses

Painting by Julie Fain
































Favorite Quote: "Children are quick to spot weakness or oddity, and capable of great cruelty to those afflicted."


Review:
It’s not really a novel but sort of a collection of short stories revolving a central character. It has no sequence and does not have a complete set of story elements. There’s no resolution at the end that makes it quite BITIN. But I did like the stories of Patricia. I really loved “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” story. Overall, the all the stories felt very real as if it really did happen. I can FEEL each story as if all of them happened to me. Patricia is just so “relatable” and lovable.


My Soundtrack:
1, Bubbly by Colbie Callait
2. Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield
3. Peaceful Easy Feeling by The Eagles
4. Revelry by Kings of Leon
5. Death by White Lies

 by Griet Pearl

Blindness

Date read: March 5, 2011 - March 9, 2011
My Edition: 326 pages, 1999
Published by: Harcourt, Inc.
Rating: 5 kisses


Summary: http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-blindness/plotsummary.html


A man suddenly goes blind for no apparent reason. As a doctortries to assign an etiology, the condition begins to spread rapidly as if caused by a pathogen. Within days, there are hundreds of newly blind people and within a few months, the entire nation has gone blind. The government responds initially by creating large quarantine areas where infected persons are forcibly held without recourse to medical care or outside assistance. As the diseasesweeps the nation, first social services then law enforcement completely fail, leaving the country in a state of chaos as the strong begin to prey upon the weak. Numerous crimes and outrages are perpetrated even as hundreds of thousands begin to starve and die. One small group of blind people coalesces around the leadership of a woman who - apparently uniquely.....

Favorite Quote: "Because the feelings with which we have lived and which allowed us to live as we were, depended on our having the eyes we were born with, without eyes feelings become something different."

Review:

This is a must-read book for everyone. Its a favorite of mine not because it was a happy book but it was actually a sad book that shows us the evils of men. It showed me that men (and maybe women too ;p) are beasts. It was only observed/SEEN when the characters were BLIND. It taught me that we are currently SEEING things but not really SEEING. We are BLIND to the evil society to the point of taking part in it. It takes a sickness in the form of BLINDNESS to really SEE the world for what it is. This book is a big paradox. I thought I wouldn’t enjoy it since Saramago hates periods and quotation marks (hehe) but I got used to it. Saramago was also able to convey the feelings, the smells, the taste of the blind. THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU THINK. THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU SEE.

My SOundtrack:

1. Sedona Sunrise by Aerosmith

2. Someone to Save You by One Republic

3. Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart by ALicia Keys

4. All Alone by Chris Richardson

5. Airplanes by B.O.B and Hayley Williams

 will watch the movie

Love is BLINDNESS....u2

February Month-End Review

Stats:

female authors: 6 (because of the dugtungan novel)

male authors: 3
Total Pages: 2,082 pages!!!! HUWAW!
Total total total pages: 3,473 pages for 2 months!

The Alchemist

Date read: March 1, 2011 - March 4, 2011
My Edition: 195 pages, 2002
Published by: Harper
Rating: 3 kisses


Summary: http://www.wikisummaries.org/The_Alchemist

When Santiago, a young shepherd boy from the Spanish countryside of Andalusia , has a dream that reveals the location of a hidden treasure buried at the Egyptian Pyramids his simple life is suddenly torn in two. Part of him wants to take the chance to go searching for it and the other part of him wants to continue his easy life as a shepherd.

A mysterious king named the king of Salem in Tarifa convinces Santiago that he has succeeded in discovering his Personal Legend. The old king tells Santiago that following his Personal Legend to its conclusion is a person’s only real obligation in life.

Santiago listens to his heart and decides to go on a dangerous search for the treasure. He sells his flock of sheep and heads to Africa, where he is quickly robbed of all his gold and left despondent on the streets. He decides that he was foolish to believe in his dreams and quickly gets a job with a crystal merchant in order to save up enough money to go back home.

After almost a year working for the merchant, Santiago has made a success of the shop and has plenty of money to do whatever he wants. As he’s walking the streets to go back home he suddenly decides to take a chance and continue his search for the buried treasure.

He joins a caravan to make the dangerous crossing across the desert and as he rides the long, slow days away he begins to listen to his heart and to the desert. He begins to understand what the Soul of the World is, and how he fits in.

When the caravan makes it to the oasis, Santiago meets a girl he falls in love with the moment he sees her. The local alchemist, a mysterious man who reminds Santiago of the old king, helps Santiago continue his journey across the desert and teaches him more important life lessons along the way. Although Santiago does not know it, he is becoming wise, and a master in the art of living to the fullest no matter what. Although he has left his true love back at the oasis, he is resolved to follow his dream to its end.

After many adventures, dangers, and important life lessons Santiago finally reaches the Pyramids. His joy at finally being at journey’s end overwhelms him, and he is grateful that he got the chance to follow his dream.

He begins to dig deep into the sand looking for treasure, but before he can get far a pack of thieves shows up, beating and robbing him. They force him to continue digging, and then leave when no treasure is found. One of the thieves, as destiny would have it, tells Santiago an important clue and when they’re gone Santiago can’t help but laugh, because now he knows where his treasure truly lies.

It ends up being right back where his journey began, under the very tree where he had the prophetic dream years before. He digs and finds a beautiful chest full of gold and gems. His next and last journey will be back to the desert to be reunited with the woman he loves.

Santiago traveling the desert going to the oasis
































Favorite Quote: "So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you."


Review:
It was a nice, inspirational book. If you want achieve your dreams or your Personal Legend then this is a book for you. However, I think that “The Alchemist” is highly sensationalized. Almost everyone famous love this book! (maybe because they have attained their Personal Legends?). Due to its popularity, I had very high expectations. I even heard that its going to make you cry. I got disappointed. As I said, its a nice inspiring book but its just that, NICE. Its not great. It actually bored me a bit because its just not what I expected. It felt like a self-help book (if its Coelho’s purpose to help people see the omens and follow their Personal Legend, then its a good self-help book). So if you want to read NICE books then go ahead just don’t expect too much.


My Soundtrack:
1. Rocketeer by Far East Movement
2. Billionaire by Travis McCoy
3. Wanna Be Starting Something by Michael Jackson
4. Kickin' With You by Jason Mraz
5. The Great Escape by Boys Like Girls

go read a book....

Cave and Shadows

Date read: February 23, 2011 - February 28, 2011
My Edition: 272 pages, 2009
Published by: Anvil Publishing Inc.
Rating: 5 kisses


Summary:
A classic from National Artist for Literature, Nick Joaquin, Cave and Shadows was first published in 1983, and this literary whodunit is still considered a must-read by students of Philippine Literature. The novel is set in motion by a mysterious death, and thrust onwards by the search for truth and the solution of the crime. Joaquin expertly weaves multi-layered meanings by interspersing Philippine historical fact with fiction. In the end, readers discover faith, truth, and human nature.

Favorite Quote:
"You tell them they should be singing not only in the bath but wherever - at work, at play, in Church, in bed - to show they're happy to be alive. But we mope through life not knowing how lucky we are."
Review:
I really really loved it. It started quite slow for me, it did not connect instantly. However, the book got into the good, juicy part. It was a really good political and religious mystery novel. You think you'll know what will happen next but everything turned out differently. Nick Joaquin is always one step ahead of you. It also has a bit of history which make it more interesting. It really got me interested in Filipino paganism (not in converting but in knowing more about it). If you're not a conservative Christian and is a Filipino at heart then you must read this. It has a bit of everything for everyone (yes, even romance, but only a hint of) and its a message-heavy book. It will really satisfy your thirst for knowledge and entertainment. :)


My Soundtrack:
1. A Bad Dream by Keane
2. I Can Be by Taio Cruz
3. Never Let Her Slip Away by Andrew Gold
4. Pare Ko by Eraserheads
5. Check Yes Juliet by We the Kings

 cute!

Angelica's Daughters: A Dugtungan Novel

Date read: February 21, 2011 - February 23, 2011
My Edition: 201 pages, 2010
Published by: Anvil Publishing Inc.
Rating: 3 kisses


Favorite Quote: "Nothing is sadder than a child burdened by reality, after all. These stories were our family fairy tales."


Review:
I really loved Angelica's story especially her letter and diary accounts. I would have loved to read her story and to know Teban's whereabouts (;p). It was a really easy read with recipes for those who love to cook. Even if it was a "dugtungan" novel it was really coherent but you'll see the different writing styles of the authors which is why I don't like certain chapters. 

However, i felt that the story was rushed. Tess' moving on, Tess' finding a new love, Dina's moving on, Tess and Paolo looking for the church all happened too fast. Here is a novel where time does not heal wounds because they didn't even have time for healing. Everything here is instant. The writing tells you what happens and does not get convey emotion too well. I felt like an outsider because the authors failed to effectively convey the character's feelings. 

The family was also too centered on Angelica. Every conversation revolves around her or even if it doesn't her name would eventually pop out of the conversation. Everything happens because of her, everything is compared to her life. They say that she's only a woman but it seems that their life revolves around her. She's long dead, I want to tell them to live their own life. 

I just wished that the authors has scraped the whole thing and focused on Angelica's life. I would love to see more of that. Bitin na bitin ako sa kwento ni Angelica. A prequel maybe? :)


My Soundtrack:
1. My Wish by Rascal Flatts
2. Waterfalls by TLC
3. Maybe by Up Dharma Down
4. Meet Me Halfway by Black Eyed Peas
5. Spolarium by Eraserheads

off to read!

Safe Haven

Date read: February 16, 2011 - February 20, 2011
My Edition: 340 pages, 2010
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
Rating: 3 kisses


Summary: http://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/
detail/index.cfm/ezine_preview_number/5436/Safe-Haven


When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. 

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her ... a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards ... and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.


Favorite Quote: "If Alex has chosen you, then I want you to believe that I chosen you as well."


Review:
Another okay Sparks' book. The same old Sparks' plot with different characters in different circumstances and situations. A woman or man with a past and they fall in love but the other one is hesitant because of the his/her past but what the heck they still fall in love. A man is always present to ruin their relationship but at the end there will always be a confrontation wither verbally or physically and their love becomes stronger. One of them will be a single parent or divorced or both. I've read it all before with "The Lucky One", "True Believer", "Dear John", "The Rescue", etc. Ever since "The Notebook" and "A Walk to Remember" Sparks haven't written a BETTER novel. I've been waiting for it for so long and I'm always disappointed or left hanging.

One thing good about this novel is the twist in the end where Katie's friend Jo is really Carly, Alex's dead wife. Creepy but a really nice touch. The letters she wrote would really affect you and I love how Sparks write letters (remember the letters in "Message in a Bottle"? Really good). I do hope his next novel would be really really good!


My Soundtrack:
1. Closer to Love by Mat Kearney
2. Someone to Save You by One Republic
3. The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson
4. Irresistible by The Corrs
5. Hero by Mariah Carey

 Can't resist..just have to post this

off to sleep... ;p