Month: June 2012

Divergent

As usual, this is not part of my reading list for October but because of my ever impulsive tendency in choosing my next book to read, I decided to read it this soon so I can join the discussion in Filipino Group read for the month.

Ever since I’ve joined goodreads, I’ve been reading a lot of good reviews about this book so I think it’s really worth reading. I am cautious though in reading this one because some of the reviews I’ve read said that it has similarities to Hunger Games so I have to warn myself to expect a lot of blood-shedding, brutality and gruesome killing – the only thing I don’t like about Collin’s novel. (I know it’s unfair to the author to set an expectation based on other author’s work so I hope she will forgive me for doing so.) I think I like it better than the former.

This is actually my second dystopian novel and I don’t think I am a fan of this genre yet but reading Divergent made me think I need to explore more on this genre. And my verdict after reading through it is of course IT WAS AMAZING that I want to read it again to savor every moment of it! I was so engrossed that I remember myself smiling, shrieking, and gasping while reading it. I like it.

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Rating: 5/5
Copy: Ebook
Read from October 27 to 28, 2011

Have a Little Faith

This is one of the first book I’ve read in 2011. Being a fan of Mitch Albom, this book has been part of my wish list since 2009 and fortunately, my wish was granted when I got 2 copies of this book as exchange gift in the two Christmas parties I attended last year.

Having read most of the Mitch Albom’s works, I was really expecting that this will become part of my most-inspiring-books-i’ve-ever-read list. After reading the book, it turns out that the story is actually inspiring but not as touching as Tuesdays with Morrie.

In Have a little Faith, Albom alternately relates the story of two men of faith — his childhood Jewish rabbi, Albert Lewis and his Christian Pastor friend, Henry Covington, that would eventually lead him to realize the difference faith can make in the world.

Of the two characters in the book, I was more inspired by the life of Henry, a former drug dealer, an ex-convict, the kind of man that you would describe as hopeless but was transformed into a kind of man that you would later call as man of faith. Through Henry’s life, I’ve seen God’s power and the change He can make in our life if we would only turn to Him.

Title: Have a Little Faith
Author: Mitch Albom
Rating: 3 of 5 stars false
Copy: Owned
Read in January, 2011

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Originally posted from Goodreads.
I was able to finish this book in one day, thanks to the poor service of NBI that I have to read this book while waiting in line to entertain myself, only to find out that my name has a hit because of my service obligation to the country as a DOST scholar so my twelve hours of waiting in line to process my clearance application resulted to waiting in vain. I had mixed-emotions while reading this one because Im starting to feel irritated because of the long hours of standing and waiting, and the same time, I felt glad because I felt the satisfaction of finishing a great book like this (and I think this is one of the few good things that happened to me today).

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a story of the adventures of Dorothy and her dog, Toto, who were accidentally brought by a cyclone to the land of Oz. It also follows her friendship with Scarecrow, Tinman and the cowardly lion as they join her in finding her way home to Kansas.

I really find the story cute, lovable and full of lessons that it actually made my day. This is one of the classic stories that I would love to read again.

Title: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Author: Frank L. Baum
Rating: 5 of 5 stars false
Copy:  Owned, MPP
Read on September 06, 2011

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Originally posted from Goodreads
Finally, Im done reading this book. Ive been wanting to read this ever since I learned that the movie of the same title was based on this book. ANother reason why I want to read this is because it is also included in the BBC big list along with another Children’s Classic, Charlotte’s Web which was also adapted into a movie.

The story is about the adventure of Charlie Bucket and four other children who won the Golden Ticket and was given the privilege to spend a day inside the largest chocolate factory in the world owned by Mr. Willy Wonka.

What I love about this book are the lessons learned from the story of each of the four children who were “eliminated” because of their behaviour during their stay at the factory, apparently revealed through the songs of the Oompa loompas. My most favorite part is the song of the Oompa loompas about the story of Mike Teavee, the child who loves to watch TV. The argument of Roald Dahl on the negative impact of watching television too much on the creativity and thinking capacity of the children was articulated through this song and the story of Mike Teavee still remains true to most of the children of today’s generation. I also love the way how the author explained the importance of reading and encourage the children to read more instead of watching tv through this book.

This is a book that I would recommend to most of the children today to read for them to realize not only the importance of reading but also the values that each children should possess as exemplified by Charlie and the attitude they should avoid as shown by Augustus Gloop (an excessive eater), Veruca Salt (a spoiled brat), Violet Beauregarde (a girl who loves to chew gum constantly) and Mike Teavee (who loves to watch television).

Title: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating: 4 of 5 stars false
Copy:  Ebook
Read from July 27 to 28, 2011

That Kind of Guy

Jane Eyre with That Kind of Guy

I’m not really fussy when it comes to book covers for I’m an avid believer of the famous quote “don’t judge the book by its cover” although, I also believe that it doesn’t work all the time. But if I will be ask to choose among all of Mina Esguerra’s books based on their cover, I’ll definitely choose this one. I just love the color and the picture of a girl reading in this cover. Then I will later find out that it’s a good a choice for it’s a good read after all.

Just like any other works of Ms. Mina Esguerra, this is a short and delectable read. I don’t know why but I always have this thing on stories about bad-boy-turned-good-because-of-a-girl and this book has that kind of plot so I love it. Just like Julie, I’m the manang type and I don’t easily trust guys specially If I already know that he’s the playboy type. But then, it is also flattering when the bad guy decided to change into a better person because of girl so when the story unfolds that Anton turned out to be that kind of guy, I can’t help but feel sorry for Julie for letting him go. I’m glad that everyone deserves a second a chance so we can have a life happily ever after all.

Title: That Kind of Guy
Author: Mina Esguerra
Copy: Owned, Paperback
Rating: 4 of 5 stars false
Read on May 05, 2012