Since I’m trying to streamline my activities to give more time for my ministry and work of the Lord and because I don’t think I’ll have more time for writing book reviews, I’m putting this blog on a hiatus. I’m also thinking of merging this book blog with my personal blog so I decided to keep this blog inactive until I finally have the courage to let this blog go. For the meantime, you can still check out my personal blog from time to time because I’m sure I will still write something there. God bless.
Notable Book Quotes in 2014
As I mentioned in one of my musing monday postr, one of my habits as a reader is marking insightful quotes or lines from the book I’m reading. I also tend to read interactively so I usually post the quotes I’ve marked in my fb or twitter account.
Reading can make you a better person, so they say. Maybe they’re right. As for me, I know that reading has really shaped me to become the kind of person I am right now.
Below are the notables quotes I read last year.
From Love, Stargirl
Who are you if you lose your favorite person? Can you lose your favorite person without losing yourself? I reach for Stargirl and she’s gone. I’m not me anymore.
If you start by hating one or two people, you won’t be able to stop. Pretty soon you’ll hate a hundred people… A little hatred goes a long, long way. It grows and grows. And it’s hungry.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
The things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life.
We aren’t the things we collect, acquire, read. We are, for as long as we are here, only love. The things we loved. The people we loved. And these, I think these really do live on.
Sometimes books don’t find us until the right time.
Boundaries
But no one can really escape the disciplines of life. They will always win out. We always reap what we sow.
Musing Monday (March 23)
Hi there! I know it’s been a while since I last updated this blog so let me have this musing monday as my come back post.
This will also be my first time to try the new feature of the Musing Monday introduced by Miz B this year: The Weekly Random Question.
So, for THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What is your favorite lesson learned, or quote, from a recent book you’ve read?
One of the best books I’ve read this year so far is Anne of Green Gables. I love Anne Shirley’s character- her being innocent, talkative and most of all, imaginative. I like how she uses big words to express her emotion. So I agree with her when she said this:
“But if you have big ideas, you have to use big words to express them haven’t you?”
I was really thinking about this lately because I often hear my officemate comment about me that I speak deep words when I thought it’s a normal thing. Blame it on the books I’m reading, I’m exposed to different types of persons and different ideas. So sometimes I wonder if people find me odd for talking about life in general while they are busy talking about people they see and meet everyday.
Blog Tour: Only a Kiss by Ines Bautista-Yao (Review + Giveaway)
Blog Tour time again! Welcome to my stop of Only a Kiss by Ines Bautista – Yao.
Book Information:
Title: Only A KissAuthor: Ines Bautista-Yao
Publisher: Chamber Shell Publishing
Date of Publication: November 29, 2014
Genre: contemporary romance
SummaryWhen she was nine-years-old, Katie knew she wanted Chris to give her her first kiss. It wasn’t because she was in love with him (no way, he was her best friend! Besides, she was in love with his fourteen-year-old big brother), it was because she could make him do anything she wanted.Besides, it didn’t really mean anything. It was only a kiss after all.But then things started to change. They grew up. They parted ways and went to different high schools. And other girls and boys—well, just one particular boy—came into the picture, throwing their lives upside down.
Told from the alternating points of view of Katie and Chris, this love story between two best friends will tug at your heartstrings and leave you thinking how the simplest things can mean so much.
My Thoughts:
For the nth time, I am going to say again that I am truly a fan of best-friends-turned-lovers stories. This is the reason why the blurb of Only A Kiss made me want to read it. However, I know that everyone has a unique love story to tell so I was really interested to know how the friendship of Chris and Katie bloomed into romance.
Only A Kiss was really an enjoyable read for me. I like that every stages of the characters’ life was tackled in the story. I also like that both have experienced love from other people before they found themselves in each other’s arms. The story of Katie and Chris reminds me that if two people are really meant to be, they will always end up together in the end.
What I love most about the story is the alternating point of view of the male and female protagonists. As a woman, I am always curious and excited to hear (or read) from a male perspective. Chris’ POV has somehow gives me an affirmation that men are truly visual in nature. Haha!
If you also have a knack for unfriendzone-stories like me, maybe this one is for you.
My Rating: ★★★
About the Author:
Ines Bautista-Yao is the author of One Crazy Summer, What’s in your Heart, and Only a Kiss. She has also written two short stories, “Flashbacks and Echoes,” which is part of a compilation called All This Wanting and “A Captured Dream,” one of the four short stories in Sola Musica: Love Notes from a Festival.
She is the former editor-in-chief of Candy and K-Zone magazines and a former high school and college English and Literature teacher. She is also a wife and mom and blogs about the many challenges and joys of motherhood at theeverydayprojectblog.com. She has recently launched The Author Project, a section in her current blog devoted to the stories in her head:http://theeverydayprojectblog.com/inesbyao-author-project/.
She posts on Instagram and tweets @inesbyao and her author page is facebook.com/inesbautistayao.
Links:
Giveaway Time!!!
Ines is giving away lots of things!
For Philippine residents:
One (1) winner will get a signed paperback of ONLY A KISS, a gift card from FILA, and a back issue of CAST comic book
Two (2) winners will each get a signed paperback of ONLY A KISS, light up laces, and back issue of CAST comic book
For everyone:
FIve (5) winners will each get an ebook of ONLY A KISS
Here’s the code for the giveaway:
Here’s the link to it.
January Reads
I’ve mentioned in my last post that I’m challenging myself to read 30 book in 2014. However, I haven’t thought of identifying any specific book to read this year so maybe, to start the year right, I will once again attempt to make a monthly reading plan to avoid neglecting my personal bookish commitments.
For January, I plan to read the following:
1. The Elements of Style by W. Strunk and E.B. White. I am actually halfway through this book and this is sort of a review of my past grammar lessons.
2. Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool. This is my Book Club’s choice for face-to-face discussion. Since I promised that I will try not to be a delinquent bookclubber this year, I am determined to read this book and TRY to actively participate in the online discussion. You may also want to eavesdrop in our online discussion. 🙂
3. Only a Kiss by Ines Bautista-Yao. This is a blog tour commitment.
In addition to these books, I also plan to read the Books of Lamentations and Ezekiel from the Bible. 🙂
Goal Setting
Oh, hello there book blog! I missed you. So we’re now in 2015 and since it’s the start of the year, here’s a mandatory post on setting my reading goals for the year.
But before that, let me recall what happened to my last year’s reading goals and challenge.
Let me start with the good news. As I’ve mentioned in my previous post, I am really glad that I was able to finish my challenge of reading 40 books. (okay, I also have to admit that I cheated a little because my original goal was to read 50 books in 2014, haha!). Regardless, goodreads says I have completed my reading challenge so it’s still accomplishment, right?!
The bad news is, I wasn’t able to achieve the goals I’ve set during the last quarter of 2014. But I think it’s okay and I don’t regret it at all. Maybe because I’ve already settled in my heart that reading is NOT the MOST essential thing in my life. It’s just the icing on the cake so forget about that unfulfilled goals.
So for this year, I’d like to set a lower goal of reading 30 books because I know can re-adjust once I’ve completed it.
So there, happy new year friends!
Musing Monday: 2014 Reading Goal Completed!
Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading
Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
•Describe one of your reading habits.
* Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!
So today I’ve completed my reading goal for 2014. Actually, my original target was to read at least 50 books this year. But because I was having difficulty in catching up with my challenge, I lowered my target to 40. Now that my interest for reading is back, I was able to complete my target way ahead of schedule. I would still read more books this year though.
So there, it’s another reason to celebrate!
Unlimiting God: Increasing Your Capacity to Experience the Divine by Richard Blackaby
Title: Unlimiting God: Increasing Your Capacity to Experience the Divine
Author: Richard Blackaby
Date of Publication: January 2008
My Rating: ★★★★★
Summary:
People have their limits. Some choose to ignore them.
God’s power and love have no limits. So why do Christians put limits on their relationship with Him? We could be pursuing greater knowledge, experiencing deeper intimacy, and abiding in freer joy… and yet we routinely settle for mediocrity in our spiritual lives.But if you are ready to explode your self-imposed limits, Dr. Richard Blackaby can guide you through powerful and passionate insights revealed in this new book.
By contrasting mediocrity with the spirituality of the great “heroes of the faith,” Dr. Blackaby shows you that you need not settle for less than God intends for you. God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people like you…but only when you allow Him to enlarge your spiritual capacity and overcome your self-imposed limits.
“I hope this book inspires you to aim for a new level of walking with God. I want you to reach heights in your spiritual life that you never dreamed were possible, to experience God working through your life in a powerful new dimension, to hear words from God that will dramatically change your life and your world. I want to help you blow past any limitations you have set for yourself in your Christian life.” —Dr. Richard Blackaby
My thoughts:
Another timely and relevant book to my life. An inspiration to really increase my faith and stretch myself beyond my limits. It also provides practical tips on how to apply in my life the lesson that God is currently working on my life.
One of the lessons that I believe God is teaching me (and perhaps challenging me) lately is to apply in my life the truth and principles of the parable of the new wine and new wineskins (Matt 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37-39). The parable says ‘no one pours an old wine into new wineskins, otherwise the wineskins will burst and be ruined’.
This book has basically articulated the meaning of these passages to my life.
Musing Monday: My Reading Habit
Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week… • Describe one of your reading habits. • Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s). • What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! • Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it. • Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us! • Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!
It’s been a while since I made a Musing Monday post so I’ll do it today, for a change. Because I can’t think of anything to post, I’ll just share to you my reading habits (or the lack thereof). As someone who was blessed with an adventurous spirit, I can say that I don’t have any unique or consistent reading habit. I do make reading lists from time to time to motivate myself to read more but most of the time, I don’t stick to it because my reading preference changes from time to time, depending on my mood. But maybe, to give you a little background of what kind of reader I am based on this infographic. I took some serious evaluation of my reading practices and this is the result: 
So based from this photo, I have identified myself as a cross-bred reader mutt which means:
- I’m a grown-up who loves to read children’s book
- I love using my highlighter or post-its when reading
- I jump from one book to another when reading 🙂
So there. How about you? What are your reading habits? Have a fun week ahead!
Filipino Friday (4): Let’s Talk About Diverse Books
Do you think we have enough diversity in the books that we read? Are our choices enough to satisfy our different tastes? Are our writers able to present the variety of people, culture, lifestyle, interests and so on? How diverse are your reading interests, and are you able to find enough books to satisfy your reading needs? Do you think we need more diverse books?
Before I answer this question, allow me to shoutout, friends!!
I can’t believe I was finally able to reach this far in this weekly meme! So, yay! #achievementUnlocked!
*Okay, let me now answer the question/s.*
Do you think we have enough diversity in the books that we read?
Diversity? In terms of reader’s access to a number of selections of books here in our country, I believe yes. This is very evident in the growing number of bookstores here in our country. However, most of these selections are foreign books so in terms of diversity in the local scene, I don’t think that we have enough selections to satisfy all the Filipino reader’s taste. Or maybe, if there’s enough, it’s not widely promoted.
As to my reading preference, I have a very diverse taste when it comes to my reading preference and I’m glad that our local bookstores are still able to meet my reading needs. 😀
Blog Tour: Fall Like Rain by Ana Tejano (Review + Giveaway)
Hello everyone! I’m Cary and welcome to my stop in the Book Tour of Fall Like Rain by Ana Tejano.
Book Information:
Title: Fall Like Rain
Author: Ana Tejano
Date of Publication: September 29, 2014
Book Links:
Goodreads
Smashwords
Amazon
Paperback order form
Summary:
Rain De Castro has been in love with her best friend, Mark Velasco, for almost the entire time she has known him, but she’s clearly in the friend zone because he’s happily in a relationship. Or so she thought, until the news of his break-up reaches her. Now that Mark’s single again, she decides that it’s time to get out of the zone. But when her cousin Lissa comes into the picture and sets her eyes on Mark, Rain feels troubled when he gets a little too friendly with her. Rain is determined to fight for what she feels this time, but is it worth the effort if it’s a losing battle from the start? Will she back off to give way for her best friend’s happiness, even if it means losing him to someone else again?
My Review:
As one of the privileged people who got to read this book in its unedited glory last year, I’m really, really happy that this final version has improved a lot and turned out to be a fantastic read for me.
The story of Rain and Mark is the kind of love story that I’ve always been dreaming. I believe that great love stories always starts with great friendship as the foundation. So falling in love with your guy best friend, like in the case of Rain, is not anymore surprising. I love this book because this is the kind of love story I and maybe most girls, can easily relate to . The struggle of Rain is real, especially for the conservative type who still believe that guys should always do the first move. I’m also a sucker for nice and decent guys so Mark’s character suits me (plus, I like his name, hihi! :D). But just what the author pointed out in the story, “the problem with nice and friendly guys is that it’s hard to tell if they liked you or not without their saying it outright”. So I understand Rain’s dilemma but I like how the author ended the story.
I think I have to stop here because I know I can’t rave about this book without giving too much spoilers. If you want some refreshing story of friendship and love, I believe this book is for you. 😀
P.S. Because I can’t get over with the book, I made my own playlist. It’s more of a friendzone playlist, actually. You may want to listen to them while reading to give you more *feels*, haha!
Here it is:
- Friend of Mine by Odette Quesada
- You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift
- Migraine by Moonstar 88
- Why Can’t It Be by Nina
- Friendster by Moonstar 88
- The Art of Letting Go by Mikaila
My Rating: ★★★★
Author Bio:
Ana Tejano has been in love with words and writing ever since she met Elizabeth Wakefield when she was in Grade 3. She has contributed several non-fiction pieces in print and online publications, and has been blogging for years. When she’s not writing, she works as a marketing lead for a multinational company by day, manages a book club, and serves in her church community in every other time that she doesn’t spend reading or sleeping. She lives in Metro Manila and is also known by another name in her other circles (but it’s not a secret identity, really).
Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Wattpad
Want a copy of her book? Click the link below to get a chance to win a copy!!!
Filipino Friday (3): What do you think of fanfiction?
Fanfiction is pretty popular, no doubt about it, but it has been received with mixed feelings by many authors and writers. Some don’t mind it, and even welcome readers who give their own spin on their work. Some writers don’t like it at all, to the point that they contact fanfiction authors to take their work down. Others use it as a jump-off point for their own writing.
How about you? What is your take on fanfiction? Do you read fanfiction, and if you do, what kind of fanfiction do you read? Do you write fanfiction, and why? Or are you against fanfiction? Enlighten us.
I first learned about fanfiction during my first appearance to TFG meet up. Honestly, although I heard a lot about it, I’m not sure if I have ever read a product of fanfiction.
My take? Hmm, maybe I’ll give fanfiction a try first. But personally, I don’t have anything against fanfiction writers. I believe that their works are still products of their own imagination. I mean, even though they first got the idea from other authors, they still have to work on the details of the plot, the character and even the conversation, right? And they say imitation is the highest form of flattery so if I am an author and someone wrote a fanfiction based from my work, I think I will be honored, haha!
But for now, because of this question, I think I need to go and check out some fanfic websites.
Happy weekend!
Filipino Friday (2): Have you ever wanted to write a book?
As a reader, have you ever thought about writing a book? What kind of books/stories do you want to write? Or are you now a published author, and what compelled you to go fulfil this dream? How was your journey from reader to writer? How did you go about getting your book out there?
Hello! I know that it’s Monday. But because I was in a deserted island last friday, I wasn’t able to publish this Filipino Friday post. I’ve always known that writing is my weakness so I have accepted long time ago that writing is not for me. But recently, I’ve learned that never say never because writing, just like any other skills, can be learned and developed through constant practice. Thanks to the inspiration of the so many ordinary people that I know who were able to publish their own book. So, have I ever thought of becoming a writer or publishing my own book? Yes, I’m now considering or maybe dreaming about it. But it’s more of an inspirational book because I know that I’m not the creative type. What made me change my mind about my writing stint? About two years ago, I’ve written a review of my favorite book and one of the readers in Goodreads commented and asked me if I’ve ever thought of writing a book. Of course I was surprised and I answered no because I know that I’m not a writer. But then recently, I’ve learned that a college friend of mine became one of the contributors in a Christian book by sharing her testimony. So I realized that if she was able to do that, why can’t I? We have the same God who enables people to accomplish great things for Him. Though I know that I don’t have that much stories to tell yet, I’m now hoping that someday, if God will permit it, I will be able to share my story to other people through my book. :))
Your Career Roadmap (How to get the job you want… and love the job you hate!) by Nelson T. Dy
The Book
Title: Your Career Roadmap (How to get the job you want… and love the job you hate!)
Author: Nelson T. Dy
Price: PhP 295.00
Number of Pages: 283
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Summary:
The book is a compilation of the best articles from the author’s Sunday Column “Your Career Roadmap” in The Philippine Star. It talks about the author’s thirty-years worth of experience working in the corporate world. It also covers a variety of topics that provide practical tips and lessons on how to put your view about your job into proper perspective, how to get the job you want, how to deal with difficulties at work and how to become the best employee that you can be and succeed in your God-given career.
My thoughts
If I will describe the start of my six-year journey as a young professional, I can say that it was a smooth one. My first job was truly a blessing because it was the kind of job that I wanted back in college. I was also blessed with a cool manager who treated me like his own daughter, and a group of co-workers whom I considered as my family, so it was really easy for me to love my job and give my best for the organization. Three years later, though I never planned it, God gave me another job that offers a higher salary and better opportunities for career growth and development.
Just like my first job, I was thankful that God gave me an opportunity to work in a bigger organization. The start of my journey in my second job was also a good one. However, the changes that happened to our organization recently have also brought a lot of challenges to me. And though I find it hard to accept it, I realized I’m not actually coping well. So, when I received an invitation from OMF Literature to join their Book Worm Blogger Review Program, I immediately accepted it because Your Career Road Map by Nelson T. Dy is one of the books that I believe I really need to read at the moment, and OMF Lit is offering it for a free review. 😀
As I’ve expected, reading this book was truly a blessing for me. I know that there’s something wrong with my attitude towards my job and I need help on how to really deal with it. Though I seek help and godly counsel from my friends and my sisters in Christ who have gone ahead of me, I still find it hard to accept the truth that they are telling me so I read this book to get other insights. The topics discussed by author gave me a bigger and better picture of my current situation. It has also helped me evaluate my current attitude towards my work and made me realize the mistake I’m currently doing with my career. The book has also listed down the practical tips that I can learn and apply on the area of my life that I believe God is teaching me in my present circumstances: EXCELLENCE.
The author has indeed gave me valuable lessons on how to pursue excellence in doing my job.
If there’s one topic that I wish the author could have included in the book, it’s the discussion on finding the value on the job you’re doing. Or perhaps, how to correct your attitude when you no longer find value in the work you’re doing.
Nevertheless, the book in general, is an encouragement for me. It has reminded me of the truth that His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.(2 Peter 1:3) Everything that the author has written in this book is impossible without God’s grace. As Christians, we are called by God to succeed not only in ministry but also in life, in general. And by life, that means God has also called to succeed in our career so that He will be glorified through our life.
If you’re looking for a book about professional growth, maybe this one is for you. 🙂 For copies, you may visit any OMF LIT store or these online stores:
Filipino Friday 2014 (1) – Surprise, Reader!
Hello there! I’ve been following the Filipino Fridays meme since 2012 and I’ve been meaning to participate in the meme. However, for some not-so-valid reasons, I wasn’t able to do so. So, for the nth time, I will again attempt to post for Filipino Fridays.
For the introduction, I’m Cary and I’m a member of The Filipino Group, a local book club based in Goodreads, for more about three years now.
Surprise, Reader! Hello, it’s the first week of Filipino Fridays 2014! Whether it’s your first time to participate or not, tell us a bit about yourself. More specifically, tell us about your favorite book discoveries for this year. Any author you started reading this year that you can’t get enough of? A book you didn’t think you’d like, but you ended up liking/loving? Any book series that you just have to get your hands on? Have you discovered anything new from Filipino authors this year?
Tell us about your favorite book discoveries for this year.
My favorite reads this year so far are Stargirl series and the Catastrophic History of You and Me. As mentioned in my previous posts, reading these stories after reading too much non-fiction is truly a breather.
A book you didn’t think you’d like, but you ended up liking/loving?
Frankenstein. I’ve been evading this book for so long because I thought it’s scary. But to my surprise, it’s not. The lessons and theme of this book are also socially relevant so I really enjoyed it.
Any book series that you just have to get your hands on?
I’m planning to start the Game of Thrones series as my personal reading challenge this year.
Have you discovered anything new from Filipino authors this year?
Yes. My Favorite Filipino romance novella this year is Jayen San Diego’s Just a Little Rain. I also enjoyed reading All is Fair in Blog and War by Chrissie Peria.
Logodiversity 