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Reflection of Books, which are a Reflection of Who I am and Who I Want To Be
Paranaque City, June 2003

"TV. If we are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun we'd have with twenty-six. Open a book."
-Unknown

I used to run a review site. It was entertaining to hear people buying the same books, CDs and DVDs. Until it dawned on me that I was more like contributing to the world of materialism. Apparently that wasn't the case. I was in fact trying to help people save hard-earned money to buy the things they should buy with the amount they can only part with - painlessly.

Ok. But I won't reopen the site, because I already ended it. Might as well incorporate it here:

Thumbs Up: Books

5. The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom - while it is entertaining and inspiring at the same time, one should'nt compare it to the masterpiece Albom made with Tuesdays with Morrie. It has its own beauty. It is both inspiring for those who wish to be inspired; at the same time depressing for those who haven't touched someone's life at their current state (guys, the lead was already 83. So you have 50 or so years.) With 198 pages, one can finish this standing at Fully Booked in 5 days. No need to buy. Ow, don't read the last page. If I were you, I really would'nt even peek. Available in HardCover at FullyBooked for P 814.00.

4. Life of Pi - Yann Martel - "so we're on the same boat to Canada." That was my first reaction and the reason why I continued reading and finished this mystical novel. I just hope that the ship doesn't sink though. A book that will make you find personal faith. A book that will make you love life more today than ever before. This one is a keeper. ~~And it's out of stock. So borrow it from a good friend.~~ Now available at FullyBooked for P 840.00.

3. The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk - as they say, I have a woman's taste for books. I only found out about this old book (released in 2003) from a bookstore in Montreux (Switz) and read half of it there and half here (again, standing up). It is a coming of age book set in the 60s, picture racism, picture South Carolina, and you have the perfect setting. Lily, the main protagonist, in search of knowledge of her own mother, who she accidentally killed, finds solace in three bee-keeping friends. All 4 characters plus the quality of writing is enough reason to try this book out. I read it from Powerbooks Arnaiz (when it was still open).

2. 31 Songs - Nick Hornby - there are just 3 authors whose works I buy (which I rarely do, see nos. 3-5), it is Hornby, Coehlo and Fulghum. All men. So don't give me that strange metrosexual-taste in books look. This one was a disappointment, I must say because it didn't grow on me as much as the book, High Fidelity did. I wasn't moved as much as How To Be Good, or laughed as much as About A Boy. But, hey, its Hornby and his take on 31 Songs. Nicely written. Great takes on why he loves this song and its album cover. Very entertaining. Great read. Which by the way, I should have also done standing up. Available at FullyBooked for P 359.00.

1. 11 Minutes - Paolo Coelho - ok. this one is hard. Much as I would like to give it a double thumbs up, I have to keep my other thumb with my pointer holding my credit card. This book has an interesting take on sex. (ok Coelho who once was writing about journey of life, personal destiny, world conspiring with you kind of stories and now - SEX?). Yes, and he was able to mend it perfectly well that in the end, you'd know that the book wasn't really about the 3-letter word. Set in Geneve, Switzerland, with streets and landmarks mentioned in the book making me say, "Hey, I was there, I should be in this book too! (and it's about SEX)" I bought the Hardcover in February (started it last Leap Day and only ended last month). Good thing, its available already in paperback at Fully Booked.

Tomorrow, VCDs to buy. (only because you can't watch it standing up from Astrovision)