TFIOS: My First John Green Novel

     The first time I saw this book (and was highly recommended) was on the blog of Saab Magalona. She said good thing about it. Since the title is so intriguing, I decided to go to National Bookstore here at SM Lipa. When I asked about the book, it was out of stock. And the person I know at NBS - Madz - will reserve one for me as soon as their orders arrive.

     Few days after, I received a call from Madz that my book is finally there. Imagine how happy I was. Super duper happy, the copy I got was the hard-bound copy, keber na sa price (I don't care about the price anymore).

my favorite book... 

     I have to tell you that I was so excited to read the book. And as soon as I started reading it, I really got hooked with the story and the main characters namely: Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters. They met on the support group of young people who have cancer. This is my first John Green book that I read and I fell in love with it instantly. I never knew how these kids see LOVE IN A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. They live for the moment. They live and enjoy life as if it's their last (to quote Hazel THEY ARE LIKE A BOMB). Despite and inspite of being sick, they LOVED EACH OTHER, ACCEPTED ONE ANOTHER.

     let me share with you some of my favorite lines from this book.

"Pain demands to be felt"

"Sometimes people don't understand the

promises they're making when 

they make them."

"I"m in love with you, and I'm not in

the business of denying myself the simple

pleasures of saying true things.

I'm in love with you, and I know that love is

just a shout in the void, and that

oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all

doomed and that there will come a day when

all our labor has been returned to dust,

and I knew the sun will swallow the only 

earth we'll ever have, and 

I am in love with you."

"Oh I wouldn't mind, Hazel Grace, 

it would be a privilege to have my heart

broken by you."

"But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you

how thankful I am for our little infinity.

I wouldn't trade it for the world. you gave

me a forever within the numbered days

and I'm grateful."

"I love her. I'm so lucky to have her.

You don't get to choose if you get 

hurt in this world, old man, but you do have

some say in who hurts you.

I like my choice,

I hope she like hers."

     Now I can't wait for the movie version of this book which will be shown by June of 2014.

   

     How about you, have you read the book already? What is/are your favorite lines from the book? 

What's with Books?

     Since part of the name of my blog, aside from being a mom and wife is that I am a self-confessed bookworm. It is a term meaning a person devoted to reading and I could say that I am that. So I will try my very best to share with you books that I have read last 2013 and for this year too.  

     So what's with books? This is one question I believe that is quite difficult to answer unless you're a bookworm like me. 2 years ago and until last year I bought a lot of books, or better yet HOARDED (I guess this is more appropriate term) A LOT.  All the books I hoarded are well-kept already in 2 plastic containers (1 extra large & 1 medium). since there is no space yet for a bookshelf in the house, my "babies" - yes I call them that - are safe in their respective containers. So far I have 80+ books and counting. Have I read them all? I could safely say 1/2 of those I have. 

my books (blue container is the
extra large one and the other is the
medium one) 

     Lately a lot of gadgets like kindle have been available in the market so that it would be easier for one to read. You don't have any bulky book to hold, you don't need bookmarks, you don't need to "ear-marked" your book. No additional heavy book in your bag. With kindle (and other similar gadgets) one could easily download or buy E-books and read it right away.

     But pardon me, because I AM NOT A FAN of such. To those who loves and appreciates these kinds of gadgets, good for you. There is something in books that I can't explain. From the time I bought it, remove the plastic, to turning of the page(s), and the smell of a newly bought book. hahaha!  I don't mind holding a bulky book. I don't care about that "extra weight" in my bag as long as I have a book in my hand, I am a HAPPY ME. As they say, to each his own.

     How about you, what about books that you love or don't love at all? Share your thoughts....

Poems About Love

     Happy Valentine's Day my dear readers. Today will be a different Valentine's for me and my girls. It will be the very first time that we will celebrate it without Francis, hubby and tatay to girls. Although he is not around, I don't want this day to go on without giving something to the girls. To my older girls, I gave each of them a red balloon with 3 pieces of Ferro Rocher. To my youngest, though she is not fond of eating chocolates, I bought her a red balloon too. As for me, I bought myself some chocos, never mind the calories. Hahaha! 

    In time for this day, one of the books that I really like (and worth buying) is the book entitled LOVE & MISADVENTURE by Lang Leav. When I saw the ratings of this book via GoodReads, I decided to buy a copy and see what it is really all about. It is a book consist of poems divided into 3 parts namely:

 

               - MISADVENTURE

               - THE CIRCUS OF SORROWS

               - LOVE

the book
(got this from my Instagram)

     In every poem that you will be reading, for sure you will be able to relate. Love of what happened in the past, of what is going on right now and what is your feeling as well. It just took me an hour and a half to finish this book. Even my eldest daughter loved this one. This is one book I could really recommend to you. Let me share with you my dear readers, some of the poems/lines from this book. 

"Love is a game

of tic-tac-toe,

constantly waiting,

for the next X or O."

"Love is good,

it is never bad-

but it will drive you mad!

When it is given to you,

in dribs and drabs."

CLOSURE

"Like time suspended,

a wound unmended-

you and I.

We had no ending,

no said good-bye.

For all my life, 

I'll wondery why."

"She thanked him for his gift of music

and poetry but above all else -  for showing

her sadness because she had known

neither of these things before him.

But it was now time for her to go away - 

to find someone who could show her

what happiness was."

LOVE LETTERS

"Every letter

that she types,

every keystroke

that she strikes - 

To spell your name

again and again -

is all she ever wants to write"

     These are just few of my favorite lines or poems from the said book. For a change, why not give a gift of book to someone today. 

     Happy Valentine's Day! 

The Time Keeper: My Favorite Quotes

     So the last post I talked about my current favorite book, The Time Keeper. In every book that I read, or we read, there will be those lines that will really stands out and that will remain in our heads. What I usually do is I have a stabilo or marker beside me so that I could underline or mark those lines that I really love.

just like in the photo... this is
what I usually do. hehehe!

 

     From this book, let me share with you my favorite lines or quotes...

- " Man alone measures time.

    Man alone chimes the hour.

   And, because of this, man 

  Alone suffers a paralyzing fear

  That no other creature endures.

  A fear of time running out..."

- "Mankind is connected in ways 

   it does not understand -

  even in dreams..."

- "It is never too late or too soon.

   It is when it is supposed to be."

- "You marked the minutes. But did you

   Use them wisely? To be still? To cherish?

   To be graceful? To lift & be lifted?"

- "Remember this always:

 There is a reason God limits man's days"

- "But man who can take

   Anything will find most things unsatisfying.

  And a man without memories is just a shell."

- "Time flies with you"

- "We all yearn for what we have lost.

   But sometimes, we forget what we have."

- "What will you do with the time you have left?"

- "A heart weighs more when it splits in two;

   It crashes in the chest like a broken plane"

- "Knowing something and understanding it

   were not the same thing."

- "Living without love was something he knew

   More than any soul on earth"

- "When does it stop hurting?

   Sometimes never..."

- "Time is not something you give back. The very

    next moment may be an answer to your prayer.

   To deny that is to deny the most important part

   Of the future. What's that? HOPE"

- "Ends are for yesterdays, not tomorrows."

- "With endless time, nothing is special, 

    With no loss or sacrifice, we can't 

    Appreciate what we have."

- "There is a reason God limits our days.

    Why?

    To make each one precious"

- "There was always a quest for more minutes,

    More hours, faster progress to accomplish,

   More in each day. The simple joy of living 

   Between sunrises were gone."

- "Everything man does today to be efficient,

   To fill the hour? It does not satisfy. It only makes

  Him hungry to do more. Man wants to own his

  Existence. BUT NO ONE OWNS TIME."

- "We do not realize the sound the world makes -

    Unless, of course, it comes to a stop. Then, when

   It starts, it sounds like an orchestra."

- Dor: "I tried to stop your suffering"

  Alli: "We cannot stop what heaven chooses"

- "TIME FLIES"

How about you? Have you read the book? What are your favorites? Can't wait to hear it from you...

Book Rave: The Time Keeper

     I have seen this book, The Time Keeper, on display at the National Bookstore here at SM Lipa. Since I have been looking what book to read after The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, a good book by the way. This book caught my attention. To be honest, it will be my first time to read a book by Mitch Albom. Since it is one of the best-sellers I bought it immediately.

     But then due to my busy schedule as a mom to my 3 daughters, it is only recently that I began reading it. I would usually read the book every morning after my 2 older kids have left for school, and while my youngest and husband are still asleep. And last Friday, I finally finished reading the book. Yeah it took me a while to read it. But I could say IT IS INDEED ONE DAMN GOOD BOOK.

NOTE:   I am not really what you could call someone who is a book critic. It just so happened I love reading books but what I am going to share is how I felt about the book, the story and yes it made me realize a LOT OF THINGS... and most importantly ABOUT TIME.

   The 3 main characters are Dor, also known as the Father Time. Victor, a self made billionaire and married to the beautiful Grace. Sarah, a fat but intelligent girl. Three different stories but they have one thing in common: TIME. Dor, wanted to know more about time; Victor, wanted MORE and LONGER time despite of his old age and that he is sick. Sarah, on the other hand wanted to slow the time so she could spend a little longer with Ethan (the boy she thought "loves" her).

     I could honestly say that as one reads this book, one way or another, you could related to either of the 3 main characters. On my part, I could really relate more with Dor and Grace ( yes the wife of Victor). I admire her love for Victor despite her husband's busy schedule, travelling here and there, she still stood by him. Knowing that their marriage or relationship as husband and wife were greatly affected. On the other hand, I admire Dor's love to his wife, Alli. For Dor, his world is his wife and kids. His never-ending love for Alli, I felt that.

MY THOUGHTS/REFLECTION:
     As every second passes by be sure to really make a good use of it. Never waste any single moment dwelling on the past because it is IN THE PAST. What had happened cannot be UNDONE anymore. What is important is that we still have the PRESENT, to at least correct whatever wrong doing we may have done in the past. This is why it is very important for me, as a mother, to have a good relationship with each of my 3 daughters. I could do so much as a mom. The rest are still up to them.

     As for me being a wife, being in a marriage, is really a TOUGH JOB. Both of you must REALLY STRIVE to get the relationship going and working. I could assure you, every relationship, whether you're married or not, has really its ups and downs. All relationship go to tough times and it's up to both of you how are you going to resolve it.

     Now I believe that TIME IS INDEED GOLD and we should not waste a single second. If you're working, work hard but DON'T FORGET the people around you, especially your family. They are your backbone, I tell you. If you're "SINGLE" enjoy being one until the "right" one comes along. If you're YOUNG, enjoy your youth, for it will only come once.

   Lastly, don't forget to ENJOY LIFE for this too is just a once in a lifetime for all of us.

   Remember this: TIME FLIES

Fifty Shades: My Favorite Quotes

In every book that we read there are always quotes or conversations that really stands out or you really like. I for one, if I really like a quote or lines, I usually highlight it or write it down in one of my notebooks.

In the Fifty Shades trilogy, I have a few and most of these are found in the third book, Fifty Shades Freed, my favorite book among the three. Here are the lines... And I hope you'll like it too.

* But I'm a selfish man. I've wanted you since you fell into my office. You are exquisite, honest, warm, strong, witty, beguilingly innocent; the list is endless. I'm in awe of you. I want you and the thought of anyone else having you is like a knife twisting in my dark soul. (Christian Grey, Fifty Shades Darker)

* You are my lifeline. (Christian Grey)

* Anastasia, you are my more, my love, my life (Christian Grey)

* I know his love is clouded with issues of over protectiveness and control, but it doesn't make me love him any less. (Anastasia Steele)

* I will lay my world at your feet, Anastasia. I want you, body and soul, Forever.

(Christian Grey)

"I lay awake for hours and watched you sleep" he murmurs, "I might have loved you even then." (Christian Grey)

And of course this one: LATERS, BABY...

My Thoughts: Fifty Shades Trilogy

Last week while I was reading tweets in my timeline, I've noticed the exchange of tweets between Mommy Fleur, Mommy Aimee, and Mommy Jackie. To shy to ask what they're talking about, I just made an observation. It is a book entitled FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. Intrigued by it, I told myself that when I visit National Bookstore I will be looking for it.

That night I told my eldest daughter, Arielle, of what I read over at twitter. She told me, Mom there is that book at National and I was reading the short summary at the back and I can't understand it. So few days after I went to the mall, then straight to the bookstore. There I saw the book. I read the summary and to be honest, not much was given. Still intrigued, I decided to buy it. That night I read it right away. And to my surprise IT IS INDEED DIFFERENT. Let's just say that those who will be reading the trilogy should BE AN ADULT, at least 21 years of age. Hahaha!

the Fifty Shades Trilogy

The story has LOTS and I say A LOT, of sex between the 2 main characters. The explicit description of each act during sex, a lot of use of the "F" word and other foul words that I believe are suitable for ADULTS literally. But then again, I won't be buying all books if there isn't a sense of what it's all about. To be honest I didn't imagine that I would be able to go through the first book, yet I've grown to love the story and especially the character of Christian Grey, despite and inspite, of who and what he has become. I love Anastacia Steele for her being bull-headed, determined, simple, down-to-earth kind of girl and so loving to Christian.

my Favorite book among the 3

Among the 3 books, the last book that I really love, FIFTY SHADES FREED. I won't go into details why but you adult blogger readers should read it and see why. As I've said before I am not a BOOK CRITIC or whatsoever, it just so happened I love reading books. This is my first ever ADULT BOOK that I've read in my entire life. Hahaha! Buy the books and be blown away by Christian Grey.

Laters, baby... (love it)

The Book I Fell In Love With...

The first time my eldest daughter and I saw this book at National Bookstore, entitled BEFORE EVER AFTER, we were intrigued by the title alone. So I read the back part of the book to see what it is all about.

And the more we got curious and excited about it. I told Arielle that I will be saving up so that I could buy the book.

Right after Christmas, Arielle showed me the book. She bought it already. Hahaha! Naunahan pa ako ng anak ko. She told me that she has the extra money from last holidays so she bought it already. It took her 2 days to read the book and after she's done with it, she came up to me and said: "MOM IT IS A VERY GOOD BOOK. SUPER NICE. READ IT NA." By the way my daughter is just 13 years old.

When I heard her say those words, the more I got excited to reading it. But it took me a while to read the book because I posted a few blogs that was supposed to be done last December. But, when I got my hands on the book, I can't get my hands off of it.

It took me two days as well to read the book, mind you my dear blog readers, I was reading the book in between of doing all of the household chores. Hahaha! And of course before I go to sleep, I still read.

I LOVE the book because the words are easy to understand. I like how the author described each place Max has been to, wanting me to go there as well. (The use of my imagination was definitely used while reading this book) I love the lines and the unforgettable quotes. I like the wisdom of each character in the book especially of Max's.

One will definitely have an open mind or view about LOVE, DEATH, AND LIFE ITSELF. I am not a critic or anything like that. I am just a simple stay-at-home mom(housewife) who happens to love read books. And I DEFINITELY love this book.