Remarkable Part | Poemsia by Lang Leav

Halfway through the book, I was really questioning myself why am I still reading this. It's not that the writing is bad nor the story, but perhaps, I've grown as a person and this is not my genre anymore. It's like I'm watching a "teen flick". 

But I don't usually give up on a book and I try as hard as I can to finish the one I have chosen to read. And mostly, I thank myself for doing so, because most of the time the ending or plot twist is rewarding. Just like Poemsia, it gets better as you reach the final pages. Although, it still felt like watching a "teen flick".

This is the first book I have read written by Lang Leav who is an international best seller, yet I have read books from other authors who are not widely known but they write better stories. I am only comaparing Poemsia, perhaps her other books are better. Sorry for being a Penelope here, but I assure you this Penelope is not against pop genre rather simply stating facts based on experience.

And anyway, since I am writing this blog, here are the parts that have put a smile on my face, or perhaps a crackling laugh:

Para Kay Bob Ong at sa Masugid na Tiga Basa ng mga Sinauna Kong Blog

Kamusta ka na Bob Ong? Dekada na din ang lumipas mula nung mabalitaan kong may bago kang librong isinulat. Nagsusulat ka pa ba? Namimiss ba kita? Oo, naman. Ikaw kaya ang nagudyok sa akin na posible pa lang maging manunulat kahit hindi nakapaloob sa teyoryang itinuturo sa literatura. Magsulat ka kung paano ka magsalita, parang ganun. 'Di mo kailangan pekein ang personalidad ng paglalahad mo ng istorya, parang ganun. 

Anyway, hindi naman ako sumulat para lang kamustahin ka kasi malabo namang sumagot ka at malaman ko ang kalagayan mo. Pero, gusto ko lang malinawan at masiguro sa sarili ko na hindi naman siguro madumi ang isip ko no... Pero kasi, pareho ba tayu ng iniisip dito? 👇

Dahil ito ang pinakapaborito kong libro mo, binasa ko ulit. Ngunit ngayon, may mga detalyeng kagaya niyan, na ngayon ko lang naunawaan ang subtle meaning, kung meron man. Pero sinadya mo 'yan. Please,aminin mo. 😅 Marahil nga ay hinulma na ng panahong lumipas ang aking pag-iisip kaya kung ano-ano na ang napapansin. 😅

Hindi ko pa tinatanong ang iba kung anong palagay nila diyan sa talata na 'yan. Dumeretso ako sa'yo, sa may akda. Kahit alam kong 'di naman aabot ang liham na ito sa iyong lingid.

At sa'yo na masugid na humahalungkat ng aking mga panunulat. Ikaw naman ang pangalawa kong tatanungin... Anong naunawaan mo sa talatang iyan 😅? Nagpapasalamat na din ako dahil dahil sa'yo, nanunumbalik ang paghanga ko sa sarili ko sa mga nailalabas kong salita/talata/pag-iisip sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat. Parang pwede kong sabihin, "I was a good writer 10 years ago." Pero hindi ko 'yun alam 10 years ago. Ngayon ko lang naappreciate na talaga palang may potential ang mga sinusulat ko.  Tama lang palang inilathala ko ang mga iba kong panunulat dito sa world wide web.

At sa mga hindi naniniwala sa akin, pasensyahan tayo, patuloy akong magsusulat. 🤪 Magsusulat na lang ako ng magsusulat kesa maging decipherer. Kaso, bakit ganun, kahit ayokong magdecipher kusa itong inihahain sa aking harapan. Pero, hindi na nga ako magdedecipher, isinusuko ko na. 'Ba naman the last time I did, saan ba ko pinulot at nakarating? Tulad nitong, liham kong 2in1, kung san-san na nakarating.

O siya, iiwan ko na lang ang isa sa remarkable lines ng kwentong ito. Halos ang buong istorya naman ay remarkable. Kaya nga paborito ko ito, ngunit kung hihingi man ng remarkable line, isa ito 👇 (Hanggang sa muli, Shalom)

"Mga bata pa kayo. Pag pinaniwalaan...

Remarkable Part: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F%uck by Mark Manson

I was actually surprised I finished this book. I had given this book an ultimatum that if ever I encounter again a line that disrespect my philosophy as a human, I would stop reading it, thus becoming the very first book that I would not finish reading.

The first few pages, I know that the writer is trying to build up an image that his thoughts about life is maverick. So does with how he writes this book. Given that fact, I managed to understand why he writes that way. But upon encountering a passage where he ridiculed an old human, I started questioning his ways but still giving the benefit of the doubt, I continue reading. And then, here comes something about sexualizing Jennifer Aniston, that's when I knew the writer is not someone I would give my support as a reader. He's one the men I would choose to stay away from and not have even a chitchat talk. No. So that's where I gave an ultimatum.

But as I continue reading, I haven't encountered anything that I consider offensive even until I finish the book. Instead, I actually found an interesting passage that is worth quoting. Here it is:

So, there. I don't know if we have the same meter with these things I found offensive in this book. I wouldn't really encourage you reading this unless your love for life is so strong that no one can discourage you living it the way God intended you to.

Have a great read!

Remarkable Part: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

 

The moment I realized that every creature in this world has a precious life to respect, I started treating them that. Because, really, it's always the case. So yeah, I'm one of those people who doesn't kill a spider just because it shares my space; I don't kill ants walking across the table because they, too, has a life and why would I take it away just because I have the ability to do so? 

And reading this book, highlights that side of me and strengthens my thesis about life of other creatures. And made me realize that there are people who think the same way I do with this certain topic. 

I actually don't have much remarkable part to share with you except these lines from the start and repeated at the end. Because yeah, it's a fact. 

Here it is:

 

Remarkable Part: Muling Nanghaharana ang Dapithapon ni RM Topacio-Aplaon

Ito na marahil ang pangalawang libro na akda ng Pilipino na nagkaroon ako ng interes basahin ng isang upuan lang. Hindi sa literal na natapos ko ito ng isang upuan, kundi 'yung mayroong pagnanais na ipagpatuloy mong basahin ang kwento hanggang sa matapos ito. 

Kung nasusubaybayan niyo ang mga book reviews o reaction ko, marahil ay alam ninyong umaabot ng ilang buwan, mayroon pa ngang taon kapag nagbabasa ako ng nobela. Well, to be honest, maiiksing nobela lang din naman 'yung natatapos ko ng agaran, kagaya nitong MULING NANGHAHARANA ANG DAPIT HAPON ni RM Topacio-Aplaon na overnight ko lang nabasa (natulog ako ha).

Bukod sa hinihimok ng nobelang ito ang mga manunulat na muling magsulat o huwag bumitaw sa sining, mayroong tatlong "remarkable" na nagustuhan ko sa istorya. Hindi ito mga linya o excerpt, katulad ng iba kong nagawa sa book reviews, kahit mayroon naman. Kundi yung para sa kabuuan ng pagbasa ko dito.

1. 'Yung may namagitan sa dalawang bida ngunit hindi kinakailangan may mamagitang halik o higit pa. Gusto ko 'yung nagkaroon ng respeto ang manunulat sa dalawang character na parehong may unresolved issues at hindi niya ipinilit magkaroon ng ganuong relasyon. 

2.  'Yung kahit maliliit na detalye maiimagine mo na parang nanunuod ka ng pelikula na mayroong extreme long shot, wide angle, extreme close up at iba pa. 

3.  Na naiisip ko yung fiance ko kapag dini-describe ni Rafael ang dagat dahil ganuong-ganuon din ituring ng fiance ko ang mahika nito sa kanya. 

Marami pa akong nais isulat patungkol dito ngunit masyado nang personal para sa mambabasa ko (katulad nung No. 3) at sa tingin ko ay hindi na healthy iyun dahil magiging puro patungkol ito sa akin at hindi na sa libro. Kaya kung ako sa inyo, basahin niyo na at nang maintindihan ninyo ang pinanggagalingan ko. 

Sa maiksing salita, isa sa magagandang nobelang nabasa ko. Gayunpaman, hindi ako sang ayon na hindi na maganda ang Manila Bay. Marahil ay nagsawa lamang titigan ng manunulat dahil sa araw-araw nitong nakikita ito sa biyahe, ngunit maganda pa din ito, lalo na kung sasapit ang dapithapon. Tanungin niyo 'yung taong unang beses itong nasilayan. Pustahan. 

Hanggang sa muli.

P.S. Oo, mabagal ang Globe. Lahat ng network mabagal.

Remarkable Part: The Reason, The Mystery, The Return by Lacey Sturm

If you have heard about Flyleaf, then most probably you know who is Lacey Sturm. Yes, she was the vocalist of the band, now she uses her voice through writing about her testimonies and relationship with God. She continues to encourage more young people through her books and speaks.

She has written, as far as I know, 3 books. Yes, the ones mentioned at the title.

Since, my brother bought her 3 books, I hod the chance to read them and was inspired by her story and her passionate walk with God.

And here are rhe remarkable parts of the books (I am not going to mention which book the posted remarkable part is. It's up to you to find out, so I encourage you to read them too) :

1. 

2. 

3.

Sometimes, our God just wants to be our friend, not seeking praises or repentance, He just wants to be there to comfort and have a talk just like a best friend. 

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Yes, I know. This one's very hard to apply.

17.

18.

19.

20.

"I had begun cold towards others. I doubted the ability to show the hope I had found to those who needed it. It was like the prodigal son. When he returned to his father after hitting bottom, he pleaded to him to be treated like one of his father's servant. That was his mentality. Just make me a servant. But his father would have none of that. He restored him to his status as a son and heir."

21.

22.

23.

24.

Remarkable Scene: Guardians of the Galaxy

The world is too dramatic already, it's a plus point if a movie made you laugh genuinely.

I am not going to tell what's happening on the screenshots I provided below. Only the people who have watched will get why and if you want to know why, better watch this film.

1. I didn't get this scene until I watched it for the second time. And this made me like Starlord. 😂

2. "Who put up sticks on their butt? That's cruel."
😂😂😂

There are lots of funny scene in this movie that will make you laugh genuinely but these two are my favorites. :)

Nakalimutan Ko Nang Kalimutan Ka (Favorite Scenes)

Took me quite a while to watch again a comedy film and I wasn't disappointed of this one. I was really laughing hard while watching the scenes below. They were so funny that I have decided to have a copy of them.

Go on and play the clips below. 😅

P.S. I didn't like the ending though. 

Remarkable Part: The Return of the Young Prince by Alejandro Guillermo Roemmers

I know you have clicked the link because you want to know this book's remarkable part. And I might just break your heart's expectation and admit that the title of this article is some kind of a click bait. Because there's no remarkable part. Well at least for me.

The Return of the Young Prince has a lot of life lessons, wisdom, and realization written on it but I'm pretty sure that we've heard or read it all before. It seems that the book is only repeating what we already know. The book's main message can also be found in any other book, the very reason it lost its remarkable part.

But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the book is a failure, it is still something I would recommend to a friend. It has things and values in life that we should be reminded of, only it's not very authentic.

Another thing, if you are a fan of the first book, The Little Prince, I suggest that you skip this sequel. A lot of emotions and presumptions brought to us by the story of The Little Prince will be scattered away by this sequel. I prefer to end the story of the boy bitten by a snake than the one written in this sequel.

Anyway, this is just my opinion and mine alone. You could still see it on your own if our opinion matches regarding The Return of the Young Prince. Thus, let me end this article with one of the lines from this book, "It's strange how easily we assume that others must be going in the same direction as us." Alejandro Guillermo Roemmers should have thought of this too before deciding to write this sequel.


P.S
If there's one thing I like better in this sequel than the first, is that it acknowledges the existence of God. The writer mentioned many times the sovereignty of God and that is something great. 

Remarkable Part: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Several months ago, the TV series of this book was released and have watched by many. And for quite some time it went trending on line. While I, who's not into "what's in and what's not", managed to ignore the hype -- the way I am ignoring Game of Thrones. Well, I don't know if ignoring is the right term, but seriously, I don't give an F ;p or they're just aren't my thing.

Anyway, a friend from work has a copy of the book even before the series came to life. I wasn't aware of it. I didn't know that Thirteen Reasons Why was originally from a novel. So, I asked her the difference between the two and which is better. She said, the series changed several things from the original story. And she suggested that I should try reading the novel and later compared it with the TV series.

And now, here I am sharing my thoughts regarding its remarkable parts... remarkable parts for me, of course. Who else will be the judge here?  ;p

1.

 ...money.

(Halfway reading this book, I started to question the story. Like, "Gosh, what kind of town / school is this? Why all the characters are evil? Lahat na lang masama ugali? Duh!" And then, finally, I read something like this. At least, the book still proves that there's still hope in humanity.)

2.

(I feel Hannah. People need to stop talking when they don't even understand what they're talking about: the subject or the situation. Sometimes we just think what to say, but obviously failed to feel. And the truth is, we become a sounding cymbals. It's so annoying. And sometimes, irritating. And that won't help anyone.)

3.

(This book didn't mention about God. Not even a single word about Him. What the book failed to tell as a whole is that people who go through situations like Hannah should surrender everything to God. Yes, give up! Give up and give all your burdens, heartaches, disappointments, failures, brokenness and everything in between. Give it up to God. Cry it all out to Him -- The Great Listener, The Father, The Comforter and so on. He knows what you are going through and He wants you to stop looking around you and fix your eyes on Him. You are seeking help almost to everyone except God. Hannah did look and seek help to people around her, although indirectly, and she keeps on failing. Why? Because people, or whoever that person is, they will eventually fail you at some point in your life. We do that and we are so good at that. But God will not. And the lines above, reminds me of God. This is a perfect representation of Him and someone who completely leans on Him. We should be that car and God is our owner. He is always around to fix you.)

4.

(This reminds me of my man. The only man, next to God, who tried harder and keeps on trying harder. And wouldn't it be nice to do the same with your loved ones? They will thank you in the end and you will probably thank yourself too. They will feel good, and you will too. It's a win win situation. :D)


So there goes your penny for my thoughts.  ;p
And by the way, I'm still not going to watch the TV series. So, will you do the comparison for me. :D

Remarkable Part: Traveler of the Century by Andres Neuman

(warning: spoiler alert)

I've been reading this book for several months and just two weeks ago, finally, I have read its last sentence. 

This was actually the first time I've seen this kind of format when it comes to narrative novel and I got confused on the first few pages of this book -- making me read a sentence twice or thrice in order to understand who's speaking the lines. But as I continue reading, I got used to it. 

There are scenarios that bore me, like those parts when the characters are having discussions about philosophers, wirters, of which I have no idea if they exist in real life. And maybe that's the reason why it took me several months to finish the book. 

But there are lots of interesting part, I must say. And there are, of course, remarkable parts (for me). And below are they:

1.

I just wonder why Neuman should be so heartless in this part -- instead of letting the butterfly free, he killed it rather. I guess, I don't know, maybe sometimes no matter how good your intentions are you will only end up hurting someone or maybe we should not intervene with the law of nature. Anyway, whatever is the reason behind this part, this made me feel sad. I mean, for me, Sophie is right, man!

2.

This is remarkable, well, because I find it funny. 😂 

3.

I cried for Rudi while reading his words.  No one deserves betrayal. No one deserves to be let down by people they love. No one. 

4.

(Reread the description at no. 3)

5.

The tautology part. That literally made me LOL.

It goes something like this:

"We realized that we're looking for a man who is unhappy of his baldness."

"What a stupid tautology! What kind of man is happy with his baldness?"

😂😂😂

6.

You could have prevented this, Hans. But, you didn't. 

There you go.  I hope this post gives you interest to read this book. Although, I must say, I don't quite like the ending. 😁