Books 9-13

The Fortunate Pilgrim by Mario Puzo

Mario Puzo is an Italian-American author, known for his novels about the Mafia. The Godfather is his most famous book, in which an adaptation was made (starred by Marlon Brando and Al Pacino).

The Fortunate Pilgrim is his second novel, written in 1965. It tells about the story of a mother, Lucia Santa Angeluzzi-Corbo, and the struggle of her children as they settled down in America. Love, death, friendship and pain, intertwined with humor, were rolled by Puzo in this story, which he claimed to be his best novel he had ever written. According to Puzo, the book proved to be his most interesting book because it was full of surprises. It was written to show his rejection of his Italian heritage and his callow disdain of those illiterate peasants from which he sprang.

Love the One You’re With by Emily Giffin

This is the story for anyone who has ever wondered: How can I truly love the one I'm with when I can't forget the one who got away?

Ellen and her ex-boyfriend, Leo, accidentally met, exactly 100 days after Ellen became Mrs. Graham. A business project between Ellen and Leo was forged that eventually led to confusion and stirred their emotions for each other. Secret meetings ensued thereafter and Ellen was caught in her web of lies.

This book painfully showed that whenever you end a relationship, a proper closure must be made. That way, "only ifs" and "but ifs" will never be entertained in the future.

Global Almanac and Book of Facts for Kids 2012

I can be a geek at times. I dig facts and trivias.

Did you know?


- that Lady Gaga's real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Her stage name is inspired by the Queen's song "Radio Gaga".

- that the tallest building in the world is Burj Khalifa in Dubai, with 163 floors.


- that Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal could read and write at the age of 2. And grew up to speak more than 20 languages.


- that 4 is the only number in the English language with the same number of letters as its value.


- that Venus is also called the earth's "sister planet", as the 2 planets are similar in size, mass, density and volume.

Kapitan Sino by Bob Ong

I had this book for over a year now, a Christmas gift from dear Josie, and I only got to read it recently (LOL). I also have his other books, still unopened (Mc Arthur, Skinless Longganisa and Alamat ng Gubat). I started reading Bakit Baligtad Magbasa ng Libro and mga Pilipino, but never got around to finish it. And I think I misplaced the book now (LOL).

Bob Ong is a contemporary Filipino author known for using controversial Filipino to create humorous and reflective depictions of Philippine life (wiki).

Bob Ong’s quotes went viral via Twitter and Facebook. Sample of which are:

“Huwag na huwag ka hahawak kapag alam mong may hawak ka na.”

“Kung maghihintay ka nang lalandi sayo, walang mangyayari sa buhay mo…Dapat lumandi ka din.”

“Hiwalayan na kung di ka na Masaya. Walang gamut sa tanga kundi pagkukusa.”

“Hinahanap mo nga ba ako o ang kawalan ko?"

Kapitan Sino is a story of a regular guy in a regular neighborhood. He is a repairman who discovered his electrical power and went out to save the city from fire, explosion and robbers.

Currently reading: A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin

The third book in the Song of Ice and Fire series. HBO recently concluded the 2^nd season of Game of Thrones. I should finish this book before the 3^rd season starts. This is becoming more difficult to read because of the numerous characters, plus the order of events.

Lord Tully is dying. Tyrion Lannister is horribly disfigured. Joffrey is marrying Margaeret and not Sansa. That’s what I have read so far. Spoiler, hehehe.

Hopefully next week, I’ll be able to start 50 Shades of Grey.

Resolution

One of my resolutions this year is to read at least 50 books. I’ve been having the same resolution for 4 years now, always unachieved, though 2 years ago, I got to read 32 books. I could have reached my goal, had I not been hooked on several TV series. Hence, reading was abandoned for awhile, and the year ended, short with 18 books to read.

In order to achieve my goal, I should be able to read 4 to 5 books a month. Or finish one book every week. It is not really tasking as I enjoy reading so much. Unfortunately though, the books I bought recently were too thick and with too small a font, making reading tedious =(

It’s April, and I am still on my 8^th book. I still have a long, long way to go. I am currently reading The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks.

Here’s what I had read so far:

THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay) by Suzanne Collins, a young-adult adventure science fiction.

Every year the nation of “Panem” conduct the Hunger Games to commemorate the previous rebellion waged by the people from its 12 districts against the Capitol. It is a punishment, reminding the people that the Capitol is supreme. All children aged 12 to 18 from all districts are candidates for the games. They are selected by lottery, and subsequently compete in a televised battle in which only one person can survive.

Be entangled in the love triangle of Katniss, Peeta and Gale. The first 3 chapters of Book One made me cry. I can’t imagine people trading clothes for food =(

The books are hard to put down. A must for every bookworm. Watch the movie as well. 

(photo grabbed from Mendelson's Memos)

THE CARRIE DIARIES by Candace Bushnell.  A pre-quel to Sex and the City. Get to know Carrie before she became THE Carrie Bradshaw. Her high school days, working in the school paper, her first relationship and how she met Samantha… Fun book, fun read…perfect for teeny-boppers.

Incidentally, a TV series is on the works, with Anna Sophia Robb as the young Carrie. 

Anna Sophia Robb (photo grabbed from hufftingtonpost.com)

THE GAME OF THRONES and A CLASH OF KINGS by George R.R Martin. If you’ve seen the TV series, that’s terrific. But there were several scenes from the book that were not totally captured (the book will always be different from the movie). 

Khaleesi (photo grabbed from juliabuckley.blogspot.com)

I like the Stark children and their direwolves, most especially Jon Snow. I find King Joffrey really irritating. I enjoy the character of Tyrion. I am desperate to know the future of the Khaleesi and her dragons.

There are too many characters in the story. Good thing an appendix of the Kings and their Courts, and other Houses (great or small) are provided at the end of every book.

The Game of Thrones was recently concluded on HBO. The second season premiered on April 1. 

Books 3 to 5 are waiting to be read, still in its National Bookstore plastic bag.

MINI-SHOPAHOLIC by Sophie Kinsella, the 6^th book of the Shopaholic series. This is a no-brainer book. Forgettable, yet fun. I’ve read the entire series, Becky Brandon nee Bloomwood (the main character) never changed. She’s still addicted to shopping.

42 more books to go! I have a feeling I can achieve my goal this year.

So, what book are you reading now?

 

MV Logos Hope

The floating bookstore landed in Manila. It is docked at Pier 15 Southharbor, Port Area, Manila, until 14 March 2012.

It is owned by a Christian charity organization GBA Ships. Logos Hope was designed to replace MV Doulos. The latter is also a floating bookstore that went around the world. It had its final voyage in the Philippines in 2009 before it was de-commissioned. Logos Hope is continuing the tradition of Doulos of spreading knowledge, hope, help and charity around the globe.

MV Logos Hope, the 4th ship operated by GBA Ships, is twice as big as any of its previous ships.

I went on a weekend. There were too many people! It took me 30mins before I reached the counter for the payment of entrance fee (Php20 only).

Parents and their children composed majority of the crowd.

It was hot while waiting in line... and I didn't bring a fan. Sigh.

People were allowed to enter by batch. I endured the line sans the scorching heat of the sun.

See those lifeboats on the deck?

Upon entry, you will be led to a small area for a short film showing regarding the ship and its mission. Then you will be ushered to the bookstore afterwards.

You cannot skip this. You may be allowed to enter the bookstore only after the film showing.

An entire wall was dedicated to an exhibit of the humble beginnings of the ship.

A wide selection of books… for your own picking! Name it, they have it: parenting, fiction, biblical, cooking, self-help, medical, entertainment, children’s books, etc. The novels are mostly classics and those written by Christian authors.

Most authors were unheard of (for me!) . I only recognized David Baldacci, CS Lewis and Antoine de Saint Exupery.

For chef wannabes, this is the IT place!

I spent so much time in the COOKBOOK Section =)

Narnia is available. Sold at 100 units (100 units = 100 pesos). No Harry Potter or Twilight books though.

Regular bookstores sell this at almost Php300.

A lot of souvenir items were also being sold. There were shirts, caps, baller IDs, mugs, postcards, etc.

Priced at Php150.

I had a hard time going around. It was really crowded. Good thing the aircon was functioning well, otherwise I could have fainted.

The crew said that it is not this crowded on weekdays.

Jampacked!

The books being sold were really cheap. There were also special priced items, 50% off, 3 books for Php500, and the cheapest I saw (at Php25 only) were Hannah Montana and Highschool Musical books.

This is a haven for kids. So many books for children, for both boys and girls! The books were arranged according to suitable ages. This area is the most crowded.

 

After the bookstore, The Journey of Life Diorama Exhibit is on display. Lesser people here, mostly were resting and sitting on the floor, probably waiting for their companions who might still be in the bookstore.

Then there’s the International Café.

Also very crowded.

It was an amusing experience. I was especially happy to see kids running around, who might have boarded an actual ship for the very first time.

Wearing my Traveling Dress for the 7th time! =)

The ship will be sailing to Subic on March 15, and will be staying there until April 8.