Book Review 3: The Kite Runner

 

Book Title: The Kite Runner

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Price: P295.00 (National Bookstore)

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship

Number of Pages:  401

Personal Rating: 10/10 

Reading Difficulty: Easy- medium 

Book Summary (back page):

The Kite Runner tells a story of fierce cruelty and fierce yet redeeming love. Both transform the life of Amir, Khaled Hosseini's privileged young narrator, who comes of age during the last peaceful days of the monarchy, just before his country's revolution and its invasion by Russian forces. But political events, even as dramatic as the ones that are presented in The Kite Runner, are only a part of this story. Khaled Hosseini gives us a vivid and engaging story that reminds us how long his people have been struggling to triumph over the forces of violence- forces that continue to threaten them even today. 

Personal Thoughts:

Recently, I've been reading a lot of books and there were some, which I think were brilliant, but not as brilliant as this one, The Kite Runner! After so many years, I finally found another book that I can call a favorite of mine. Yes, it's THAT good. 

But then, there's nothing special with how it was written. As you can see above, I rated the reading difficulty as easy- medium only. It also lacks some descriptive principles that usually decorate novels such as this one. The author, Khaled Hosseini, also did not use high highfalutin words. His writing style is so straightforward that the readers (particularly myself), will not be able to appreciate it on its own; I mean, there are some books that are so thick but is only focused on one event. Tracy Chevalier's books are an example of this. The best embodiment for this though is Conrad's "The Heart of Darkness." If you'd just take a moment to scrutinize these books, you'll find that there's only a single event such as in The Heart of Darkness; it's all about a man's journey into Africa... But then, why does the book consist of more than a hundred pages? The answer to that is simple. The author is a genius in describing details: Emotions, places, scenarios, etc. Sometimes, I even reach the point when I do not want to stop reading. I just want to savor each exquisite word that the author has written! Anyway, I'm already rambling here, so let's get back to my point. If the literary style of the writer is not as good as the others, what makes this book oh-so-special?

First, I love the POV. You assume the role of Amir all throughout so you feel every single emotion that he feels. You also get to see the events unfolding through his eyes alone. Somehow, you'd want to know more of the other character's feelings, which is great by the way for a reader. There's a sense of finality, but you're still looking for something more. Second, the theme of the book is very discernible. It's all about  redemption; as a reader, I appreciate this fact since straight away, I understood the moral of the story, which affected me greatly. Third, the plot is good. The author may have not used a lot of flowery words and complex writing styles to complement the terrific story, but the plot more than makes up for this drawback

So, what's the plot all about? It it is about the drastic changes that happened in Afghanistan due to political warfare. In itself, the political aspect of the plot is heavy enough to warrant emphasis, but the real focus of this book lies on the struggle of the characters in a moral aspect, which brings me to reason number four on why I think this is such an awesome book. I think the essence of this book lies on the author's characterization. You can practically identify with the characters! Amir's guilt, Hassan's loyalty, the honor of Amir's father, Rahim Khan's helpfulness...As the story unfolds, you would actually assume the role of Amir and feel the great burden that he is carrying. Amir's father is also a character to behold. He is so  honorable! Imagine, even at gunpoint, he never wavered in protecting a stranger! But, I've got to say that the redeeming part of this book for me is probably in the personification of Hassan. Hassan is the very definition of kind and loyal. As the story progresses, the reader is left wishing that there's also a Hassan in his/ her life, which is true in my case. Despite these good qualities of Hassan, you'd also be quite annoyed with him because he would make you look bad.As Amir once said,  "Hassan is so goddamn pure that you'd feel like a phony around him." 
 

This pure core of Hassan is what brought trouble to Amir. I would not expound on this anymore since it would act as a spoiler. All I can say is that Amir was driven to commit the worst of all sins (which, according to Amir's father, is lying) just so he could get rid of Hassan. From that point forward, everything fell into ruins as Amir finds out in his adult life. In the end, it seems like there's no redemption for Amir, but you'd see subtle hints that there may still be hope. It's ironic that I kept on saying that Khaled Hosseini's style is so straighforward, but in the end, he shows his theme in a very subtle way. It's irony in all its finest: The ending is good because it showed a glimmer of hope, but the reader will be left asking, "so, what's gonna happen?" The answer to that may lie on Khaled Hosseini's book "A Thousan Splendid Suns," which I cannot wait to read~! 

This all boils down into one question: would I recommend this book? DEFINITELY, 100%!

Anyway, I'm sorry for the dreadful quality of this book review. I guess, I'm just not in the right state of mind to do this, but since this is my favorite book, I was really compelled to write this review... All I can say is that nothing can fully describe the joy that I felt while reading this book. I still have so much to say, but I cannot write down all my praises. You'll just have to figure that one out on your own so read it now!

Favorite Excerpts:

The cuts stung and didn't heal for a couple of weeks, but I didn't mind. They were reminders of a beloved season that had once again passed too quickly.

His saying that made me kind of sad. Sad for who Hassan was, where he lived. For how he'd accepted the fact that he'd grown old in that mud shack in the yard, the way his father had.

That was the thing with Hassan. He was so goddamn pure, you always felt like a phony around him.

When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. There is no act more wretched than stealing.

"Yelda" was the starless night tormented lovers kept vigil, enduring the endless dark, waiting for the sun to rise and bring with it their loved ones. After I met Soraya Tahiri, every night of the week became a yelda for me.

We Afghan, we're melancholic people. We wallow too much in Ghamkhori and self- pity. We give in to loss, to suffering, and accept t as a fact of life, even see it as necessary. Zendangi Migzara, we say, life goes on.

How seamless seemed love and then came trouble!

I am so afraid because I'm so profoundly happy. Happiness like this is frightening. They only let you be this happy if they're preparing to take something from you.

A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.

I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the funfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up and slipping away unanswered in the middle of the night.

Book Review 2: Para kay B

Book Title: Para Kay B

Author: Ricky Lee

Price: P250.00 (National Bookstore)

Genre: Romance/Drama (little bit of humor)

Number of Pages:  245

Personal Rating: 9/10 

Reading Difficulty: Medium(Tagalog)

Book Summary:

The book does not have a summary at the back page so I just made one! Just to give you an idea, each chapter focuses on one love story then at the end, everything is connected.

Chapter 1: Irene, Ang Unang Kuwento. This is a story about a love long forgotten. Irene and Jordan are both lonely and abused children from the town of San Ildefonso. One day, Irene finds the courage to approach the ill- tempered Jordan whom she astounded using her photographic memory. They soon felt a strong bond that eventually got disrupted due to an unfortunate series of events. Years later, they meet again, but Irene soon realizes that she fell in love with a long- forgotten memory instead of the real Jordan.

Chapter 2: Sandra, Ang Ikalawang Kwento. This chapter deals with a forbidden kind of love: Incest. Sandra is a beautiful girl who has a lot of men pining after her. She wonders why she's not attracted to anyone when the answer finally hits her upon meeting the gaze of her elder brother. inside their home's bodega. Forbidden love however is not acceptable and the pair soon finds that their love is doomed right from the start.

Chapter 3: Erica, Ang Ikatlong Kwento. Erica is a girl from an alternate universe called  Maldiaga where "love" does not exist. She soon finds herself in the 'real' world where she is desperate to know how to love. She meets Mrs. Baylon and her son Jake. Jake is a notorious philanderer, but rapidly learns that Erica is the one that would change his promiscuous ways. Will Erica learn how to love Jake?

Chapter 4: Ester, Ang Ikaapat na Kwento. This story deals with same- sex relationship. Ester and Sara has been together ever since they were little and even back then, Ester thinks that Sara is annoying. While growing up, Ester's drunk uncle tells her that she would meet her true love on top of their house's roof. Years later, Ester gets married and Sara remains as her maid. While cleaning the house's roof, Sara got hurt and Ester went up to see her. She realizes that her uncle was correct; she did find her true love on top of their roof.... But everything's not easy especially after the death of Ester's husband.

Chapter 5: Bessie, Ang Ikalimang Kwento. Bessie is a trouble- maker nymphomaniac. On the other hand, Lucas is a poor and ugly messenger. When the two meet, Bessie thinks that it would be a fabulous idea to add an ugly man to her list of sex conquests whereas Lucas finds himself falling in love with Bessie. Things become more complicated when Bessie's promiscuity starts to hinder their chances of being together.

Chapter 6: Ang Totoong Kuwento sa Totoong Kwento. The writer whom I would not name because it would spoil the ending finds himself being confronted by the five main characters of the book, demanding that they want to have a happy ending to their love story. Will the writer change the plot or let the story flow naturally?

Personal Thoughts:

I maybe an avid reader, but I am sad to say that I haven't read much Filipino books out of my own volition. Upon reading this book however, I think I am going to start reading more! Once again, I borrowed this book from my cousin who recommended it to me, saying, "Para mas magi ka namang cool, basahin mo ito!" I took no offense on her words, but I did wonder how I'd become 'cool' by reading a love story, which I'm sure I wouldn't be able to relate to. Oh, how wrong I was. 

I loved this book! Everything about it! The plot, the characters, the ingenuity of the plot's flow, the use of deus ex machina, the quirky characters, the funny quotable quotes.... It's also not predictable and not cliched, which is an almost impossible feat to manage for a book about love! At first glance also, you'd think that the whole book is composed of different, individual short stories. But in the end you'd see how they are all tied together. THAT is what I call ingenious. Each chapter leaves you wanting for more only to find out in the end that the author indeed has the power to change fictional endings, but can't do the same thing in real life... The character's feelings are so real and tangible that you'd end up empathizing with them. That's what made me cry! It has a bittersweet ending, but strangely, it did not leave me discontented. It even gave me an insight since it showed that not everything would have a 'fairytale' ending. It somehow paralleled what might happen in real life.   

After reading this, I realized that I've been too cooped up in my own world, solely reading classics and historical novel. I guess I have to broaden my reading range and include more contemporary Filipino literature. Bob Ong, Ricky Lee and Louie Mar Gangcuangco is really making me look forward to reading more of their amazing stuff. 

With all of that said, will I recommend this book? ABSOLUTELY. I rated it 9 out of 10 for a reason. I love the concept, the theme, the ending, everything... The only thing that I did not like was some parts of the last chapter. The book included some form of deus ex machina (of which I wouldn't talk about since it might spoil the ending) that somehow made the story seem tacky.. Other than that though, the whole idea is so original! SUPPORT FILIPINO AUTHORS!

Favorite Excerpts: 

Me quota ang pag- ibig. Sa bawat limang umiibig, isa lang ang magiging maligaya. Ang iba, iibig sa di sila iniibig. O iibig nang di natututo. O iibig sa wala. O di iibig kailanman.

Kakabog ang dibdib mo, sabi niya. Kikilig ang kalamnan mo, at kikirot ang puso mo. Kabog, kilig, kirot. Kapag naramdaman mo ang tatlong K habang kaharap ang isang lalaki, umiibig ka!

Ester: Anong klase ka bang bakla?

AJ: A, ibig niyo sigurong sabihin ung me paminta, me efem, me pagurl, me tranny, me botomesa, me top, me beauconera, me bi. 'Yun ba Mommy?

Ester: Ganyan ba kadami ang mga bakla? Saan ka diyan?

AJ: Oo naman Mommy! Sakop ko lahat!

The love that dares not speak its name is the most powerful love of all! For my love transcends all boundaries and reaches out to the unloved, the unsure and the unloving.

Hindi na siya naka-function na gaya ng dati dahil para bang tinanggal ng pagkawala ni Lucas and lahat ng kasamaan sa kanyang katauhan, at ngayo'y di na niya alam kung ano siya, kung sino siya.

Di man ako kasingganda ng mga Nanay n'yo, di man ako kasingkinis ng mga Ate n'yo, h'wag kayong pakisisigurado dahil isa lang naman ako sa mga pinatuwad ng Tatay at Kuya niyo. -AJ

Hindi na pwedeng mahalin ang isang tao nang hindi mo minamahal ang hilaga, silangan, timog at kanluran ng kanyang mga paniniwala.

Eat, Pray Love Indeed!

Ever since I was little, I was already interested in traveling. I guess, having relatives who have been around the world (except Antartica) can have its own quirks. I mean, personality- wise, I am someone who is quite rigid; someone who wants 'schedule' and 'structure.' Sometimes, I even begin to suspect that I have some mild form of separation anxiety. These traits of mine certainly wouldn't turn me into a good traveler. What I lack in attitude and skills though, I make up with enthusiasm.

With a twist of good fate though, I was exposed to a lot of places because of my cousin. She is an ardent wanderer. She's been to a lot of places. As I've mentioned before, she's been to most continents with the exception of Antartica. What's more amazing is that she only has to be in that place once and after that, she would talk about that certain location as if she's a local there already. That's something I admire in her! Just look at me, I can't remember the names of streets or hotels in Singapore though I've been there 5 times already. Worse, I don't even know how to cross the street, much less commute! But you know, if you're exposed to my cousin's company for quite some time, you'd eventually become excited whenever she talks about her travels and you'd soon forget the small things that make you anxious.

That's what happened to me. She brought me along with her to Mt. Pinatubo when I was only 8 years old. At that time, she only told me that we were going on a hike and as I was still young and filled with naivete, I willingly went with her. After 6 hours of climbing that accursed volcano though, I was thinking of jumping in the crater just to end my suffering. Strangely though, I felt quite happy even though my body was wracked with a lot of pain. After that, we went to several more travels in the Philippines. A tour around the Laguna area... Baguio....Ilocos....Banaue-Sagada- Bontoc...Kiangan... Romblon.... Boracay... Bohol... Palawan. As the years went by, I got used to traveling. And mind you, when I say 'travel,' it's the authentic kind of traveling that involves backpacks, hiking boots, tents and sleeping bags. We're used to the rugged kind of traveling as opposed to the luxurious type. I'm glad that this is the manner in which I grew up.

Over the years, I started having my dream destinations. When I was in grade 6, I earnestly wanted to go to Japan because I fell in love with their culture, not just anime as I'm sure a lot of people are thinking. Upon reaching high school, however, I soon wanted to go to Egypt with all its magnificent ancient structures and mummification procedures. I knew that I couldn't just go to these places without having done something good. Unconsciously, I guess this is the reason why I wanted to excel in school so that I can show my family that I am worth spending a lot of money on just to reach these places. 

Recently though, I soon learned that I was just not meant to go to these places, or any other. Back in November, I already told my parents that I have the desire to go to Egypt. They already agreed to it... But then, this year, Egypt suffered from some political issues that involved some violent repercussions. Because of this predicament, I knew that I wouldn't be able to go there... The second option is Japan. If  Egypt suffered from political warfare, Japan suffered from natural disasters-- Earthquake and Tsunami. This automatically made me afraid so I did not even dare tell my parents that I wanted to go there.

Soon though, my cousin proposed that I go with her on her journey around Europe, with focus on Italy. Being an avid fan of European history, I accepted her offer quite easily. I soon forgot my woes of not being able to go to Egypt... But then, things happened. The Italian Embassy refused to give me entry into the state by not giving me a Schengen visa since I apparently had insufficient proof that I'd be coming back to the Philippines. I guess, being a fresh graduated aggravated the situation especially since Italy is known as the place where a lot of Filipinos do TNT (Tago-ng-tago; illegal migration or something like that...) Upon learning the refusal, I briefly felt sad. Predominantly, I felt numb. I guess, deep down, I was expecting it.

Before my cousin left for Europe though, she said that I should think of going to India. India is a diverse country with a rich heritage. Since my cousin knows that I am interested in culture, she knew that I'd accept thins offer. I do think that India is interesting, but I don't have enough enthusiasm for it as I do for Egypt and Europe. However, I AM considering the idea since I'm running short of time... I'm thinking of going there from April 20- May 6... .But, I'm losing hope. I don't know if its just coincidence that  all of these things-- Egypt's political warfare, Japan's earthquake and tsunami, my Schengen visa refusal--  had to happen this year when I finally graduated. I just get the feeling that I'm NOT supposed to travel because every time I plan my itinerary, something awful happens. I don't know if India is really 'calling' onto me, but I am now doing my research. 

If all else fails, I'd try to go to Bali.... Just like Liz in Eat, Pray, Love. Liz said that she wanted to go to Italy for 'nutrition,' to enjoy eating again. She went to India for prayer and meditation and in Bali, she went there to find true love... Other than the travel itinerary and having feelings of numbness, Liz and I don't have much in common. For instance, I don't need to learn how to enjoy eating; in fact, I'm having troubles controlling my appetite! Maybe, that's the reason why I was not given the chance to go to Italy? Haha. Anyway, we'll see. We have to finalize our plans by Friday... By that time, I'll know if I really should go to India. If not, maybe I can propose to go to Bali... In the end, I guess, I haven't lost hope yet. I just really want to travel and see the world! If there's a chance that I wouldn't be able to go anywhere this year because of lack of time (I need to travel BEFORE May 16), there's always next year to look forward to. But, I wouldn't lie and say that it's not frustrating for me because it IS. *sigh* =(

Book review 1: Swish by Joel Derfner

Book Title: Swish

Author: Joel Derfner

Price: P630.00 (Fully Booked)

Genre: Humor- -Essays

Number of Pages:  251

Personal Rating: 9/10 

Reading Difficulty: Hard 

SUMMARY:

Joel Derfner is a knitter, an aerobics instructor, a cheerleader, a go- go dancer, and a musical theater composer, but when he realizes one day that he's a walking gay cliche he embarks on a quest for deeper meaning. A very, very funny quest for deeper meaning. And whether he's confronting the demons of his past at a GLBT summer camp, using the Internet to "meet" men-- many, many men-- or going undercover to a conference of ex-gays, he discovers what he's looking for-- and sometimes even finds, hidden underneath the surface of everyday life-- is his own identity. In the tradition of David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs, yet with its own particular flair, Swish is a story told with not just wit but humor; not just candor but honesty; and not just compassion but humanity. 

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

With a catch phrase that goes like this: "My Quest to Become the Gayest Person Ever and What Ended Up Happening Instead..." Who wouldn't be curious enough to get a copy of this book and read its content? Well, that is not really applicable in my case.

I technically did not buy a copy and I was not  even aware of this book's existence until my cousin lent me her copy. She claimed that this is one of the best books she has ever read and that it would make me laugh so hard. If you've read my previous post, you'd know that I have quite a long line- up of books to read this summer. I was reading Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" when she let me borrow Swish and I knew that I had to stop reading Jane Eyre to make way for this awesome book.... And, I am not disappointed that I did just that. I think I got more than what I bargained for.

For all those who know me, you might suspect that I ended up prioritizing this book because it is 'yaoi.' Well, I won't lie. True, that fact alone piqued my interest, but as soon as I read the first chapter, I knew that it had more to it than just being 'yaoi.' In fact, the focus of the book was not on the romantic part (though it is scattered all throughout and you'd see glimpses of it). I believe that it had a deeper essence: Self- discovery. I mean, who would be willing to try on different quirky jobs-- knitter, aerobics instructor, cheerleader, go- go dancer, musical theater composer-- without finding something important about his/her self?

I'm not saying that this book is perfect though it may very well come close to it. There will be times that you have to squint a little bit just to see past through the author's cynical thoughts in order to see the overall essence of his musings. The last chapter also somehow made me a little bored....Sometimes too, his sardonic quality makes me cringe a little bit, but in the end, I think his sarcasm and ingenuity added a good touch to the book. His writing, though hard to understand because of some hints at American culture, is just so flawless! The odd part here is that he is able to connect different stuff together that you wouldn't think possible. Imagine, how would you connect OCD with cheer leading? See!  It's hard! Thus, I would have to say that one of the writer's greatest skills is transition which I think would be easy enough for a person who graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard University (Yes, the author really did!) The greatest wonder however, lies on the fact that the author showed a lot of his vulnerable side, which can take up a lot of courage. I mean, who would be strong enough to write about his past relationships and flings when he knows that his boyfriend is going to read to his publicized work? 

If you want to read something different from the usual stuff, you've got to read this. It is not in the typical format of a novel since it is basically a series of essays that are connected to each other. Not only does it have a different writing format style, but the entire content of the book is unique! The theme of each chapter is so good and somehow philosophical to some extent. As the author learns something more about himself, you'd also start to question some of your values and other stuff. Just take a peek below, at the first statement from my favorite excerpts section... If given the chance, I would definitely recommend this book! However, I should warn you to please keep an open mind since this book tackles issues about homosexuality. If you have a problem with that, the only solution is not to read it. It's that simple.

FAVORITE EXCERPTS:

How had I gone so easily from feeling excluded to doing the excluding? Did I dislike the reminder that I hadn't always been on the inside looking out? Was I so relieved to be there that I didn't notice the people who still wanted desperately to be invited in? Had I learned that the only way to be part of a society was to shun its outcasts?

"It was perfect. But I think of perfection in human terms." --Mike Combs

Secretly, I believe that most of us have a fixed amount of talent we can distribute as we choose between our minds and our bodies.

I really wish people would stop saying "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results..." Because insanity is not doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results; insanity is thinking you're the Empress of China.

Every human motive is in the end a yearning for companionship, and every act of every person on this planet is an effort not to be done.

Hebrew has two words for create, Asah and Bara. Asah is to shape something out of something else that already exists. But Bara, is to bring something into being out of nothing.

When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies? Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams-- this may be madness. To seek treasure where there is only trash. Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be." -- Taken from Don Quixote

We don physical masks in order to cast off the psychic needs we use everyday of the year. If we put on a face that we acknowledge as false, then underneath it, we can liberate our true selves.

An Affinity for Books: A Glimpse of my Book Collection

I love books. There's no question about that. In fact, if there was no bed inside my room, people might mistake it for a library or study room upon seeing it for the first time. Heck, I myself sometimes think that my room is not meant to be inhabited! Just look at my two bookshelves! It's not yet that many (as compared to other book collector's stuff), but I take great pride in my book collection. It wasn't easy to buy the books that I wanted... It took years of persuading my parents and cousin to buy some rare pieces in there!

This is my first bookshelf and it is attached to my room's wall, just behind my door. Once, my room got flooded with rain water since our house's roof gutter was blocked. Since my room was directly below that roof gutter, much of the disaster took place in it.  Unfortunately, a lot of books 'perished' from that ordeal so I had to start a new book collection and these books are the new contents of my new book collection. Wow, I mentioned 'new' three times in one sentence, how redundant!

So as luck would have it, I was able to buy a lot of books as time passed by. My bookshelf # 1 couldn't contain all my books anymore so my grandmother had another bookshelf built (with a shoe cabinet underneath). for my room  It wasn't an easy decision though when I had this installed in my room. My vanity table had to be removed so as to make space for this new bookshelf... I don't exactly regret my choice, but I do find it hard to put on make-up while standing up nowadays!

Anyway, moving on... With this number of books, it was very difficult for me to remember the stories that each book entailed. Thus, for this year, I made a new resolution: To make a 'book diary,' which includes a brief summary of the book I've read, my thoughts about it, my rating, and some interesting excerpts from it. Unfortunately, I only started this year thus, it is only limited to the newest novels in my collection.

So, these are the fountain pens that I use to write in my special book diary. My handwriting isn't good per se,but I use this anyway because it makes me feel 'intellectual.' In other words, "feel-na-feel ko magsulat." In a more practical note, I use these pens since it is a waste to just display it. Also, the ink's gonna just dry up! However, there are times when I become too lazy to write and not to mention, it is such a hassle to refill the fountain pen's reservoir everytime it runs out. Because of that predicament, I decided to make a 'book blog' though this blog wouldn't be limited to books alone instead of just writing my thoughts in my diary.

So for this summer, these books are the newest addition to my collection. I call them my 'summer-stack-of-books-to read.'  I've been on a roll these past few days. I can now control my use of the internet (yay me!) to make some time for reading sessions. Since I miss doing assignments, I'd like to think of these books as homework. Now, I have something better to do with my time instead of just gaping around like a fish out of water! So this book lineup consists of the following: 1) Philippa Gregory's "The White Queen" 2) Isabel Allende's "The House of Spirits" 3) Tracy Chevalier's "Remarkable Creatures" 4) Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" 5) Yasmin Crowther's "The Safron Kitchen" 6) Tucker Malarkey's "Ressurection" 7) Anya Seton's "Green Darkness" and 8) Gilbert Morris' "The Mermaid in the Basement."

     

Since I have kind cousins who share the same passion for books as I do, they also lent me additional reading materials. 1) Richard Bach's "Illusions" 2) Ricky Lee's "Para kay B" 3) Mary Stewart's "The Last Enchantment" 4) Ekaterina Gordeeva's "My Sergei" and 5) Hella Haase's "In a Dark Wood Wandering." Just to give you an idea, I'm interested in reading historical novels especially those that involve the earlier ages of European history. Sometimes though, I do make exceptions in the books that I read. As long as its good and the theme appeals to my taste, I read it.

                                

Prior to meeting with my cousin, I was reading Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, but I had to switch to Joel Derfner's "Swish" since my cousin emphasized that she needed it back as soon as possible. I think I'll enjoy reading it since it was written by a gay author and its supposedly very funny. I think I'll be having a good laugh later! Anyway, just to inform you dear reader, I will start writing my book reviews after this entry. I'll probably make a review on the books that were included in my book diary... However, if you have a suggestion on what book I should review first, just leave a comment. If you also have book recommendations, please, do not hesitate to share your ideas! I made this blog for all book lovers anyway! But beware though, my reviews will involve some really frank and honest opinions of mine. I would not hold back!