I rue that my daughter is growing up so quickly. Truly, the days are long, but the years are short. And if you nodded in agreement - even just once - while watching the video, then you must agree that there is a nugget of truth, so simple, so elemental, that actually feels like a kick in the butt. T
... (continue)
I rue that my daughter is growing up so quickly. Truly, the days are long, but the years are short. And if you nodded in agreement - even just once - while watching the video, then you must agree that there is a nugget of truth, so simple, so elemental, that actually feels like a kick in the butt. The Happiness Project Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin is a series of these seemingly common sense truths.
A beautifully sensitive examination of family dynamics for those who love a good story of love, betrayal and redemption.
When I first held this book, for some odd reason, the cover doesn't do anything for me. For one, those red letters look creepy. Then when I read the back blurb that it featured the story of a has-been country singer with a dog named Detour, I was having second thoughts. One, anything country (especi
... (continue)
When I first held this book, for some odd reason, the cover doesn't do anything for me. For one, those red letters look creepy. Then when I read the back blurb that it featured the story of a has-been country singer with a dog named Detour, I was having second thoughts. One, anything country (especially country music) isn't really my thing. And then the main character is nursing a broken heart. (This screams stereotype! Er, does Crazy Heart ring a bell?) And a dog named Detour, are you kidding me?
Verdict: A beautifully sensitive examination of family dynamics for those who love a good story of love, betrayal and redemption.
An odd recommendation, maybe, but good for (1) those who love the dishing of family dirt - lots of drama in this one but wonderfully done; and (2) those who have an affinity for the stereotype country sob stories - prepare for the stereotype to be derailed!
Once I started through, I found that this is definitely not your stereotypical country sob story. I'm glad that I gave this book a second chance because this is a very special read.
The story seems simple enough. Annie Walsh was once a famous country singer, having found her voice and gained fame when she fell in love with her muse - Owen. Basking in their seemingly perfect love, she is in total shock when she returns home one day and discovers the ultimate betrayal. Heartbroken, Annie seems to lose herself, and she abandons singing and songwriting.
A hybrid of novel and economics textbook which would: one, definitely stop any Economics student from yawning during class, or two, get a a non-academic a
The book in one sentence: An unlikely academic falls into an investigation of a complicated web of economic terrorism.
A hybrid of novel and economics textbook which would: one, definitely stop any Economics student from yawning during class, or two, get a a non-academic a
The book in one sentence: An unlikely academic falls into an investigation of a complicated web of economic terrorism.
It was quite ironic that I started reading The Economics of Ego Surplus: A Novel of Economic Terrorism by Paul McDonnold around the week of August 5 and onwards which saw some historic and alarming changes in the US economy. This backdrop for my reading made this story even more credible in my eyes.
There's a little something for everyone: a fast-paced investigation, a bit of romance, some heated academic debates, travel to an exotic place. Oh, and a mad man and an intricate look into the inner workings of the world economy.
There are books. And there are stories. To read this unadorned, unembellished true story of Artie Van Why's account of September 11 was a privilege for me.
This is a no bells, no whistles type of book. There is no beautiful prose - it is strictly pages pulled from someone's diary. It doesn't use v
... (continue)
There are books. And there are stories. To read this unadorned, unembellished true story of Artie Van Why's account of September 11 was a privilege for me.
This is a no bells, no whistles type of book. There is no beautiful prose - it is strictly pages pulled from someone's diary. It doesn't use verbal acrobatics nor does it use any magical literary devices. But it is real, it is raw, it is honest and it is heartfelt.
Artie Van Why is an ordinary man. He could be just you or me. But by telling us his story, he has given a voice to those who otherwise could not or would not have spoken.
Read my thoughts of Artie Van's Why's memoir: That Day in September
The book in one sentence: Young Filipino writer Miguel Syjuco seeks the truth about the death of his mentor Crispin Salvador and his missing last manuscript, and in the process shares with readers elements of the Filipino identity.
My thoughts: I'm a Filipino. Born, raised and lived in the Phili
... (continue)
The book in one sentence: Young Filipino writer Miguel Syjuco seeks the truth about the death of his mentor Crispin Salvador and his missing last manuscript, and in the process shares with readers elements of the Filipino identity.
My thoughts: I'm a Filipino. Born, raised and lived in the Philippines for most of my 30 + odd years. I migrated to Canada shy of 2 years ago. My appetite for Filipino literature has been limited, though I have read the compulsory Noli and El Fili and have enjoyed F. Sionil Jose, Lualhati Bautista, Gilda Cordero-Fernando -- but mainly because it was hip to do so in university and in the NGO circles. It's ironic that I started book blogging because I wanted to expose myself to more genres of literature and read writers from various cultures, but never really looked in my own back yard. My bad.
The Happiness Project
I rue that my daughter is growing up so quickly. Truly, the days are long, but the years are short. And if you nodded in agreement - even just once - while watching the video, then you must agree that there is a nugget of truth, so simple, so elemental, that actually feels like a kick in the butt. T ... (continue)
I rue that my daughter is growing up so quickly. Truly, the days are long, but the years are short. And if you nodded in agreement - even just once - while watching the video, then you must agree that there is a nugget of truth, so simple, so elemental, that actually feels like a kick in the butt. The Happiness Project Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin is a series of these seemingly common sense truths.
Read the whole review here: http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.com/2011/11/happiness-…
Carry Yourself Back to Me
When I first held this book, for some odd reason, the cover doesn't do anything for me. For one, those red letters look creepy. Then when I read the back blurb that it featured the story of a has-been country singer with a dog named Detour, I was having second thoughts. One, anything country (especi ... (continue)
When I first held this book, for some odd reason, the cover doesn't do anything for me. For one, those red letters look creepy. Then when I read the back blurb that it featured the story of a has-been country singer with a dog named Detour, I was having second thoughts. One, anything country (especially country music) isn't really my thing. And then the main character is nursing a broken heart. (This screams stereotype! Er, does Crazy Heart ring a bell?) And a dog named Detour, are you kidding me?
Verdict: A beautifully sensitive examination of family dynamics for those who love a good story of love, betrayal and redemption.
An odd recommendation, maybe, but good for (1) those who love the dishing of family dirt - lots of drama in this one but wonderfully done; and (2) those who have an affinity for the stereotype country sob stories - prepare for the stereotype to be derailed!
My full review: http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.com/2011/09/carry-your…
Once I started through, I found that this is definitely not your stereotypical country sob story. I'm glad that I gave this book a second chance because this is a very special read.
The story seems simple enough. Annie Walsh was once a famous country singer, having found her voice and gained fame when she fell in love with her muse - Owen. Basking in their seemingly perfect love, she is in total shock when she returns home one day and discovers the ultimate betrayal. Heartbroken, Annie seems to lose herself, and she abandons singing and songwriting.
The Economics of Ego Surplus
A hybrid of novel and economics textbook which would: one, definitely stop any Economics student from yawning during class, or two, get a a non-academic a
The book in one sentence: An unlikely academic falls into an investigation of a complicated web of economic terrorism.
It was quite ironic tha ... (continue)
A hybrid of novel and economics textbook which would: one, definitely stop any Economics student from yawning during class, or two, get a a non-academic a
The book in one sentence: An unlikely academic falls into an investigation of a complicated web of economic terrorism.
It was quite ironic that I started reading The Economics of Ego Surplus: A Novel of Economic Terrorism by Paul McDonnold around the week of August 5 and onwards which saw some historic and alarming changes in the US economy. This backdrop for my reading made this story even more credible in my eyes.
There's a little something for everyone: a fast-paced investigation, a bit of romance, some heated academic debates, travel to an exotic place. Oh, and a mad man and an intricate look into the inner workings of the world economy.
Read my full review here:
http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.com/2011/09/economics-…
That Day in September
There are books. And there are stories. To read this unadorned, unembellished true story of Artie Van Why's account of September 11 was a privilege for me.
This is a no bells, no whistles type of book. There is no beautiful prose - it is strictly pages pulled from someone's diary. It doesn't use v ... (continue)
There are books. And there are stories. To read this unadorned, unembellished true story of Artie Van Why's account of September 11 was a privilege for me.
This is a no bells, no whistles type of book. There is no beautiful prose - it is strictly pages pulled from someone's diary. It doesn't use verbal acrobatics nor does it use any magical literary devices. But it is real, it is raw, it is honest and it is heartfelt.
Artie Van Why is an ordinary man. He could be just you or me. But by telling us his story, he has given a voice to those who otherwise could not or would not have spoken.
Read my thoughts of Artie Van's Why's memoir: That Day in September
http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.com/2011/08/that-day-i…
Ilustrado
The book in one sentence: Young Filipino writer Miguel Syjuco seeks the truth about the death of his mentor Crispin Salvador and his missing last manuscript, and in the process shares with readers elements of the Filipino identity.
My thoughts: I'm a Filipino. Born, raised and lived in the Phili ... (continue)
The book in one sentence: Young Filipino writer Miguel Syjuco seeks the truth about the death of his mentor Crispin Salvador and his missing last manuscript, and in the process shares with readers elements of the Filipino identity.
My thoughts: I'm a Filipino. Born, raised and lived in the Philippines for most of my 30 + odd years. I migrated to Canada shy of 2 years ago. My appetite for Filipino literature has been limited, though I have read the compulsory Noli and El Fili and have enjoyed F. Sionil Jose, Lualhati Bautista, Gilda Cordero-Fernando -- but mainly because it was hip to do so in university and in the NGO circles. It's ironic that I started book blogging because I wanted to expose myself to more genres of literature and read writers from various cultures, but never really looked in my own back yard. My bad.
Read the full review here: http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.com/2011/05/ilustrado-…