...a chance pick...

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about a random book.

Go to your bookshelf and pick a random book. No cheating now, just reach out and pick one. Now tell us about it – where did you get it? Why? Was it a gift? Does it hold any special memories? Did someone recommend it to you? etc.

 As previously mentioned in one of my earlier post, I don't have a bookshelf, so I make do with whatever space that I may find suitable for my prized possessions.

Without giving it much thought ( hence, random ), I easily reached for "Have A Little Faith" by Mitch Albom. The book was contentedly sitting on my chair, while I was sprawled on my bed, watching the Grammys. ( yes, I wrote this post in between commercials during the live telecast of the Grammy Awards and I'm no multitasker ).

My choice has a lot more to do from what I learned, reading it, especially when it comes to my faith. It helped me realized that, at some point in my life, it's not bad after all, to hope for something, even if it seemed too impossible.

On the visual side, I like the book's cover design and how it was presented. I like the feel of its pages on my hands and I like it so much that I opted to stick Post-It notes instead of highlighting my favorite lines.

I read this book in one day, though not in just one setting. And I plan to read it again. Who knows, probably by that time, I will get rid of the Post-It notes and settle for my marker pen. :-)

There's nothing like a  dose of  faith, especially at these trying times.

Read on.:-)

...unexpected...

So, today’s question is in two parts.
1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings?
2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?


I always like to read books that keeps me guessing or makes me think about it, long after I'm done reading it. So I think that goes without saying that, I like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings. :-)


I love "To Kill A Mockingbird". I read it twice and will probably read it again. The least favorite one is The Appeal by John Grisham ( though I like his other books ).

..."please return promptly"...

Where do you keep any books borrowed from friends or the library? Do they live with your own collection, or do you keep them separate? Do you monitor them in anyway.

I am a very careful borrower of books, not that I borrow that often from anyone. And if I do borrow, I treat it in such a way that the owner has no complaints when it's time for me to return it. During high school, I used to borrow a lot of books, especially during Fridays. And I always make it sure that I'd return it on time to avoid penalties.

Nowadays, all my books are mine, some I bought and some were given to me. I prefer it when I'm reading my own copy because I can do pretty much anything to it, which is not possible if the book is borrowed, otherwise. 

...anonymous...

Who’s your favorite author that other people are NOT reading? The one you want to evangelize for, the one you would run popularity campaigns for? The author that, so far as you’re concerned, everyone should be reading–but that nobody seems to have heard of. You know, not JK Rowling, not Jane Austen, not Hemingway–everybody’s heard of them. The author that you think should be that famous and can’t understand why they’re not…

I tend to read books from known authors though sometimes, I read from an unfamiliar one. Its a shame that I only resort to books the authors of whom I'm not acquainted with when I am in dire need to read something.

I can't think of any author that others are not reading. On the contrary, there are authors that are so popular  but I haven't read  yet. I made this discovery when I had the chance to read book blogs. Pity me...

...left wanting...

For someone who reads most of the time ( at least as much as possible), I guess I may be able to come up with a passable book review for all those books I've read in the past. Unfortunately, I could not write one, for the life of me, at least not in the way I want it to be.

I get so engrossed with what I'm reading that sometimes I forgot about time ( but not about food ) and it annoys me when I am disrupted from the somewhat "my own world" state.

In the later part of 2009, I was reading "Hunger Games". It was one of the book I brought home during my Christmas break. I finished reading it in just a space of five days though I would have wanted to be done with it in just one setting but since I was on "vacation" mode---there are other stuff to attend to. I only managed to read it on the sly.

I must say that the book kept me on the edge. The reviews I've read about it only fuel my all-consuming desire to keep on turning the pages, if only to share the experience of Katniss in the story. When I finally get to the last page and put down Hunger Games, I was left craving for more. The story's ending has left so much to one's imagination ( at least to anyone interested in it ).

During the second week of this month, an excellent opportunity presented itself to me. And that is the chance to read book 2 of this trilogy. "Catching Fire" was handed down to me. I was once again thrown into the tumultuous world of Katniss, along with her friends and enemies. It took me more than a week to finish the book, not for lack of steam to push on and get through with it, but just to dwell on every events that Katniss has go through, even if for a moment.

After reading "Catching Fire", I am left again with the feeling that there's something more. I'm pretty sure Katniss has a lot more on her plate now, when she learned that "there is no more District 12."

I have to wait until August to find out.

...just read...

When is it inappropriate to read in front of others? Is it ever appropriate?

 I rarely read in the company of others, let alone in front of them. When I had the chance to travel, I tried bringing along a book to preoccupied me but it was not the case. Reading to me is one activity I prefer to do alone sans the distraction created by others. Most of the time I read inside my bedroom.

I'm not quite sure if its really inappropriate to read in front of others. I guess it all depends on the scenario.

...there's always the first time...

cool fireworks display

In all the years of my stay here in Cebu City, I never ventured outside during the Sinulog celebration. I preferred to just lock myself inside my room, oblivious to the noise and festivity outside. No, I'm not anti-social or anything, I just don't want to be in the midst of a crowd. Being surrounded with too many people makes me feel claustrophobic. And this went on until yesterday. I decided to do something new for the first time. I told Joy that I'd like to join the procession ( though we just waited for it to pass by our place and we walked the rest of the way to the Basilica del Sto. NiÑo)

the Cathedral's altar

It was my first time to be out at that time, yesterday. Even if the weather was not that good, there was a slight drizzle, still people came out. Some were carrying the images of Sr. Sto. NiÑo in various sizes and some of them were dressed not the in the usual garb. I was surprised and amazed. For the first time, I did not mind the crowd and the rain, the humidity. I was all game for it. Joy kept asking if I'm okay. I told her I'm fine. While we were making our way toward the church, albeit at a snail-paced, perspiration started to trickle down my back but I paid it no attention.

with our balloons

Joy

 Since we were doing a lot of walking, I decided to put on my running shoes and I was right. My feet did not feel that tired except for the part when we had to stand for almost an hour, outside the church, while the mass was going on inside. It's a good thing we were able to hear mass in the Cathedral beforehand.

they all came out

to show their devotion to Sr. Sto. NiÑo

The fireworks display after the mass in Basilica was awesome. I stood there, my head turned up to look at the sky, filled with bright colors and all. I felt like a child, standing there, delighted at the spectacle I was witnessing. ( I wish AJ and the rest of the brood were there, I'm sure they will be happy to see it ). After the fireworks, the Sinulog dance followed. We wiggled our way toward the entrance of the church and there, my companions started dancing with matching shouts of "Viva Pit SeÑor!" I did not dance but I was happy to be there. I looked around at the people around me and I surmised that they were all happy to be there. Some waved their hands while dancing, others raised the images of Sto. NiÑo as they danced along to the beat.

Despite my aching legs afterward, I was happy to be out there. For once, I realized I did the right thing.

Pit SeÑor!!!!

...i go both ways...

Do you read the inside flaps that describe a book before or while reading it?

 Most of the time, if the author is familiar to me ( like I've already read several of his or her work), I seldom read what's written on the inside flaps. But there are times that I do read them. 

When I go to bookstores and look around, whenever I pick a book I'm not familiar with, I read the inside flaps. And it is during this time that I get to decide whether I want to read it, in its entirety or skimming over it will sufficed.

...bookshelves are great...

Are your bookshelves strictly books only? Or have knick-knacks invaded? Do your shelves also shelve DVDs? Photos? Why not snap a photo – I’m sure we all like to spy on other’s shelves!

 Since I have to make do with the limited space of my small bedroom, I really don't have the luxury of a bookshelf. My books are just everywhere, sort of. Yes, I am guilty for neglecting my beloved. I don't treat them exactly the way they should be treated, except for several personal favorites, which I stow away in plastic boxes. How's that for storage?

books occupied most of the space on my table along with the coffee mugs and other stuff

the ones I am currently reading

some I stack away in a corner ( very bad of me, I know)

...I'm such at a loss for...

the family that eats together, grows big together

it's not every day that you get to turn 33

remembering the dearly departed

fear of flying

I get to use my shades ( no biggie )

watch Harry Potter and the...

fun times we all had

need I say more?

our one and only bumblebee ( now Moon Bear )

we'll always be cool

the way we are

as always

I'd drop on my knees for....

face off?

generations after

we are

happy together

bearer of "AWESOME" news

...WORDS...