...way past my bed time...

What’s the last thing you stayed up half the night reading because it was so good you couldn’t put it down?


I seldom stayed up late just to read but with "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton , I made an exception. I tried to pace myself but just could not stop. And so I tackled the last few chapters way long into the night, fortunately, I did not have to get up early the next day, so it was all good.

 Books, especially good ones, has this funny way of getting me hooked, that sometimes, it feels like, I'm oblivious to the world around me. Time ceased to exist and all I want to do is to be engrossed in the story. 

...no particular...

Is there a book you absolutely love, but for some reason, people never think it sounds interesting, or maybe they read it and don’t like it at all?

 I can't name a particular book that I absolutely love that people showed a slight interest in , if any. I seldom get the chance to offer a book suggestion to anyone. Besides, the few friends I have are not much into reading.

Lately, I've been reading a lot. Sometimes, it feels like I'm required to have a "reading quota". Anyway, I don't mind it. I enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed running. :-)

..."meaty" or "fluffy"...

Do you prefer deep, intellectual, “meaty” books… or light, “fluffy” books? Why? Give us an example of your preferred type of book.

I have no special preference. It depends on what I'm up for and my desire to read. Books that can't stop me from turning the pages is definitely a must. To name one, "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton. I finished this book in three days.

But then, there are books that I can't just find my way around and let alone finish it. I just finished reading "Last Night in Twisted River" by John Irving and I'm not sure if it's "meaty" but definitely not a "fluffy" one.

I prefer books that makes me think and from which I can glean something.

...why I'm not smart...

 Current read.

I love books and reads a lot but I can't cook.

I feel like a fake or a phony. I read a lot but that doesn't say much about me. When people told me I'm smart, I really can't agree with it. I thought, they must be off their rockers. Just because I read a lot doesn't mean I'm smart. Heck, I don't even know how to tell if a baked potato is already cooked or not. ( now that's pretty odd, eh?) Sometimes, when I need it most, common sense eludes me. And I am left floundering, amidst the mess I've always managed to create as a result.

You see, I'm no cook ( or should I say it, I'm useless in the kitchen) And to me, this is some huge "handicap". To think, I find myself in a line of work where I'm expected to know my way around, from slicing vegetables to mixing flour. I mean, no one would really give a shit if I read a ton of books if I can't whip up a decent meal, at least once in awhile. And I bet AJ could not care less, if I read to her all the books in the "Harry Potter" series, if I ( her beloved aunt) can't put food on the table for her to enjoy. Of course, I'm sure she won't mind if we either go to Jollibee or McDonald's instead.

 Probably, the only person who can tolerate my cooking.  

I feel bad that when it comes to things that matters most ( like cooking ) I draw a blank. I am inept and obviously, lack real-life skills.

I have no social skills. 

And I have no idea why. I just can't be around with people most of the time. I'm no recluse or something.

I can't speak my mind. 

Most of the time, there are things or ideas I'd rather keep to myself than sharing it with someone. And it's not about trying not to "ruffle some feathers".

So much for my lament here. I know I'm not perfect and there's no point in trying to be one. Sometimes, accepting yourself is a far more easy thing to do than going through all the works of being perfect.

I can't change who I am even if I want to. And I really don't want to. Especially when it comes to the "love for books and reading" part.

Reading will always be awesome. :-) And if it will make me smart, then all the more reason to keep at it.

...The Forgotten Garden...

Finally, it has come to an end. The weather outside seemed to take note of it. Fog, slowly descended, making the surrounding all the more dark and gloomy. Reading "The Forgotten Garden" has kept me on the edge of my seat, for three days. I told myself to keep a slow, steady pace, but no matter how I tried to curb my enthusiasm, I could not resist the temptation to turn page after page. Even stayed up late one night, to finish one chapter but ended up reading a few chapters more.

It is by far the first book I've read for this year that has made quite an impression on me. And what's more amazing is that, I usually don't just sit down and read a book in three days, tops. Oftentimes, a book takes me a week or more, depending on my mood and the circumstances I'm in.

"The Forgotten Garden" somehow struck a chord in me and I believed that's what keep me going.

Awesome read.:-)

...things I'd do in 2011, hopefully...

 Resolutions always abound at the start of the year. I even come up one myself a few years back but never get to follow it through. Let's just say I'm not good on seeing things through, not when my heart is not really into it. When I'm just doing it for appearance's sake.

Fortunately, I realized I've grown up a bit. Physically, it's pretty obvious. I've come to the point ( or I guess it's just me ) that want  to be rid of the common notion that 'resolutions' are some sort of a destination that need to be arrived at. I, on the other hand, would like to think of it as something  to be dealt with everyday, like an ongoing process.

So here's what I'd like to do for this year, hopefully...

• Make a list of all the books I will read this year
• Be consistent on my runs
• Maybe, come up with a book review on books I've read ( at least one )
• Update my blog ( often )
• Make myself "useful" around the kitchen
• Start a journal ( all the more reason to fill up my Moleskine notebook )

 Anyway, these are all the stuff I can think of, for now. I'm not sure if I get to do all of it or maybe not. Let's see how this list will turn out. :-)

Happy New Year!!!