The Fifth Mountain

In difficult times, we often think that God doesn’t answer our prayers. Worst, we even think that he makes things harder for us. Don’t fret, it really happens. There will always be a phase in our crazy lives where times will be harder that we expected, problems will be more difficult, and it seems that hope in Pandora’s Box was already gone way before it has been opened.

It’s embarrassing to say that, though I love books, I really don’t read the bible. I’d rather listen to a prince’s homily then just create my own version of it in my said so I can apply it in real life. I am really not the religious type, though I believe in God and Faith and making sure that you follow the testaments and the teaching of the church, I am really not the religious type. :D

This is me introducing The Fifth Mountain.

What is it: If you know the story of Elijah, this will be an easy read. Who is Elijah? He is the guy in the Bible that God choose to defend Yahweh over the Phoenician god Baal. The book was written in a way that you will be able to understand what is happening on Elijah’s mind.

Though its fiction, it is like reading the story on the bible, but with a very conventional attack on it.

It deals with how Elijah accepts, struggled, and succeeds all of the orders given to him.

What I like about it: There are a lot of things. Paulo Coelho really has ways of making me think using his books. It’s nice knowing that though Elijah was privilege enough to be chosen to execute God’s amazing plan, he was also human, he struggled and also doubt himself. Like all of us.

Elijah was able to understand his purpose and what is so amazing about him is though everything seems to give up on him, he never give up on his faith.

There was this part in the book where Elijah said:

If we compare the list of my sins with the list of Thy sins, Thou shalt see that Thou art in my debt. But, as today is the Day of Atonement, give me Thy forgiveness and I shall forgive Thee, so that we may go on walking at each other's side.

That part really stands out. This is really something that will stuck on me, that way, if my faith will be challenge with all the tribulations happening around me, I will just remember God as my friend.

What I don’t like about it: Old English! Haha. Some parts were really hard to understand. It feels like learning Hamlet back in High School. I even have to refresh myself about the differences between thou, thee, and thy to be able to understand the book well. There were also part that use the word lest, shalt, nose bleed! Up to now, I can’t remember what lest means. Care to help?

Recommended for: Everyone! Because I know that all of us struggle and sometimes we lose confidence with the Lord. I do, and definitely I am working on it. This book is really a good start to get the confidence and the trust back.

And that makes book 23 for this year! :)

The Witch of Portobello

By Paulo Coelho

While I was doing last month’s blog activity, I stopped reading. Haha! I was back in the night shift and it was really hard adjusting to my new schedule. Most of the time, I was sleeping. Aside from that, the weather was hot that made me too lazy to even do something.

But, it’s always nice to get the motivation to read something back. Enter, The Witch of Portobello!

What it is: At first, I thought it was a true-to-life story so while I was sifting thru the first pages of the book, I started researching about it on Google. Only to find out that it was just fiction. Haha! The book was about a girl named Athena, her mission, and the process she went thru in order to complete it. The theme about the book revolves about finding one’s true self and being aware of the energies of the world. A lot of feminism idea was also shared in the book.

What I liked about it: The book was written in a way that it will begin and ends with a mystery. It was also written in a cool way – doing a biography using the different views of the main character’s friends and family members. What is really cool about reading Paulo Coelho books is that he will share with you an idea about history or religion and you will not be bored with it. You will understand that it will always be part of the whole story. Gypsies were also emphasized – their history, views and cultures were also described. It is always nice learning something new from people that you rarely encounter. It also centers on how powerful a woman can get. The idea of the book on how woman affects religion, culture and society will always be enlightening.

What I don’t like about it: There is only one thing about the book that I don’t like. Probably because divorce is never practiced here in the Philippines but the book mentioned that if someone gets divorce, he or she cannot take the Holy Communion. That is something I really don’t understand.

Moral Lesson: Paulo Coelho will definitely give you something you can ponder on when you read his books. Well, the book really concentrated on answering “Who am I?” and doing everything to answer that question. He wants us to be like Athena, fearless and dedicated. She will do everything in order for her to know what her mission on this world is. She will try her best to succeed on it. Because she knows that by doing such, she will be complete.

I guess that is something that we can all ponder on. Knowing what you want is one thing, but doing everything to achieve something will always be a good trait.

Enjoy Reading!

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On other news, other news talaga! Haha! My blogger friend PM will have a project where she will give notebooks to bright and worthy kids from Bataan. We will definitely appreciate if you can help out, you can check her post here.

The Reasons Why I Love The Alchemist

i haven’t written anything about my favorite book. shameful. hahaha. so, i think i will just leave you guys the reason why i love it.

here are some quotes from the book.

· we are told from childhood onward that everything we want to do is impossible. we grow up with this idea, and as the years accumulate, so too do the layers of prejudice, fear and guilt. there comes a time when our personal calling is so deeply buried in our soul as to be invisible. but it’s still there

· it’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting

· everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own

· people say strange things, the boy thought. sometimes it’s better to be with the sheep, who don’t say anything. and better still to be alone with one’s books

· one’s personal legend is what you have always wanted to accomplish. everyone, when they are young, knows what their personal legend is. “at that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. they are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. but, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their personal legend….whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. it’s your mission on earth

· the boy felt jealous of the freedom of the wind, and saw that he could have the same freedom. there was nothing to hold him back except himself. the sheep, the merchant’s daughter, and the fields of andalusia were only steps along the way to his personal legend

· well there is only one piece of advice i can give you’ said the wisest of the wise men. ‘the secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never forget the drops of oil on the spoon

· you have been a real blessing to me. today, i understand something i didn’t see before: every blessing ignored becomes a curse

· the sheep had taught him something even more important: that there was a language in the world that everyone understood, a language the boy had used throughout the time he was trying to improve things at the shop. it was the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for something believed in and desired

· he still had some doubts about the decision he had made. but he was able to understand one thing: making a decision was only the beginning of things. when someone makes a decision, he is really driving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision

· there is only one way to learn,” the alchemist answered. “it’s through action. everything you need to know you have learned through your journey

· tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. and that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with god and with eternity

· when you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed

· then you’ll die in the midst of trying to realize your personal legend. that’s a lot better than dying like millions of other people, who never even knew what their personal legends were

· what's the world's greatest lie?... it's this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate

· we are afraid of losing what we have, whether it's our life or our possessions and property. but this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand

· when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

· it was the pure language of the world. it required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels through endless time.

i am so sorry for the long post. there were a lot of good one kasi. :)

enjoy! :)

The Valkyries

The Valkyries is a book about Angels. So far, it is the best literature I’ve read about them.

But before we proceed, do you believe in Angels?

I do. I grew up believing that someone was always watching my every move. He keeps me safe, he wanted me to always stay on the good side, he protects me from harm, comforts me through all of me fears, and he makes sure that I get through every trials. I first thought that believing these things were crazy, good thing that the book enlightened me.

What I used to have growing up was a Guardian Angel. Sweet!

There are several types of Angels – The Angel of Death, Angels that destroy, Angels that are bad, and Guardian Angels. Angels have different purpose, they are friends, and they will always be there.

Paulo’s goal in the book was to see his Guardian Angel and to talk to him. He went to Los Angeles to meet the Valkyries, who will teach him how to connect to him. In order to talk to his Angel, he must do three tasks: He must break a pact, learn to forgive and make a bet. Seeing an Angel is tough, that is for sure.

If there is one thing good about the book, it really makes me believe that Angels Exists. That is the main goal of the book, I guess, to make its readers believe and have faith on them.

Veronika Decides to Die

When Veronika decides to die… Her journey starts.

The story is definitely a masterpiece. Something that is way too different from all the books I’ve read. Who would’ve figured that a girl who wants to die and play the piano will change so many people’s lives?

The story started when Veronika drunk five sleeping pills to kill herself. Unfortunately, her planned fail. After taking the pills, her heart gets weak, which will eventually make her die in five to seven days. In that short span of time, her views about life and love definitely change.

Since committing suicide is considered a psychological problem, she has to be treated in Vilette, a place for insane people.

While in Vilette, Veronika met a lot of interesting individuals -- A depressed woman, someone who is suffering from panic attacks, a schizophrenic who has his own vision of paradise, and a doctor who is writing his own thesis about the cure of psychological problems. All four of them will be touched by Veronika’s presence in the facility. How? By playing some good music!

The story’s ending is shocking and amusing from what I’ve expected. Will Veronika die? You have to read the book to find out. Hehe.

If there is really one thing that the book taught me, it will be that sometimes, it’s okay to be insane. Getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing new things is fun. Sometimes, you have to set your own adventure, stay away from routine, and do something different.

It will also make you understand that sometimes, all you need is tolerance, all you need to do is embrace someone else’s difference and learn from it.

The book is very enlightening. Of course, I will give it a 10. Haha! A book where you always learn something deserves the best recognition possible.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

Veronika Decides to Die/I am Number Four

I haven’t finished IT, and I already lend it to someone because lately, I am feeling lazy don’t have much time to read. I also bought two new books over the weekend, and of course, I will talk about it.

Read on!

Veronika Decides to Die By Paulo Coehlo

I know I own too many Paulo Coelho books already but I just can’t help it. It also upsets me that this book is too popular and I haven’t read it. I also read on Wiki that this book has an adaptation where Sarah Michelle Gellar played Veronika. You can finish the book in one sitting however I don’t want to do that. Haha! Lately, all I want to do was to make sure that I will finish a book a week. Books may get pretty expensive, and Paulo Coelho books are not on book sale.

The book is about a girl who commits suicide, which failed. Then because of the pills that she took, her heart went weak to the point that she will die in five to seven days. I am already in the middle of the book, and to my surprise, it doesn’t talk much about Veronika. Yeah, she may be the lead of the book but the general idea revolves not only on her but with the other people she met at an asylum.

The Book deals about insanity, craziness, and doing something out of your comfort zone. It also talks about death in a very different way. You have to read the book to figure out what I am trying to say here.

I Am Number Four By Pittacus Lore

I am really not fond of books being turned into movie. Movies are sometimes deceiving; sometimes they just remove the important parts of a novel.

However, when I saw this movie l was pretty much intrigue with the idea. Aliens killing another alien in an order – that is pretty weird, right? The movie doesn’t explain much behind the story of Number Four and his clan. All it said was Number Four was from some planet that was invaded by Aliens who looks disgusting and they are now being hunted here. Number Four, together with Number Six, will definitely fight their enemies. Their next mission will be finding the remaining “numbers” in order to be stronger.

Pretty Interesting book I may say.

There you go. Two new books for two weeks!

The Pilgrimage

If there is one book na talagang nadala ako sa story, ito na talaga un, ito lang! 

Simple lang naman ang plot ng book e, sa mga panahong sumali si Kuya Paulo sa isang parang fraternity o secret society, kailangan niyang makita ang kanyang sword. Ang sword ay magsisilbing lakas niya sa buhay, at since hindi napasakanya ito sa unang attempt, kailangan niya itong hanapin sa Spain. Shala diba, sa Spain pa. Haha. Kailangan sundan ni Kuya Paulo ang "The Way of Saint James," isa sa apat na pinakasikat na pilgrimage sa whole wide earth!

Habang asa pilgrimage siya, mayroon siyang master, may mga lessons na kailangang gawin, at may demon na nagkatawang aso na kailangang kalabanin. Umakyat din siya sa isang waterfall na walang saplot, haha, Naglakad ng pagkatagal tagal, dumali sa isang weird na ceremonies at siyempre marami siyang naexperience along the way. Ang pinakaimportante, naachieve ang spiritual enlightenment at naintindihan niya how the universe works. 

Ito ang unang libro na sinulat ni Kuya Paulo. Dahil sa pilgrimage niya sa Spain, naintindihan niya ang kanyang personal legend.

Sobrang kinilabutan ako sa story nito. May isang part kasi sa libro na sobra akong nadala sa mga pangyayari. Nung malapit ng makita ni Kuya Paulo ang kanyang espada, habang naglalakad siya sa isang gubat, may nakita siyang Cross, tapos sa baba noon, may nakita siyang lamb. All of a sudden, Kuya Paulo just started praying kasi bukod sa alam niyang nagtagumpay siya sa misyon niya, nakilala niya ulet ang Bro. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit habang binabasa ko ang part na iyon, pakiramdam ko ako yung nagdarasal at kinakausap ko si Bro. Weird, pero sobrang sarap ng pakiramdam!

Super highly recommended ang book, boring sa umpisa, pero habang patagal ng patagal ang pagbababasa mo, hindi mo siya mabibitawan!

Four New Books

 

I bought four books last Saturday and they are all from my favorite author – Paulo Coelho!

1.Like the Flowing River.

I  started reading this one, it is a collection of stories and thoughts that will help you, inspire you, and make you love Paulo Coelho more. I just don’t know why my book’s cover is different from the one shown below, maybe because its a different publisher. I love the purple cover more.

2. The Winner Stands Alone.

Definitely, next in line! I am intrigued by this book, it is set in Cannes and revolves around the lives of Movie Stars, I just can’t wait to start reading it.

3. The Pilgrimage

Paulo Coehlo’s first ever book, it recalls his experiences when he was on a pilgrimage on Northern Spain.

4. Brida

Brida is a story about a girl who wants to pursue magic. So far, this is what I know. Hahaha, exciting! Again, the one I purchased have a different cover, haist, bahala na nga!

 

Now I realize, I really don’t like Paulo Coehlo, I really don’t.