Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

When it comes to surreal reading, I look no further and just grab a Haruki Murakami book. I love his writings. As you progress chapter after chapter, you are soon absorbed into a different dimension where cats talk, a sheep is the boss, and shadows have their own mind. And all these strangeness and weirdness go on and on. But guess what, it's a good kind of weird.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is my latest Haruki read. My pace with this book was downtempo so I wouldn't be left alone with nothing to read and I was enjoying it so much I didn't want it to end right away. Besides, unearthing the end of the world bit by bit and day after day was a pleasurable pursuit. I was thrilling myself by slow-pacing my reading. Haha.

The story takes you into two divergent worlds. One where the main character meets a mad scientist and he experiences adventures underground where water and leeches and inklings could claim his life any time soon. On the other side is a town close to perfection barricaded by an impenetrable wall whose gates are regulated by a Gatekeeper who never let's anyone out. The one thing these two worlds have in common--- skulls.

This book is striking, funny, unexpected, and bizarre. Plus the characters are interesting (he always comes up with curious personalities which is one of the things I love about this author). Of course, you'll never miss insightful lines along the way which are good points to ponder on.

If you have a thing for uncanny plots, then you should grab this from the shelf (you won't be disappointed I promise). Better yet, collect all Haruki books and read them one after the other. I bet you'll be amazed afterwards. You can say, I've been to the other side (I actually feel this way after reading his books).

What are you waiting for? It's happy reading time! ;]

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

I've been eyeing this book since I heard that Neil Gaiman released his latest novel. Lo and behold, L gave me a copy as his Christmas present (the bookworm's eyes where sparkling upon opening the gift). I was the happiest person when I received it. Now it's a part of my collection adding more pizzazz to my shelf. *grins*

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is about a man returning to his hometown and reminiscing an experience he thought he almost forgot. Going to the farmhouse of the Hempstocks after attending a funeral, he visits the pond that his friend, Lettie, calls her ocean. It's just a pond really. But that body of water holds something beyond what anyone can imagine. As he lingers, memories of that place emerge from the depths of his consciousness. These recollections even surprise him. As the events reconstruct in his mind, he later realize that he owes his life to the Hempstocks; to Lettie especially-- his only childhood friend when he was still a little seven year old boy.

As expected, Neil delivered... delivered extremely well. I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed-- of course, he's Neil Gaiman. Come on... To cut to the chase, yes it's a book that should be read. It's a few pages but within is a story bountiful of stirring ordeals and bizarre characters. When I was done, I felt like I still wanted the tale to go on but I later came to terms with the book and accepted that it was meant to end there. I fell in love with Lettie's character, that's probably why I reacted that way. That's about it; I enjoyed every chapter, every page and I'm sure you will too. I repeat, it's Neil Gaiman... remember? *wink*

Enjoying a good book with a good mug of cappuccino

I'm a grateful bibliophile for having started the year right with an A-lister book. 

The Shadow of the Wind

It's been a while since my last post. Something came up that I had to stop writing for a while. Anyway, let me start 2014 with a review of my "2013 year-ender" book-- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Just like the previous read I had, this too is borrowed (again from my sister's shelf). Let me add that I'm blessed to have a book buddy for a sister, it's convenient and I get to read a number of her copies first before she does *wink*.

The Shadow of the Wind

After finding a book to take home from the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Daniel Sempere come across various riveting characters who will turn his life around. A man with grotesque features, who calls himself Lain Coubert, demands to acquire the book from him for the sole purpose of burning it to embers. Daniel find ways to hide the book from the perpetrator. Such confrontation raises his curiosity causing him to go around Barcelona to seek answers with the help of his new found friend and confidant, Fermin. They start piecing together a puzzle that will soon lead him to finding out what truly happened to the book's author, Julian Carax.

One thing's for sure, The Shadow of the Wind is a must-read. It's thrilling, suspenseful, funny, romantic, dramatic rolled into one pile of pages you hardly want to put down. Now, who wouldn't want to read that?

By the time I started reading, it felt like a movie (which is no surprise since Carlos is an experienced screenwriter as well). As I advance in the story it seemed that I, myself, was walking the streets of Barcelona. The details of Daniel's exploits and encounters allowed me to create a lush world in my imagination that I feel I'm a part of. The compelling and engrossing story makes me want to continue on to the ending but at the same time causes me to not hurry so as I'd remain embraced in the mysteries that are haunting the characters.

This tale is one of the few that I would want to see on-screen. I hope Carlos would team up with a good filmmaker to bring this novel to life. Of course, it would be ideal that he himself work on it as the screenwriter so that it would stay loyal to the magnificent story he created. My fingers are crossed for an equally fascinating motion picture.

I'm grateful to have ended the year with a worthy read. Now... off to my first book for 2014. How about you, which novel's pages will you immerse yourself into this year?

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

In a string of power blackouts occurring in my island as an aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), having a good book is a huge advantage (yup, they don't need charging). I ran out of reserve books since I’ve finished all of them already, good thing my sister had a couple from her collection that I could choose from. I readily grabbed Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers out of convenience considering its size being handy and light. A fan of fiction, I’m often entertained by strange, dreamy, extraordinary stories so I don’t read non-fiction much aside from articles online and in journals and magazines. My sister have been recommending Gladwell to me a lot of times, however, it’s only at this moment that I got a hold of one of his writings. I’m glad I picked it because as soon as I read the introduction, I got hooked. 

I cannot agree more with all the reviews printed on the book-- Gladwell is a master storyteller, no question about it. Albeit the book being non-fiction, there's no part that I find dragging or boring. I'm astounded by how he's putting everything in order, giving factual details at the same time enthralling the reader as one advances from chapter to chapter. Outliers is a story of success or rather facts of success. This path (success) everyone wants to take is not merely a platter served to one person or another; it’s actually a series of opportunities, hard work, cultural backgrounds, so on and so forth. Success is not what we actually think it is, there’s a lot more in between that we hardly notice unless we’re really meticulous or plainly observant.

This phenomenal book is abundant of thought provoking and eye-opening data that every time I turn a page I melt into reflection time and again. I come to realizations that I wish to apply in my own endeavors. It’s a literary experience that offers entertainment, information, and insights. 

Find out Bill Gates' journey to becoming America’s wealthiest person. Know the Beatles’ secret of becoming the world’s most exceptional rock band. Discover how an airline that had too many air crash changed their reputation from unsafe to one of today’s leading airlines.

Outliers is too read-worthy that I’m left giddy when I reached the last page itching to acquire another Gladwell book. I’m sure I’ll be a happy reader when I finish the rest of his masterpieces just like how I am today when the last letter entered my brain. 

I’m saving for his other best sellers— The Tipping Point, Blink, What the Dog Saw, and David and Goliath. “Absotively” recommending Outliers to everyone. You wouldn’t want to put it down. I swear.

The Great Gatsby

I haven't finished the book but I'm no stranger to what will happen as the pages turn. I watched the 2013 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and it was fine. I know, I know... it was a bad idea. Anyway, I'll try to not let the film adaptation change my appreciation of the story.

Enough beating around the bush-- I'm not going to discuss the story, I'm going to talk about the copy I just bought last weekend. *Wink* 

The book sleeve

While checking out new book stocks at a local bookstore, this interesting copy of The Great Gatsby was sitting at a corner of a shelf hardly noticeable. Seems like it was waiting to be appreciated and bought by the right person (yep, that person turned out to be me!). Was torn between A Clash of Kings and this all-time favorite classic. The latter was in a sleeve and was sealed so I couldn't take a good look but I had a feeling it was a handsome book.  I only had a glimpse of the blue spine with the silver embossed title.  Felt unsure if I can buy a fancy copy like it somewhere else, at another time, or at that affordable price (less than PhP 400) so I thought it was a rare find. After a short deliberation, I decided to purchase Gatsby.
As soon as I withdrew the book from the sleeve, I had a pleasant surprise! It's elegantly hardbound with nicely printed flyleaf plus the page edges are silver. These lovely details charmed me just like how Daisy bewitched Gatsby. Ha! Really. Every time I read the book, I never miss sniffing the pages, feeling the smooth texture and running my fingers over the embossed letters of the cover. I'm so proud a beauty like this is added in my collection. Actually, it's the fanciest-looking book I own so far. It makes me want to get more of these printed delight-- hardbound and vintagey-- just the way I like it.  

The silver page edges are so Gatsby!

I'm off to continue reading this gorgeous book. Ta ta for now!

P.S. The publisher of this copy is Arcturus Publishing Limited. I'll be looking out for other classics from them.  Books like these beautify shelves-- perfect for collections. Bibliophile mode on.


"Life is much more successfully looked at from a single window." 
~F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

I just finished reading the book this 26th of October and I'm glad I read it. I've seen the movie first before I got a hold of a copy. I must say the director of the movie has closely (almost accurately) depicted the book-- goes to show he understood what Burgess had in mind. 

Alex, the Humble Narrator and his nadsat lingo made the story even more interesting and extraordinary. Violence seemed so natural throughout the storyline but it did not necessarily mean that it should be so in real life. The book had been bombarded with numerous negative criticisms alleging that the story was the cause of several youth violence. Despite that, goodness was basically the conclusion.

There is an emphasis on blaming the era and generation as some characters, Alex included, are called to be victims of the modern age. It somewhat articulates that as the years progress, people are becoming hostile and vicious and because of such there is a need for the government to reverse the unacceptable behaviors. Not by mere imprisonment but through experimentation by utilizing association. The solution was as vile as the situation that it is preventing. 

In the end, Burgess has successfully given out the true message of his story that goodness is a choice and not to be induced.
As quoted from the book, "Goodness comes from within... Goodness is something chosen. When a man cannot choose he ceases to be a man."
Definitely a good read (and a good watch with regards to the movie adaptation) and I need not say more.

End of the Magical Era

After watching Harry Potter 7 Part 2 I thought, "No more Harry Potter."
I basically grew up patronizing both the book series and the film installments. I got a hold of Book 1 when I was in my sophomore year in high school as a present from my cousin. I was instantly enchanted by the time I finished it. From that day forward I never missed reading the subsequent books.
As soon as a movie adaptation was released I always had to watch them in the big screen. The actors are just right for their characters; as an avid reader of the book I'm satisfied of them bringing the characters to life. Although it hasn't completely covered the best parts of the book, the movies were satisfactory.
For all those years that I looked forward on the release of the books and the movies, I was always inspired of the story's true message. My thirst for a quality story that entails goodness, friendship, love, and honor has been provided for. I must say I'm thankful to have been a part of this era.
This is farewell to the solid three friends, to Hogwarts, to the awesome professors, the spells and incantations, the adventures, and the wonderful story that will surely remain with me. Good riddance, Harry Potter!