[Book Review] Your Best Life Now

Title: Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential
Author: Joel Osteen
Genre: Inspirational
Published: 2004
Source: Purchased

WHAT’S THE BOOK ABOUT?

Here’s a description from the author’s website:

How do you break out of the ordinary and experience the full potential that God intended for you to live? The answer lies in a simple yet profound process to change the way you think about your life. In this straight forward guide, Joel gives steps that will improve your life for good and help you experience victory, joy and satisfaction every day!

[Tales on a whim] She and the Sun

It was yet another brand new day. The first day of the week, even. The birds were chirping. Flowers were blooming. The Sun was shining. She woke up with a smile, as she does every day.

“Hello, my dear Sun! How are you today? How’s everything going to be today?” she cheerfully said.

The Sun replied with equal enthusiasm, “I feel wonderful! Another fine and beautiful day it will be, my lovely lady. That I promise you.”

“Sounds great! I believe what you say, as always. Thanks for brightening every moment of my every day.”

The Sun smiled lovingly and proudly shone up in the sky.

She went about her day as she normally did. Around noon, a knock was heard on the door.

Who might that be? she wondered. She got up and headed that way. She looked out the window and noticed gray clouds in the sky. How could this be? Didn’t the Sun promise a beautiful sunny day?

She reached the door, turned the knob, and was surprised to see the Sun. He was burning low; unenthusiastic he seemed.

Out of hiatus… Sort of

It’s been a long while since I last updated, and I haven’t read much books since. I’ve been so caught up with work and many other stressful and non-stressful things. I’ve gone through quite a few of life’s challenges too, and I’d like to think I’ve learned a lot and am now somehow much smarter and wiser. And I believe the best is yet to come.

Oh, right, update: I’ll probably post a book review soon.

Thank you for continuing to visit and read this blog.

Have a happy and lovely 2016, everyone! 🙂

[Event] National Poetry Month 2015

Apparently, April is the month to celebrate poetry.

I vividly remember having to memorize “Jonathan Bing” and “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat” for declamation contests during my preschool days.  I’ve written and read a bit of poetry over the years, but I kinda have a love-hate relationship with it. Sort of. I very much dislike being forced to read and write and analyze poetry for English classes. But, I do have several poems that I really like.

One of my favorites is “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe. When I first read it years ago, it somewhat reminded me of a late loved one . . . And it reminds me of that person still every time I read it. It goes like this:

[Book Review] Coraline

Title: Coraline
Author: Neil Gaiman
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
Published: 2002
Recommended for ages 8 to 12 and up
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Audiobook: Narrated by Neil Gaiman

WHAT’S THE BOOK ABOUT?

Here’s a description from the author’s website:

When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous.

But there’s another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.

Coraline will have to fight with all her wits and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life.

[Book Review] Mansfield Park

Title: Mansfield Park
Author: Jane Austen
Genre: Classics
Published: 1814
Source: Purchased

WHAT’S THE BOOK ABOUT?

From Goodreads:

Taken from the poverty of her parents’ home, Fanny Price is brought up with her rich cousins at Mansfield Park, acutely aware of her humble rank and with only her cousin Edmund as an ally. When Fanny’s uncle is absent in Antigua, Mary Crawford and her brother Henry arrive in the neighbourhood, bringing with them London glamour and a reckless taste for flirtation. As her female cousins vie for Henry’s attention, and even Edmund falls for Mary’s dazzling charms, only Fanny remains doubtful about the Crawfords’ influence and finds herself more isolated than ever. A subtle examination of social position and moral integrity, Mansfield Park is one of Jane Austen’s most profound works.