books i must read for 2010

Have you been thinking of what books to read for year 2010? I did, I thought I'd share a list here with you...these are the books that had been reviewed or that I've somehow discovered in one of my bookstores' wanderings and on-line browsings, which I personally think are most popular and considered “must-read” ones. Some of these titles were bestsellers, some critics' pick of the year, while few were award-winning books. The books below were not necessary listed down in order, or for that matter.

I would like to enjoy more books this 2010. I have already bought most of these books, (can't help it), they were carefully stacked on one of my bookshelves, while a handful were neatly piled up on my bedside table, pages waiting to be flipped and fine prints are ready to be savoured....I think this list stood out by far as per my genre's preferences, as far as the bookstores' recommendations and top bestsellers' list is concerned. These are combinations of easy read, contemporary lit books, epic drama, memoirs/biographies, historical fictions, debut novels and inspirational …..I am sure there are books I've left out unintentionally as I had narrowed it down, too many good ones to choose from.. ....so common, grab one or two from your favorite bookstores nearby and enjoy a good read! Remember, reading matters!

1) Book of Negroes, Lawrence Hill – i'm totally captivated by this fictional account of the life of Aminata...I am almost at the end of it, 60 pages more to go out of 487...I could have finished the book by today but apparently, it's taking longer than I have expected, I wish I have all the leisure time to read, so many books....so little time....(big sigh)
2) Handle with Care, Jodi Picoult
3) The Gathering, Anne Enright
4) The Space Between Us, Thrity Umrigar
5) Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel
6) Time Traveller's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
7) The Sea, John Banville

8) Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela
9) The Cellist in Sarajevo, Steven Galloway

10) Push, Sapphire

11) The Audacity of Hope, Barack Obama

12) So You're One of Them, Uwem Akpan
13) The Road, Cormac McCarthy
14) The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch
15) The Help, Kathryn Stockett
16) Dear John, Nicholas Sparks
17) Julie and Julia, Julie Powell
18) Exodus, Leon Uris
19) Classic Parenting, Dr. James Dobson
20) God is No Laughing Matter, Julia Cameron

21) Beauty for Ashes, Joyce Meyer

22) Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand - I have to add this as per highly recommended by my BFFs Terrie and Binky, a novel considered a magnum opus in the realm of fiction writing.

reading matters

I’ve been a lifelong reader. The pleasure of a good book is one of my favorite things in the world. I love to lose myself in the world of a novel. To become best friends with a character. To curl up or snuggle up in the silence of the early mornings or late nights hours, wrapped in the deliciousness of a book. I think many people approach reading the wrong way – they try to force themselves to read and see reading a difficult and tedious chore. I see reading as a wonderful thing. Reading is a joy. A time of peace, of adventure, of exploration, of just enjoying a good story. It allows me to step inside other minds and understand the world from different points of view. Although, it is rather hard to accept the fact that the new digital revolution threatens the values of classic reading.

Reading is a basic life skill that most people take for granted. It unlocks remarkable powers. Imagine just for a moment that you cannot read the instructions on a bottle of prescription medicine or that you find it difficult to read the job adverts in the local paper. Reading is a great way of learning, that’s for sure. It is estimated that there are nearly 900 million illiterates in the world today -- and two thirds of them are women. Reading leads to literacy and literacy is the key to unlocking the cage of human misery; the key to delivering the potential of every human being; the key to opening up a future of freedom and hope.

I consider myself a dreadfully voracious reader. A bookworm. A bibliophile per se. I have this constant thirst for a far more genuine and revealing piece of writing. I enjoy reading literary and historical works as well as narrative yet stirring work of fictions. I read various types of genre - classic, contemporary, fictions, non-fictions, christian books and references, bestsellers, paperbacks, etc. I also find memoirs - accounts of a person’s life story and history interesting. I think such stories of life are very moving, empowering and inspiring. Agonizing at times and mostly the end of the story leave me marvels at the main characters, every details and significant turn of the events in their lives.

Obviously, I have a slight book obsession which is beyond cure. I read. I browse. I admire. I collect. I write reviews. I analyze. I let the book take me into a world. I learned to immerse myself in the world of a book, and forget about the world around me. This is related to being in the moment, or finding the state of flow — time seems to disappear, and nothing else exists but my book. For me, I discover and nurture the joy of reading, I treat it as a voluntary thing, a hobby, a passion. It is a wholesome and healthy activity too and it is good for you. But if you treat it like a chore, it will feel like one.

How do I discover the joy of reading? Well, I start by finding amazing books first. If a book bores me, I move on to another. And one thing important detail that matters when reading, look at the things that surround you, beyond the book itself – where you sit, how quiet, how comfortable you are because you want your experience to be more pleasurable as possible.

Reading really is important, and that there are some solid reasons why that is so. There are practical benefits and less tangible rewards of a life filled with reading. Personally, reading matters to me because - I discover. I explore. I understand. I gain knowledge. I learn. I unravel things. My passion for reading is not just for constant continuous learning but most of all for enjoyable experience too.

the twilight saga

Previously, I did not understand why few of my friends and colleagues have become so obsessed and fixated with Twilight movie and its books series. Not to mention million of swooning devotees and fans out there. I had been avoiding the stacks of books with those distinctive covers with black and red graphic designs every time me and my husband go for our usual run for adrenaline boosting beverage – our favorite espresso rich café latte with a shot of Hazelnut @ Starbucks, and then do our usual fun thing to do, browse and gape at the latest release of bestsellers at Chapters. For some of you who don’t know, Chapters bookstore (Canada) is the counterpart of Barnes and Nobles of States.

It’s actually my son Andrew who noticed the book first, that was last year and told me that it’s going to be a huge movie soon and it’s about vampires and such. I had a quick peek at the book and I thought, nahhh, not really my cup-of-tea and besides, I am not a teenager and it’s way out-of my league and I am not going to read a book that is aimed to adolescent mind-set and accommodates age-bracket half my age, let alone about wolves and vampires!

Despite its world-wide popularity, and the fact that the Stephanie Meyer’s debut novel has sold $42 million copies, I just can’t help but well, smirk a bit. For me, literature is about Shakespeare, Dickens, Tolstoy and among other classic writers. I would think to myself too that I am such a snob, that my bookshelves at home hold the complete works of these mentioned authors. But then I also knew that new and promising novelists get reviews in literary newspapers, such as New York Times, etc.

Last weekend, I finally watched the Twilight DVD movie at the comfort of my home with Noel (my husband). And guess what? Let me wear my heart on my sleeve - I loved it! Far from my impressions, expectations and predictions - I instantly liked it! The minute I heard the intriguing narration and saw the first few act scenes and later on met the leading characters Isabella Swan and Edward Cullen……I got instantly carried away and now, I am now completely so into it! Vampires and the swooning drama of high school love affairs might not be my thing, but after watching the movie and read the first few chapters of book, I just couldn’t help it. I guess I have to literally eat and swallow my words then.

Technically, my only intention is to watch the movie out of curiosity and there goes the saying - “curiosity kills a cat!”. It’s true, inquisitiveness can lead one into dangerous situations. I think, I am afflicted with some kind of Cullen syndrome. Me for one, is probably one of the girls out there who are swooning a lot of times for every single thought and sight of ‘Edward’. I don't know about you but I could easily self-diagnose the symptoms of my recently acquired “Cullen syndrome”.

Now here's the recap - the story revolves between a sad-shy-silent-sufferer junior high school girl named Bella Swan and a handsome and mysterious Edward Cullen. Bella is supposed to be just an average-looking girl with fragile and slender body structure and very fair-skinned. She has a long straight dark chestnut hair, brown eyes and a heart-shaped face. Bella recently moved to a cloudy, rainy town of Forks, Wa. Her dad is the sheriff and after few years of being away from him and the town, she’s understandably awkward and lonely. Even at school she makes friends but does not truly connect with. Until she met Edward Cullen.

Edward is an aloof, soulful Volvo owner. He is the object of infatuation and member of the awfully-close “vegetarian” Cullen clan, a brood of chalk-white brothers and sisters who love to play baseball. He is 107 year old vampire, transformed by his “father” Carlisle, who snacked on him in order to save the younger mans’ life. He’s got a very pale skin with an intense and smoldering stare, obviously a killer look. You would feel that you are in danger but you won’t mind risking such danger. He is dangerous and at the same time always so quick to protect you (I mean Bella) in every possible way. He has to resist and control himself of not devouring Bella romantically and physically as he refuses Bella’s desire to be a vampire too. This part is the most interesting part of all.

To me, Twilight is a captivating fantasy, an immortal love and life saga of modern day. It is a phenomenally-popular movie ever about vampire. It has the elements of fascination, temptation and plenty of imagination. It captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. The apple, which is the forbidden fruit, represents the temptation versus the choice and inner struggle of a chaste relationship.

I would also say that Twilight really bites, the vivid characters are very capable of sinking their teeth into one’s imagination and pulls us away from reality and bring us into a fantasy place. I think the sentimental plot of Twilight is the undying romanticism which makes the story so fascinating. My husband found it a little bit cheesy. Overall, I love Twilight, even though it’s not well written and there are plot holes and inconsistencies. But, isn’t that what true love is - to be able to love something so much that the flaws cease to matter? The Twilight book lacks of irony and cannot measure up with Harry Potter’s series which actually have some depths. But generally, a book doesn’t have to be an everlasting piece of literature to be worth reading. Twilight does not possess the literary depth level but it creates characters and settings that are so real - star-crossed lovers, deep woods, high school hormones.

And that’s the thing: any writer who can create a world so vivid and compelling, well, then, I think that’s what makes a good book. Stephanie Meyer had achieved that. She did an amazing job in creating imaginary-almost real characters out of a dream. She combines suspense, romance and adventure rolled into one. Her description of the characters’ emotions are so existent. The publication of the Twilight novel made Stephanie Meyer as one of the most promising new authors. A prediction that proves to be true.

To all Bella-Edward followers out there: Hang-in there with patience. I bet you are all looking forward with much-anticipation to the sequel on the screen! Me too!!!

who am i?

Who am I? This is a very peculiar question that demands uninhibited and utmost honest response. I have been trying to reflect this myself. How can I define my very self without being self-conscious, self-centered, egotistical, and vain? I had never anticipated that such process could be perplexing, although it sound easy and simple as it may seem. Trying to analyze my very existence and recognizing my own identity is undeniably difficult, stimulating and thought-provoking. I totally felt so compelled to give a glimpse of the true me.

As far as my knowledge is concerned, I am conceived and born unique. I am me, myself and I. There is no one else like me, only one of its kind. I have my own individuality and personality. I have my own mind, feelings, needs and dreams. Apart from my physical features, characteristics, mental attributes, and social standpoint, I am molded, reared and taught with a distinct tradition, culture, beliefs and values.

I am a person who values trust, unconditional love and a steadfast relationship. I am just but like any other individual who seeks self-worth, respect and little appreciation. I am not perfect, but had learned to accept my inadequacies, faults and shortcomings, and always strive to work everything to the best of my ability. I try to aim at higher aspirations in life as mediocrity seems to lack its creativeness and challenges that I constantly crave. I seem to know too much about everything and nothing. And no matter how much knowledge and experiences I acquire, the more insignificant I become.

As I seek and ponder more on the subject, couple of questions also came to my mind -- Where I came from? Why I exist? It is written in the Holy Bible that our Almighty Creator brought everything into existence from nothing by His Holy Word. Thus, I simply exist because of Him and survive through Him. And that God knows and loves me even before I was born as He has an ultimate and unique plan for me, just designed and carved specifically for my name.

It is so amazing that He knows exactly how many number of hairs I have, what I have gone through, which way I have taken on and what destiny lies ahead of me. He knows how far I can get, how strong and weak I can be. He knows exactly what my pains, struggles, and fears were consist of, and knows too well how to comfort, heal, sustain and strengthen me. I know for sure, that God loves me for who I am and He wants me to live a life that is pleasing to His eyes and a life that is fulfilling to His glory.

I am created in His own image, blessed with traits, qualities and gifts so that I can be a blessing to others. I am aware that I have a free will to choose from between good and evil, and carries with me a discerning wisdom to guide me in overcoming troubles, temptations and tribulations. I enjoy a life to the fullest through His abundance and grace, and at difficult times when things go wrong and start to fall apart, I just learn to let go and let God pick up the pieces for me. I draw inner strength and peace from Him alone. I can't imagine living in this dying world without God's guidance.

I can also be perceived possessing the characteristics of being sensitive, sympathetic, supportive and appreciative. Family and friends see me as an outspoken, determined, and sensible woman, mother and wife - roles are not enumerated in order, or for that matter. I am capable and apt of becoming fixed on my own thoughts and emotions.

I am confident and assertive but also tend to show lack of self-esteem and sense of worth in some areas. I am generally reliable, consistent, and occasionally prudent when it is necessary. I have a great capacity for a genuine friendship and can develop and nurture deep and meaningful relationship. I am reasonably articulate, almost perfectionist yet, deep within, constantly feels insecure and shy.

Every so often, I can be exasperatingly cautious, skeptical and overly analytic over nothing of importance. But on the positive side, I am absolutely even tempered, motivating, modest and slow to anger, disliking quarreling and ill-feeling. But if provoked, however, I can also burst into a frustration.

I have learned great lessons in life and still learning from my own experiences, challenges, mistakes and misgivings that I have encountered day after day. I have met different and fascinating people from all walks of life, and I have dealt with couple of most difficult situations in the process, but I had never been distracted nor involved in any emotional entanglements. Though I constantly thrive to pursue happiness, fulfillment and success in life, I am far more comfortable to live a simple and healthy kind of life.

I also consider myself as a keen witted-learner, always insatiable for a heap of informative knowledge. I read a plethora of books as I like to read every single bit of information. I have this constant thirst for far more genuine and revealing piece of art. It is my passion to discover, to explore, to understand, to gain knowledge of, to be taught of and to learn and to unravel things for constant continuous learning.

Though I may be old-fashioned in values, classic in interests and romantic as I am, however, I am a gentle, doting and disciplinarian mother of two, a fulfilled, dedicated and committed wife, a woman of strong spiritual faith and most of all a genuine friend who is a fun loving, open, warm, and takes comfort in a cozy conversation with my husband. I indulge and enjoy at the company of my children. I take pride and joy at the art works of my son and poetry of my daughter. I am grateful for my husband's hard work and dedications. I find happiness when the sun shines. I am thankful for all people that give joy into my life.

I am capable of writing on and on about myself, my strengths and weaknesses, but I can never truly define, describe and recognize my own inner self. And with all honesty, I simply cannot draw a narrow conclusion as to who really I am as I am still continuously searching for the very essence of my existence. Taking all into consideration, I believe my identity is still in the process as per God's plan and will for me. There are numerous things in life that can define me but I would like to be defined by the most important people in my life.

My real identity, worth and significance, certainly conclude that-- I become the person I am only because of who I live for, who I live with, and how I live by.

But then again, who am i?

why i write

Today I decided to continue my writing pursuit {again}, I must admit it has been my “childhood dream” ever since I can recall. I guess, I am a dreamer, a great thinker, but not much of a writer...but seriously, it is my passion to express through writing what is going on in my cerebral spectrum.

Why? Suppose it gives me the illusion that writing is almost my forte? Well, absolutely not! It's simply because it brings out the best in me and I have learned to love what I love to do. I don't know but for some reason, I think clearly, sensibly, sharply and way better when I do write. Obviously, I don't have a flair of a good and capable writer, in fact, one would pathetically and pitifully regard me as a struggling enthusiast.

I have always been amazed and impressed at how gifted writers easily demonstrate a very organic and natural way of putting brilliant ideas and stories together. It is almost effortless. Words were written in a very simple and yet unpredictable manner. Undemanding, yet, conveys a profound and powerful meaning. Easy, minimal and unfussy phrases. Blending perfectly together. Synchronized. Almost very soothing to one's reading pleasure.

I am totally intimidated because I don't have that extra-factor that I am talking about, not even a hint or a slightest potential on literally academic works or whatsoever. Unfortunately and doubtless to say, I only have the utmost passion and fondness in creative writing and literature.

I would be lucky enough if I can compose a draft of random paragraph with grammatically-error and hackneyed free phrases or sentences containing correct verb-tenses, conjunctions, and what-not in English grammar. Do I have a writing style? I don't know, probably none, does my writing has a readability good rate? perhaps,...do I have an enthusiast-potential? Maybe not...

But you know what? I am not stepping away from writing! I couldn't care less, because the things that motivate me to write are: - In writing, I can pretty much say the things I can't always say out loud, I can visit the places I can't possibly visit in reality, I can create and portray characters I would love to meet, I can jot down what I see and what I experience, I can record the most joyful and bleak moments of my life, things that makes me laugh and cry, what it feels like to be, lonely, happy and angry. I can write about all the beautiful and amazing creations God had created. I can write my unceasing prayers, praises and thanksgiving unto Him. I can actually write about almost everything under the sun...and most importantly, I can enjoy what I am writing about, and that's the fun part about it.

Ever since I can remember, as a child, I always kept tiny notebooks and mini-diaries, securely tucked in a shoe box and safely hidden away from my big, bully brothers and teasing older sisters. I used to write a line or two or more everyday in my journal. I scribbled here and there, some unfinished poems, a collection of prose, essays, or book reviews, descriptive and detailed accounts of a most high-lighted events in my adolescents and college life, inspired creative writing, theme writing, and even letters...

I used to dream of becoming a writer or a journalist someday, picturing myself on page of a most distinguished magazine, the most sought columnist who had written recognized articles....and I know what you are thinking, and I totally agree with you, it's a huge far-fetched dream that is unlikely to achieve. But you know what? If I had been given the slightest chance and opportunity, I would have pursued journalism, but life itself has its realities and adversaries, as I grew up in a struggling, not-so-privileged, humble and hardworking family, yet living with dignity where resources and means are very scarce and inadequate....

……Up until now, I have never really given up nor stopped chasing my childhood dream... the good thing is, I don't have to pursue the studies of journalism anymore, all I have to do is write a sentence or two or more when ideas, thoughts and emotions start to take over, that’s how it usually lead to a beautiful piece of art….

For me, writing really gives me a sense of spontaneity, serenity and fulfillment. It is also very liberating, settling, rewarding and re-assuring as if I am relating and confiding to someone I really know and trust…it’s almost like a prayer, you are connected with in a very comfortable way without being inhibited and judged. Writing makes me more assertive, it allows me to reveal an intense-feeling of overwhelming undertakings and inner strength...it motivates me to thoughtlessly get out of my comfort zone. It also reminds me of who I am, who I was and where I came from and where I wanted to be...thus it always brings me back to my roots, pushes me to press on and continue my life's journey and get on with my dream.

I also write because I would to like to affect other people's lives, or at least give a considerable enlightenment over prevailing thoughts or possibly bring a sense of comfort and humor, or perhaps, share a chuckle here and there, even set a good mood to a person who's having a miserable day.

Truth is, if one would view it in another perspective, writing is indeed a very therapeutic way of connecting with yourself and other people and at the same time it gives the benefit of relaxing one's mind, body and soul as it helps you figure out the things about yourself in the process.

I don’t anticipate that what I had written will make sense at some point or another. I am quiet aware too that no one would really take my writings seriously. Who would care to pay a slightest attention to my non-sense scribbles, tedious squiggles and boring scrawls? I don't really mind at all, because one thing I am very sure of, at the back of my mind and deep in my heart, I have the greatest fans ever, of course - my wonderful husband, amazing children and my dear siblings. They inspire me and believe in me. They enjoy reading whatever I have scribbled and unpretentiously appreciate and respect my desire why I wanted to write all this time.

Maybe, one particular-special day, and God knows when, I will decide to write my life's story - a memoir perhaps, containing interesting accounts of my life's experiences, the great learned lessons in life, and the story of the people who had impacted, influenced and touched my life most and whom I had shared wonderful and memorable moments with.