Sniffing For A Good Read: Edward Trencom’s Nose

     When I do these reviews, I normally can guess the feel and the direction of the book from the first few paragraphs or by the end of the chapter. Oddly enough, this book about heightened senses has confounded my literary senses and this has left me intrigued to continue reading. The plot that unravels slowly is about Edward Trencom who is a owner of a 300 year old family business that sells cheese and is connected to his ultra sensitive nose that can sift through the variety of cheeses. Pretty ridiculous right? It gets even more absurd as his smelly talent is a family secret that has been foretold to be his downfall. I am actually relating to the story because of my role in the family business and how my talent fit into it. However, the book is too good to take seriously since this is more an adventure mystery story that requires you to just be taken by the ride. Thus, I will just take where turns of the book take me.

    So far, I am still trying to find  the mystery of this book. If this is good mystery, I will probably be telling you about once I end the book. I suggest that you just start sniffing out this bookstore yourself and see if it appeases your literary appetite.

Author: Giles Milton

Book Website: Edward Trencom's Nose

Available: Soon

Possible Price Range: Php 300-500 

A Series of Unfortunate Events Video

Below is a clip rom the movie adaption from  one of my favorite books called A Series of Unfortunate Events. The book is a real roller coaster ride. You really won't believe how the series progresses from 1 to 13. I will write more about it later on but enjoy a special treat first from Jim Carrey as the villainous Count Olaf. Simply click this link to Youtube.

Author: Lemony Snicket

Book Website: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Movie Site: A Serious of Unfortunate Events

 
Price: Php 389.00

   Release: Available Now!

Mother’s Day Book (May 13):Not Aging Gracefully But With Good Humor

          No, I am not a woman nor am I feeling bad about my neck. So, why do I have a book by Nora Ephron, who is the 65 year old script writer and director of "You've Got Mail?"? It is because I have to admit that good writing is simply good. Nora's essays have a penchant for sincerity that hooks with comedic timing. As you read her works, you learn that her words usually weave together towards an unexpected punchline that make you start chuckling as she rants away about having children, her messy purse, her fictional relationship with culinary book authors and even her inevitable death. The topics and the title in itself are misleading because you think they would appeal to tastes of women who are almost pushing daisies. However, her voice is so honest that you are drawn to her world by the universality of her experience. You forget that you are sharing a moment with someone twice or thrice your age because she talks about common concerns such as vanity and other human obsessions. I think what makes her unique over the fact that she articulates so well is her gutsy writing. It is soo honest that you wish you had the courage to say what she said and say it first.

   It is difficult to catch this rhythm in one's writing and is best learned by tasting a bit of it like the one below.

 Excerpt of Blind as A Bat, thoughts on having poor eyesight and reading:

       Reading is one of the main things I do. Reading is everything. Reading makes me feel I've accomplished something, learned something, become a better person. Reading makes me smarter. Reading gives me something to talk about later on. Reading is unbelievably healthy way my attention deficit disorder medicates itself. Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it's a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it's a way of making contact with someone's else's imagination after a day that's all too real. Reading is grist. Reading is bliss. But my ability to pick something up and read it - which has gone unchecked all my life up until now-  is now entirely dependent on the whereabouts of my reading glasses.

   
       Wasn't that effortlessly captivating? I wish I wrote something similar to that. Oh well, I guess I just have to tag Nora's book under the category of book love or what she calls "Rapture" where I will inhabit her world for a few days until I find another. I don't know how long I will stay there so I just have to say "Ciao!"

Trivia:

Excerpts of Her List Called "What I Wish I'd Know" That I Definitely Agree With

You never know.

Write everything down.

Take more pictures.

If the shoe doesn't fit in the shoe store, it's never going to fit.

If only one third of your clothes are mistakes, you're ahead of the game.

If friends ask you to be their child's guardian in case they die in plane crash, you can say no.

There are no secrets.
 

Author: Nora Ephron

Author's Blog: Nora Ephron @ Huffington Post

Book Website: I Feel Bad About My Neck

- Contains a E-Card of Excerpts from Her Essays. 

Price: Php 839.00

   Release: Available Now!*

According to my mom, she recommended to her friends and is currently sold out. You can order it in advance so it reaches the Philippines by Mother's Day. 

Breathing Life Into The Dead

     During high school, I had to learn Latin and translate the orations of Cicero,one of the greatest Roman Lawyers from the year B.C. I admit that every class was pure "blah" because I was into the usual juvenile things like loud music and videogames. My teachers tried to convince me that this dead guy was cool and it just went over my head. In fact, me and my classmates were even assigned to make a play about his life. Yet, I still wasn't able to appreciate Cicero because I was too focused on passing Latin and going back to finding the hidden sword in Final Fantasy. 

   Years later, Cicero's ghost seemed to haunt me once again when National Bookstore sent me Imperium by Richard Harris, a piece of historical fiction on this great orator's life. I hesitated for a moment in picking up the book because of the memories from the oh-so boring Latin class conjured up in my mind. However, I decided to read it anyway because Cicero was just like an old high school classmate you haven't seen in a long time. You weren't really close to that classmate but you have this funny urge to catch up just for the sake of it.

  So, how is my friend Cicero now? Surprisingly, he is now much cooler than I remembered him to be. This is due to the mood that Robert Harris brings to the book through the narrator Tiro who is Cicero's assistant and admirer. Through the eyes of Tiro, we get a glazed picture of his master as a great mind whose defects are not hideous but are rather charming. As a result, we are also awed by this man named after chickpeas (Cicer in Latin).

  Aside from Tiro's admiration for Cicero, Robert Harris's style seamlessly works well for a gritty law drama like Imperium. As you read the dialogue of Cicero, his speeches in court and the rest of the novel, you find yourself thinking of David E. Kelly shows such as the Practice and Boston Legal. Harris' words seem to make you feel that there is a lot of back story in each scene that evoke a sense that no one can be trusted in Rome. For example, Cicero's teacher Molon teaches him "Content does not concern me. Remember Demosthenes: ' Only three things Count in oratory. Delivery, Delivery, and again: Delivery.' "

  These words really strike a cord for me because it shows how superficial Rome is, which is not so far to the world today. The only difference is that these guys were much more "free" down there under their togas. Hmmm.. I wonder if that is why I find Cicero much cooler now…. I guess I will just have to read on to find out….

Author: Robert Harris

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Price: Php 499.00 for Trade Paperback

National Bookstore Release: Available Now!

Lazy to Read?

  If you are either:

a) looking for your lost childhood

or 

b) one of those who kids who played PS2 or Gameboy all days and missed out on learning the classics like Moby Dick.

   Disney decided to create a series of 10 podcasts for you called Last Minute Book Reports. The series features 1 to almost 2 minute synopsis of  our beloved classics like Don Quixote as told by a slurpee addicted 15 year old. It is really hilarious and inane. It rocks so much that you forget that you are actually learning something from the podcast. It is a what I call a perfect state of edutainment. However, if you are an adult, I warn you that this is a guilty pleasure. You must only play this alone or with someone as immature.

Below are some samples for you to get my drift. 

Don Quixote

Julius Caesar

  If you want more, just open your I-Tunes and look for Disney Podcasts or go to this site.

I-Lazy: Dirt Cheap Audiobooks in I-Tunes

  Who doesn't love Macintosh? Without them, we wouldn't be placing the letter "I" as a prefix to any word in order for it to be much cooler. I bet that I would get a lot more web hits if I called my blog "I-Read Now" (hmm… it does sound better). Anyhoo, I am not cool so it is best to not try.

  Recently, Apple did something wonderful for book lovers by releasing 25 audio under 5 dollars or 240 pesos. This is amazing because I never bought audiobooks before since they were too expensive. In addition, I found listening to books to be too hedonistic for my taste. However, upon seeing the shiny button above, I am starting to waiver under the excuse that I am too busy to read books. It might be a lame excuse for my laziness but I guess it might satisfy my conscience.

  The greater pull of this sale is that some of the titles are even bestsellers and not the usual crap you find when big companies pull these kind of marketing stunts. Check some of the titles below:

-  A book on the philosophy of  Bullshit

Download Itunes:

Youngblood 3

    I am a confessed comic geek and am a sucker for miniseries that retell the early days of our favorite caped heroes such as superman and batman. I reread these stories again and again because there is something romantic and magical about this period. The same can be said in the stories of the young contained in Youngblood 3, a compilation of Inquirer editorial essays from teens and young professionals printed during 1999 to 2004.

  Before blogs and friendster, Inquirer newspaper was a pioneer in dishing out real teen/yuppie drama by giving kids a space in the editorial page called Youngblood. These  tales  range from  the ridiculous such as pointing out failed moments of trying to learn how to bike to poignant ones about dating a married man.  The essays really got me hooked beyond the topics themselves because the the real catch is the writing. Each mini-memoir is honest and written with genuine care. This is because for the young authors, no matter how absurd or lowbrow the topic, it is serious since they are experiencing it. Thus, the essays don't mince words and are captivatingly sincere. Moreover, I never get tired of reading these stories because they reveal the wonder of our humanity which is the ability of make choices and the endless roads that come about from it. No matter how small or inane, choices shape who we are and how we become uniquely set apart from others in this world. This is especially true in the time of youth when there are so many choices given and too many victories and mistakes to be made.

 Lastly, the stories are enchanting because they remind me and I guess the Youngblood authors who are not so young now what it is to be alive. I think what I am trying to say is best summed up by a freelance writer who writes "I don't want to miss out on living my life. That's what humans are for, right?"

Trivia:

- One of the teachers from my university wrote in Youngblood 3 and I didn't know until a friend of mine pointed it out. It was about his crazy courtship and how he followed his future wife to Germany.

- Youngblood is still ongoing and weaving its tales. It is found in the far left of A11 of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Editors: Jorge V. Aruta and Ruel S. De Vera

Publisher: Anvil Publishing

Website: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Price: Php 150.00

National Bookstore Release: Available Now!
 

Happy Easter! Reflection on The Resurrection by St. Josemaria Escriva

    Happy Easter! A fitting way to celebrate this joyous occasion is to reflect on the Resurrection. Below is an excerpt from St. Josemaria Escriva's book on The Holy Rosary which was first published in 1934. 

 When evening fell on the Sabbath, Mary Magdalen and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices that, going, they might anoint the dead body of Jesus. —Very early on the following day, when the sun has already risen, they come to the sepulchre (Mark 16:1-2). And upon entering they are dismayed, for they do not find the body of Our Lord. —A youth, clothed in white, says to them: Fear not. I know that you seek Jesus of Nazareth: non est hic, surrexit enim sicut dixit, —He is not here, for He has risen, as He said (Matt 28:5).

He has risen! —Jesus has risen. He is not in the sepulchre. —Life has overcome death.

He appeared to His most Holy Mother. —He appeared to Mary of Magdala, who is carried away with love. —And to Peter and the rest of the Apostles. —And to you and me, who are His disciples and more in love than Magdalen: the things we say to Him!

May we never die through sin; may our spiritual resurrection be eternal. —And before this decade is over, you have kissed the wounds on His feet…, and I, more daring —because I am more a child—, have placed my lips upon His open side.

The Holy Rosary

Author of Meditation Points: St. Josemaria Escriva

Publisher: Scepter, Sinagtala

Price: Php 150-250 (Varies from Publisher to Publisher)

National Bookstore Release: Available Online Now!

The Object of Envy: Michael Yamashita

  Reflecting on my sins during the Holy Week, I discovered that mine is Envy. My object of envy is Michael Yamashita, a photographer for National Geographic. My fixation with Yamashita began when he released a book and a National Geographic miniseries on his journey chronicling the route of Marco Polo from Italy to China. His experience is definitely ENVIABLE. I mean how do you get paid to travel around the freaking world!?!??! Who else can say they were at the forefront of experiencing the complexity and color of humanity but Michael Yamashita and his crew? I guess I am infuriated that he didn't invite me to his expedition even just to wipe the sweat from his brow. I would have probably been good at it.

Below are sample pictures from His Marco Polo Expedition.
 

 He even does it again with his new book that I found in National Bookstore Podium! He goes on a reverse journey from China to Europe that follows the trail of Ming Dynasty Explorer Zheng He. Once again, he doubly gets on my bad side by not inviting me. Below are sample pictures from his journey which are found in his new book and documentary on Zheng He.

Author: Michael Yamashita

Marco Polo: A Photographer's Journey

Publisher: White Star

Price: Around Php 1,500  

National Bookstore Release: Check the Customer Service Counter

Zheng He (Discovery)

 Publisher: White Star

Price: Around Php 1,700  

National Bookstore Release: Available Now, I found it in NBS Podium

Reading Material On A Good Friday: The Way of The Cross By St. Josemaria Escriva

    Today, I was caught up on what I would post today for Good Friday. I had several topics in mind and suddenly the voice of God gave me an answer. Actually, it was not the voice of God or even his whisper. It was the beep of gmail talk that led me to this post. My friend messaged me "you should be in church instead of sending emails (on a Good Friday)!!". With this technodivine inspiration, I decided to write on greatest story of mankind which is the Life of Jesus Christ, specifically his Passion and Death presented in the Way of the Cross. I call it great because it is radical love story of total selflessness. The idea of a God turning into man for his creatures and dying for them is something not found in any story before its time. I call it the greatest story because it is true. Following the thought of writer C.S Lewis, the beauty of reality is incomparable to something fictional. In short, it is beautiful because it is true. I say the Passion is true because the subject Jesus Christ is a historical figure and not someone conjured up by someone's imagination. This is evident by the fact that he was born and his life has been documented by the Apostles and other witnesses.

   Moving on to the faith of his divinity, which many might like to argue with, I believe that Christ's divinity is true because the story of his life is a completely original dissertation on Love. There is no point in Christ's life that contradicts his radical teachings of selflessness towards others. Moreover, this study of Love is so pure that it leads others to love as seen by the lives of saints. Thus, my feeble mind can only assume that author cannot be human but divine. The author can only be Love itself because true love can only beget true love. 

    I hope my ramblings did not confuse you. To make up, the only way to be moved is read the work itself. Below is an excerpt of the Way of The Cross by St. Josemaria Escriva. I wish the thoughts below inspire you more than words above. (If you want to read the other stations of the cross for free, click this link.)

The Way of The Cross

Author of Meditation Points: St. Josemaria Escriva

Publisher: Scepter, Sinagtala

Price: Php 150-400 (Varies from Publisher to Publisher)

National Bookstore Release: Available Online Now!

A Perfect Way to Tire Out Your Kids On Easter Sunday

Don't you hate it when your kids turn from adorable to annoying? You will expect these gremlins to be like that on Easter Sunday when they try to imitate the Easter Bunny. They will hop, hop, and hop around you until you take them out somewhere. National Bookstore suggests an alternative to tranqualizers. Read below:

Easter Wonderland!
April 8
Rockwell Tent

Tickets are available at the Customer Care Desk of the Power Plant Mall at
P350 for one (1) child and one (1) parent and P50.00 for extra ticket
applicable only for adults . There are limited number of tickets so
register on or before April 7!

   If that doesn't work, just leave them there. Joke!
 

Witness to Hope: Pope John Paul II, A Tribute Post on His 2nd Death Anniversary

   The last weeks were a bit busy so I will catch on this site's posts with this post on a book I really need to catch up on.  Before I started this gig, I moved away from fiction and was into reading biographies. I was munching on an 800 plus page biography entitled Witness To Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II by George Wiegel.  Yes, the book is as heavy as the life of Pope John Paul. I even joked that I was happy that he didn't live any longer (May Thunder Strike Me Now) because it would add more pages to this book. Seriously, I picked up the book because my fascination with this Pope started ironically when he passed away two years go on this day. The round the clock programs in CNN got me hooked and  I started searching for his works which range from his theological thought, life,  poetry and even his theatrical plays. I was able to read his autobiographies which are Gift and Mystery and Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way  which are now dirt cheap in National Bookstore at around 150 to 200 pesos in the sale area. His personal autobiographies shed light  on his thought and the way he operates which are starkly different from Pope Benedict XVI. You get a real sense of spirit and how wishes things to be done in the Vatican. George Wiegel's book on the other hand builds on his ideas and actions and fleshes out their origins. We get a clearer picture of how a simple Karol Józef Wojtyła turned out to be a Pope Pop Star with a sturdy theological backbone. 

   Based on Wiegel's intensive study, it seems Wojtyła election as Pope was something he was destined to be. This is because of  Karol's character and the events of his time. His youthful and free spirit was something that would not have him elected as Pope if he lived in the pre-Vatican II days. However, he was fortunate to be in an era where his two predecessors paved the way for ecunemism and lay mentality which seemed to fit perfectly into his future agendas such as World Youth Day, UNIV, and his annual trips around the world.  Another fact is that his upbringing under Nazi regime had a huge impact on his future efforts for peace and love. This is summed by the fact that there were several people who had a premonition that he would be ordained as Pope years before his election.

  Yet, paradoxically, it also seems that he molded himself to be Pope because his annual hiking trips with the youth, masses in the field, and his sweet kisses on new ground were just precursors to what would be his pontificate. The difference was just that his actions were magnified and operated on a grander scale. From this, we learn that being good also requires our correspondence too.

  Anyway, before this blog gets too preachy and any longer than the life of JP II, the book is worth picking up because of its rich detail into the life of one of the greatest people in the 20th century. You don't have to be a Catholic to enjoy it. Like all great people, Pope John Paul II simply inspires.

 Trivia:

- Today, Pope John Paul II's cause for beatification in Rome will end and be studied by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints thanks to a miracle attributed to him by a French Nun who was cured of Parkinson's disease, which also was the same disease that rapidly deteriorated his health.

- Before he became Pope, he visited the Philippines and was impressed by the piety of the Filipinos who he said was as pious as the Polish.

- George Wiegel has a new book on the current Pope Benedict XVI called God's Choice (Php 1,115.00 at National Bookstore). 

Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, 1920-2005

Author: George Weigel

Publisher: Harper Colllins

Price: Php 795.00

National Bookstore Release: Available Online Now!