Reading is something I might take for granted but will never truly abandon. My mind will crave for a good story and my soul will want to get lost in another character, place and time. Only bookworms understand this feeling, I reckon. If you happen to love books too, here's a big high five to you!
In 2015, surprise, surprise, I got pregnant! The reason I'm stating this fact is because had I not spent so much time digging into 2 immensely thick pregnancy books given my boss, I would have read more! Also, the internet has a plethora of information---from blogs to articles to pregnancy videos, and so on---which ate up my reading time. Well that's just my excuse.
If you're friends with me on Instagram, you know I use the hashtag #laisreadinglist for this hobby of mine and it has become sort of a digital library. You can check out a brief review in that link or see below for a slightly longer one.
Books I Read in 2015
In summary, I've read 11 paperbacks and 3 e-books, or a total of 14 books in 2015 (excluding pregnancy-related books).
And here's what I think about them:
Book 1 - The Wizard of Oz by L.Frank Baum
This 115-year old classic is an easy read and worth your while. I read this when I was in college and I remember enjoying every adventure of Dorothy, her dog Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion. I luckily found this book in a charity shop last year and re-read it simply for pleasure. Who doesn't want a good old classic? It is a children's book but there are many lines from the book which speak to adult more than anyone else. Fave line from this book:
Book 2 - Make it Happen by Lara Casey"There's no place like home." ~ Dorothy
If you know about a book which stirs change, fires up a dream, or just tugs at the corner of the heart to be more intentional about living a life for God, tell me about it and I'll order it in Amazon or in the local Christian store here in Dublin. In this book's case though, no one needed to tell me about it. I've been a follower of Lara Casey's blog and it's in there that I found the heart of a woman who makes it happen for the right reasons. If there's any precious gem I have taken away from this book is that I need Jesus in my life, not anything nor anyone else. I may have big dreams and I may push myself to the limits to achieve those dreams, but in the end, it'll all be pointless and in vain if you don't have the One who truly matters.
Book 3 - Me Before You by Jojo Meyes
The story of Lou and Will, what can I say? I found this novel funny, beautiful, poignant and heartbreaking; definitely one of my faves from last year's reading list. How ironic it is when one who wanted to die so badly also wanted so desperately for someone to live. The emotions were raw and honest and the struggle was real. I was even trying to put myself in Will's shoes and if not for the faith I have now, I would have done the same. The last few chapters just did me especially when Lou was in Paris and trying to live just as Will wanted her to. This love story truly marked a dent in my heart which I'll remember for quiet some time.
An illustrative book on being an artist, it did deliver what it intended to, a funny and fresh ways of motivating the artist in us. Whereas, artistry is not something I want to make a living from, at least not yet in this season of my life, I recognise the grain of truths presented in this illustrative book.
Book 5 - Stupid is Forever by Miriam Defensor Santiago (photo taken online)
Back when there was so much hype going on about the release of this book from a well known politician in the Philippines, I requested it from my family in the Philippines and they sent one to Ireland. Only I took back the book back to Ph last year and finished reading it there. I wanted to read it to enjoy a dose of Miriam's humour more than anything else. And of course I did get the dosage and the amusement I sought for! I did laugh out loud at some of the pickup lines. It's like your typical Filipino comedy paperbacks which you get from National Bookstore, only it is more intellectual in content and style. What can you expect from the genius Miriam, right?
Book 6 - The Diary of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (photo taken online)
I had been curious about this book for quite a while because every time I went to Easons, Dublin's most popular bookstore, I always saw this in the bestsellers section. One of my nieces has apparently inherited my love for books so we bought this book and read it together during our holiday in the Philippines. Well the truth was, she couldn't wait for our reading sessions, she went ahead and finished reading the book ahead of me! Now I understand why this book is so popular especially among the elementary students. I think, this book was written especially for them. The "cheese touch" got me laughing out loud.
A book about a bookstore? Of course, I would be so totally curious to the point that I'd buy the book to find out why. I did find out why. As I read along, I learned it was more than just a bookstore; it's got to be more than that for it to be interesting anyway. I read this during the most nauseous days of my pregnancy and in retrospect, I have mixed feelings now about the book! I loved how it revolved in typography, code-cracking techniques, secret associations, nerds and so on, but I think I just couldn't appreciate the whole point at the end. It's just me though. :)
Beautiful Ruins helped me get through the most nauseous days and nights of my pregnant life. It brought me to the beautiful coast of Cinque Terre in Italy. Even though the islet Porto Vergogna is a fictional site, I still couldn't help but dream setting my wandering feet there. The book has unforgettable characters whose lives intertwined and intersected in the most unusual ways. I've always wanted to visit the coastal sides of Italy; reading this book is the closest I've got. For now.
Wonder is such a wonderful read not just for children but more so for adults. It's an uplifting story that will tug at the corners of your heart and will make you want to enter the story and hug the characters especially August. If you're running low on love and compassion for others, dive into this book and you'll end up being more intentional in loving and practising kindness to others.
Love Does took me to a beautiful journey where I laughed, got inspired and most of all, learned that love doesn't just wish or keep planning for it. Moreover, I got to know God's heart more in each and every chapter of this book. Thank you Bob Goff for writing this beautiful book. I hope I can meet you someday and catch your contagious desire to love in the most whimsical ways.
Partly set in the United Kingdom and partly in Ireland, this book is a great holiday read as it celebrates Christmas and family reunion, albeit not in the most traditional fashion. One life's lesson that I was reminded of having read this book is that forgiveness and acceptance do set you free, don't withhold them for long.
Book 12 - The Girl on Train by Paula Hawkins (Kindle Edition)
Loved the twists and turns of the story and the strangeness of the characters who make up a thriller fiction. I enjoyed the mystery alright. However, the last 20% of the book was predictable for me. Still it's a good mystery, thriller story that is deserving of all the hype.
I've always tried to read something relevant to the Christmas season. I downloaded this book from Kindle thinking it was the same as the movie with the same title. I was wrong. Haha! It was a good short story and truly rekindling what Christmas is all about---love for each other just as Jesus loved us.
I have this book which is in the Philippines and I read it while in college. I was bursting into tears after tears while reading it and even after so I though of re-reading it again and purchased it in Kindle. It's a beautiful story about family, love and loss. The story is a novelisation of Newsong's Christmas Shoes. If you haven't listened to it yet, check this out. Even the song is already tear jerking. This book is the most perfect gift anyone can give on Christmas.
Till the 2016 book list. Happy reading! :)
Till the 2016 book list. Happy reading! :)
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