Saturday, March 1, 2014

Mitch Albom Booksigning at Philippines

Best-selling author of Tuesdays with Morrie visited Philippines for his book signing tour last Feb. 22 and 23 at Glorietta Manila and Ayala Cebu and I was really happy to be able to attend that awesome event and have a chance to have my book signed by himself.

Photo from www.marcellapurnama.com
Mitch Albom wrote inspiring books namely Tuesdays with Morrie, For One More Day, The Five People you meet in Heaven, Have a Little Faith, The Time Keeper and the newest released "The First Phone Call From Heaven".

Friday, November 22, 2013

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Premiere Night

"So you would think that at this moment, I would be in utter despair. Here’s what’s strange. The main thing I feel is a sense of relief. That I can give up this game. That the question of whether I can succeed in this venture has been answered, even if that answer is a resounding no. That if desperate times call for desperate measures, then I am free to act as desperately as I wish." --Suzzanne Collins, Catching Fire—

I have to say now that I’m now a certified Collins Fan. I have watched and loved the first movie and now totally hooked with the trilogy after watching Catching Fire last night. The movie was action packed that I can already imagine how more amazing it is in the book. (BTW, haven’t read them all yet) Of course, just like the other book series turned movie (i.e. Harry Potter, LOTR, Twilight), the book of course contains everything the movies can’t show.



Tuesday, November 5, 2013

On Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl


This is another review on a YA reading challenge in Read Philippines.




"She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to a cork board like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew"

Synopsis: 
One Friday night, in answer to a hurried call from Kevin, Leo rushed to the football stadium where the school's football team was playing. The band was performing at half-time. Usually the band was not notable, but this night Stargirl was with them on the field. She was the center of everyone’s attention and remained so even after the band left the field. She stayed on the field as the players tried to resume the game. When a policeman came after her, she punted the ball and ran out of the stadium. Somehow, Stargirl’s actions and spirit ignited the fans’ spirit. 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

On Paulo Coelho's Manuscript Found in Accra





Thanks to a dear friend of mine that I was able to get hold and read this one-of-kind piece of Paulo Coelho. I have been curious about Paulo Coelho ever since a friend of mine from a youth community kept on talking about his best selling book "The Alchemist". 

SYNOPSIS:


The city of Accra awaits the invasion of the crusaders who have surrounded the gates. There, within the city walls, men and women of every age have gathered to hear the words of a mysterious man known only as the Copt. He has summoned the townspeople to address their fears with truth, hope and comfort. They begin with questions about defeat and struggle; they contemplate the virtues of loyalty and solitude; and they ultimately turn to questions of beauty, love, wisdom, and what the future holds. "What is success?" poses the Copt. "It is being able to go to bed each night with your soul at peace." * * * Now, centuries later, the manuscript containing the Copt's extraordinary insights on courage, solitude, loyalty and loss has been unearthed from a cave in Cairo. A Manuscript Found in Accra is a revelatory exploration of our most enduring and transcendental values, and a testimony to everyday wisdom.
-from Waterstone---