Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
The Great Divorce is one of the many books written by C. S. Lewis. I just have known recently that he is a Christian and some of his books deal with idea, philosophical, or spiritual views of Christianity. Growing up, I have known him for the movie series The Chronicles of Narnia which based of the book he wrote.
This is the first book I finished reading this year 2025, thanks to our reading date I finally made a little progress to my books to read backlogs.
C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce is a classic Christian allegorical tale about a bus ride from hell to heaven. An extraordinary meditation upon good and evil, grace and judgment, Lewis’s revolutionary idea in the The Great Divorce is that the gates of Hell are locked from the inside. Using his extraordinary descriptive powers, Lewis’ The Great Divorce will change the way we think about good and evil.
The book style of story telling got me confused at first. I did not know who's who. The point of view had me questioning what was happening in the story. In the quarter part of the book, I finally realized that it was being told in the first person point of view. There were ghost, bus ride, hell, heaven, life on earth, and after life on earth throughout the story.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
I stayed with the book despite of being confused and totally lost at the plot of the story, since it was giving me a sense of promise about the great divorce between heaven and hell which the book title strongly suggested.
The ongoing war between good and evil has been existing even before human race realized it is actually happening. The Great Divorce will give a refreshing view of good and evil. At one point while reading the book, I was reminded that what may be considered good on earth may not be good in heaven, and sometimes what humans may consider bad or evil on earth is what is right in heaven.
The bus ride with C.S. Lewis maybe one of the rides you may be needing right now. I enjoyed reading this book even though I had difficulty in the beginning of the story and was able to reach the end. Life is the same. No matter how hard life is we just have to keep moving towards the end of our story. The end that is orchestrated by the most powerful being. He is in our story, God is in this story. I just pray and hope we all make it according to His purpose.
Woe to those who call evil goodand good evil,who put darkness for lightand light for darkness,who put bitter for sweetand sweet for bitter.
Another book done, and it’s finally one of the books of Rupi Kaur. I have been intrigued by her books ever since she became popular with her first book Milk and Honey, I couldn’t afford to buy her books back in the Philippines, and probably here in the US I would still consider the book as a bit pricey. And that’s just for me, it is never a professional valuation I just set a specific range of budget for the books I buy.
the sun and her flowers by rupi kaur is the recent book I finished reading for my reading challenge this year. I must say it was a short read, and I like it. I have been taking more interest in poetry books ever since year 2024 began. One thing that got me into it is, yeah, you guessed it right maybe, it is a short read. Another thing is most of the poetry books released nowadays talks about human emotions with all the mental health issues we are dealing with right now make them more so relevant. Short read and relevant.
Also, honesty is something that I really appreciate in this book of Rupi Kaur. She made herself vulnerable while solidifying as strong identity of who she has become as a person and a woman. Her sincerest intention of making herself relevant in order to reach other people who might be going or have gone through touched the little girl, teenager, and the woman who is in a working progress in me.
The book has five (5) parts which all the delicate yet vigorous pieces of poems were chronologically arranged based on the life experience of the author, at least that’s how I see it as I read the poem and reached the final page.
Here’s the blurb of the book, check if you like and make you want to read the whole book.
this is the recipe of life
said my mother
as she held me in her arms as i wept
this of those of flowers you plant
In the garden each year
they will teach you
that people too
must wilt
fall
root
rise
in order to bloom
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?She is worth far more than rubies.11 Her husband has full confidence in herand lacks nothing of value.12 She brings him good, not harm,all the days of her life.13 She selects wool and flaxand works with eager hands.14 She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from afar.15 She gets up while it is still night;she provides food for her familyand portions for her female servants.16 She considers a field and buys it;out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.17 She sets about her work vigorously;her arms are strong for her tasks.18 She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night.19 In her hand she holds the distaffand grasps the spindle with her fingers.20 She opens her arms to the poorand extends her hands to the needy.21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;for all of them are clothed in scarlet.22 She makes coverings for her bed;she is clothed in fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.24 She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies the merchants with sashes.25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come.26 She speaks with wisdom,and faithful instruction is on her tongue.27 She watches over the affairs of her householdand does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
This is the Journey is the second book I read from Alison Malee. It is a collection of poems published by Andrews McMeel Publishing. If I may be honest it is my dream to be published by them too. I also have a collection of poems too and I hope they keep on piling up.
Just like the first book that I read from the Malee, the book cover also got me. Surprise, I love flowers. There is just something beautiful and iridescent about them and I cannot help but be attracted, allured, captivated, charmed, and be enchanted by these delightful creations. Some may say it is shallow, well if it is I do not care really (hehe, peace yow). The book cover is beautiful and it has caused me to get the book and read it. It was what made me interested in the book aside from it was being a poetry book and shorter to read.
This is the Journey by Alison Malee is a poetry collection about moving on, and some few reasons why we should keep on going forward until we finish the race, the journey. Life is not easy and there are extra baggage that we have to carry as we go along in life, and sometimes they get heavier and heavier, that is why forgiving yourself and giving grace to yourself are essential skills that we must cultivate throughout our lives. Life is already hard as it can be, so don't be harder on yourself. Be gracious and forgive.
Life is a journey, it doesn't end, it just only gets more exciting. Life is not just about us. It is more than us.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
This is the journey. Live it! Love it! May our lives be a living testimony of God's amazing grace.
Sayo is on Amazon now!
Oops! It's a prank.
Sad news!
But to be honest, yes, I did upload Sayo on Amazon. I tried. Sadly, my latest book was written in my native language, and the online bookstore didn't accept content published in Filipino.
To be fair, I was aware that my native language was not supported by Kindle. I just took a chance that maybe it would go live and it did, but only for 17 days.
Here're a brief book description:
Sayo by Arlene Manocot contains poems in Filipino language, all published on my Facebook page and personal account, and Wattpad last year 2023. Sayo is literally translated in English as 'for you', 'I'm yours', or 'I belong to you'. This poem collection might be for you.
Good news!
You can still download a free e-book copy, just click the link:
Other related post:
the day is ready for you is a collection of poems written by Alison Malee and published in 2018 by Andrews McMeel Publishing. The book is a short read you would not want to miss and the cover is aesthetically pleasing.
The book cover had me. I fell in love with the look of vintage flowers on the cover. So, yeah, I am weak with flowers. With a little idea of what the book could be about, I took the risk and pulled it out of the shelf and tried to buy it along with the other books for myself, but no, someone grabbed the rest of the books from me when we were at the cashier and made the payment for my books, yes, my books. That was a first.
I liked a few pieces from the collection and they appealed to me the most. The collection conveyed a message of getting back on one's feet, that was how I received the meaning of the book.
The book is meant to encourage women or people in general not to be discouraged if a day is a bad day or they feel like they are experiencing the worst day of their lives. There is always a new day and always ready for you and me to take on and live to the fullest. A bad day is not the end. There is always another day to face on and make the most out of it.
I had many bad days and they all passed. I mourn, lament, feel sad, process, accept, move on, learn, and try to do better from that bad day, and look forward to the good things my God will make out of it. I trust Him forever because my LORD God is my everlasting rock. The storm in life may shake us, but it will never defeat us once we are rooted on the everlasting rock.
I know that bad days are there to come, because that is what they do, they come and go, but the good news they never stay and my God always stays. He is there all the time, with you and me. He desires to be with us in good and bad times of our lives.
[4] Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
So, yeah, this day is ready for you. Live it! Make it worthwhile! Be rooted on the One, Jesus, who can put meaning in your life!
Tuesdays With Morrie is a book that I got to know through a friend. I saw one of his online posts, and didn’t waste my time having a second look. It was just one of the many passing updates on my news feed from my online friends which I rarely put too much attention to.
It started with curiosity and a book that was on sale at Goodwill. It was cheap and I could afford it hehe
The book left me with the impression that nothing is forever. Nothing lasts for eternity. Well, except for the One who is Eternity.
People come and go. They stay for a season and a reason. Some choose to stay, some choose to leave, and some just have no choice but to submit to the natural way of life, which one of them is death.
Humans die. Human death is a dead end, everyone must face it. To leave the physical world is something that no one could ever run away from.
But the memories we create with our loved ones, with the people who stay for a season and a reason worth all the struggle and pain we face in life. The experience of being alive and living and loving the moment is a gift from the One who lasts for eternity.
The present is a gift I am in the process of consistently trying to be grateful for. I can be an overthinker sometimes and that ruins the gift of the present. I am always praying to have a grateful heart, a heart that is overflowing with gratitude. In good times and bad times, I desire to be grateful to the LORD.
The attitude of gratitude is a good way of living a good life, of no regrets, of contentment, and of joy.
I hope and pray we also find peace as we journey to a life that is filled with gratitude to the One who stays and lasts forever.
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Birth Month is free book month! 🥳
Download an e-book copy of my latest book hehe
What is Sayo about?
Sayo by Arlene Manocot contains poems in Filipino language, all published on my Facebook page and personal account, and Wattpad last year 2023. Sayo is literally traslated in English as 'for you', 'I'm yours', or 'I belong to you'. This poem collection might be for you.
Cover reveal blog post: https://www.arlenemanocot.com/2024/04/cover-reveal-sayo-by-arlene-manocot.html?m=1
Kung ‘di man ikaw ang para sa kanya, sa’yo na lang ‘to. Charr, charmander, Pokémon! Gotta catch ‘em all! Charr again! 😅😂🤣
Free e-book copy download link is here:
Yay! 😉
April is my birth month and I just feel like sharing a part of me through the pieces that I have written. My works are not that impressive and I don't intend to impress anyone hehe I put out my works for everyone to see in hope that it could help one or two souls who may have the same struggles as me and to remind them that they're not alone, and that what they're going through is something that will pass too and can be overcome.
And tada! 🎉
Cover reveal day of a new poetry collection on birthday month!
Sayo by Arlene Manocot contains poems in Filipino language, all published on my Facebook page and personal account, and Wattpad last year 2023. Sayo is literally traslated in English as 'for you', 'I'm yours', or 'I belong to you'. This poem collection might be for you.
Another year older. Another year arte. Another year wiser? Hopefully, yes! TYL! 🌸🩷
I will post a link soon, so you can download a free digital copy! Yay!
God Will Make A Way is a book written by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. As far as I remember, this had been my current for almost two years. Yes, you read it right, I read this book for almost or more than two years. Hehe.
I so wanted to finish, but it didn't happen as soon as I wanted to. There just had been times that I could only read a page or five or pages. I never finished a chapter in one sitting.
But I found beauty in the long process of finishing this book. Most of the time some of the messages of the pages I read fit perfectly or somewhat relevant to the season I was going through or to the situation I was dealing with.
I am in awe and amazed by the coincidence. I'm trying not to over spiritualize my journey of reading this book. Maybe, it is not even a coincidence. It is a form of redirection. God knows what I am going through or the situation I am in. He knows exactly what I need at the right moment, at the right time.
It's a long journey reaching the last page of this book, but every turn of the page was worth it.
If you're lost or a little bit clueless of what to do, this book might be the book you need to read right now. This one might come in handy.
God will make a way better than our way.
Because He can.
Because He will.
Because He loves you.
Because He is God.
This book was my companion during my stay at an airport in FL. I stayed the night at the airport since my flight back to TX was scheduled the next day. I tried to sleep, so hard, but it wasn't even a sleep. Nap in between waking up was a better term for it.
I had a long chair all by myself so I could stretch out my legs and sleep in comfort even just a little, thank God, but the bright lights and the tall Christmas tree screamed at me as if telling me I should be wide and awake. I kept an eye on my things just in case, because no one else would.
The book, Dandelion by Gabbie Hanna, reminded me of the books I also wrote. Yes, you heard that right, I write books, I tried to write. God knows I tried.
Her writings brought me back to the times when I was so scared to tell the dark little secrets I kept in me out of shame, out of guilt. I bottled up all my feelings, the good and the bad, until I ended being depressed.
I needed a savior, a healer, someone who would accept me for who I was, someone who would lift me up from the dirty pit.
Someone. I needed someone.
But nobody came the way I expected it. I waited and waited. God knows I waited. I started to question Him. I thought He didn't listen. He ignored my prayers, my mourning, my lamentation.
I cried for help, for someone who could save me from all the misery, pain, and shame I willingly took under my care. I nourished them with all the negative and bitter thoughts I once had and gave birth to a perfectly healthy depression.
Then, someone returned to my life. I was lost but found. Again, always. He pulled me out of that dirty-muddy dark pit. He saved. Jesus saved me. The answer I didn't want to accept but what I badly needed. He is the answer to everything! Jesus is the answer to every problem!
You might also be a dandelion on a bumpy ride in your life right now, well I hope you also find Him, because He will definitely find you in a way you never imagine.
The book Dandelion by Gabbie Hanna was a good read. I bought this copy from Goodwill for a good price. It kept me company for two days. A short read I badly needed. Haha.
Work matters so are you. Life is work. The work itself is work. I am not just talking about the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. work time or whatever required duration of time your company or employer wants to see on the log. It is more than an employee-employer contract work kind of thing.
Work is a gift from God. It is a blessing. When I was a student, I used to look at work as a resource which is really the entirety of its value in the human economy. Once I have work I can buy, I can do what I want.
Then, I graduated from a state university with a degree, they say it is a ticket to a better job and good life. I got hired and the salary was getting us by. I was grateful I had that job but I kept on searching for a stable job where I could get a better paycheck.
Three years after graduating from college, I did get a stable job with a decent paycheck. I was happy for myself and my family. I dream of the best life for my parents and sister. I want the best for them, and for myself, life has to offer.
During my first few years in my stable job with a decent paycheck, the dream job started to be a burden. At some point, I felt ungrateful. The work became a cross I had to carry like it was some sort of punishment, and I did not like what I felt about my work. The joy of doing it got lost along the way. The passion and dreams I once had for my work were nowhere to be found during the first five years in my job.
The purpose of the job was a source of money so we could buy our basic needs. A resource to get us by in our everyday needs. I was able to get what I wanted, oh yes I did. After getting my wants, I was happy, but it was only temporary. It never lasted and my wants were never satisfied.
We were just surviving and we were barely living.
I wanted to find the joy and spark in my work. I did not want to go on doing what I did feeling it was a burden I completely wanted to put off my shoulder. I wanted to carry the burden with joy and hope that even though things got hard everything would be alright at the end of the day. I sought that joy and spark in my work.
There was something lacking in my work, that was why I was not satisfied or seeing the value of my work. Do you have any guesses as to where I found it?
I found it in God. Cliche as it sounds or superficial as it is, I cannot deny that reality in my life. He made my life brand new. He refreshes my soul as I get to know Him more and more. I have found not only the joy and spark but also the purpose of my life, and why I do what I do.
Ahead is not an easy road. Unpredictable things may happen along the way, and work might feel like a burden big time. I can only pray and hope for you and me that get to see the worth and value of our work through God's perspective. That our work is part of His good plan in our lives.
Work can get hard and annoying sometimes, and this book I just read entitled, Work Matters, serves as one of the many reminders, I get from God that I even brought it here in my new workplace. I would also like to remind you that more than work God cares for your first, your well-being. He wants to be purposeful, joyful, and hopeful with the work He assigns to us.
Our God-given work matters and so you are, first and foremost. Whenever you feel tired and drained from your job, come to Him and you will find rest.
January has ended yesterday and February has started today which signals the
beginning of love month on the face of the planet earth. How about in some
other part of universe? Do they also celebrate love month just like earthlings
do? I wonder. I really do.
I hope we are happy with the festivity as others celebrate it with their partner, husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend, while you and I bury ourselves in singleness. Or you better join an going book giveaway on my blog this love month which is one of the best things you can do in your singularity. I am
giving away copies of my book The Guy with a Tatt on His Leg. You may
join the contest by earning raffle entries on the installed Rafflecopter giveaway below. Join now to get a chance of winning free copies of my book and have a glimpse of Lius and Cristina's love story.
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I wrote the story last 2017 as part of an online writing class. Those were the days I
could write a short novel in just months. I kind of missed those days I overflowed
with ideas, feelings, and uncontrolablle emotions to the point that my only
outlet was writing them out. But on second thought, I love how I am right now
and what I have become, I am more grounded and at peace with who I am. I am
more loving and accepting towards myself, unlike before. I used to self-blame,
self-pity, self here and self there, all about myself, my pain, my sorrow. All
me. All by myself. I drowned with negative thoughts and the worst feeling of
not being enough, of being unworthy right to the core, while pretending that I got it all together.
I wanted to replace those negativity through pursuing romantic love with the opposite sex. I so wanted to fill in the void that nearly ate me up, that emptiness that slowly but surely almost brought me to the end of my journey. I wanted someone to complete me. I tried to find my worth from others. I was desparate, not far from being miserable.
Then, someone came.
Good news!
The nightmare stopped.
He completes me.
Through Him, I am worthy.
Because of Him, I am joyful in good and bad times.
By His grace, I am grounded and at peace with the process and the direction I am heading on.
I may be scarred, but now I am healed, freed from the strongholds and shackles of the past. Love scars, but love beyond any doubt heals. All glory to God who heals broken hearts.
Happy hearts' month!
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