Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
You’re Beautiful But You Can Be Stunning Inside and Out by Malu Tiongson-Ortiz is the last book I read two months ago. I tried finishing other books, but I haven't even a single one from five of the books I started reading.
As the title of the book says, it is about beauty and not just the physical beauty it has accounts of the holistic approach when it comes to beauty, inside and out.
Some say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But what exactly does it mean? Some say it means that beauty depends on the eyes of the person who sees it. Does it really?
Oxford Languages, an online dictionary, defines the famous proverb "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" as beauty that cannot be judged objectively, for what one person finds beautiful or admirable may not appeal to another.
Shamcey Supsup-Lee said beauty is not definite, we define it. She has a point, and what can we expect from a beauty queen like her. Ms. Supsup-Lee previously competed in Miss Universe 2011, finishing third runner-up. Sure, she knows. Yes, she knows.
But the question is, does beauty equate to self-worth? Yes. No. And sometimes I don't even know. We are influenced by many factors and ideals in life that may affect how we view beauty and self-worth, and sometimes it can be a difficult task to even identify and express their true meaning.
Malu Tiongson-Ortiz mentioned in her book that self-worth is not based on looks which always becomes the basis of beauty, accomplishments, or possessions. Instead, self-worth is based on God’s love for us, according to God’s design and original plan for us.
Having a relationship with God directs us to the right track and sight of how we view beauty and self-worth. And as we grow more in Christ, our identity progressively leans and depends on what He did for us on the cross. He has paid the highest price, and that alone is the proof that we are worth more than any gold, wealth, or riches in this world. We live in a passing world where everything is fleeting and temporary. Our looks, accomplishments, and possessions are anything but passing. We are bound to lose all of the materials we thought of high importance in this lifetime.
Another question is, have you ever asked yourselves what makes us ugly or beautiful? The book You’re Beautiful But You Can Be Stunning Inside and Out gives us lists of what makes us ugly or beautiful, and you might wonder which list is longer.
What makes us ugly?
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.
Romans 1:29-31
The list is a bit long, so we have to be aware of them. We don't want a rotten core filled with wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity.
1. Envy, Jealousy
2. Self-centeredness
3. Malice
4. Gossip
5. Slander
6. Pride and Arrogance
7. Vanity
8. Materialism
9. Sharp Speech
10. Nagging
11. Judging
12. Bitterness, Unforgiveness
13. Quick to Anger
14. Neediness
15. Stinginess
16. Domineering, Control, Manipulation
17. Disrespect Towards One’s Husband
18. Bossiness
19. Egotism
20. Hypocrisy
2. Self-centeredness
3. Malice
4. Gossip
5. Slander
6. Pride and Arrogance
7. Vanity
8. Materialism
9. Sharp Speech
10. Nagging
11. Judging
12. Bitterness, Unforgiveness
13. Quick to Anger
14. Neediness
15. Stinginess
16. Domineering, Control, Manipulation
17. Disrespect Towards One’s Husband
18. Bossiness
19. Egotism
20. Hypocrisy
What makes us beautiful?
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
We only need the fruit of the Spirit to make us beautiful and stunning inside and out.
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness
6. Faithfulness
7. Sel-control
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
You are beautiful, girl, but you can be stunning inside and out!
I once read in a literary piece, which I can't even remember the title or story, that money is the root of all evil and I used to agree and support this notion, that it was a fact. People fight because of money. A person gets killed because of money. There is hunger and poverty because of money. Etc. etc. etc. All these bad and sad things happen because of this thing or tool called MONEY.
But now there is a shift in how I perceive money. Money is good. But it is love for money that tends to invite the evil and filth of the world into our lives.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
I read this little book written by Ed Lapiz entitled Keep Making Money. It gives Biblical advice and tips in the aspect of finance. It greatly affirms the goodness of money if earn and spend righteously as prescribed by the Scriptures, specifically from the book of Proverbs, chapter 31.
The book contains two parts: The Profile of a Good Money Maker and The Lifestyle of a Good Money Maker. The author, Ed Lapiz, listed down the qualities of a good money maker in the book.
Lapiz gives us 12 qualities that should be apparent and included in the Profile of a Good Money Maker, and they are enumerated as follow:
- A good money maker works with her own hands.
- A good money maker produces what she needs.
- A good money maker produces surplus goods to sell.
- A good money maker knows what and when to buy.
- A good money maker trades.
- A good money maker works hard.
- A good money maker is positive.
- A good money maker speaks sensibly.
- A good money maker gives to people.
- A good money maker gives to and pays the deserving.
- A good money maker lets her workers rest.
- A good money maker gives to God.
These qualities struck me the most from this book. They are both practical and definitely spiritual. There is such thing as God's economy and it works very differently in the world's economy we are involuntarily or voluntarily has been living and immersing with since immemorial time. Never have I thought that earning and spending or giving and receiving money can be a spiritual endeavor of any human being, if not for God's provision of wisdom in my journey in this world.
We must have the right perspective about money. Sometimes money isn't just cash or coins we all have in our pockets or wallets, it could be our talents, skills, or services we can offer. As Lapiz mentioned in the book "money" can be anything or currency you could give to people in exchange for what they give you or what they do for you.
Lapiz also commented on the lifestyle of a good money maker. It is a lifestyle having a house that will contain great treasure, may it be literally or figuratively, and a comfortable, secure and cheerful life. Indeed, making money has never been this good and spiritually satisfying.
Furthermore, this book leads me to these questions:
- Am I a good money maker?
- Is it evident in my lifestyle?
- Do I possess the qualities in the profile of a good money maker?
Sometimes, if not always, we have to examine ourselves if we already succumb to our sinful love affair with money. We have to keep in heart, soul, and mind that love for money will keep us away from Him, and that is something we never ever want to happen.
I believe in God, that truth that He sent Jesus His only son to save us from death and eternal damnation. But that knowledge alone didn't help me fully understand the gravity of this massive demonstration of love (John 3:16). I couldn't fully appreciate the role of Jesus in this war against the evil forces in the spiritual realm. This might sound superficial and crazy but this battle could not be any more real than it is. I was at bay and didn't want to be considered by others as a fanatic and too proud to approach a God I never got to know up close and personal. I was doing fine and sourcing my strength and power to continue living from the negative emotions and feelings I harbored as I grew up.
I thought the path I headed was "okay" since everyone seemed to be going in that direction. They just go with the flow of the rotten system. It doesn't matter if something is wrong, it doesn't matter if they talk about people behind their back, it doesn't matter if they say hurtful and insulting words as long they have the fun and pleasure of it, it doesn't matter if they step on others just to enhance their own image and a lot more things that I thought and was foolishly convinced that doesn't really matter.
My resistance didn't take long and eventually went with the flow. I thought it would be easier if I do what others do, but it only gave me a hard time. I kept on rejecting the system no matter how much I tried to embrace it. I had a hard time and was left conflicted, lost to who I am and how should I really deal with the world.
Lost, I was in need of direction, like a compass that would tell me where to go or what to do. All my plans for my career, dreams, family, my life as a whole were for naught. Everything was in vain as I recognized the dirt inside me that almost ate me up alive, swallow me whole and spit me in the deepest and darkest pit of hell. I was drowning. I was alive but barely breathing. I was in dire need of salvation from my sin and worst from myself. I was like a ticking bomb ready and wanting to explode in a split second. Self-destruction was just around the corner. Everything didn't make sense. I wanted to see the end of my worthless, shameful, and sinful life.
So here comes the question: why Jesus? Does he have anything to do with my life or with your life? Just who really is He? What's the big deal about Him? Maybe, these are just some of the questions you have in mind. Or if you already received the answers, praise God if that is the case. But if you are still searching and seeking the answers to these questions, then these are just some answers you might need right now. The book Why Jesus? tells us the need to have Jesus in our lives. The author Nicky Gumbel enumerates three reasons why Him, why Jesus:
- He satisfies our hunger for meaning and purpose in life
- He satisfies our hunger for life beyond death
- He satisfies our hunger for forgiveness
So again why Jesus for me, and for you too...
BECAUSE He gave me an opportunity to make a restart (2 Corinthians 5:17). He died on the cross and took all the guilt and shame (Romans 5:8). He defeated death so we can have eternity with and through Him (2 Timothy 1:10). And more wisdom and encounter to bless you and me as we journey and develop that personal and intimate relationship with Him... <3
And why not really? What better reasons do you have for you not to put your faith in Him? Nada.
What if myths were real? A small-town gamer girl discovers friendly mythological creatures among humans and embarks on a quest to save the world.
Here's another new book about myths by a Filipino author we can all look forward to. It is published under Penguin Random House and here's a little teaser for you all before its official release.
Of Myths And Men
By: Catherine Dellosa
Genre: YA fantasy
Tropes/Keywords: Vampires, Mythological Creatures, Gamer Geek, Save The World
Blurb:
Eighteen-year-old Ava has saved the world 152 times—ever since she got her hands on her first console. It's all fun and games, but after a mysterious encounter with not-a-vampire Brad, she discovers that the mythological creatures she’s only ever seen in video games are actually totally real. Brad reveals they’re alien refugees living among humans—bonus points because Ava finds the guy really, really cute.
As she's suddenly thrust into a quest with a surfer wendigo, a friendly manananggal, a telepathic nine-tailed fox, a Sudoku-loving centaur, and a huggable Bigfoot, Ava embarks on an actual mission to fend off an alien invasion—and she soon realizes that this time, she just might need to save the world for real.
Where's a save point when you need one?
Release dates:
SINGAPORE - FEBRUARY 8, 2022
- Penguin Random House SEA - https://penguin.sg/book/of-myths-and-men/
- Kinokuniya Singapore - https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789814954297
MALAYSIA - FEBRUARY 20, 2022
PHILIPPINES - MARCH 15, 2022
AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15, 2022
- Penguin Random House Australia - https://www.penguin.com.au/books/of-myths-and-men-9789814954297
- Amazon Australia - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/9814954292?_encoding=UTF8&tag=prhau08-22
- Booktopia - https://www.booktopia.com.au/of-myths-and-men-catherine-dellosa/book/9789814954297.html
- Kinokuniya Australia - https://australia.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789814954297
- Abbey's - https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/of-myths-and-men-9789814954297.do
- Angus & Robertson - https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/books/of-myths-and-men-catherine-dellosa/p/9789814954297
- Fishpond Australia - https://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Of-Myths-And-men-Catherine-Dellosa/9789814954297
NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 15, 2022
- Penguin Random House New Zealand - https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/of-myths-and-men-9789814954297
- Mighty Ape - https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/of-myths-and-men/35601770
- Fishpond New Zealand - https://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Of-Myths-And-men-Catherine-Dellosa/9789814954297
US, UK, CANADA - PRE-ORDER LINKS COMING SOON
Author bio:
Catherine Dellosa Lo plays video games for a living, reads comics for inspiration, and writes fiction because she’s in love with words. She lives in Manila, Philippines with her husband, whose ideas fuel the fire in her writing. She has penned The Bookshop Back Home and Raya and Grayson’s Guide to Saving the World as part of #romanceclass, a community of Filipino authors who’re equally in love with words too.
While she’s never had to befriend Bigfoot in real life, she swears that Jimmy is based on an actual person. She one day hopes to soar the skies as a superhero, but for now, she strongly believes in saving lives through her works in fiction. Check out her books at bit.ly/catherinedellosabooks, or follow her on FB/IG/Twitter at @thenoobwife.
Contact info (available for interviews, video chats, readings, features, what-have-yous):
Name: Catherine Dellosa
Email: catherinedellosabooks@gmail.com
Website: bit.ly/catherinedellosabooks
Amazon: amazon.com/author/thenoobwife.catherinedellosa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thenoobwife
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thenoobwife
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNoobWife/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/TheNoobWife
#ofmythsandmen #teambrad #teamconnor
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Everything happens for a reason. There's no doubt there is, always. No single event in this universe exists wholly for itself, everything is related and interconnected. You and I, she and he, they and them, we all are, just like Daniel Bae and Natasha Kingsley. It may sound superficial, but it is the truth. You know it is, and you don't have to deny it.
My first book in 2022, tanan, The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon, is a young adult book for a not-so-young adult like me. haha
Yoon's book is dreamy, yet ironically realistic. The drama and comedy of life are vivid in this short-lived love story between Daniel and Natasha. Fate brought them together and soon enough they got separated in a one-day time. A fast-paced love rendezvous from morning 'til nighttime of two youngsters who have opposing beliefs about love.
The alternate point of view of the male and female leads in the book brings equilibrium to the whole concept of the story. It balances the opposing ideas incorporated in the story. Life is a comedy and a tragedy. Love is superficial and scientific. Human existence can be good and bad. But it is the whole experience of living the life where we can get the most of it. That despite the pain, there can still be joy.
We only have a dainty span here on earth and the best we can do is to live it with a purpose. Have you found your purpose in this confusing world? I pray that you already did, if not yet, let's continue to pray about it. Let's go!
The pacing is divine. The timing is perfect. The book is superb. A good book to start the year right!
Mahal Mo Siya. Mahal Ka Ba? 'Di Bale Na Because His Love Endureth Forever
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Mahal ka ba?
I don't even understand the question. Please translate it. haha
Kidding aside, this is my second book from the king of hugot, Marcelo Santos III, and my last read this year 2021.
The content of the book felt irrelevant to me as I read it. I wonder why I felt detached from the ideas written on some of the pages. I thought I might be bitter and not so in love like the ones who could definitely relate to the content of the book. That must be one of the many reasons I can't relate at the moment.
Manhid na ba ako? I asked myself, maybe that's another reason I couldn't empathize or even sympathize with the author's point of view. I am afraid my heart is becoming calloused when it comes to romantic love which I haven't formally and officially experienced. Kay God na lang ako kinikilig, I thought sometimes.
I don't want to demean the purpose of this book, some readers can and will definitely feel the message of this book just how it is supposed to be. It's just that right now I can't feel anything from it as if there's no spark or connection between me and the book.
Nevertheless, I certainly learned a thing or two. One thing that struck me the most is that God must and should be the center of a relationship and I must add that it should be applied to any kind of relationship, be it romantically or whatnot. He should be! And that's irrevocable!
I would also like to mention that the layout and the quality of the physical book are superb. Glossy paper all throughout with some colorful pages of calligraphy! It is aesthetically pleasing.
Another thing is I love the part where the author asked his friends and acquaintances about the meaning of forever. One of them is KZ Tandingan, a singer here in the Philippines, who answered "His love endures forever". Her answer reminded me of the extent of forever, which is not and never based on human standards. Eternity is God's, His mercy and love endure forever.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.His love endures forever.2 Give thanks to the God of gods.His love endures forever.3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:His love endures forever.4 to him who alone does great wonders,His love endures forever.5 who by his understanding made the heavens,His love endures forever.6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,His love endures forever.7 who made the great lights—His love endures forever.8 the sun to govern the day,His love endures forever.9 the moon and stars to govern the night;His love endures forever.10 to him who struck down the firstborn of EgyptHis love endures forever.11 and brought Israel out from among themHis love endures forever.12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;His love endures forever.13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunderHis love endures forever.14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,His love endures forever.15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;His love endures forever.16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;His love endures forever.17 to him who struck down great kings,His love endures forever.18 and killed mighty kings—His love endures forever.19 Sihon king of the AmoritesHis love endures forever.20 and Og king of Bashan—His love endures forever.21 and gave their land as an inheritance,His love endures forever.22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.His love endures forever.23 He remembered us in our low estateHis love endures forever.24 and freed us from our enemies.His love endures forever.25 He gives food to every creature.His love endures forever.26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.His love endures forever.
The Iwas Sawi Project is a collaboration of Marcelo Santos III and Rhadson Mendoza. It is my first book from Santos and probably the second book from Mendoza. Written in Taglish, the book caters to the interest of young people, adolescents, or teenagers, and maybe also to everyone who loved and was loved.
It contains tips and account of their personal experiences about heartbreaks, specifically in the area of romantic relationship. Some of the contents reminded me of the encounter I had with a guy online. It was an unpleasant experience in general. I thought it was all bliss but I was heading in the wrong direction. I was led and willingly complied with whatever happened in the conversation between us. I even wrote poems about him. I am regretting it a little as days pass by after that encounter. I thought I would definitely have pleasant memories about him or the experience, but no, it wasn't.
I was blinded by my selfish desire and almost trudged on the path of no return. Almost. Just almost. I was happy, but whenever I look back on the memories all I can sense is a dark cloud that covered me from the light. Like I got almost separated from the light of the lamp which serves as the navigator of my life. I almost got lost again.
But I will always be grateful for the light, to the only true light.
The lies and deception of a person even in a virtual setup do not minimize the gravity of its negative impact on the person being lied to or even to the liar himself. It will have its consequences one way or another. It will come after you and no one can stop it. Forgiveness is the only way to move forward while trusting the process.
I learn to forgive myself and others from the One who forgave and redeemed me from everything that dragged me down.
And now, I am still single at the age of 31 and I am loving it. I am more joyful about the fact that I am single and that can never be rooted alone in my own effort, rather there is great satisfaction coming from the One who can only fill the void inside me. I never thought I could ever be this joyful in this season of my life even if everything isn't perfect or the way I wanted it before because in the first place nothing is ever perfect in this world we live in.
Despite the imperfection, I am blessed.
Singleness or being single is not a curse, it is never a curse. It is a blessing we all experienced in a season of our lives and for some in the entirety of their lives. A blessing!
So if you are the type who is not in a relationship right now, has never been in a relationship, or just do not have the intention to be in a relationship romantically, it is totally fine. No judgment! Do your thing, whatever is within your control.
I remember Paul's story and his take on singleness, which I just read a few days ago in the book of 1 Corinthians 7:25-40. I believe it was a reminder from God that singleness is also a blessing because He knows exactly what I was going through the past months and it felt reassuring like there is peace in my heart and mind.
There is a purpose in our singleness and that alone can bring trust and faith from the One who made us wonderfully. The frustration is fading away and I am enjoying the process more so I am trusting the process because I know that there is someone greater than me who is in control of everything. Forever grateful to Him!
I hope and pray that you get to see your purpose in times of uncertainty because there is also someone who is always certain and will never ever change. He loves and did everything to take you back to Him, and be assured that He still working on you just like what He is doing on me. Focus on Him, you'll never be lost. You will always be found, always.
Sword of Destiny is the only book I finished for November and this is just my second blog post for this month. Things happened and I lost the momentum and now I am trying to get back on track before the year ends. It is only one month to go until the year 2022. Time flies fast, so, so fast.
Well, I bought this book from the NBS 99 Sale just this year. The book cover got me, the lady with the sword impressed upon me that there was a high possibility to encounter a strong female character in the book and I was never wrong. I did meet not just one, but a few of them matter-of-factly, and I am satisfied.
The story revolves around the hidden Green Destiny Sword of China. This magnificent sword possesses power and strength that would be unbearable to handle even by the strongest warrior ever since the death of its original keeper. It is untamed and has been passed down from generation to generation of warriors. It could be a gift or a curse to anyone who desires to take a hold of it.
Becoming a warrior entails honor, power, and strength. Through the life of the Iron Way, one can begin the journey of becoming a warrior. It is a difficult path to take, but few prefer to trudge on that road. Men are the ones to walk on this path of becoming a warrior and it is seldom that women choose the Iron Way but even if they do, they are forbidden or judged by their loved ones, the people around them, or just by the mere bystanders, which is something that we can expect by the setting of the story.
It felt like I was watching a martial arts movie as I read the book. Regret is nowhere to be found after enjoying this book that I picked randomly because of a book sale. Again, satisfied!
You can definitely breathe into the world of ancient China where warriors exist for honor and justice alone. Sword of Destiny is a book for all the martial arts fanatics out there. It is a vivid telling of an adventure only for the brave ones. Meet the warriors that will blow your mind and touch your heart with their gentle strength and prowess.
The book is written by Justin Hill which he based on the writings of Wang Dulu. You can check out the film adaptation on Netflix, I tried to watch it but I stop when I realized that there was a huge difference at the beginning of the movie and the book. I'm a bit disappointed with the film. Maybe, I'll try to watch it again some other time, see if it isn't bad as I thought, and let the movie justify itself once more.
Are you still waiting for God's answer to your prayer? Are you getting impatient that until now He hasn't answered your prayers for years and years? My recent read might give you some heads up why up until now you feel or think that God hasn't answered your prayer.
The Power of Positive Prayer by John Bisagno is an old Christian book I finished reading two weeks ago. I hope it is not too late to make a review about it because I feel so "lutang" the past two weeks, probably because another school year just began and I am a little busy, overwhelmed, and making adjustments in the first two weeks. My mind felt so disorganized and bombarded by different thoughts and information that came from internal and external sources. It was really a struggle, in the beginning, I even had headaches and there were nights I couldn't even sleep soundly. One thing that helped me get through it every time is my quiet and praying time with the Lord, and also meditating on His words.
This pocketbook is also a companion during those restless days and nights. Bisagno wrote this book intended for a short read to serve its purpose for those who seek answers for their long-pending prayers to God. He encourages people, especially Christians, to spend more time praying rather than reading his authored book.
Prayer is a great equalizer to all God's children. All of us can have direct communication with the Lord through prayer. But there are times, and when I say "times" I mean lots of them, when we feel like God doesn't answer our prayers. Even though we pray so hard for it and ask for it, God seems silent. He doesn't give us answer about the thing or person that we want and desire the most. And if we are not careful and mindful of the leading of the Holy Spirit, we might succumb to frustration and impatience in times of His silence and lead us to take the matter into our own hands.
In my Christian walk, I came to understand how God answers our prayers. It can be through reading the Bible, by the people around us, or through circumstances or situations in our lives. There are certain conditions to be met for you to get a big Heavenly Yes, and it is clearly stated in John 15:7: If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
God answers us with a YES, if we are ready, a NO, if it isn't the best for us, or WAIT if we aren't yet ready. And waiting season can be frustrating sometimes, but I am telling you, I'm telling us, it's all worth it. Trust the process and continue to press on. He is in control and He wants the best for us.
Hey! It's Not About Us is a new book I want to share with all of you. I have posted a blog entry about it already and you can know more about it here.
I just finished formatting the book the other week. I don't know if you're aware, but I also write stories, poetry, and prose aside from writing reviews and other entries here on my blog, and I self-published them, my own written books. hehe. For now, this kind of setup is economical for me and my craft, but of course, I also dream of hiring or having professionals to touch my books but now is not yet the time.
I would like to share the process before I release a book. I only came up with three simple and basic steps.
How to Self-Publish Your Book
1. Write your piece
Either you like to write fiction or non-fiction is up to you. You can't publish a book without written works. As for me, writing is an outlet for my emotions and thoughts. It helps me process my feelings most of the time and I also want to write stories that inspire other people. Right now, I haven't written any story like a novel and I have 3 pending series that I must and want to continue, but I haven't, I can't, or maybe I just don't have the right inspiration for those pending works. I've been meaning to finish them, but... just but... I just can't, for now.
And for my draft, I usually put them on my phone and laptop for offline and on Wattpad for online. The pieces included in this book were written from the year 2020 to 2021.
2. Create Book Covers and Illustrations
I use the Canva app and website for book covers and illustrations. Most of the book covers of my books are from Canva, thank you so much Canva! So for my latest book, I got these illustrations and photos from Canva and put a little personal touch, as in super little. haha. On the copyright page of the book is where I put the credits for Canva. Big thanks Canva! Love, love, love!
3. Layout and format your book
Using Microsoft Word, I format my book with the size 5 by 8, use a font style and size that are pleasing to the eye and also readable. I convert the final document to pdf as an e-book format of the book.
And now finally, It's Not About Us is out, today, September 14, and free for all of you to download, just click here and get 3 other books for free. Get them all for free on this special day!
Special shout out Pinunong Pablo! Happy Birthday!
You and the whole SB19 and your story inspire me to pursue my dream. Thank God, for your lives!
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
When Dimple Met Rishi is my second book from Sandhya Menon, another young adult book with diverse characters and backgrounds. Dimple and Rishi are two young adults meant to be together, at least that's how the author planned them to be. To be together forever. Kismet.
This is the longest book I read in a span of half a month. It has 56 chapters plus 1. I never thought I would have the patience and the courage to finish the book even as a reader. Maybe, one of the many reasons I finished this book is that it is engaging in a way that the author made sure that there wasn't any dull moment in any part of it. Though there are some parts that I am quite concerned about, like how straightforward the female lead is when it comes to pre-marital sex. I felt that the author is very intentional in that part since the whole revolting that Dimple is trying to point out exudes feminism. I won't discuss that topic any further than that. If you are comfortable and have the tolerance and understanding to deal with that kind of topic then there's no reason for you not to read this book. This is just me expressing what I felt reading that part of the book.
And mainly, it is about chasing dreams and acting on them as if there is nothing and even no one that could ever stop the characters in the story from realizing those dreams. For sure, we all have dreams just like the characters I met in When Dimple Met Rishi, but somewhere down the road we stopped and decided to forget about them for some reasons only we knew. This book is a tap for you and me to be reminded of that dream of ours, whatever it was. That one dream we desperately wanted to be hidden and forgotten.
It is hard to give up on a dream we are so passionate about, especially if we treated it as if it is the air and the blood that gives us life and reason to exist. But if we have dreams that we happened to let go along the way, don't be in despair forever. It is just a season and it will surely pass too. Whenever I feel hopeless, I try to be reminded of and meditate on one of my favorites and also a famous verse in the Bible which is Jeremiah 29:11. I like to personalize it and I desire that it also gives you hope, a living hope that we all need in this dying world.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
We humans make plans, but the Lord has the final word. We may think we know what is right, but the Lord is the judge of our motives. Share your plans with the Lord, and you will succeed.
One of the many struggles of humans is to surrender to God. As if surrendering shows the weakness and flaws in us we always want to forget and hide in the darkest part of our closet. That giving up our rights and entitlement to God would cause such loss of every right of our own humanity. That accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior would take away our freedom and liberty to experience life to the fullest. And a lot more misconceptions about God. All these may appear to be true to us if we do not know the character of our heavenly Father, our One True God, if we don't have a personal intimate relationship, there is a danger of believing all these lies from the enemy.
But God is gracious and merciful. He let us know what we needed to know and never left the essential wisdom and knowledge unheard of from Him. He uses everything and anything to deliver His will right to our doorstep, yet sometimes we tend to be insensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and most of the time, we are impatient. Yes, we are impatient selfish human beings, and our human nature leads us to compromises, and the worst, causes us to sin. We may have past experiences that hold us back and the trauma is still there, but I assure you based on my encounter with Christ there is nothing more redeeming and liberating than accepting Jesus in our lives, He gives us peace, He is the peace we all need to reconcile us with Father God.
Our existence in this life and in this world is not only for us, not solely for our own selfish gain. There is a greater purpose for everything. It is never just about us. We are designed to cooperate and submit to God's law. We are His workmanship and He already prepared us for good works.
Let me share with you Bible verses from Philippians 3:13-14: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. These Scriptures always encourage me to continue and be intentional in my walk with Jesus. The Christian life is not easy, I can even imagine my sisters and brothers in Christ right now saying in unison that it is not just hard, it is impossible, and I couldn't agree with them more.
Now that all have been said and done, I would also like to share with you a story through the chapbook I mentioned from one of my vlogs. Yep, you read it right, I'm releasing a new book this year 2021. It's a poetry and prose collection or some might say it is a thought catalog, but I'd prefer to call it a journey of letting go and let God be God.
I present to you the book cover of It's Not About Us (But What If It's About Us).
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