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:
Rewind is a Filipino movie that I heard that was so last year during the Christmas season and I did not pay any attention, not a bit. I must admit I am not much of a fan of the mainstream Philippine movies right now. I would prefer the old movies and the ones that would be considered as classics.
At the beginning of summer vacation, I was kind of curious and had free time and a little desire to watch a movie. A Netflix app has been sitting on my tablet, so I decided to browse the huge selection of movies and series, and the Rewind movie got my attention. I remember the good reviews and raving reception of Filipinos here in Manor. It got me curious about the impression they had about the movie.
What's the movie about?
Netflix says, "After his wife passes away during a tumultuous period in their marriage, a man strikes a peculiar bargain that transports him to the past with the opportunity to mend their relationship, albeit at the cost of his own life."
Alright, so I was ready and prepared for whatever the movie would throw at me. If it was dramatic, I was ready not to cry because I was tired of crying last week. I needed to rest my eyes and tear glands, please.
But that did not happen. I was crying, practically bawling my eyes out. I was not prepared, was not born ready for this movie. Oh my. My eyes got swollen throughout the scenes in the movie.
What did I learn?
- Life is not about work or the job we have. We have to set our priorities right. Give time to what is more important and something that money cannot buy or material things cannot replace.
- Forgive. We should not stay angry for too long. Learn to forgive to free ourselves from all the hurt and pain.
- Say sorry if you must, if you have to. Be humble to accept that there are times that we can be wrong. Do not let our negative emotions ruin good relationships.
- Communicate our true feelings especially to the ones we love, to the ones most important to us.
- There is no such thing as rewind in real life. Make the most out of it. Be good, and give grace to others and to yourself. Show our love and care to the people most important to us through any form of love languages we know and can.
- Surrender to the One who is in control of everything, it is going to be hard, but we have to have faith and entrust all the things we cannot control. He knows what is best and good for us and the people we love.
Do I recommend this movie?
Definitely! It is the kind of movie worthy of your time. Watch it with your family, with your partner, or the ones you love. Plan a movie date with them, right now!
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!
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