Book Review: The Harbor by Carla Neggers

It took me two weeks to finish this book because I keep dodging it.

"The Harbor" is the kind of mystery book with the typical romance between a victim and a victim, which I am not a big fan of. Although I am not saying that I am totally against it, but I would actually recommend it to those who love to play Sherlock every once in a while because it already presents you with everything you need. You just have to look at the right places. Its like a mystery riddle, made into a broader story. :)

What I love about this (aside from Bruce) is Aunt Olivia. The mystery writer who died with the last words "I know who the killer is but I cannot remember the name". I can't really point to the "main why", but I think it is because of how the writer described the way Aunt Olivia lived. Her observations and patience that time sharpen and became one of her greatest tool in writing Jen Periwrinkle and the understanding she has for the people around her.

Anyway, these are some of my favorites quotes from the book:

"But that was the point. The point was that no more feeling sorry for herself, no more living in the past and the future." p.161

"But I want a life

"It was one of those rare moments in life of absolute clarity, when you just know what you are meant to do." p.264 (I felt that.)

She didn't know what that meant anymore. It was always something she'd put on hold for the future." p.234

So yeah, if you're interested in getting this book, do check out the "Bookshop" on the left side corner of this blog. And I hope new owner, we'll both be able to catch whatever lesson our author wants us to learn.

Time to find another "world". Till next time. Tata~

Book Review: Empire’s End by Jerry B. Jenkins

Noooooo!!! There is no way I already finished reading this book. It is worth every second of everyday. I WANT MORE. MOREEEEE!!! As I type the words down, the book still fresh in my heart, mind and imagination and those three screaming for ‘what’s next?’, I am lost for words. BITIN. :( 

I remember the time I bought this. It was behind massive hard-bound books, (where I rarely find good stuff btw), perfectly hidden from the sight of those who already have 4 books at hand. I remember asking myself “Do I really want this?” I’m glad I said ‘yes’, because this book brought me to places I have visited many times, but didn’t really appreciate their importance until Empire’s End came. Where have you been all my life?

Days ago, when I first opened it with only the intention of reading a few chapters, I found myself devouring hundred pages. If you have read the Bible, which is the most amazing book ever made, or listened to the preachers of the Gospel, you probably already heard of Paul. Paul is one of the most respected and most admired human being in the Bible and in the world of Christianity. Not because he is perfect, but because he hated Jesus so much that He Who is Heaven has to intervene, meet and changed him so he could be who God wants him to be. At first I thought that the book will only retell Paul’s life which is already written in the Bible and is currently in my “Bible-reading area” (I believe I am in the book of Romans at the time), so I am not really excited to read it. But to my surprise, the Paul I so admire and revere—a giant in my heart and mind (even when in fact he is really a small man) and whose faith, story and works is so unbelievable, it is almost as if he is a myth, was made human in this book. All this time we are looking at him as someone so impossible, but then the Mr. author came along and placed the magnifying glass in Paul’s other part—his humanity. It made me laugh, cry, pray, realize a lot of things, love my Daddy in Heaven more and almost reach out to an invisible Peter to pat him in the back for being so cool and hug Barnabas for being so sweet.

I dare not say another word about the content aside from, NOTE: Although Paul and almost every character in this book are real, the plot of the story isn’t. Yes, it is almost near from the “Real story” but it is, as they labelled it, a FICTION. I guess I should add a warning. WARNING: I recommend that you don’t read this book unless you have already read the Book of Acts to Philemon, which are found in the Bible, New Testament, so you will not be “Dan brown”-ed. (Do you get it?)

If I could paste here the whole book, I would but oh well:

“I had been born for this, schooled and trained for this, uniquely equipped for the task.” (p.13)

“But suddenly by His silence, I felt a deep rebuke.” (p.36)

“But don’t you think the God who got you here from Damascus in one day’s time can get you where He wants you tomorrow?” (p.54)

“I reminded myself that if there was a lesson here for me, I would learn it, whatever was required.” (p.61)

I hope to Hope itself that even in my baby-way-of-writing, I will be able to persuade my fellow brothers and sisters to read this book, because I will be the proudest. So new owner, whoever you are, rest assured this book is going to your hand with prayer and a lot of hugs. (Check out the “Bookshop”)

By the way,

Can I give you a hug, Mr. Jerry Jenkins?

Announcement

Hello Co-reader!

So last few days, I have launched this book blog for the sake of our clients, future friends and you (Hi buddy!) 

This is because we realized that in order for our patrons to understand the value of the book we are selling at the Marketplace, we need to give the “why” it’s worth reading and “why” it’s worth every penny of your and their pocket. Besides, a book blog to a reader is just page one of a reading material. (Well technically, it’s the back of a book. Anyone can devour it easily)

 But of course, even in the world of words and imagination, there is a challenge. We are not talking about being a Picasso or being Sherlock or Romeo and Juliet BUT the challenge of TIME. Thus, we came to the conclusion to make a, drum roll, YOUTUBE ACCOUNT. YAY!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUZ_NI55-tI&t=1s

I, hi! Irish here, talked about RLNB’s purpose for making a vlog in the video so I don’t suppose I’ll need to elaborate further in here our why for doing it? Although I’d like to apologize for not being your “everyday vlogger”, the quality of the camera, lighting and editing. But I have faith we’ll get there, soon. J

 If you have any suggestions how to make the blog or the vlog better, do comment it down below or click the “Ask anything button” (found on the left side of this blog, under the social media links) and click the “Anonymous” box if you like to stay a mystery.

 Thank you! <3

Book Review: The Black Book by Ian Rankin

I have seen a lot of books, even read and researched some of them. So, rummaging in the deepest part of the “mass paperback” pile at the bookstore and seeing a blue and white book cover with a title “The Black Book” automatically ate me. What is with this book? How ironic. Blue and white cover, then, “Black book”? Hmm… And yet, here it is sitting beside me as I type the words down. Finished from chapter 1 to the last brim.

Reading “The Black Book”, to be honest, is not an easy job for me because it’s different. There are a lot of twists and turns, circling the life of our protagonist, Inspector Rebus and the other characters. Yes, you understood it right. Our author didn’t just focused on the case itself but also on the “events” and the “past” of our main and supporting characters. Now, though it is a mystery-action-thriller-book, which means there are a lot of spice needed, I don’t think the “drama” of life needs to have a spotlight. I mean, what usually happens is they delved in a case, learn the inside and outside of it, understand the psychology, listen to the crime scene and evidence then catch the culprit. Right? Case closed.

But you know what’s funny? This book actually portrayed, or so I guess, the real life of a police officer. That it is not like what the films, CSI, Sherlock, or Hercule Poirot taught us. But there are other factors that affect the “intellectual being”. “Working for justice” is a calling, yes. However, it doesn’t stop the being from being a human. A human has a lot of things to carry, and work or sense of purpose is just one of the balls that we need to juggle to survive the show. Inspector Rebus is “real” because he symbolizes, or so I guess, the truth. Being in the police force doesn’t always mean action. Sometimes, you have to learn to wait for days just to pin a suspect. And being an Inspector doesn’t make you perfect. Sometimes, you can be famous not just because of the result of your work or your position, but also because of your failed relationships.

I know this will sound redundant but, I think the author intended this work of his to make people understand that it is not really just about the case but also the life of the people working behind the case. I hope you understood that too. Because I also only understood it while I was typing all this down.

Anyway, these are my favourite quotations from the book:

‘I’m saying I think we should drop it, sir, with all respect.”

‘With all respect’, Brian? That’s what people say when they mean “you f******* idiot”. (p. 23)

“The traffic was its usual self, with agonisingly, slow pockets at the major junctions. Rebus blamed the traffic lights. Why couldn’t they just do away with them and let the pedestrians take their chances?” (p. 171) it reminded me of my countrymen. Lol

“Rebus liked the man. He saw them all the time, people who could have made so much of their lives, yet hadn’t. He knew he belonged with them. The losers.” (p.266)

“Staying in business, Cafferty had found, was all about remaining flexible. If the wind changed, you didn’t try to steer in the opposite direction.” (p.323)

 If you notice, I didn’t gave you any hints about the case and why it’s called “Black Book”. I don’t want to spoil you, but if you are interested to get this book, do check this out:

Philipines: https://shopee.ph/The-Black-Book-by-Ian-Rankin-i.138654143.2122389880

Outside of the Philippines: https://amzn.to/2GLjMw1

And now, time to find another book to read. Christmas Promise or Empire’s End? Hmm…

Thank you!

A Life of a Bookworm

(Credits to: http://rebloggy.com/post/hat-winter-drawing-illustration-art-girl-cute-cold-sweater-painting-book-blue-wa/101822667972)

When you ask me what kind of adventure I have had in my life, I'll answer

"I've become a detective countless times. A criminal some days. Friends with people from the past and met human beings from another life. I've had a lot of pets, lived in different kinds of houses. Talked to the least to the greatest people. Became a leader and a follower. Faced death again and again, was called a hero in some of the papers. Touched heaven and earth, got broken hearted by many. Lived to be an old person in my teen years."

And you'll asked, "Wow, you lived your life but when, where and how did this happen?"

And I'll answer, "I found a book, I opened it and I read it. And yes, I have lived my life."

- Irish Losito

Book Review: Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter and Me by Lorilee Craker

I am so excited to write this review that I took my laptop out of its bag and started typing even before I finish reading. It is THAT AMAZING.

When I saw this book sitting atop a lot of books, I can’t resist the urge of buying it. At first, I do not know if it is because of the book’s cover seeing that it looks so aesthetic. I worried I bought a wrong one. Well, my spark-tingly-feeling with books is not broken. It turns out I bought a glorious one.

(Just look at this picture taken by http://www.asplendidmessylife.com)

(talk about aesthetic. Forgive me, I didn’t produce my own picture. My camera is shying away.)

I read the book for a good whole week, stopping every now and then to replenish the words that just passed by my reading eyes, my inner voice louder than the noise of the world. I’ve had so much fun reading the lives of 3 people (Yes, a memoir of three people or four?) that every page turn meant new “happenings” and yet it breaks my heart to know that it also meant I get nearer to the end. Okay, that is how I felt reading this book. Let’s proceed to what I think of this book.

Now, I’ll be honest with you, this is the first time I’ll review a book and I didn’t research on the “how-to’s” and the “what-to’s” to serve it to you the most professional way possible but I’ll do my best. First, the writer, Lorilee Cracker, painted the book in a way as if you two are seating in a coffee shop, conversing about life experiences. Don’t get me wrong, I am not orphaned and yet, we are all humans. Orphan, adopted or not, we experience the same things only it is serve in our plates in different forms. The book has so much personality, and I applaud the author for this, that even though you’re reading a memoir of not just the author’s, but the author’s favourite character, its writer and Phoebe’s, which is not an easy job, it correlates and is organize so much that it doesn’t feel like you’re reading at all. It was written in a very conversing way, that I felt as if Lorilee is my long-time friend. It didn’t felt like a week, it felt like a hundred years. As if, all along, Lorilee, Maud, and Anne are a witness to my transition from childhood to adulthood.  I am not a fan of Anne of Green Gables and yet, this book made me one. I don’t usually fall for “prince charming” and yet I prayed to God that I’ll find my Gilbert Blythe (Btw, he’s like the Jacob of the Bible to Rachel.) and a second father like Matthew Cuthbert.

I am sad to let this book go and yet I feel proud, knowing that my letting go will bring the new owner an experience and learnings of a lifetime. Hello new owner, if you are interested, check this link:

If from the Philippines: https://shopee.ph/shop/138654143/ 

If outside of the Philippines: https://amzn.to/2XJbMBa

Go check it out. You will not be disappointed. (

I’m glad I didn’t write it in a way that I summarized the book’s content. Heaven forbid, I do that. No fun. But I’ll drop you some of my favourite quotations from the book. My favourite, by the way, is Chapter 16.

“She understood my feelings but pointed out that Maud’s lost was not unredeemed. “Had she grown up differently, would she be the person who wrote Anne of Green Gables?” (page. 214)

“He hadn’t gone a million miles outside his comfort zone only to present a drab dress to Anne.” (page. 200)

If I can only put the whole chapter about Gilbert, I would but I’ll just summarize it with this quote.

“After a five-year standoff, the good enemies had become good friends, and maybe even more, because after all the yearning, Gilbert Blythe was not letting go.” (page. 63)

 My heart just went to pieces.

Ayan. Finally I’m finished. I don’t want to bore you with too much words and I am so eager to know what will happen next so I’ll get back to my reading. Tata~

 - Irish Losito