The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

Poet: Christopher Marlowe
Year Published: 1599

______________________________

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love



Come live with me and be my love,


And we will all the pleasures prove

That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,

Woods, or steepy mountain yields.



And we will sit upon rocks,

Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,

By shallow rivers to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals.



And I will make thee beds of roses

And a thousand fragrant poises,

A cap of flowers, and a kirtle

Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;



A gown made of the finest wool

Which from our pretty lambs we pull;

Fair lined slippers for the cold,

With buckles of the purest gold;



A belt of straw and ivy buds,

With coral clasps and amber studs;

And if these pleasures may thee move,

Come live with me, and be my love.



The shepherds's swains shall dance and sing

For thy delight each May morning:

If these delights thy mind may move,

Then live with me and be my love.


___________________________________
 
This poem is among the most famous and controversial pieces during the Renaissance period. It manifests the pastoral style of writing, which is an early example of its kind during that era.  
 
Written by the English poet Christopher Marlowe, the poem was published six years after the poet's death. It tackles about a young shepherd who falls in love and courts his beloved.
 
In the first stanza, you can already see the lover's desire to be with his beloved. The first line is an invitation to the beloved to live with him and share his lifestyle.
 
The following stanzas further talks about the sweet promises of the shepherd just to make the beloved come with him. He promises to make her a gown, slippers and buckles out of materials from the field.
 
As you may have noticed, the poem is on the style of romanticism, and idealism. The persona promises to do everything for the beloved even to the point of exaggeration.

And Then There Were None

Type: Prose
Genre: Novel (Fiction, Mystery)
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 2001
Publisher: St. Martin's Press


________________________________


Summary


Ten individuals from different walks of life were summoned as guests to a private island in Devon. It was a vacation that each of them looked forward to. Until, they discovered that their millionaire host was nowhere to be found. Apart from that, each of the guests wicked past was revealed by a mysterious voice from a gramophone record. It was the signal of the game. Each of them were players chased to pay for the crimes they committed. Their hours are numbered and all of them are prey to the unknown killer. There are no clues as to who will be the next victim. What they only have is the childish nursery rhyme hung on every room that hints the manner of death of every victim.



_____________________________________


And Then There Were None is a charming mystery novel that leads the reader to the next page till he's left unaware that he's come to the end.


It is a mystery that will intrigue you till the last chapter which only proves that Agatha Christie is really the Queen of Crime.

There are only 10 characters in the story. Each of them is suspicious. Each could be a suspect. From the very start, you'll already start wondering, who is their host. Who is the killer whn everyone seems to be innocent yet suspicious.

You will start analyzing the whole situation and have suspects. But then when you reach the last chapters, you'll be lost for you will realize that you were wrong all along for suspecting a certain character. Worst, you don't have any idea again on who's the villain.

Well, just read the book now for yourself. I'm sure you'll never even put it down.


* * *

Memorable Lines from the Book



"Self-preservation's a man's first duty." - Philip Lombard

"In the midst of life we are in death." - Emily Brent

"Providence leaves the work of conviction and chastisement to us mortals - and the process is often fraught with difficulties. There are no short cuts." - William Henry Blore

"When a man's neck's in danger, he doesn't stop to think too much about sentiment." - William Henry Blore

"No good result can come from recrimination." - Justice Wargrave.

Booksale launches new website

Behold, one of our favorite Philippine bookstores finally has its own website!

Booksale is Philippine's biggest source of low-priced unused, as well as previously-owned books and bargain publications from the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia. It has been in the business for 3o years and currently has 91 stores nationwide.

Well, the site is just new so there's nothing much on it yet. As of now, the interesting things in the website are the schedules of 'sales', list of branches and the things they offer

Hopefully, we'll get more from Booksale as they continue to improve on their site. But for now, just stay tuned and wait for further updates.

Booksale site: http://www.booksale.com.ph

A Nadie

Composer: Liliana Felipe
Source: "The Law of Love" by Laura Esquivel
Year Published: 1995

___________________________

A Nadie


What kind of thing is love, it seems so much
like pain,
It never touched me, never touched you,
Never knew how to, or wished to, or tried to.
That's why you aren't with me...


Because we never even met
And in all the time we lost
Each one of us lived his part
But each one always apart.
Because you can't extinguish
What has never been ignited,
Because you can't restore to health
Something that never has languished.
Because you'd never understand
My weariness, my manias,
Because to you it'd be just the same
If I fell into the abyss.
This love you've scorned so long
Because you never even looked for me
Where I wouldn't have been anyway,
Nor would you have loved me.


That's why you aren't with me.
That's why I'm not with you.


___________________________


Taken from Laura Esquivel's "Law of Love", this is actually a song rendered by Liliana Felipe. It shows the sadness and pain of unrequited love.


In the first stanza, the persona compares love to pain. The persona here understands that love is very much like pain. Something that he/she haven't grasped for he/she know nothing about it yet because the beloved doesn't see her/him and is not with him/her.


The second stanza makes us understand the real situation of the persona. The persona here loves someone whom he/she hasn't even met. It's loving from a distance. Like loving a celebrity - you know the person but that person doesn't even know that you exist. Thus, the persona can't even say that he/she is in pain for he/she was not even rejected by the beloved. And, how can he/she be rejected if there's not even anything going on between them.

Because you can't extinguished

What has never been ignited,

Because you can't restore to health

Something that never has languished.

At the end, the persona doesn't even say that he/she is hoping for the beloved to love him/her back. And yet somehow there's like a hint that if only the things on the second stanza would happen then perhaps they would have been together.

Amelia falls in love

Type: Prose
Genre: Fiction
Author: Laura James
Year Published: 2005
Publisher: Ryland Peters and Small

________________________________

Summary

This book is a story about a lady named Amelia who grew up in an island. She was a well-pampered child. She and her parents lead a happy and contented life in their place. Until one day, a circumstance came which forced her to embark on a journey. She started to live in the city and experience little adventures like falling in love and having a broken heart.



______________________________________

The book is a perfect companion while sipping a cup of latte in your favorite coffee shop. It has a very short story filled with brilliant ideas, wonderful illustrations, fabulous recipes and helpful tips. You can say that it's like a magazine in a hardcover. Yes, it's hard bound too!


The first time I laid eyes on the book, I thought it was a children's book misplaced in the wrong shelf. But as I scanned the pages, I was totally awed and decided to buy it. It's so attractive that you won't be able to resist it.


About the story, it is very to understand and is also perfect for teenagers. Although I must say that the beginning part was really deceiving and would make you think its just another fairytale.


Well, if you want to give your girl friends a gift, this one is a good choice. :)

12 Steps to Quitting AJ

Type: Prose
Genre: Novel (chic literature)
Author: Faye Ilogon
Year Published: 2009
Publisher: Summit Books
___________________________


Summary

Grace and AJ have been friends since their childhood days. They have fallen in love and has an on and off relationship. One day, something important happened to Grace that might change the course of her relationship with AJ. She started to evaluate things and even composed a list of steps to quitting the guy.



______________________________


12 Steps to Quitting AJ tells us a story of a couple who always break-up and get back together again. You'll notice that in the novel, Grace, the protagonist, is just like any other girl, fickle-minded, hopeless romantic and quite childish. She wants her man to be expressive in every creative way. And, she also wants to be the one to handle the reins. But of course, that isn't always possible.

The plot of the novel might confuse you for it is full of flashbacks narrating the love story of Grace and AJ. But, it is one interesting novel because you'll learn a lot of things not only about humans but also on animals. This is so because AJ is a veterinarian.

Another thing you'll love in the book is that it has a magazine-feel. It is full of guides that at one point, you might even find yourself wondering, "Is this really a novel or a magazine article?" But at the end, you'll still enjoy the story saying it's a nice read and that you learned from it.


* * *

Memorable Lines from the Book


"Men are like dogs. They like to chase catty sexy things. " - Grace


"Never make a man do anything he isn't ready for. He will give you hell for it and make up all sorts of excuses to get back at you. " - Grace's mom


"A man who has little or no self-esteem is just as bad as man with too much of it." - Elise

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Type: Prose
Genre: Novel (Young Adult Fiction)
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Year Published: 2010
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

____________________________

Summary

This story is about the young vampire we encountered in the book "Eclipse". Her name is Bree Tanner, one of the newborn vampires. She was created not knowing the many interesting and important facts about her kind. Until one day, she learned that her creator is using her and the other newborns as an army against another vampire coven, the Cullens. Too late to escape, she finds herself trapped in the war between the Cullens and her creator. She decided to surrender and is given another chance to live. Unfortunately, this chance to live is only good for a short time because she would still be facing death. Not in the hands of the supposed-to-be-enemies but of the Volturi.


_____________________________

This book is actually a companion novella to the third book in the Twilight series, Eclipse. What is interesting here is that we are taken to the other side of the story. The side of the vampires.


In the Twilight series, what we only read are things from Bella's point of view especially the first three books. Thus, we are not aware on how the vampires really live, how they feel about their situation and what is it like being a vampire. Well, those questions were answered by Bree.


This young vampire, Bree, somehow gives us a glimpse of what Bella Swan would be like in the fourth book, Breaking Dawn. Yet, unlike Bella, her story ends in a tragedy. Her love that hasn't even started has already came to an end. Which leads us to question the author. What really happened to Diego? Why did he just disappear in the scene? Does he really have feelings for Bree?


Actually, there are a lot more questions in the book that were left hanging in the air. If it's intentional, that we do not know. Still, it would be better if they would be answered if not in the same book, maybe in another one.


Short as it was, at least we were able to hear a vampire's point of view this time. How I just wish that next time, it will be Edward Cullen telling the story. I think Stephenie has a book for that. Midnight Sun, right? Well, hope she'll finish and publish it soon.

Table for Two

Type: Prose

Genre: Novel (chic literature)

Author: Marla Miniano

Year Published: 2010

Publisher: Summit Books

___________________________

Summary

The novel revolves around a small coffee shop that served as a quiet witness to the love stories of its customers. There's this long-time couple about to break-up after college graduation. A young teacher who decided to accept a dare from her brother to quit dating. A wedding photographer trying to stop the marriage of his bestfriend. A guy who never got over a girl. And a girl sitting alone reading romance novels thinking when will her loneliness come to an end.

It is amusing how the lives of these characters are connected and how their joys and heart aches lead them to the coffee shop.

_________________________

The book is divided into five parts narrating every story of the usual customers of the coffee shop. No, it's not a collection of short stories because as you move from one chapter to the other, you'll come across the previous main characters of previous chapters and realize what has happened to their story.

What is lovable with this book is that you'll find that you could relate to the characters. That these stories are somehow true and real for some people. That at one point of your life, you've heard their dialogues or maybe even said some of their lines.

The plot is not the traditional, rather, it was written in a way that will make you wonder and say "Hey! So that's just their story? What happened after?" Then you'll catch yourself hooked and flipping the next pages. You'll never know that you have reached the end. But when you did, you'll be grateful that you've found this good read.

* * *

Memorable Lines from the book

"Girls don't like shy guys; they think they do, but they always end up with the ones who speak up and assert themselves and win people over with the grandest of gestures." - Mandy (in "Fresh")

"Anger, more than any emotion makes you lose control." - Mandy (in "Fresh")

"Guys are so easy to drive out of your life, especially when their interest in you has mostly been sustained by your blind, naive, hopelessly hopeful interest in them." - Jill (in "Timeout")

"Goodbye is a strange concept - if the person being left behind resents it and refuses to accept it, is it still goodbye, or simply a departure? " - Lucas (in "This Closure")

Trees

Poet: Joyce Kilmer
Source: "Trees and Other Poems"
Year Published: 1914

_________________________


Trees


I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.


A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;


A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;


A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;


Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.


Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.


_____________________________


This poem is the very famous piece created by Joyce Kilmer. In fact, there were even some commercials and posters using the verses from this poem to tell us how beautiful and important a tree is.


In the first stanza, the poet states that it is quite impossible to see a poem whose beauty is comparable to a tree. And from there, he started to enumerate the lovely qualities of the tree in the following verses.


You will then notice that a tree here is not just an ordinary thing. With the dominant use of the figure of speech, persoification, the tree has somewhat transformed into an animated object. A creature full of life. An example from which personification added color to this poem are the following lines:

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

Of course, a tree cannot move. But with the writer's imagination and through personification, we can now have an image of a leafy tree raising its stems as if it is really praying.

At the end of the poem, the writer then tells us that the existence of a lovely masterpiece such as the tree is something that only God can create. And even if poets and fools can write beautiful verses, no one can still be at par with God who created all things.

My Dad

Type: Prose

Genre: Short Story (children's book)

Author: Anthony Browne

Published: 2001

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

__________________________________

Summary

This book is about a young boy who tells us about the great things that his Dad could do. Usually in a brown plaid bathrobe and blue-striped pajamas, this Dad can do just about anything. He is not afraid of the bad wolf, he could swim like a fish, eat like a horse, wrestle with giants, and even walk on a tightrope. For the young boy, his dad is just about the coolest thing ever.

__________________________________

My Dad is a heart-warming and funny book that pays tribute to all fathers out there It shows that every father in the world is always the "Best Dad" in his children's eyes. And whatever big achievement a father achieves, raising his child to be a good person is still the biggest achievement he'll ever have.

This book is a perfect gift for a birthday or even on Father's Day. Though your father is already too old for this kind of read, it will still be a sweet gesture for him to receive a copy of this. The book would able to express to him your appreciation and gratitude for all the love and sacrifices that he has given you especially if you are too shy to say it to him. (Tip: Place a bookmark or post-it at the last page of the book with your note for Dad in it. Surely, he'll be touched.)

Men

Poet: Maya Angelou

Source: "The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou"

Year Published: 1994

____________________________

Men

When I was young, I used to

Watch behind the curtains

As men walked up and down the street. Wino men, old men.

Young men sharp as mustard.See them.

Men are always

Going somewhere.

They knew I was there. Fifteen

Years old and starving for them.

Under my window, they would pause,

Their shoulders high like the

Breasts of a young girl,

Jacket tails slapping over

Those behinds,

Men.

One day they hold you in the

Palms of their hands, gentle, as if you

Were the last raw egg in the world. Then

They tighten up. Just a little. The

First squeeze is nice. A quick hug.

Soft into your defenselessness. A little

More. The hurt begins. Wrench out a

Smile that slides around the fear. When the

Air disappears,

Your mind pops, exploding fiercely, briefly,

Like the head of a kitchen match. Shattered.

It is your juice

That runs down their legs. Staining their shoes.

When the earth rights itself again,

And taste tries to return to the tongue,

Your body has slammed shut. Forever.

No keys exist.

Then the window draws full upon

Your mind. There, just beyond

The sway of curtains, men walk.

Knowing something.

Going someplace.

But this time, I will simply

Stand and watch.

Maybe.

____________________________

This poem titled "Men" is somehow a glimpse of what has happened to the poet in the past. As we all know, every poem depicts a moment from its writer's past. This is the same for this poem because if you would notice, its verses reflects the deep emotions that Maya had experienced when she was raped way back when she was a child.

But, apart from the poet's background, Men also tells us how a young girl's view about the opposite sex has changed. If you'll carefully read the first stanza, it shows the innocence of a girl -curious about men and what love is all about. The age when there was very little knowledge about the pains that men and relationship could bring.

Moving on to the second stanza, it is when the persona (the girl) started to discover more about the nature of man. She has welcomed a man in her life, perhaps she fell in love with him and enjoyed the feeling of having someone caring for you. This is very much evident with the lines:

"They tighten up. Just a little. The
First squeeze is nice. A quick hug."

Yet, as we move on to the poem, you'll notice that the persona has also come into a realization that the man has started going beyond and takeing advantage of her being defenseless. It is then when she learned (in the hard way) that a man could not only give sweetness but also pain. In her case, the pain she experienced was really bad: "Your body has slammed shut. Forever. No keys exist." This reminds us of how Maya has reacted to the abuse she had experienced during her childhood. It was very traumatic for her. We recall that she became mute for years.

In the third stanza, the persona seems to go back from where it all started - watching men as they passed by. However, this time there's a difference because now she had experienced how cruel men could be.

The last stanza shows the persona's reluctance whether she'll just let the world go on with what they are doing and watch the men passing by or let go of what had happened and try to fall in love again. With the word "Maybe", it is clear that despite everything she had experienced, she has decided to move on and welcome new possibilities in her life -like falling in love again.

In the end, we have come to know that this poem isn't really about its title "Men". In fact, it is never the subject of the poem. The real focus of the poem is the woman. How she first wondered about her opposite sex, discovered new emotions such as love and passion, got hurt and importantly, moved on. Her struggles and triumph over them were perfectly presented in the verses of this inspiring poem. Truly, Maya Angelou knows how to empower women through her craft.

The EX Commandments and Other Post Break-Up Stories

Type: Prose
Genre: Short Story
Author: Carmelle Hyacinth Penetrante
Year Published: 2006
Publisher: PSICOM Publishing Inc. (Philippines)

__________________________________

Book Overview

This book, as the title suggests is a compilation of stories about girls who had just experienced a break-up. The five stories show the different ways of females in handling a heartbreak. Some are funny, crazy and there are also some that are touching and heart-warming. So, I picked two stories to review...

_______________________

The Ex Commandments


This short story is divided into ten parts. Actually, I think it's more of a mini-novel. Anyway, each part is about the commandments that the protagonist, Jenni has thought of in dealing with her break-up with ex-boyfriend, Joe.

The first commandment up to the ninth are very much realistic. Overspending, confiding with friends, denying what happened, and throwing away relationship-related things. If you are a girl, certainly you've done a thing or two in those nine commandments that Jenni has listed. Or perhaps, you even did them all.

However, when you reach the tenth commandment, that's when you realize that this literary piece is truly fiction. The tenth commandment is about seeking revenge. And, Jenni's idea of sweet revenge is burning her ex's car.

As you read the last part, you will notice that it seems as though what you are reading is a material for a film. Everything in that part is detailed and very cinematic. You could even imagine yourself as Jenni trailing away gracefully while the flames devour her ex's F150.

Well, even if it was a biased narration (but justifiable since the idea of the book is a collection of girls' post break-up stories), it was a nice story. Something that you would let a brokenhearted woman read that won't make her cry even more. In fact, she might even smile and think if she has done all those commandments.

___________________________

Sleepless in Makati


Unlike the Ex Commandments, this story was narrated from the point of view of the two main characters, Jen and Jeff.

The two characters were batchmates during high school. They had a thing before but they were too young to make it work. After seven years, they met again in a coffee shop. Both of them single again because of finished relationships.

Jen's relationship with her boyfriend ended after she discussed wedding gowns over breakfast. It was the same for Jeff. However, the reason for Jeff's break-up with his girlfriend was because he never had time for the girl.

And so, they spent hours coping up with each other in the coffee shop until they realized that they seem to click well. At the end, they ended up with each other. Jeff is still the same workaholic guy and Jen still the same dominant woman. But, they accepted each other's attitude so there was no conflict.

So, this is the light part (and definitely the last in the process of recovering from a break-up) of those post break-up stories. When the girl has decided not just to move on but to move forward and welcome a new love. And though "Sleepless in Makati" is somehow a story that lacks in sweet moments, it was still able to justify the whole theme of the book.


To sum up, the author, Penetrante, was able to showcase what girls are going through after a break-up in a realistic manner. Her choice of situations and conversations were able to connect pretty well with the reader especially if you are a female. For male readers, reading this book will truly enlighten you and let you understand why your ex girlfriend acts weird after your break-up. Somehow, this is like a guide book for both men and women. It tells females how to recover from the incident and it tells the males how to handle their ex girlfriends.

By the way, if you wish to grab a copy of the book and can't find it in the bookstores, get it here.

Shanghai Baby

Type: Prose
Genre: Fiction
Author: Wei Hui
Year Published: 1993
Publisher: Robinson Publishing UK
Main Characters: Nikki or Coco - a Shanghai woman who works as a waitress in a cafe
Tian Tian - Coco's boyfriend; an artist who frequently uses drugs
Mark - a married German businessman whom Coco got involved with.



____________________________



Summary



Coco, a young woman working in a cafe has always been struggling to become a writer. During her struggles, she met a young artist named Tian Tian who encouraged her to reach for her ambition. She fell in love with him, moved in with him and left her work. They lived together as they try to fulfill their dreams. However, one day, Coco met another man named Mark. The two became intensely attracted to one another. Tian Tian somehow sensed something's wrong and started to use drugs. Confused of what she feels for the two men, Coco became torn between conflicting emotions.



___________________



A semi-autobiographical book, Shanghai Baby exposes a different face of the society. A woman blinded by love and lust.


Actually, this book was banned in China in April 2000. An estimate of 40, 000 copies were even publicly burned. However, a different reaction came when the book was brought to the West.


Shanghai Baby possess an aggressive voice that some people even don't want to hear. It's views on life, love and sex have never been so realistic. It was no doubt that the book became a bestseller.


If you want to have a feel of how complicated love is and how it is different from lust, then read Shanghai Baby.



* * *


Memorable Lines from the Book



"Death is the expression of exhaustion, a solution arrived at rationally once one has known the deepest depths of tiredness." - TianTian (Coco's boyfriend).



"Life is like a chronic illness, and finding something interesting to do is a kind of long term cure." - Coco

Twenties Girl

Type: Prose
Genre: Fiction
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Year Published: 2009
Publisher: The Dial Press
Main Characters: Lara Lington - a twenty-something lady who just started with her business; frustrated over her break up with her boyfriend; and got visited by the ghost of her great-aunt
Sadie - great-aunt of Lara who seeks help in finding her necklace



______________________


Summary


Lara has been undergoing the gloomy days in her life. Everything has been going beyond her control from her relationship with her boyfriend to her newly-launched head-hunting business. So she thought that because of these stress, she has been starting to see things like a ghost. But, she's wrong. Sadie, her great-aunt has come to seek her help. They have to find a necklace who has been in Sadie's posession for more than seventy-five years. Sadie said that she couldn't rest without it. And so, the hunting and haunting began. As they go into the journey in finding the necklace, they started to discover things about love, about each other and most important, about their family.



______________________



Ever tried laughing over a ghost story? Well, now you would with Twenties Girl.


Unlike any other ghost stories, this one is filled with humor and amusing scenes from two girls who came from two different timelines. One of them alive and one is a ghost.


At first, one would have the impression that this is just another boring novel about a ghost who wants to play some more nasty stuff before he rests. But, as you go on with the book, you'll definitely be hanging onto it until the necklace has been found.


This novel is really a breakthrough for Sophie Kinsella. Not only did she make a good ghost story but she was also able to add humor to it.



* * *

Memorable Lines from the Book


“People break up. It’s just the way things are.And you can’t dwell on what might have been. You have to look at what is." - Lara Lington


“Life is like an escalator... It carries you on regardless." - Lara Lington


“The worst thing a girl can do is trail after a boy when a love affair is dead.” - Sadie Lancaster

The Lost Symbol

Type: Prose

Genre: Fiction

Author: Dan Brown

Year Published: 2009

Publisher: Doubleday

Main Characters: Robert Langdon - a Harvard professor and symbologist

Peter Solomon - head of the Smithsonian Institution; a wealthy man who is a dear friend and mentor to Robert Langdon; a Freemason with the highest degree

Zachary Solomon - Peter Solomon's rebellious son

Katherine Solomon - a Noetic scientist; sister of Peter Solomon

Mal'akh - the villain who has his body covered with tattoos of diferent symbols

Warren Bellamy - friend of Peter who is also the architect of the Capitol

________________________

Summary

Robert Langdon, the famous Harvard symbologist has received an invitation from his friend Peter Solomon to deliver a lecture in the National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. Since Peter is his friend and mentor, he went to Washington D.C. without any idea that his trip is not just an ordinary visit. When he arrived, he was more than shocked by what greeted him. There were no audience at all for the lecture and the severed right hand of Peter is there at the place, tattooed and transformed as the Hand of Mysteries. From there, a series of events took place and a lot of puzzles surfaced. Will Robert Langdon be able to solve the mysteries and save his friend? And who is this tattooed man who kidnapped Peter?

______________________

After years of waiting, at last, here's another Robert Langdon novel created by Dan Brown. And just like the other two previous Langdon stories, this one is again filled with mind-boggling mysteries and astonishing facts.

Yep, prepare to be hooked as you read this novel. Because once you start reading it, you won't notice that you're almost done with it. The mysteries will have you glued to your seats and the book.

This novel brings us interesting facts on history, arts and sciences. It gives us access to some undiscovered facts on Washington D.C. and masonry. And, readers will surely try solve the puzzles in this book by themselves too. Well, that's certainly expected.

Yet, apart from the trivias and puzzles, what makes this novel captivating is that it tells a story about family, faith and friendship. The tragedy of the Solomons teaches us the values that every family and person should have. What are they? Now that's for you to find out and realize as you read the book.

* * *

Memorable Lines from the Book

"In the correct hands, fire can provide illumination . . . but in the wrong hands, fire can be highly destructive" - Robert Langdon

"Wide acceptance of an idea is not proof of its validity." - Robert Langdon

"Wealth is commonplace, but wisdom is rare" - Peter Solomon

"Transformation requires sacrifice." - Mal'akh

"God is plural because the minds of man are plural" - Katherine Solomon

I Have Fallen In Love With The Same Woman Three Times

Poet: former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy Aquino Jr.
Trivia: written for his wife former Pres. Corazon Aquino; turned into a song by Jose Mari Chan

________________________

I Have Fallen in Love with the Same Woman Three Times


I have fallen in love
With the same woman three times;
In a day spanning 19 years
Of tearful joys and joyful tears.

I loved her first when she was young,
enchanting and vibrant, eternally new.
She was brilliant, fragrant,
and cool as the morning dew.

I fell in love with her the second time;
When first she bore her child and mine
always by my side, the source of my strength,
helping to turn the tide.

But there were candles to burn
the world was my concern;
while our home was her domain,
and the people were mine
while the children were hers to maintain;

So it was in those eighteen years and a day,
till I was detained; forced in prison to stay.

Suddenly she's our sole support;
source of comfort,
our wellspring of Hope,
on her shoulders felt the burden of Life.

I fell in love again,
with the same woman the third time.
Looming from the battle,
her courage will never fade.

Amidst the hardships she has remained,
undaunted and unafraid.
She is calm and composed,
she is God's lovely maid.

___________________________

Rest in peace our beloved former President Corazon Aquino... You shall remain always in our hearts. Your legacy will never be forgotten.

Remember

Poet: Christina Rossetti

Source: "Goblin Market and Other Poems"

Year Published: 1862

__________________________

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away.

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that I once had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

__________________________

This poem is about a woman who is dying and is requesting her lover to remember her. In the first five lines, you would notice the coming separation of the couple. The persona here requests that she be remembered when time comes that she no longer exists here on earth. When she can longer be held.

In the following lines, the persona further stresses that their time together is really getting shorter. Then there comes the tension.

There are lines where you would notice that the persona realizes that the lover will somehow forget her. And if that happens she is also certain that the lover will be sad. So at the end, she tells the lover that its better for him to smile and forget her than remember her and be sad.

This poem not only tackles parting but it also reflects the poet's way of handling her own dilemmas in life. We see here how her Christian devotion affects her decisions. Truly, this poem deserves all the fame it has till now.

The Lady or The Tiger?

Type: Prose

Genre: Fiction

Author: Frank Stockton

Year Published: 1882

____________________________

Summary

In a faraway land, there was a semi-barbaric king who has unusual means of administering justice to offenders in his kingdom. You will choose from two doors and whatever decision you'll make will surely change your life. One day, he found out that his daughter, the princess, is in love with a commoner. Because of this, he had the lover arrested and thrown into prison. He set up a date for the trial in the arena. Before the trial, the lover consulted the princess on which door to choose. The princess knows which door contains the tiger and which door contains the lady that will be married to the lover. The question is, which door did the princess chose for the lover?

______________________

I'm sure many have read the story already but still it is amusing to go back and read it again from time to time. It makes you think and analyze what door will the lover choose. What kind of ending will happen.

I'd like to think that this story is the mother of the stories with choose-your-own-ending out there. This kind of stories gives the readers an opportunity to let their imagination soar and transport them to different time and place.

So, if you're the princess, which door will you give the lover?

To read the story, download here.

You Tell Me

Poet: Marra PL. Lanot
Source: "One Hundred Love Poems"
Year Created: 1984
Year Published: 2004
Publisher: The University of the Philippines Press

You Tell Me


You tell me if you had a wife
You wouldn't mind her falling
In love with another, especially
If you left her crying in the night.

You ask me if I want you
To think of no one but me
For you say you'd gladly spend
Your life unraveling a mystery;
Thinking of me, you say,
Is like deciphering a distant star.

And you wouldn't mind
Being used in a poem,
For art you can't refuse.
To err is human
But "human" is no excuse.
To love is natural, the heart
Has its reason, but
The heart is unreasonable
And I am left confused.

So I'd rather cry over him
Than be happy with you;
I'd rather end up
Dreaming and remain a star
You'll always seek and remember
Than sink down and regret
You're like other men
Who make their women cry.


__________________________

Here's a poem of a woman talking to her suitor. As you can see in the first stanza, the suitor tells the persona that it is fine for a wife to fall in love with another man if the husband doesn't make the wife happy anymore. From here, we start to have a glimpse of the character of the suitor.

In the second stanza, the suitor continues to court the persona, offering her more flattery. He compares her to a star, something far and always remains a mystery.

The third stanza tells us of how the woman feels about the man. Certain sayings like "To err is human" and "The heart has its reason" has been used too.

On the last stanza, the woman finally makes a choice. She tells the man that she'd rather cry over someone she loved and lost than spend time with this man who has a sweet tongue. After all, she realized that she might even regret if she would give him a chance because he might be just like other men.

Truly, this poem is a nice composition suitable for ladies who want to get rid of annoying suitors. Perhaps, it's the same reason why Lanot wrote this poem.

The Wedding

Type: Prose

Genre: Fiction

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Year Published: 2003

Publisher: Warner Books

Main Characters: Wilson Lewis - a successful estate lawyer married for almost 30 yrs. but finds it hard to be romantic and expressive when it comes to matters of the heart.

Jane - Noah Calhoun's eldest child; an outgoing woman married to Wilson for almost 30 yrs.

Noah Calhoun - Jane's father and protagonist in "The Notebook". He sets a good example when it comes to love to his kids and children-in-law

________________________

Summary

Despite being married for almost thirty years, Wilson Lewis had just realized that he is starting to lose his wife, Jane. As a successful estate lawyer, he was always busy with work and finds little time for his family. And, when his children started to move out and he is left with Jane alone in the house, it dawned on him that they are starting to fall apart. Determined to save their relationship, he struggles to win back her heart. Yet, he's been faced with wonders whether the woman he loves still have the same feelings towards him. One thing's for certain though - he never loved anyone but Jane in his entire life and his feelings for her has grown even deeper through the years. Inspired by the great 50-year love story and affair of his in-laws Noah Calhoun (from The Notebook) and Allie, Wilson is more than ready to transform himself to the husband he should have been and make his wife fall in love with him all over again.

______________________________

After being touched with Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook," prepare your handkerchieves again as this sequel novel "The Wedding" takes you into another tearjerking story of love, faith and renewal.

Like Sparks' earlier novels, this one is also filled with romantic scenes and lines that would surely bring out your "high school girl" attitude again whenever you see your crush. However, I must say that there is improvement in this piece because the lines are not too mushy compared to the author's other works.

The first chapters of the novel will already get you hooked to it till you finish the entire book in just one seating. The element of mystery was sustained enough up to the right chapter. And if you try to guess the whole plot, you might suceed but I'll bet that in certain chapters, you'll definitely doubt if your guess is right.

Other than that, the symbolisms in the novel were crafted well too. The story of the swan, teaches us about faith. While the five concentric hearts in rose blooms tells us of love's labors.

***

Memorable lines from the book

"Love is sustained by action, a pattern of devotion in the things we do for each other every day." - Wilson Lewis

"Marriage is about compromise; it’s about doing something for the other person, even when you don’t want to." - Jane

"The more special something is, the more people seem to take it for granted. It’s like they think it won’t ever change..." -Pastor Harvey Wellington