Book 3 of 30: Bossypants by Tina Fey

One Two words: Sarcastically FUNNY.

I will be honest and say that all I know about Tina Fey is that she "impersonates" Sarah Palin in SNL. I haven't even watched an entire show of SNL (I know, I know) and the only episode that I've watched is JT's dick in a box because Alex kept laughing hard while telling me about it and was able to convince me to watch the said episode in youtube (and if you are wondering, yes, I laughed so hard after watching the video). So when I saw my well-read friend's list of books that she is recommending for me to read, I was quite surprised to see this book because I had no idea that Tina has already written a book. I even asked her about it and she said that she is HIGHLY recommending it so needless to say, this book made it to my list :)

If you are the type of person who judges the book by its cover, you will not be accused
of wrongly judging this book! (Ooops, sorry for the background :D )

This book was a very light read and really, really funny! Proof is that I've finished reading it in just a few days. Finishing a book in "just a few days" says a lot about how I've enjoyed it. In my kind of profession where TONS (and I mean TONS) of paperwork are waiting to be prepared, read and checked, I must have enjoyed a book for it to lure me to finish it before my pile of work :)

 

The book is a collection of autobiographical essays and will give you a glimpse of Tina's ups and downs. However, I never felt that she was being proud or boastful of her achievements nor feeling pitiful in her down moments because she was able to write things in a sarcastically funny way :) This may sound ridiculous but since I was so used with laughing, I expected that I will laugh at every line that she wrote. Thus, the result was I overanalyzed on some very few parts when she was actually serious! Hahaha!  :D The other disadvantage (for me at least) is that since the book was mostly written in the context of the western setting, I am quite sure that I missed the "inside jokes" on some people, events and/or places mentioned. There has got to be something funny in there! :D

 

My favorite part would be the one of the very very few "serious" moments in the book (well, serious compare to the other parts!) when she discussed about:

 

 

I've watched quite a few Improv shows (courtesy of my friend whose boyfriend is part of SPIT/ Silly People's Improv Theater) and their humor is way, way, way different and far from the numerous funny shows (ex. Vice Ganda shows) that are popular in the local television now. I was amazed with how these people (from Improv) think. One has to be quick, witty, smart and funny (but not in a slapstick-y way) to be able to survive in an Improv show. It actually made me think of participating in one of their workshops to develop my personality (who knows I might join them once I've finally mustered enough courage and guts). Just imagine facing an audience without memorizing a script because the flow of the show will depend on the audience responses! Whew! :) The rules of improvisation seen in the photo does not only apply to improvisation but to life as well. In a world where being right equates to being powerful, it is becoming difficult to say YES because we always want to prove our point (myself included) by negating someone else's point. Got my point? Haha! :D

 

Don't we just love funny people?

 

Being funny is the new sexy!

 

Now, how do I become funny? :p

 

You will see this in all my books because years from now
these labels will make me smile and remember good
things :)

 

 

 

 

  

Book 2 of 30: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Finally!!! After the easy breezy first book on my list came the medyo nakaka-nosebleed na second book! :D I actually planned it like that. I mean if you check my list you will notice that the books are quite diverse in genre. Some books are classic, some are "light", others inspirational or "religious". I want the "light" books to give me the break in between reading the "heavy" ones :)

Whoever recommended this book must be secretly mad at me! Aba e una, sobrang kapal at liliit ng sulat ha! Pangalawa, I had to consult my dictionary (thank God that I have the electronic one so I don't have to carry a thick dictionary around!) from time to time  for words that I don't know! :D

I will not even attempt to summarize most especially analyze and/or do a book review for the fear of misinterpretation. Like what I said in my entry about Book 1, I believe that each person has his own interpretation of the book that he reads. The highlights for me may not necessarily be the highlights for other people. The "scenes" that left a mark on me may just be usual scenes for other readers.

In a nutshell, I would say that Anna Karenina is a story about love (moral or immoral), religion and one's ability/desire to analyze and understand things, among others. Since reading for me is an escape and an opportunity to have a "field trip", this book brought me to the different part of the globe and on a totally different timeline at that (days when carriage/horses are still used as mode of transportation!). The book also left me questioning, analyzing and challenging my views on the important aspects of my life.

I now know why this is considered a classic.

PS:
I would rather not give you even the gist of the story.
Aba noh, basahin nyo rin ang 940 pages na font 9 ata
para bawi bawi lang! :p

NEXT BOOK: Something light.... Bossy Pants by Tina Fey

Book 1 of 30 : Esther by Charles Swindoll

If you happen to read my entry about one of my projects before I finally hit the BIG 3-0 mark, hehehe, you will understand why I am writing an entry about this book (or entries about books in the near future) :) If you haven't, the "project" is basically about reading my list of 30 books before I hit 30 :) The process of picking THE 30 books was actually time-consuming (for my friends,hehe) BUT really touching and fun :) You may read the whole entry here.

My first book is entitled "Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity" written by Charles R. Swindoll. In my opinion, this is a book that EVERY WOMAN should read.

front cover

The book is (obviously) about Esther, hehe :) The Book of Esther is one of the only two books in the Bible that did not mention God. However, God's presence was felt the ENTIRE time even in those seemingly dark times (Jews faced an attempted genocide!). This is one book that I see myself reading over and over again until I'm gray and old for it is a good reminder of God's providence.

I was attempting to write a review of the book but changed my mind at the last minute for the fear of writing something that might be misinterpreted. Besides, we might have different takes on the things discussed in the book. So, instead of writing a "review" (not that I am a legit "reviewer", hehehe), let me share some of the things that I learned and hope to follow from the book:

1) God ALWAYS has a plan for us. 

Esther is an orphan who was raised by her uncle, Mordecai. Who would have thought that a simple woman (as in fetch-a-pail-of-water simple) will become the Queen of Persia?! Not only that, Esther was THE Queen. She did things that completely turned the lives of all Jews in their kingdom. Only a courageous, smart and God-reared woman can do these things.Amazing!!!

Now, let us look at the not-so-good other side of the story that goes by the name of Haman. He is the right hand/advisor of King Xerxes who is ambitious and full of pride. By the way, this same man was hanged at the gallows that he himself created for Mordecai! Talk about karma is a b*tch! (Oopsie!) :D

So see? God knows what he is doing :) I am reassured that even if I don't fully understand what is happening in my life right now, God's hand is at work so I should relax and keep the faith :) I don't want to be accused of being a spoiler (plus the fact that I may not give justice to the wonderful story) so please read the book to know how the story started and ended. The plot of the story is really twisted that it will honestly give soap operas (TV series) a run for their money! :) 

2) Be quiet, be convinced. 

It felt like someone smacked me hard in my face when I read this phrase! For a self-confessed whiner like me, this woke me up from my deep slumber. I felt guilty for being so whiny and for complaining a lot when all I have to do is be quiet (INTERNALIZE, REFLECT AND PRAY) and be convinced (that God is at work). If you've been visiting my blog long enough you will know that I am overly talkative! So naturally, when I have problems (no matter how small they are) I always make it a point to "share" it to someone. This is one area of my life that I am still struggling on. The good thing is I am a work in progress, everyone is a work in progress :)

Exhibit A: I got the book last year but only finished reading a couple of months ago! Exhibit B: yes, I write on / highlight my books :) 

3) Strive to be a woman of grace, strength and dignity. 

Haaaay! That's all I can say while reading the book and witnessing Esther's grace, strength and dignity. It made me so proud of her for she might not have the physical strength that a man has BUT she made a BIG difference!

For me to still be standing to face the world after so many challenges and hardships, I would like to believe that I am a strong woman (Naks! woman na talaga ako!). However, I've discovered the real meaning of STRENGTH thru Esther. She is grace, strength and dignity personified! Ika nga e, she doesn't sweat the small stuff. If you read the Book of Esther, you will notice that she was not mentioned in all chapters of the book BUT she came out in the most appropriate times! Tatahi-tahimik pero kapag kailangan e susulpot! Wow lang talaga! :) I, on the other hand, use my mouth faster than I use my brain and/or heart. So sad to admit but I know I've hurt a lot of people because of my sharp tongue (aka matalas na dila! hahaha!) :(

The good news is God is a forgiving God. Thus, we can always change and strive to be a better person :) Life is promising!!! :)

To all the women out there, GET A COPY OF THIS BOOK! You will surely see your worth as a woman and feel powerful and proud that you are a woman! :)

PS:

1) Charles Swindoll has a lot of books/profiles in character series that are worth reading! Not just for women but for men alike :)

2) Special thanks to Cess for the collages! :) It's nice to have friends who support your kalokohan aka blogging :D Mwah!

30 before 30 : 30 Books That I Should Read Before I Turn 30

I am happy and proud to say that I am already 28 years old and will be celebrating my 30th birthday two years from now (November 8, 2014 to be exact)! Do I feel old? In some ways, yes. Now I know that this is how my slightly older cousin feels (ehem, Ate Jenny) everytime I tease her that she is alreay old especially since it's now my younger cousins turn to return the "favor" of reminding me my age! haha! digital karma! (plus the proverbial question: When are you getting married?). But like what I always say, I am not complaining. I am actually enjoying the season where I am now. And besides, it is not as bad as I thought! I used to relate "aging" with fear during my younger years. I imagined "old" people not having nor enjoying their lives. Where did I ever get that?! :D  Like what they, old people,  say age is just a number. And this is starting to become my mantra now :D

Not that turning 30 is a big deal for me. It's just that since I am nearing that BIG 3-0 mark, I now feel that things are starting to change. Thank God that things are changing into something better (well, less some signs of physical aging, hehe)! I now feel more secured, more confident and more at ease with who I really am. I also believe that I am a LOT wiser in dealing with different situations  and I know and value the things and people that really matter in my life. So exciting!!! :)

image from the web

As part of welcoming this "mark" in my life, I decided to make a personal challenge that is, collecting AND reading 30 books before I hit the "mark". My goal is to widen my view on things and develop the love for reading. I actually got a list of books from the web (you may check www.marcandangel.com among others) and actually started with it. I actually finished reading 1 book from the list. However, I couldn't push myself to read other books because I felt that most books were too deep for me. So, I decided to ask my friends for the title of the books that they think I should read. Yes, this was time consuming on their part and that is why i am truly GRATEFUL for their time and patience, hehe :) But this made my list more personal and I believe that this will also strengthen my bond with them (imagine having other things to talk about aside from the usual "updating" on our lives!) :)

I wanted to categorize them but the fact that I haven't read these books made it difficult for me.

Here goes my list :)

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
2. Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
4. Love in the Time of Cholera
5. One Hundred Years of Solitude

by AJ Jacobs
6. The Year of Living Biblically
7. The Know It All

by George Orwell
8. 1984
9. Animal Farm

10. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy
11. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
12. Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
13. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
14. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
15. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
16. The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
17. Watership Down by Richard Adams
18. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
19. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
20. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
21. Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
22. Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg
23. Lego Principle by Joey Bonifacio
24. Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity by Charles R. Swindoll
25. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
26. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
27. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
28. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
29. Honeymoon with my Brother by Franz Wisner
30. Filipino Women Writers in English: Their Story, 1905-2002 by Edna Zapanta-Manlapaz

I love it that the list is quite diverse! This goes to show that my friends have different choices on books :) This makes it more exciting! I can't wait to start collecting these books and reading them. Somehow this is also a reflection of who my friends are. It's quite a variation of the saying, tell me the books that you read and I will tell you who you are. Hehehe :)

Actually some of the books on the list I have read already (but I don't have my own copy) or I have my own copy (but I haven't started / finished reading yet). So to keep me updated, I will cross out the books that I have already collected AND read.

PS: Special thanks to my awesome and book lover friends for spending time in giving me these titles :) You actually gave me MORE THAN 30 titles but I want to make it realistic and doable for me so I only chose 30 :) For sure, I will start with 40 before 40 and get back to your list! :D

Special mention to Bobbie, Bem (who even included short descriptions of all the books that she recommended! Wow!), Angie, Mia, Lory, Joan, Eva and Alex. I actually have friends who will be replying soon but I can't wait to start reading already so I will just use their recommendations for my 40 before 40 or 50 before 50! :p