Review: The Rise of Rome: The Making of the World's Greatest Empire

The Rise of Rome: The Making of the World's Greatest Empire by Anthony Everitt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I am a nerd. And my love (bordering on obsession?) for Ancient Rome has even made me more of a nerd. Not many people my age (or any age for that matter) possess this kind of dedication to the memory of one of the greatest empires the world has ever known (this is a fact and not pure gushing on my part).

It is because of this love (not just for Ancient Rome, but for history in general) that I recommend The Rise of Rome to other enthusiasts of Ancient Roman history and culture. The way Anthony Everitt wrote this book — so lucid and so compelling at the same time. If only all history textbooks were like this!

Taking the "variable nature of literary sources" on Ancient Roman history, the author interestingly (and effectively) divided the book into three parts: "Legend, the age of the kings, where most of the events never took place, at least not in the manner described; Story, the conquest of Italy and constitutional conflict, where fact and fiction cohabit; and History, the Republic as a Mediterranean power, where the literary sources make a serious attempt at objectivity and accuracy." Just the way I would tell Rome's story, if given the chance haha (the book opened with the story of the Trojan War, one of my favorite childhood tales) :D

When people ask me why I love Ancient Rome so much, I just tell them that a historical power such as Rome cannot just exist so posterity can forget about it. Luckily for me, Mr. Everitt has given me two new answers to share :)

1) "The remote past is worth the trouble of exhuming because the Romans remain relevant to us. They still inspire us, still have an effect on how we view social, political, and moral values. We live in a world they made."
2) "The idea of Rome is imprinted on our genes. It has generated proverbs, maxims, and phrases that we use in our everyday lives with scarcely a thought for their old significance: all roads lead to Rome, the grandeur that was Rome, when in Rome do as the Romans do, Rome wasn’t built in a day, Rome the eternal city."

Roma Victor! :D






View all my reviews

Review: I Am Half Sick Of Shadows

I Am Half Sick Of Shadows by Alan Bradley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Flavia de Luce is a positively delightful character. I found myself engrossed in this latest A. Bradley book for a whole day. It's like watching a very entertaining niece go about a very entertaining adventure. There were some (few) parts I could not relate to (and made me skip to the more action-filled parts), but I blame it on my lack of knowledge about British post-war culture.

I applaud I Am Half-Sick of Shadows for making the protagonist(s) even more endearing to the readers. Good work, Mr. Bradley.



View all my reviews

Review: Fire

Fire by Kristin Cashore

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



It breaks my heart to give Fire three stars. Mainly because I loved its predecessor so much.

The first few pages of Fire were spectacular enough: the initial story kept the eerie flavor of some chapters in Graceling that dealt with one of the creepiest antagonists I've encountered in the YA genre. I was really absorbed in this "back story," and had goosebumps while reading it. I found it interesting how Fire deftly explored the existence of "unnatural" but natural (because they exist in the real and natural world, as explained by one of the main antagonists) "monsters" such as serial killers and rapists.

But, sadly, it was all downhill from there. Sigh.

While the strength and grace of the words used in Graceling were brilliantly palpable to the mesmerized reader, in Fire they were at times unnatural. I understand that other readers were turned off by some controversial aspects of Fire's story, e.g. the "casual" sex, belittlement of marriage. Those I can take: in Graceling some of these elements were even made interesting. But I have qualms with the heroine of the story. I know she's supposed to be monstrously beautiful and all, but I felt that the entire story revolved around that concept. She was supposed to be a strong character, but in my eyes, she was made weak. I mean, weakness in a character can be made into a "storytelling" asset. But Fire was too beautiful, too whiny, too fragile for my taste. I wouldn't want a future daughter to model herself after her.

I also had issues with the redefinition of "monster" in the book. While at first the idea of monster as "otherworldly beautiful" was fresh and interesting, the subsequent repetitions of the concept in Fire eventually became trite.

I hope K. Cashore's Bitterblue will bring back memories of Graceling for me.



View all my reviews

Review: SPQR XIII: The Year of Confusion: A Mystery

SPQR XIII: The Year of Confusion: A Mystery by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



And so the end has come. For the series, the Caecilii Metelli, Decius Caecilius Metellus. And for me, a great fan of SPQR, it is more bitter than sweet. Consummatum est.

If you loved the entire series, for all its hits and misses, warts and all, you would love SPQR XIII, too. SPQR XIII is one of the series' many hits, actually. And lest you misunderstand, the "misses" of the series are too few to make any difference. Say that I'm biased, flocci non facio.

The one thing I love about this series is it actually improved toward the end. Even with the protagonist getting older with each installment, the mysteries (and the adventures) become even more entertaining. John Maddox Roberts is extremely talented. If I'm going to be a series writer, I want to write like him.

I've said this before and I will say it again: if you love Ancient Rome (and the wealth of history that comes with the subject) and you want to be thoroughly entertained, this series won't fail you.









View all my reviews

Review: SPQR XII: Oracle of the Dead

SPQR XII: Oracle of the Dead by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



There is one paragraph from Oracle of the Dead that made me slap my forehead in homage to its sheer comic brilliance (if you know and love the protagonist Decius, you would know what I'm talking about): "With a few of my helpers and preceded by my six lictors I rode on into the beautiful city, where I was greeted with the usual choruses of children and girls in white gowns who strewed flower petals in my path and local poets who read panegyrics in my honor. At least, I think they were panegyrics. I've never been too clear on the distinction between a panegyric and an ode. Oh well, as long as it's not a eulogy, I've no cause to complain. (p.88)"

I googled the definition of panegyric: it is "a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something." And so, Decius, again, this review is a panegyric on the SPQR series' underrated flair for storytelling. It kept me up for hours—well into the night and past my (8 p.m.) beddie time. There were comic parts that made me laugh, and parts that made me think ("Diogenes said that when a man claimed to be doing something for honor, or for patriotism, or for love of his fellow man, or any other such high-flown reason, you could be certain that the real motive was something base and shabby (p.84)"—Gitiadas the philosopher). There were even parts that made me want to weep (I refer, in particular, to the book's last page, which mentioned Julia's eventual fate).

I'm going to read other (non SPQR-related) books in the next few weeks, just to save the 13th (and last, so far) installment in this series for a sad, rainy day. I want Decius, Julia and everyone else in SPQR to keep me company by then.

And so, Praetor Peregrinus Metellus, pursuer of evildoers, smiter of the wicked, target practice for archers, friend of the wine sellers, and enemy of sobriety (p.158), here's my wish for you. May you live for as long as I live :) Be kind, J.M. Roberts :(





View all my reviews

Review: Spqr Xi: Under Vesuvius

Spqr Xi: Under Vesuvius by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I was supposed to read this book two months ago, but a very disappointing discovery (with the Amazon Kindle version) prevented me from doing so. So I had to order the actual "physical" book from Amazon and wait for, argh, months.

As soon as I started reading the first few pages, I realized one thing (and one thing only): Under Vesuvius was worth the wait. Period. Decius (yes the protagonist) is now praetor peregrinus in this book, a position with real power (meaning he now has imperium, or the power to summon and lead armies at will). One of the many things I like about the SPQR series is how the reader learns about the Ancient Roman public career (i.e. the cursus honorum or the path of honor) through the main character. Decius, who belongs to one of Ancient Rome's greatest and most powerful families, started as a very low-ranking official in the series' first book (Decius commanded the night watchmen in the squalid Subura district, looking out for fires and such), then became quaestor (The Catiline Conspiracy,), senator (The Sacrilege,), diplomat (The Temple of the Muses), Caesar's "secretary" (Nobody Loves a Centurion), aedile (The River God's Vengeance), then at last, praetor. I feel as if I am one of Decius' clients, monitoring (and looking after) his career, wishing always the best for this very delightful character.

I won't discuss the merits of Under Vesuvius anymore, because fans of Decius will know what I'm going to write about. But let me just say that I feel very sad, because the next book I'm going to read will be the second to the last in the (existing) series :( Hurry up hurry up with SPQR XIV, Mr. Roberts. Please. After all, XIII is a very unlucky number, innit?



View all my reviews

Review: Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?: And Other Reflections on Being Human

Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?: And Other Reflections on Being Human by Jesse Bering

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A few months ago, I noticed myself just looking at good-looking guys (some of whom used to make my heart palpitate a bit) and feeling nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was then that I realized that I must be getting old, since just a decade ago, butterflies in my chest and stomach were a constant whenever I would come face-to-face with a "potential mate" (in the Filipino language there is a word for this: kilig).

And so I reflected on it. Maybe, I theorized, evolution has dictated that female thirty-somethings should have long concluded their "mate-hunting" phase and should instead focus on rearing healthy offspring (who would, in turn, ensure the health of the global population). Stomach butterflies, in this case, are only for those females who have yet to choose "dependable and loyal" mates destined to help them rear those little gene-passers. Okay, plausible answer.

So this is the kind of mind I have (and I will not apologize for it), and the kind of mind I wish to encourage in my future offspring (a questioning, not salacious, mind, MIND YOU). This is also the kind of (nerdy) mind that would be intrigued with Dr. Jesse Bering's Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That: And Other Reflections on Being Human. Needless to say, I enjoyed his essays (and evidence-based theories) immensely.

Now I must admit that there were some topics in the book that made me uncomfortable (I will not enumerate them here lest I be accused of prudery). They still make me uncomfortable now that I have finished the book. Nevertheless, I think Bering was right in saying that "the great thing about good science is that it's amoral and objective and doesn't cater to the court of public opinion." He further pointed out (and rightly so): "Data don't cringe; people do."

Some of the concepts that Bering introduced (I don't know and can't verify at the moment if these are new, by the way), such as "green burial" and "animal laughter," were really thought-provoking (I am now seriously considering of someday having myself buried, not with a non-biodegradable coffin, but with a shroud—and a special acacia tree planted above me). I was also interested in Bering's scientific examination of the suicide phenomenon and his reflections thereafter: "If there is one thing I've learned since those very dark days of my suicidal years, it's that scientific knowledge changes perspective. And perspective changes everything. Everything. And, as I alluded to at the start, always remember: you're going to die soon anyway; even if it's a hundred years from now, that's still a blink of a cosmic eye. In the meantime, live like a scientist—even a controversial one with only a colleague or two in all the world—and treat life as a grand experiment, blood, sweat, tears, and all. Bear in mind that there's no such thing as a failed experiment—only data."

This book is definitely not for the moralists and the faint of heart. But for those who are open to learn about (and subsequently discuss) usually "icky" topics, Dr. Bering's book is one hell of a joyride.



View all my reviews

Review: The Dovekeepers

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I started this book (with high hopes) on April 17, 2012. I finished it today, July 10, 2012. It took me three months to read it. Why?

The first half of the book was why. The “voice” of the first character was too “melodious” for my taste. The writing, which I guess aimed for a dreamy/ethereal feel, became insufferable at times. Okay, most of the time. So a few weeks into the plot, I decided to put the book down. I was even tempted to put it away for good (The writing was too gushy I felt I was getting a toothache every time I would try reading it again).

When I decided, once and for all, to finish it this week, I suddenly noticed the plot picking up pace. Maybe I liked the characters more (the book, by the way, is divided into four parts—with the four main women characters speaking for each part), and I could see glimpses of the Alice Hoffman who wrote Here on Earth. However, the sappy reflections masquerading as frilly, frilly sentences still abound—becoming overwhelming at times. Good thing I managed to read through them and see the book redeem itself in the end.

I can understand why the author got carried away with her writing, though. The topic, the siege of Masada, is a goldmine of potential (fictional) novels: dark, mysterious, unverified, and “romantic.” You could see this potential in the last few pages of the book, when Hoffman was tackling the actual siege and the “suicides.” Those few pages, by the way, exhibited the book’s strength—when it actually dealt (head-on) with the Masada story.

The book, for me, held much prospect. Strong characters, fancy words and equally fancy reflections (while most fell flat, some were actually insightful), promising story and ambiance. Too bad it had the tendency of falling victim to the maudlin. Like a pretty girl with too much make-up.




View all my reviews

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Great storytelling! The author was funny and fantastic with words. I'm sure his background as a filmmaker helped him a lot in writing this highly-entertaining debut novel. This, considering that he was writing about a not-so-novel theme (I'm sure you've seen or heard about those blockbuster summer movies and their equally blockbuster sequels).

Riggs' writing was able to evoke a myriad of feelings from me. There were scary, spine-chilling moments, laugh-out-loud moments, even weepy moments (those grandpa scenes and that THIS IS WHY photo on page 227 broke my heart and tear ducts). Truly a book that can be read in one sitting.

However, the story of Jacob and the rest of Miss Peregrine's peculiar children ends for me. I think Riggs has tackled everything exciting there is to tackle with this book. I'm really not so sure about a sequel. Let's see, I suppose.



View all my reviews

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



"Before that party, I'd thought about giving up so many times. I don't know, maybe some people are just preconditioned to think about it more than others. Because every time something bad happened, I thought about it."—Hannah Baker, protagonist

I initially thought of giving Thirteen Reasons Why four stars. Don't get me wrong, I liked it. And I was affected by it (the word I described myself after closing the book was SPENT).

I just didn't know how affected I was until that train ride home yesterday.

I was sitting there, reading the book's Interview with the Author page while waiting for my stop. Suddenly, a picture of one of my closest friends appeared in my mind. My friend was speaking to my counselor on the phone, assuring her that she would talk to me, "guard" me, help me. This happened just a few years back, during one of the darkest moments of my life. That best friend did not question my feelings and actions, and did not judge me as weak or melodramatic. As she was discussing "plans of action" with my counselor, she had no idea that she was saving me at that very moment. Because she tried, I felt that I had to try. For me, for her, for the people I love and who love me.

And suddenly I realized how important this book is.

To the adults (and teenagers) who would judge Hannah as a weak, melodramatic teenager with the annoying penchant of making mountains out of molehills, please remember how you were as an adolescent. Before you acquired the ability of "focusing on the manageable" (read: maturing as an adult), don't forget that as a teenager, the whole world seemed to revolve around you and your issues. And while there are many who turn out fine and dandy as adults, there are still a significant number of youngsters who just could not cope. High school rumors, as tackled in Thirteen Reasons Why, may seem like a non-issue to you now, but for most teenagers, their reputations mean the universe to them. Nothing is shallow when you are at that age.

To the author, here's to you: *slow clap*. Kudos to the way you wrote the book. Aside from the book's ingenious format, the way you opened Hannah Baker's heart and soul in Thirteen Reasons Why is so commendable. Truth is, I sometimes felt disconnected with Hannah while I was reading the book (thus initially thinking of giving it four stars) because I felt her issues were so inconsequential. But that was the whole point, wasn't it? Because we, as adults, tend to brush aside adolescent problems, so we fail to save them from themselves.

I tell you, whatever you feel about the book while reading it, it is the aftermath that hits you. No, not hits. BLUDGEONS.



View all my reviews

HK: Almost, But Not Quite

Go Away Rain! Please?

• Climate: Hot, almost humid
• No. of Days: 4
• Travelling with companions: No _ Yes X;  a) If yes, how many? 13 (ominous, right?)   b) Family or friends? Family
• Mood while travelling: wary BUT hopeful
• Stress level: Off the charts (pls. refer to question 3.b.)
• Learnings: See bullet points below.
• Health: Recurring gastric disturbances (emergency room two days prior to flight)

Now you know that you can't ask me what I think about "authentic" Hong Kong cuisine, or if I have any cute photos of me me me in earmuffs, in a fur coat, in knee-high boots, or if I was with somebody "special" (a la Angel Locsin/Phil Younghusband in Hong Kong, 2011) during my birthday week (yes, we left for HK a day after my birthday). Because that would put me in a really bad mood. 


On with the story.

***


Hong Kong was next on my Asia travel checklist. Having been to Singapore last year, I looked forward to the Hong Kong "vibe" — as one of my closest friends (now living in SG) described the city-state's (this term is so pol. sci., by the way) je ne sais quoi.  Singapore is perfect, but bordering on "sterile." True. But (the deeper) truth is, I really appreciated the Singapore paradigm when I was there. Manila can (strive to) be like that. And much as I was looking forward to Hong Kong's vibe, vibe I can find in Manila. Interesting, warty, smelly, fun, exasperating, maddening Manila. But as one world-weary, lipstick-smeared, once-beautiful-now-what streetwalker differs from the next, I was interested to get to know Hong Kong up close and all that. 


I guess I should have introduced myself to her in November–February, when I could walk around the city without blinding my eyes with sweat (okay, exaggerating, but this did happen to me in Disneyland and Ocean Park).    


But I really didn't have a choice in this matter, did I? My aunt, who was to spend for the whole trip, decided that we tour Hong Kong from June 6 to 9, 2012. Beggars, as the saying goes, have no right to be choosers. 


***


I am very fortunate to have a magnanimous (generous is too puny a term) aunt. An aunt who wouldn't blink twice in splurging for 11 adults and three kids. So when my Mama asked me if I could take a few days off from work to go to Hong Kong with them, I enthusiastically said sure! I also wanted to spend some time with her. And I still felt guilty for not having attended my uncle's (husband of magnanimous aunt) funeral last April because of an asthma attack. 


***


The trip was off to a bad start without us even trying. Just a few weeks prior to a trip, my mother and her sister (not the trip sponsor) engaged in a very shameful gladiatorial activity in the province (I am not exaggerating). They were scheduled to meet at the barangay to either settle the problem or elevate it to the courts just a week after the trip. I don't know why they decided to go to Hong Kong anyway (with that ocean of enmity between them), but they did. I assume it was because all-expense-paid trips don't come knocking on your door every day. 

***


Enough of the "context." Here's the Experience. In bullet points.

• It is best to travel to Hong Kong during the cool months. I'm of course speaking for many Filipinos who think that they would rather stay in the Philippines rather than spend money travelling to a country with an identical (hot hot hot) climate to theirs. Amusement parks (Disneyland, Ocean Park) are no fun when you wipe streaming sweat off your face every few minutes. Maybe Hong Kong has some charm during the hot months, but I was too busy looking for inexpensive bottled water to combat my impending dehydration to notice. Which brings me to my next point:
• Hong Kong IS expensive. We had to pay an average of HK$70 for each meal. Maybe we just ate at the wrong restaurants, but my stomach was then too delicate to explore the adventurous option of sampling hole-in-the-wall or street fares (mea maxima culpa). But food aside, I felt that my pockets had holes while we were going around the city. Expensive, I tell you. And the tiangge-style Mongkok (where you could supposedly buy cheap stuff)? Divisoria is waaaaaaaay better. 
• The locals? I had this impression that they are still mad at us for that hostage incident two years ago. The vendors, the cab drivers, the waiters and waitresses, even our tour guide (who made a lot of money from us tourists, particularly my sponsor-aunt) were annoyingly churlish (adj. marked by a lack of civility or graciousness). After four days in Hong Kong, I longed to see my countrymen's helpful, accommodating manner again (I could do with the insincerity of a few Filipinos—at least you could see some effort to be polite!). Don't expect smiles from these seemingly tourist-weary natives, you'll be in for a major disappointment (Disclaimer: I'm only speaking for those HK residents I encountered. I am pretty sure there are still many of those who would give their country a good name). 
• Please don't ask me about my Disneyland/Ocean Park experiences. If you've been to other amusement parks in other parts of the world (or even in your home country i.e. Enchanted Kingdom), then you know the answer to your question. Oh, just one thing: our own Manila Ocean Park has a better variety of sea life than theirs. And please, our dolphin show in Subic will mop theirs to oblivion (in Filipino: Ilalampaso ng Subic dolphin show yung HK Ocean Park Sea Dreams). With all due respect to the HK dolphins (I love all of you, regardless of nationality, color or species).
• Please do not take the city tour package (?). They will bring you to places that will take too much of your time (and make you spend for things you don't really need). And I've told you about the tour guides (The best tour guides are still Filipinos, in terms of attentiveness, thoughtfulness and politeness. I speak without bias). Explore Hong Kong on your own. 
• There WERE great (and unforgettable) things about Hong Kong: the beautiful view of the city from Victoria Peak, the tram ride, Disney Hollywood Hotel, the double-decker buses, the ultra-fast train ride, the underground tunnels (how on earth were they made?!), children in their "Sailor Moon" school uniforms, and of course,  the indescribable city "vibe."

Hong Kong is worth going back to, with all its possibilities. I just hope I get to see the day when it finally lives up to its potential. Crossing my fingers that I'll get a better "second" first impression next time.

Review: SPQR X: A Point of Law

SPQR X: A Point of Law by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is one of J.M. Roberts' best. A perfect blend of history, mystery and comedy — five days after reading it and I am still grinning at the book's most comic scenes.

A Point of Law is a lesson on Roman courts: how Ancient Romans dealt with legal issues such as complaints, juries, arrests, investigations and, well, the law in general. As usual, J.M. Roberts made his characters so endearing to the reader that even "killjoy" Marcus Porcius Cato seemed so lovable. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger and the gang make you feel like they are your old friends, and whenever I put down another book (especially this one!) in this series, I feel really sad. If that's not amazing (as in deserving of five stars), I don't know what is. For me, a great book (regardless of its place in whatever critic or bestseller list) leaves you laughing/crying/heartbroken/mad/ecstatic for days after you've finished reading the last page.

SPQR X: A Point of Law is a WORTHY book in MY book :)





View all my reviews

Review: SPQR IX: The Princess and the Pirates

SPQR IX: The Princess and the Pirates by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



With The Princess and the Pirates, the reader hits the ground running: the protagonist's archenemy is dead, one of his best friends exiled, his family's power fading. But these issues weren't really tackled in this book; instead they served as a backdrop to Decius' adventures in Cyprus.

Somehow, I could not reconcile the image of Decius as a pirate-hunter with Decius the politician or even Decius the soldier. But I guess well-born Romans were really trained to be all-around "servants" of the Senate and the People. Cleopatra in this book did not really dazzle, and I think the eventual development of her character (in this book) did not do the very interesting intro justice. Still liked the book though, and it's better than the last one for me.



View all my reviews

Review: SPQR VIII: The River God's Vengeance

SPQR VIII: The River God's Vengeance by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Not as enthusiastic with SPQR VIII as I was with the previous installments in this series (e.g. Nobody Loves a Centurion). Maybe because I did not care too much for the topic/theme explored (Roman politics is too much like Philippine politics—nothing new about the extent of Roman corruption for me). However, I still liked it, and there were still a lot of shining moments for Decius. Plus, I wouldn't recommend skipping even one book in this series.

Again, the Kindle version of this book leaves MUCH to be desired. Too many typos, and most of them were "repeats" (e.g. flood, which was repeatedly mentioned in this book, spelled ?ood; floor was ?oor). Improvements, please.



View all my reviews

Review: Pearl in the Sand: A Novel

Pearl in the Sand: A Novel by Tessa Afshar

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Unlike some Christian Fiction books I've read, Pearl in the Sand does not go preachy on the reader. Maybe because it is set in the Old Testament, it focuses more on other aspects of Israelite culture and life — especially the nomadic, post-Egypt/pre-Canaan part of their history.

I learned a lot from the book: how God was portrayed in the Old Testament (conditional and sacrifice/ritual-requiring) vs. how He is portrayed in the New Testament (loving, unconditional); how prostitutes were classified (temple prostitutes vs the zonahs or the "garden-variety" prostitutes) in the olden times; and how the Israelites were actually fierce warriors, as opposed to their general reputation as obedient, God-fearing desert nomads.

This book is primarily a love story between Canaanite zonah Rahab and Israelite warrior leader Salmone. However, Pearl in the Sand is also a special book for "the broken" — abused kids, etc. ("He believes the past remains the past. It becomes God's domain. He also said, 'Our job is to rescue the present from its rotting carcass.' — p.124).

For Christians, this book has special meaning as written in the author's foreword: "Rahab's destiny is revealed in one third of a verse in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus. These simple words reveal Rahab's amazing destiny: Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab (Matthew 1:5)."

The author further pointed out that Jesus Himself counted Rahab, a Canaanite harlot, as one of his ancestors. Amazing indeed.



View all my reviews

Review: Graceling

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



At the surface, this book may seem to have shades of Hunger Games and A Song of Ice and Fire—Exhibit A: Graceling's heroine Katsa's name sounds like a combination of Hunger Games' Katniss and A Song of Ice and Fire's Sansa. Katsa, like Katniss, is gifted with superior fighting skills (albeit in a more "fantastical" manner), and her story is set in a medieval fantasy world such as that described in the books of George R.R. Martin.

However, the comparison should stop there. Graceling is a class all of its own—the author does not waste any of her words; each word has its place in each mesmerizing sentence in each breathtaking chapter (going overboard with the adjectives here, but what the heck). The descriptions are so vivid—you can picture the seven kingdoms' hills, the seas, the castles, and the beautiful, mismatched eyes of the Graced like they were right in front of you. I have not really been a fan of the fantasy genre in the past, but this book made me reconsider this.

The characters were so well-developed, and nothing in Graceling was predictable and boring. I felt real terror when the book's main antagonist, who did not really materialize frequently in the book, suddenly appeared in one of the later chapters. That's how good Kristin Cashore is: her writing has that rare ability of making your heart pound when you encounter a sinister character who does not even show himself too much in the story. Great storytelling. Great writing.



View all my reviews

Review: The Tribune's Curse

The Tribune's Curse by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Another absorbing read from John Maddox Roberts. I like how he focuses on different aspects of Ancient Roman life and relives them enthusiastically for the modern reader. There were just some scenes in this book which I felt could use a "fresher" treatment (like Decius getting jumped at near his home: a scene that can be read in almost every book in this series). Otherwise, good job JMR. As always.



View all my reviews

Review: SPQR VI: Nobody Loves a Centurion

SPQR VI: Nobody Loves a Centurion by John Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



The best in the series. So far :)

I've long wanted to find out how the Roman Empire became, well, an empire. This book is a perfect peek into the Roman legion—the well-known secret (pardon the oxymoron) behind Rome's rise to historical glory. Pair that with J.M. Roberts' enviable writing (a perfect blend of wit, philosophy and drollery), and you've got a solid winner in Nobody Loves a Centurion.

I know that I have been gushing nonstop about the books in JMR's SPQR. But if you are at least curious about Ancient Rome and you want to be thoroughly entertained, I strongly suggest that you give this series a try. This book can even be read as a standalone; no wonder that some fans of this series got hooked on SPQR after reading Nobody Loves a Centurion first.

My favorite lines in Nobody Loves a Centurion:
1) "Blame it all on Alexander the Great. Ever since that little Macedonian twit decided that he had to conquer the whole world before he was old enough to shave, every fool with a sword and a decent pair of boots has sought to do the same." —Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger
2) "No man can undo history. We must seize the moment and bend the present to our will." —Caius Julius Caesar
3) "Decius, here in Gaul we are playing the highest-stakes game in the world. When you set a game in motion, you must see it through, however the dice fall." —Caius Julius Caesar

I know that I've been giving JMR four stars (from The King's Gambit to Saturnalia). It's about time to give him five.





View all my reviews

Review: Saturnalia

Saturnalia by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



In Saturnalia , SPQR series hero Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger goes back to Rome to investigate his kinsman's murder. While not as hilarious and as comic as the previous book in the series, I find Saturnalia to be better written and its plot more well-developed. John Maddox Roberts is truly a great storyteller.

Saturnalia has all the elements of an entertaining read: suspense, horror, action, drama (that last bit with Decius shouting at Jupiter in the rain after a fight was thoroughly amusing), the works. Though the ending was a little bit abrupt, it left me wanting for more. Am actually restraining myself from downloading Nobody Loves A Centurion at this very moment!

Good work JMR! Hope you're finished writing the 14th book in the series because at the rate I'm going, I might be able to catch up with you :D



View all my reviews

Review: The Ersatz Elevator

The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Favorite word definition: "Ersatz" is a word that describes a situation in which one thing is pretending to be another, the way the secret passageway the Baudelaires were looking at had been pretending to be an elevator, but the word might as well have meant "the most terrifying place the Baudelaires had ever seen."



View all my reviews

Review: The Temple of the Muses

The Temple of the Muses by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



There's a great deal of running in this book, with Decius Metellus escaping from quite a number of enemies. The setting of the story was in Ancient Egypt's Alexandria, made even more exotic by the author's vivid descriptions.

The plot was okay; I liked the story's details (e.g. description of Alexandria, the dialogues, the characters esp. the Metellii) better. However, there were many many parts which I found exceedingly funny. Decius is turning out to be quite the comic.

The Kindle format of this book, however, was as imperfect as an adolescent's pimply face--there were so many typos. Hope the subsequent books in the series will have better e-book versions.



View all my reviews

Review: The Sacrilege

The Sacrilege by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger's (what a mouthful) character is getting better and better with each installment of SPQR. I like his verbal sparrings with his insolent slave, Hermes. Very very funny. And I love the way the book makes you feel--like Ancient Rome is your neighborhood (J.M. Roberts' descriptions of Roman life are delightfully vivid).

However, some of the characters seem to be one-dimensional: Publius Clodius Pulcher, for example (and his sister, Clodia). Clodius was (simply) portrayed as a mean, bullheaded (bordering on the stupid), ugly thug, and Clodia a sinister slut. Maybe it's just written from the point of view of Decius, who considers these two his mortal enemies. And so I conclude early on in this series that SPQR is more fiction than history (or a variant/interpretation of it; as opposed to S. Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series).

But those who love Ancient Rome as much as I do will surely have fun reading this. Pretty darn good fun.



View all my reviews

Review: The Austere Academy

The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Favorite word definition: The waning light of the sunset--the word "waning" here means "dim, and making everything look extra-creepy"--made the shadow of the coach's turban look like a huge, deep hole.



View all my reviews

Review: The Miserable Mill

The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Favorite insight: It is much, much worse to receive bad news through the written word than by somebody simply telling you, and I'm sure you understand why. When somebody simply tells you bad news, you hear it once, and that's the end of it. But when bad news is written down, whether in a letter or a newspaper or on your arm in felt tip pen, each time you read it, you feel as if you are receiving the news again and again.



View all my reviews

Review: The Wide Window

The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Reviewer's Note: I will be making a general review at the end of this series, so as not to make the same comments about each installment over and over. Each "mini-review" will just contain my favorite insights, quotes or definitions. Or maybe a comment that couldn't wait for the overall wrap-up/review when I finish Book 13.

Favorite insight: "Stealing, of course, is a crime, and a very impolite thing to do. But like most impolite things, it is excusable under certain circumstances. Stealing is not excusable if, for instance, you are in a museum and you decide that a certain painting would look better in your house, and you simply grab the painting and take it there. But if you were a very, very hungry, and you had no way of obtaining money, it might be excusable to grab the painting, take it to your house, and eat it."



View all my reviews

Review: The Bad Beginning

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A children's book without the frou-frou. Saw the film first (a mish-mash of the first three books) and I enjoyed it thoroughly. While Jim Carrey as Count Olaf (and his alters) was criticized for his very comic turn in the film (vs. the serious and "scary" Count Olaf in the L. Snicket series), I enjoyed it nevertheless. And I'm happy to say that I was very entertained by The Bad Beginning as well.

Snicket's (yes we know it's Daniel Handler) grim narration of the Baudelaire children's travails, his long and darkly lyrical sentences, and his on-the-spot definition of mouthful-ly words are, ironically, a joy to read. Despite the book's sinister way of telling the Baudelaire story, I still find myself more scared of the Grimm Brothers' "fairy tales." Somehow, regardless of Snicket's repeated warnings that there will be no happy ending for the Baudelaires, you still see a ray of light every once in a page (and you feel in your gut that there will be something nice for them eventually).

L. Snicket says this is The Bad Beginning of the Unfortunate Events series. I think it's The Formidable First. Bring on the second one.



View all my reviews

Review: SPQR II: The Catiline Conspiracy

SPQR II: The Catiline Conspiracy by John Maddox Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this second installment of J.M. Roberts' SPQR series. Though I was familiar with Catilina's character (the bearded suspects were no suspense for me anymore), there were a lot of very good parts in the novel; I had a good fill of history, witticisms, useful Latin adages, and plain clever humor (that made me laugh out loud a number of times).

The Catiline Conspiracy makes me look forward to the third book in this series, which is a great thing. It only means more of Ancient Rome for me.



View all my reviews

Review: Food Rules: An Eater's Manual

Food Rules: An Eater's Manual by Michael Pollan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


There is an insight from The Perks of Being a Wallflower that I will paraphrase to describe what I thought of M. Pollan and M. Kalman's Food Rules: You know that something's very good when you are changed after reading it.



I can't say that it was only after reading this book that my entire outlook on food and health changed. Before this, there was D. Buettner's Blue Zones--an equally eye-opening achievement. As Blue Zones was thorough, Food Rules was concise. And I love (and was changed by) them both. However, Pollan's book came with a lovely lovely bonus--Maira Kalman's breathtaking, happiness-inducing paintings. It was like a yummy icing on a cake (which, according to Pollan's Rule No. 45, should be homemade, and Rule No. 79, should be eaten only on special occasions).



My only qualm was the lack of a bibliography or references page (so that I would know that the studies and the research quoted in the book were actually based on actual data). Yup, there was a smattering of footnotes, but I guess I was hoping that the author's assertions would be backed up by evidence (ah, the journalist/social scientist haha in me). But I will not deprive it of five stars just because of this.



And, then again, maybe the book was meant to be that way: to be as simple and as bite-sized as possible--so that readers would easily digest the book's interesting collection of info/truths/rules. And Pollan's easily understandable/applicable rules worked pleasantly well with Kalman's art: like a slice of chocolate cake and coffee (which, thanks to Rule No. 51, I now know I could enjoy in moderation as long as it comes from a plant and not a factory).







View all my reviews

Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Lovely, poignant book. Breezed through it (easy read), but took time to reflect on the protagonist's many reflections/quotable quotes (great thing). There were many lessons learned, and situations I could actually relate to. Themes of friendship, family, bullying, homosexuality, sex, gender, child abuse, relationships were explored.

I had struggled throughout The Perks of Being a Wallflower whether to give it four or five stars. I eventually settled for four, because I feel that I have encountered the book's format and heard the main character's voice before (They say The Catcher in the Rye, but I don't know. Maybe a cross between Catcher and Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time?).

Other than that, this book is a must-read. And if you love 80s/90s music (The Smiths, etc.), then you would really appreciate it more. The Smiths' "Asleep" must have been mentioned three hundred times in Perks.



View all my reviews

Review: Why We Broke Up

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Dear Mr. Handler and Ms. Kalman,

Two days after I finished reading your book, I still can't stop thinking about it. That's why I gave it five stars. Because "It was amazing" is when you can't stop thinking about something. Sticks to your head like a 1990s bubblegum pop song. And I mean that in a happy happy way.

Mr. Handler, you described the feelings of teenagers so perfectly. I could imagine that perfect, imperfect high school boy everybody loves to love--handsome, athletic, with a heartbeat-skipping, eardrums-pounding smile, etcetera etcetera. I could imagine falling in love with him too, like Min Green did. I could imagine blaming myself, mentally chasing myself with a meat cleaver, should things go wrong between me and him--crying crying crying because he's so perfect and yet he's not. And between his perfection and assholey imperfection, I find myself wallowing in the muck of self-pity because perfect, imperfect as he is, I do not deserve him.

Having read this more than a decade past my teenagerhood, and at an age when I myself could be dealing with a teenager soon enough, I know that Min should have chosen the right guy, the kind guy, the guy who likes the same movies as she does, the same coffee, the same different stuff, who rides on the same arty waves as she does. But because you painted the characters so well, I actually felt for the "jerk" in the story. I felt that he really loved the heroine. But he couldn't help who he is, which is simply, of course, a teenager.

The title is a dead giveaway (duh) that unlike most teen romances/young adult books, Why We Broke Up does not (would not?) have the heroine and the boy ending up in each other's arms (or some other variation of a happy-ish ending). But the important thing is, your book dealt with Teenage Reality. I mean, come on, how many high school couples really end up with each other? Broken, bleeding hearts are really part of the teenage journey, and thank you for telling a deceptively simple, but exceptionally clever (and heartfelt!) story about that.

By the way, that self-loathing soliloquy near the end? Plain Brilliant.

Ms. Kalman, if only I could draw/paint my praises for your work, I would. And even if I could write them, I don't have the words. I'm a FAN.

If the two of you were a real-life couple, I would tell you to go on and have more more kids. Your superior genes deserve to spread.

Looking forward to your next collab.



View all my reviews

Review: The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest

The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Growing up, I have always been wishy-washy about my dreams. At different points in my childhood/young adulthood/adulthood, I have wanted to become a scientist, an archeologist, a brain surgeon, a supermodel (haha), an ambassador, a museum curator...and so goes on the list. But I have recently realized that until now, I would give everything up to be a writer for the National Geographic Society/Magazine/Channel (well, not really everything, but you know what I mean).

Reading D. Buettner's Blue Zones reminded me why that dream is legit to the core. I think that the book, written by a National Geographic journalist, achieved everything it wanted to achieve: feature inspiring centenarians, tell the story of different cultures that produced these centenarians, and generally spread the message that taking care of your health is of utmost importance (without being preachy and annoying).

I like the way the author divided the book into four parts for four different "blue zones" (Sardinia, Okinawa, Loma Linda in California, and Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica). It was also helpful that 75 percent of the book focused on the culture of these blue zones and on the stories of the centenarians. Somehow, when Buettner gets to the last part wherein he suggests simple ways on how to imitate these 100-year-olds' lifestyles, you have a specific idea of what you really want to be--and that is, to end up like them (with long lives and less years--if any--of disability and suffering).

As you breeze through the stories (which are like text counterparts of features on the National Geographic Channel by the way), there some non-obtrusive tips that you can take note of and practice in your own life (for example, in the Sardinia part of the book, there is a small box embedded in the text that succinctly explains the benefits of drinking goat's milk).

I know that I will read this book again and again (if only to inspire me again and again). I will recommend it to all my friends and loved ones, so they will have a concrete idea on why there is wisdom behind that (trite) health is wealth adage.







View all my reviews

Review: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



If you love music, uber witty lines, and wise-beyond-their-age teen characters, then Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is for you.

Some Rated R content made me rethink what really classifies a book as "Young Adult," but what the hell. I enjoyed every page, and I think young adults should, too.

Clever and cool this book is. Breathtaking in its wit and awesomeness. Made me realize how lucky I was to have grown up in the 90s, when great great music was king.




View all my reviews

Review: Matched

Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I was excited when I first saw a copy of Matched at a local bookstore (beautiful cover! post-apocalyptic world heroine! young adult genre! trilogy!).

I was so excited that I immediately asked the bookstore lady to reserve a copy of Crossed (book of two of this trilogy) for me, so I could immediately read it after I finish Matched.

Boy, was I disappointed.

Sure, the plot was promising and the book had some clever, thought-provoking moments. But I found the writing style to be contrived and trying hard. Because the writing focused on the melodrama, there was little left for characterization. This is a young adult novel after all, and I was supposed to feel happy (giddy?) for the characters in their "declaration of love" scenes. But I felt nothing. And that, for me, was the saddest part.

Needless to say, I cancelled my reservation for Crossed at the bookstore. Maybe I will just see how Disney (which apparently bought the book rights) interprets this for the big screen.



View all my reviews

Review: Flipped

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Flipped reminds me of why Young Adult is one of my favorite book genres. It's cute and giggly, deep and insightful at the same time. It pretty much encapsulates the confusing years of adolescence: when pre-teens and teenagers try to deal with new feelings,new discoveries, new learnings; and when they try to grapple with the remnants of childhood innocence while wrestling (and then coming to terms) with the eventuality that is adulthood at the same time.



The use of the egg and chick as the dominant metaphors in the story was clever. What better way to represent coming-of-age than a creature that literally breaks out of its shell?



On a lighter note, it felt wonderful to reminisce that unforgettable time when I was not-a-kid-anymore but not-quite-a-teenager-either. It seemed that emotions at that particular age were magnified a hundred times: happy moments were extra happy, your crush's smile was extra bright, sleepless nights were extra sleepless, heartbreaks were extra painful. Everything was in a surplus! But it was a real blast :)



All in all, Flipped is a wonderful he says, she says Young Adult novel. I say it's a must-read.



View all my reviews

Review: Silver Sparrow

Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Tayari Jones created such "rich" characters in this Young Adult book that most of the time, you would find it hard who to blame, or hate more, for what the two main protagonists had gone through in the story.

Silver Sparrow tells of a tale that is becoming more and more common in recent times: illegitimate children, bigamous/adulterous parents. The novel was able to tackle the issue as simply and as deftly as possible--so that even teenagers (whether going through or not going through the same experience) can relate to and understand both Dana and Chaurisse's predicament--while allowing the characters to develop throughout the story at the same time.

SPOILER ALERT:

My one and only beef was not able to read about what Chaurisse actually thought of her "victory" in the end, as it was Dana's voice featured in the Epilogue. But then again, Dana IS Silver Sparrow, so I thought maybe it was supposed to be ultimately her story.





View all my reviews

Don't Judge A Film By Its Trailer, Yeah?

But if the film is based on a fantastic book, you have to. It has to live up to a certain level of expectation, yeah?

In case you're wondering about the cockney, this is an influence of all these British authors I've read recently. All meaning two heehee--Zadie Smith and David Nicholls.

What does cockney have to do with this film I'm referring to, you ask. Well, based on my last post, I was able to finish Nicholls' One Day and thought it was a fine read. There were parts that were a little bit trite, but I found myself wanting to finish it asap (especially in the middle toward the end part). There were a lot of parts, in all fairness, that were that good. And because I enjoyed the book, I was curious about the film (naturally!). Thanks to Youtube, I was able to watch the trailer.

Apparently, the film was directed by the same director of "An Education," which I really liked. Based on the few scenes I saw, it was not bad. I think that it was pretty faithful to the book (the dialogue, at least).

So here comes the B-U-T. Anne Hathaway's accent! She was supposed to be Emma Morley, who grew up in Northern Britain and has (duh) a thick Northern accent. According to the book, and correct me if I'm wrong, her accent softens as the story progresses (as she spent most of her time in London and all). But still, British accent, British! Anne Hathaway, based on the film clips, sometimes had a British accent (which I thought was so affected it sounded weird), and sometimes had her usual American accent! It was like watching Princess Diaries all over again! (I apologize for the exclamation points, can't help it)

Splitting hairs? I don't think so. If they can't deal with something as "minor" as an accent, I can't see why I should watch it at all. Kind of ruins the mood for me.

Review: One Day

One Day by David Nicholls

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Why I really liked the book (thus the four stars):
1) Clever concept; clever way of presenting an "on/off love story" [i.e. what the characters did for the same day(July 15)in a span of two decades];
2) Witty dialogue (seems to be a trademark of most British authors I've read recently); and
3) Insightful quips (again, another trademark of quite a number of British authors).

Why I gave this book four, not five, stars:
1) Some of the characters are so one-dimensional they seem to be unreal;
2) Predictability (boy and girl who end up as best friends then end up together, then one of them...spoiler alert). I'm sure I have encountered the exact same story somewhere.
3) The characters get so predictably annoying at times, but I guess the author intended them to be this way (so they could resemble real people).

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book. Very well-written and all that. While the characters are a bit (I repeat) predictable, they are unforgettable. Now I know why they say the film version of One Day was a disappointment. You can't just reduce 435 pages of cleverness and wit into two hours of Hollywood-version dialogue/imagery.



View all my reviews

A Postscript

Photo taken from blog.herodogawards.org

Dear Kabang,

First of all, I would like to apologize for failing to mention your name in my last blog post. I just referred to you as a heroic native dog/askal/aspin, which is a huge travesty on your part. You have a name, and you deserve to be called that. Sorry.

Second, I would like to thank you. For making me realize that I sorely underestimated the capacity of Filipinos to love dogs--the efforts to help you recover both in Zamboanga and here in Manila made me cry while watching it on the news last night. Thank you for making me believe in Filipinos again, and for reminding us that the dog is really man's best friend.

I would also like to share with you how a native dog named Stalin rescued my mother from a rabid Great Dane. My mother, then only two, had managed to escape from her yaya (caregiver) and was toddling toward the road when this humongous dog blocked her path. The dog was about to attack Mama when their family dog, Stalin, suddenly appeared and fought with the salivating Great Dane. Thanks to dogs like you I am alive today :)

I wish you a long and happy life, Kabang. Thank you.

Hot Diggity Dog

This is the face of the native dog (askal or Asong Kalye; aspin or Asong Pinoy to the "more politically correct") who successfully rescued her master's two young children from a raging motorcycle. In return, the accident (horrifyingly) obliterated her upper snout (I purposely didn't blur to prove a point, sorry).

The master, a poor worker from Zamboanga City, refused to have the dog put down--even after a local vet offered to do so for free. So here's the P150 (the cost of euthanizing a native dog) question: Should you be able to switch places with the dog's owner, would you allow her to go on living like this, in this state, even with the drastically reduced quality of life?

I know that this may seem like a leading question. But believe it or not, I am all for letting the dog live. Everybody loves a hero, right? Why would you put down this dog, who only did what she could to save her beloved owner's kids? Such a beautiful and touching canine interest story! No wonder the TV stations have been running this for some days now.

However, while listening to the dog's owner appeal for help, I thought: "What help could the dog possibly get?" Medicines to help heal the destruction that was her face? A prosthetic snout? Dentures so she could eat properly again?

In the United States, or other advanced countries (in terms of animal welfare), I am pretty sure that they would seriously consider euthanasia. But here, in a country where quite a number of people (whether they admit it or not) still eat dogs, putting this courageous animal to sleep is considered an outrage.

I myself am torn--torn between the dog lover and the animal rights advocate in me. Truth is, I believe that this dog deserves to live; by God, she has earned it! We can debate all we want if she is presently aware of the magnitude of what she has done, but she deserves a chance to live.

I must emphasize, however, that hero or not, we should always remember to put the dog's welfare in mind. We are not stewards of these wonderful creatures (who depend on us for love and care) for nothing.

What They Think I Did

I had such a good laugh at this. Swak talaga, especially with the "What My Mom Thinks I Do" and "What Society Thinks I Do" part.

I remember sitting on top of a fire truck in the middle of a very unruly demonstration/rally (police vs. militant groups) back in 2006, thinking if I was really meant to be a reporter, and if that (the actual sitting on top of a firetruck to cover the story) was what my mother wanted in life for me. Did she want me to be the receiving end of a firehose/a shoe/a bottle/a batuta (come to think of it, Filipino cops do not really bring batons anymore)? Was her spanking of me (armed with the belief that I would get asthma attacks from the heat) after I played for hours under the sun all for naught?

I guess I wouldn't really know now, since I resigned from my job three years ago. But that was the beauty of being a journalist. The adventures, the unpredictability, the creation of something out of virtually nothing (words and stories out of observations and other people's words, NOT imagination). It was, at the end of the day, an exhausting but exhilarating occupation.

I miss the job. I miss all of it. But I miss it like I miss my teenage years: I would want to go back in time to enjoy it, correct my mistakes, and fulfill my might-have-beens. But I don't know if I still have the stamina and the hunger to do so. Getting tired and jaded in my old age, I guess. Heehee.

Review: White Teeth

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



In one sentence: This is how I want to write.

Zadie Smith is one hell of a writer. Wise, funny, eloquent, irreverent. White Teeth is one of the best books I've read--ever. Truly deserving of five stars. Un-for-get-ta-ble.

Some of Smith's words reminded me of Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things :
Roy: "Orangedrink Lemondrink Man"
Smith: "fathersons, oldyoung, bornherebornthere"

But whereas Roy's book can be likened to a sighting of what looks like a breathtaking nymph bathing in a spring ("Looks like, but can't be sure, the mist is too thick, but oh she's so beautiful!), its lyrical, dreamy prose sticking to your head for days on end, Smith's writing is like meeting a 14-year-old girl who can assemble Kalashnikovs, speak 13 languages, quote Sartre and Plato, and play Bach effortlessly on the piano. KICK-EFFIN-ASS.

I only brought up Roy because she's also one of my favorite authors and The God of Small Things is her first book, as White Teeth is Zadie Smith's. But Smith is a class all her own. And what marvelous stupendous class!






View all my reviews

Lessons From The Thesis Defense

1. You can't be too confident of what you have. There is always wisdom in humility.
2. There is a reason why a student is called a student and the professor is called THE professor.
3. Be thankful for small accomplishments.
4. A paradigm shift is always welcome: instead of defense, think of it as "sharing."
5. You have to have an anchor that is (WHO IS) bigger than you. Most of the time, the difference between passing and failing is a big heart--and a bigger faith.

Review: A Red Herring Without Mustard

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



My only regret in reading this book is postponing it for too long.

I think much has been said about the 11-year-old heroine, and all of them are true. Her sardonic observations have made me laugh out loud quite a number of times. An example:

"Immediately in front of me, a sign painted in blood-red letters on the hulk of a pantechnicon said BEWARE OF THE DOC--as if the animal in question had gone for the artist's throat before he could finish the letter G." (p.253)

How the 70-something author (and a male one at that!) has managed to figure out the inner workings of highly precocious (and intelligent beyond her years) Flavia de Luce is beyond me. Sheer talent/genius, I guess.

Flavia is the little sister I never had. Reminds me of how I was when I was her age: a (sometimes prissy) know-it-all eager to conquer the world. I'm glad that Alan Bradley wrote one more book that I haven't read yet, I'm Half Sick of Shadows. Will be seeing you around, Flavia!



View all my reviews

Review: The Triumph of Caesar

The Triumph of Caesar by Steven Saylor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Hieronymus, Gordianus' Massilian friend, sums up what I think of The Triumph of Caesar (p.288): "You used to appreciate a puzzle, Gordianus--the more baffling, the better. What's become of your powers of deduction? Gone to Hades, along with your powers of observation, I suppose."

Maybe it was the author's intention to lay down the groundwork for Gordianus' eventual retirement. After all, he has been Rome's number one private investigator for three decades. But still, I found the plot a little thin (But I still love you, Gordianus!). And the story's villain! I knew it was him, but I refused to believe it until I read his name. He's too insignificant to figure in the twist, I suppose.

I do hope with all my heart that this is not the last (in the series). I gave The Triumph of Caesar three stars because I know that there will be plenty of room for improvement in the next book. I hope...! (cross fingers)





View all my reviews

Review: The Judgment of Caesar

The Judgment of Caesar by Steven Saylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



In this second to the last installment of the Roma Sub Rosa series, Gordianus again ventures outside of Rome--this time to find a cure for his wife's illness.

Egypt, as painted by Saylor, is quite fascinating--I'm now counting Alexandria as one of my future travel destinations. But I didn't find Egypt as novel as reading about Massilia. Maybe its because I've read too many books (or seen too many tv shows) about Cleopatra and the Ptolemies. Maybe it's just me.

There were quite a number of interesting facets to Cleopatra's personality that were not explored too much in this book--such as her intelligence and leadership qualities. Maybe I'll read more about it in "The Triumph of Caesar." After all, I totally agree with what Saylor said about Cleopatra: "As one of history's losers, Cleopatra was vilified and marginalized by those who triumphed over her."

I was quite happy with the reconciliations in this book. I do hope that the final reconciliation in "The Judgement of Caesar" will be explained more fully in the next book. I'm sure it will, though :)



View all my reviews