Reading is More Fun in the Philippines

I was so moved by this that I am planning to initiate a similar project here in Cebu.

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/50687/ex-libris-2

Day 17 - A book you’ve read that changed your views on something

Embraced by the Light, an inspiring book by Betty Eadie, was the first and only book that I read in one sitting. I remember buying the book when the bookstore was about to close, went home, slept, woke up, started reading it, and didn't put the book down until I finished it. 

I've always been fascinated with the supernatural, and one of the questions I've always had was, what happens when we die? Now there have been a lot of books and movies about the topic, but I felt something within me when I read Betty Eadie's book.

As always, there are always skeptics, but I am entitled to my own opinion and decision, and I believe what I read in that book, that I even bought several copies to give as gifts back then.

Cause of Death

Day 14 of the 30 Day Challenge - A Non-Fictional Book

The best non-fiction book I've read is Cause of Death by Dr. Cyril Wecht. It's a book I've read and re-read many times over.

William Beatty 0f Booklist says it all in his editorial review:

In this fascinating book, a forensic pathologist relates his experiences with a dozen murders or supposed murders. As he does, he makes clear the education, experience, and character needed to make a good medical examiner as well as what such an individual should do. Although his case studies are the kind that encourage lurid treatment, Wecht deals primarily with hard evidence and his own substantial involvement when sloppy work by police and coroners made solutions either much harder or impossible. Those whose deaths Wecht reports on range from John F. Kennedy (whose case consumes one-fifth of the text) through Elvis Presley to Delbert Ward, who was made famous by the award-winning documentary film, Brother's Keeper. Who was the second shooter in Dallas (Wecht does not buy the conspiracy theory)? Who was the second shooter with Sirhan? What actually happened at Chappaquiddick? Such are the questions Wecht sought to answer. Especially interesting are the cases of Dr. Charles Friedgood ("one of [Wecht's] most bizarre cases"), of Capt. Jeffrey MacDonald, M.D. (the most troubling for Wecht), and of others whose demises are less renowned but as provocative.

This book is again inside my bag as I'm starting to read it yet again.

Les Miserables

Day 4 of the 30 Day Challenge - Your Favorite Book

I am such a loser when it comes to books. In my 29 years of existence, I have only read a few books from cover to cover, excluding textbooks I was forced to read in school. I just didn't have that much time to really read a lot. Yes, I know it's a lame excuse. It's kinda ironic too, considering I've authored a reference book a few years ago.

Another irony is that my favorite book is the longest book I've ever read. It took me more than a month to finish it but I consider finishing it as an accomplishment for me. I forced myself to read it when I joined the musical just so I can understand the story and the characters better. It helped me tremendously.

Yes, my favorite book is the source of my favorite musical: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

Although there are a lot of parts that are boring, it's a good read overall.

Before him he saw two roads, both equally straight;
but he did see two; and that terrified him
--he who had never in his life known anything but one straight line.
And, bitter anguish,
these two roads were contradictory.

-Les Misérables (p.1320)