Woooot! Check out the teaser of another film adaptation from a book I loved! Stephenie Meyer’s The Host really sealed her for me as one of my fave authors. I can’t believe they’re really bringing it to life. The heroine, Wanda/Melanie, will be played by The Lovely Bones actress Saoirse Ronan which I think will be perfect! Problem is, we’d have to wait exactly a year to see it but I’m eager for more promos as the filming progresses.
Category Archives: Books
In search of my Personal Legend
And when I say “in search of” I really mean “I don’t know what is”. Reading ‘The Alchemist’ enlightened me but didn’t necessarily bring me out the dark. This novel gave me answers but more importantly it left me with questions too. Now this “treasure” that I’m supposed to follow, Paulo Coelho said, should come to you early on life. But what if it doesn’t? Or maybe you didn’t realize that that was destiny giving you a heads up. “Maktub” as said in the book – it is written but not everyone possesses an Urim and Thummim to help them along the way. Or do they? How does one read omens, more so, interpret them? I want to believe that “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” But what if you want the wrong things? It’s all so inspiring and seems simple but of course like anything in life, it’s not. I may be deemed cynical for this but I do believe there is such a thing as a purpose in life, a personal legend. The problem is, I’m already turning 25 this year and yet I know I’m nowhere near figuring out what mine is let alone actually fulfilling it. Did I really miss the signs? Or was I just not looking hard enough? I’m as clueless as ever. Maybe the omens got tired already. Moving on, what I’m taking away from all of this is the four obstacles Coelho talked about. I agree with all of them and learning them now makes you feel prepared for battle, if you know what I mean. Here are the four:
As a child, we are told that everything we want to do is impossible. Some people call it being rational and it affects our mindset. This is true especially as we grow older and reality sets in. The innocence is lost and we discover that life is not fair.
We are afraid to hurt the ones we love by pursuing our personal legend. I understood when Coelho said that “If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil. And one can always come back. If what you have found was only a moment of life, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return.” It’s like your true love will be there to support you not hinder you.
The fear of failure, in my humble opinion, is the hardest obstacle. Because we gave up everything to follow our dream we can’t fathom the idea of losing. And this fear is the greatest; it’s do or die. The difficulties and trials will always be there so we must persevere.
Lastly, there is the fear of realizing the dream. Ironic but true. Some people, after working so hard, do falter once they discover that the goal is close at hand whether because they feel unworthy or that somehow that the dream would not be what they thought it would be. Sometimes just because others weren’t able to fulfill theirs, we feel undeserving as well.
Two statements from the story also stuck with me: “Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”
And, “The secret of life is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”
Like this:
With heavy heart I give you my last Harry Potter review
And to my dismay I can’t grasp why this is also my first. I searched my blog’s archive and I was surprised to find out that I have not written a single review about any of the movies or books. All my HP related entries were mainly promotions for the movies. In this case I will pour out everything into this one post. As some of you may have, I came to know Harry Potter through the first film, Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001. I was in high school back then and I can still remember how the fascination for this cute, wide-eyed, bespectacled, wizard boy with a lightning scar on his forehead exploded; I’m telling you most of my classmates’ notebooks were covered with cut-out pictures of him and even had posters on their bedroom walls. That time I wasn’t particularly interested, eventually I got more curious when Chamber of Secrets premiered but still I regarded it as children stuff. I knew then there were books from which they were based upon but it wasn’t until Prisoner of Azakaban in 2004 (one of the best both in movie and novel aspects) where I really started following and got the urge to read the novels. But being a late-bloomer when it comes to reading (in everything more like it) and by that I mean it wasn’t until 2008 where I picked up my first novel (Twilight) and since then regularly visited bookshops and carried with me a book almost everywhere I go. Going back, this was when Sirius Black came into the picture and the theme got evidently dark. I especially enjoyed the “time-turner” portion of the story. I wished then that Hogwarts was real and somehow a Hagrid-like character would barge in one day at our house to tell me that I was a wizard and that I didn’t belong in the muggle world (hehe). Then Goblet of Fire came and I was a huge fan already. I was eagerly anticipating its release and if I remember it right I even watched on the first screening. I loved the idea that there were other magic schools and the Tri-wizard tournament was the highlight of that year. 2007 brought along Order of the Phoenix and I was obsessed; I knew all the characters, memorized the spells/magical objects, cheered on Quidditch – to think I still haven’t read the books. This was when the rebellion went in full swing and things started heating up. Suddenly it wasn’t so much about school since You-Know-Who was back.
And then it was time, I finally got the novels. It’s a bit weird since I bought first the last 4 books. The reason was I couldn’t find a hardbound copy of the first one – yes it had to be in hard cover and besides I don’t think my pocket can handle buying all at once 
. So I decided since I wanted to finish up to the last book before the last of the movie installments come out. That was when I realized how the books are so much more intricate and amazing and magical – yes that’s the word, magical. It truly is. You might say, “Well that’s because they’re wizards moron”. But it’s not so much because they have wands and can conjure spells or that they use owls to send out mails and fly on brooms but more of how the world was created and thought of; how it all came together and laid out. I am astonished on how the idea of this boy came to Rowling while riding a train to London. By the time Half-blood Prince was in cinemas I gobbled up the entire set including the first 3. Dumbledore died in this chapter of the series and his past was uncovered. Indeed, a chaotic time in the wizarding world. It was my first time to watch with the story in mind so normally I had moments where I said, “hey, that’s not how it happened” or “that wasn’t in the book”. Overall it was still a good interpretation. Generally, the books are usually superior but over the years the Harry Potter movies were some of the best adaptations from a literary work. The tweaks in the story here and there are necessary to properly translate it into a visual piece, smooth out the narration and of course, fit it into roughly more than 2 hours of screening time.
The epic finale was divided into two parts and it is a warranted decision for the producers because there is no way it could fit into one; so much would’ve been compromised. Although the Deathly Hallows novel was introduced in 2007, you still have something to look forward to that’s why I couldn’t believe it was truly the end when both installments came out. Reading it, I cried as the conclusion drew closer and page by page all questions are answered. I started sobbing practically when Harry, upon seeing Snape’s memories through the pensieve, discovered he needed to die to destroy Voldemort. I was stunned, I couldn’t accept it. I even loathed how Dumbledore and Snape were portrayed differently afterwards like the roles switched. Albus was not altogether innocent and Severus was, in a way, a brave hero. But I’ve learned to accept it, that’s how emotionally attached I am. The darkest moment was the battle at Hogwarts especially when some of our beloved characters died. The film was just as engrossing. I’m in full praise to David Yates because I can only imagine how difficult it must’ve been to stay true to the novel and please the fans. I can say that it was a masterpiece both visually and in storytelling. In the end, the good prevailed. It always does. I think the epilogue was also like cherry on top of ice cream. I appreciated that Rowling didn’t leave the story of our threesome open-ended. If I can just say though, there’s still a part in me that wishes that it should’ve been Hermione and Harry together but I love Ron so it’s fine. Lastly, I want to thank J.K. Rowling because although Harry Potter was not exactly a part of my childhood it sure brought out the kid in me again and it felt good. It was a wonderful sort of journey going through all the books and movies throughout the years. Let me end this post with the last words in the novel that I thought was just beautiful: “The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well.” (sniff sniff) 
Like this:
The Lost Symbol: Dan Brown is a master thriller
I don’t know where to begin. The Lost Symbol is by far the most exhilarating thing I’ve read. I don’t necessarily agree to everything it implies but it adds to its whole appeal; it’s still fiction in the end. This book is just packed with adrenaline and filled with information in every chapter and I mean every, you can’t throw anything at all. Sometimes my mouth just drops and I stop and process what I’m reading (no exaggeration). I remember by the time I was on chapter 6, I can barely cope with all the facts thrown at me. I now marvel with the history of Washington and of history in general. It spiced up what I formerly consider as an uninteresting subject. The idea that our ancestors have already uncovered what man’s true potential is and was eventually forgotten which we today are still yet to discover, is mind-boggling. Lightning-paced and never boring, it grips you till the end.
This is my first Dan Brown novel; I used to think he was overrated but when I caught the Angels & Demons movie I was impressed. This is his 3rd novel (the other being The Da Vinci Code) that involves his famous character Robert Langdon and is also based with the concept of Freemasonry. The story follows Peter Solomon, a powerful Mason and Langdon’s mentor, and this Masonic Pyramid that apparently points to a secret location that holds The Ancient Mysteries which will reveal man’s god-like qualities. Aiming to possess the ‘power’ it holds, the antagonist named Mal’akh devoted his life in acquiring this ancient secret. He demands Langdon to decipher the code in exchange for Solomon’s life. His true identity was kept until the end and it will catch you off-guard. The situation gets complicated as it becomes an issue of national security thus the CIA gets involved. The chase was one thrilling and riveting ride as one by one clues are discovered and the characters got closer and closer towards the ‘truth’.
I give The Lost Symbol a two thumbs up. A recommended read.
The Lost Hero: Another Adventure Novel About Greek Myths But Better
Having read the Percy Jackson & The Olympians (and enjoyed it), I wasn’t sure if I wanted another mythology-inspired book. But as it turns out, author Rick Riordan’s new series The Heroes of Olympus is an even more exciting take on the affairs of the Gods that keeps affecting the modern world. On its first instalment – The Lost Hero introduces 3 new heroes: Jason, Leo and Piper (reminds me of the TV show Charmed). At the beginning, Jason wakes up sitting beside Piper and Leo in a school bus for delinquent kids with no idea who he is or why he’s even there. Piper was there for apparently stealing BMWs just to get his (famous) dad’s attention. Leo, well he always gets into trouble so he ran away but he has a hidden talent. The story picks up 3 months from the invasion of Kronos in Manhattan as featured in ‘The Last Olympian’ and so features some of our favourite characters from before: Annabeth, Thalia, Rachel, Percy on the other hand is missing. Soon enough, our 3 new demigods end up on Camp Halfblood, claimed by their God parent and were sent to take on a quest for a prophecy that is far greater than that of Percy’s ‘Great Prophecy’ – yes I do think so. Olympus was closed, the Gods fell silent and Hera was trapped by some kind of power. Jason’s identity is a crucial part of the plan and will explain a lot about the new prediction. For those who haven’t read it, here’s a clue: it has everything to do with the Roman aspect of the Gods. If my guess is right, Percy and Annabeth will be part of these ‘7 heroes’ as prophesized (fingers crossed).
The book is longer but plotted better. The humour is still there so that’s a good thing. It’s also more engaging since the story gets narrated by each of the 3 characters 2 chapters at a time. The 2nd volume, The Son of Neptune, has been announced to be released sometime in Fall 2011. I can’t wait since this will be the most epic of quest the heroes of Olympus will ever take on. I’m hoping the title is in reference to Percy since Neptune is the Roman form of Poseidon, unless He has some other kid (again!).
