Lord of the Rings: Rereading

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement." - Gandalf, Tolkien's Lord of the Ring, book 1, The Fellowship of the Ring, p. 58

I've finally started rereading this book yesterday, even orally at that. It will be a long journey but I hope to see it through. I've read this one more than ten years ago, or maybe more or less 15 years ago when I was in my teens. I almost forgot most details but I remembered how I enjoyed getting lost in the pages of the book. It will be a good one before bedtime to get me to sleep instead of some electronic gadget. 

Going back to the quote, I just have to stop and ponder on this line. I am not a violent kind of person personally but it made me think of death penalty. It's so easy to be swayed to it amidst the hatred full if shit that is happening almost everywhere in this world. Most religious thoughts would go against death penalty and it would just sound too cliche already. Yet, still, with an Yiruma piano playing in my background while reading, it made me stop and write these thoughts. 

Now, more pages to plod through in search of another quote to write about next time. 

Local Library Revisited

Ebony and Ivory Bookstore: English Used Bookstore Cheonan

This is the trail I followed to find the Ebony and Ivory bookstore. The sign already caught my eyes the few times we passed through the area and only through the fb group that I learned that it is a second-hand books' store. The directions were pretty solid. Coming from the Shinsege area, I walk past the the 7-11 store and I already spotted the black and white signboard even though it was written in Korean.  There were ample signs to follow so it felt like a scavenger hunt for me as I go downstairs to the basement.

Spot the black and white sign?

This is what I saw upon reaching the landing. It looks a bit uninhabited and creepy at first but ...



when I turned right and spied this door...


it felt like home! (I just love bookstores and this setting is one unique place as it kind of gives me the old bookstore feeling.)

Right side books are actually old, almost collector's- items-kind-of-books.

Right in front of me are shelves of used books of every genre: from novels, self-help, reference books, children's books and other series. Hurray! This is nothing compared to the ones in the malls like Booksale that I frequent before.







Some other places of interest I've seen around the area. An Indian resto, a branch of a stationery store called Dream Office, and a uniform store.

posted from Bloggeroid

Frank Baum

http://librivox.bookdesign.biz/book/4131

Finished the 3rd book of the series of Aunt Jane...

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Idiot Nation? -- the Non-Reading Culture of Philippines

This past few weeks that I had been reading online newspaper can truly be beneficial or annoying, both at the same time. The issue on tax on books that had started surfacing around the first week of this month really is something for the public to take notice of more than that of Pacquiao's mother birthday bash.

I can only sigh and think if there's anything I can do about it. An editorial on taxes on books is published in the Inquirer newpaper today. Hopefully, other people will be able to check it out and let their minds be felt.

Here is the editorial page link. Also other here and here from previously published regarding this issue.

Rilla of Ingleside

As I look over my previous entries before, I've come across some typos, and things alike. Ihaven't done a lot of editing before publishing anything coz all I want to be able to do is save whatever is running on my mind. Excuses, excuses. I will have to polish it off soon.

These days kept me busy with schoolwork for me. Nonetheless, the pull of something to listen to even while I am doing the dishes, or folding up the clothes. I fancied Rilla on Ingleside one day and started listening to it. The first 5 chapters just played repeatedly for a while until I finally got tired of it and really decided to "really" listen. After getting past it, the interest on the book started building up.

Comparing it to the Anne series, which I thought I completed except for this, this one is a bit heavy. Melancholic. I was looking for a setting of the-old-days this book brought me to a period of war in history. It may not be as godd as the Anne Frank's Diary but it was set on a little far from the was area. Geographically. Still same sufffering of the people living during the war. I'm not sure if it was World War 1 or 2, I must go back to my world history lessons ;(. My bet is it's 2nd one.

This made me reflect again on the the atrocities of war. Not exactly first-hand recounting of what took place that time but how other people felt and lived. To live in the world during war time even you're miles away from the war zone still would be felt somehow. More than fifty years ago since the last World War took place and it might seem a long time ago. Some veterans still live til this day but it won't be long that the effects and lives of war may be forgotten. We might not be very apprehensive of any possibility of yet another war again. God forbid.

Confession. This book made me cry. Death of a brother. A brother believed to be a coward. Yet after braving the frontlines of the war, finds himself no coward at all. It is better to have died fighting so that others may live without fear, than to live in fear, and remember the sad pictures of life during the war.

Going back to the Anne series, I found out that I may have seem to miss one. My next book on the list would be "Rainbow Valley." I may need to take a break from Montgomery's books for now though. I'm digging up the "Further Chronicles of Avonlea" but I may "reshelf" it for a while. If I could find an A.Christie audio book, that would be to my liking now. If not, any mystery/detective one will suffice.

'Til my next one.

Pride and Prejudice

I'm going a bit backwards on the logs of I have read recently.

This book title, I believe to have come across a few time reading other books before. Not to mention of it being in a movie. I've tried to watch before but never really got everything from start to finish. If I do remember it well, I was finally able to read this at a local library. Unfortunately, I had this impression that it was a condensed version.

When I first try to start the ebook, I almost backed off thinking that it looks so familiar that I might find it boring coz I've "read" it somewhere already. Nonetheless, with my hubby's prodding, as well as there wasn't much other choice availabe on the reader at that time, I started it. I can't remeber around what chapter was I when I felt that I have finish it even though I already know how the story will go. I found myself enjoying each page. Some part, I had to compromise on listeninng to the audio version. Nevertheless, I started and really ended it with "reading."

Going beyond the romantic hook of the story, I believe that it does also have other implications in life. A very nice choice of title. Pride and Prejudice. People really tend to have prejudicisms even unconsciously. It might be quite "immoral" to admit to have prejudice on something or someone but human may find himself a prey to this every now and then. As for pride, I think it's a given trait of human. Only, some can be very obvious while some are a bit inconspicuous.

Should I still give a background of the story? I believe not. This is a very popular one and any try on my part might not just do justice. I might even get sued. :)

Reading Log History

I've never had a reading list except for the series of books of my favorite authors while growing up. I'm refering to the list of "other books of this author" at every back or inside cover of a book. Did I dream of collecting and be able to read all those books!

As life goes, we grow up. Genres might not change but other books come up every now and then. Even though I've managed to venture reading other authors, I've learned to read other kinds too. Different level, age-market or something of that sort.

After reading quite a number, I think it will be just now that I've considered keeping a log. Sure, I might have written some diary entries about a book or two before but most likely that it was out of overflow of ideas and reaction after reading one.

Now I have found myself of a task that I SHOULD write something about what I've read. For memory or simple mind exercise, as well writing.

Next entry coming up for some books that I've read recently and can still remember enough things to write about.