For the atheist

I rarely write book reviews since I find it redundant with the synopses and praises found on book covers. Nor do I openly challenge people who don't believe in God in a debate about His existence for fear that I might end up being the one converted to atheism. But, after reading Lee Strobel's Case for Christ, I felt compelled and inspired to do so.

Written from the point of view of an atheist, the book courageously questions the foundations of Christianity. Does God exist? Is Jesus really the Son of God? Is the Bible really written by inspired individuals or is just fanfiction of ancient times? Did Jesus really resurrect from the dead? Was Jesus crazy (in the real sense of the word) when He claimed to be the Messiah prophesied from the Old Testament? These are just some of the questions answered by scholars, historians, theologians, and other experts interviewed in the book. And their answers are based on facts backed up by solid evidence.

So, for the atheist (and for those skeptical about the Christian faith or those who are dabbling with New Age or other religions), I challenge you to pick up the book and investigate the Case for Christ yourself. You've got nothing to lose, anyway (just 300pesos if you're buying the book from NB). But you've got a whole lot to gain. If you examine the claims of Christ critically, but with an open mind, you'll find that there's more than enough evidence to believe it.

As for me, I agree with the author that: with the amount of evidence available for the case for Christ, it would take more faith to maintain atheism than to trust Jesus of Nazareth. Are you up to the challenge? :P

I Kissed Dating Goodbye

The title itself is a turn-off. I wouldn't have picked up this book had I seen it in a book store at a different period in my life. But times have changed. My only regret is that I should've read this sooner than later.

So I kissed dating goodbye. The title is as radical as its contents. While getting my nails done (and I wasn't in the mood to have small talk about Karylle and Marian with the manicurist), I contemplated yet again about my life (note to self: avoid idleness at all costs. bring a book next time). What was I doing?! (Slap on the forehead) The world has its own definition of love -- that passion-filled, sweep-you-off-your-feet, butterflies in your tummy, "haven't felt this way before", "can't stop thinking about you", "can't stop thinking about your smile" kind of feeling. Intense (and beautiful) while it's there, but gone at the blink of an eye. I've seen the "beauty" of this kind of love. But I've also had my fair share of worldly-love inflicted pain. I'm sick and tired of this kind of perspective. Every break-up, whether from a one-week fling or from a serious four-year one, is painful. I don't want it anymore.

Love, in God's definition, is Jesus hanging on the cross. (No, I didn't kiss dating goodbye to become a nun. FYI.) Love is a decision, and not a feeling. It's a decision you stick to no matter the cost. And until I'm ready for that kind of life-long commitment (in other words: marriage... which I'm certainly not ready for right now), I'm lying low from the dating scene. O good Lord, help me. HAHA!

I'm not about to start a debate whether you should quit dating as well. I'm not good at debates (just a good speaker. haha!). DISCLAIMER: I'm not against dating nor people who date. This is just a personal conviction that I'm praying I'll be able to follow through. If you're tired of pointless relationships, if you're in it just for fun, if you're merely looking for someone better and not "the one", grab a copy of the book. Or you can rent mine for a minimal cost :D

The Shack

Mack lost his daughter Missy during a camping trip, and found her bloody dress in a rundown shack miles away from their camp site after several days of searching. Authorities never found her body nor her killer. A few years later, he receives a note apparently from God, inviting him to go back to the shack and spend the weekend with Him. Mack thought it was either a bad joke being played on him, or it really was God inviting him. Out of curiousity, he went on the trip expecting the worst.

If I could spend a weekend with God, how will I spend it? I mean.. should I ask Him the questions that humanity has been asking since the dawn of time: why does he allow bad things happen to good people, am I really going to be punished for all the times I lied, what happens to those people who don't believe in Him, which religion should I believe in? What should I expect him to look like? Will he be like Zeus in Disney's Hercules? Or will he look like Gandalf in Lord of the Rings? Is he really old-looking? What does heaven look like? Is it really guarded by a golden gate? Is it really up in the clouds?

Growing up, I've been raised a Catholic and I've been "programmed" to follow Catholic principles. Follow the commandments. Never miss mass on Sundays. Don't fall asleep during the homily. Love God with all your heart. Be nice to your sister. Be charitable to the less fortunate. Pray. Be afraid of the Lord because He punishes those who don't follow Him. Be good. Abhor evil. Not only that, my childhood and growing years were flooded with religious stereotypes. Cartoons and movies depicted God as an old guy with white robes and long gray hair and a loud booming voice, and heaven is a golden city up on the clouds.

After reading The Shack, it's like I've been reformatted and booted up with a new system, a new outlook and thinking. All the things I thought were true and righteous were debunked, and were replaced by new beliefs and values. Like Mack, my view of God changed into a deeper, more personal level. He doesn't look like Zeus after all :P And heaven isn't made of gold. It's amazing how many realizations were made and how many ideologies and theories were challenged and proven self-righteous in a few hundred pages. Being religious doesn't necessarily mean being faithful. Being good in our eyes does not necessarily mean being good in God's eyes. If there is one fictional book that you'll have to read for the month, grab The Shack (Yes, this is higher than Twilight in my list of favorites.). If it doesn't change how you look at humanity and how you view God and your relationship with Him, let me know. I'll have to treat you to a retreat and a session with a counselor or something. Haha!

Broken Dawn

While I'm at it, might as well post a review on the book. Spoilers ahead. But by this time, every fan must have read the book already. If you haven't, you really didn't miss anything spectacular.

So for those reading my page (thanks. haha), my addiction to the vampires is bordering on abnormal. I've been waiting for ages for the last installment of the series, and once it was delivered on my doorstep (office reception) I read it like there was no more tomorrow.

Until I got to the chapters where Bella and Edward had sex. (Goodness). And Bella got pregnant. (Huwat?!) And she gave birth to Renesmee (Seriously.) And best friend werewolf Jacob imprinted on Renesmee (Noo... Seriously.) And Edward called Jacob "son". (What the F. What's wrong with you.)

I wasn't entirely disappointed, actually. Twilight Saga still ranks as my favorite. But Breaking Dawn kind of normalized my obsession. And I don't like my obsession being normalized. Abnormality makes it exciting. And now, it's just normal.

I guess the only disappointment I had with the book is its lack of action. Nothing exciting happened (aside from Bella giving birth.. that was a different kind of excitement. Not a good one.). Every loose end of the story was tied up in a neat little bow. And as humans, we clamor for struggle and tension in a story.. we clamor for something we can relate to. Even though its fiction. And in my opinion, that was what Breaking Dawn lacked. It would have been better if one of the wolves died. Or Jacob died saving Edward from the Volturi attack (if there was an attack). But that's just my fanfiction. I'm still giving Meyer credit for the whole Twilight Saga. Of course, it still had its kilig moments (Bella and Edward's wedding). But other than that, the story was sailing on a calm ocean. On a clear day. Without a bird in the sky.

You get the point.

Science fiction for people who don't like science fiction

So I don't only read about vampires, but I also read about aliens. My coolness meter just went up a few more levels. Hehehe :D

I never understood all the hype about sci fi, so I never read anything related to that.. until Meyer published The Host. I was hesitant at first because it was about alien invasion -- yikes. But after reading the chapters posted on her site, I got the book and read through it in a week. I was half expecting Edward to appear somewhere in the middle of the story :P I officially have a new favorite author. Thank goodness Meyer isn't a one-hit-wonder.

The best thing about the book is probably being able to make sci-fi readable for non sci-fi readers. Aliens, called Souls, that looked like silvery living ribbons invade earth by taking over human bodies, and then turn the world into the ultimate paradise -- all types of cancer are cured, no wars, no theft, no crimes, no bad anything. Not as half-bad as it sounds. But then, the human hosts, once taken over by a soul, no longer have control over their own minds and body and eventually lose their identity. Naturally, the remaining humans hide and fight for their survival. But after one of them gets caught, they realize that it's still possible to co-exist with the parasite and forge deep and meaningful relationships with someone (or something :P) from another race. More so, they realize that being human does not necessarily mean being parasite-free. Being human should be measured instead by the compassion and kindness you show others regardless if they're aliens, humans, or vampires. :P

I probably should give reading fiction a rest and switch back to self-help. My right brain is so worked up these days, don't you think? :P

Vampires and Werewolves. Agaaaiiiin.

I've been waiting for inspiration to strike.. and try to write about more pressing issues (like.. global warming!) other than vampires and werewolves.. but my muses have taken a leave. All but one - my muse for Twilight related stuff. Eew. Haha! I just have to admit... I'm addicted. Addicted to the plot, the story, the characters, everything! I realize that others are not really as interested in all this young adult fiction nonsense, so if you're one of them, you can close your browser now :) You've been warned :P

I didn't like New Moon as much as I loved Twilight. The story took a sad turn and there was less Edward-Bella action. Now that I think of it.. that's probably one of the main reasons I wasn't in love with New Moon - there weren't enough hyperventilating moments, less Edward exposure. Nevertheless, Bella's character still fascinates me. It's like, I can sympathize with her. It's creepy, but I can predict her choices before I even read the next lines or turn the page. It's like seeing my thoughts on print. (Weirdo alert!) Actually, it's more of like re-living past memories (past break-ups to be exact). It reminded me of the days when I was holding up the pretense that my world was normal, but the moment I hit the pillows, the sadness took over. Okay, too much info there. But you get the point. I'm a hopeless romantic to the end. And that's what the book was about.

Now Eclipse.. this is definitely better than New Moon. Because there was more Edward in the story. Haha! But seriously, I liked it better because the Edward-Bella relationship has progressed to the next level. It already has a sense of maturity, and it's no longer the high school love team from Twilight that my 13-yr old cousin would have probably related to better. It's rare that you find your one true love (i feel so corny for writing that down and publishing this blog) in high school. I doubt that even happens in real life. But, as a co-Twilight fan and friend has read from Meyer's site: Bella has only fallen in love and it was a very sudden, dramatic, sweep-you-off-your-feet, change-your-world, magical, passionate, all-consuming thing. When that happens to someone, or when you read about that happening to someone (fiction or non-fiction), you can't help but share the feeling right? :) I'm just justifying my emotions here, so spare me :P Plus, I identify with Bella's mantra very well: when torn between two options, choose the one you can't live without.. choose the one you are committing to. It's also in Meyer's site that I read this line that struck a raw nerve... I just agree with it in so many ways: The bottom line is that you have to choose who you are going to commit to—that's the foundation of true love, not a lack of other options.

Gah. So now I have a month and a half before the next and final installment of the series comes out - Breaking Dawn. That's a month and a half for me to focus on ther issues (yey!). A month and a half to ease myself back to reality and face it that I'm not a Cullen after all. :P A month and a half to rest from this Twilight mania that might be getting boring already for my friends :P


P.S.
I was just thinking about it.. A few months from now, when the Twilight mania has subsided, I will really laugh at myself for getting in too deep into this dark romance series. But you know me.. once I get started on an addiction, I follow through (i.e. Backstreet Boys). Ok, too much info again. Haha!

And the lion fell in love with the lamb..

What a stupid lamb!

Is it possible to be so engrossed in a book that you feel the heroine's hyperventilation and pain? Yes. I am beyond crazy about this book.. I'm obsessed. Haha! Meyer's uncanny ability to describe Edward's character (and I should emphasize the way his physical appearance is described) is unbelievable. My mom even commented the same thing. Yes, I influenced my mom to read the book. See the age range this book encompasses? 13-year-old cousin to 50something-year-old mom.

Twilight has nearly everything - drama, romance, suspense, and hot, gorgeous fictional characters. That's what I love about books, really. They take you to a parallel world where hot fictional characters exist and you feel so involved in the story. And sometimes, the real world makes more sense than it did before. And they almost get you convinced that it's not so bad to be bitten by a vampire. Haha!

At first glance, Twilight seems like the typical young adult novel with the normal vampire-human love affair (as if that's really normal). The prey and the predator fall in love. But after reading much further, you realize that it captures the whole essence of love and relationship.. that one is willing to sacrifice for the other and vice versa. Of course, it also helps that Edward Cullen and his family are dazzling.. and hot.. and gorgeous.

As I've posted earlier, a movie adaptation is coming up by next year. I have high expectations for this film because the book set the bar high. I even heard from somewhere (Entertainment Tonight, I think..) that the fan base is even bigger now than Harry Potter. Whoa.

So.. next book on the list: New Moon. Twilight's sequel :D Until then.