Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
April is my birthday month! Happy birthday y’all April babies! 🤗 How is life treating you right now? Are we still good? Well, I hope and pray that you’re in the best shape of your life. I hope and pray you keep on fighting despite all the trying. I hope and pray you can see hope in hopeless situations.
And for my birthday month, I am giving away some of my written books. I am hoping and praying these books will give hope and inspired you to continue with life and pursue God in your life. Life is easier with God. Seek Him. Obey Him. Abide in Him. And He will be with You.
I am in the testing season, crying season, and most of all in the trusting season. People may fail you, but God will never. He can turn our bad situation into a good one. Nothing is impossible when we trust in Him.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
I hope and pray we continue to seek and trust in God through Jesus who gives us strength. May we continue to see the unconditional love He gave us through Jesus, His only begotten Son. I know it is not easy right now, but God knows what is the best for us. May we continue to lean toward His direction. May God provide wisdom, love, patience, strength, guidance, and our daily bread to continue to live our purpose in this life. I pray all these and let us surrender everything to the LORD. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
I hope you are inspired to live the best time of your life only through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I hope and pray that in these uncertainties you are experiencing right now, may we realize that God is certain. We are certain that God allows the challenges in our lives for good and not for worst. Trust Him, trust the process.
Here’s the link of one of the free e-books I plan to share on my birthday month. I hope and pray this brings inspiration to your life. A special shout out to all April babies out there, happy blessed birthday!
Spring is here! It is the season where everything blooms and blossoms. Who wouldn’t want spring season? Personally, it is my favorite season out of all of the seasons. Flowers are out and the greens are starting to pop in the scenery!
This season inspires me to create a coloring book. Flowers and coloring are two of my favorite things in life. Sight seeing a bed of flowers is a feast for my eyes and coloring flowers in a coloring book is a hobby I really enjoy all the time.
You may download a free copy of the coloring book by clicking the link below:
Just give me a shout out if you are having difficulty downloading the book and I’ll give my best shot to help. Have fun! Color your life!
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell youthat not even Solomon in all his splendorwas dressed like one of these.
The Screwtape Letters is the second book I read from C.S. Lewis. I was captivated by his intellectual and spiritual approach to writing. His portrayal of the devils in the form of Screwtape was riveting and intriguing. At the beginning of my reading journey, I was curious about how the story would unfold and a little confused about the letter-formatted passages, but excited at the same time about how the story would take me for another ride.
A Masterpiece of Satire on Hell’s Latest Novelties and Heaven’s Unanswerable AnswerC.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters has entertained and enlightened readers the world over with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the unique vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to “Our Father Below.” At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C.S. Lewis gives us the correspondence of the wordly-wise devil to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging account of temptation—and triumph over it—ever written.
This is also the second book I finished reading in the year 2025. Nowadays, it is difficult to read. There are a lot of things that are happening in my life right now, but I can only do so little. I tried to stay with the book to keep me company. I am glad I got to finish the book, at last. I enjoyed the book since it talks about human nature to sin or to get entrapped in a situation he willfully or not willfully created for himself where it may feel like there is nowhere to go or to run to. It is that kind of situation that is hopeless and pestered by fear and doubt.
The devils are cunning and fallen creatures and they will try their best to plague this world. I pray to God above to help me in my journey in life. I am having difficulty now and the devil seems to be celebrating. I hope to endure this situation and succeed victoriously in life. I thank God for the wisdom and hope He planted in me and for all the people He sent on my way, the good and the bad.
This book is the kind I would like to keep if I have a library of my own and probably read it more than once.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
The Great Divorce is one of the many books written by C. S. Lewis. I just have known recently that he is a Christian and some of his books deal with idea, philosophical, or spiritual views of Christianity. Growing up, I have known him for the movie series The Chronicles of Narnia which based of the book he wrote.
This is the first book I finished reading this year 2025, thanks to our reading date I finally made a little progress to my books to read backlogs.
C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce is a classic Christian allegorical tale about a bus ride from hell to heaven. An extraordinary meditation upon good and evil, grace and judgment, Lewis’s revolutionary idea in the The Great Divorce is that the gates of Hell are locked from the inside. Using his extraordinary descriptive powers, Lewis’ The Great Divorce will change the way we think about good and evil.
The book style of story telling got me confused at first. I did not know who's who. The point of view had me questioning what was happening in the story. In the quarter part of the book, I finally realized that it was being told in the first person point of view. There were ghost, bus ride, hell, heaven, life on earth, and after life on earth throughout the story.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
I stayed with the book despite of being confused and totally lost at the plot of the story, since it was giving me a sense of promise about the great divorce between heaven and hell which the book title strongly suggested.
The ongoing war between good and evil has been existing even before human race realized it is actually happening. The Great Divorce will give a refreshing view of good and evil. At one point while reading the book, I was reminded that what may be considered good on earth may not be good in heaven, and sometimes what humans may consider bad or evil on earth is what is right in heaven.
The bus ride with C.S. Lewis maybe one of the rides you may be needing right now. I enjoyed reading this book even though I had difficulty in the beginning of the story and was able to reach the end. Life is the same. No matter how hard life is we just have to keep moving towards the end of our story. The end that is orchestrated by the most powerful being. He is in our story, God is in this story. I just pray and hope we all make it according to His purpose.
Woe to those who call evil goodand good evil,who put darkness for lightand light for darkness,who put bitter for sweetand sweet for bitter.
Another book done, and it’s finally one of the books of Rupi Kaur. I have been intrigued by her books ever since she became popular with her first book Milk and Honey, I couldn’t afford to buy her books back in the Philippines, and probably here in the US I would still consider the book as a bit pricey. And that’s just for me, it is never a professional valuation I just set a specific range of budget for the books I buy.
the sun and her flowers by rupi kaur is the recent book I finished reading for my reading challenge this year. I must say it was a short read, and I like it. I have been taking more interest in poetry books ever since year 2024 began. One thing that got me into it is, yeah, you guessed it right maybe, it is a short read. Another thing is most of the poetry books released nowadays talks about human emotions with all the mental health issues we are dealing with right now make them more so relevant. Short read and relevant.
Also, honesty is something that I really appreciate in this book of Rupi Kaur. She made herself vulnerable while solidifying as strong identity of who she has become as a person and a woman. Her sincerest intention of making herself relevant in order to reach other people who might be going or have gone through touched the little girl, teenager, and the woman who is in a working progress in me.
The book has five (5) parts which all the delicate yet vigorous pieces of poems were chronologically arranged based on the life experience of the author, at least that’s how I see it as I read the poem and reached the final page.
Here’s the blurb of the book, check if you like and make you want to read the whole book.
this is the recipe of life
said my mother
as she held me in her arms as i wept
this of those of flowers you plant
In the garden each year
they will teach you
that people too
must wilt
fall
root
rise
in order to bloom
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?She is worth far more than rubies.11 Her husband has full confidence in herand lacks nothing of value.12 She brings him good, not harm,all the days of her life.13 She selects wool and flaxand works with eager hands.14 She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from afar.15 She gets up while it is still night;she provides food for her familyand portions for her female servants.16 She considers a field and buys it;out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.17 She sets about her work vigorously;her arms are strong for her tasks.18 She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night.19 In her hand she holds the distaffand grasps the spindle with her fingers.20 She opens her arms to the poorand extends her hands to the needy.21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;for all of them are clothed in scarlet.22 She makes coverings for her bed;she is clothed in fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.24 She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies the merchants with sashes.25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come.26 She speaks with wisdom,and faithful instruction is on her tongue.27 She watches over the affairs of her householdand does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
This is the Journey is the second book I read from Alison Malee. It is a collection of poems published by Andrews McMeel Publishing. If I may be honest it is my dream to be published by them too. I also have a collection of poems too and I hope they keep on piling up.
Just like the first book that I read from the Malee, the book cover also got me. Surprise, I love flowers. There is just something beautiful and iridescent about them and I cannot help but be attracted, allured, captivated, charmed, and be enchanted by these delightful creations. Some may say it is shallow, well if it is I do not care really (hehe, peace yow). The book cover is beautiful and it has caused me to get the book and read it. It was what made me interested in the book aside from it was being a poetry book and shorter to read.
This is the Journey by Alison Malee is a poetry collection about moving on, and some few reasons why we should keep on going forward until we finish the race, the journey. Life is not easy and there are extra baggage that we have to carry as we go along in life, and sometimes they get heavier and heavier, that is why forgiving yourself and giving grace to yourself are essential skills that we must cultivate throughout our lives. Life is already hard as it can be, so don't be harder on yourself. Be gracious and forgive.
Life is a journey, it doesn't end, it just only gets more exciting. Life is not just about us. It is more than us.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
This is the journey. Live it! Love it! May our lives be a living testimony of God's amazing grace.
Sayo is on Amazon now!
Oops! It's a prank.
Sad news!
But to be honest, yes, I did upload Sayo on Amazon. I tried. Sadly, my latest book was written in my native language, and the online bookstore didn't accept content published in Filipino.
To be fair, I was aware that my native language was not supported by Kindle. I just took a chance that maybe it would go live and it did, but only for 17 days.
Here're a brief book description:
Sayo by Arlene Manocot contains poems in Filipino language, all published on my Facebook page and personal account, and Wattpad last year 2023. Sayo is literally translated in English as 'for you', 'I'm yours', or 'I belong to you'. This poem collection might be for you.
Good news!
You can still download a free e-book copy, just click the link:
Other related post:
the day is ready for you is a collection of poems written by Alison Malee and published in 2018 by Andrews McMeel Publishing. The book is a short read you would not want to miss and the cover is aesthetically pleasing.
The book cover had me. I fell in love with the look of vintage flowers on the cover. So, yeah, I am weak with flowers. With a little idea of what the book could be about, I took the risk and pulled it out of the shelf and tried to buy it along with the other books for myself, but no, someone grabbed the rest of the books from me when we were at the cashier and made the payment for my books, yes, my books. That was a first.
I liked a few pieces from the collection and they appealed to me the most. The collection conveyed a message of getting back on one's feet, that was how I received the meaning of the book.
The book is meant to encourage women or people in general not to be discouraged if a day is a bad day or they feel like they are experiencing the worst day of their lives. There is always a new day and always ready for you and me to take on and live to the fullest. A bad day is not the end. There is always another day to face on and make the most out of it.
I had many bad days and they all passed. I mourn, lament, feel sad, process, accept, move on, learn, and try to do better from that bad day, and look forward to the good things my God will make out of it. I trust Him forever because my LORD God is my everlasting rock. The storm in life may shake us, but it will never defeat us once we are rooted on the everlasting rock.
I know that bad days are there to come, because that is what they do, they come and go, but the good news they never stay and my God always stays. He is there all the time, with you and me. He desires to be with us in good and bad times of our lives.
[4] Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
So, yeah, this day is ready for you. Live it! Make it worthwhile! Be rooted on the One, Jesus, who can put meaning in your life!
Tuesdays With Morrie is a book that I got to know through a friend. I saw one of his online posts, and didn’t waste my time having a second look. It was just one of the many passing updates on my news feed from my online friends which I rarely put too much attention to.
It started with curiosity and a book that was on sale at Goodwill. It was cheap and I could afford it hehe
The book left me with the impression that nothing is forever. Nothing lasts for eternity. Well, except for the One who is Eternity.
People come and go. They stay for a season and a reason. Some choose to stay, some choose to leave, and some just have no choice but to submit to the natural way of life, which one of them is death.
Humans die. Human death is a dead end, everyone must face it. To leave the physical world is something that no one could ever run away from.
But the memories we create with our loved ones, with the people who stay for a season and a reason worth all the struggle and pain we face in life. The experience of being alive and living and loving the moment is a gift from the One who lasts for eternity.
The present is a gift I am in the process of consistently trying to be grateful for. I can be an overthinker sometimes and that ruins the gift of the present. I am always praying to have a grateful heart, a heart that is overflowing with gratitude. In good times and bad times, I desire to be grateful to the LORD.
The attitude of gratitude is a good way of living a good life, of no regrets, of contentment, and of joy.
I hope and pray we also find peace as we journey to a life that is filled with gratitude to the One who stays and lasts forever.
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Birth Month is free book month! 🥳
Download an e-book copy of my latest book hehe
What is Sayo about?
Sayo by Arlene Manocot contains poems in Filipino language, all published on my Facebook page and personal account, and Wattpad last year 2023. Sayo is literally traslated in English as 'for you', 'I'm yours', or 'I belong to you'. This poem collection might be for you.
Cover reveal blog post: https://www.arlenemanocot.com/2024/04/cover-reveal-sayo-by-arlene-manocot.html?m=1
Kung ‘di man ikaw ang para sa kanya, sa’yo na lang ‘to. Charr, charmander, Pokémon! Gotta catch ‘em all! Charr again! 😅😂🤣
Free e-book copy download link is here:
Yay! 😉
April is my birth month and I just feel like sharing a part of me through the pieces that I have written. My works are not that impressive and I don't intend to impress anyone hehe I put out my works for everyone to see in hope that it could help one or two souls who may have the same struggles as me and to remind them that they're not alone, and that what they're going through is something that will pass too and can be overcome.
And tada! 🎉
Cover reveal day of a new poetry collection on birthday month!
Sayo by Arlene Manocot contains poems in Filipino language, all published on my Facebook page and personal account, and Wattpad last year 2023. Sayo is literally traslated in English as 'for you', 'I'm yours', or 'I belong to you'. This poem collection might be for you.
Another year older. Another year arte. Another year wiser? Hopefully, yes! TYL! 🌸🩷
I will post a link soon, so you can download a free digital copy! Yay!
God Will Make A Way is a book written by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. As far as I remember, this had been my current for almost two years. Yes, you read it right, I read this book for almost or more than two years. Hehe.
I so wanted to finish, but it didn't happen as soon as I wanted to. There just had been times that I could only read a page or five or pages. I never finished a chapter in one sitting.
But I found beauty in the long process of finishing this book. Most of the time some of the messages of the pages I read fit perfectly or somewhat relevant to the season I was going through or to the situation I was dealing with.
I am in awe and amazed by the coincidence. I'm trying not to over spiritualize my journey of reading this book. Maybe, it is not even a coincidence. It is a form of redirection. God knows what I am going through or the situation I am in. He knows exactly what I need at the right moment, at the right time.
It's a long journey reaching the last page of this book, but every turn of the page was worth it.
If you're lost or a little bit clueless of what to do, this book might be the book you need to read right now. This one might come in handy.
God will make a way better than our way.
Because He can.
Because He will.
Because He loves you.
Because He is God.
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