Books I Read – Page 7

BOOK OF THE MONTH: ME BEFORE YOU BY JOJO MOYES

October 20, 2015 by Little Miss Honey 1,329 Comments

I was searching for a new book to read. I wanted something romantic and a bit of a chick lit but not a Sophie Kinsella. I heard a lot of raves about the Me Before You book by Jojo Moyes and decided to give it a try. Jojo Moyes is also a British novelist like Sophie Kinsella. She has won the Romantic Novelist’s Award twice and the Me Before You has been nominated Book of the Year & sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

SYNOPSIS: (Warning: spoiler alert!)

Lou Clark is a spunky lady who recently lost her job in the local tea shop. After several job trials, she managed to get a job as a companion for an arrogant, rich and young quadriplegic, Will Traynor. Will had a hard time coping with his invalid state considering before his unfortunate accident, he was a successful, handsome and charming business man with a beautiful girlfriend. Initially, Lou faced some challenges in her new-found occupation but later on, her sunny personality infected Will’s cold facade and later both developed a special bond in a very unlikely predicament. However, Will has been continuously struggling with accepting the permanency of his state that he had plans to end his life at a set period. His parents are aware of this and hoped that Lou can changed his mind eventually. As Will & Lou’s friendship deepened and eventually turned into something more serious(Is it love?). However, considering Will’s situation, is the feelings they have for each other sustainable? Can Lou change Will’s mind in the end?

REVIEW:

Me Before You is a very entertaining book. Lou Clark is a very colourful character that brings sunshine to the story. I can imagine Amy Schumer playing this role though she is not British. (No, I am not a fan of Amy Schumer but she seem to fit the character). Will Traynor is a typical leading man character, arrogant but charming. Their love story is cute and endearing. There are moments that will make you smile and curl your toes in excitement for their blossoming love. But underlying story can be very depressing. I cried at the end of the book and I was a mess. I am not sure if that sad ending was what I wanted, I have read several sad endings that gave me closure like The Notebook, Bridges of Madison County, and Message in the Bottle but this book just made me feel so… depressed at the end. The story is told in Lou Clark’s voice but occasionally, the narration is being taken over by some characters in the story which I think is helpful to see things their perspective. Jojo Moyes is a very creative storytelling. I am not sure if she is very imaginative enough but she has flair for romance and knows how to tug the hearts of her readers. Me Before You is a book for romantics but be warned, you might break you heart and cry buckets of tears after reading this book. But don’t worry, I believe this book has a sequel.

POINTS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Do you think the love between Lou and Will real or it is only out of pity from Lou and loneliness from Will?

2. What are your thoughts in Will’s decision to take his own life?

3. What changes personality changes you noticed in Lou and Will after they spend time with each other?

4. Can you ever love a quadriplegic or anyone that you know cannot hold you or make love to you?

If you read this book, let me know your thoughts.

P.S. You might like this book too.

BOOK OF THE MONTH: ARE YOU THE ONE FOR ME? BY BARBARA DE ANGELIS

September 23, 2015 by Little Miss Honey 3,590 Comments

There are so many relationship books out there but if you are to buy only one book, this is the one. ARE YOU THE ONE FOR ME? (How To Have The Relationship You’ve Always Wanted) by Barbara De Angelis

Barbara De Angelis is a best-selling author and relationship guru known and respected around the world. She made a gem of a book that answers the question that singles, lovers and married couples are dying to ask: How can I have the relationship I always wanted?

It is straight-to-the-point and honest. It is intimidating also to read actually. But I urge singles to read this before making a choice in their prospective partners and if they are searching. Even couples would benefit in reading this to give them points in how to better improve their relationship. But the scary part is when you realize that you made a mistake in choosing your partner. Though De Angelis is more of a believer of making things work than breaking things off when it is hard.

The book starts with making the readers know that Love is not enough. Let me repeat that again, Love is not enough. You will also get to test your Love IQ. You would be surprise how little you know about love or loving. Then you will be introduced to Five Deadly Myths about Love. Read the book to know more about these love myths. You will realise you never thought of those to be myths but reality before. One of the myth points out that ‘the sad truth is, very few relationships end not because the two partners do not to love teacher; they end because they are not compatible partners’ (p.29) You must make that you are just not infatuated with their image. One of the formula for a health, lasting relationship is finding a partner with whom you are compatible with. If you feel emotionally empty before you start a relationship, you will feel just as empty one you are in a relationship. (p.37). You don’t need luck to make a relationship work. You choose the Right Person and together you work hard to create closeness and harmony.

For my single friends, here are 7 Wrong Reasons to be in a Relationship:

1. Pressure ( age, family, friends, etc.)

2. Loneliness and desperation

3. Sexual hunger

4. Distraction from your own life

5. To avoid growing up

6. Guilt

7. To fill up your emotional and emotional emptiness

Note on the #7, if you have emptiness within you, no partner, regardless of how much they love you, will be able to fill that hole in her being. Relationships are tough. You have here two person with their own set of belief system, love language, upbringing and past baggages. It would definitely be tough. But like De Angelis say, “A relationship is the best seminar in town”. Being in a relationship will allow you too learn more about yourself by looking in the mirror of your partner.‘ (p.104)

Now here are some few points for married couples. ‘If you’re married to someone who won’t communicate with you about emotions. You are not in a relationship – You have a living arrangement’ (p.209). ‘If your partner can’t identify and share his feelings with you, he’s nor ready to be in an intimate relations’ (p.269). In other words, say “Hi Roomie!” to your husband or wife if that is so. ‘Staying in a relationship with a person who cannot share feelings is a form of self-punishment’ (p.269). Everybody serves to be with someone in their lives who is willing to show you his/her love and appreciation on a constant basis. ‘Unless you want to be full-time job as a teacher, avoid relationships with emotionally stingy partner!‘ (p.267)

If you are searching you will be given 6 Qualities to Look for a Mate. The key to choosing the right partner is to look for a person with Good Character, not simply a Good Personality. Yes, there is a difference. So Mr. Prince Charming might not be the Right Person for you. ‘Character determines how a person will treat himself, you and, one day, your children. It’s the foundation of any health partnership. ‘(p.266)

Now, let’s talk about sex, baby. ‘Sex is really just a mirror for us – a mirror that reflects the state of our mind, our heart and our soul‘ (p.303). Sex is important in married life which should be ingrained to the minds of both husband and wife. It is created by God for marriage to allow couples to show each other how much they love each other in a very special way. ‘Good sex has nothing to do with true love but making love does’ (p.46)

How about if you realise you made a mistake in choosing your partner? Don’t jump into that conclusion in the first ugly sign of conflict you encountered with your partner. Here are 3 Ingredients to Make your Relationship Work:

1. Chemistry

2. Compatibility

3. Commitment

Nothing is impossible if both partners try to make things work. ‘Yearly anniversaries are perfect time to recommit to your partner.’ (p357). ‘Marriage is not a piece of paper. You are emotionally divorced when you closed your heart to each other.‘ (p.349)

I like that the book was organised well into sections and points are in bullet form. It didn’t give your flowery ~~b.s.~~ words but a practical approach on love and relationship. I highly recommend this book to singles and couples. Hey, love is an adventure – some times it can be exhilarating, some times it is disappointing, some times it is scary and some times you would feel it is the reason for living…

Love, love, love, everyone!

THINGS THAT INSPIRED ME THIS WEEK

September 13, 2015 by Little Miss Honey 35 Comments

This week was special. It was Mama Mary’s birthday. I guess you know by that I am a Catholic and I have a special devotion to our lady. She may be human just like us but a very special one. I hope I can emulate her virtues and be a strong, kind, and good woman like her. Happy Birthday, Mama Mary!

This week also marks my saying goodbye to my first trimester symptoms. I have entered my second trimester already last Thursday. It was tough but manageable first trimester. There were different symptoms I have noted compared to my first trimester. With Naj, I was so lethargic. This pregnancy, I was more sleepy than lethargic. I also don’t pee as much as my previous pregnancy. With Naj, I hardly have any appetite. But now I have a bad taste in my mouth that urge me to eat something to get rid of it. There were a bit of nausea and the vomiting was once at night which never happened when I was pregnant with Naj. I have survived drinking melon juice. I love it! It was so cooling and refreshing.

Though I have to say the food aversion is not totally out of the picture but I am definitely feeling much better now. I am happy to announce also that I was energetic enough to do a morning yoga today.

From: www.twentysomethingandstarving.com

I had a lovely chat with two ladies this week. We talked about life circumstances and things that allow us no choices. We realised that we just have to accept things that comes our way and who knows, it might be the right path after all. I am a believer that we can make our plans but there is higher power that knows what is better for us. We can sulk and cry or we can make things work out for us.

Today, hubby, Naj and I walked to the nearby restaurant, The Bark Cafe, for an al-fresco dinner. We had some calamari, fajita and pizza. The hubs got a big glass of German beer while I got a red plum soda.