The Birthright

One of the reason I read this book is because of one of its authors, Janette Oke. She has been a famous Christian author and the title sounds so promising. 

The Birthright is actually a sequel to The Sacred Shore. But I find it easy to study the story and the plot.  It is about two women who are " sisters ". One has been separated from her biological family since birth, and another has been adopted by a family who has just lost their daughter. Now , you get the picture. As destiny has its way, both of them are reunited with their families. 

Anne,( the daughter who was adopted) married Cyril, a doctor and is living in a marital bliss.

 Nicole , on the other hand accepts her biological uncle, Charles Harrow's offer to come to England. Apparently Charles Harrow has no children , and he plans to make Nicole as his heir. 

Nicole finds it hard to adjust herself to the happenings of London. She has to attend balls, wear pretty gowns ,learn social manners  as well as make many acquaintances . But she is willing to do all that in the name of duty and her love towards her family. 

However marital happiness didn't last long for Anne as Cyril passed away due to a sickness. Even with her new born son beside her, Anne finds it hard to live her life as it was before. She was in deep grief. Nicole quickly invited Anne over to England. As her sister, she wanted to comfort her and share her grief. She also wanted Anne to divert her attention in a new place. 

Surprisingly, after a few months in England, Anne totally adapted herself in a new place. Soon, she was no longer wearing her mourning attire. She began to devote herself in new projects for the poor. At the same time, Nicole still struggles within her on whether to continue her journey in England. 

Not long after that, Charles Harrow decided to send Nicole to America. He knew from the start that Nicole does not belong here. She needs to be free from obligations and duty. Most importantly , she needs to follow her heart and live the life that God has called her to live. 

It was later revealed that Anne's mother in law had a family connection with Charles Harrow and thus, Anne's son was made the heir of Charles Harrow. 

Honestly, it wasn't what I expected. I didn't expect Cyril to die , especially so early in the story. Furthermore, I feel really bad for Nicole. She had to go through journey after journey in order to know what is her calling. 

But it also made me realised that God is above our thinking and imagination. We may not comprehend it in the beginning, but in His time, He makes all things beautiful. 

Miranda

Yes everyone, I'm back !!!! I am always here, it is just that I hardy read nowadays. I'm very much occupied in learning a foreign language. That would be Korean.

But good news , good news!!! I have somehow managed to buy some books that are not only affordable but they have Christian themes as well. Ah, lovely !!

I'll start of with Miranda by Grace Livingston Hill. I remember reading about her biodata online some time ago. And I decided to buy this book.

Of course, this book is about a woman named Miranda. She is lively, kind, devoted to God and secretly in love with the " most dangerous guy " in her neighbourhood. Something terrible happened and the guy  was forced to leave ( to be precise, escaped from) the neighbourhood.

 But there is something everyone didn't know about the guy, or Allan Whitney ( his real name ) except for Miranda.

Allan Whitney was accused of killing a man that he didn't kill. Not only did he not defend himself, he was actually running away to protect the true murderer. And it was Miranda, our heroine who helped him to escape that fateful night. Whew, talk about drama and adventure.

The novel focuses a lot on how Miranda helps to encourage and help Allan's younger brother, Nathan. Nathan Whitney has lost his father's favor ever since his elder brother, Allan escaped. Nathan had been a little rebellious and it reminded his father of Allan.

Miranda slowly welcomed Nathan to her house and slowly Nathan began to feel the love of a family. Not only that, Miranda's friend , Mr David even offered to teach him lessons so that he can further his studies in a university. And boy, did he turn out fine and refined.

The plot slowly thickens as the true murderer was revealed by Miranda. By then, Allan's name was cleared and she longs to see him again. Safe and sound.

And of course, my dear readers , this story has a good ending.

This is my first time reading a Christian fiction , and I enjoyed it. I like how Miranda stands by the man she loves and how she often upholds him in prayer. She truly deserves a happy ending. =)

There's no place like here

My aunt bought many books for me during this festive season, and so a book review journey is needed.

Muchas gracias, aunt ! =)

But as much I am very thankful, not all the books that she bought are my cup of tea. There are books that I thought I would enjoy, but the moment I read it.........

Books like One Day and The Carrie Diaries just made me so disappointed. With all due respect to the authors, I do understand that they are high profile and famous authors, but it's just me. Okay, call me old fashioned or what, I don't like reading bed scenes, and the practice of having sex before marriage. It's a BIG NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO from me. 

So, I have decided to read There's No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern. 

Cecelia Ahern may not be my favourite author, but I like this book. Not to say, SUPER LIKE , but well it's readable , acceptable and quite interesting. 

To start with, I kinda like the main character, Sandy Shortt. She has this weird obsession with missing people and things and she used to think that those missing things and people go to a place. 

I also like the fact that her parents sent her to a counsellor because of her " peculiar" obsession. And there, she met  the young, dashing, Mr Burton , or Gregory as she fondly calls him. 

This story is much more of a self- discovery story rather than a cozzy romance. At first , I thought there will be a love triangle going on between Sandy, Mr Burton and Jack Ruttle. Which is okay with me. I was rooting for Sandy and Gregory from the very beginning. I have my own PERSONAL reasons, hehe.

It is also nice to read about how " missing " people cope with their own " world" after they went missing. As I read the conversations between Sandy and the " missing people", I don't feel as if it's imaginary, because all the characters felt so real and vulnerable. You can feel their emotions and sadness. 

I think it's a book worth reading because it really makes you think after reading. It's not that kind of book where you put it aside saying, 

"Ah, that's a good book."  Period

This book made me think about being true to ourselves, accepting ourselves and finding ourselves in times of happiness and trouble. We need to find our way back to ourselves. 

I'll give this book a rating of 3.7/5 

More book reviews on the way !! =)

Dear Sherlock Holmes

Dear Sherlock Holmes,

It's me here. I read about your adventures here and then. I watched movies about you, and I'm really into the BBC Sherlock series in which Benedict Cumberbatch is starring. I mean, you're so cool !
( Well, Ben gets the credit too though )

The first time I " met " you was when your best friend,  Dr John Watson compiled your adventures into a nice book, and I read them all. Yup, I know it's something not very proud when " The Woman" OUTWITTED YOU. But honestly, I think you're the best consultant detective EVER.

As a result of that, I began to hunt after your stories in the form of movies and series. Robert Downey Jr. portrayed you as a person who knows how to fight, and has a great reflex. While Benedict on the other hand, portrayed you as a DRAMA QUEEN. Indeed, which I think it's very acceptable, given your talents and character. I have yet to watch Elementary though, which starred Jonny Lee Miller.

Your observation skills , peculiar methods  and , science of deduction fascinate me, and makes me think OUT OF THE BOX. I sometimes impress my friends when I tell them things that I have observed about them. Thanks to our common hobby: OBSERVING.
But of course, my skills in this field is way below yours. And if you were to have me as an apprentice, you probably just need to make me Mrs Hudson's assistant. I can help out in some daily chores, if you don't mind.

I have just read The Hound of Baskervilles , and it is one of the most intriguing case I have ever read about you. Clearly, you can always count on Dr Watson to assist you, and he is a reliable person.
In the beginning I was a little lost and short sighted because I cannot see the connection between a stolen boot and the whole case. Why would someone want to steal Sir Henry's boots ? Then slowly I began to see the different relationships and social circles which overlapped the whole case. And the hound. It really does exist. And, I love the part where you and Dr Watson realised that it was actually a Baskerville who is the mastermind behind all this murder and suspense. I promise you, I'll read it again.

If there is any advice that I would give you, it's most probably just one. Go easy on the pipe please. Maybe it makes you more focus , Mr Holmes, but I think you're smart enough to deduce that it will cost your health soon.
Oh I forgot, you have a doctor as your best friend, so there's nothing to worry about, I presume ?

By the way, I have just completed watching the third season of Sherlock, and I will write my review soon. I wonder how you'll react if you were to watch it yourself.

P/s : Nevermind, if you didn't exist, your methods and adventures will stay as one of fiction's masterpiece.

Yours sincerely,

Joycelyn Ong

The Hobbit ( Book Review )

This is the second book that I am reading among the books that I have bought from the bookfair.

And my goodness, I just love this story.

It's a beautiful yet simple story, and it's easy to understand why LOTR trilogy and The Hobbit have so many fans around the world. I can easily imagine myself in Middle Earth and it's as if I'm going through the same journey with the 14 of them.

My favourite character is of course Bilbo Baggins. I mean he is so much like me. We prefer our old comfortable life , relaxing, carefree , without any worries and all. But deep down inside, we long for ADVENTURE !!
( But seriously I prefer another kind of adventure though, TALKING TO SMAUG ???  Thank you very much ....)

I can't believe I can identify myself with Bilbo to that extent, because at times in life , sometimes I feel as if I longed for an adventure and when it really happened, it just changed me from the inside out.

I too, like the company of friends. Maybe because you don't live with them , so there is less conflict with each other, compared to your own family. I like the fact that Bilbo dislikes some of his relatives, and favors some of them, particularly Frodo, which later became the main character in the LOTR trilogy.

The only disappointment I have while reading this book is regarding the death of Smaug. I was expecting Bilbo to slay it, ( SERIOUSLY I KNOW I THINK TOO MUCH ), it was the Bard who killed him, with some arrows ?? ( I need to re-read this part again ), and then HE DIED !!!!
I WAS LIKE , "  HE DIED JUST LIKE THAT ???"

Clearly Mr Toiken is not a fan of EXTREME DRAMA like Yours Truly. =P

But overall, I love this story, and I can't wait to read the LOTR trilogy.

Rating : 4.7/5

Emma by Jane Austen

I must admit that it would have been a greater pleasure to read this book if I have not watched the movie first. My bad.

Nevertheless, I insist to read the unabridged version out of respect to my favourite author, Jane Austen, and because I want to know the details of the whole story. 

I must say, this is the most cheerful story that Jane Austen ever written. 

Really curious, was she in love when she wrote this story ? It's just plan funny and sweet. 

Meet Emma Woodhouse, single, clever and beautiful. She is one who acts according to what she thinks,and she does it HER WAY. And guess what, she loves match- making. 

In  terms of characters, I think Jane Austen has done a great job to let the readers have a love/hate relationship towards Emma. You really dislike her when she makes rash decisions, and at times acting very rude towards the elderly of those " below " her. 

One trait mark in every Jane Austen book is that she emphasize the practice of finding someone of equal or higher social class or noble family line for matrimony purposes. She doesn't adore this practice, but she simply made it clear that it was very MUCH practiced THOSE DAYS. And in her novels, she proves that LOVE should never be bound by social class and family backgrounds. LOVE is about mutual respect, sacrifices and understanding one another. 

I like the fact that Mr Knightley is always beside Emma no matter what happens. Truly , Emma found her true love the HARD and most UNEXPECTED way. 

An enjoyable read. =) 

Rating : 4/5 

The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey

I have a little confession to make.
1. I hardly read any fantasy themed book.
2. Half of the reason why I actually watch this movie is because of Martin Freeman .
( aka  Dr John Watson in Sherlock )

And, I'm glad that I watched it. After buying the book , I needed a comparison and a visual back up.
(Just in case I don't really get it )

So, here's the honest movie review.

The movie started with a narrative by Bilbo Baggins, who was quite an elderly hobbit.  He then started to tell part of his life story - about an adventure that he never imagined he could experience.

I must admit that Bilbo's dialogues are the clearest of all actors. I don't know if it's about the sound system ( I watched it at home ) , or about the actors. But he has the most understandable accent and clarity in voice. I know a lot of people will hate me for this, but sometimes I just don't get what Gandalf is saying. But in terms of acting, he is definitely at his best.

The plot sparks a great imagination in terms of characters and animation. Stones that can move, oaks, wolves , elves , dwarfs......

Some action scenes are really unnecessary to me, but there was one scene that really intrigued me a lot. The scene where Bilbo had this riddle game with the Gollum. It was so terrifying!!! But very nicely done !

One of my favourite scene is actually towards the end, when Thorin hugged Bilbo after he saved the former's life !!! Awwww, I love it when  a tough guy hugs a not so tough guy.
( Well, you get the picture ! )

I have nothing but praise for the setting of the movie ! It was filmed in New Zealand, and it has many breath - taking scenery.

Well, it was meant to be a serious movie, but it has its jokes as well. My favourite one
( perhaps the MOST OBVIOUS ONE ) is when Bilbo requested the group to stop, just because he didn't bring his handkerchief out !! LOL !!!!!
( Well, you can't blame the hobbit because it was his FIRST adventure )

In short, The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey is an enjoyable movie. You 'll need to follow the plot and characters really carefully though to understand the life in MIDDLE EARTH.
=)