The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho

Well, I don't profess to have knowledge about Bible, not even skimming on the surface... thus I will hold back my acid tongue when I review about this book :-)

In this book entitled “The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho”; it has a rather deep and heavy religious tone, which explains on the sensitivity of reviewing such book.

According to Wikipedia, which I quoted as per se:

The story is based on the story of Elijah from the Hebrew Bible (1 Kings Chapters 17-19). The focus is on Elijah's time in Zarephath (in this book named Akbar). Much has been added to the simple Bible story by Coelho, including Elijah witnessing the sacking of Akbar by the Assyrians, Elijah's journey up the Fifth Mountain itself (said to be the dwelling place of Baal), and Elijah's falling in love with the widow to whom God sent him.

As with other books from Paulo, this story touches on realizing your own potential and also the ability to overcome obstacles and boundaries to do what you think as right; not to mention to attain the level of spiritual awareness and finally, to engage in a meaningful and powerful relationship with God.

In my opinion, this book sounded slightly like historical novels or to put it into perspective, it sounded like the book entitled "Zipporah by Marek Halter" in which Paulo literally breathe life into historical personage and cleverly interlinked all those messages he would like to convey on it.

Well, it’s not easy to review books which touch on religion, so this will be it :-P
Yup, you read that right... this is all I have to say about this book :-)

If you would like to read more about Paulo's book, you can try to buy ONE first, read thoroughly before you decide to buy the rest :-D

On the hindsight, I still prefer “Zipporah by Marek Halter” compared to “The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho”. At least Marek did not impose his ideals on his book like what Paulo did in all his books (*hint hint*).


Personal rating: N/A

Cons:
1) N/A

Pros:
1) N/A

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

According to the Daily Mail, this novel entitled "Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton" is "fast-moving, gripping". Yes, I would agree to this statement but the only thing which I consider as "fast-moving, gripping" is my bowel movement after a hot laksa soup... and definitely NOT this book :-D

On a serious note, this book is purportedly found as complete manuscript in Michael's files after his death in 2008; and it is somewhat based on a memoir written by the protagonist in the novel, Charles Hunter entitled "Life Among the Privateers of the Caribbean Sea".

Truth to be told, I don't really plan to write this review in such a way that it sounded downright negative, but I find the plot this book too shallow and do not reflect the true genius of a seasoned writer like Michael.

It seemed to me that Michael wrote this book after watching Pirates of the Caribbean movies (starred by the enigmatic Johnny Depp :-P). Well, let’s see... I have summarized the following "characteristics" found in almost all pirate novels.

1) Bad @$$ captain and crew
2) A ship full of sail & cannons
3) Equally bad @$$ enemy
4) Treasures
5) Sea fight
6) Etc etc
7) Oh, not to be missed... Kraken!

This book fulfilled all the abovementioned points; plus minus a bit more; and sadly, that's all about it.

To summarize everything, this book is about a band of privateers (not pirates OK? :-P) of the early British Empire lead by Charles Hunter launching a bold mission to attack a Spanish stronghold called Matanceros, which is zealously guarded by the bloodthirsty Cazalla. To cut the story really short, they had to go thru a lot of planning and hardship before they eventually succeed in their plan. Boring right? :-|

Yes, that's my expression throughout the book :-| not even once did the storyline managed to pique my attention. As befitting this book; in my opinion; the reader might as well watch the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy. At least those movies have cute casts and corny but funny dialogues.


Personal rating: 2 out of 10 (the worst among all Michael's novels)

Cons:
1) The plot is too darn predictable. Read only if you have nothing else to read.

Pros:
1) Purportedly based on actual events and real life figures as depicted in the epilogue.

Better Man by Robbie Williams

This is probably the busiest month ever. I only managed to finish one and half book. I'm stuck at work.. actually not only that.. I have my plate full with other stuff as well... :-S

I have written some partial book review which I will post when it's done... But on this particular day, this song kept playing in my mind...

Apt lyric in this flawed and imperfect world.. don't you think so?

Lyric taken from: http://www.lyrics007.com/Robbie%20Williams%20Lyrics/Better%20Man%20Lyrics.html





Better Man by Robbie Williams

Send someone to love me
I need to rest in arms
Keep me safe from harm
In pouring rain

Give me endless summer
Lord I fear the cold
Feel I'm getting old
Before my time

As my soul heals the shame
I will grow through this pain
Lord I'm doing all I can
To be a better man

Go easy on my conscience
'Cause it's not my fault
I know I've been taught
To take the blame

Rest assured my angels
Will catch my tears
Walk me out of here
I'm in pain

As my soul heals the shame
I will grow through this pain
Lord I'm doing all I can
To be a better man

Once you've found that lover
You're homeward bound
Love is all around
Love is all around

I know some have fallen
On stony ground
But Love is all around

Send someone to love me
I need to rest in arms
Keep me safe from harm
In pouring rain

Give me endless summer
Lord I fear the cold
Feel I'm getting old
Before my time

As my soul heals the shame
I will grow through this pain
Lord I'm doin' all I can
To be a better man

Every Day I Love You by Boyzone

I know, I know.. too many song postings instead of book reviews… but let me assure you I have many book reviews coming along :-)

You see, sometimes I can be a man with few words. When that happens, my mouth will be clamped shut (doesn’t look like a clamped clam though :-P); and I’d rather convey my words in either literature form or I’ll select a song which best represents how I feel at that particular moment.

Since I’m having some sort of mental block now :-S; I thought of this particular song, which I played and sang while I made bruschetta for pot-luck party.

In my opinion, this song is filled with a lot of isi-isi tersirat (hidden meanings), in which only those who really “feel” the song will be able to understand.

Are you the one who truly “feel” this song? Or do you listen just for the sake of listening?





Lyric from: www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/boyzone/everydayiloveyou.html

Every Day I Love You
I don't know, but I believe
That some things are meant to be
And that you'll make a better me
Everyday I love you

I never thought that dreams came true
But you showed me that they do
You know that I learn something new
Everyday I love you

'Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul.

It's a touch when I feel bad
It's a smile when I get mad
All the little things I am
Everyday I love you
Everyday I love you more
Everyday I love you

'Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul

If I asked would you say yes?
Together we're the very best
I know that I am truly blessed
Everyday I love you
And I'll give you my best
Everyday I love you

Here Without You by 3 Doors Down

This is one of my all time favourite songs.

I mean, who wouldn't like a song like this. The beat is smooth and consistent, the music is in perfect harmony and most of all, the lyric touches your heart so much that just by listening to it brings you to another realm altogether.

Sometimes (just sometimes), it is true when people said songs are poems with tunes. Those who wrote this song truly know their stuff.

Immerse yourself in this song; close your eyes, listen to the music... but perhaps the most important aspect is to "understand" the lyric.

Better still, "feel" the song "flood" your whole being... as what I’m doing right now as I typed in this entry.

Lyric taken from: http://www.elyrics.net/read/0-9/3-doors-down-lyrics/here-without-you-lyrics.html





Here Without You
Songwriters: Roberts, Matt; Harrell, Todd; Arnold, Brad; Henderson, Chris;

A hundred days have made me older
Since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder
And I don't think I can look at this the same
But all the miles that separate
Disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight it's only you and me, yeah

The miles just keep rollin'
As the people leave their way to say hello
I've heard this life is overrated
But I hope that it gets better as we go, oh yeah yeah

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl it's only you and me

Everything I know and anywhere I go
It gets hard but it won't take away my love
And when the last one falls, when it's all said and done
It gets hard but it won't take away my love, whoa

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl it's only you and me, yeah oh yeah oh

The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho

*CAUTION: Drama King “hijacked” the body of this normally sensible; hot-blooded; Homo sapiens of male species*

*NOTE: The following descriptions have been dramatized for greater effect, so throw a pinch of salt over your shoulder before you read the following book review*

Countdown begins...

*toot* FIVE...
*toot* FOUR...
*toot* THREE...
*toot* TWO...
*toot* ONE...
aaaaaannnd… ACTION

Aiyoooo!!!! Another book about self discovery!!.. I don’t want I don’t want I don’t want!!!...

In this book entitled “The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho”; we’re introduced to the first hand experience gained by the acclaimed Brazilian author Paulo Coelho and his road towards self discovery!

BING!

Another self discovery book?!

Wait a minute, this is not just another book, this is Paulo’s first book. His numero uno masterpiece.
But since this is a self discovery book, what else can you glean from the book besides discovering yourself?

Don’t underestimate this self discovery book because this book teaches you exercise programs as well…
Yes ladies and gentlemen, besides discovering yourself, you get free exercise programs :-) (I’m not joking here… to be explained later :-P)

I’m deviating far from the book review :-P

Well, this is the first book from Paulo, in which he wrote about his journey towards self discovery.
It is basically his personal diary on his pilgrimage road trip between France and Spain after being told by his MASTER (ala MASTER YODA), that he has more to learn about life. I assume the conversation goes like this:

Paulo: Master, finally I’ve finished my learning. Can I go now?
Master: No Paulo, you still have a long way to go.
Paulo: Why Master? What should I do?
Master: Silence Paulo! You talk too much! Listen to me. Go tag along with one mentor. Listen to his advice for he will help you towards achieving your self discovery.
Paulo: Yes Master. Thank you for your guidance and advice.
*He bows took his knapsack and left the place*

He then went on to tag himself with his mentor, who told him to listen to him no matter what. No matter what what? I don’t know what’s what in this what what.

So in this journey of listening to his mentor no matter what, he encounters his own demon, his own fear, developed his own exercise program and transformed himself to a person who supposedly understands about life.

I think my review is boring! Yes, it is boring... as boring as this book!

This book is so boring that I had to watch Braveheart just to uplift my mood…
It is only with cries of FREEDOMMMMMM by William Wallace that I managed to break the spell.

Anyway, boredom is only part of the “torture” of reading this book. This book is filled with so many quirky advices that I almost mistook Paulo as Dr Phil :-P

In fact, I was so tempted to put matchstick between my eyelids to keep my eyes open and had to super-speed read thru this book!

On the hindsight, no need to waste your money to join gym membership for some yoga programs. By buying this book, you get the following:

1. Read other people’s self discovery and pretend that it uplift you to another realm or experience a total paradigm shift.
2. Quirky advise which sounded sinisterly like your buddies when they’re loaded with booze.
3. Best of all, EXERCISE PROGRAMS!

If you don’t believe me, I dare you to go and buy this book.

Inhale… Exhale… Inhale… Exhale…

See, this is NOT… I repeat... NOT A BAD BOOK…
N-O-T (space) A (space) B-A-D (space) B-O-O-K


Personal rating: What rating?

Cons:
1) What cons?

Pros:
1) What pros?