koberreads's reviews
99 reviews

Even though I am Asian (Filipino), life in China especially during and after the implementation of the one-child policy is so exotic to me and otherworldly... 

It is dark and horrifying historical truths that are known but not deeply understood but once you are deeply aware of such, it will give you a great insight into human nature and how often, even though we mean the best for the greater good of all, our actions towards a better world, is often founded/created by misguided beliefs and shaky understanding of reality, society, and how human beings react to current obstacles and will react to the future ones, that lead to the complete opposite of the results we intend to make

No one truly can predict the future 100% or less of such. 

Spoiler alert (But it does not exactly ruin anything)

The story of Mei Fong was made up regarding China and its one-child policy.

“There was a land so poor that the emperor of that land demanded each parent must have only one child… this made the land of the old. I don't know how this story ends.”

A great summary of the whole book in story form. This made me realize a lot of things and opened my eyes to the reality of parenthood, child raising, being a child, a child turning to an adult, an adult deciding a child’s future, and a child deciding his future. 

Thank you Mei Fong for writing this and allowing it to turn into an audiobook. This benefits me even if I am not Chinese.

Although this was published in 2003, virtually 20 years from now,  this book is partly about selling his website for learning languages (that is only in the last part though which is 1/3 of the book)

This book has e timeless quality just like the classic books have that makes it worthwhile reading.

I recommend this book to people who aspire to learn a second language because this will truly inspire you to do so, and some practical advice along the way (read it from the first chapte to the last.. But you can skip the selling points of his website because it is irrelevant now because his website turned into LingQ which is a languange learning app)

Just because of the unique experiences and journey of Steve from learning only one language english the gradually french, spanish, the mandarin then Japanese until he learns 20 in total as of present.. He did by literally taking charge of his learning and not depending soley on teachers or classes although they did help 90% of Kaufmans learning of languages is all because of his independent actions

He did all of this when the duolingo or other language apps hasnt even existed! Much less the internet (and no help from google translate) so in order to learn the pronunciation lf works (besides conversing with native speakers) he listen to old tech audiobooks(tapes VCR and CDS) or radio

This guy deserves 5 stars for doing all of that without the luxury of our technology toda

If he can learn a new language without technology and internet at his side, you can learn one too and you could learn faster through the help of tech today.

One of the best books regarding the struggle between loving your family and growing as the person who you chose to be. You want to do both but not all parents and siblings support your decision to be the person you chose to be

Tara’s struggle with her family whom she both loves and despise (we all have ambivalent feelings towards our families) reminds me of Jeannette Walls memoir “The glass castle” but I would rather say Tara’s struggles are more intense and her parents are less understanding towards their children about reading books and higher education due to their eccentric religious beliefs. Not to say that one memoir is better than other, just mentioning this but I highly recommend to read this book and Jeannte Wall’s book “The glass castle” because I think almost all of us can relate because we all have ambivalent relationships with our parents and siblings.

One of Rupert Spira’s best book for beginner especially those curious about the non-dual understanding which is at the foundation of all majorbreligious and philisophical traditon.

Non-dual understanding states that:

I consumed this book through an audiobook bought from Google play store. And this audiobook was published at 1999, but the actually written book at 1991. But Audiobook, I could have been tricked into believing it was just recently recorded because it is that good. If you think reading the book is slow, you have the option to go audiobook in order to get a faster pace of feel but still everything is slow-burn because that's what "reflective" books are. I can bet that you would love the audiobook especially while running or doing your house chores

This book, whether consumed through reading or listening by audio, is I dare say, not only for gaijin/foreigners who are curious of Japan and want to visit the land of the rising sun but oddly enough for person who likes to reflect a lot and at least attractive to philosophy if not Zen/Buddhism. It won't teach you who to mediate but gives you a deeper understanding on whats it's purpose or to a greater extent the purpose of all major spiritual religions and traditions (See a quote above from the book) This is not simply a foreigner writing about Japan but more.

This is also good for someone who loves poetry prose and an occasional laugh in midst of greatly vivid written anecdotes.

I consumed the audiobook version of this book and it is much more exciting and immersive in audio. I do think most fantasy books when converted to audio version becomes such things. 

Both have high-regards with the author and the storyteller. This is the type of fantasybook I like. No need for those wierd convulted sexual plots of Game of Thrones

New perspectives:
Duncan - the best warlord father.. Ever.. As i join him in his war battles i honestly feel like one of his warriors fighting by his side.. Goddamn
Aiden
and two others I dont want to spoil

Murk still my favorite character. Hahahah the equalizer of the fantasy world. But yeah he is dick for unabling to help the lady’: parents in time. But then again.. He never done anything good or heroic before. So this is his first time. He is also unexpectedly philosophical and searching for his meaning and purpose in his life. Even if you dont know how to read or write, we all will eventually seek meaning in the things we do. But I think even more so for someone who is illiterate because they are unable to get meaning or possible answers from books they cant read so the eagerly search it more by pondering and finding thins

Murk also mentioned that deep stillness quiet in his mind that is oddly meditative. That is zen masters mention

And we are unworthy

A great read for those who love great prose and are married (I am not married yet but I do feel the story is set up for the married man or woman. Don't worry, I didn't spoil it because it is in the book description already.) 

It is one of his best raw prose of Murakami regarding human nature and the unexpected desires that come out of oneself. It is also largely a love story of infidelity that would be more relatable to a married man or woman which at the same can be a tale of warning of what to do or not to do.  but poetic and reflective enough for any reader. But I guess if you are married while reading this or longing for your childhood love to emerge into your adult life then this would most likely be a masterpiece for you because the poetry and feelings of each word would be tenfold an experience for you.

But for a guy who doesn't have those things. Another reflective novel for me. I have an odd preference “to reflect” so forgive me for liking the book because of that.

Also, read well the part about insider trading. Know what is and do it

Also goddamn, let it go, and don't cheat man.

If you are questioning who you are because of this book, I have a proposition from Rupert Spira:

The awareness that is aware of the depression, loneliness, or sense of lack that you have, is the same awareness that also feels excitement or a positive thought

That's who you are, the awareness. The ever-present, complete, and in always pristine condition no matter what you felt before, whatever you are feeling right now, and whatever you will be feeling in the future, you will always be aware, no matter what in its pristine condition. It is also the happiness we all seek. But sadly we seek it in things or other people, in this case, Hajime looks for it in his mysterious unstable childhood love

If you feel like the feeling right now is not to your liking or feel you are weighed down by it. It's just a thought. There are no bad or good thoughts/feelings. Just helpful and unhelpful ones, you can always choose which thought or feeling to feed.

Go pick-up Rupert Spira book "Being aware of being aware" book if you want a deep dive on this or want some clarification after feeling lonely and lost in a book that makes you such in the end. 

Audiobook review: Good for people who want a thrilling fantasy lord of the Rings tale but have no qualms with some repetitive words or cling hangers(All fiction has some form of cling hanger otherwise you would be less likely to be enticed to read the next chapter) This is perfect for a long commute to work or doing household chores or jogging or just eating dinner while headphones on

Great narrator telling a story that is beautifully written. It is a fantasy(knights/dragon) story like Game of Thrones but no need for unnecessary incest and sexualization.. The flames remind me of the front in WWI and the journey to the flames reminds me of the Jews on train carts to the holocaust and WWII and that is only small parts. I honestly didn't know what would happen next in the 90% part of the book. I love Kyra but for me, Murk is the most relatable at the end of the story because I too always seem to be in a position to help someone

Awesome strong main female character

Better than the Lord of the Rings in my opinion. Who cares about the repetitive words? As long as I can see the image in my mind and am invested in the damn story, sophisticated or long words or synonyms of such just add difficulty for me to enjoy the book while running or doing household chores or eating. 

Thats me. I do think Morgan and the awesome Narrator deserve 5 stars for this.

 

 

Stephen King... You son of a gun. 

King got me good damn it. Got me so good 

 

Short review: 

(This is a good novel about children, although mentions sex and short scenes of adults about to do sex, no actual sex happens even the underage sex. I prefer horror/adventure novels of his without the abrupt, almost unbearably disturbing sex. So read this if you don't like those scenes as well.) 

 

The book description says it all but I don't think all the mystery and unexpectedness is gone just because you read it. I don't know truly shit what's gonna happen here while I read it. And each character especially the children has unique voices of their own. It amazes me how he can create characters that are literally gaps away from his actual age. 

 

Read it and get enriched by it 

 

 

Long review: 

To be frank, this is the first novel I read by Stephen King but the work that I read him first was his memoir “On Writing” and I loved it and loved Stephen King for writing such, I felt he is the most humane unexpectedly one of them, not only creative but loving and hardworking man, I ever read about (I did expect much because I thought he is pretty odd or even evil to write about “darkness” of human nature and I thought he just writes to sell “fear”. It is more than that 

 

This novel though is not horror but brings more of what Stephen King is. A person who writes not just to sell stuff, get money or get famous but rather to enrich one life and to see things from a different perspective through the characters 

 

 

I like the last part. Even though it explains some unexpected concepts.. it still rings true.. no one can predict the future exactly or know that it will happen with certainty... there are too many variables. But it does make me question still if the precog can predict the future. Made me feel like Luke, knows the certainty of the math but still doubts himself regardless. Stephen King is smarter than he has ever shown himself in public or his writings. And yes I am too attached to Kalisha and I am not even a white boy who has an attraction to the opposite skin colour. I am Asian and in my eyes Kailsha is both awesome, brave, beautiful and so precious. I wished she chose Luke.