Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Books That Made Me Cry

Posted by Kero at Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Girls Talk is all about books for the month of October. We are to share what made us Timberlake like a river, books that made us laugh, books that kept us awake all night.

For a start, the Thursday is asking us to share what books made us cry. Here are my picks:

::Heaven and Earth::
It is an autobiography of Vietnamese girl named Le Ly Hayslip. It paints a haunting picture of the war that divided her country. Her strength and courage help her survive the Americans, the Viet Congs, and the South Vietnamese soldiers.

The book opens up your mind on almost everything about humanity. It made me feel so lucky to have choices. To have freely chosen the husband I wanted. To have the choice to give myself firstly to him, after all those years of taking care of myself. Le Ly, on the other hand was taken against her will. The irony was, it wasn't the foreign soldiers who took over the village. She was violated by her own people - the Viet Congs - whom her family trusted, defied the rules for, and fought beside.

There was so much to learn from Le Ly's tale. It will make you sad, cry, and will make you advocate not to wage war with another country.


::Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck::
I read this back in college and yet almost eight years, I still feel a pang of sadness every time I hear about the book. It is a story about two male friends, both grown up. The other is simple-minded that the other one is forced to look after him. And then one of them "does a bad thing."

Some may find it harsh and violent but the characters are endearing and will probably stay with you for a long time.

This is a short story - you can finish the book in a day or two if you are planning to read it. It's also a great introduction to Steinbeck's works.






::My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult::
The novel is keeping me further from reading the rest of Picoult's work. I lost count how many times I had to put down the book and sob lol! It is about a 13-year-old Anna who sues here parents for medical emancipation when she is expected to donate kidney (among others) to her sister who is dying of leukemia.







::Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix::

I'm a huge Harry Potter fan (but sad to say, I still have to save up and buy the 7th book. grin). I cried like a baby when Sirius Black (the godfather of Harry) died. Thinking Harry to be orphaned for the second time almost gave me emotional breakdown lol!


An entry for



18 sweets for Kero:

Chris on October 6, 2010 at 9:41 AM said...

your post is up early and i really love it! :) i haven't read any of these.. not a very wide reader anymore but i loved your picks!

Sam on October 7, 2010 at 12:43 AM said...

i have yet to read these books on your list. i will have to list them in my notebook so i won't forget! as for the harry potter book you chose, well what can i say, i'm a HUGE harry potter fan! haha!

genefaith on October 7, 2010 at 1:17 AM said...

haven't read your picks sis but I've seen "My Sister's Keeper"...and it didn't fail to make me cry:(

here's mine: http://www.fashionexplorer.net/2010/10/07/heavenly-man-the-book-that-made-me-cry/

Unstoppablepedestrian.blogspot.com on October 7, 2010 at 7:02 AM said...

I am fond of watching Harry Potter Sis Kero, but reading it!!! owwss!! I don't think I would enjoy the story if they woudn't show it in cinemas!! hihihi

>> I think I must read the Sister's Keeper, instead!!! I added na sa list ko

Happy Girls talk ^_^

sheng on October 7, 2010 at 10:00 AM said...

Haven't read any book of Jodi Picoult so i think i wanna buy a copy of My Sisters Keeper...

thanks for sharing dearie..

The Joyful Crafter on October 7, 2010 at 10:43 AM said...

You're obviously a wide reader!!! =)
Nice selection of books! I also enjoy reading Vietnam books. Such nice books to read.

MJ Rodriguez on October 7, 2010 at 11:28 AM said...

my sister's keeper is also my choice for a good cry. although i have not read the book (that's why i couldn't use it for my blog topic this week).

i've watched the movie about 3 times and it still pulls my heart.

janakidiary on October 7, 2010 at 12:51 PM said...

I'm a classic novel fan so I will definitely look out for John Steinback's titles. Thanks for sharing :)

Nathalie on October 7, 2010 at 12:51 PM said...

Great selection.

Thank you for dropping by my entry.

As for Harry Potter, Books 5, 6 and 7 made me cry.

Verna Luga on October 7, 2010 at 2:00 PM said...

Sis, great collection, interesting yung first choice mu... though I havent read it yet... I should find one...

Girls Talk here

Sis, By the way, If it’s not too much to ask may I ask your support to please vote for my entry at Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards 2010.

Just tick Nominee # 8 (On This Side of Town) Under 2010 PEBA Supporter Nominees (Red Tab) at the left side bar of PEBA OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE and click submit vote.

If you’re interested you can read my entry HERE

Thank You Very Much.

anne on October 7, 2010 at 8:19 PM said...

Among all the books you posted, I love the story line of the first book...

Earth on October 8, 2010 at 3:25 AM said...

whoaah! you got several books up there! isn't '...Heaven and Earth..' the one turned into a film starring Tommy Lee Jones? the story seems like it.. I cried too when Sirius Black was killed and when Harry deperately DID everything just to see him again..

Unknown on October 8, 2010 at 4:09 AM said...

can i borrow the first book. i love books (stories) that depicts on history, heroism, courageousness, i had had to read leo tolstoy's" war and peace" in high school as a project in literature,but young as i am, hadn't understood the whole book:(
you have great selections here:)

zoan on October 8, 2010 at 4:29 AM said...

whew. kahit isa wala akong nabasa dyan:D malista nga.ehehe

vaneni on October 8, 2010 at 7:26 AM said...

I like Mice and Men. I really feel pity towards the big guy. It's one of the classics na napagtyagaan ko basahin nung high school ako. hehe.

For my enrty, kindly visit:
http://a-family-tale.blogspot.com/2010/10/learning-legacy-from-last-lecture.html

Arianne The Bookworm on October 8, 2010 at 2:11 PM said...

i also have "Of Mice & Men" and yes, it had me crying when the "simple-minded" guy had a tragic end.. :(

i think i'm gonna put When Heaven & Earth Changed Places on my To Be Read list :)

ღ Ms. Joy mH ღ on October 9, 2010 at 1:10 AM said...

my sister's keeper is absolutely a tearjerker when I saw the movie! I bet the book too!

Anyway, here's mine

Have a good weekend!

K on October 10, 2010 at 4:38 PM said...

the only book i haven't read is your first pick, so i'm putting it on my list right now. of mice and men was a required read in college, and i found myself really drawn by it even though it's a really sad story. parehas tayo college natin nabasa. required din sa inyo un? hihi. lit class namin un nung nirequire nung prof. hehehe

 

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