While reading, I sometimes come across mentions of authors. Immediately, before I forgot, I check their brief biography and pick one of their books in my want-to-read list. Occasionally, though rarely, the book is a suggestion or a recommendation.
Honestly, I am not always loyal be to my want -to- read list. But the good thing is that once I make my mind to read a book, I will read it all. It’s something like challenging myself, or out of curiosity to discover what this book has for me.
How long does it take to finish a book? That depends on how I like the book. If it is boring, and I feel like I won’t enjoy it, I read it when I am bored or when I don’t bother interruptions. For example, at a cafĂ© or when I am waiting for my daughter to finish her clubs.That’s why some books take much longer than others for me to finish.
On the other hand, I will read the books I like when it’s all quiet, espcially at home. I will finish them before I could even know it. With this strategy, I might have two books to read at the same time, one like a player on the bench waiting to be in action, and another scoring a goal after goal on the pitch.
Sometimes I wonder, you might too, why I just don’t return the book I don’t like, or keep it unread on the shelf? Honestly, I just feel there’s always something hidden there to learn. The only exception, when my mind won’t work this way, is when I’ve watched its adaptation which, for me, means all the fun of reading is blown into thin air.
I am sure you haven’t heard of this strategy before, or have you?
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
Category: Just writing
Villians
Have you ever, even somtimes, sympathised with those villians who are dramatised in movies and fiction, as kind hearted people with noble deeds? Something like, they rob banks but they also give plenty to the poor. Worse still, especially when it’s a love story with handsome characters, you go ahead and analyse their cases from a psychological point of view, mainly to make them victims not criminals.
Your analysis would suggest that, perhaps, it was the hard circumstances, the upbringing, ignorance, injustice, and sometimes even boredom, that forced them to follow the devil. Of course, that suggestion doesn’t entirely destroy the goodness inside villians.
And, in conclusion, you would also suggest that villians need a chance, an open door, or a relocation to shed their devilish skin. Then, with a new brand of skin, they would be able to listen to their nagging conscience and pump some light into their dark heart. Things might work this way, but it might not becuase there might be other scenarios.
What if they don’t have a nagging conscience? What if they block the light instead of letting it penetrate their dark hearts? What if repentance wasn’t in their dictionary and power and egotism are their main, sole creed? What if the devil himself was just an apprentense in their handicraft? And finally, what if they want to always play the villian, the highly qualified egonist?
Would you still sympathise with them, and cry at the end of the story because they were hanged, prisoned, and didn’t have a second chance?
Why don’t you, while reading the story, consider that God surely hasn’t assigned villians to rob the rich to feed the poor?
Have you ever thought that, with all excuses, all masks, and all pretences, vilians can’t erase their malicious achievements from their resume without adding a pure, repentent heart to it? Of course that does not mean that a villian would straightaway turn into an angel, but they, probably, would turn straightaway into a human with a living heart.
Would you, as a reader, prefer a story that makes you weep for joy after the lost soul finally starts seeking light? Or would you just enjoy a story for its adventure regardless of the route it takes, just the journey for its own sake?
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
Cinderella’ Dream
Definitely, Cinderella didn’t dream of marrying the king or the prince. Perhaps, it was because she didn’t descend from the royal family. But, maybe, it was also because she wasn’t after money or fame. According to the story, all Cinderella wanted was a decent life full of kindness and love. But then, the package came with a handsome prince. Would any sensible girl refuse it? Of course, not.
On the other side, have you ever wondered that the prince had also his own dreams, his own wishs? He wasn’t after the pretty princess who lost a pair of her sparkly shoes as she ran away when the clock struck midnight. According to the story, he was also seeking kindness and love.
Isn’t this quote so true: “What you need you attract like a lover.” Better still, God knows our hearts, what’s lying and hidden deeply there. He listens and makes plans in His perfect timing. That’s part and parcel of Faith, my faith.
Have you read The Rose Garden Husband by Margaret. I like its simplicity and normality. Good stories do not always have to be complicated and thrilling, do they?
Here’s the link for my book review;
https://nh825.wordpress.com/2025/01/11/the-rose-garden-husband/
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
Please stop it!
I don’t know whether it’s a new phenomenon or if it has always been there and I am just recently noticing it.
Have you ever been on a bus where all of a sudden one of the passengers decides to either answer or make a phone call ? They would talk as though they are at home, as if there is nobody else around, as if they have all the right to disturb others’ peace of mind. Still, that isn’t the main the problem The main issue is swearing, those F words slip off their tongues so easily, so nonchalantly.
You get off the bus, and inhale a deep, fresh, clean air, thanking the Lord that the ride was over. After walking a few steps, you find some children and teenagers, joking, laughing, and repeating that infamous swearing word.
Finally, you get into your house, and close your door, lean against it, and close your eyes. You try your best to forget about that phenomenon. You make a cup of tea, sit at your dinning table, and open your phone to check your email and scan your media accounts. And, there, the post you decide to read, is just another adaptation of a phenomenon that not only disturbs and annoys others, but also degrades the beauty and value of the work.
It’s just at that moment you realise that even if it’s non of your business to change others’ code of behaviour, at least you can try with just a piece of writing.
Please stop it!
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
The Idiot
“There are two kinds of idiots: those who don’t take actions because they have received a threat, and those who think they are taking actions because they have issued a threat.”
Have you ever come across this quote? Do you think it should be taught as a life skill lesson in school and universities?
But isn’t Life the greatest teacher of all?
We all learn this lesson in our lives, though, of course, at different levels.
We call others idiots, but if we take just a quick look at ourselves (not in the mirror but in our minds), we’ll find that we’ve been one at some point.
Have you read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier? If you have, you might share my opinion that It’s a story full of idiots, though at some point you couldn’t help recollecting some memories that make you just as one.
By the way the above mentioned quote is not from Rebecca. I couldn’t remember the source right now. But, herewith my review and my favourite quote from the book:
/https://nh825.wordpress.com/2025/01/06/rebecca/
“… kindness, and sincerity, and – if I may say so – modesty are worth far more to a man, to a husband, than all the wit and beauty in the world.”
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
Archive or Kindle
I like to feel the books in my hands. I like how they look on the shelves. I like to use a bookmark, whether it’s one I made myself or a dried flower between the pages. I like the faded colours of the pages over the years. And, I like my scribbles and highlighted sections throughout the chapters. I used to visit the local library frequently and made sure I have got a library card in each and every new city I moved to. I also used to buy books, always on Amazon and sometimes from charity shops.
However, things changed when I discovered the Archive Digital Library with its online fourteen day lending system. Some books have fewer days to borrow, but I believed it was a great option. I don’t really remember when I first joined the Archive Library, but that helped me reading more. It was about two years ago when I heard that The Archive Library had legal issues regarding publishing copyrights and other complicated matters I couldn’t understand. The library don’t allow any changes to be made to any books, and no one can download any copies either. That was when I started to turn back to Amazon, especially Kindle.
With kindle books, things became much easier. I can read for longer hours at night (of course that depends on the book) without my husband nagging me to turn the lights off. I can also highlight sections, add notes, and copy my favourite parts as much as I want.
Whatever you prefer to use for reading, don’t stop.
Have you ever received a book as a gift? Wouldn’t one make a great gift?
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
Have you missed it?
The New Year celebration bonfires?
I haven’t.
The city where I live now is so quiet that even the New Year celebrations were not fussed about. When I got up on the morning, I asked my husband whether he heard any bonfires? He said no, and I smiled, feeling so happy we moved to live here.
Isn’t it becoming too much of a waste of money, time, and peace? Ironically, these lavish celebrations smashed people’s calls and prayers for abundance, wisdom, and peace into a big, thick wall. They already dumped them all into the void, making all these virtues nothing.
Do you think one day people will stop taking part in this madness, these sophisticated competitive celebrations? Would they be satisfied with simple celebrations at home with family, and friends?
Some would say simplicity is not commercial, not entertaining, not profitable, and that’s the ethos of celebrations. But what all these things have to do with making a genuine, healthy, memorable moment?
You wouldn’t regret missing the bonfires celebrations, but you would definitely miss your peace of mind if you didn’t.
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
Knock knock
Who’s knocking?
‘It’s me, the New Year,’ your visitor says.
You open the door and there is your visitor, having travelled a long journey, about 365 days, to visit you just before sunrise when it’s all quiet. Your visitor is smiling, arms open wide, eyes sparkling, in neat, elegant clothing, and smelling of a fresh, morning breeze perfume that wafts through the door and fillles you, and your place.
You seized the – once – in – a year encounter, and prattled about lots of things: the fire works celebrations, the – once – in – a life time trip to celebrate the New Year on the Caribbean or the moon, the special romantic night, the list of your last year’s fulfilled resolutions, the list of complaints about your misfortunes and bad luck, and the list of your sheer luck achievements. (Please feel free to add the things most of us usually think at each and every new year.)
‘Have you changed? The newcomer asks after listening patiently to all that details.
Struck by the question, you stammer, thinking for a minute or two and then say; ‘Of course, with all those details and things I have changed. I should have changed. Everything changed, and is changing. Just wait and see how the New Year celebrations will look next year.” You said the words, full of confidence, gazing at your visitor who looks the same as ever.
Your visitor smiles, seeming to read your mind. ‘Changes don’t have to be mainly physical. And, thanks for the celebrations.’
‘What’s piece of advice are you giving me this year?’ You ask.
‘A new year is a new chapter. Editing your writing font colours and styles makes no significant change to your chapter. It’s the content that does. What you write, what you say, and what you feel is what making your chapter worth reading, and celebrating. Besides, as long as you live, there’ll always be a new chapter to live, to write, and to celebrate whether it’s January or any other month of the year.
‘Oh, I will think about that. Do you want to know my new plans for this year?’ You ask.
‘Does anyone have to read your chapter before it’s done? I’m sure you’ll share it next year,’ the visitor says and leaves.
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
Playing cards
Before the smart phone games, app games, and all the massive screen based entertainment, some parents used to play cards with their children during holidays and school breaks. I did, still do, though rarely nowadays.
Those moments engraved wonderful memories in our minds. We laughed, shouted, and jumped as we sat in a circle on the carpeted floor to play cards. We played for fun with one rule: the first loser is out, but had to keep sitting and watching until the last round. It was something like “The Weakest Link.” What made those moments even more enjoyable was how my husband and I called the cards names in the Egyptian Arabic. Our children wouldn’t mind, wouldn’t even try to use the english ones. They liked it this way.
I wonder, and you might also wonder, why I thought about all that today? That’s becuase of the book I have just finished reading: The Solitaire Mystery. Have ypu read it? I really recommend it. It’s a good book,. But to be honest, I was a bit confused with the English cards names version. I even don’t know what the Solitaire game is? We play basic cards games. Bit by bit, I came to understand things, and that’s when I started enjoying the book more.
Herewith the link for my book review. Have a look and let me know what do you think about the book?
https://nh825.wordpress.com/2024/12/28/the-solitaire-mystery/
With hope and peace,
Nahla
Don’t let them age
I remember my grandparents from my mother’s side as I hadn’t seen my father’s since they all died early before he married my mother.
Anyway, my grandparents were barely in their late sixties or early seventies when they died. As a child, I used to believe they were so ancient, so weird. Their house was so big and so old. Not becuase they didn’t have enough money –Â they did, but because they didn’t like change. They liked their old furniture, the old walls, the old staircase, and even their old clothes.
From my mother’s tales, especially about her father, I believed he was a monster and a tyrant. By the way, he wasn’t religious, but I am not going to detail more because we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, should we? However, he was, actually, so kind with me. Perhaps, because I used to avoid him all the time, or because I was the quietest of his grandchildren tribe. But, he really was kind, and when he laughed or smiled, I didn’t see him that old at all.
Some people say that the real youth is the youth of the heart and the soul. If you read Mr. MacBride’s story, you will know how important it is to not let either your heart or your soul age.
Have you read The Five Wishes Of Mr MacBride. It’s a wonderful book. Have a look at my review!
https://nh825.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/the-five-wishes-of-mr-murray-mcbride/
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
Pure and Simple 