Book Review: 300 Days of Sun

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

There's only one plot, "Who am I?".

I heard this from a teacher who was apparently teaching English to a senior class in the ending scene of The Amazing Spiderman. This got me thinking about all the novels I've read. It's true. Fiction is all about the characters searching for who they are, where they come from, where they belong, and these questions keep their story going until they find the answers.

In Deborah Lawrenson's 300 Days of Sun, the main characters are looking for something that completes the picture of their identity and the meaning of their life. Joanna Millard wanted to break free from her relationship and career as a journalist so she ran to Faro, Portugal, and Nathan Emberlain wanted to find his true family in the same town.

As their story unfolds, their quest entangled other people into the web and revealed a dark secret not only about Nathan but also about Portugal in relation to Germany during World War II. Lawrenson showed this part of the story through a novel written by Esta Harford. Here's the thing. I didn't expect to read a full-length novel within the novel which is about an American couple living in Portugal during the war and the complication of their lives while living closely with the Germans. It was fine with me though. I think the novel was necessary to further explain the role of the Germans in Faro, Portugal during the war.

I was quite astounded that I got hooked by this book even though the characterization was not in-depth. I was drawn by the mysteriousness and willingness of the characters to take a leap for a stranger but the information about them was just enough to fulfill their roles in moving the plot.

Finding out who Nathan really motivated me to go on but I was more carried away by the uniqueness of the book's setting Faro, Portugal. The author transported me to the town with its famous, long beach, intriguing history, and interesting people. The descriptions were so vivid that I could imagine the scenes.

Although I enjoyed the setting, the action scenes in the story fell flat for me. It was not that exciting and could've been developed more. I think this part was a bit rushed.

Overall, Deborah Lawrenson's 300 Days of Sun is a good read for me.

Discussion Questions

1. 300 Days of Sun is based on the fact that the Algarve region in Portugal has 300 days of sunshine every year. What do you think of the title in relation to the theme of the story?
2. What drives Joanna to help Nathan find his real family?
3. How would you describe Nathan's personality?
4. Does the novel within the novel work for you? Discuss further.
5. Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?

Book Information

Title: 300 Days of Sun

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062390163

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062390165

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Paperbacks (April 12, 2016)

Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 12, 201

Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages

Book Review: You Were Not Born To Suffer

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

    Many books have already been written about suffering. Suffering comes in different forms: emotional, psychological, and physical suffering, but the one thing that I am most interested in is psychological or mental suffering. After reading Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now which explains why we suffer and how to alleviate the pain of suffering, I got hooked on this type of book. When I saw You Were Not Born to Suffer,  I was caught by its title that bespeaks a truth about me. However,  I found most of the contents nothing new, but still, it was a good read for me.

    The book starts with an explanation of why we are no different from butterflies. The cocoon that the caterpillar makes symbolizes our struggles. In other words, we need to struggle to become the best version of ourselves like the beautiful butterfly that emerges from its cocoon, free and flourishing. This image will remind me of this book always.

   Reading further, the author talks about suffering, love, authenticity, healing the inner child, ego, life purpose, breathing, forgiveness, fear, and feeling alive and well. 

One of the things I appreciate is the list of things that come with our purpose in life. Some of  them are:

1. Enjoying each day as much as possible in healthy ways, rather than self-destructive ones.

2. You also have to purge or heal all the emotions stored in your body from the past; like guilt, insecurity, fear, shame, anger, hurt, and sadness.

3. To create whatever you feel like from the love, truth, and inspiration you feel, whether this is art, a home, a business, a family, cooking or events. Here there is no right or wrong. No good or bad. No better than or less than. It’s simply what you want and what makes you come alive.

    I finally found the words that will guide me each day to align with my true self. When my past hurt or pain visits my body, I let it be and read the list to remind me of the things that are more important. It's like being guided by a lighthouse to a safe harbor on a dark, stormy night. 

    What is more, the questions and affirmations at the end of every chapter added value to the time I spent reading the book. These parts of the book helped me internalize the things I've learned.

    I recommend this book to those who have just started to read about suffering and awakening.

Discussion Questions

1. What came to your mind when you read the title of the book?
2. What is the most valuable lesson you've learned from this book?
3. What do your struggles in life mean to you?
4. Did this book change the way you look at suffering? How?
5. Describe an authentic life.
6. How helpful are the reflective questions and affirmations?
7. What are the things that you need to work on in your life right now? Has the book given ways on how to deal with them?

Book Information

Title: You Were Not Born To Suffer

ASIN: B01M17O80G

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Watkins Publishing; Updated, Revised edition (March 21, 2017)

Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 21, 2017

Print length ‏ : ‎ 294 pages