Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Contest Winner, Abelle in the Philippines Reviews "My Funny Dad, Harry"

Abelle was the winner of my book give away contest at Happy Birthday, Dad Contest.

She started reading "My Funny Dad, Harry" as soon as she picked it up from the post office on Friday afternoon and finished it Sunday night. She has posted the following review on her blog and has given me permission to post it on my blogs as well. I love getting good reviews and hearing that my book has stirred up fond memories for others about their loved ones. Here is what she wrote:

The book was written by Karen Arlettaz Zemek, Harry’s daughter, in his memory.

‘Tatanda ka rin’ (You’ll be old too someday).

This is what my youngest sister always tells me when I get irritated with things my grandmother does. Sometimes I try to understand her, but there will be times that I just can’t. An old mind and a younger one sometimes don’t agree.

The book, My Funny Dad, Harry, is written in diary style. Karen did a good job in telling things about her Dad and their family starting from her younger years up to the last days of his father. The book made me realize that there are things we thought about older people but really don’t understand – especially why they like to do things their way when it can be done a lot easier. Harry was a picture of a man who values hard work.

Funny, but with a heart. There are parts that made me smile and there are also those that made me cry. Maybe because I can relate to some of Karen’s experiences that it made me remember memories from the past and things in the present. There may be stories about cats, but it only shows more of what a caring person her dad was – both to people and animals. If he were alive today, I am sure Harry will be active in campaigns about recycling as what I learned with what he did to the empty orange juice cartons, cat food containers, litter boxes and papers from junk mails (photos are shown in the book).

My Funny Dad, Harry speaks of love, caring, values, sharing and a lot more. The author included some photos in the book which were chosen by heart for they show special events and memories of their lives.

Learning the life that Harry lived, there’s no doubt why Karen has become the person she is – one with a generous heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you Karen for sharing your family’s life through this wonderful, wonderful, wonderful book. A story about a simple man (and family) that will surely touch lives of many.


Abelle shares some interesting information about her family too on her review post which you might like to see I provided the link to her blog, Only In Silence so you can hop over right to it.

See www.amazon.com for more customer reviews or how to order.

7 comments:

Andrea said...

Thank you for your lovely comment about my essay over at Red Pine Mountain. There are lots of photos of Sophie (my dog) over at my blog if you want to see a pic. Your blog is wonderful...what a lovely theme! I enjoyed spending some time here today...I will be back to visit often. :)

BeadedTail said...

What a wonderful review! If I recall, it took her awhile to get the book but it was most certainly worth the wait!

Fay said...

Hello Karen. I have finished my review of "My Funny Dad, Henry" and I'm pleased to inform you that your blog has been added to Blogging Women".

I want to thank you for sharing your blog with me and now the readers of our women's blog directory.

Continued success!

Anonymous said...

Andrea,
I visited your blog and enjoyed your dog pictures very much. I submitted an essay for Mountain Woman's post today (Saturday) about one of my familiar favorite places--The Cleveland Zoo. (Not as original as yours was--it was great!)

Beaded Tail,
Yes, I am thrilled with this review and also posted it on my PNN blog. Hope she joins the readers & authors site (it's the green badge on my side bar) so she could post it there as well. I sent the book right away--the post office in the Philippines apparently closed for like a week for the Christmas holidays.

Fay,
Thanks for adding me to your directory and for stopping by here.

Up Close said...

I would love to read your book too. I just knew I too would love it... based form Abelle's review. I know abelle somehow not maybe in person but through her blog. And she my friend.. friend.
And thanks for the comment. and thank you too for the encouragement. I am a missioanary here in the Philippines and missionaries life and provisions really depend in HIM (JESUS).

Anonymous said...

Andrew & Carmel Suarez--I'm glad you are interested in reading my book. Hope you will get it someday.

Anonymous said...

I just have started reading your blogs, I found them very interesting. M sure I will look further for your book too..:-)

"My Funny Dad, Harry" Book Giveaway

Congratulations to all the winners of the giveaway for "My Funny Dad, Harry" at Red Pine Mountain. I am so happy that four of my regular commenters won! Read what Tim thought of it at Everyday Living.