Book Review: LEARNING THE HARD WAY (True stories of heartbreaks, healing and hope)

Book Review

Author: Kevin Sanders

Missionary to the Philippines and Campus Minister

I’m sure that if you’ve been following my blog, you’ve become familiar with Kevin by this time already, at one time clicked his links on my page and stumbled onto his sites and Podcast. I’ve talked about him and linked some of my articles with his so I’m certain he’s no stranger to you any longer.

I also did a review of his first book “Basta Lovelife” here when it came out in June 2008. The book became a hit and was no. 4 at CSM’s (Church Strengthening Ministry) top ten local authors for that year. And now he has another awesome book for his increasing number of readers that’ll be coming out soon this February.

Before everything else, let me first congratulate Erwin Cabalang for the beautiful, creative book cover design. Believe me; the picture here doesn’t do justice. You have to have your own copy and see it for yourself up close.

THE REVIEW

- First, the book opens to a short introductory passage by LJ Salceda (A famous radio personality/producer), talking about her own experiences, learning the hard way. The appetizer before the main course. Now, that’s a treat.

- The book is a compilation of true stories sent by people through email to the author with permission to publish and be included in the book. The stories are true to life experiences we all can relate to or have been through, ourselves, at one point in our lives.

So if you’re into romance novels, “Learning the Hard Way” is one book you should get. It’s time you start reading real life ‘love’ stories not tales from imagination.

- The stories are presented precisely and short, no unnecessary twists and turns just to keep you interested. They’re long enough to get the lessons and important details across but short enough to keep you from getting bored.

- Each story has a message and a lesson to teach and learn from. The author addresses the issues involved in each one at the end of every story from a Biblical standpoint.

- It’s for everyone! The contributors are from both men and women. So if you think only women suffer from heartbreaks, be surprised.

Another note worthy thing I need to mention here is the inclusion of stories from a homosexual (one of my favorites and like I said, it’s for everyone) and a porn addict, their struggles and their triumphs and the victory they’ve found in Jesus Christ!

- It’s handy, like Kevin’s first book, it’s small enough to take everywhere and affordable enough to buy so there’s no reason for you not to get one.

- So what makes it different? It shows the emotional and grave consequences of sin and making the wrong choices in life, especially when it comes to matters of the heart and purity, something very much overlooked nowadays in the lives of single people. What makes it authentic? The real stories of people who’ve been there and care enough to share it so others won’t make the same mistakes, the Biblical principles presented, that if taken to heart, could help the reader not take the same paths, and for that the book is worth the reading. Guaranteed!

“LEARNING THE HARD WAY – True stories of heartbreaks, healing and hope” will have its launch on February 26, 2010 at UBC (University Baptist Church) Manila (in front of FEU) at 6:00 PM. I’ll post more info. about it as the launching day approaches or contact kuya Kevin himself.