If you could memorize a book from cover to cover, which would it be?

Growing up I would see my father read tons and tons of books. Whenever we would go anywhere, seeing a bookstore never failed to put a big smile on his face. Once my husband’s foreign guests were so impressed that my father knew even more than they did about their country. They were very surprised that my dad knew the names of prominent leaders, the history of their country, even down to towns and streets not normally known to tourists. And when he would be asked how long ago he had visited their country, he would say he had learned about it through the books he had read. Reading was also a form of relaxation for him.

Here are some personalities who will share with us their choice of book if, given the chance, they could memorize a single one.

ATTY. ERLYN DE LEON, special assistant to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Office of the President: The book is Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. I found it quite fascinating. It’s an innovative "how-to" book on starting a trend, spreading an idea, making a product sell or just about anything. It explains in a very entertaining way why people act the way they do and what influences them. Backed by research, statistics and dramatic examples, it shows how with a little push in the right place, you can move mountains... or cause an epidemic.

I think it’s a must-read for everyone.

Former Senator ERNESTO MACEDA: "The New Testament" because it answers all the difficult questions in one’s life and is the best guide for future actions.

RAUL FRANCISCO, businessman: The book I would like to memorize is The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. It is a beautiful piece of literature that means different things to me at different stages of my life. However, the constant lessons are balance, perspective, and the tools for living a peaceful, fulfilling life. Since I can’t memorize it word for word, I am content to paraphrase it every now and again.

HILDA REYES ANTONIO, treasurer and director, Century Properties: It may be a tall order to memorize The Holy Bible but I choose it as it contains the most profound teachings and wisdom that are timeless.

CELINE GABRIEL, PR manager, Makeup Forever and Herbal Woman and co-owner, Modern Mythology: Little Book of Miracles and Answered Prayers by Mariliza "Bunny" Reyes. This book is a compilation of inspiring true stories of miracles experienced by Filipinos from all walks of life. I read and re-read this book all the time as I find that each story has a valuable lesson for me depending on what point I am in my life.

I would memorize it if I could so that I could share these stories with other people and  inspire them as well.

SUNSHINE DE LEON, restaurant owner, entrepreneur: Probably The Little Prince which was the first thing that came to my mind. I love this book because it is a portrait of innocence, humility and wisdom in its purest sense. The Little Prince himself had a great appreciation of the beauty in the simplest things… something that I believe we should all strive for in life. The book also has one of my favorite quotes: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye."

RACHELLE GERODIAS, soprano: The Holy Bible. It is my source of inspiration. I find wisdom, courage and comfort in reading it. It guides me through the darkest and toughest times of my life. I wish I could quote a suitable verse from memory and apply it to any given situation at any time. The book is a life saver.

RAUL ROMULO, businessman: The book that I have read from cover to cover is: The 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country. It’s very informative, and some-thing most Filipinos should read so that we can live in a better nation!

ARIEL A. LOZADA, producer/director: I’m always fascinated with the wonders of the world and so I admire Ptolemy, who lived before Christ, for measuring the circumference of the earth with precision and the speed of a camel’s step. The magazine National Geographic is always a good reference for such information and if I could, I would memorize it because the materials presented in each issue are factual and, most importantly, based on truth.