Tag Archives: book meme

[Filipino Fridays] Intro + New Discoveries: Surprise, Reader!

And we’re back! Can’t believe it’s been almost a year since the last ReaderCon. It was my first time to attend, and boy did I ever participate. I’m excited for this year, because the theme is something pretty close to my heart. Filipino ReaderCon 2014: Readers Turned Writers.

We count down to the event itself through the weekly Filipino Fridays. Click on the link to learn more about it. This week’s question is:

Surprise, Reader! Hello, it’s the first week of Filipino Fridays 2014! Whether it’s your first time to participate or not, tell us a bit about yourself. More specifically, tell us about your favorite book discoveries for this year. Any author you started reading this year that you can’t get enough of? A book you didn’t think you’d like, but you ended up liking/loving? Any book series that you just have to get your hands on? Have you discovered anything new from Filipino authors this year?

It’s my second time to join FF, and the past year has been an amazing ride of new reads. I had plenty of new reads this year, but I thought I’d share what my favorite books are from Filipino authors. In the last year, a few friends released their self-published works, which immediately became part of my must read pile. Then there’s the writing workshops I participated in a few months ago. I never got to finish my story, but the others were able to successfully finish theirs, so my reading list grew.

Kids These Days (Stories from Luna East Arts Academy Vol. 1) – Various authors
A few of the writers are my friends, so it was a given that I read their work right? Reading this threw me back to my high school years, where every encounter with my crush/es was something worth writing down in your journal. Or, Sweet Valley (twins, not High, ironically). I enjoyed the various points of view of the stories, and each one has little surprises that keep you wanting more.

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Booking Through Thursday: Anticipation

Booking Through Thursday:

What’s the last book you were really EXCITED to read? And, were you excited about it in advance? Or did the excitement bloom while you were reading it? Are there any books you’re excited about right NOW?

The last book I remember being very, very excited to read that I was ready to bargain with my aunt if I could buy her copy, was “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”. I never managed to pre-order it, or even get in line for any events for it, but I wanted an early copy so badly. My aunt said she was getting one and I begged her to let me read it as soon as she got it, even before she could read it.

I remember reading the last few chapters while we were in a party at her home. No one could talk to me because I was so busy reading. I was waiting for the book even before it came out. I was a fan of the series from the beginning, and I eagerly waited for the next book as soon as I finished the last.

Right now, I don’t think I’m looking forward to reading anything. If J.K. Rowling’s going to be releasing anything new (even if it’s not in Potterverse), I’d gladly read it.

BTT: Coming Soon To A Theater Near You

Today’s BTT question is:

If you could see one book turned into the perfect movie–one that would capture everything you love, the characters, the look, the feel, the story–what book would you choose?

Off the top of my head, I would say it’s Jostein Gaarder’s “The Solitaire Mystery”. I think it’s got the right amount of adventure and whimsey that would appeal to a lot of people. Plus, it’s a story within a story (which is something we’ve seen in recent movies like Inception and Sucker Punch).

Personally, I think it would look great as an animated film, a la Hayao Miyazaki. Then again, if it were something like Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland it would also work.

BTT: Something Old, Something New

I haven’t participated in Booking Through Thursday for a long time! I’ve missed it, so here I am again.

All other things being equal–do you prefer used books? Or new books? (The physical speciman, that is, not the title.) Does your preference differentiate between a standard kind of used book, and a pristine, leather-bound copy?

I find this question really fitting as my “comeback” to BTT. I love books, no question. New or old (secondhand), I love them. However, the cost of books often has me reaching for secondhands more than brand new ones, especially since I can buy four books to the price of one brand new paperback.

I don’t collect first editions or those leather-bound books, so I’m set with my choices. That isn’t to say that I don’t want to have first edition copies, especially if it’s of my favorite titles. Since my need is to read, I’m good with used books. Also, I find a lot of very good condition paperbacks in used book stores. I’m very good at sniffing them out, much to the delight/ire of my friends (their reaction depends on whether they have the budget to buy the book or not).

Then again, if I really want a book so bad and I can’t wait for a used copy, I’ll shell out the amount I need to get a new copy. Hey, I’ve stood in line for new book releases, and I’ve reserved a lot of books even before the release date. I’m not so very picky… not really.

To know more about my fascination with used books and used book stores, you can read “The Art of Book Hunting“. Some things may apply not just to the Philippine setting.

How about you? 🙂