Experimental Reads: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Hunger Games, A Wrinkle in Time, and (gasp!) Twilight

Music: "Maskara" by Eraserheads

To cap off the year, I’m planning to do a marathon of YA reads—one title per week for four weeks, starting December 1. And not just any YA title, but four of the most popular books written by female authors, just so I can compare them with each other.

(I have no idea why I'm posting this now.)

So yes, it goes without saying that I’m including the first book of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and (gasp!) Twilight series in the list. The Hunger Games I’ve already read (twice?), but I don’t mind reading it again because I enjoyed it very much. I only read the second book in the HP collection, waaaaaay back in college, and Ginny pissed me off so much I decided not to continue with the series anymore after that. But I’m willing to give it another shot, because a lot of people have told me that the second book is the worst volume in the series. And while my brief encounter with Eclipse (about three to five pages, where Jacob delivered his infamous “Let’s face it. I am hotter than you.” line) changed my perception of vampires and werewolves forever, I figured it would only be logical to include Twilight in the list, and see how many pages it will take before I throw the book against a wall. Literally.

Last but not the least in the list (what?) is A Wrinkle in Time, which is a little different from the first three titles, but famous in its own right. I can’t even remember when I first read the book—three years ago, maybe? But I do remember enjoying it a lot, so I really don’t mind reading it again.

Now I just need someone to lend me his or her copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Twilight. Because I don’t want to invest on an HP book until I’m sure I will finish the series, and I definitely do not want to waste money on a Stephanie Meyer title.

Books, books, books!

Music: "This is the Moment" from the Jekyll & Hyde OST

Last night, I found myself standing in front of my bookshelf for a whole two minutes, the pile of newly acquired books from the Manila International Book Fair in my arms, only to realize that I have barely any space left to put my newest babies.

I also realized I need to reorganize my shelf again . . . and soon. I have a feeling I'll discover books I've purchased a long time ago, hidden behind newer books, long forgotten. See those thick books in the third level and the not-so-thick books in the second? Yep, there are stacks of other books behind them. And I haven't even taken a picture of my other bookshelf yet (that one's way too disorganized for public viewing).

/coughs

Anyway, I think I overdid it with the children's books this year. Usually I buy three to six titles, most of them new releases from Adarna and OMF, but this year, I bought picture books from other publishers as well--Tahanan, Lampara, and, gasp!, yes, Vibal.

(And before anyone accuses me of being a traitor for not patronizing Anvil's books, let me just say that I do buy children's books from Anvil, but I usually buy them using my employee's discount because, err, well, it's bigger than the usual discount we offer during MIBF.)

And now, a show of titles. Cue in drum roll, please.

From Adarna House. 

A select few who know about my not-so-hidden obsession with a certain illustrator will notice that I bought one of his books again. Tee hee.

From Lampara. 

Yes, the he-who-must-not-be-named illustrator has a book here too.

From Vibal. 

I don't usually buy books from them, but there are three reasons for this purchase:

Lina Diaz de Rivera. Frances Alcaraz (a.k.a. favorite college teacher). Cats.

'nuff said.

From Hiyas.

Because I love Jason Moss books, and Tito Dok's titles are always fun to read.

(Speaking of which, a little shameless plugging on my part--Tito Dok recently, well, not so recently, released a picture book with us.

Props to Ray Sunga for the beautiful illustrations.

I really, really enjoyed working on this project, and no, I'm not just saying this in an attempt to encourage people to grab a copy, though of course I will shamelessly promote it to anyone who would care to listen.

But seriously, the story is heartwarming, the illustrations are lovely, and I promise it will be worth the money you spend on it. Scout's honor.)

I also bought a new series, without checking first what the story is about. (I rarely do this, but . . . what? It was on sale!) Here's hoping I'll have a new addiction soon (if I actually find time to read them in the near future).

One book from Ateneo Press (I was looking for Dean's Salamanca about two years back, but must have totally missed it when I passed the Ateneo booth both times), and one from UP Press (collection of YA short stories? sold!)

But my absolute favorite is the picture book I bought from Tahanan. Not only because I love Serj Bumatay's artwork (his illustrations for Anvil's Ang Prinsipeng Kuba still give me chills whenever I look at them), but because the story is so simple yet so engaging.

Plus, the kid's name is Botbot.

That is all I'm going to say about that.

So, yes, I think I overdid it with the children's books this year, but I don't really feel bad about it. Hey, if my dream of setting up a children's library is bound to come true, might as well start early with collecting materials for it, right?

And yes, I still need to figure out a way to make more room in my shelf. Or just buy a new one altogether.

Yosh.

One Day, Five Years From Now

Music: Ask Me How I Am by Snow Patrol

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice—

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

A friend asked me, "Where do you see yourself five years from now?"

The easiest answer is "I'll be five years older," but that's dry humor at its best, and probably not the most appropriate response to a serious (I think) question.

I guess I haven’t really thought about it a lot, which could either mean that a) I’ve been too busy with the present to pay attention to the future, or b) I don’t particularly care. Either reason is sad, and a little irresponsible, too.

And so, it got me thinking (which eventually led to a headache, but that’s a story for another day). My best friend Potch and used to talk about going into business—a café with a bookshoppe, or a bookshoppe with a café, or even without the café, really, just the bookshoppe will do—a couple of times. Except that we're both Literature majors, and although my mom is a superb businesswoman, I think I take after my dad more, and therefore will probably not be able to sustain the business without the help of people who know how to actually run it. But it's a thought that’s stayed in my mind for a while now, something I even discussed with my mom a few years back, and she’s supportive, really, so at least I’m sure we’ll have one regular customer?

And then I realize, I want to run a mini-library. No, seriously. For kids. Because although I'm technically bad with children, I want to give them youngsters a chance to experience the joys of reading while they’re still young. Especially in this day and age, when it’s so easy to be distracted with television, computer games, and the Internet. Because there’s a different kind of magic in holding an actual book and flipping through its pages, smelling the scent of paper and ink, that you can’t experience when reading an e-book using Kindle or an iPad (not that I’m against e-books, because I’m not). Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why I’ve been hording children’s books and YA novels for the past, oh, say, seven years? Of course, a community library sounds cool and ambitious, but I will need a good spot (the rent has to be reasonable, of course), and people who share the same vision, more or less. And money. Maybe in a few years. Somewhere in Marikina, perhaps, near our church. Or in Pasig. Hmm.

And then something theater-related. I once had this thought, just a passing fancy, really, of setting up a community theater, or a small theater school, for kids. But then I have to take an MA on theater arts first, and I don’t think that’s happening in the near future. Well, my sister has a degree in Education, so I can bully her into handling the teaching/academic side of things. Or something. But I think this is a dream that I really would want to work on—to train kids, help them mold their skills not only in acting, but in different fields as well. Something that can help them later on in life. Oh, wouldn’t that be awesome?

But, I think, what I really want to do, wherever five years from now finds me, is to be able to give back to the Lord. Whether it be by providing the best service one can have in our bookshoppe/café, or by providing kids with books that inspire (or mentally scar them for life, although I sincerely hope this would not be the case), or by training children to better prepare themselves for whatever dream they wish to pursue (and hone their acting skills, to boot). If by doing these little things, I can give glory to God, well, wouldn’t that be the most amazing thing ever?

Well, we’ll see in five years’ time then J

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do—

determined to save

the only life you could save.

–“The Journey,” Mary Oliver