School Librarian in Action: October 2024

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

It's a Good Day for Book Donations

We are welcoming the 2nd Quarter with books donated by a friend of the BA Library, Prof Heidi Eusebio-Abad. She donated books written by Ceres Alabado, the Mother of Philippine Children’s Literature.

@titazeeh7
We’re always happy to recieve book donations!
♬ Good Day - BTS

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Grace, Gratitude and Grief

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A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@the.readingarmy)

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Kuwentong Bangtan: Han Kang and Bangtan Sonyeondan

At the Intersection of Art, Literature, Music and the On-Going Quest for Peace is BTS and Han Kang

Human Acts by Han Kang is a haunting novel that explores the brutal aftermath of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising in South Korea. Through interconnected narratives, the book delves into the trauma, grief, and resistance of those who experienced and survived the violent suppression of the pro-democracy movement.

Han Kang's powerful writing exposes the personal and collective scars left behind, reflecting on the cost of fighting for freedom and human dignity.

BTS' "Ma City" connects to Human Acts through its celebration of hometown pride and history, particularly for members like J-Hope, who hails from Gwangju. The song’s energetic homage to the members’ roots contrasts with the somber history of Gwangju, yet both works emphasize the deep ties between people and their origins. While Ma City focuses on pride and identity, Human Acts highlights the sacrifices made for freedom, reminding us that the history of a place is intertwined with both its joy and its pain.

Congratulations, Han Kang for winning the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature!

Thank you, BTS for creating songs to remind us all that “we are what we were”! HOPE IS COMING!

Friday, October 11, 2024

I Say Thank You Book Blog Tour: 5-Minute Book Talk by Maryanne Mall

Books for children aren't that easy to make. You can't just throw a cute story and cute pictures onto a page and call it a children's book. But THIS one IS. Very well-executed. Highly recommended. Congratulations, Zarah Gagatiga, Bleps Dapo, and Lampara Books!

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Kuwentong Bangtan: Demian X Wings by BTS

Demian by Hermann Hesse is a coming-of-age novel that explores the inner journey of self-discovery, individuality, and the duality of human nature. Through the protagonist, Emil Sinclair, the story delves into the tension between light and dark, good and evil, and the struggle to embrace one’s true self. Sinclair's relationship with Demian, a mysterious figure who guides him toward a deeper understanding of life’s complexities, mirrors a journey toward enlightenment and self-acceptance.

BTS' "Blood Sweat & Tears" from their 2016 album, Wings, connects deeply with the themes of Demian. The song reflects the intoxicating struggle between temptation and innocence, pleasure and pain—parallels to Sinclair’s internal conflict. The lyrics and visuals in the music video, with its allusions to art and literature, symbolize the painful yet transformative process of growth and breaking free from societal constraints, much like Sinclair’s spiritual awakening in Demian. Both works express how one must face both the darkness and light within to truly find oneself.