12 Days of Christmas Book Review: A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a childhood favorite. Though my first experience of the story is through an animated TV movie, it only fueled me to read the book. As always, the printed format provides a different experience.

Reading the beginning line, Marley was dead: to begin with, filled me with intrigue and made me laugh. How can a Christmas story begin with death? Surely, dead men tell tales. Ebeneezer Scrooge, Marley's business partner, had it all coming. Not only did Marley's ghost haunted him on Christmas Eve, but three ghosts of Christmas past, present and future paid him a visit as well. What a haunting! This is the best part, at least to me, in the novella. The ghosts were used to mirror Scrooge's need for reflection and introspection. It had made all the difference for him to change his heart. The man who has forgotten how it is to be human redeemed himself in the end.

A Christmas Carol is one of the few books I re-read at Christmas. Now that I am older, I take the book as my reminder to be brave and courageous. The need to constantly face our demons or the ghosts that haunt us is a recurring phase we all need to go through life. I still laugh at the wit and dry humor of Charles Dickens, that hasn't changed at all. But while some visitations of the past afford us resolutions to help us see perspectives in the present time, the experience may not at all be Scrooge like. I suppose, what matters is journeying on with life with a smile and a steadfast heart. Because, really, that is what hope is all about.



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Catching Up: Filipino Fridays #4: 5 Revolutions That Changed the Way I Read

This is the last in the meme and it is a topic worth reckoning.

What are the five revolutions that changed the way I read?

1. JK Rowling. She introduced me to fantasy. And to canon. Reading the Harry Potter books, made me reach out to Tolkien, CS Lewis and more British writers. She also changed the way I look at the author and reader relationship. Imagine my delight when she answered a letter that I wrote to her for my book club in school! She sure does know how to please the fans. And her marketing team is just brilliant!

2. Book to Movie Adaptations. This helped me in reading engagement as well as being enriched with the literary and filmic experience of stories.

3. Ebooks and epublishing. I am leaning more and more on my Kindle, but I stay loyal to the print. I am also curious about self publishing. Given the time, I would venture into that realm. I have a Wattpad account, so maybe, re-activating it is a start.

4. Social Media. My news source and gossip channel is Twitter, FB and Pinterest. I also make use of social media to promote my books.

5. A Busier Philippine Book Industry. A lot has happened the past five years! The slow but measured growth of Philippine YA; Komikon; Booklatan; the annual book fairs; the National Children's Book Awards. The book industry is changing and growing and, in our experience in Manila, Filipino readers are more visible now than ever.

What will the next five years look like?

12 Days of Christmas Book Review: The Saga of Santa Claus

The Saga of Santa Claus by M.D. Couturier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Saga of Santa Claus is an origin story of Norse background. It narrates the beginning of the Yuletide gift giving tradition; the man behind the happy red suit; the elves who helped him make toys; and other little bits of Christmas traditions we all recognize and practice. Take for example the stockings filled with gifts and the mistletoe that hangs on every homes' door or window. These practices are unique to western culture but, from where I am from, families have adopted the custom despite the absence of snow and mistletoe. Perhaps, people are attracted to the idea and the novelty of it all. Mark Couturier explains why it is so and it amused me that Thor is the reason for this.

There are is of course, the presence of the Norse Gods in the story, like Odin and Frigga. There are fairies and goblins too. A magic ring and a magic sleigh complete the gifts bestowed upon the chosen one. The book starts out as a legend and finishes off into a myth that children of all ages will find delightful.

The best part for me was Valdor's climactic turn into the kind hearted man that he truly is. Spoiled from childhood, this crown prince story arc is a classic, almost canonical change spelled the difference in the entire novella. It is a good read this Christmas as we keep in mind the message of the season despite turbulent times. Kindness and compassion, friendship and humility, will save us from our greedy, selfish selves. Valdor experienced this through friends who stuck with him and strangers who didn't give up on him.

I believe that every man and woman, and child, has that constant companion who will love him or her, no matter what.





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School Library Assessment and Evaluation Tool

In my training with school librarians last October, a professional development activity organized by Scholastic Philippines, I talked about assessment and evaluation tools for school libraries. The PowerPoint presentation can be viewed in this post: School Library Improvement: Assessment and Evaluation.

Now here is the assessment and evaluation tool I designed using the DepEd School Library Guidelines of 2011.

Library Reading Promotion For Christmas 2015

In keeping with a Christmas tradition, our library is giving away candy canes for book borrowers. Sweets are treats for teens who read and for those who are reluctant to read. What I do is to spread books and display them on tables and open spaces in the library. Showing the book's cover is visually appealing. Put a sweet candy beside it doubles the appeal. Since the week started, my staff at the circulation desk has been busy dispensing books and sweets at the same time.

This promotional strategy sounds like the carrot on a stick technique, but, it keeps the circulation stats moving and teens reading.

I take note of reading responses as we go along. There is this grade 10 student who wants to study in the UK so he printed out a list of the Best British Books of the 20th century. The poor kid came to me for help, asking how to start a reading list. While the titles are a combination of easy and light reading, there is also stuff there that is pretty serious literature. So, I cautioned the boy and started him off with enjoyable reads. I recommended Roald Dahl, JK Rowling and a Gaiman novella. He finished each book by the said author in a month. He is now reading the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen. I look forward to his transition to the different genres as motivated by his own choices.

Speaking of reading responses, we also launched the Christmas Reading Passport two weeks ago. It is easy to do.

1. Students get a reading passport.

2. The reading passport is designed to encourage students to read four books on the themes of hope, peace, joy and love. There are four questions to be answered, one for each book. This way, students are guided on their book choices. Recommended reads, a list of books about the themes are sent out via email lists to everyone.

3. The passport and the books are taken home over the long holiday break.

4. Students come back after the break with the passports filled out. They submit this to the library staff.

5. They get a token from the library.

Now, what do I do with the filled out reading passports? I use it to inform me of what books our teens enjoy and don't enjoy at all. I use the information form the passport as basis for acquisition purchases, as well as developing more book lists that would encourage and interest them to read. My next project is to do a compilation of the Best Reads by Griffins Who Read. This is like a book buddy journal where short reviews are put together. I envision this as a guide for incoming high school students who are charting their reading journeys. As their school librarian, I am their willing reading companion.

12 Days of Christmas Book Review: Landline*

*This is a re-post from a previous entry in the blog. Because, Christmas is coming home.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Georgie McCool's marriage is in trouble. Her husband leaves for Nebraska a few days before Christmas bringing their two daughters along. Georgie chooses to stay in Los Angeles to work on a big script with a bosom friend and work partner, Seth. Torn between her career and her marriage, Georgie is pressured to make a decision with the help of an unlikely gadget from the 90's.

What worked

This is a classic Rainbow Rowell novel: the quirky characters; the witty dialogues; the wonderful promise of conflict to come that is established on the first sentence of chapter one; the exciting middle parts that make you want for more when you reach the last page. These are all there for the taking. But this time, Rowell drove me closer to home. In Landline's pages, I found myself as an adult.


I. AM. GEORGIE McCOOL.


Her story is my story. And I feel validated. For this I am thankful that there is a romance writer out there who amplified the beauty of a married working woman's dilemma.


What may not work for some readers (but definitely worked for me)

Not all readers, women especially, will easily grasp the choice Georgie made at the end of the novel. But if you have been lost in love, then you will understand Georgie's choice. It doesn't help that Georgie arrived at "the choice" through an analog phone. Then again, this intervention from a 90's gadget is, as I take it, a metaphor of going back to what is basic and fundamentally essential in Georgie's relationship with her husband, Neal.


In moments when we are led astray by our own decisions and life is slowly falling apart, all we need to do is to go back to the beginning of things to find our balance once more. Isn't this romantic? That is why the rotating telephone intervening between time and space in Georgie's past and present relationship fits in the novel's plot. It is Neal and Georgie's connection to where their story of commitment began.


But the question of using another object to bring Georgie back to basic remains. She could have read letters, diaries, looked at pictures, even watched videos of their time together. No. Listening is different from looking and reading. Looking and reading involves cognition. Listening involves the emotions. Georgie needed to know what was going on affectively with herself and with Neal. The telephone conversation provided her with that affective knowledge. She needed to listen to Neal and to herself to understand the most important thing in her life at that moment.


And then, Rowell pulled another trick from her bag: Neal at Georgie's door step making his choice and taking that leap of faith.



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Catching Up: Filipino Friday # 3: 5 Ways I Can Support Filipino Authors

This is uber late. But.

How can I support Filipino authors?

1. As a school librarian, I will consistently keep an Author Visit program where authors talk about their books to young readers. On the side is a book sale where, after their talk, they can sign copies of their books bought by readers.

2. As a storyteller, I will keep on telling stories written, and illustrated, by Filipino authors.

3. As a blogger, I will review their books and feature them in my blog. I will also participate in blog tours of their books and pimp them to the heavens!

4. As a PBBY member, I will encourage them to continuously join the annual Salanga Writer's Prize. In the board, we shall always seek help from other organizations and agency in the conduct of workshops where they can produce manuscripts for submission to publishers. Through the PBBY, we shall continue the Children's Book Fair held every year during the National Children's Book Day. We shall also keep our eyes and ears open for conferences, contests, grants, writing retreats and off shore publications.

5. As a KUTING member, I will participate in the workshops to help my writer friends become better at their craft. I hope they return the favor.

Mabuhay ang Filipino Author!

12 Days of Christmas Book Review: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


You don't mess around with the Herdmans. They are the town bullies and their goal in life is to wreck havoc on everyone they cross paths with. So, just imagine the horror of the community of this little American town when they all volunteered to portray Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in the annual Christmas Pageant. What follows is a humorous narrative that turns out to be sweet and tender.

Told in the point of view of a secondary character, it was easy for me to look at the Herdmans from a more objective lens. The voice of the narrator is consistent in telling the story as it is, as it happens, with no judgement or prejudice. The narrator is an observer. She reveals the Herdmans' notoriety from experiences of family and friends. It is through these descriptions where the rising conflict was established. Will the Herdman's ruin the almost perfect Christmas Pageant of the community? Or will there be a saving grace somewhere.

Because this is a Christmas story, there is grace -- everywhere!

No, it wasn't the perfect Christmas Pageant. It was the best! Despite the mishaps and mayhem that the Herdman siblings brought upon the pageant, they appeared perfect for the roles they played. Why and how? Well, that is something I want you to find out for yourself! So, read the book!



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12 Days of Christmas Book Review: The Cowboy's Christmas Bride

The Cowboy's Christmas Bride by Cora Seton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cole and Sunshine return to Chance Creek. They have plans and dreams to pursue. What kept them together after all these years is their love for each other. Going back to Chance Creek, they come face to face with their past and the uncertain future. Cole and Sunshine are at a crossroad. Is their love strong enough to make them stay and build a new life in Chance Creek?

Good thing the gang is there to welcome them; to show them a thing or two about couplehood and married life; what has changed in the community; and how this community can be their support group in starting a family of their own.

This 9th volume in the Cowboys of Chance Creek is a fitting Christmas book in the series. It is not only the story of Cole and Sunshine but everyone's! I return to Chance Creek as a curious visitor wondering how my favorite cowboys and their wives are doing. And everyone seems to be adjusting real well with married life. This is enough for Cole and Sunshine to make a decision. In the end, love wins.

While it gave me, once more, that happy ever after feeling, I think about the what ifs. There is more to married life than wonderful beginnings. I wish to see more of love and romance in married life. How will the Cowboys and their wives weather through bigger challenges? What is love in the face of death, bankruptcy, infidelity and disasters?

I enjoyed the series, but I am asking for more. I am a demanding fan!



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Catching Up: The 5th Filipino ReaderCon Panel on Readers Take the Reins

 Aside from missing the PLAI Congress and the seminar-workshop at the University of Perpetual Help Laguna, the Filipino ReaderCon was another event I skipped due to follow up consultations with my doctors. The Readers Take the Reins panel was a session I hoped to take part in along with GFF, Tarie Sabido and book blogger extraordinaire, Blooey Singson. The panel is like a dream sequence where readers assert their needs and their vision of a reading revolution in the country. The question to answer is, if readers have the power to transform the book industry and readership in the country, what would be our environment and behavior towards reading and books?

Paolo Chikiamco has a recording of the session. I still have to listen to the entire thing. I am excited because there is a lot of talk on library development. So I was told.

Feel free to visit and download the recording. Go to Paolo's blog for the MP3.

The Official Press Release: Where Have I Been The Past Three Weeks

First of all, I wish to thank everyone who prayed for me and my family during our medical crises. Having said this, allow me to tell the tale.

During the APEC holiday, I was bent on finishing a paper for poster presentation in the PLAI Congress, a module for teacher training and three stories for a project with Lampara Books. But, amoebiasis kicked in and it was pretty bad. The infection went on for a week. The doctor had to extend my antibiotics for three more days. I was also given a recommendation to undergo a colonoscopy. That was how bad things were.

The infection affected my disposition and my general outlook in life. For the first time, all my fears came into consciousness. It didn't help that the gastro doctor told me outright that there are cases of amoebiasis that actually reveal a tumor or cancerous polyps. How could I work and write in such circumstances?

Apart from medicines from the pharmacy, I have taken to eat and consume natural home remedies. Bone broth with ginger for cleansing and healing of stomach infection and kalamansi juice for vitamin C to boost the immune system.

I tried thinking logically. I asked a lot of questions. I back tracked at how I have been living my life for the past years. And yes, I prayed and begged for family and friends to pray for me. This gave me great comfort. The prayer companions who were with me through my physical and mental ordeal bolstered my weakening spirits. I knew what to do. I was bent on getting that colonoscopy done.

Checking the school calendar, I had applied for a leave on the first week of December. However, my daughter's heart prolapse flared that week and she had to be admitted to the hospital for further tests. To add a hair on the camel's back, our eldest, Nico, was also scheduled for a holter monitor for the medical management of his heart block that same week. When it rains, oh, it pours!

When Zoe was discharged from the hospital, she took home a heart monitoring test that required us to go back for one more diagnosis. It was done as an out patient procedure. So far, her heart prolapse is still with in the normal range of contraction and conduction. Her pedia-cardio gave her management techniques to do, so that she can avoid flare ups. She has mitral valve prolapse, a heart condition that can be managed proactively. Her doctor wrote on her medical notebook which included five basic tips:

1. Drink only water. No caffeine or energy drinks.
2. Sleep for eight hours and get enough rest.
3. Know the cause of your stress and reduce these stressors.
4. Learn how to relax.
5. *Take up a sport or a hobby that will strengthen the heart.

* Your own choice and not something imposed on you.

The bottom line here is healthy living. The same philosophy goes with me.

After 20 years, I was back at the Makati Medical Center for a three day confinement. There I undergone colonoscopy and ultrasound tests. It was like getting an executive check up. This is a medical exercise I intend to do on a regular basis.

While my colonoscopy, ultrasound, full abdominal and transvaginal, were all clear, meaning there is nothing serious or alarming, this whole medical crisis is a wake up call for me to further my quest for living a healthy lifestyle. It was a good thing I started losing weight in 2013 and changed eating habits at the same time. Those two years lessened the risk of any serious malady. I was scared to death going through all the procedures. As my cardiologist told me, 40 is the new 50!

This episode in my life gave me a lot to think about. It put things in perspective. From the start of my medical ordeal, I asked myself what do I really need and what does the world require of me. Of course I know the answers. It is only a matter of realizing this concept, this abstraction of choosing a far greater love that poses a big challenge. Because, it requires me to choose this part of myself that needs to be small. Now I smile, after connecting the dots. When I turned 41 years old last August, I prayed to God to make me small. He did make me small. An answered prayer.

The 2015 NBW Blog Event: The Filipino Reader in the Era of ASEAN Integration

We conclude the National Book Week Blog Event of 2015 with this article by Roi Calilung. He writes about books and its role in the preservation of culture and heritage. Mr. Calilung is the Chair of the National Book Week Program. He is a licensed librarian and president of the PLAI Central  Luzon Regional Council.

Reading is the most important skill that a learner should develop at a very young age. Reading is acquired as culture is developed. Reading is a socio-cultural equalizer.

The theme of the 81st National Book Week, “The Filipino Reader in the Era of ASEAN Integration” is very timely. As I reflect on the theme of this year’s celebration, I often ask myself, “Where is the Filipino reader in the ASEAN community?”, “How well do I know about my culture and history?” and “What role do books and libraries play in the era of ASEAN integration?”

Definitely, the Filipino reader has a place in the ASEAN community only if he knows his culture and history very well.

One role that books and libraries play in this era is the preservation, conservation and promotion of our rich historical and cultural heritage as Filipinos. Through the books we read, we learn our customs and traditions, our history and culture, and language and literature. Through the books we read, we learn our identity as a Filipino and hopefully become proud of who we are as a nation.

It is also the role of libraries to promote good books that instill the sense of nationalism and patrimony to every reader. It is the role of libraries to promote our story and history as a nation through the books that these libraries acquire.

The need to be grounded on our national history, culture and identity cannot be dispensed with. We should aim to continuously discover our history, learn our traditions and appreciate our culture and heritage through reading so that our national identity will not be lost in the integration of cultures.

It is then imperative that the primary focus of our reading culture should give preferential attention to our national identity amidst foreign influences.

The celebration of the National Book Week is an opportunity where readers and writers can be gathered, where students, teachers and librarians can be united, and where other stakeholders can converge in one shared purpose: to instill into the young Filipino learners the love for books and reading towards producing independent leaders and lifelong learners.

As one Filipino people, let us be united in our efforts to promote good books and the joy of reading. Happy 81st National Book Week! Happy reading!

The 2015 NBW Blog Event: The Filipino Librarian and Their Library Readers

“Dream big, work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with good people.”

This write up is part of the  2015 NBW Blog Event aimed at celebrating and drumming up the 81st National Book Week happening on November 24-30, 2015. With the theme, the Filipino Reader in the Era of ASEAN Integration, guest bloggers write, share and ruminate on being a Filipino librarian and reader in this age of ASEAN Integration.

We begin a new topic this week, The Filipino Librarian and their Reading Library Readers. Our guest blogger today is Ms. Rochelle Silverio. In this blog article, she answers the following questions: Who are your readers in the library? Why do they read? What are they reading? How do they Read?

Who are your readers in the library?

Demographically speaking, since I work in an academic library, the students that we serve are mostly in the age range of 16 to 21 years old, residing in the various barangays of Valenzuela City, and are taking different courses which include education, business administration, accounting, public administration, communication studies, engineering, and information technology. On a general sense, these Valenzuelanos are a merry and dynamic mix of young people with diverse backgrounds and interests.

How do librarians get to know their readers? 

There are many ways and one common method is the use of surveys. This year, the Library team conducted a satisfaction survey and we are glad that many are seeing the department’s efforts to support them in their academic run and to provide several programs for both educational and leisure purposes. The survey gave us a glimpse of who they are and what they need in terms of facilities and informational resources. Additionally, we also engage and communicate with students which lead us to learning more about them.

Yet afar from that, one may still ask who are they as readers? 

Thus, I approached several students and asked a few more questions beyond what we typically conduct. And so, I learned that most of them consider themselves as avid readers who enjoy reading and who make time to read. A few are dormant readers who still appreciate reading yet are having difficulty in finding time to read due to the myriad of responsibilities that they have. They all view reading as pleasurable which is a welcoming treat since there is this negative notion that many dislike reading nowadays.

As I have expected, they read materials of varied genres and formats. It is like being sucked in a Literature 101 book (which I’d be happy to be in, by the way).  Their interests span from fiction books to informational resources. Some of these include realistic fiction, fantasy, the classics, comics, factual resources such as the almanac and the newspaper.  Titles? There’s J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Reader’s Digest, Archie Comics, Trese, Odyssey, Bob Ong’s books, John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, Sebold’s The Lovely Bones, and Wattpad books like Diary of a Broken Heart. It is also worth mentioning that they read all these other than the mandatory texts in class. They also like to read books in print form while some prefer the e-book format. Language wise, they do not have any issue if the text is in English or Filipino but one of the readers said that she occasionally prefers those written in the Filipino language so that she can “feel” the book better.

And for a bit of twist, I also asked them what books they will bring if they were to stay in an uninhabited island. The Bible tops their list followed by books on survival and fictional books.

How do they read?

Based on their answers, I have to say that a week does not pass without them reading anything. Many of them like to read continuously while some said that they have to stop from time to time, depending on the length of the text they are reading and other tasks they need to complete. One mentioned that he habitually read on evenings, usually before sleeping.

Just as I was interested in knowing the various angles of how these students are as readers, it is also fascinating to understand the whys and wherefores behind the act. Reading always comes with a purpose and we read for various reasons. The students particularly said that they read to learn something new and get more facts which I think is pretty rational now that we live in an information driven world. They also cited that they read to relax and entertain themselves as well as to enhance their reading comprehension and vocabulary. Some also expressed that they read as part of their required activities in class and to study in advance. I share these mentioned beliefs as well (including the last one) which made me see reading on another level. That reading is part and parcel of man’s survival kit.

It is a must for library professionals to know of their readers’ needs and interests as it is among the many bases of how a Library is and should be threading. On a more personal note, you see, readers can also be likened to one’s friends because it is wonderful to keep tab on them time and again. And from what I have just seen, these Valenzuelano readers are doing well.  
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At present, Rochelle is the Librarian of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela and is involved with the development of the Valenzuela City Library. She is serving the city’s constituents the best way she can together with a team of very inspiring Valenzuelanos. She also teaches Children and Young Adult Literature at the School of Library and Information Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman. At present, she is taking Ph.D. Reading Education from the College of Education at the same university. You can read more about her eatsploring sprees, musings, and ventures in her home city at the One Valenzuela blog. (link: http://onevalenzuela.blogspot.com/)

Photo Courtesy: Jane Frades

The 2015 National Book Week Opening Ceremony

Filipino Friday #2: Five Things I Wish as a Filipino Reader

For this week’s Filipino Friday question, we ask you What are the five (5) Things You Wish as a Filipino Reader?

This could be anything! What stories do you want to see from our local authors? Which author do you want to visit the country? Would you want to see your favorite comic book become a live action movie? It’s time for you to share your ultimate wishlist from your perspective as a Filipino Reader. Go wild, go crazy!

This Filipino Friday reminds of a previous topic already assigned in the meme. Not complaining. I am actually glad to do the same topic all over again because, there are so many topics and stories out there that I wish to read. So, here goes.

What stories do you want to see from our local authors? 
More LGBT stories for teens. Stories about bullying that cover both sides: the bully and the bullied. Children's books that tackle or discuss indigenous groups and their cultures. Concept books and non-fiction books that can be used to support and enrich content areas, like Math, Science, Social Studies, Religion, etc. I want to see more deconstructed stories for kids and teens.

Which author do you want to visit the country?  
Authors I want to come to Manila: Dianne de las Casas, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Cora Seton and Tessa Bailey.

Would you want to see your favorite comic book become a live action movie? 
YES! Trese and Sixty Six!

Filipino Friday #1: Five Ways Reading Has Changed My Life

How do you think has reading changed your life? Please share with us at most five significant ways that will show how reading has influenced your life. These could be in terms of personality, career, studies, and other parts of your life this influence has taken place.

Here are five significant ways that show how reading has influenced my life:

a. Reading has influenced me to write. After four picture books, a children's book series and a collection of Filipino Folk Tales published in the US, I continue to read and write.

b. Reading has influenced me to pursue Bibliotherapy. Books and stories are for healing as well as the development of one's well being. Literature, apart from using this as instructional tool, is meant to be enjoyed. There is much to be learned about one's self when reading. Self knowledge is precious.

c. Reading played a big role in my career choice. As a librarian, I get to spend my working days around books!

d. Reading inspired me to advocate for books and reading.

e. Reading pushed me to take Reading cognates in graduate school.

 Looking at my list, I think reading is something I will do until I can and able to.

The 2015 NBW Blog Event: Filipino Librarians and the Essentials of Reading Books

This write up is part of the  2015 NBW Blog Event aimed at celebrating and drumming up the 81st National Book Week happening on November 24-30, 2015. With the theme, the Filipino Reader in the Era of ASEAN Integration, guest bloggers write, share and ruminate on being a Filipino librarian and reader in this age of ASEAN Integration.

The blog is still carrying on with the topic, Filipino Librarians and the Essentials of Reading Books. Our guest blogger is the Apolinario family. Nap and Rhea Apolinario, and their daughter Andie, talk about the books they love! Reading is a family affair!

We call ourselves, The Happy Family!  Indeed, we are a happy bunch who finds joy in everything  we do . .. be it eating, playing, or just simply “chillaxing.” 

I am Rhea, the Mama (boss) of The Happy Family.  My utmost happiness is taking care of the other two members of our family.  I am also a librarian who enjoys teaching and managing her own time.  When not at home and in school,  I am somewhere doing professional make-up to brides, grooms, the whole bridal entourage, models, guests, and to anyone who simply wants to enhance their beauty on their special day.  But what I love most is doing Mama things to Nap and Andie.

Papa Nap is our Handy Papa, who loves spending time with his family.   He also happens to be an Industrial Engineer and a Project Manager, who handles various projects in e-learning and business processes in both government and private organizations.   But to our daughter and I, he is the BESTEST Papa in the whole wide world!  He is a very hands-on papa who does not mind wearing pink (so we can all be “matchy-matchy”), changing dirty diapers, and doing “girly” stuff for us.  He is never too busy for his Happy Family.
 

The Apolinarios: Nap, Andie and Rhea

Andie, is our only daughter (but we are working on her sibling), who is now 8 years old.  She is mostly the source of our happiness and the main character of The Happy Family.  She loves painting, playing Lego, and going to the bookstore!  She also loves the beach like her parents and loves doing anything with them. 

Together, we will share with you one thing that gives us happiness . . . READING.  During the time that we were pregnant with Andie, we were already stocking her bookshelf with various books.  Thus, when she was born, reading to her has been our habit.  At 3 years old, she was already reading books by herself.  But there are still times that we read books to her at bedtime. 

What is the perfect book?

Andie:  HARRY POTTER!! Because it teaches me how to become creative and it brings me to another world!

Mama:  Hmmm ... is there really such a thing as a perfect book?  A very good book, perhaps?  Well, a very good book is the one that engages you immediately and steers up your interest after reading the first few pages.  The important thing is the perfect book sustains your attention and curiosity.  These are the books that even after you are done reading them, they will make you want to read them over and over again.  Or will simply just make you run towards them and flip some pages to remind you of very good parts. 

Papa: For me, the perfect book is a book that is interesting to read, easy to understand, and able to satisfy my needs and wants.

What are the top ten best books you have read in your lifetime that have made an impact in your life?

Andie:  Can it be 11? 
    •    I Will Always Love You More (Peachy G. Concepcion)
    •    The School for Good and Evil (Soman Chainani)
    •    Harry Potter series (again) (J.K. Rowling)
    •    The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
    •    Lucy the Diamond Fairy (Rainbow Magic Book series)
    •    Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Rick Riordan)
    •    Goddess Girls (Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams)
    •    Geronimo Stilton/ Thea Stilton
    •    Dr. Seuss books
    •    Tito Dok’s (Dr. Luis Gatmaitan) books
    •    Dork Diaries series (Rachel Renee Russell)

Mama:  Can it also be 11?   Wow!  There are a lot of books that made an impact in my life!  In reality though, almost all the books that I read somehow influenced me in some ways. But to answer your question, here are the books that easily came to mind.  These are some of the books that inspired me and gave me good memories. Sometimes though, I still find myself flipping the pages of these books, even if I have read them many times.  It is good to be reminded of the important lessons they taught me. 

Here are the 11 Books (in no particular order) that made an impact in my life.  You will notice that these books are representatives of the different stages of my life (i.e., as a kid, young adult, single, married, mom, wife, teacher).

Papa Nap's "childhood book"

    •    The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey)
    •    The Purpose Driven Life (Rick Warren)
    •    The Secret (Rhonda Byrne)
    •    The Happiness Code (D Bertolucci)
    •    Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling)
    •    Sweet Valley Twins  series (Francine Pascal)
    •    What to Expect When You’re Expecting (Heidi Murkoff, Sharon Mazel)
    •    The Power of a Praying Wife (Stormie OMartian)
    •    Rethinking Information Work: A Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals (G. Kim Dority)
    •    Everyday a Friday: How to be Happier 7 Days a Week (Joel Osteen)

Papa:  This is difficult. I used to have favourites when I was younger but now I just read books that I need to be able to perform my work or sustain my hobbies and interests. Anyway, here are a few books that I remember reading from cover to cover when I was young:

 •    Make and Do (from the Childcraft Encyclopedia) – I think I did all of the crafts and DIY toys in that book
    •    US Military Survival Manual – This was given to me as a gift when I was 9 or 10 years old. I read most chapters of the book except for the “Survival in the Winter” part because I cannot relate to all the snow digging and ice melting referred to in those chapters.
    •    I cannot recall the title anymore (maybe “Capsized”), but it was about a group of friends who went sailing in their sailboat which capsized in the open sea and drifted for more than 3 months before being rescued. The book talks not only about the practical survival skills that they employed to keep them alive but it narrated their personal and interpersonal struggles in trying times.
    •    Lots of management books and journals – In my line of work, I have to keep myself updated and informed with the latest industry buzzwords and management frameworks. So once in a while, I whip out my tablet and read ebooks and journals.

What are your recommended reads for other librarians? 

Andie:  Probably.... Hmmm...... It really depends on you . . . on the person . . . his/her interests and likes.

Mama:  As a wife, I suggest you read The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie OMartian and The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  These books helped me to become a better wife to my husband. 

As a mom, it is important to know the interests of your child so you can give them books that feed their curiosity. But every now and then, it is also good to challenge them with new titles.  I also do not cringe when Andie wants to buy expensive books in the bookstores.  For me, books are treasures! 

Prof. Rhea's recommended read

For my fellow librarians, Rethinking Information Work: A Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals by G. Kim Dority is a good read.  It talks about the different career paths that a librarian can take and it discusses ways on how to grow your career.  My students gave good reviews of the book after I asked them to have a review of it (yup, that’s part of the requirements in some subjects I teach).

As you can see, our Happy Family has varied reading interests . . . and I loved it!  We learn from each other.  As the Mama boss of our family, I make sure that reading is always a part of our family activities. 


Photo/image source for books:

Make and Do: https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8041/7984204801_fb97a1fd93.jpg

Rethinking Information Work: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gBtfFAbFL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Book Reviews: That Salty Air & The Sleeper and the Spindle

That Salty Air by Tim Sievert

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This graphic novel/novella made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe because, like the lead character, I am still coming to terms with my own issues on dealing with events beyond my control. What I liked about the novella is the presence of a loved one who is willing to stick around no matter what happens.



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The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The plot twist took me by surprise. Gaiman's handling of language is beautiful, as always. His trademark bending of old tales to combine and reconstruct new ones never cease to amaze.



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The 2015 NBW Blog Event: Filipino Librarians and the Essentials of Reading Books

This write up is part of the  2015 NBW Blog Event aimed at celebrating and drumming up the 81st National Book Week happening on November 24-30, 2015. With the theme, the Filipino Reader in the Era of ASEAN Integration, guest bloggers write, share and ruminate on being a Filipino librarian and reader in this age of ASEAN Integration.

The blog is still carrying on with the topic, Filipino Librarians and the Essentials of Reading Books. Our guest blogger is Ms. Cristina Villanueva. Cristina works in a university library. During her free time she reads books, and visits bookstores for a change. Her greatest dream is to someday visit the Library of Congress and the Bodleian Library. But her more pressing dream is a functional library in every Philippine public elementary school.

Cristina in Japan last April 2015

My narrative will revolve around the theme, “Filipino Librarians and the Essentials of Reading Books,” while attempting to address the following questions: What is the perfect book?  What are the top ten best books you have read in your lifetime that have made an impact in your life? What are your recommended reads for other librarians? Offhand, allow me to say that to be effective librarians we need to be reading librarians.

Growing up, I never dreamed of landing in this profession. Just like anybody typically born into a family belonging to the lower echelon of society, all I ever wanted was make money after graduation. I never thought that my love for books and libraries would chart my future.

My passion for books started at an early age. Thanks to my elementary school’s library. You see, I was schooled in a private Catholic school. The Library was the most welcoming spot in school, ever teeming with readers during recess and lunch break. It was no bigger than a regular classroom. The shelves were neatly arranged against all four walls of the room. As early as the third grade we were required to visit the library after lunch break, undeniably the unholiest hours of learning and most probably teaching. We would form 2 lines, one for the girls and one for the boys, and silently proceed to the library. Since I was small, I was second in line thus had the advantage to first enter the library and select the best books. We had the option to borrow a book for a night and return it the following day.

I started with books on the Bobbsey Twins, Grimm brothers and Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales. In grades 4 and 5, I was introduced to Nancy Drew. Hardy Boys came later in grade 6. My fascination and addiction to these mystery books forced me to read all the titles in the series. What I was not able to borrow from the library, I borrowed from classmates who were better off. In exchange for the favor, I let them copy my assignments. I was required to return borrowed books the following day, forcing me to read until the wee hours of the morning sleeping only a wink before getting ready for school at 6:30 a.m. It was thus a big let-down when I came to know later on that Carolyn Keene and Franklin Dixon simply were non-existent.

Classics were a required reading in high school since we were required to turn in book reports in English classes. I read John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, and Grapes of Wrath, The Good Earth, To Kill a Mockingbird, Og Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World, The Greatest Secret in the World, The Greatest Miracle in the World, and George Eliot’s Silas Marner. The Diary of Anne Frank opened my eyes to the diabolical horrors of the holocaust. It was not all heavy reading though, I also got hooked on to Sweet Dreams, Mills and Boon, and Barbara Cartland books.

It was in high school that I ventured into the YMCA community library. The amiable librarian was the sister of my sister’s best friend. These social ties became my pass to enter the library and loan out books. To this day, I make it a point to donate books to the YMCA as payback for the privilege accorded and for nurturing my interest in books and reading. 

My reading preferences in college transitioned to heavier stuffs like Irving Wallace, Judith Krantz, Louis L’amour, Jeffrey Archer, Colleen McCullough, Harold Robbins, Lawrence Sanders while appreciating briefly the works of Sidney Sheldon, Danielle Steel, Stephen King, and Mary Higgins Clark. The New York Times Bestseller magazine sort of became a guide for my book bucket list.

Today, I can name a good number of books that I have enjoyed and which I am sure children as well as adults will take pleasure in reading. Topping the list is E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, Og Mandino’s, The Twelfth Angel, and The Gift of Acabar, Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, Robert Fulghum’s All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Paulo Choelo’s The Alchemist and The Fifth Mountain, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, and of course, the all too familiar J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter fantasy series.

With Cristina, librarian friends and Ryota, a Japanese friend we met in Osaka, Japan

I still read books but not as often as I would have wanted to because of the demands of my work. Authors I favor, in no particular order, are John Grisham, Sue Grafton, Dan Brown, Amy Tan, Patricia Cornwell, Emily Giffin, Nicholas Sparks, the Chicken Soup series and a whole lot more. Oftentimes, I visit bookstores to know the latest bestselling books. Just marveling and skimming through the displays has been a stress reliever. In fact, I have accumulated books faster that I can read them. Reading is such an unparalleled experience, bringing the reader to parts unknown, real and imagined. Feelings are shifted vicariously, making them so palpable you can almost hold them with your bare hands. Reading cultivates one’s ability to critically analyze, think and decide.  And this is what we need in this era of ASEAN integration, a reading population that critically thinks and who can easily compete with our literate neighbors.

Until now, there’s no greater pleasure for me than curling in a chair with a good read in hand. Looking back, I’m grateful to be in a job where I get to be paid to do what I love to do—reading.

Book Reviews: The Year of Magical Thinking & Stargazing Dog

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Didion tries to make sense of loss in the midst of her privileged and entitled lifestyle. Her lucid writing shines through illuminating the truth that death is the great equalizer.



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Stargazing Dog by Takashi Murakami

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The quote, "A dog is a man's best friend", very much applies to this melancholy story. A man's downward spiral to isolation is narrated in a matter of fact style. It is a statement of reality on the human condition.

Illustrated in black white, the whole experience of reading the novel is sentimental and avoids the sappy drama that goes with the usual broken heart-rejected formula of many life drama stories like this. While the dog is the true hero of the story and its presence in the whole narrative is the redeeming value of the main character's journey, the end shows a bit of hope for people who've loved and lost.

Read it when you're emotionally stable.



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