2014 Filipino Friday 1: Surprise, Reader!

Hello there! I have been participating in the Filipino Friday meme from the moment of its conception, which was back in 2012. And just as this meme has become a tradition, in anticipation of Filipino Readercon, it has turned into a customary thing for me as well.

Topic 1:
"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?"
Tell us about your favorite book discoveries for this year. Any author you started reading this year that you can’t get enough of?

 1. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell - Fell head over heels bonkers over this genre-bending book. 

 2. We Learn Nothing by Tim Kreider - The best essay collection I have read to date. Funny and perceptive.

 3. We Live in Water by Jess Walters - This short story collection is amazing. Walters' writing feels fresh and spirited. On one of my Book Sale trips, I came by his other work called Beautiful Ruins, but I wasn't sold on the book's condition. There are notes in green ink on the pages. I spent a bit of time reading the former owner's comments on the margin though, and she dropped a couple of curses, here and there. Now I am thinking I should go back for it. Pffft.

 4. Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos - Depicts life's highs and lows in a genuine and humorous way. This made me feel hopeful, joyful, miserable...a bunch of emotions really.

 A book you didn’t think you’d like, but you ended up liking/loving?

 The first two, I don't think I would have appreciated had I picked them up on my own. These types of books, are the kind where I need a little help from friends, which may come in the form of extensive glossaries, guide questions, encouragement, a bullwhip...

 1. To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf - Woolf depicts domestic life in a way that's real and yet ethereal. She has quite a sense of humor too, which I did not expect.

 2. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - Dickens has a flair for the dramatic. And this particular book has some of the best dramatic speeches and events. It's awesome.

 2. Fear of Flying by Erica Jong - I was prepared to mainly giggle my way through this but Jong has some great insights on womanhood, freedom, marriage etc. 

 Any book series that you just have to get your hands on?

 1. Saga Volume 2-3 by Brian K. Vaugh and Fiona Staples - Darned graphic novels are darned expensive.

 2. A Song of Ice and Fire 6-7 by George R.R. Martin - Does this count? Since this ain't technically out yet?

 3. The Heroes of Olympus 4-5 by Rick Riordan - Because The Blood Olympus just got released this month, it is everywhere. And I am suddenly reminded how much I miss this series

 Have you discovered anything new from Filipino authors this year?

 Oh, I am failing miserably in increasing my local reads this year. 2014 is almost ending and I haven't had any! I haven't gotten around finishing the Trese series...and I said I'd get those new Jessica Zafra books...Pffft. I feel terribly ashamed. Must remedy this matter soonest.

 Okay, I'm done. Until the next Filipino Friday then. :)

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 17, 2014 at 10:34 PM

    I used not to mind marginalia and highlighted passages, but they've become rather distracting. Some are entertaining though, but yeah, I want to read a novel, not a commentary. XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TinOctober 19, 2014 at 3:47 AM

      Right. I tried reading Walters' text when I was there, but her writing, in green ink, distracted me, so I ended being sidetracked into reading her comments. There were lots of circled and underlined passages. And plenty of f*** bombs. And I think she may be a writer, since some of her comments were like literary analysis. But yeah, I would want o read a novel too. And not a commentary. So now I am no longer thinking of going back for it. XD

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 18, 2014 at 5:54 PM

    Cloud Atlas and To the Lighthouse!

    You've been raving about The Heroes of Olympus but you haven't read the 4th book? Read it now! Hehehe! Just kidding.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Louize DGOctober 19, 2014 at 10:02 AM

    I remember seeing your stellar rating on Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets not long ago. Hmmm, adding that on Mt. TBR! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TinOctober 26, 2014 at 3:21 AM

      I hope you enjoy it! Dr. Bird turned out to be quite a surprise for me. :)

      Delete

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