ReaderCon 2012 Filipino Friday 1+2+3: Introductions and Schools and Habits

Filipino FridayI’m a week late to this, because I was out of town last weekend. Apologies. But anyway, it’s less than a month before the 2nd ReaderCon and knowing what’s happening behind the scenes of such a big event can be very, very exciting. It also means that I’m not blogging as much, too! Eep. But let’s remedy that now — here’s my first two three Filipino Fridays in one post! (Yes, you can do that :D)

So, Introductions. Hello blog visitors old and new! I’m Tina, and I’m a book-a-holic! :P I own this blog and several others, and I also write about books occasionally for an online magazine too. I’m a content manager by day, and a reader for the rest of the time, and I’d like to call myself a writer too, who’s just digging for enough courage to set some of my written children free in the world. :) I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember, but I’ll reserve stories for that later on. :P

I never really know what to answer about my favorite books of all time, but if there was a flood (God forbid) and I can only save 1, I’ll probably grab This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti because it was the book that got me reading again. The rest I shall acquire again on my Kindle (of course I’ll save that too).

Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. TolkienA book that surprised me this year? The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. I knew it was good fantasy, but I didn’t really expect to love it, or even that I’d read it this year. But thanks to my book club, I actually finished it! I don’t know when I’ll read the next books, but I definitely will read them sometime.

I’m going to skip some of the questions so I can head for the second Filipino Friday question: Who got you into reading? I was thinking of how I’d write this part, because according to my mom, I had a very interesting reading history! Let’s do it in bullets then.

  • Before I started going to school, my mom thought I had a reading disability. Apparently, they were trying to teach me how to read, but I couldn’t learn.
  • There were several times when I would pretend to read something even if I really don’t. I still remember this — I have my parent’s Bible and I was lying down on their bed, “reading”, but nothing was getting through.
  • My dad, however, would read stories to me — I blogged about it in last year’s Filipino Fridays — my dad used to read Pepito the Catfish to me in English and Filipino.
  • And then…I guess I just learned how to read. My mom often said that this was an answered prayer because it took me a bit longer than normal. She thinks it’s the Bible that really got me. :P

I don’t remember acquiring books when I was young, but I remember being surrounded by them. I didn’t really get to pick my own books until I got exposed to Sweet Valley Kids thanks to a classmate in Grade 3, but I remember the times when I’d flip through old World Book Encyclopedias, reading random articles. I think I learned to like Roman Mythology because of that. I also remember the times when one of my “favorite” books was a grammar book, and I’d spend hours poring over it even if I couldn’t understand it. I also remember going through a business letters book — of all things, right?

I didn’t really have teachers who gave me books to read, and our library didn’t really have much. But I was lucky to have a best friend that also loves to read who shared some of his books with me. In high school, my favorite class was my senior year English class because we finally wrote a book review for class. It was the perfect excuse to buy a new book that I have never read yet.

There was a time in college when I stopped reading, but I guess it just happens. I’m glad that right now, I have friends who support my reading addiction (love your book club!), and that I actually have enough money to buy books for myself.

So the third Filipino Friday is all about Reading Habits and Book Formats. Where do I read? I try to read as much as I can everywhere — before I sleep, while I eat, while in transit. Lately I’ve been a bit busy (hence the slowness of the reading), but I still try. I don’t really pick a time of day when I’d read, and I don’t really need to be in a specific mood to read. I don’t pick book formats, really, so I would go or ebook or print anytime, although there are books that I need to have in print (I’m looking at you, Lord of the Rings!) because I can’t read them in ebook. I have tried audiobooks twice, but I have yet to really like them. I get distracted too easily. ;)

But you know what I want need want?

1. A book holder. Because it’s hard to read while eating when you don’t have something like this.

2. Something like this. Just because it’s pretty. And cozy. And…isn’t it perfect?

Okay, I think I’m done! Time to hop around to the other Filipino Fridays! :) Happy Friday everyone!

14 Thoughts on “ReaderCon 2012 Filipino Friday 1+2+3: Introductions and Schools and Habits

  1. Hmm, in my case, my reading resumed when I was in college. I was a perpetually irregular student, and I had lots of vacant hours that were spent in libraries or student centers. I used to read short stories during those hours, and that’s when I started to love the short stories of Jhumpa Lahiri and John Cheever.

    • I remember prowling our college’s library for fiction books, but I only found a few! The only book I remember ever finishing from the library is She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb. It wasn’t until late college when I started buying books again, and I started with non-fiction books before I went for fiction. :D

  2. This Present Darkness! YAY! :)

    I love the cozy look of the room. Hm, now you gave me an idea! ;)

  3. Hi, Tina! *waves*

    “I also remember the times when one of my “favorite” books was a grammar book, and I’d spend hours poring over it even if I couldn’t understand it. I also remember going through a business letters book — of all things, right?” – This is pretty unusual to me, but I guess it suits you given your occupation.

    …And I like your story on who got you into reading. Also, I don’t like audiobooks either. I tend to zone out for some reason while listening. :)

    • Hi Janus! :)

      Haha I don’t know if the grammar books helped me become a better writer, but I guess it gave me a better appreciation for English? It’s a weird habit. :))

      I think I tend to pick audiobooks. I’ve only listened to 3 in my reading life, but I’m still open to recommendations. I find they’re perfect when I’m running, though. :)

  4. Oh a book holder! We used to have one of those! But ours was made of plastic. It’s lost now. I also have the same problem of not being able to eat and read at the same time. But a book holder might put spine creases on paperbacks. :)

    I’m glad you enjoyed FOTR. :)

    • I think I’m one of the few people who don’t really care about creases on the spine. Haha. I don’t know why, except maybe if it’s not my book, then I would care. I saw a few of those book holders in Fully Booked but they’re a bit out of budget right now. ^^

      I’m also really looking forward to the rest of the LOTR books!

  5. Interesting how This Present Darkness got you re-hooked :) LOTR seems to be quite a favourite (me included). That book holder does look handy! And the room, oh the room, how cozy!

    • This Present Darkness came during a time when I was very active in my church community, so I guess it was fitting. :)

  6. I agree with your Mom, it was the Bible! ;) –Love the reading nook!

  7. I miss flipping through Encyclopedias and looking at the pictures and their descriptions. I think I had that hobby up to high school. Like you, I’ve learned a lot from that by further looking up the articles which caught my attention – mostly mythology, geography, and ancient civilizations. :D

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