Filipino Friday: The Pinoy Book Drop

Thursday in the U.S. but Friday in the Philippines

(Go HERE to join the fun!)

This week we were asked to do a book drop, The Pinoy Book Drop.  I had so much fun doing this!  I certainly will do this again!!

Find the complete instructions HERE but here's my condense version:
1. Pick a book (or two, or three, or yes, four!) that you wish to give away.
2. Paste or stick a bookplate.
3. Take a photo, noting the date, time, and place where you left each one.
4. Tweet or Facebook your book drop using hastags #pbdrop and #filreadercon and tag Filipino ReaderCon @FilReaderCon.

I dropped off three books this morning.  Hope the new owners enjoy the treat. :)

Book #1, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Dropped at a nearby windy road that the locals go to walk/jog/run/bike.

Book #2, Vision in White by Nora Roberts.  Dropped at a nearby convalescent home.

Book #3, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.  Dropped at a nearby park.

I made my own bookplate that I printed on a blank address label. It read (adjusted font & size to fit):

I'm not really lost. I'm just looking for a
new owner. Will you be mine?

Brought to you by a participant in The Filipino Book
Drop. http://filipinoreadercon.worpress.com
#PinoyReaderCon #filreadercon #pbdrop

Oops! Should have been an "@" not "#" on the PinoyReaderCon. Oh well.

Update, 10/25/13: Yikes, I missed the most current instructions (I went by the initial drop instructions I linked above)!

Here’s the topic question:
"First, kindly detail all the books that you have dropped, and where and when you dropped them.– Next: tell us all about your experience. How did you feel before and after you dropped the books? How did you choose the places where you dropped them? Did you check back and see if the books were still there? Do you have any idea who might have found them?"

My Answer:
I was late in the game for this week’s topic because I don’t check my FB or Twitter often so I missed the instructions. I finally found it on Wednesday night so I brainstormed a plan that night and made it happen the following morning. Before the drops I thought that the project was a great idea but when it came to taking pictures of the drops, well, that was dicey (especially the convalescent drop)! I had to work quickly, timing them when no one was around. Of course, before I knew it someone was coming. I took the pictures, all the time thinking they’re going to think I’ve dropped off a bomb, I’m on a surveillance camera, and SWAT is on its way!! But after the drops I felt excited and happy. I haven’t gotten the chance to check back on the books (maybe later today) so I have no clue who ended up with them.

About the books/purchase:
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Filipino Friday: Kids and Books

Thursday today in the U.S. but Friday in the Philippines

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Topic:  Kids and Books. What were your favorite books as a kid? Do you still read children’s books? If you would give a book to your younger self, what would it be?

My answer:
Unfortunately I didn't grow up in a family that was into book reading so I didn't have much motivation for reading as a kid.  Hence,  I don't have a favorite book as a kid.  I did have an episode of a reading run during a short period in elementary school but I don't recall what I read (except one ..that's another story though) let alone having a favorite.  From then on my reading experience was sporadic ..mainly just school assigned readings.  It wasn't until 2010 did the reading bug bite me. I have since been a prolific reader.  Anyway, now having young kids of my own I try to provide an environment that supports the love for book reading so, definitely, I still read children's books. 

Below are a few of our favorites (series installments as well) and I'm having a rough time narrowing one to give to my younger self.  But Corduroy by Don Freeman has a special place in my heart because it was the first book I read to my first born that grabbed me so if I had to choose, it would have to be that book.  :)


How about you? I'd love to hear some of your kid reading experiences and favorite books so feel free to write them on the comments.

Filipino Friday: What Species of Book Reader Are You?

Yay, Filipino Friday is back!  ~Yeah I know, it's Thursday ... but it's already Friday in the Philippines!! :)

 

(Go HERE to join the fun!)

This week's topic:  Introductions. Instead of the usual introductions that we have down in the past two years, we will answer this question: What Species of Book Reader Are You?, based on this infographic by Laura E. Kelly.

(click here not image)

My answer:
Here are the main ones I fall under.  Yet there were snippets here and there that could have described me and most were totally not me (like the "Prestige" or "Haters" category)!

The Hoarder:  Love books so much that you collect them by the dozens.  You seldom have time to read all of the books that you collect.  And now it's worse with ebooks.

"It's Complicated" Reader: You are a combination of these things and yet completely different, too.  You refuse to be defined or categorized.  Beg, borrow, steal, devour. And do it all again.

(lately) No-Time-To-Read Reader: Between kids, work, and fatigue simply can no longer find the time to read.

Filipino Friday: Celebrating the Best

(Go HERE for details but go to homepage to link)

This week's question:
Celebrating the Best. In honor of the first Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards, let’s talk about our favorites for this year. What are your favorite books in 2012 so far? Have you read any awesome Filipino books in the year? If yes, make sure to include them in your list!

My answer:
I tried something new this spring and started to accept books for review from authors/publishers.  I got fortunate and found some treasures that I highly recommend ... Hope's Journey by Stephanie C. Worlton, Taste by Kate Evangelista, Daughters for a Time by Jennifer Handford, and The Secret Life of Copernicus H. Stringfellow by Lorin Barber.  Taste is written by a Filipino. 

My main source for books is my local library so Filipino books aren't readily available.  However, I received a Kindle this spring so now I can avail myself to ebooks.  Thus far I've read a couple Filipino books,  Love Your Frenemies by Mina V. Esguerra and Philippine Folklore Stories by John Maurice Miller.  Both nostalgic and sweet reads for me.

Other books that I've read this year that I really liked were:  The Lost Saints of Tennessee by Amy Franklin-Willis, Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright, Sherlock Holmes Investigates by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson, and of course a couple recent inspirational reads ..Forget Me Not and Your Happily Ever After by Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Hopefully by the end of the year I can add some classics to the list.  I'm just quite beyond in getting to that genre.  I get distracted so easily and this summer has been a very sluggish reading season. 

That's it for now.  --Wow, tomorrow's the big day already!  Ya'll have a great time.  I'll be thinking of you.  :)

Filipino Friday: Books and Friends

(Go HERE for details but go to homepage to link)

This week's question:
Books and Friends. We will have book discussions hosted by several book clubs during the ReaderCon, so to prepare us for that, let’s talk about books and friendships and book clubs. Are you a part of a book club? If yes, what made you join one? What’s your favorite activity that you have with them? If you’re not a part of one, will you consider joining one? Why or why not?

My answer:
I joined an online book club, The Filipino Group, in Goodreads a couple years ago.  I was fairly new to the book blogosphere community and stumbled into Goodreads.  There I sought out book club and found the Filipino group.  I was thrilled and immediately made connections with some of the members.  I was thrilled to find a group that shared a love for books and one that links me back to my native home.  I especially like that the members make great efforts to get to know each other, whether by polls, stimulating threads, or face-to-face meet-ups.  In the beginning I was able to participate in few key threads but later I got too busy with "life" and my participation became limited. However, this is the book group that is most dear to me so I will always poke my nose in there from time-to-time.  I have made life long friends there.  I know that if I visit the islands that I will have a place to stay and the same goes for them should they come my way.

I'm interested in putting culture in my reading so I joined The Classics Club this year.  They've got a wonderful program going on because it's flexible ..set your own goal and pace.  Perfect fit for me!

I do not choose to join any more book clubs right now because I know that I would not be able to commit to the time it takes to fully participate. 

By the way, my continued prayers go out for relief and safety to my countrymen in Manila and other places struck by the monsoon rains.  May the strength and resilience that you have shown thus far continue to shine!  I love you.  Be safe.

Filipino Friday: Weeks #2 & #3

(Go HERE for details but go to homepage to link)

My time lately have been very tight and I just haven't been able to put as much as I would like into reading and blogging so I've got some catching up to do! 

Last week's question:
School of Reading. We all started reading somewhere, and more often than not, we were influenced by someone. Who got you into reading? Your parents? A friend? A librarian? One teacher who always lends out his/her books? How helpful was your school in helping your reading habit / fueling your book addiction?

My answer:
I think the reading bug is a divine gift to many.  I was given it but it took a long while for me to recognize and accept it.  I do recall a spark for reading during elementary years in response to a school reading challenge program but it pretty much ended when the challenge was completed (or so I thought).  Unfortunately, my parents weren't book readers (Dad read newspapers) so I had very little reading influence at home.  However, in retrospect, I found no burden in reading required readings during all my school years, including college, and I did read for pleasure every so often.  It wasn't until a couple years ago that it just clicked for me and I finally started to refine the gift.  I had had it all along, I just needed to polish it. So happy I finally got to this point. :)

This week's question:
Reading Habits and Book Formats.  Where and how do you read? Can you read anywhere and everywhere, or do you need a certain place/mood/state of mind to get reading? Do you read more in the morning or at night or any minute that you can? Where and how do you usually read? Are you exclusively for print, or do you go for ebooks more than print? Have you ever tried audiobooks?

My answer: 
I read whenever and wherever I can squeeze it into my day/night.  Sometimes when I'm on that reading zeal I put some things aside, like house chores, and read instead ..sometimes overnight.  It catches up on me sooner or later and I find myself on a major reading rut!  So generally, my reading habit can be quite a roller coaster.  I'm still figuring out a balance.

I mainly read printed books.  It's the format I prefer.  However, I've discovered a love for Playaway digital audio books for the ease of use and convenience.  I am able to "read" while on the go and it's fabulous!  However, I'm limited to what my library has because they're too expensive for me to actually purchase to own.  Furthermore, a few months ago, I finally experienced the world of ebooks and I like it more than I thought I would.  Problem with that is that my TBR list have doubled because Amazon makes it easy for me to place books in my Kindle!

Filipino Friday

(Go HERE for details but go to homepage to link)

Yay, Filipino Friday is back!  That means the Filipino Reader Conference is around the corner.  Bummer I'm too far to attend (conference is in the Philippines and I'm in the U.S.).  Anyway, in anticipation of meeting at the conference, this meme serves as a venue to get to know one another.  Hence, each Friday for 5 weeks we are invited to answer the topic of the week.  How fun!

This week's question:
Introductions. As with every start of a weekly meme, we need to know a bit about you! Talk about your top 3-5 (or more!) favorite books of all time, the genres you read and would never read, the books that surprised you this year. You can also talk about how you became a reader and why you love it so much! And finally, if you were in the ReaderCon last year, talk about your experience too! If you weren’t there, but you’re planning to go this year, then what do you expect for the upcoming ReaderCon?

My Answer:
Hmm, I'm a recent bookworm so I'm just getting my feet wet.  I did have my moments of reading books here and there since childhood but never really stuck until I started to blog about books two years ago.  The initial reading and blogging at that time was fulfilling a couple purposes ..(1) I would be able to contribute to conversations regarding books with my friends, and (2) something to call my own ..aside from the life of being a homemaker.  Then the more I read and the more I blogged, the more I enjoyed reading and I ended up learning so much about the community of book lovers out in the blogosphere and felt great at being part of it!  Reading and blogging became a passionate hobby and the connection with people with the same love gave me extra place in this world.  Reading is now part of me!  My drug, my refuge, .. and blogging, my fourth child!

I started off reading whatever I got my hands on and that was books from my local library.  I'm queen of frugal so that was the best way to go and I'm fortunate to have a fabulous library that had great selections.  Furthermore, I'm a soft hearted person by nature so I gravitated to general fiction books that tug at the heartstrings (hence the blog URL) ..Mitch Albom, Nicholas Sparks, holocaust stories, etc.  But I branched out trying out other genres ..mystery, classics, non-fiction, religion, etc.  But it was YA that took me by surprise.  I discovered that I liked it more than I thought I would.  Overall, I'm an eclectic reader but I avoid heavy romance and violent books.  In general, I will aways find the soft stories, adult fiction or non-fiction, my home.  Oh, I honestly can't name any favorite book(s) of all time ..I don't think I've really come across it (them) yet ..though, Standing for Something by Gordon B. Hinckley is dear and near to my heart. 

I didn't attend last year's ReaderCon nor will I attend this year.  I will just have to vicariously be fed through the official RC website and networks and try to contribute as much as I can.

Readercon Filipino Friday: Week #5

(Go HERE for details & participants of this meme)

This week's question:
What do you hope will happen in the Filipino ReaderCon? What are you expecting from the event?

My answer:
I am bummed that I won't be able to make it to this event.  I would have expected to be enlightened and befriend/network with fellow readers.  I would have hoped that as an outcome of this event, a program that rally/spread the joy of reading would be established ...in individual, community, and national levels.  For example, individually we can lend out books to friends and acquaintances or encourage the love of reading through your blog.  In community, we can do a book drive, set up a book club, or develop a fund for the building of a local library.  And nationally, we can vote into/sustain politicians that value reading and writing.  These are few general examples.  I would expect that as a group we would collaborate thoughts and ideas and come up with something fabulous!  :)

Have a great conference my dear friends.  Please let me know how I can help from way way over here.  ;)