Pinoy Reading Challenge 2012

August is just around the corner. For us Filipinos, we also know August as our "Buwan ng Wika". As such, it's just fitting that this month will be dedicated to anything and everything Filipino; Literature included.

I have to admit that I am not fond of reading Filipino literature. Somehow I made myself believe that it is reading material meant only for school work. I guess it stems from the fact that the only Filipino literature I've read are all assigned school work. Now, I find myself in need to change this aversion for Filipino literature.

If you know me, you'd know I love challenges. So, to motivate me into reading Filipino literature, I've decided to create a reading challenge revolving only Filipino literature.

"Filipino Literature refers to works written by Filipinos; whether it's written in the vernacular or not."

I'm not a fast reader. But I do know that some of you are. So, I'm setting challenge levels for this.

Level 1, Tampisaw (Wade): Finish 2 Pinoy Lit in the month of August.

Level 2, Lutang (Float): Finish 5 Pinoy Lit in the month of August.

Level 3, Langoy (Swim): Finish 10 Pinoy Lit in the month of August.

Level 4, Sisid (Swim under water): Finish 20 Pinoy Lit in the month of August.

Level 5, Lunod (Drown): Finish 40 Pinoy Lit in the month of August.

As a bonus, participants who read 10 Pinoy Lit written in the vernacular will be given the Makata Achievement Award.

The only rule for choosing reading material for this challenge is that the author should be Filipino. You may read a novel, a collection of short stories, a collection of poems, a graphic novel, a pocketbook, etc. It may be a work published locally or internationally. Your choice. Just read Filipino.

If you are interested to join, please leave a comment stating:
1. your target challenge level
2. the link to your blog post declaring your participation in the challenge
3. the link to your challenge progress page

I hope you encourage others to join this challenge by providing a link to this post. I will provide buttons for this challenge soon.


Note: Non-Filipinos are also encouraged to join the challenge.

Resource: Filipino Authors and their Works

Not Exactly a Romance Reader

Not a lot of people know that I am a hopeless romantic. I believe that true love exists. I believe that true love may never be forced. I believe that true love comes naturally.

Despite knowing that I do believe in true love and romance, I am one of those that do not dabble into reading historical romances. It irritates me to read of women who wait for a knight in shining armor, a prince, or a handsome rogue that will sweep them of their feet and take all their worries away. In my head, those things are so unrealistic. Such stories basically suggesting that a woman can never be truly happy if they do not have a man in their life.

When a friend of mine, unsolicitedly, lent me a book entitled “Whitney, My Love” by Judith McNaught. I cringed and said, ” I don’t read romance novels”. To which she replied, “Humor me and read this one.” The book has been with me for almost some time now and I’ve been putting off reading it. But, earlier today I’ve decided to read it and on page 17 the heroine says “I cannot abide a heroine who is too perfect, nor one who is forever swooning.” Hmmm… I found myself in the heroine and thought I just might enjoy reading this.

So, here I am, about to call it a night after reaching page 172 of the book. I’m thinking, “maybe I am a romance reader after all.”

Mood: Grateful

Coming Soon: The Pinoy Reading Challenge 2012

Here in the Philippines we dedicate the month of August for our national language. We call it "Buwan ng Wika". I think it would be apt to dedicate the whole month of August to reading any of the following:

1. books written in Filipino

2. books written by Filipino authors

3. books published in the Philippines

Just a thought. This just sprang to mind now since we are starting the second half of July. My objectives in starting this challenge is:

1. to support the Filipino writers and publishers

2. to provide a venue of solidarity in being Pinoy

3. to expose(or even introduce) readers to Pinoy literature

... at least for one month.

I'll be posting more about this before the month of August. For now, if you are interested in joining me in this challenge please follow me and/or leave a comment. Also, start listing the books that you'd want to read for this challenge.

Note: This challenge is not only for Filipinos.  ;p

2nd Filipino ReaderCon

September of 2011, I attended the first ever Filipino readers conference. I'm sure some of you are asking "What's a readers conference?" Well... it is, literally, a gathering of filipino readers in one place talking about the state of reading in the Philippines. You can learn more about this conference at the official website of the Filipino Reader Conference. 

Last year's conference was a half-day event where-in book clubs, blogging, writing and publishing in the Philippines were tackled. The event was well attended and most sessions went overtime. There's simply too much to talk about. I guess, just like me, the organizers felt that a half-day event is simply not enough. I'm happy to learn that this year's conference is a whole-day affair. 

This year's event is themed "United We Read". It will be held on August 18 at the Filipinas Heritage Library. The Filipinas Heritage Library is located at Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle, Makati City fronting Olympia Bldg. and Peninsula Manila.

If you want to receive updates for this event, I encourage you to like the ReaderCon Facebook page and RSVP for the event here.

As an added treat, the organizers have decided to hold the first Filipino Readers Choice Awards. Eligible for nomination would be books published in the Philippines within January to December of 2011. Categories are as follows:

• Children’s picture book
• Chick lit
• Novel in English
• Novel in Filipino
• Comics / Graphic novels
• Short story anthology
• Essay anthology
• Poetry

Online nominations are on-going until July 22. Have you nominated your favorite Filipino-published book? Now is your chance to do so.

Getting Acquainted with Mr. Grey

I've been hearing about this book for quite a while now. It seems a lot of people are hooked. I've seen local female celebrities tweeting about it, FB friends updating their status to married to Mr. Christian Grey. The hype is almost comparable to the hype for Edward Cullen of the Twilight Saga. This piqued my curiosity.

I've read the Twilight Saga and even though I found some irritating grammatical errors, I still found the  story itself interesting. Somehow, with all this talk, I thought maybe it's the same with this book.

I've decided to hunt for the book. 3 days ago, I was able to purchase the ebook copy for the trilogy and started reading it immediately. It was not a difficult read. I actually finished Book 1 yesterday. I still don't know how I feel about the book or the story in it's entirety. Just like Anastasia Steele, I'm confused and a bit disoriented.

To me, Fifty Shades of Grey is erotica that's so vivid I can't help but think it has happened in real life. It's a bit disturbing, really. I can't even begin to rationalize how one person can be in love with someone who have expressed his intentions of physically hurting me. I know Christian Grey is pictured as a super sexy man; (To be honest, I'm actually wondering who would play him if this book was turned into a movie.) But still, being beaten up is not something I'd ever find pleasurable.

In the middle of reading the book, and too much sex prose, I wanted to stop and just continue reading Salt Dancers. Yes, I'm a little bothered when reading descriptive sexual acts. Why? Because, I'm single and it reminds me that I'm not getting any. Nuff said. Hahaha... Anyway, it's a good thing that I've decided to read until the end of book 1. It gave me something to look forward to in book 2 (and 3). Oh... And no, I'm not going to summarize the book for you. If you are curious, then read it.

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