February 02, 2012

Bookworm's Eye View

I am a self-proclaimed bookworm. I learned to read since I was born (as you can see I am also a self-proclaimed genius and a total liar [and my humor sucks]). I was surrounded with books since I was a child, dictionaries, encyclopedias (those that were sold by door-to-door agents, and can be paid thru monthly basis), bible story books, and textbooks. That, and the fact that my parents cut my hair and inserted some strands on one of the books (an old superstition to have a smart kid...superstition indeed.hehe), was the reason why I have this intimacy for books. I began loving novels when I was in high school. I started with Philippine Hearts Romances pocketbooks, and the likes of Helen Meriz. I used to exchange pocketbooks with my classmates way back then, rented pocketbooks for P5/book for 3 days, and if my savings would allow, would buy one for P25.00. We were so hooked with those fairytale-like love stories and of the characters with whom the authors make as perfect and as gorgeous or as handsome as possible. I find it so ridiculous now that those authors spend almost one whole page to describe how the protagonist's eyes were so nice, how white and perfect their teeth are, how smooth their skin are, and all those god-like characteristics (cge na, kayo na ang perfect.haha!). And when I ran out of PHR novels to read, I attempted to read a novel of Danielle Steel.

The thickness of the book itself, and the fact that it's written in English, are just some reasons why high school, or even college studs, are afraid to even touch them.

I finished the book in maybe just two weeks. That started my addiction, and got interested with other American novels, and the rest was history. I didn't have enough money to buy novels from famous authors, so all I did was to stare at them, with their shiny tag prices on, and went on to buy those that are worth P25-P80 from not-so-famous authors. I was also a regular tambay at our school library (nerd!).

Now that I have a salary to spend (evil laugh), I am now a usual customer of National Books Store, Power Books, and of my favorite Booksale. I don't buy these books by impulse. I am a wise spender, and I usually think twice in buying books that are way beyond my budget. Some of my books are gifts from officemates (guess what I always write on my wishlist). But if there is one book that is really to die for, I bet you I won't eat just to buy that book. But well, you'll forget that you've spent a fortune once you start flipping those magical pages of the book you've been dreaming of.

I have a handful of favorite authors (and mind you, not all those with "National Bestseller" labels are good reads, some are actually boring). Nicholas Sparks, Paulo Coelho, Sidney Sheldon, John Grisham, Stephen King, Robin Cook, and a whole lot more...

Nganong naay Philippine History?

I am addicted to these! Illuminati, The Holy Grail, and all those conspiracy theories. But still, my faith is strong.
I love to read the novels and later on watch their movie version. I am fond of comparing books vs. movies, and yeah, books are ALWAYS better than movies.

I've been eyeing this book for months because I so wanted it but 'twas so expensive (for someone like me). And ha! When I finally was able to buy this, my roommates's reaction were like "That was so rich of you to buy that book" (Yeah, and how much is that Jag jeans of yours?..hehe, harsh). I put my name and the date of purchase for every book that I buy, covered the edges with Scotch tape, and never removed the price tags.
I have hundreds of ebooks in my computer that are on the waiting list. I wish I can buy myself a Kindle (-.-)

I have to list here some books that I highly recommend but I have to go. I am currently reading "The Firm" by Josh Grisham. I have to finish it now. Til next time then. And oh, by the way, my birthday is on August. Ahmm, you know, hehe...