Tag: philippines

32nd Manila International Book Fair, the first of many parts

I’m still trying to catch my breath, but I know you’ve been waiting to hear about the 32nd Manila International Book Fair, and I do want to tell you about it, so here it is, my first book fair post.

It’s been a whirlwind couple of days at the MIBF, and I generally spend each day out there getting work done: accompanying guests, processing requests, and even catching up with office work, and then (when things go according to plan) the actual hunting and gathering takes place in the evening. But Wednesday night was spent having dinner with the Flippers (after raiding the book fair of course) and gabbing until the wee hours), hence no reportage from me; while last night I was with my Geek Fight team (who’d raided the MIBF, and amassed even more books than my book club friends, imagine that). Hence it’s Day 3, and I’m pounding this out on my lunch break.

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Sneak peek: the 32nd Manila International Book Fair!


Are you all ready to go to the 32nd Manila International Book Fair tomorrow?

Got a sneak peek tonight, at the opening ceremonies for the MIBF.

I know y’all are excited to see the photos, and I want to go soak my feet in a tub of warm water, so without further ado…

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Detour from Ever After

(As promised yesterday, here’s the review of Before Ever After, first published in Manila Bulletin, Students and Campuses section)

Not all fairy tales have a happy ending — this is what Shelley Gallus discovers in “Before Ever After,” the debut novel of Filipino author Samantha Sotto.

After her idyllic marriage is cut short by the untimely death of her husband in a terrorist bombing, Shelley has a difficult time moving on, overcome by grief and memories of their life together. One fateful day, her doorbell rings, and she finds the story isn’t over just yet – standing on her doorstep is a man who looks exactly like her husband.

The stranger introduces himself as Paolo, claims her husband Max is his grandfather, and that Max is halfway across the world, alive and apparently well, and Paolo has pictures to prove it. Bewildered, and yet desperate for the truth, Shelley agrees to accompany Paolo to find the husband she believed dead. Along the way they exchange memories of the man they thought they knew, and Max’s identity is gradually revealed.

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My Birthday Wish: Reading in Batanes

I don’t usually join blogging contests, because there are very few that fit my blogging niche. But I came across the SEAIR Batanes Winter Blogger Tour Contest on several travel blogs I follow (as well as the SEAIR Facebook fan page), and I realized this is one contest I just can’t pass up!

I’m not a travel blogger, but reading is actually one of my favorite travel activities (as you’ll see further along this post)!

Of course, I like to take in the sights, the culture, and the gastronomic delights, but I  also happen to do my best reading while traveling because it’s the only time I can really read in peace, for long stretches of time. So I end up packing books (and my book light) in my suitcase, spending more time thinking about what books to bring rather than the outfits I’ll be needing (really!) and I read voraciously every chance I get: while in transit, while waiting for meals, passing the time in airport pre-departure areas, during flights, and even after a long day of travel activities, right before I drift off to sleep.

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One on one with Lauren Kate

Last week I wrote about 12 year old Daniela meeting author Lauren Kate.

After Daniela had her quality time with Lauren, we all sat down for a nice chat (okay, so technically the title should be two on one!), talking about books, angels, and the paranormal genre.

Here’s the transcript of the interview:

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