An Expensive Treat
As what I have written in my previous update, I’m now going to continue recounting our recent trip to Manila. After we had a sumptuous lunch at the very extravagant Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and lingered a few minutes at the pool side and take photos (you can read more about it in my entry entitled “So Sofitel“), we went to Trinoma.
I thought that we would go to Mall of Asia instead of Trinoma because MOA is situated near Sofitel. Actually, we have seen it from the pool section of the hotel, erected on the reclamation area. After more than seven months from the day Trinoma was opened, it was my first time to go there. The mall is big and I got lost trying to locate — what else — Power Books because of the confusing structure of the mall. When I decided that it was time to ask somebody, I asked at the concierge BTW, I was at the right floor and Power Books was just a few meters away. My parents and siblings went to SM North Edsa, leaving me there alone.
The branch of Power Books in Trinoma is smaller than the other branches I have been to. It is relatively smaller than the nearest Nation Bookstore branch from our home. But of course, unlike NBS, the majority of the products that they sell at Power Books are books. Lol. I tried to look for a book of Adeline Yen Mah in their biography section. I was not even sure if the books were arranged by title or subject at first. But to no avail and after checking most of the books’ authors and titles, I haven’t seen any book written by her.
I’ve seen good reads but they’re way too expensive. One of which is Michael Chabon’s “The Yiddish Policemen’s Union.” Because the book is hardbound, there is no question why it was priced as Php 1000 plus. I think I’ll just wait for the paperback edition. I’ve also seen “The Emperor’s Children” by Claire Messud. I have expressed in Twitter that I wanted a copy of it. But after reading the synopsis of the book, I was turned off. Time was running out and my father called and told me that he would fetch me and we would go to SM North Edsa. And because I know that it could take months before we’ll go back there I was determined to get something to read. So I decided to take anything that have an appealing cover, without even caring to check the writer’s style1.
The first book I have seen appealing to my eyes was Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Namesake.” I’ve already finished reading it, just today. It’s the second book I have read this year. The story revolves on how Bengalis name their children. The main character named Gogol struggles in the USA with his very weird name. The book can be summarized from the words uttered by Gogol who changed his name into Nikhil later in the book: “There is no such thing as a perfect name. I think that human beings should be allowed to name themselves when they turn eighteen. Until then, pronouns.” When I read that, I burst into laughter. I can’t imagine how people would call somebody who is below eighteen using pronouns all the time. It’s a nice book. Book lovers who are looking for a book written by somebody who has not have American or British blood running in their veins should try it.
Just below the shelf where Lahiri’s book was displayed, I’ve seen this book by Marti Leimbach entitled “Daniel Isn’t Talking.” The front cover features a kid with his arms raised. The book looked interesting. And yes, it really is. This is the first book I have read this year, and it’s a very nice book to start with this 2008. I didn’t know that it was about an autistic kid. The last time I read a book with an autistic kid in the story (”The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” by Mark Haddon) I wasn’t impressed. Maybe, if I knew that autism was involved in the book, I would not have bought it. But this one is really good. What I liked about the book is that behind the drama of the story, some humorous lines were inserted to make the book a lot interesting.
*****
When I was already in SM North Edsa, I went to another bookstore, this time, Fully Booked. I must say that it’s my favorite bookstore. They have so many books! I went to their biography section, where I have seen an Adeline Yen Mah book (”Chinese Proverbs”). What I wanted was “Falling Leaves” so I asked the salesman if they have other books of Mah. And guess where he brought me? In the children’s section! And her books were under the general fiction. Weird. You see, “Falling Leaves” is a biography and not a product of Mah’s imgainations. “Chinese Cinderella,” which I have already read is also a biography so it was also shelved on the wrong place. Another book that I have seen by Mah was “Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society.” It’s fiction, so they got that one correct. Maybe, whoever shelved her books were confused where they would put them because their titles sound fiction-like. In the end, I bought “Falling Leaves” and “Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society.” 
I got these four books for almost Php 2000. But I’m not complaining. I consider this as a treat to myself. Besides, I really like reading, it could take me anywhere around the globe without moving even just a fraction of an inch. So, any titles that you can suggest?
[EDIT] My father saw my passbook, and because I used my ATM to buy these books (the transactions I made are recorded there), he shouted at me, saying that I’ve spent too much money. [/EDIT]
*****
And because of this, we arrived back here in Pampanga around 11PM. I was not able to go to the party of my friend. I can’t believe that I missed it. I believe that most of my high school friends were there at the party. I have missed the chance to mingle, laugh, chat, and laugh even more with them. Maybe, next time, I would be able to see and meet my friends again, that is if there is a next time. Lol. Whatever.
- I check the author’s style via the Internet if the books are sealed with plastic. Unluckily, the books were covered so I don’t really have the chance to read even just a few pages of the books. Obviously, they don’t want private reading. [↩]
January 8, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
i love powerbooks trinoma, i can read all the pugadbaboys i want. Also the kiko machine comics. Hahah, wala pumapansin sayo kahit bulatlatin mo mga comics dun
January 9, 2008 @ 3:55 am
Whoa! You raided Manila bookstores! Cool.
Now I haven’t read those books, but I’ve already seen the film adaptation of The Namesake. My verdict? It totally brims with intelligence. The film is moving and left me in awe.
Anyhoo, IÂ’m back! But I kind of like, moved! So, um, yeah, miltia.blogspot.com is no more! here’s my new URL: talamascaisms.blogspot.com
See ya around!
January 9, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Wow that’s a lot of reading! I love reading but I don’t have the time and talking about plastics that prevent private reading, they don’t really do that over hear in Canada so people can go to the store and sit in their comfy chairs for hours and read. I want to travel to South America one day and Asia. To go to Manilla seems exotically exciting.
January 9, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
Those are a lot of books Christian. I miss book shopping. I haven’t bought a book for so long
I remember I used to splurge on them too. Now, it pretty much gets wasted on friends and going out.
I’m very interested in ‘Daniel Isn’t Talking’. Maybe I’ll decide to give it a read soon.
January 9, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
your post reminds me how much I want to open a bookstore of my own.
January 10, 2008 @ 10:22 am
i wish i could book shop like you do.. huhuhu. puru bargain lang nbbli ko these days. haha.
January 10, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
Haven’t really read a lot of books last year. Maybe I should make it up to my hobby for reading this year since I have a lot of free time now [I'm loving this term's schedule]. And I have to take note on the books you’ve mentioned, if ever I’ll hit the bookstores.
January 10, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Wow! You are a bookworm!
That is very good! Much better than spending time playing internet games or chatting.
January 11, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
I think it sounds cool. Hehe.
I’ll have to agree that Trinoma is big. Plus, its structure is unique (or whatever you may call it). The existence of flora and those ‘leveling-up’ fountains makes it even more nice at night. Surely, I won’t forget my visit there — for my classmates were successfully able to make me treat them dinner at Jollibee and also for the reason that I got my very first Starbucks coffee!
January 11, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
I wouldn’t spend 2000 pesos for books eventhough i love reading. My ‘rents would be furious. One book at a time lang ako.
Btw, i would love to raid your book collection.
January 11, 2008 @ 8:32 pm
Looks like you raided bookstores! I haven’t been to Trinoma, but I’ve been to MOA more than once. I haven’t read any book in a while now, maybe I should catch up on my reading. I’d check out the books you posted here. Seems very interesting.
January 11, 2008 @ 11:17 pm
2000php for books? that would freak my folks out too even if it’s my own money i spent. hahaha! the last book i bought was 650 and they made me feel all guilty about it…well just a bit.
but yeah, it’s nice to treat yourself once in a while with things you love. i love Fully Booked at SM North. They have everything from books to pretty notebooks!! teehee!
btw. i love reading your book reviews. it gives me an idea on what to read next.
take care!
January 12, 2008 @ 10:21 am
Iniwan ka nila? Hehehe..
2000 for books? Agshopping ak ton ti baduk!
Siguro kaya di ko rin mahanapan yung books ni Adeline, baka nasa children’s section! Mapuntahan nga. Hahaha
January 13, 2008 @ 1:26 am
I get a warm fuzzy feeling whenever I see books. Thanks for mentioning these titles. I might check them out soon.
I have books costing me P1000 each and I’ve never forgotten to remove their pricetags right after I bought them. I’ve learned my lesson. I always get those shocked stares from people when I tell them how much money I spend for my hobby. Reading is also an expensive hobby I guess.
BTW, it’s okay to spend P2000 for books as long as you remove their pricetags immediately!
January 13, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
your father shouldn’t snapped at you since you spend the money on the right thing kesa namn sa walang kwentang bagay. oh well, magulang naman hehehe
January 13, 2008 @ 11:11 pm
DUDEz! You inspire me! Hahaha. Really. I used to love books before but yeah, the evil tube has influenced me a lot so I kinda lost interest in them. I know that books make you smart, so I’m tryn to get my old hobby back: reading. Thing is, I dunno any good titles besides some classics- Dickens and the like haha. So thank you for mentioning sum good books together with some short background. I think I’ll get ‘Daniel Isn’t Talking’ any day next week!
By the way, do you know any good book/novel that’s about war? I’m a sucker for action. Hehe. Thanks dude.
-spence
January 14, 2008 @ 9:01 pm
Spence: Sorry, no. I haven’t read a novel about war. But you may like Khaled Hosseini’s books. “The Kite Runner” has something to do about fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan, the Soviet invasion, and even the Taliban regime. But the main plot is about two Afghan kids whose friendship had deteriorated because of a certain event. Hosseini’s other book is called “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” but I recommend that you read TKR first.
January 14, 2008 @ 11:52 pm
Thanks Christian! I’ll look for those titles in PB. I’ll also include you on my sizzling links if you don’t mind.
January 18, 2008 @ 6:18 pm
I apologise if I cannot comment about the Trinoma-thingy because I do not know where in all seven seas can I find it in Manila.
I’d consider you lucky for spending 2000php for those four books. I still hate the fact that books here in UK cost more than my hourly pay rate. And because I do not wish to spend £7.99 (err, around 750php?) for a soft-bound copy of a book, unless it’s really, really good, I just abuse my privilege of borrowing books from a local library. (Frugal much? And no, I’m not converting pounds to peso, I have long abandoned that practice of mine.)
My parents used to bark at me for buying expensive books, but ever since I have acquired a part-time job, they no longer care.
Anyways, as for your book reviews. I would be delighted to read Daniel Isn’t Talking if only I am not bombarded with texts to read for my English Literature class. I mean, Chaucer’s The Canterburry Tales should not have been that long for a poem, right?
Book recommendations? I’m actually a fan of Austen, Dickens and Hardy, but after seeing the list of books you have read, I assumed that you’re more into contemporary novels, therefore I shall bring you some: Life of Pi by Yann Martel - very, very witty and entertaining, it didn’t win the Booker Prize for nothing; Atonement by Ian McEwan: This one’s been turned into a film, which was shown in the UK September(?) last year. I do not wish to tell you what is it about since there’s a possibility that I might spoil it for you; Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - My most favourite novel. It’s an easy read, and packed with foul language and teenage angst, I must say but there’s something in Holden Caulfield’s character that makes you laugh with tears.