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. [↩]
