Stories that stick, books to pick
There is a saying which has been making the rounds on the internet that goes: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” Likewise, it can also be said then, that those who refuse to read a book, fail to explore a new world of imagination in their minds.
Following yesterday’s observance of “Read A Book Day,” here are some bookworms and their top title picks that moved them.
“The Martian” by Andy Weir
“The journal entries and humor of Mark Watney (protagonist) would make a regular person feel more average than usual. With inexhaustible challenges in Mars—but what else would you expect, it would make you cheer for him all the way back to Earth. In the end, the book left me laughing and warmhearted.”
- Ian Virrey, marketing associate manager
“The Unbearable Lightness of Being” by Milan Kundera
“I read this book in my early twenties when I was going through a James Patterson and Dan Brown phase. It was so different from what I was used to that it blew my mind. It was a difficult read for me at first.
It mixed philosophy, romance, history into one complicated story but eventually I became curious and eager to find out where the story would take me. However, when I was done reading it, I remember lying on my back, hugging the book and staring into the ceiling feeling very tired and heavy from everything that I went through with the main characters in the story. I couldn’t get over it for days. For its title, it sure was a heavy read. I still prefer reading light, fastpaced novels. But every now and then, I enjoy books such as this one that leave you a bit shaken after you’ve read them.” - Manna Alcaraz, communications manager
“Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach
“This is where it all started. This was the very first novel that sparked my interest in reading. I love it for it talks about someone who is frustrated with the meaningless materialism, conformity, and limitation of the seagull life. Someone who wants more in life; someone who wants to achieve things despite being ridiculed by other seagulls. At a very young age, this novel has empowered me and has taught me to challenge the norms of society.” - Ichael Serneo, fashion stylist / entrepreneur
“Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden
“A thousand pages and an overstuffed bookshelf later, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ by Arthur Golden will always remain as the first book that endeared me to the genre of historical fiction. I was utterly mesmerised by its fluid and atmospheric writing that when I finished reading, it left me feeling haunted—that’s how I knew what a great book should feel like.” - Christine Estrella, marketing and communications executive
“Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom
“Most bookworms will definitely agree how hard it is to choose one book to ultimately crown as your favorite. Funnily enough, my most read book isn’t the one I readily answer this question with. My book to recommend has always been ‘Tuesdays with Morrie.’ I can’t remember when I first read it, and I know I’ve read it only a handful of times, less than other books for sure. But I do know it was an important read at the time when I did. The wisdom and lessons I learned along with Mitch every Tuesday have, in one way or another, influenced me and how I grew into who I am today. Of course, I wouldn’t really ask myself ‘What Would Morrie Do?’ every time I need to decide on something. However, it certainly changed the way I treated myself, spent time with others and looked at life and death. It is a timeless book because it ages with you.
The insights I may have had when I was 15, could be different from the insights I’ll have when I read it again. And I plan to in the coming chapters and Tuesdays of my life.” - Ronah Frances, software engineer / blogger