“ICELANDERS have a beautiful tradition of giving books to each other on Christmas Eve and then spending the night reading.” As Katherine Martinko goes on to relate in an article for Treehugger, this tradition is the reason for the timing of the publication of books in that book-loving nation of less than 350,000 people. (This is roughly the population of Mandaluyong City in 2010.)
Most books are released in Iceland from September to December, a time called Jolabokaflod—Christmas Book Flood. The holiday book season begins with the release of the Bokatidindi, a catalog of the year’s new books, a copy of which is mailed by the Iceland Publishers Association to each household for free.
“Booksgiving,” as I’ll dub their lovely custom, would be wonderful to adopt as a tradition for our own families. Like Santa Claus, start with making a list and checking it twice. It’s easy if your recipients already love books; all you have to do is ask them what they want to read next.
For those who aren’t quite there yet, they might enjoy graphic novels or comic books, the gateway to reading for many people. For children, consider Dr. Seuss books—they are a cultural touchstone and thus a “must-read,” as well as books on Filipino myths and legends. Other people might prefer magazine subscriptions, the latest “Daily Bread,” a cookbook, or a fashion and beauty book. The thing is to give something to read.
There are many bookstore sales this season, so take advantage of those cut-prices. Pre-loved and remaindered books such as those from Booksale and online used-book sellers are affordable options, and you are more likely to find art, crafts, and coffee-table books there at a huge bargain. Don’t hesitate to give away favorites from your own shelves, if you are downsizing; an appreciative recipient will love the book all the more because it was your own.
Here are eight suggestions of books from the rich trove of Philippine writings:
Fiction and Poetry:
1) The Music Child and the Mahjong Queen by Alfred A. Yuson: An earlier manuscript entitled “The Music Child” was shortlisted for the Man Asia Literary Prize in 2008. In Yuson’s third novel, he pushes the boundaries of realism yet again and blurs the genres of prose and poetry to create another literary gem.
2) Troya: 12 Kuwento by Joselito de los Reyes: A collection of a dozen stories on a chess theme that explores topics of corruption and the abuse of power.
3) Of That Other Country We Now Speak by Charlson Ong: Short stories that “inhabit a world fraying at the seams, morally adrift…Here we find the gritty realism of crime fiction as well as the enchantment of myth.”
4) Lyrical Objects: New and Selected Poems by Marne Kilates: A collection of 60 poems written over the three months’ before the poet’s 60th birthday. According to literary critic Gemino H. Abad, “Marne’s closest rival in poetry is only himself.”
Non-Fiction:
1) To Remember to Remember: Reflections on the Literary Memoirs of Filipino Women by Cristina Pantoja-Hildalgo: An in-depth analysis of the memoirs of a handful of Filipino women writers that narrate lived experience across generations and different locations and backgrounds.
2) The Camino Real to Freedom and Other Notes on Philippine History and Culture by Jose Victor Torres: “History and culture,” says Torres, “form a major part of who we are as Filipinos. And when we forget this…then we open ourselves to ridicule from other countries… Maybe it is because we have failed to show the world who we are as a people…We do not know our history, we had forgotten our past.”
3) Indie Cinema at mga sanaysay sa topograpiya ng pelikula ng Filipinos by Rolando Tolentino: A collection of essays by a film and communication expert on independent films in the country: how are they made, who their audience is, and what their future is likely to be.
4) The Chief is in the House: My Little Journal of Angst and Peeves by Joel Pablo Salud: 50 humorous pieces by a seasoned editor and essayist, covering a wide range of topics from the personal to the planetary.
These are only a few selections from an encouragingly long list of books by Filipino authors, among them Fictionary, my collection of short stories released last month.
Imagine the recipient of your book curling up with one you picked especially for them, reading with a cup of hot chocolate and plate of warm ensaymada by their side, feeding both their brain and belly.
Whatever your book choices may be, let’s make Booksgiving happen this Christmas and spread the love of reading among our beloveds!
Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Follow her on Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember