by Nove Patangan

Yesterday was the second day of National Book Store’s Book Binge Bazaar, and it is also Davao’s first time to host this event. Since it’s the first in the Durian capital, it is expected that Dabawenyo avid readers will flock just to score titles at a low price.

Apart from stumbling upon interesting books, we get to meet various kinds of readers. Now, it’s a known fact that no two readers are like. We have our own literary preferences, habits and quirks, and how we buy books are influenced by these. Check out some of the readers* I was able to meet at the NBS Book Binge Bazaar!

YA Addicts

“More on young adults and teens because it brings back youthfulness and it somehow relieves from stress. I look for books that I like so that it is much easier, then after, I check from aisle to aisle.”—Mica, 23

“I am into any YA books because some stories are interesting and pwede ma-apply sa life, and also maka-reflect ka. I also read local books like Jason Paul Laxamana’s Isang Daang Tula Para Kay Stella. To find interesting books, diretso lang ako sa may teens section and I just look for the cover and title ng books. (I am into any YA books because some stories are interesting and can be applied in real life, and that can make you reflect. I also read local books like Jason Paul Laxamana’s Isang Daang Tula Para Kay Stella. To find interesting books, I go straight to the teens section and I just look for the cover and title of the books.)”—Mark Bolatero, 16

The weekend warrior reader

When faced with a pile of new great finds, this reader would devour all of them by reading one book per week. She definitely remains enamored with the idea of spending a day inside her room or in a library. She puts reading first, and everything else second.

“In one month, I would read one book. But usually kasi [naka]katapos ako ng book within one week lang pero depende [pa rin] ‘pag may time. (In one month, I would read one book. But usually I can finish one in a week, depending when I have time .)”—Mica, 23

Fiction lovers

“I like Fantasy books because they [take] me on adventures. I think I started reading when I was seven, [through my mom]. When going to bazaars, I just look at books that I might like and I read the back part (blurb).”—Danna Sofia Fernandez, 11

“I like yung mga love stories and mga thriller books. I don’t often buy books due to limited budget. When I buy books on sale, I just go to different tables and [browse].”—Kathlyn Nico Yi, 20

Classics fanatics

“I used to be a really big fan of books of YA and Fantasy, pero now, I’ve been looking for more classics like [books by] Ray Bradbury and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. [I] just look for titles and covers na I enjoy and babasahin ko lang po yung synopsis. ‘Pag bumibili po, it depends on the book. Of course, ‘yung mga PHP 700 pataas, I have to save for them. (I used to be a really big fan of books of YA and Fantasy, but now, I’ve been looking for more classics like [books by] Ray Bradbury and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. [I] just look for titles and covers na I enjoy and I’ll just read the synopsis. When buying, it depends on the book. Of course, those that cost PHP 700 and above, I have to save for them.)”—Patricia Nicole Aquino, 16

“Most of the books I read are usually classics, and then more on history and geography books because I’m a Literature graduate. Basically, I am used to look for labels but here sa Book Binge, it’s a bit difficult since there are no genres, only teens and children’s books.”—Kitchie, 26

Readers with special preferences

“The books I usually read are books that are about friendship because they [help] change your perspective in life. I always try to finish one book a month, and I also prefer reading books first. Parang kung nag-watch ka na ng movies, nag-set ka na ng expectations before reading the book. It’s kinda interesting if you read the books first. It will be subjective on how you interpret it.”

Non-Fiction Enthusiast

The readers who absolute love these type of books are those who prefer real facts and stories, may it be biographies or historical pieces. Real life > fiction.

“Hilig ko sa politics. Hilig ko yung mga biography ng mga well-known politicians and mga world issues. Sa books, dili kaayo pirminte. Sa Internet, didto ko nagabasa jud. Basta kung gusto ko yung books, bibilhin ko. In college, hilig ko mga fiction. Tapos nung grumaduate ako, binalik ko yung hilig na politics yung binabasa. When going to events like this, ang tinitingnan ko kung saan yung mga nonfiction.”—*Mocha, 47

So what type of reader are you, what type of books do you look for and what book-hunting tips can you share? To my fellow Dabawenyos, enjoy the book binge! 

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The bazaar runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day at Function Room 1, SMX Davao, SM Lanang Premier, until October 28. Admission is free. READ ALL EVENTS POSTS HERE. WANT TO SUBMIT YOURS? READ OUR REVIEW POLICY AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES HERE.