"Buti nakakahanap ka pa ng time magbasa,"
I said to a female student, scanning two books for release. "Exams niyo na, a."
She smiled,
explaining that she reads several pages here and there during breaks from
reviewing.
I already
encountered her a few times at the Circulation counter, both on the 1st and 2nd
floors of the Main Library. She often borrowed novels and fiction titles, and
not because it was required by her professor. As a librarian, you tend to
remember students like that, especially these days when many teens only have
trending topics, funny videos, and hugot lines in the head.
I eventually
asked if she read Wattpad books, as
these publications targeted students her age. She made a funny facial
expression, which I interpreted as her way of saying "Not really."
"Talaga?" I replied, amused. I
assumed teenagers loved Wattpad
books like "She's Dating the
Gangster", "Diary ng
Panget", "Talk Back and
You're Dead", and "The
Bet" (all have been made into movies; "The Bet" recently
adapted into "Just the Way You Are" starring Enrique Gil and Liza
Soberano).
She explained
that these books' endings were "predictable." I laughed.
"Predictable"
meant already knowing what's going to happen next. "Predictable"
meant no matter the author, the number of chapters, the main characters, or
even the situation, the outcome of the story will always be the same.
"Predictable" meant reaching a point where you already know how an
author thinks and don't find it interesting anymore.
And it
especially meant she had already read enough books to know what
"predictable" is.
I printed out
her receipt, reminding her to return the books after three days. I was
confident that it wasn't the last time I'd encounter her at the Circulation
desk. People who've 'leveled up' on reading always return for more. As a
librarian, I am sure of it.
In fact, you
could even say it's predictable.
As I read the blog I was smiling at the thought. I am a reader of wattpad before, and I already read all the mentioned stories. I was a reader of that social media sites before. But now I do prefer reading books rather than reading online or using phone. The experience of reading with books is really far different from those online stories. The scent and physical attachment with the books gives me more satisfaction. I really don't borrow books from the library, I tried borrowing once but I didn't tend to finish all the books that I borrowed because of my time management. So what I did is buy from stores preferably "Booksale" and read it when I have a lot of time. I suggest the blogger to also talk about the good benefits of reading and even suggest good stories/books. I'll be more liking it if its fiction or historical :D
ReplyDeleteHi author!
ReplyDeleteUpon reading this article, It was still predictable, although some of the students are now in current trends, there still some few who are engage in reading novels,. Like the girl that you mention. Anyways, I like the story as it promotes traditional reading.
Can you have some articles about "group of noisy students" or something related to that.. Because, to remind them that they are distructing others that is busy on studying.
Thank you
Hi ,
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time to post a comment on certain blog .. I hope this one will work . . . I find your article a bit too simple yet striking . . . Why? Students nowadays have forgotten the importance of reading ... Sad to say but YES! coz i am one of those students who barely visit our campus library just to read a book . Nevertheless , i suggest you post something interesting to catch more attention to your readers . . . I am not a writer but i get to see some articles that catches my attention easily .. You might want to start your title by creating curiosity to your readers .. That way you will get more readers .. Questions perhaps will also help you get their attention .. Negatives such as using words like “don’t,” “stop,” and “avoid” often work well since everyone wants to know if there’s anything they should stop doing. . . Anyhow this are just my suggestions ...Hope to see more of your blog using these taglines in the future . .
Michell Eustaquio - sorry , i cant log in using my gmail as it doesnt work this time . . .
Hi Author!
ReplyDeleteI'm really amazed that there are still students who are fan of fiction novels. She is not the typical kind of teenager who are fan of wattpad or 'socialserye' like vince and kath. This kind of stories are predictable unlike novels from shakespeare. The student still manage to use the books that library offers which makes her unique. I think the books that she read gives her more attachment to the story unlike those story on web.
To me, what she said was right. The stories in wattpad are predictable, same plot, same climax and same endings. Back when I was in highschool, wattpad was a thing. I found the stories entertaining although I stopped reading those that are written in tagalog because they are likely unsurprising. Then I started to find novels that are in english and written by foreigners. Now, those stories left me in awe. You just have to picky on selecting a good book in that app.
ReplyDeleteAs i have read the blog, I could say that the author of this article reminding us how important reading books than reading those trending topics from medias. The author tried to emphasized the comprehension that nowadays, its gone to some students apparently majority of them due to the media and rapidly evolvement of technologies.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading article Im just smiling beacause this is proof why the student like that kind of story instead of some book use in their subject. By the way can you have some article about "Why the student not obey in rules?" or something that you can say about that. Good Day & Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteWhile im reading the blog i smile, Because i thought a girl teenager always want to read a wattpad stories like my (girl) friends, then i was amaze to the girl in the blog that she reads a novel stories for other girl like her novel stories was boring because it a long story And not trend or popular story.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the girl was right. when you are reading wattpad there's no more thrill specially when you are in the middle chapter where the climax was happening there's a time that you already imagine what will be the ending of the story. I think, that is her way for saying "it's predictable".
ReplyDeleteWhile Im reading the article i was smiling because the girl is not like others that reads wattpad on their phones instead of books.I was amaze because she reads more novels stories than fiction romance etc. Because some other people are going to read the same stories but not the same titles and If you're going to read on wattpad they are the same stories not like in the book they have different tragedy.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
"Predictable" meant already knowing what's going to happen next... As soon as I read the first sentence of this article, I was like, "Alam ko na toh! /soft giggles/" but then upon reading it whole, it made me pause for a minute and reflect. I am one of those people that is a certified 'book worm', as they call it, I could totally relate to the girl that the librarian was referring here. I read books with genres/topics I am most interested and books that I think I would learn new things I haven't yet knew before. I am more of a person that believes the saying, "Books can be a great teacher." but I do admit I have never tried to borrow a book from our school library, I don't know the process how and what to ask or say to the librarians, obviously I'm a bit of a shy person but with the help of the 'Reading Challenge' I am completing since last week, the reason why I am here, I got to step-by-step learn how to do so. I am giving my utmost gratitude to the school staffs/librarians that made this event possible. I am now more familiar with the librarians, too which I am really thankful, like, what a relief, I won't be a noob in seeing authorities in library anymore and could greet them and ask them if I need any help. In this generation that everything is digital, I hope more students, teenagers, will see the importance of book, that the library is not only a place to go to when you're bored, got nothing to do so you'll just sit there and use the WiFi and cool with the aircon rather it is a place where you can find help in things you are a stranger. There a re thousands of book that is just waiting for everyone to notice, to be touch and most of all to be open and read. Way to go to the students who are just like the girl in the article and wishing to the others to see the light books can give to everyone of us. See you around the library!
ReplyDeletewhen i was reading I'm just inspired because this is only proven that all my fellow student can help to love reading and i was amaze to the girl in the blog that she read harder stories because she's one of a kind not all ladies loved to read a novel but she did very well
ReplyDeleteI was inspired and amazed to her,because many teens nowadays don't find time reading books, like novels,fiction stories and many more.Because of our technology advancements or should i say ,cause of social medias sites. her fashion in reading is unusual that's why i admired her. But we should always remember our priorities which is our study, we should study first our lesson ,before doing such things.
ReplyDeleteThis is special. I mean for nowadays reading any kind of book is kinda boring but the girl in the story just made me realised of something very unusual and that is valuing the importance of reading. It really taught me a lesson. I know different people have different interest. And probably having a habit of reading is such a gift and talent(you know what i mean). At the end of the day "Reading is Learning" no matter what type of book it is. I just want to express my greetings and gratitude to the blogger and to the lady who loves reading a novel for sharing this inspiring story to us. You guys are amazing. Especially the girl. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI think the one who said this is her secret love lol. joke.
ReplyDeleteanyway... I love that girl who reads/like a books even we only have small time to read a book. for surely I know when you reading a book your vocabulary or knowledge is expanding your mind. the lesson I learned, we need to value the books even though we have technology to use in everything.