The Random Bibliophile

by Renee Alexis

Renee Alexis
20-something Filipina, an introvert who loves young adult fiction, brush pens, Taylor Swift, and BTS. Coffee runs in my bloodstream.

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2023 Reading Challenge

2023 Reading Challenge
Renee Alexis has read 0 books toward her goal of 30 books.
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How I Became A Reader


Books have always been a part of my life since time immemorial. When I was a kid, I cannot recall a time when there were no books at home. Every corner is filled with them. My dad is a wide reader and I think I got my "reader genes" from him. There was an assortment of books in our house - bundles of National Geographic magazines, Tom Clancy pocketbooks, Tracy Chevalier, John Grisham, and other hardbound books, couple of reader's digests, school books, cookbooks, children's storybooks, and even children's encyclopedias. Our house manifested a home of intellect and learning.

Back in grade school, when my mom and dad would take us to the city to shop and stroll, I always, always request them to bring me to National Bookstore. I always end up spending my whole day in there just feasting my eyes on books and making the store my personal library while they go to other shops in the mall. I never tire going around from one bookshelf to another. The place was heaven to me, I even love the school supplies and stationery section so much. When it was time to go home, I always have at least two books in my hand and I don't get out of the store until those were paid for, haha. I was already obsessed with books when I was still little and that obsession grew with me until today.

I was 12 years old when I read my first novel - Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. It was a heavy read and back then, it didn't make much impression to me because I still lacked the needed comprehension. I was trying hard, I pushed myself to read an adult book when I wasn't ready yet. I had to read it again when I finished high school to really get the message. And then there was The Firm by John Grisham that I really enjoyed a lot. It was that book that made me a Grisham fan right after.

Judy Blume's Just As Long As We're Together was the first novel I bought for myself and I instantly FELL IN LOVE. I fell in love with the book, I fell in love with Blume, I fell in love with books entirely. After that, I started collecting middle-grade books, a lot was Judy Blume's, I went crazy with Animorphs too, and then there were other children's books I bought and went crazy reading. In high school, I was known as the girl who reads. I was even dubbed a bibliophile in our yearbook and that was when I officially embraced being one.

Many would wonder if I have read the more hyped books but as crazy as it sounds, I haven't. My love for books stretched as far as the money I have saved. I don't ask much from my parents because I felt buying too much from what I need is an extravagance we can't afford. And so I buy books from Book Sales and other book bargain shops and these quenched my thirst for reading.

In my sophomore year in college, I was given the best gift every bookworm would want to have - a kindle. It was loaded with books and I immediately got started. That was the time I read The Hunger Games Trilogy and I was absolutely trapped inside the world of Katniss Everdeen. I can never compare my obsession with THG with any other books I've read. It was an obsession I didn't get over for years, and until today I still find my self slowly creeping out of Panem.

Through the years I've discovered more genres I enjoy reading, more books - both old and new, series and stand-alone - I'd like to read and my TBR list just grows longer and longer. I'm a voracious reader but there are times that I undergo "reading slumps", too. I'm prone to being lazy sometimes and just being caught up with life. But I always recover from those slumps in a matter of days or weeks. I can never go on a month without reading.

Books are my haven and I have always sought comfort in them. My taste may change over time, but one thing is for sure and that is I will always be a reader. Okay, I'll stop here, haha!

Are you a reader? Do you like books too? If you are, please recommend books for me to read. 😊

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Comments

  1. It's good that you started reading since you're a kid. Good thing you got the "reader genes" hehe I do not have that in the family, even with watching movies. Until now, I do not go gaga over movies or books, but I've watched and read a few.

    I started reading back in highschool because I wanted to improve my reading comprehension. I am still not good with reading because I choose genres depending on my liking. Recently I've been reading dystopians, but I'd like to go back to YA and some inspirationals hehe

    Hope someday I could raise my future kids to become readers as well :)

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    1. My father's side of the family are readers, all of his siblings but one loves books! I am just thankful that I get to belong in there "group", haha.

      I don't think there's such a thing as "good with reading books". When you decide to read it, it doesn't matter if you're good or bad. My choice of genre depends on my mood, really. One time I went crazy for YA, another time for dystopian/fantasy, then inspirational, other times for adult romance and so on! I don't have a specific favorite genre to read, I just pick up books I felt like reading.

      Not too late to start collecting books for your future family, right?

      All the best Mei!

      Renee

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  2. The first non-school book that was presented to me was Harry Potter when I was 11 and I /hated/ it and it turned me off books for a while. In my defense, big words are scary for a 11 years old haha. Then the hype that was Twilight started and I never turned back. I read the entire Twilight book in under six hours and I was hungry for more books. Reading back, I cringe a bit while re-reading Twilight but it will always have a place in my heart for introducing me to books. My all time favorite book series has got to be the Percy Jackson though! Have you read it? :)

    Over-all, I'm pretty sure I've read over 400 books! I'm running out of books to read now though. Any recommendations on your favorite?

    Love, Richel. | Richel Goes Places

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    1. I regret to say this but when the first Harry Potter movie was released and I was a kid I did not know they were based from books. I only got to know they were from books when I was already in high school! HAHA, back then, I was still infatuated with Fairy tales (I was obsessed with Disney). And up till now, I have only read the first book. But I plan to finish all books though. As for Twilight, I read it but I didn't finish New Moon, I just left the book and I forgot all about it.

      Yes, I've completed the Percy Jackson series and I LOVED IT! I love Greek mythology and ohmygods, I just don't have enough words to say how much I loved it.

      I am currently reading Throne of Glass right now and I am hooked! I think I'll be making a post about my recommended books because I know this reply would be much too long if I told you all about it, haha. For the meantime, here are some of my faves: The Lunar Chronicles, THG, If I Stay, Me Before You, Summer series by Jenny Han, Heaven is For Real, November 9. Till next time!

      xoxo, Renee

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  3. Your first books are heavy! I only started with Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. HAHA! I will definitely try Blume. Never heard of her though. :(

    www.beadeegee.com

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    1. Tell me about it! Haha. I've heard of Nancy Drew but I wasn't able to get hold of her books. I loved Judy Blume's books even though I realize now how childish they are. But well, I was 13 then and I think those books were suitable for me :D If you ever pick up one of her books, I recommend Just as long as we're together. It's an amazing book about friendship and growing up ;)

      xoxo, Renee

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