Thursday, October 5, 2023

Kazuo Ishiguro: The Poet of Existential Unease

“Memory, I realize, can be an unreliable thing; often it is heavily coloured by the circumstances in which one remembers.” – Kazuo Ishiguro

Kazuo Ishiguro is a British novelist of Japanese descent, celebrated for his themes exploring memory, time, and self-delusion. His writings traverse various genres—from science fiction in 'Never Let Me Go' to historical drama in 'The Remains of the Day.' In 2017, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

 Personal Life

Complete Name: Kazuo Ishiguro

Born: November 8, 1954

Birthplace: Nagasaki, Japan

Spouse: Lorna MacDougall


“What is pertinent is the calmness of beauty, its sense of restraint.” – Kazuo Ishiguro


Academic

Education: University of Kent (BA in English and Philosophy)

Postgraduate: Creative Writing, University of East Anglia



Kazuo Ishiguro Trivia

  • Ishiguro moved to England when he was five years old.
  • He initially aspired to be a singer-songwriter before turning to literature.
  • His thesis became his first novel, 'A Pale View of Hills.'
  • He worked as a social worker before becoming a full-time writer.
  • His style is often compared to that of Henry James and Marcel Proust.
  • He's known for writing novels that are both emotionally subtle and profoundly unsettling.


“One is not struck by the truth until prompted quite accidentally by some external event.” – Kazuo Ishiguro


Here is the list of books written by Kazuo Ishiguro

  1. A Pale View of Hills (1982)
  2. An Artist of the Floating World (1986)
  3. The Remains of the Day (1989)
  4. The Unconsoled (1995)
  5. When We Were Orphans (2000)
  6. Never Let Me Go (2005)
  7. Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall (2009)
  8. The Buried Giant (2015)
  9. Klara and the Sun (2021)



List of film adaptations of Kazuo Ishiguro's work


1. The Remains of the Day (1993): directed by James Ivory, starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.

2. Never Let Me Go (2010): directed by Mark Romanek, starring Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley.

3. Living (2022): directed by Oliver Hermanus, starring Bill Nighy. This movie is an adaptation of the 1952 Japanese film Ikiru directed by Akira Kurosawa

4. The Buried Giant: an animated adaptation of Ishiguro's fantasy novel, directed by Guillermo del Toro, is currently in development for Netflix.



Kazuo Ishiguro is a highly acclaimed author who has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. Here is a list of some of his most notable awards and honors:

  • Nobel Prize in Literature (2017)
  • Booker Prize (1989)
  • Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France
  • Knighthood for Services to Literature (2018)
  • The Peggy V. Helmrich Award (2013)
  • The Library Lion Medal from New York Public Library (2014)
  • The Sunday Times Distinguished Author Award (2014)
  • The Golden Plate from the American Academy of Achievement (2017)


Feel free to share any literary work you've read from these renowned authors and what you think about them. Just hit the comments below!

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Big Bad Wolf Books Cebu 2023: A Literary Haven For Cebu Book Lovers

 Good news for all the bibliophiles in Cebu! The much-anticipated Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is back, promising an even more exciting and expansive literary experience this year.


Hosted at SM Seaside City Cebu's Lower Ground Level, Cube Wing, from September 15 to October 1, 2023, this book sale is the epitome of every book lover's dream. And the best part? Entrance is absolutely free!

Unbeatable Deals Await!

Big Bad Wolf Books is more than just a sale; it’s an initiative to foster a culture of reading. With discounts going up to a jaw-dropping 95% off, it is nearly impossible to leave without a stack of books in your arms. Be prepared to find titles across an array of categories—whether you're into self-improvement, teen fiction, or timeless classics, there's bound to be something that will catch your eye.



Exclusive Titles Just for Cebu

This year's sale promises not only more books but also exclusive releases only available in Cebu. With over 2 million brand-new books brought in, Big Bad Wolf Books is committed to making world-class literature accessible to Cebuanos.


Zero Interest With Metrobank Cards

For Metrobank cardholders, the deal gets even sweeter. Make a minimum purchase of P3,000 and enjoy a 0% installment plan for three months. So go ahead, splurge on that reading list you've been putting off—it's practically a steal!



Not Just A Sale, But A Social Initiative

What sets Big Bad Wolf Books apart is its commitment to social responsibility. The Red Readerhood program is at the heart of this event. Aimed at empowering underprivileged youth, the program donates books to deserving communities and schools. Every purchase you make contributes to this noble cause.



Quality Guaranteed

Concerned about the quality of discounted books? Worry not! All books are sourced from reputable publishing houses in the United Kingdom and the United States, ensuring that you’re getting nothing but the best.



Saturday, August 31, 2019

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale Cebu - A Success

The world's biggest 24-hour book sale was back in Cebu after its 2-week sale last July 2018.

What is Big bad Wolf Book Sale?
Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is a global reading advocacy effort by BookXcess' founders, Andrew Yap and Jacqueline Ng. It started in Malaysia in 2009 at Dataran Hamodal. The book sale is touring in the cities of  Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, South Korea, the Philippines, and United Arab Emirates.




As per Big Bad Wolf Book sale website "The Sale offers books at amazing discounts — as high as 95%! — with the mission to cultivate reading habits around the world and to build a new generation of readers by making books more affordable and accessible to everyone."

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale in Cebu
The wolf has visited Cebu for the second time last August 16 to 26, 2019 and they brought over 2 million books at 50% to 90% discount that made Cebuano and non-Cebuano bookworms happy.




Philippines especially the Cebuano book lovers are looking forward for Big Bad Wolf Books to be back next year.



Saturday, August 24, 2019

Stack a Quote Book Contest Winners

Congratulations to our 5 winners for #stackaquote contest.



@julieyah_09
@mrs_salvatore23
@geemizbooks
@dyaquarose
Marlon Gestole

All winners will receive 700php voucher that can be used  at @bbwbooksph sale in Cebu.


  • 50%-90% DISCOUNTS
  • 16 - 26 August 2019
  • 24 Hours
  • IEC Convention Center (IC3), Cebu City

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Stack a Quote Book Contest

Hello bookworm, are you ready for Cebu Book Club Contest in collaboration with @bbwbookph?


Guidelines

Stack up a minimum of THREE (3) to a maximum of SIX(6) books on top of one another creating a quote.

1. Post your creative photo on your instagram or facebook profile
2. Tag @CebuBookClub, @bbwbooksphp & THREE(3) of your friends
3. Use hashtag #BBWCebu19XCBC #CebuBookClub
4. Make sure your post is set to PUBLIC.

Contest will run from August 20, 2019 to August 23, 2019 10:00pm.
5 lucky winners will get ONE (1) voucher worth PHP700

Big bad Wolf Book Sale info

  • 50%-90% DISCOUNTS
  • 16 - 26 August 2019
  • 24 Hours
  • IEC Convention Center (IC3), Cebu City

*winners will be announced (August 24, 2019 2:00am)
Date of collection/redemption for prize: 24th August 2019 – 25th August 2019.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Amy Ewing Book Signing in Cebu

Join bestselling contemporary author Amy Ewing for book signing events on November 12, 2016 at 1 p.m. in The Gallery, Ayala Center Cebu.

Amy Ewing Book Signing Event Philippines


Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on September 16 at the The Gallery, Ayala Center Cebu. First come, first served.

Each guest is allowed to have the following signed:
The Jewel – one (1) copy only
The White Rose – one (1) copy only
The Black Key – one (1) copy only
One personalized and the rest are signatures only.

Old books or other editions of books are allowed, as long as the books were purchased from National Book Store, National Book Store Express or Powerbooks. The books must have either the price tag or official receipt.

About Amy Ewing
Amy Ewing is a young adult author. She grew up in a small town outside Boston. Amy moved to New York City in 2000 to study theater at New York University. She worked in restaurants, as an administrative assistant, a nanny, and a sales representative for a wine distributor before the lack of creativity in her life drove her to begin writing. Amy received her MFA in Creative Writing for Children from The New School, where she was lucky enough to meet a fabulous community of YA writers. Amy currently lives in Harlem.

Amy Ewing Books

The Jewel



The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for




The White Rose

Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.

The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.










The Black Key



For too long, Violet and the people of the outer circles of the Lone City have lived in service to the royalty of the Jewel. But now the secret society known as the Black Key is preparing to seize power.
















Thursday, June 23, 2016

Amy Zhang and Andrea Portes Book Signing in Cebu

Join bestselling contemporary authors Amy Zhang and Andrea Portes for book signing events on July 2, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the Northwing Atrium, SM City Cebu.



Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on July 2 at the Northwing Atrium, SM City Cebu.

Each guest is allowed to have the following signed:
• Falling into Place – one (1) copy only
• This is Where the World Ends – one (1) copy only
• Anatomy of a Misfit – one (1) copy only
• The Fall of Butterflies – one (1) copy only
One personalized for each author and the rest are signatures only.

Old books or other editions of books are allowed, as long as the books were purchased from National Book Store, National Book Store Express or Powerbooks. The books must have either the price tag or official receipt.

ABOUT AMY ZHANG
Amy Zhang is the author of ‘Falling Into Place’, an American Bookseller’s “Indies Introduce” selection. She was born in China, grew up in Wisconsin, and currently lives in New York State.

AMY ZHANG BOOKS

Falling into Places
On the day Liz Emerson tries to die, they had reviewed Newton’s laws of motion in physics class. Then, after school, she put them into practice by running her Mercedes off the road.


This is Where the World Ends
Janie and Micah, Micah and Janie. That’s how it’s been ever since elementary school, when Janie Vivien moved next door. Janie says Micah is everything she is not. Where Micah is shy, Janie is outgoing. Where Micah loves music, Janie loves art. It’s the perfect friendship—as long as no one finds out about it. But then Janie goes missing and everything Micah thought he knew about his best friend is colored with doubt.


ABOUT ANDREA PORTES
Andrea Portes is a bestselling American novelist.
Her novels include: ‘Hick’, ‘Bury This’, ‘Anatomy of a Misfit’, and ‘The Fall of Butterflies’. Portes is also the author of the upcoming ‘Liberty’ book series and the upcoming HENRY & EVA AND THE CASTLE ON THE CLIFF book series. She, also, published the SUPER RAD graphic novel series for Dark Matter Comics.

ANDREA PORTES BOOKS

Anatomy of a Misfit
Outside, Anika Dragomir is all lip gloss and blond hair—the third most popular girl in school. Inside, she’s a freak: a mix of dark thoughts, diabolical plots, and, if local chatter is to be believed, vampire DNA (after all, her father is Romanian). But she keeps it under wraps to maintain her social position. One step out of line and Becky Vilhauer, first most popular girl in school, will make her life hell. So when former loner Logan McDonough shows up one September hotter, smarter, and more mysterious than ever, Anika knows she can’t get involved. It would be insane to throw away her social safety for a nerd. So what if that nerd is now a black-leather-jacket-wearing dreamboat, and his loner status is clearly the result of his troubled home life? Who cares if the right girl could help him with all that, maybe even save him from it? Who needs him when Jared Kline, the bad boy every girl dreams of, is asking her on dates? Who?

The Fall of Butterflies
The Fall of Butterflies
Willa Parker, 646th and least popular resident of What Cheer, Iowa, is headed east to start a new life. Did she choose this new life? No, because that would be too easy—and nothing in Willa’s life is easy. It’s her famous genius mother’s idea to send her to ultra-expensive, ultra-exclusive Pembroke Prep, and it’s only the strength of her name that got Willa accepted in the first place.But Willa has no intentions of fitting in at Pembroke. She’s not staying long, she decides. Not at this school—and not on this planet. But when she meets peculiar, glittering Remy Taft, the richest, most mysterious girl on campus, she starts to see a foothold in this foreign world—a place where she could maybe, possibly, sort of fit.When Willa looks at Remy, she sees a girl who has everything. But for Remy, having everything comes at a price. And as she spirals out of control, Willa can feel her spinning right out of her grasp.In Willa’s secret heart, all she’s ever wanted is to belong. But if Remy, the girl who gave her this world, is slip-sliding away, is Willa meant to follow her down?