Mark your calendars and cross out those reading goals
There’s nothing I love more than escaping reality and finding solace in fiction through a great book. However, given our fast-paced world that’s filled with endless distractions, reading sometimes feels like an elusive luxury. Between our demanding work or school schedules, family responsibilities, social commitments and the ever present lure of digital entertainment, carving out time for reading proves to be a daunting challenge.
Our current societal climate places immense importance on productivity and efficiency, often relegating leisure activities to the backseat. There's a pervasive pressure to fill every moment with “productive” tasks, leading to guilt when one finally decides to take time to read. This mindset, while promoting a busy lifestyle, overlooks the profound benefits of reading, such as stress reduction, cognitive stimulation and emotional growth.
But the struggle doesn’t end there. If you’re anything like me, even when you do decide to take time to read, there's the daunting task of choosing which book to invest our time and attention to. With millions of titles spanning every genre imaginable, deciding what to read next can be paralyzing. Even with platforms like Goodreads, BookTube and BookTok having revolutionized the way we find books, and reviews and recommendations from peers and influencers guiding us towards potential favorites and the latest crowd-favorite read.
The sheer volume of choices can sometimes make the decision difficult—especially when books come with a hefty price tag. If a book proves to be less engaging than anticipated, the investment of both time and money can feel wasted. This dilemma adds to the overall challenge of integrating reading into our daily lives.
But fear not, fellow book-lovers, as the highly awaited annual book sale in the country is back! The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, the world's biggest book sale, continues “changing the world one book at a time” as it sets off on a nationwide tour. The Big Bad Tour: Mission 1 New Million Readers will kick off at Parqal, Aseana City from May 24 to June 2, 2024.
This ambitious initiative is dedicated to fostering literacy, improving reading comprehension and cultivating a love of reading among Filipinos of all ages. The book sale will travel across the country, visiting bustling urban centers and remote rural communities. With a wide selection of books at affordable prices, the tour highlights educational titles, children’s stories and Filipino literature, promoting inclusivity in reading access.
During the Big Bad Wolf press-con held on March 15, 2024, Big Bad Wolf Co-Founder Jacqueline Ng reiterates that “Reading opens doors to new worlds and opportunities.” She continues: “With Mission 1 New Million Readers, we are taking concrete steps towards changing lives through books. Our goal is not only to promote literacy but also to ignite a lifelong passion for reading across the Philippines.”
Also present at the event's launch was the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Datu Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, who stresses the importance of empowering younger generations to elevate the nation. “What we are doing today is inspiring the younger generation to build a better Philippines,” he says.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary of Legislative Affairs, Fatima Aliah Dimaporo, presented data on poverty and literacy in the Philippines. She highlights the correlation between poverty and literacy and discusses government programs that aid underprivileged communities through education. Dimaporo also underscores efforts from the DSWD, in collaboration with Big Bad Wolf Books and the Malaysian embassy, to improve literacy in these communities.
The tour promises an unparalleled experience, featuring meet-and-greets with beloved authors, storytelling sessions and interactive events designed to make reading a joyous and enlightening pursuit. These festivities are open to schools, families and readers of all ages, contributing to the movement that hopes to reshape the country’s reading landscape.
The book sale also marks the enduring collaboration between Big Bad Wolf and Metrobank, extending a 0% three-month installment promo for purchases worth at least P3,000 to Metrobank cardholders. Additionally, Swedish home furnishings brand IKEA will join the Parqal leg of the book tour with special treats for visitors.
So whether you're a seasoned bookworm or someone looking to reignite your love for reading, this event is the perfect opportunity to catch up on your 2024 reading goals. With a diverse selection of books at budget-friendly prices, you finally have the perfect excuse to purchase that book (or books) you’ve been eyeing for quite some time—all the while supporting Big Bad Wolf’s initiative.
Mark your calendars for the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, running from May 24 to June 2, 2024, at Parqal, Aseana City. Doors are open from 10AM to midnight, and admission is free! Catch the Big Bad Tour: 1 New Million Readers in Manila—an amazing reading adventure awaits!
For more information regarding Big Bad Wolf’s current and upcoming Book Sales, you can visit their website or check out their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
Words Charles Boswell
