With an introduction by Andy Ferreira that explains the different types of entrepreneurial activities, the book truly captures the essence of a number of successful businesses we see out there, and gives us insights into their respective provenance. It’s especially illuminating because as I showed the book to friends, one persistent reaction was "Oh my God, so that’s the person behind this or that product (service or company)." In a consumer culture such as ours, products and outfits such as Hapee toothpaste, Zest-O, Automatic Center and Julie’s Bakeshop become part of our "radar," our notion of the urban landscape, and the book becomes a "crash course" in discovering the people behind these brands, and the road they took to reach the status they now enjoy. The book is available at most popular bookstores.
The Bench Wear Your Conscience coffee table book, the second book I got involved in, was launched recently at the Ayala Museum. Receiving the call from Bench-meister Ben Chan and being told of the concept was a "dream come true;" as this was a collaboration between photographer Jun de Leon on one hand, and Raul Manzano and myself on the other – all mutual admiration society members.
Primarily using photographs, the book is meant to be a gentle reminder of how conscience is never an outmoded concept. That in this day and age, it may not be enough to "stop and smell the roses," that we can and must do something about the "thorns" – these being the "thorns" that afflict our Society.
For this book, the net was cast, and it was Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation that got the nod; but there are a myriad of causes and foundations that are out there, all doing worthy work, and needing our assistance. The message of the book was something that went beyond the photographs and pages of the book. As directed by Robbie Carmona, the launch was an appropriately understated event, and as the photographs were unveiled, one could sense the delight on the part of the guests, discovering who had lent their time to pose for the project. The Gokongwei sisters, the Zobel de Ayala brothers, the Floirendo women, Tessa and Dennis Valdes with their daughter, the list went on and on. The book is available at selected Bench stores, and there are billboards celebrating the book and the Conscience apparel line.
Am really thankful to both Joey and Ben, as these books were pure delight to work on. Fascinating subjects, potent messages and intentions; and while deadline crunching will inevitably have its share of frustrations and woes, the end products more than justify all the teeth-gnashing. My work on these two books is dedicated to those who stood by me during those periods of completion; professionally, emotionally, whatever, you know who you are, and am grateful I had you by my side. Book projects like these keep me under the spell of the Peter Pan syndrome... or am I Captain Hook?
In the country of books A Man Booker shortlisted novel that makes the political very personal, a fictional tell-all about the world of publishing, a crime drama that gives "dysfunctional" a new horrifying dimension, and a post 9/11 absurdist novel; these are today’s pick of the litter(ary), and without doubt, they’re all extremely satisfying reads.
In the Country of Men – Hisham Matar (available at Fully Booked): You tell me that this is a novel set in Libya in the 1970’s, and that the main protagonist is a nine-year-old, dealing with shifting allegiances and age-relevant moral decision-making, and I’d initially be wondering just how engrossing this novel could be. But put all doubts aside, on the short-list of 2006’s Man Booker Prize, In the Country of Men is an exceptional novel that transcends the genre of mock-memoir and starkly makes the political very personal. It’s like Matar has put living under Quadaffi’s rule under a spotlight and has woven an exceptional human drama out of the situation. This becomes especially poignant as it is achieved within the context of the aforementioned nine-year-old perspective.
Blind Submission – Debra Ginsberg (available at Powerbooks): Set in the publishing world, Blind Submission answers all our questions about life as a literary agent. At times, this highly entertaining novel comes across like A Devil Wears Prada, set in the world of high profile book releases. Hand-holding authors, finagling book deals, dealing with a boss from Dante’s Inferno; the novel even turns into a mystery, as a manuscript coming in by e-mail and submitted anonymously, becomes a source of disturbing and perplexing symmetry with the lives of our main characters. This may be escapist fare, but as long as you have a love for books, it’s truly enjoyable.
Sharp Objects – Gillian Flynn (available at Powerbooks): As an entertainment and movie critic, Gillian Flynn has often criticized movies for being slow and plodding. That charge cannot be leveled at her first crime drama novel, Sharp Objects. It brings dysfunctional to a new level, pitting family drama with small-town insidiousness. Several Grand Guignol images linger, and we’re never that far from regarding the plotline as too creepy, and closing the book for good... but we can’t! While definitely not high-brow literature, Sharp Objects is very successful in its genre, and augurs well for Flynn’s future novels.
The Zero – Jess Walter (available at Different Bookstore): Walter’s last novel, Citizen Vince, won an Edgar for best crime/mystery novel, so it was very surprising to find him making a complete turn-around with this, his latest. The Zero refers to Ground Zero of NYC’s Twin Towers, and its post 9/11 literature as Joseph Heller or Franz Kafka would have written it. Irony, futility, the manipulative quality of both media and the government; they’re all given sharp focus in Walter’s story. The best bits have to do with trenchant observations about how life goes on, riddled with pathos and absurdity, and yet enjoying currency as rational and valid reactions and activities to address the State of the Nation – a deliciously cynical read.