What are your favorite books?

My dad instilled in me the value of reading good books. Though I was a bit stubborn about getting into this habit, I eventually realized how reading can take me around the world to places I may or may never see, inspire my life, teach me the basics of living and loving, keep me company and entertained during times when life gets a little bit dull and boring. I can never imagine life without my books and for this I am forever grateful to my dad for his constant reminders to make reading a part of my daily life.

Read on as some personalities share with us their favorite books.

Charo Santos Concio, president, ABS-CBN

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye,” from Antoine de Saint Exupery’s The Little Prince, one book I will never get tired of reading over and over again.

Robert Sena, actor

Aside from the Holy Bible, the books I read are mostly informative. Books that will enrich my artistry, wellness and spirituality. When reading novels, I love the works of Crichton, Grisham and some of F. Sionil’s work. Among my favorites are Victor Ordonez’s  With Heart’s Aflame, and F. Sionil Jose’s Vibora.

Loven Ramos, visual poet, Spoolworks Studios, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Favorite books: 1) A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. Some of the greatest works of literature were written in the ’60s and this is one of the must-reads. This embodies the newfound freedom in exploring revolutions in writing, from its violence-loving characters to the quirky words invented on each page to how the novel ends. 2) Charlotte’s Web. I used to hate reading and didn’t read any books until I discovered this on my grandmother’s library when I was 13. The moment I flipped to the first page, I didn’t put it down until I consumed the last page. I was forever changed after that.

Atty. Christina Garcia Frasco, associate, Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & Delos Angeles; First Lady, Municipality of Liloan, Cebu

My favorite book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This book was given to me as a gift when I graduated from Ateneo Law School. It was a time of joy, but also of great fear — fear of the unknown, fear of uncertainty, fear of failure. While so simple in language, The Alchemist was, to me, as it always will be, a profound reminder that with an open heart, an abundance of hope and an abiding faith, there can be no hindrance to seizing, suffering, conquering and finally, enjoying one’s destined path.

Atty. Rowena Kapunan-Tamano, country head, Legal and Compliance,Standard Chartered Bank

I enjoy reading all kinds of books so choosing a favorite is almost impossible. I must say though that the following stand out: 1) I don’t think I’ve read a book as much as I have The Lord of the Rings. Daring swordfights, forlorn lovers, tree shepherds and Theoden Thengel-son all feature so richly in this epic battle of good versus evil. I don’t know who can resist that. 2) Your heart is made of stone if you’re not touched by The Giving Tree. 3) The Thin Man is a great thriller — full of those “Oh!” moments that make you want to stop and read on at the same time. 4) Pride and Prejudice. Enough said.

Wanggo Gallaga, writer, HIV advocate

I have so many but I’ll narrow it down to Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, Just Kids by Patti Smith, and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. All books are so well written and manage to engage me at the time that I read them. The stories inside changed me, and how I thought about life.

Tricia Centenera, actress/model/dancer

My favorite book is Lauren Conrad’s Style because it teaches all girls the basics of how to dress — from must-haves to must-not’s.  Lauren Conrad, a.k.a. LC has a very similar style to me and she speaks very candidly like she’s sitting on the edge of your bed helping you get ready for that lunch date with the girls or that movie date with a boy. There’s no set formula to her styling; it’s just a “guideline” of do’s and don’ts. When I open up to her “mix and match” chapter, it’s like fresh eyes on my wardrobe. Style is a good book to have when you’re having a bad style day.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan

I like books on history and biographies of historical figures like Mandela, Lee Kuan Yew, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Ramon Magsaysay, and Genghis Khan. Why?  I learn a lot from their experiences and how they faced challenges and trials in their own lives and how they helped shape their own countries.

Caloy Garcia Campos, program coordinator, Lopez Group Foundation Inc.

100 years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez because of its haunting images that tell me how mysterious, baffling and similar the cultures are of Spanish colonies.

Karen Davila, news anchor, TV host

I am now loving How To Love by Gordon Livingston and Finding Your True North by Bill George.  True North was one of the modules taught in our leadership course in Boston and it has true stories of leaders, their styles, so much to learn from…teaches what authentic leadership is all about.

How To Love is easy to read, direct, and is a sensible book that teaches us qualities that are important in loving and finding a person…coming from all this experience as a therapist in the US. He’s written many other books already.

Reggie T. Yu, national chairman, TOFIL (The Outstanding Filipino) Awards 2011; president, JCI Senate Manila (Manila Jaycees Senate)

There are a number of my favorite books that I can think of but, off the bat, I can name three: First that comes to mind is Team of Rivals by esteemed historian and Pulitzer Prize-winner Doris Kearns Goodwin. Her riveting masterpiece about Lincoln is just about the best character study of Abraham Lincoln that I have ever read. She is able to put together a wonderfully clear and unique picture of the character of these men. The scope of her work is Lincoln’s inner circle and his cabinet but, more broadly, his ability to handle people and politics. A must-read for aspiring leaders (and presidents).

Another book I recently read is It’s Not About Me by evangelical preacher Max Lucado. In customary, immensely readable and lyrical style, he skillfully brings into focus a simple premise about our purpose here on earth. In essence, life is not about me, but it’s about God. His book moved me into how I can live a life that promotes God to the world around us.

The book reminded me that our message is about Him and our salvation is about Him; it is not about us.

The last one is The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers. This is a highly entertaining and insightful tome, since the “laws” cull their principles from many great schemers — and scheming instructors — throughout history. They are straightforward in their Machiavellian simplicity.

It elucidates ways to gain importance in any group of people one finds one’s self in. Historical vignettes peppered throughout this book make for enjoyable reading, but it’s certainly helpful in how we deal with all sorts of people. An essential reference for every person in power, both in business or in life.