Read Lit District coming soon

MANILA, Philippines - Do you have what it takes to explore the Read Lit District? Cruise the Read Lit District and gratify the reader in you.

Be part of the literary extravaganza at the Ayala Museum, scene of the annual Philippine International Literary Festival, on Nov. 14 to 16, courtesy of the National Book Development Board (NBDB). Watch the business district of Makati transform into “Read Lit District,” the charmed setting of the country’s biggest and most historic literary event. Pay court to literature as you mingle with literary pleasure-seekers from all over the country. Surrender to the written word.

Reading excites you. But you want more than that. You want cheeky banter, intellectual intercourse, and heartfelt conversations about literary milestones. Discover where your dreams, passions and fears take you because that is what it means to read books.

Literary hot shots expected to blow your mind include Chris Abani, poet and professor at the University of California and writer of the novel Virgin of Flames, Riverside; Tim Tomlinson, fictionist and co-founder of New York Writers Workshop, and co-author of the popular text, The Portable MFA in Creative Writing; MerlindaBobis, author of Banana Heart Summer and professor of Creative Writing at the University of Wollongong; and Ken Spillman whose writing includes celebrated young adult novels, Love is a UFO and Blue, as well as the immensely popular Jake series for younger readers.

Read Lit District is the highlight of the Philippine Book Development Month. Every November, NBDB hosts month-long festivities filled with book fairs, contests for students and teachers, conferences, lectures, and literary tours, all of which are participated in by publishers, authors, students, teachers, and the general public. This year’s event partners are Filipinas Heritage Library, Philippine Airlines, and National Bookstore.

You read books that make your heart swell with joy. You read books that make you throb with longing. You read books that hurt you by revealing brutal truths. But you can’t stop reading. You’re hooked. Books stimulate. Books fulfill. That’s why to Read Lit District you will come.

For information, call Camille Dela Rosa at 920-9853 local 815, e-mail cvdelarosa@nbdb.gov.ph or visit www.nbdb.gov.ph.