Sabi ng mga nag-take ng exam this December 2015, pinaka-nagulat sila sa Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension part of the exam. Mahirap daw dahil sa mahaba ang kailangan basahin at unfamiliar ang mga words. Some of them recognized the need to start reading. Kaya I think it’s timely for me to post this list.
This is a list of books that helped me cultivate my love for reading. May mga nagtatanong kasi sa akin kung anong mga libro ang magandang simulan na basahin. Kaya here’s a short list.
You can buy these from your local bookstore or look for electronic copies online.
- The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis) This is a series of books written by one of my favorite authors. Ang pinakasikat sa lahat is The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe na ginawa na ring pelikula. If you like action-adventure with a little bit of magic thrown in, this may be a good starter book for you. Each book is fairly short pero makaka-encounter kayo ng new words which can build your vocabulary up.
- Stardust (Neil Gaiman) Ginawa na ring pelikula ang librong ito, pero mas maganda pa rin ang libro. It has the same feel as The Chronicles of Narnia, pero mas fairy tale pa ang dating. It also has a bit of a love story para sa mga romantics out there.
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull (Richard Bach) Napakaikli lang ng libro na ito. Pero, it packs a punch because of its message. Kung na-discourage ka na because of failing before, this may be the perfect book for you.
- The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho) Isa rin ito sa mga paborito kong libro. Whenever I find myself discouraged or medyo nahihirapan mag-deal with the challenges of life, I take time to read it again. Medyo mystical ang theme pero it’s very uplifting. It’s a hero’s journey kaya nakaka-encourage din siya.
- Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) If 90s baby ka, matatandaan mo pa ang animated series based on this book. Pero nothing beats the original material. If you enjoy this, there are other books in the same universe na pwede mong isunod. It’s a coming of age book that really helped me deal with the dynamics of having sisters.
- Gulliver’s Travels (Jules Verne) Kung mahilig ka sa mga adventure books that will help you use your imagination, you’ll love Verne’s work.
- Any Newbery Award-winning book. Maraming ganitong libro. Kasama rito ang The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman), The Tale of Despereaux (Kate DiCamillo), Bud, Not Buddy (Christopher Paul Curtis), Holes (Louis Sachar), Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine), The Giver (Lois Lowry), Shiloh (Phyllis Reynolds Naylor), Number the Stars (Lois Lowry), The Sign of the Beaver (Elizabeth George Speare), at marami pang iba.
- Young Adult novels. Kasama sa patok at usong genre na ito ang Hunger Games Trilogy, at iba pa. Hindi man malalim ang mga librong ito, this can get you started dahil pamilyar ang mga kwento lalo na if you’ve seen the movie. Madali rin maintindihan at basahin kahit sa phone or tablet mo lang.
Kahit anong libro naman ay makakatulong. Basta’t interesado ka at maayos ang pagkakasulat. Huwag lang sana na mga Tag-lish na novelettes ang basahin ninyo. Hindi kasi ito sumusunod sa grammar rules at maging spelling kung minsan. Para siyang pagkain ng junk food instead of a proper meal. Oo, nakakabusog. Pero di mabuti sa katawan kung puro yun lang ang kakainin.
Reading should not be expensive. Marami sa mga librong ito ang libre at available online. Kung, gaya ko, ay mas gusto niyo naman magbasa ng physical books, maraming 2nd hand bookstores diyan. May Booksale sa mga mall. Kung may oras ka rin, marami ka ring pagpipilian sa mga stalls sa UP. Baka makita niyo rin ako doon na nakikitingin at bumibili.
Habang nagbabasa, try to understand what you’re reading. Look for unfamiliar words and find out kung ano ang ibig sabihin. Then, try using it in a sentence.
I also suggest writing a short summary and review. Makakatulong ito sa maraming parts ng exam. This will help you practice good grammar and spelling. Pati sa paragraph organization at logic, makakatulong din ito.
If natapos mo nang mabasa ang mga ito, let me know and I will post a more challenging list.
Happy reading, everyone!