A new week is about to start in a couple of hours! But before this week ends, I’m writing this Mystery Blogger Award post. Again, I was nominated for this award by my ever-supportive friend, Emer @ A Little Haze Book Blog.

I’ve said it time and again, I am always grateful to Emer for all the kind words, for all the support that she’s been giving me. I always pray that your kindness will be repaid ten-folds, if not a hundred-folds. I thank the day our paths have crossed because of our shared love for books and reading. To fellow bloggers, do check out Emer’s page. She has amazing bookish posts and discussions.

So what is The Mystery Blogger Award?

The Mystery Blogger Award was created by Okoto @OkotoEnigmasBlog to recognize “amazing blogs that haven’t been discovered” yet. It is the original creator’s aim, through this award nomination, to “create a friendly community and build a link between bloggers in the blogosphere; as everyone gets nominated and they too can spread the fun by nominating more people for the award.”

The Rules
  • Put the award logo/image on your blog.
  • List the rules.
  • Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
  • Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well.
  • Tell your readers 3 things about yourself.
  • You have to nominate 10 – 20 people.
  • Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.
  • Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify).
  • Share a link to your best post(s).

Three Things about Me!

1. I love music of all kinds! I don’t know why but I find it rather easy memorizing lyrics. Although I do have to listen to the song about ten times before I can get the lyrics right. Whenever a song I’m familiar with plays in the cab, in the bus, or even in the jeepney, I will unconsciously sing to it! It’s like a reflex action. My current flavor is Korean Pop Music (oh yes, KPop) but I also like songs from musicals and Disney films.

2. I am a member of an indigenous tribe here in the Philippines; I am Igorot. Although my exact lineage is little unclear, I know that in my vessels run blood from several tribes of the Philippine Cordilleras. Because of this, I often get the “you don’t look like an Igorot” statement and look.

3. I’ve always wanted to learn another language but every attempt was futile. I started with Spanish in high school but I didn’t get far. Then I switched to French and Japanese/Nihonggo in college. Again, I was obstinate because I don’t have people I can converse to. I am currently learning Korean; I can now understand some words and I can also read and write Hangul, the traditional Korean alphabet.

Questions from Emer

(1) If you could interview one author, living or dead, for your blog who would you choose and why?

My initial response would have been Haruki Murakami or Salman Rushdie as they are, currently, my favorite writers. Upon introspection, a different author comes to mind – Sidney Sheldon. His works are not as “critical” as the first two I’ve mentioned but it was his works that helped make reading into a hobby. His works were some of my earlier favorite reads. It would also be interesting to talk about how he managed to “escape” the complications of his bipolar disorder and manic depression.

(2) Are there any authors whose books you refuse to read due to their personal viewpoints or similar?

I am pretty much a very open-minded reader. Being broadminded made me open to all kinds of genres, hence, I never refuse reading an author’s books because of personal perspectives. However, if I have to answer this question, I do skirt around Stephen King’s works. It is not because we have differing opinions or stance, rather because I just don’t like horror fiction in general.

(3) Are there any books out there that you feel are over hyped and perhaps not deserving of the praise they receive?

I’ll go with the latest one – Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments. There was too much ado when Atwood announced a sequel to her popular dystopian tale, A Handmaid’s Tale. The Testaments even went on to snag the 2019 Man Booker Prize, with co-winner Bernardine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other. I do feel that The Testaments didn’t live up to the hype of its antecedent.

(4) What has been the most rewarding thing about blogging in your life?

The most rewarding part of blogging, personally, is being able to express my thoughts and my emotions. Through four (and nearly five) years of blogging, writing has been an outlet to put into words emotions that I can never personally express. Moreover, knowing that some are reading my thoughts and relating to them make me feel accomplished, at least to some extent.

(5) If you could choose to be a mythological / fantastical creature for a day what would you choose to be and why? (E.g. vampire, mer-creature, centaur, faerie etc.)

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Now, this is a tough one. I think I’ll want to be a griffin for a day (because it sounds close enough to being a Gryffindor, LOL). By being a griffin, I can soar the skies and visit places I’ve always wanted to visit. And, well maybe, I can lay some golden eggs I can give to all, especially the ones who are in dire need.

Link to my favourite post

I really don’t have a favorite post but I’ve always loved my post about the kindness I received from a Korean mother during my temple stay experience in Seoul. It is also about the hospitality and the kindness we receive from unexpected sources. Let us shower the world with kindness and love!

People I am Tagging for this Award

Again, I don’t want to impose on any of you. If you opt not to do this tag, I understand.

My Questions for Those I Have Tagged
  1. Is there a country you want to visit because of what you’ve read in novels? What country is it and why do you want to visit it?
  2. Do you always finish a book you’ve started? Why or why not?
  3. The world of literature is very broad. What particular genre or what part of literature do you want to read more (e.g. historical fiction, Asian or Japanese literature)?
  4. Tell us more about why you write and what your inspirations when you are writing.
  5. Choose a literary genre that can sum up your life or who you are. Why does this genre exemplify you?

Have a great week ahead everyone!