“I knew right there, in prison, that reading had changed forever the course of my life. As I see it today, the ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive.”
Malcolm X
Books can change one’s life – be it for the better or worse. In my case, they changed the way I look at the world and sparked my interest in writing at a time when social media was still a novelty. Just to be clear, I’m not a bibliophile, nor do I claim to have read tons of books, but those (well, most of them) I’ve read were definitely ones of the books.
So, as I turn 39 (yikes!) in August, here are 39 books that have shaped my life in one way or another:
“The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck
“Powerful” is too weak a word to describe this masterpiece (yes, its film adaptation was nowhere near the same). It vividly depicts the hardships and struggles of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression in the United States, as portrayed by the Joad family. Bruce Springsteen wrote “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” which was covered by Rage Against The Machine, in tribute to the novel’s main protagonist.
“Memories of My Melancholy Whores” by Gabriel García Márquez
Some 17 years ago, my friend Randy lent me a copy of this captivating novella about an unmarried old man who finds himself falling in love for the first time with a 14-year-old prostitute.
“Tutubi, Tutubi, ‘Wag Kang Magpahuli sa Mamang Salbahe” by Jun Cruz Reyes
The book follows the misadventures of a student-activist during the early days of martial law in 1972. It still made me question a lot of things in this society decades since the downfall of the Marcos regime.
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
When some of my friends shared their list of 10 books that have stayed with them on Facebook, I was not surprised to see that our lists have this book in common. Besides, who doesn’t love Holden Caulfield?
“Satanas sa Lupa” by Celso Al. Carunungan
It was my late father who recommended this book, which tackles political corruption and social issues surrounding the country during the early part of the 1970s.
“On The Road” by Jack Keruoac
The book, inspired by Jack Kerouac’s adventures with Neal Cassady, introduced me to the American Beat movement and jazz music in the 1950s.
“Para Kay B” by Ricky Lee
This is a delightful novel about the many faces of love. I gave my copy to my late friend Norman, who equally enjoyed it.
“The Guide” by R.K. Narayan
This is the book that compelled me to read more. It traces Raju’s transformation from a corrupt tour guide to a revered spiritual guide.
“Lord of the Flies” by William Golding
William Golding’s gripping novel that explores the dark side of humanity.
“Dissent and Counter-Consciousness” by Renato Constantino
I still keep a photocopy of this book from my college years. It is a collection of Renato Constantinos’s critical essays on Philippine society and history, which includes the groundbreaking “Veneration Without Understanding.”
“Luha ng Buwaya” by Amado V. Hernandez
A moving story of a school teacher who led the peasants in his village against greedy and oppressive landlords.
“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” as told to Alex Haley
This compelling story about the life and struggle of African-American revolutionary Malcolm X – from being a street hustler to becoming one of the most influential civil rights leaders – is the first nonfiction book that I read from cover to cover.
“Dekada ’70” by Lualhati Bautista
An absorbing political novel that revolves around a middle-class family during the dark years of martial law under the Marcos dictatorship.
“Franny and Zooey” by J.D. Salinger
There is so much I could say about how great this book is, but I’ll just sum it up this way: I could read it over and over again without ever growing tired.
“The Wretched of the Earth” by Frantz Fanon
Frantz Fanon’s seminal work that examines the dehumanizing effects of colonialism. It has been called a “handbook for developing an anti-colonial revolutionary consciousness.”
“Rabbit, Run” by John Updike
“If you have the guts to be yourself, other people’ll pay your price,” as John Updike wrote in this terrific novel in response to Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road.”
“Kung Baga sa Bigas: Mga Piling Tula” by Jose F. Lacaba
The only book I bought in Powerbooks, and I must say, the best anthology I have read until today.
“Mondomanila” by Norman Wilwayco
Originally titled “Kung Paano Ko Inayos ang Buhok Ko Matapos ang Mahaba-haba Ring Paglalakbay,” I read this Palanca-winning novel in 2009 when I first got a taste of Wilwayco’s transgressive humor.
“Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens
The first classic novel that I really liked and kept me hooked from beginning to end.
“America is in the Heart” by Carlos Bulosan
An essential reading for anyone interested in the history and struggles of Filipino migrant workers in the United States.
“The Firm” by John Grisham
Before I got into classic literature, I have read at least a dozen of John Grisham novels in my college freshman year. My mom would buy me VCDs of their film adaptations and we’d watch them together.
“Canal de la Reina” by Liwayway Arceo
Easily one of my top 10 Filipino novels of all time. It brilliantly portrays the grave social injustice in the Philippines as manifested by the economic disparity between the rich and the poor.
“The Making of a Filipino” by Renato Constantino
A historical biography that traces the evolution of Claro Mayo Recto from a conventional politician to a nationalist crusader.
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I fell in love with this timeless classic years before it was made into a film!
“Something Happened’ by Joseph Heller
Joseph Heller’s forgotten novel is about a businessman who reflects on his life, his job, and many other things.
“Fathers and Sons” by Ivan Turgenev
Without question, my favorite Russian novel. I remember my friend Marwin and I used to talk about it while drinking.
“Without Feathers” by Woody Allen
Reading this collection of short essays and plays still makes me giggle every now and then.
“Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage” by Jose F. Lacaba
A provocative firsthand account of the First Quarter Storm of 1970.
“The Good Terrorist” by Doris Lessing
Doris Lessing’s political novel is about a woman who gets involved with a group of British radicals.
“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck
This heart-wrenching tale of two displaced migrant workers in California was adapted into a play (“Katsuri”) by Tanghalang Pilipino in 2019.
“Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag” by Edgardo M. Reyes
The book from which the story of the classic Lino Brocka film “Maynila” was taken, although it gives a more detailed picture of the plight of Filipino workers in general.
“Chronicles, Volume One” by Bob Dylan
“I really was never any more than what I was—a folk musician who gazed into the gray mist with tear-blinded eyes and made up songs that floated in a luminous haze. Now it had blown up in my face and was hanging over me.” so writes Bob Dylan in this astounding memoir.
“The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair
With its harrowing depiction of the working conditions in the U.S. meatpacking industry, this book left me agitated for days after reading it.
“Gapo” by Lualhati Bautista
Lualhati Bautista’s debut deals with the problems surrounding the U.S. military bases in the Philippines.
“The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Arguably Dostoevsky’s best work, this novel has a simple plot about a murder and a complex discussion of morality and faith.
“Kafka on the Shore” by Haruki Murakami
A friend gave this book to me as a gift for my birthday, and I instantly fell in love with Murakami’s unique narrative style.
“Ang Huling Timawa” by Servando De los Angeles
One of the books that opened my eyes to the feudal relations in the countryside.
“Gerilya” by Norman Wilwayco
Wilwayco’s gritty novel is about two Iskolar ng Bayan-turned-Red fighters and their struggle as revolutionaries.
“The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Packaged as a children’s book, this enchanting novella has meaningful messages and life lessons that its readers cannot ignore.
Daniel is an avid lover of music and films. While most people his age would spend their leisure time playing online games, he enjoys creating playlists and movie lists. Daniel has also written opinion pieces for various publications. He studied Political Science at Adamson University and is currently an associate at the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation. He would never say no to a cold beer!