The name Book 'Chickas' is a wordplay combining 'chicks' and 'chikas'. The concept behind Book Chickas PH started from a buddy read between the admins of the club who are Bisaya readers. Recognizing the potential for a buddy reading book club specifically for Bisaya readers, we brainstormed ideas for the concept and name. We wanted a fun name for our members and came up with 'book chicks'.

At the heart of the club is fostering a sense of community among Bisaya readers through buddy reads.

Hence, the name Book Chickas PH, signifying unli 'chikas' (unlimited chatter) over books. After agreeing on the name, we felt it fitting to have Chirpy, the book chick, as the face of the club. As a club, we aim to foster an open and safe space for Bisaya readers to share their thoughts and feelings about the books we read. We believe in creating a supportive community where members can freely express their ideas, insights, and emotions. Our goal is to cultivate a welcoming environment that encourages meaningful discussions, diverse perspectives, and genuine connections among fellow Bisaya readers.

✴ What are your ways of continually nurturing and growing the Book Chickas community?

Buddy reads have received a positive reception and become a hit in Book Chickas PH. Our members are enthusiastic about suggesting buddy reads, and everyone is eager to participate. Aside from buddy reads and Book of The Month discussions, we host annual and themed reading challenges. Also, to recognize the active participation and support of our members, we have a rewards system where we give points for their involvement in our major activities. While we have created a year-round list of activities for the club, we always welcome suggestions from our members. We believe in keeping our community dynamic and engaging, so member input is highly valued in shaping our events and discussions.

✴ What would you consider your Most Memorable Book Discussion?

Our first Book-Of-The-Month discussion for Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa holds the title for most memorable discussion, as members flocked (bird pun intended) to attend the discussion not only sharing their experiences from reading the book but also bringing their own sweet bean paste delicacies. Our July 2023 discussion remains unforgettable as a heartwarming show of support for the club and a benchmark for our future discussions.

“We didn’t realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun,”

Wolf meets chicks! 🐺🐥 Book chicks meet up at Big Bad Wolf (BBW) Cebu.

✴ What are you most excited about for the book club's future?

Book Chickas PH's first anniversary celebration is a testament to the incredible support of our members. The initiative to organize an outreach program for kids, themed "Journey Through the Pages: Empowering Young Minds with the Magic of Reading," was proposed by our members. This initiative, where we give books to children, made our anniversary celebration even more meaningful. We look forward to doing more of this, hoping to inspire new readers one book at a time, and aim to partner with organizations that share a similar cause.

Fantas-chick, Memorable, and Blessed!

We celebrate this milestone with Book Chickas PH! 🎉 With the concerning decline in national readership in the Philippines, creating a book culture within our circles of influence is more crucial than ever.

Thinking of starting your own book club? Now's the perfect time to gather fellow bibliophiles and reignite your reading passion together.

Are you a Bisaya reader? Connect with Book Chickas PH and join their vibrant community!

✦ Website: bookchickasph

✦ Facebook: Book Chickas PH

✦ Instagram: bookchickasph