✿ From Great-Grandma's Books to Her Own: How One Family Nurtured a Bookworm
I could not remember my age then, but (my reading journey) definitely began with picture books. A relative, a great grandmother I think, gifted me and my older sister this beautiful, small boxed set of Beatrix Potter books.
GETTING TO KNOW JENG
My whole name is Jenghis Gonzalez Espanol, I go by Jen or Jeng to my friends, Jis to my family and relatives. I’ve lived most of my life here in San Pedro, Laguna. Currently I am a lucky housewife to an even luckier hubby. Being his long-term partner I developed a love for cooking as well as gaming!
I graduated way, way back with a Communication Arts degree, which was a blast and I don’t regret it but maybe I should have chosen HRM instead. However as a high school student, I didn’t take interest in cooking yet and I ended up with AB Comm just because I disliked all the other courses! It was still a blessing though, as through that journey I’ve met and made life-long friends. I was interested in Literature, this is true but my only college options then didn’t have them. During most of my college years, I indulged myself in Augustinian Link, the college publication. Some time back I also got to write feature articles for the website “The Film Dream.” I do enjoy writing, especially poetry. I used to write poems all the time when I was a young student, and a little bit more after that.
It’s appropriate to call myself a poet on hiatus. I’m not closing that passion just yet. My dream of publishing a poetry book is just hibernating.
HOW HER READING JOURNEY BEGAN
As far as my memory goes, I have had some access to books. I could not remember my age, but it definitely began with picture books. A relative, a great grandmother I think, gifted me and my older sister (it could have been just to my ate but either way) this beautiful, small boxed set of Beatrix Potter books. The box was mostly white with the printed art and it was like a treasure box with the type of clasp that opens when you push it. It had maybe ten or twelve picture books featuring different “Tales of” animal characters. I remember enjoying reading those over and over again, my favorite being “Tale of Tom Kitten” because I found their mischief just absolutely hilarious. We also had this comic book kind, hardbound Bible made for children, and huge Disney Princess picture books. Aside from the Beatrix Potter tales, I also kept rereading this big and heavy hardbound (it is so frustrating because I really can’t remember the title or even the cover of the book!) of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, with colored illustrations and it was just divine. Horrifying, but a delight! The most vivid memory for me is the “Fisherman and His Wife” and the one page illustration of the fish becoming absolutely livid with the wife’s last wish. For a long time, those were it.
We couldn’t afford books, especially new ones. Mine isn’t a ‘growing up poor’ narrative, we got the necessities - three meals a day, vitamins, school, a small house with stable water and electricity, but not much for luxuries except the occasional swimming outings or picnics. Those were my earliest memories involving books. But the actual turning point, the time I truly realized and recognized that I enjoy and love reading was when I received and read my first paperback novel (without illustrations) - “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It might have been a holiday when my cousin and his partner gifted me that and for my sister, The Wizard of Oz. Up until now, I wasn’t sure what about the story captured me.
The day I got a shelf felt monumental — it was a piece of wood drilled on the wall above my bed, because the top of our Orocan dresser could no longer hold our growing collection of books.
Books were either gifts or if we do get to buy one, it’ll be the ones that are marked down or on sale and it would be a very rare occasion. My mom has some books that were gifted to her, I read a few Chicken Soup for the Soul books and they were indeed warm and kept me sated.
Every now and then my older sister would buy me preloved books too, while my cousin would send me some from her own collection. Going into high school and college, I would spend my free time at the campus’ library, and buy what I can with the little savings I could muster.
HER FAVE AUTHORS
In no order, some of my favorite authors are:
✍ Lang Leav - I stumbled upon one of her poems on Facebook when I was a teenager, it was “Her Words” and around that time I was really into writing poems and I just felt so connected to it. Her style of writing and poems (catchy, rhyme-y, heartfelt, modern but still romantic) sort of ignited my passion for writing and I have collected her works ever since. I once spent a whole day in line just to meet her and have a book signed.
✍ Neal Shusterman - The first time I read his work was when one of my close friends lent me their copy of “Everlost.” To this day, it is one of my favorites. His unique ideas and world built and the way he tells the stories, everything was just enjoyable. Another excellent work of his and another favorite of mine is the “Arc of A Scythe” trilogy.
✍Lemony Snicket / Daniel Handler - The author of the famous and one of a kind “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is a genius. The genres combined seamlessly in the books are sort of funny because the list is long: mystery, gothic, dark comedy, drama, thriller, adventure, horror, and still somehow a children’s book. Moreso, one of the themes prominently featured in the books is one I’ve grown to take much guilty pleasure in - useless adults. Nowadays I steer clear from heavy and sad stories with tragic endings, but the way ASOUE was narrated was wonderfully entertaining, the writing style balancing out the horrible, horrible events that the poor Baudelaire orphans go through.
✍
Chris Priestley - Another children books author, he writes the most captivating short horror stories. The same bestie who lent me “Everlost” also lent me “Tales of Terror from the Tunnel’s Mouth” and it was absolutely, terrifyingly splendid. His books I believe are also accompanied by haunting and beautiful illustrations. Unfortunately, they are difficult to find here in the Philippines so may this also call the attention of fellow bookworms who may help me in locating his wonderful books.
HER 2024 FAVE READS SO FAR
Last year I started the Before The Coffee Gets Cold series, and this year I’ve read books 2 and 3 Tales from the Cafe and Before Your Memory Fades and it just continues to leave an impact on me.
I normally stay away and dislike it when books make me cry but this series is an exception because it is too wholesome. I also dislike it when books are too dictatory - like if it’s trying too hard to come off as inspirational. BtCGC’s mix of contemporary and magical realism and way of storytelling is the kind that ‘shows’ and not just ‘tells’ and it leaves me thinking and feeling about my way of living here in reality. It’s the kind of story that inspires me to live better, to be a better, kinder person to myself and everyone else. And the plot is so different from “Little Women” but both had that same effect on me. Another one I truly enjoyed is “Legends and Lattes” which is about a retired orc mercenary who goes on to build and manage her own coffee shop. It is such a delightful, cozy read and it’s perfect for someone like me, who loves fantasy (but dislikes too much violence or fighting), and well, coffee!
JENG & THE BOOKWORM'S ODYSSEY BOX!
🎁 You were one of the few people to purchase the Bookworm's Odyssey box. What made you decide to get it? Is there a particular reason why it appeals to you?
While I do love the actual bookish-themed items (the shirt, the mug, and most especially the pouch), the thing that appealed to me the most is the concept. "Bookworm's Odyssey" sounded quite alluring, like it was prompting me to do some kind of action that doesn't necessarily translate to doing something outrageous or over the top.
It sounds like I could go on an adventure that still welcomes and acknowledges my comfort, but at the same time encourages me to be brave and open-minded. A journey that values the experience just as much as the destination, and with no time pressure. I can go at my own pace and it'll be just as meaningful.
The collection's mention of that needed spark from 2023 and then segueing to fresher and newer paths and possibilities this 2024 felt relatable and inspiring. I feel like I am ready and I do want to be more adventurous and still get to choose and make the literary quests I want, and the products are my accessories, my companion to my bookworm voyage.
I loved the design and concept, but the very item that caught my attention before ordering is the pouch bag. I love my comfort and usual totes, but that ‘something new’ vibe the pouch bag brought is something I indulged in. I just thought, “Well, I don’t have something like that yet.” The bag with that style, size, and shape, it’ll have a new or different function for me. I loved the experience of opening and going through the box itself, similar to my giddiness when I got the IDK What’s Going On Book Club collection. It’s a box of bookworm goodies!
Among the many cute and functional items (excluding the main products), my favorite is the fellowship band.
While there are Bookfitters that have the same shirts, bags, and mugs, there’s something special and charming about having a sort of ‘official’ band. It’s not something for sale, for me it’s a physical manifestation of the slowly but surely coming together of us bookworms through Wear Your Books. We’re from different areas of the country and we’ve attracted each other through the internet and unknowingly we’ve created this light-hearted, pressure-less community that shares the love for books and reading, and tastes for expressing that. Isn’t that just wholesome? I live for wholesome stuff.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Follow Jeng in these platforms for book reviews and recommendations!
📸 Bookstagram: jen_thereadinglion
🤳 Booktok: jen.the.reading.lion
Thank you for being here! Jeng might be a familiar face to some of you especially around Bookstagram and Booktok where she shares her love for reading. Jeng isn't just a customer at Wear Your Books, she's a book nerd extraordinaire! She's also one of the most supportive person you'll find online. Fun fact: Jeng is the mastermind behind the name for our bookish community - Bookfitters, because we don't just read books, we wear them! Our name reflects how deeply we connect with stories, and how finding the right book feels like finding the perfect outfit. Leave a comment for us to read!