1. Twilight time
It was a vampire?s mad, mad, mad world as Stephenie Meyer?s unusual mishmash of romance, gothic horror and, well, more romance became the publishing phenomenon of the year, and the biggest arrival since little orphan Harry. By year?s end, ?Twilight,? ?Eclipse,? ?New Moon? and ?Breaking Dawn,? which triggered midnight openings, waiting lists and long lines, were all in the top 10 and the ?Twilight? movie, headlined by Kristen Stewart (Bella) and Rob Pattinson (Edward) sank its fangs into the number one spot in the box office.
2. Rowling redux
Even as Warner Bros. moved the release of the movie adaptation of ?Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince? to 2009, Pottermaniacs found a pleasant surprise in the arrival of J.K. Rowling?s ?The Tales of Beedle the Bard,? a slim but vibrant book that exists in Harry?s universe. Not only was it diverting reading, but proceeds went to the Children High Level Group, a charity Rowling co-founded. It was guilt-free magic all around.
3. Clues, too
Though it arrived stealthily, it was soon clear that young readers had not seen anything quite like The 39 Clues from Scholastic. An ambitiously interactive series, The 39 Clues featured 10 books by 10 different young adult authors, each continuing the quest of the Cahill siblings as they unravel the secrets of a family that has influenced world history. In an innovative bit, inspired perhaps by Pokemon, readers can buy cards which tie into a website, all with an eye for revealing more clues about the Cahill legacy.
4. Goodbye, Michael
It was a surprising, sad loss. Michael Crichton, the man who made science the star in his novels, died at 66 after a bout with cancer. He was one of the few reliable quantities in bestseller publishing who left his smart mark on books, movies and television with works like ?The Andromeda Strain,? ?Jurassic Park? and even ?E.R.?
5. Hello Playboy
After months of speculation, Playboy Philippines made its quiet debut on the magazine shelves. The most recognizable name among girlie magazines, Playboy?s local incarnation is holding back on the nudity and ratcheting up the articles (it has fiction!), landing it in a market crowded by the likes of envelope-pushing heavyweight FHM and sleek challenger Maxim.
6. Man Asia Man
The Man Asia Literary Prize is the most prestigious literary prize in the continent, with being merely in the longlist (as compared to the shortlist) already a signal honor. The shortlist proved to be a testament to Filipino craftsmanship, boasting of Alfred A. Yuson?s ?The Music Child? as well as the welcome winner, Miguel ?Chuck? Syjuco, for his novel ?Ilustrado.? The 32-year-old Syjuco impressed the judges with his tale of a writer?s mysterious death, family secrets and a country?s soul.
7. Cool Cooks
In many ways, it?s the ultimate cookbook, as ?Kulinarya? gathered six of the country?s top chefs in Glenda Barretto, Conrad Calalang, Margarita Araneta Fores, Myrna Segismundo, Jessie Sincioco and Claude Tayag. Anvil Publishing?s kitchen lodestone will surely be found in countless stockings and under Christmas trees this December.
8. Viva Villa
Now that?s what you call good company. The late great José Garcia Villa became only the second Filipino (after Jose Rizal, no less) to be included in the venerable Penguin Classics series with the 2008 release of the Luis Francia-edited ?Doveglion: Collected Poems.? Now, Villa?s unique style of poetry and experimentations will be accessible to an entirely new generation of readers.
9. Foldabots Roll Out
Boys read after all! You?d need no further proof than Jomike Tejido?s newest project. Inspired by his favorite Transformers, Tejido introduced the Foldabots-cardboard robots you cut out and then fold into robot and vehicle modes--in the immensely popular K-Zone Magazine. Now, Summit Publishing gives us ?Foldabots Toy Book Vol. 1,? an entire volume of Tejido?s creations (from Astig to Ukay) ready to transform for you.
10. Comics Here?
This year will be remembered as one of the most bountiful for homegrown comic book creators as Gerry Alanguilan concluded his magnificent ?Elmer? series, Arnold Arre unveiled ?Martial Law Baby,? his graphic novel ode to his generation, while Budjette Tan and Ka-Jo Baldisimo released not one, but two collections of their spooky ?Trese? series. Check out Gilbert Monsanto?s auspicious start for his sleek ?Bayan Knights.?
11. Comics There?
Filipino comic book artists blazed bright in 2008 in the mainstream American market, none more than Leinil Francis Yu, whose work on Marvel?s ?Secret Invasion? marked him as one of the industry?s brightest talents. Jay Anacleto?s gorgeous artwork highlighted ?Marvels: Eye of the Camera.? Meanwhile, a horde of compatriots staked out territory among the US titles: Philip Tan, Carlo Pagulayan, Stephen Segovia, Mico Suayan, Edgar Tadeo, Lan Medina, Michael Jason Paz, Noah Salonga, Michael Huet, among many more. Iconic Whilce Portacio took up one icon (Spawn) and is set to take on two others next year (?Superman/Batman?).
12. Comics Everywhere
The world discovered that comic books are cool after all. No bat nipples or Hulk dogs in sight. After falling helmet over boots for Robert Downey Jr.?s brand of swagger, action and humor in Jon Favreu?s ?Iron Man? flick for Marvel Studios, audiences then went bat-ga-ga for brooding Christian Bale?s second swing (immensely juiced by an unforgettable Joker from the late Heath Ledger) in Christopher Nolan?s transcendent ?The Dark Knight.? The movie not only slew all box office opposition but also made a case for greatest comic book movie ever, a title that will be challenged by next year?s ?Watchmen? from director Zack Snyder. Can?t wait for the exciting next chapter in this story.
