The Bedroom Bar is a blog about books, bops and booze. This space is run and curated by a corporate creative / magazine journalist from Manila, Philippines.
Interview with Herself
I asked myself some questions so you'd know what to expect!
What genres or themes do you read? I read more contemporary work than classic. I get a good mix of realistic and historical fiction; maybe a little bit of sci-fi and (low) fantasy. I feel a greater pull toward stories that are character-driven, where much of the narrative happens inside the head. I can do without a fully-fleshed out plot. My top themes are self-exploration, society and philosophy, and I especially enjoy the Asian POV on these themes.
My non-fiction choices are often connected to my hobbies or about whatever passing curiosity I have. I read non-fiction to understand concepts and people, or to cultivate my creative skills. I could probably read almost any non-fiction as long as it’s not about business, leadership or motivational self-help. (I just can’t with those, sorry).
Any favorite books or authors? Book-wise: Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. ‘Favorite’ is not a word I normally use for any piece of pop culture since my consumption habits are mood-driven. However, these are titles that I continue to like after multiple re-reads, and I don't usually re-read.
Authors-wise, I’m drawn to the work of Haruki Murakami and Neil Gaiman. (I’m pretty basic.) I don’t actively seek out magical realism, but when I’m reading their books—even if they’re hardly favorite status—I'm really into it. By nature of the genre, their stories and characters remain relatable (unironically) despite fantastical plots, but I also like how this grounding extends to their writing techniques. Anyone who can understand the language can read and appreciate their books.
These merit a mention: I had a Kurt Vonnegut phase, but I haven’t read him in a while. Yoko Ogawa, Han Kang and Bae Suah are budding obsessions.
How about music? My listening habits are all over the place. Spotify said that I listened to 500+ genres in 2020 (probably just variations of each other). That said, I don’t listen to everything. My main genres are pop, rock and hip-hop, and I’m on an exploratory phase with jazz. Across genres, I tend to tune into high-energy tracks.
What is your drink of choice? I’d have a bottle or two of dark beer on a weekly basis. Every now and then I’d crave flavored soju, but I also like a good glass of chūhai.
How well do you handle your liquor? I can count in one hand the times I got shitfaced from drinking. My tolerance for alcohol is pretty high, but I’m also a self-aware drinker. I only go for a buzz and start winding down thereafter.
Anything else you’d like to say? Drop a line for book, liquor and music recommendations! ◾
