Over 500 book lovers flocked to the SM Book Nook in SM Aura on January 31 for a vibrant celebration of Filipino literature and creativity at the SM Book Nook Reading Festival.
The event offered a diverse program—from author meet-and-greets to engaging workshops and performances, catering to book lovers of all ages.
The festival showcased both established and emerging literary talents. National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario (Rio Alma), Dean Tony Laviña, Hans Pieter Arao, and Jayson Fajardo were among the esteemed authors who connected with attendees, signed books, and shared insights into their work. Independent authors like Therese Villarante-Langit also engaged with readers, highlighting the breadth of Filipino literary voices.
SM Book Nook also launched the innovative “Pass the Plot” board, an interactive activity that allowed participants to collaboratively create a story, fostering a sense of shared creativity.
Publishers and authors also donated books to the SM Book Nook—a symbolic gesture that underscored the collective mission of promoting a culture of reading and knowledge-sharing.
Festival attendees enjoyed quiz games, historical fiction readings, book club discussions, and dynamic spoken word poetry performances by teens and young adults.
A session on zines with BBZ offered a look into independent publishing, while a session on copyright law provided valuable information for aspiring writers.
Publishers like Bookshelf PH, Grana Books, and Aklat Alamid showcased their latest offerings.
