The mere mention of academic books will have us thinking of schools, teachers, and our thesis papers. But anything academic can be fun with the right imagination and material. Take it from the 23rd Philippine Academic Book Fair where we found not only discounted school books, but also books fitting for our personal libraries. Take a peek at the books our eyes and brains feasted on:

Galing Cine Cafe by Nestor De Guzman (30php)

This slim yellow book holds true to the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover.” This lightweight read is richer in words more than how it physically looks. Galing Cine Cafe contains series of Tagalog poems that tell about the love, trials, and tribunals of same-sex love and desire. We think it’s worth noting how prose and poetry just hit differently when it is written in our language. 

Expect nothing less as the author himself earned his degree in English Studies at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and took graduate courses in the Filipino language after. Adding to his credentials is being a member of the Katorse Writers Group, a group of filmmakers and scriptwriters from the 14th Ricky Lee Scriptwriting Workshop. Galing Cine Cafe is his first book. 

Science Fiction: Filipino Fiction for Young Adults by Dean Francis Alfar (250php)

Science fiction is quite something in book form, appealing more to sci-fi bookworms specifically. Science Fiction: Filipino Fiction for Young Adults is a compilation of stories from young adults and known authors telling their perspective of today's issues through science-fiction narratives—a creative way to produce a story. 

Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths by Damiana L. Eugenio (800php)

The country itself has a large collection of myths and folk legends anyone can take creative inspiration from. Our myths are so diverse. Thankfully, with this book’s organized tales starting from the heavens (stories of the gods) down to myths of the earth (origins of flora and fauna in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao), you’re bound to understand and appreciate our rich local mythology in no time. 

A Crash Course in English Literature by Brian Borne (1,585php)

English Major or not, this book can act as both a primer and refresher for English Literature. A Crash Course in English Literature gives what you should know and what you could go further to in the novels of Jane Austen, George Orwell, and many more.

Wonders of the Sky by Tamara Andrews (1,063.50php) 

Does astronomy interest you? Or are you looking for a primer book to study once you took on the space engineering exams offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)? Wonders of the Sky introduces the celestial bodies both in the perspective of modern science the myth. 

The Mythology Book by DK (1,980php)

Greek Mythology tells some of the most impressive stories of gods, goddesses, demigods, and other creatures. But if you could only take as much, TheMythology Book narrates the greatest stories in Greek Mythology in engaging text and bold graphics that will leave you to understand mythology as it truly is.

The Wit & Wisdom of the Movies by Nick Holt (380php)

Want to have a compilation of screencaps from movies with their quotable quotes? This book has already done the job for you. Revisit scenes from your favorite films and their iconic lines, discover new quotes that will make you want to watch the film, or simply browse through it. The Wit & Wisdom of the Movies also makes a useful checklist for movies to watch if you’re stuck in a rut.

Next time, look around the academic book section. You'll never know, it might be a treasure trove of interesting pieces to add to your book collection.