Yael Yuzon likes unbearably heavy (and light) reading

Yael Yuzon, vocalist/guitarist/pianist/songwriter of the pop/rock band Sponge Cola, graduated from the Ateneo with a degree in English literature. He avoids using the word “awesome” because he’s not A) Barney, or B) one of the Ninja Turtles. He runs every day and has been featured in various health magazines. He loves basketball and argues with a lot of people all over the world about the most random aspects of the sport via Twitter (@yaelyraz). He is currently on the cover of Playboy Philippines with Gwen Garci and Gloc 9. Sponge Cola’s new album “Ultrablessed will be out in November 2013.

I bumped into Yael in on my way out of ABS-CBN and asked him to share his favorite books.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

“I got so emotional while reading this, but maybe because I was almost done and I had to read 12 other books in 12 days for this one class back in lit class in Ateneo. This book has helped a lot of people deal with a lot of things — you end up cherishing the weight, I guess.”

Candide by Voltaire

“Mocking blind optimism is still fashionable centuries later. This one’s a fun breeze. Also, Je m’appelle Claude (from a Friends episode).” 

Goosebumps: Beast From The East by R. L. Stine

“Seriously. I read this when I was in the fifth grade and was so happy to find a reissue recently. On some level, it shows the futility of human existence. It likewise shows the futility of monster existence. Great read, done in one hour, perfect for quick domestic flights. Count Hong Kong and Taiwan in as well.” 

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

“Let’s spike things up with some third world lit. Passion, fury, and how sins and mistakes are passed down from one generation to the other.”

Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster

“It’s a bit refreshing to read something in epistolary form. It’s a quaint little story of an orphan and her benefactor.” 

The Perks of
Being a Wallflower 
by Stephen Chbosky

“Coming-of-age novel that captured teen angst so well. I did not see that twist coming. I’d watch the movie after reading this, though. Warning: it gets really heavy.” 

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

“Considered by some as the father of science fiction, H.G. Wells was able to capture just how bleak our future is. Can’t really blame him.” 

The Lost World by Michael Crichton 

“The movie was so bad that you might want to give this book a chance. Always nice to read about man playing God and things going haywire years after things went haywire, it being a sequel and all.” 

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

“Don’t judge me! Appeals to the sap in all of us. And yes, I liked the movie as well. And the song.”

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare 

“My entire batch was required to read this freshman year. We had to act out scenes and memorize monologues for class so forgive me if I end this list with the poetic memory card. So many fond memories off of this one. You know what would be fun? Instead of reading alone, have five or seven friends bring their copies and create a tiny circle of chairs and have an actual reading! Who says reading has to be a solitary thing, right? At this point, you’ve been reading about too much modern lit, so I thought I’d remind you that you’re not alone in this world! Go make friends! Life isn’t as bad as most of these titles might suggest.”

* * *

The Reading Club recommends David and Goliath, the new book by Malcolm Gladwell. Available in National Bookstore and Powerbooks.

* * *

Send me your questions and suggestions at gr.rodis@gmail.com.