An afternoon with Jenny Han

CEBU, Philippines - After Mitch Albom, Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs, and Veronica Rossi comes another New York Times bestselling author in the name of Jenny Han, who delighted her Filipino fans during a recent two-day book signing tour in the Philippines.

Jenny Han had a good crowd lined up at the National Bookstore inside SM City Cebu for the book signing of her latest young adult novel titled “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.”

According to the Korean-American writer, the story of “To All The Boys I Loved Before” came from her personal experiences and from the people she met everyday.

“It comes from anywhere – from my own experiences, living in New York, in the subway, I see people all the time that I am inspired by,” she said.

Han grew up with strict parents and describes herself as a goody-goody type of teenager who was very much involved in church and youth groups.

She also admits putting a lot of herself in the character of Lara Jean, the heroine of “To All The Boys I Loved Before.”

“A lot of me is in the character. I like to bake, I like pretty clothes. Shy and sweet. There’s a lot me there,” she shares.

Her first book titled “Shug” was published in 2006, written while she was in college. Her next books, which was a trilogy for young adults, were “The Summer I Turned Pretty” along with “It’s Not Summer Without You” and “We’ll Always Have Summer.”

She also has a series co-written by Siobhan Vivian titled “Burn For Burn” which was published in 2011; “Fire With Fire,” published in 2012, and “Ashes to Ashes” that will be available in the Philippines this September.

“One of the beauties of writing I think is that you’re able to view people, memories and emotions that you have, and create the most beautiful stories out of that,” Han said.

According to Han, the trilogy “The Summer I Turned Pretty” was optioned into a series, however she said that it would be difficult since it would still undergo a very long process.

However, if the series would be made possible, Han reveals her interest towards “The Perks of Being A wallflower” star, Logan Lerman, “Romeo and Juliet” actress Hailee Steinfeld and “X-Men: Days of Future Past” actor Evan Peters in playing the main roles.

She also says some important chapters in her book “Ashes to Ashes” will be more romantic and juicy, and will include a death of a beloved character.

Han is currently working on “PS. I Still Love You,” the sequel of “To All The Boys I Loved Before.”

Han, who also held a book signing at National Bookstore Glorietta last June 21, extends her deepest gratitude towards her Filipino fans for their undying support towards her books.

She shares her fascination towards the Philippines – her favorite drinks since she came here are mango juice and calamansi soda. “I had mango juice three times today and calamansi soda. I’m obsessed with it already,” she says.

She also left a message to all aspiring writers to write from the heart and as much as possible, with feelings.

“Develop your voice and find out what your point of view is. If you want to be a writer, write down your feelings. Just like Lara Jean,” she said.

Joanne Carmel Albiso, president of the On the Same Page Cebu (a book club consisting of readers within Cebu) was speechless and teary-eyed during the book signing event, saying it was overwhelming to finally meet Han.

She says that the best thing about Han’s book “To All The Boys I Loved Before” is that it speaks about teenage girl fantasy that is ideal but not impossible.

“To All The Boys I Love Before” is a story of a young girl named Lara Jean, a half-Korean high school girl whose life turns upside down when the letters she wrote to all the boys she’s had crushes on get sent out. It is available at National Bookstore branches nationwide. — Adabel Borinaga, USJ-R MassComm Intern. (FREEMAN)