Book Launch: Saw Her Standing There by Patrick Formanes

              Last November, I was invited by Sarah from Icon International Events to a book launching of Saw Her Standing There by Patrick Formanes. The event took place at The Forum, Fully Booked in The Fort, Bonifacio Global City. During the event the author together with his wife, Eileen, talked about the book and he even read a chapter sampler. According to Patrick, the novel is inspired by his and his wife's life. He also dedicates the novel to his wife saying that it is a love letter to her.

Patrick reading a chapter of his novel with Eileen beside him. 

About the Author.

              Patrick Formanes is a Filipino-American and was born and raised in New York city to immigrant parents. He also has one brother. He graduated from New York University (NYU) with a degree in Journalism. Saw Her Standing There is his first published novel.

About the Book "Saw Her Standing There".

PLOT:

In New York City, there were these two people, Ryan and Lane. They met in high school, fell in love, and later married. Yes, to each other. From here, it would be easy to ask, “Does anyone die? Did they turn into wizards? Witches? Ghosts? Vampires? How about zombies? Or, are they monsters of unknown origins, their only aim to annihilate their neighboring monsters by gnashing them to delicious morsels with their ridiculously sharp incisors, leaving the planet to stew in the juices and horrific odors of rotten animal flesh, splintered bones, and exposed innards, then kill each other because: (1) they get hungry again and (2) they don’t like vegetables?” No. None of that stuff will be found in this novel. Through these pages, you will learn about Ryan and Lane, who are regular humans devoid of any superpowers, as well as their fellow Filipino-American friends, and how they maneuver through personal challenges while attending their Queens high school. Follow them as they play sports, kiss (and more), use the foulest language, excel academically (at least most of them), fight, go to parties, eat food, take public transportation, and, most importantly, learn about each other.

FACTS ABOUT THE BOOK:

Where did the title came from? 

* The title is inspired from The Beatles Song "I saw her standing there" and also a scene from the book. 

What lessons can we get from the novel? 

* Teens and their perspectives 

* The Importance of words, communication, and human interaction.

* Timeless friendship and family

What the author wanted to show with this novel?

* A young adult book that is real and genuine.

* A book that is fictional but based on reality thus making the flow naturally and fluid. 

What is/are the difference/s of this novel from other YA contemporary books?

* The ending is in the start. 

* The dialogues are real and genuine. 

* It covers the difficulty of a Filipino-American immigrant in the U.S. 

Where to purchase the book? 

https://www.amazon.com/Saw-Standing-There-Patrick-Formanes/dp/1496114949/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482905566&sr=1-1

http://www.fullybookedonline.com

It is also available in Fully Booked branches in Bonifacio High Street, Alabang Town Center, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center, Promenade Greenhills, Greenbelt 5, Century City Mall, and Eastwood City.