MIBF Bound Buys: How I Fell in Love with Fullybooked

So I spent the past few weeks dying and crying because I wouldn't be able to go to the 37th Manila International Bookstore. And then at the morning of the very last day itself, 18th of September, my brother was willing to drive my sister and I to SMX (mostly because his gym was in MoA too but okay you get the point).

Thankfully, Report Card Day was also that weekend and I had pretty decent grades (and it's also my birth month) so my mother had provided me with P 2,000 worth of funds. No matter the traffic that day, I was a happy child.

We got to the SMX Convention Center later than expected because nothing beats the Manila gridlock and my sister and I ended up rounding the giant building just to get to the end of the entrance line, as in we were in the delivery trucks/loading/unloading area. By then, my sister had been blabbering on about having a time limit at around 6pm (it was already 5pm) which got me really anxious if we're ever going to get inside and finish everything in time. Surprisingly enough, as one of the longest lines I've ever been too (queuing for the Victoria Aveyard signing was pure torture), this wasn't stagnant and we'd move forward every few seconds. Eventually, after passing by cosplayers and satisfied book shoppers, we got to the entrance. Feeling that cold air conditioning was like being brought back to life.

If the world's prettiest cities have a million different bookstores, my country has 2 main companies that dominate the book selling field. (By dominating, I meant all malls either has one or both bookstore branches.) That is, in fact, Fullybooked and National Bookstore.

One of my friends had said that this MIBF, Fullybooked was having 20% off. Of course, at the time, I was further disheartened because I thought there was no chance I'd go and even at the actual event, I had thought the sale was for selected books only.

OR SO I THOUGHT.

I got 3 books in total from Fullybooked - one of which is probably the thickest book I own so far. (Ignoring my Grade 10 Trig book.)

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Yes, this is the thickest book I got. While I'm not as invested in the modern day Shadowhunters as I was with their Victorian ancestors, MIBF was probably the only opportunity I had to buy the P 575 book. I might as well take it. I'm putting my trust in you, Cassandra Clare.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

The only works I know of Leigh Bardugo are her Shadow & Bone series and after an accidental spoiling mishap, I was no longer in line to read those. Given that we went at the last day and around 3 hours before closing, it was a surprise that the shelf where I found Six of Crows was half empty (compared to all the shelves beside it that were completely negative space). Honestly, I just grabbed it for its thickness but my fellow book blogger Julienne constantly assures me that it was worth it. 

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

I am a sucker for (well-written and properly portrayed) good vs. evil stories - *ehem* superhero nerd here *ehem* - and I have been "looking" for this book for "years". I admit the cover undoubtedly reiterates its middle grade genre but the Ever After High-vibe was too much to ignore. I guess we'll see how I'll feel about it post-reading.

This haul is dubbed as a love story for a reason because for 3 thick ass expensive books plus my sister's Paulo Coehlo, I paid only P 1,294.40. One thousand, two hundred, ninety-four for 4 books. Yes, I'm still crying tears of joy right now. I was able to save P 323.60 from the original prices. When the cashier told me there's 20% off for all purchases, I couldn't help but crack a smile. 

But wait, that's not the end of this story.

Of course, my sister and I had to survive through masses of people and visit National Bookstore, where you should really not expect me to leave empty handed. 

Honestly though, the books they have I've already read most and are disinterested in some. So I spent what felt like hours scouring for anything I actually want to get my hands on. Result: that dizzying feeling when you cross your eyes for a long time - my already blind eyeballs couldn't focus on anything, literally. (Then my sister had asked me to search for this series she wanted. It's a miracle I was still standing.)

Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes

 NBS didn't have much thick books to get for a worthy discount so I just chose Anatomy of a Misfit (after some debate between Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock), my only hardbound in this haul. One of my trusted book bloggers, Hazel (Philippines represent!) has a pretty good opinion about it, so why not? Right? After having read the blurb after purchasing (it was encased in plastic when I bought the book), I'm actually having doubts as it sounds like the recent book I completely frowned upon. I'm praying real hard that it won't disappoint.

Design-wise, it definitely didn't. I cannot deny that the main reason I decided to pick it up was the color scheme and the simplicity of it the cover. Fell in love with the aesthetic. Hope I'll fall in love with the story and its characters too.

Original price was P 600 and was reduced to P 519 at the cashier. NBS didn't have a bigger sale than Fullybooked (nor a wider variety of titles), hence the name of this post, but I'd take anything, really. It'll be another blue moon before I can buy anything book related.

As of now, these are what makes up most of my TBR pile and is hopefully the solution to my endless reading slump.

I had so much fun book shopping at the MIBF and I wish I'd gotten more pictures and videos or at least saved a few more of my snaps. I guess that just means I have to come back and redeem my photo/film self next year. ;)  And of course, graciously spend my money on printed words.

Bound Buys: January 2014

What's the best way to start a year? Books books books.

It honestly surprised me to add 7 more books to my overflowing shelf in a matter of 31 days. 

Graveminder - Melissa Marr

The Pemberley Chronicles - Rebecca Ann Collins 

Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blake

Bad Girls Don't Die - Kate Alender 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

My Little Phony - Lissi Harrison

Blue Heaven - C.J. Box 

Graveminder and Perks, I got from my bestfriend, Dylan, who also gave me Unravel Me. She's like my book-provider, so a great many thanks. (I bought Perks, though.) 

Throughout the month, I got two bargain books - Blue Heaven and The Pemberley Chronicles - which really saved my wallet from dying. They were really cheap, about 4 USD and below. 

Despite saving some cash from that, I still ended up nearly penniless because of Anna Dressed in Blood and Bad Girls Don't Die. Even though it hurts, I'm not regretting my buys - slightly. I'm really getting into the paranormal with these two.

Another genuine thanks to my little gradeschool busmate who generously gave me her copy of My Little Phony for some reason.

I spent a lot this January. How about you?

Bound Buys: [September 2013] Universal Bazaar

My way of saying 'book haul' without feeling extremely poor.

Whenever book sale is mentioned, it is nearly impossible to find me not present - especially when it takes place at my very own school.

The yearly Universal Bazaar was held last September 7th. It's a event - usually alongside the Report Card Day - where the high school body's fair committees sell stuff. And by stuff I mean, red velvet cupcakes, shirts, froyos, and of course, books. What makes the impulsive book buying even better is the price range of only $ 0.46 to 1.86!

These are definitely owned and used but I don't really care as long as they're [readable] BOOKS. Don't you? Plus, it adds a vintage-y effect.

Fire by Kristin Cashore - When I bought this, I was swimming in the depths of contemporary YA. Due to Clockwork Angel being my latest buy at the time [therefore the last read of my August buys], I thought Fire will be a great continuation to the fantasy section of YA that I'll be entering. *cross fingers* It did come to my knowledge that this is the second book of the Graceling Realm series. I guess I'm lucky enough that this isn't an extension to the first book, Graceling. Honestly, I cannot wait to start this - mostly because of my curiosity of Cashore's praised world building. We'll see. 

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins - I don't exactly judge covers. I just simply use them as advertisements on buying books. Seeing this novel on my bookshelf now, doubt can't help but sting me every time for this, did not really appeal to me, mainly because of the cover, and the common and rather familiar story line according to the lax synopsis. [Or maybe because I just don't dig modern day witches...dunno really...] I'm hoping that reading Hex Hall will pulverize all my uncertainty and possibly even change my life. 

Two books at a sale? Doesn't seem like Lyka, I know. As much as I want to buy another copy of Lowry's Number the Stars and discover more Young Adult, the unbearable heat was killing me. Not kidding. So unless I want to feel sweatier, tanner, and completely unenthusiastic before my gymnastics training, I had to bid a painful goodbye. 

But wait. The haul doesn't end there. 

You see, the Game Booth committee had this idea of unexpected reading. They covered novels with paper and wrote words that best describe them, which, I admit, is very creative so of course, there's no way I'm missing it.

My arm literally dived through the box of mysterious books, searching for those certain words that will spark my book buying impetuousness. It surprised me to find a lot really. There were daddy issues and lost. There's even math (!) which I immediately let go off - reminds me too much of my report card. Regardless of all the other books that managed to capture my attention with adjectives, I ended up with mostly ghostly. 

Ever since my encounter with Mara Dyer and Noah Shaw, I can't shake off this urge to scavenge a book that will really scare me off my wits. I haven't unwrapped this one yet and when I finally do, I pray that this is will quench my thirst for the paranormal.

The Universal Bazaar was a satisfying experience, being able to buy books even though they aren't the handful that I expected. My only regret that day, is not buying a cupcake. 

How about you? Bought anything for this bipolar September? 

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P.S. By bipolar, I mean the unpredictable weather. It was scorching hot when I bought these books and now as I write, the wind is bending trees.

Bound Buys: August 2013

My way of saying 'book haul' without feeling extremely poor.

Before we begin, let us give a round of applause for Lyka's first ever YA book haul - Candy Apple books were my craze in the yesteryears plus full length novels aren't cheap! *clap clap*

So, August is the Buwan/Linggo ng Wika (translation: Month/Week of [the Philippine] Language) for us and that means not only a feast, but also a greatly anticipated book fair held at our school. Being a highschool student given with a hundred and fifty ($ 3.37) everyday, let's just say my wallet's in its deathbed.

A great million thanks to National Bookstore and Powerbooks for hosting our recent book fair and also to Chapters & Pages for my favorite cheap buys.

In a matter of two days, I was able to get my hands on 3 contemporary novels and a paranormal-fantasy-romance that I've been calling me for so long (Will Herondale, anyone?).

Paper Towns by John Green - The gracious 'Award for Finally Giving in to John Green's Work(s) and Best Friend's Judgement' is given to Lyka of nowhere land!' *clap clap* Yes, this is indeed my very first John Green book. Honestly, I was not into anything by the great NY times bestseller, ignoring my bestie's protests, probably because of the many mixed reviews I've read. Still, the mystery of Margo Roth Spiegelman fascinated me (more than The Fault in Our Stars, I'm sorry) and after heaps of doubts and second thoughts, I eventually spent $ 8.95 for this. (This was bought with PHP, just converted.) 

Where She Went by Gayle Forman - It was Day Two of my bankruptcy. I've already spent a hundred plus earlier that day, and then as we - my other bestie and I - were browsing through the Powerbooks side of the fair, I laid my eyes on the final copy of the one and only sequel to If I Stay. The events afterwards included: having to sit down on a chair due to heart palpitations and shortness of breath, clutching the novel in my hands while desperately adding all the cash I have left, and running to the cashier to finally own this book. 

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - I discovered this from Judith of Paperiot and not being a big fan of YA contemporary, I didn't give it much thought. That is, until I held it in my hands and was awed by the beauty and rarity (of plot) that Judith had emphasized. Plus, that cover!

Fact 1: My bestie - the John Green one - read the first part of the title and thought I was being an accountant. 

Fact 2: I was never able to fully say the title before I wrote this post. 

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - Due to Katytastic's TMI review stating The Infernal Devices to be better, I was introduced to and fascinated by all the Shadowhunting before the Shadowhunting. I was not exactly attracted to the sequel series (sorry, Jame, I've got to admit) so to discover a section of the vast Mortal Instruments' history, I just had to get it. 

This 4 books that I can't wait to start reading are all bought in school while the Ballet Stories is from Chapters & Pages, a thrift 'store' selling very cheap and awesome books. Being an aspiring soloist in the art of ballet, I immediately took it the moment my eyes discovered all the inspiring experiences compiled in one. 

Overall, for the rainy August of 2013, I bought 9 books: 1 non fiction, 2 paranormal romances, 2 historical fiction, and 4 contemporaries. (For Bound Buys, I only showed my recent buys. The rest are those read during the Bout-of-Books.)

A lot to read, I know, but it's always worth my time and money.

How about you? What's your haul for August? What books are you planning to read for September?

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