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.

How long have I neglected this blog?

The real question should be, how long will I continue to neglect this blog? 

Not anymore. Ding ding ding ding ding! Right you are there, Lyka. 

In my defense, I was traveling the past month and have just stepped foot back home a week ago. But I'm not there anymore, so I should probably stop using that excuse.

Be proud, ladies and gents, I have finished 2 books within the past few days in merely 24 hours! And here comes the disappointment, I haven't written any reviews. (Yet?)

Seconds before writing this, I've been scrolling back on my blog and pressing the "older posts" option until I reached January 2016 and I have to admit that I have missed book blogging. It was fun to basically erupt all my fangirling and/or annoyance in coherent words. 

So why not continue? 

Don't worry, I will, especially with Bout of Books 16 coming around next week. Having nothing much to do this summer, let me try once again with committing. (I have a physical calendar now.)

Fair warning, there may be a change coming. A move to another blogging site? Maybe. 

A New Year. A Better Bibliophile.

2015 was the Year of Extreme Reading Slump. (You may have noticed.) 2016 and I deserve to be better.

Looking back (quite literally) at the beginning of 2015, I set myself a bunch of bookish resolutions:

1. Read 50 books. 25 of which are dystopian for the Dystopian Reading Challenge.
2. Write reviews for all the books. Read, reading, will read.
3. More bookish photos or artsy stuff in my posts. Put effort!
4. Do features because fun.
5. Go to a book signing. At least once.
6. Physical copies over ebooks. Think of the covers.
7. Write a review for a book-to-movie adaptation. *cough* Nicholas Sparks *cough*
8. Bookshelf tour? Yes, no. Maybe. Yes!
9. Share some personal stuff. 'Cause I ain't no flat character.
10. Popsugar's 2015 Reading Challenge. Why not?



Yeah. I met the amazing Kiera Cass.








11. The dreaded TBR Jar. Let's not forget about that.

Well...here's further proof of how much a slacker I was.

1. So I just finished book 24 and -- nothing.
2. My last review post was July 11, 2015 and there are a million unfinished reviews on my Notes.
3. Refer to previous statement.
4. I. Don't. Even. Remember.
5. Ha! This one I am very happy and proud to have accomplished. (I have failed, yet again, to write about it.)
6. My few 2015 reads: ebooks >>>>>>>>>>> physical copies 
7. Refer to number 4.
8. So I filmed it and -- nothing.
9. I just link you to my personal blog for this. 
10. Checked nearly a dozen. I think you know what happened next.
11. I didn't even have a TBR jar.

---

I have missed the books - their papery smell, and the feel of moving tangible pages. I have missed traveling to a whole new world and meeting new people. Even, the heart wrenching hangovers. Most of all, I missed fangirling - being able to connect so much with the world and characters that you feel like you should belong there.

So here I am, dusting off my reader wings, ready to fly this 2016.

1. Read 30 books. (Goodreads challenge.)
2. "Write reviews for all the books. Read, reading, will read."
3. Spend some on physical books. Please.
4. There's more to blogs than just reviews. So...features! Even if just twice a month.
5. Review a book adaptation. Shadowhunters TV, maybe??
6. Contrary to my 2nd resolution, enjoy at least 2 books as it they are. No reviewing requirement.
7. Contribute to Recaptains! (It's always been a dream.)
8. Bout of Books 16/17.
9. Participate and win in Camp Nanowrimo 2016.  

I nominate 2016 to be the Year of Extreme Anti-Slacking!

My First MIBF Experience + Haul

The Manila International Book Fair is big event held annually, especially for bibliophiles and the like. And last September 20, 2014, I was able to go.

It was held at the SMX Convention Center and given that it was my first time to be there as well, I wouldn't deny that I was surprised at how huge and jampacked the place is with all the booths and yes, I got a bit overwhelmed too.

My sister and I roamed the academic, religious, etc. booths first, saving the bests for last, of course: Fullybooked and National Book Store.

We spent who knows how long looking at bookshelves and pretty covers. And me gasping and eyes widening at all the titles that I just can't find at my usual bookstores.

When my sister said that she's paying for me, my arms went to work at once. Sometimes I forgot the budget limit (not a rich kid here) and I had to struggle juggling books while calculating prices.

I ended up with 5 paperbacks in total.

(stuck with home pictures. regretfully, did not have the proper equipment for post-worthy photos.)

My sister and I separated at some point. She's not as avid with reading as I was. We have to admit that the way bibliophiles go book shopping differs greatly with the not-so-bookish people.

We met up again with me, carrying 2 books to buy and a paperbag with 3 already bought, and her, still looking. (See?) We paid for mine only within a few minutes, which is unusually fast given the situation. So, I really commend Fullybooked and NBS for that.

Afterwards, we went hunting for Eleanor and Park, the one book my sister has for her "wishlist" that was recommended by a friend. We had to cross pretty much the entire span of the floor because Fullybooked decided to be directly across NBS (where we are), hugging books and saying "excuse me's" more times than I could count. (If I would earn P10 with every "excuse me", I'd buy myself some DQ Blizzard.)

By that time, my arms, legs, and even neck (I was small, I had to look up - and tip toe - a lot to peer through people and read banners) were burning and I was starving that I pretty much suggested to buy every book that my sister did a double take on. When we finally found the table stacked - and when I say stacked, I meant stacked - with Eleanor & Park, a bit of convincing had to happen between E&P and Fangirl.

We left MIBF soon after that and yes, I was a bit sad, but still, I was partially satisfied (you can never have enough books) and incredibly grateful. And tired.

The rest of September 20 was spent commuting lots, carrying books even more, and eating even more, even more sugar (which I am regretting right now *cough cough*).

It was one of the best birthday gifts I've ever been given. A huge thanks to my big sister for that! And next year, I'm hoping to go once again - with my SLR this time - and hopefully, meet some book bloggers.

To be back is like trying chocolate for the first time - again

It's been approximately 2 months and 17 days since I last graced this - my - book blog with my presence. Of course during that time, I grew not just physically but mentally and emotionally through the many events I experienced and obstacles I overcame. (A lot can happen in 78 days.)

Like most, I realized how much I wanted to be heard. And that yearning continues to nag at me endlessly.

How incredibly ironic that the reason I went MIA is because I cannot properly express myself. (If you know me, you also know how a lot of my life revolves around juxtaposition.)

I am a writer, though amateur. We live through words and sentences and forming imagery through them.

I can't fully describe what I'm going through. (See? Problems.)

It's not writer's block, or any artistic block for that matter. I just can't be the enthusiastic writing machine I once were. It's not that I don't enjoy writing (this entry is particularly uplifting to do) but it's just...

I can't seem to write the right words.

When I've got an idea in my head that begs to be released, I open MS in my computer or Werdsmith in my iTouch or get a random piece of paper and just write.

But it doesn't fit.

The emotion I'm hoping for isn't there. The prose sucks. It's straightforward and boring. It's absolutely shitty.

Maybe it's my state of mind that's the problem or my collapsing self-esteem. I just don't know. (Been hearing that way more times than I can count, lately.)

I create this (and my personal) blog to write, to express, to share. And so, I'm trying and I will continue to try to be the writer I once was: confident and passionate.

Yes, I am turning over a new leaf (in June, who cares?). I will write more, even if the sentences aren't coherent or the character's too perfect.

And so should you.

Within these past months of MIW (missing in writing), I also realized that the process of writing isn't magic. It's takes a great deal of effort, not just in moving your fingers to type but also in thinking.

You've got to think positive. Cliche but true. The only person who could bring you up and make you forward is you.

The determination has got to start from you. From the inside, the mindset.

Self critiquing is fine. But don't overdo it. (Like what I am now.) There are nearly perfect results but none that are perfect from the start.

Writers, write. It's what we do. Don't let yourself be your own road block to success.