Over the weekend, I spent some time at the 34th Manila International Book Fair with my friend Rem. Last year’s MIBF was so cool I made sure I caught it again this year regardless of the headache-inducing crowd. Somehow, my inner geek was very pleased with the fact that packs of people show up all for the love of books.
After I picked up the titles I wanted, I actually stopped to go people watching. It was tricky but I had fun looking at fellow book lovers browse the shelves, make their choices, and say a few things about books or authors they like or otherwise. When I go around, I discreetly checkout what others were holding and try to get an idea who this person was based on the books he or she enjoys.
Prior to visiting the book fair, I listed some titles I hoped to buy but I must admit I did not succeed in rounding up my list, in fact I only found a few but I’m happy with what I got: a couple of classics, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson; two fresh releases, The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman and The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman; and something a blog friend recommended a long time ago, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
It has been a week but I have yet to begin reading any of my new books because I’m still finishing The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami (my second of his, the first being Kafka on the Shore). Actually, I have finished reading a fantastic book last month, The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach, but my book review’s not done, some lazy ass am I.
How about you, if you’re from around here, did you visit the Manila International Book Fair too? If not, what is your current read and how is your book pile looking of late?
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Photo taken from here.
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Was this the one held at MOA? Coz I was supposed to be there but canceled at the last minute. Loser self.
yes, it was fun. lots of books, lots of people.
I feel bad I wasn’t able to check out MIBF this year. I was working overtime that weekend 😦 At dahil doon, I am this inch close in hoarding for books! Ahaha.
I like your books to read list. I heard Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a good read. Have you tried reading Murakami’s 1Q84? (I hope I remember the title right) I’ve read Kafka on the Shore and I felt a bit sad with the ending.
I’m currently reading The Da Vinci Code as a delayed birthday gift to myself. (yep, I am that way too late for this book) and I can’t put the book down, seriously! I also read, a quick speed read of Gayle Forman’s Just One Day. It’s a YA book and it definitely broke my heart. I guess I could somehow relate to the plot or something during the time I read it. I’m also planning to read The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones next.
Hope to catch up with you soon. I discovered this cute Korean Cafe in SMX, Caffe Bene. It kinda looks cute. Maybe we can go there for coffee or something. Okay with you? 🙂
i have a good pile of books to read myself but it doesn’t stop me from buying more. my pocket hurts. 😆 i’m looking forward to starting the ocean at the end of the lane. it sounds good. thank you for your book recommendations. i’ll check them out. i read where she went, book 2 of just one day, is it? i haven’t read the first though. yes, i’ve seen that cafe, sure, why not?
It’s hard to stop buying books, I can totally relate. That’s why I thank heavens for Booksale. I want to check out Bookay-Ukay in Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, they sell like pre-owned books for like at least half the price. The book two of Just One Day is Just One Year, my former college professor mentioned to me that book two is based on the guys side of story. Something like that.
Tell me when you’re free so we can schedule our coffee date?
i have yet to find a book sale that satisfies me but if i can get good books half the price that would be great. oh i’m thinking of if i stay! okay i’ll sms you, thanks.
Okay! Yay 🙂 I haven’t read Foreman’s If I Stay. Is that a YA book also?
Btw, I’m celebrating my blogs seventh birthday! And I’m tagging you in this blog meme. Hope you’ll find it interesting enough to answer it. Hit me when you do, ha! Here’s the link: http://bleachingthoughts.blogspot.com/2013/09/give-me-five.html
Cheers 🙂
happy blog birthday, miko 🙂 thank you for tagging me. i will do it.
Next year, sasama nako 🙂
oo absent ka ngayon.
hhehehe
Didn’t go this year because I didn’t have anything to buy really. D:
i think you are liking ebooks more, lady. but that’s perfectly okay. there were tons of people, i had a headache but i endured it for the love of books.
Ha, yes I lean towards ebooks now because helps save money for fewd, makeup, and shiny thangs!
nice. i haven’t warmed up completely to ebooks. i digest shit better with books.
I didn’t go to this year’s book fair. I was so tempted and was actually supposed to go a couple of times only to stop at the last minute. The pile of unread books I have is just ridiculous! I just couldn’t add more to them with a clear conscience.
If I went, I surely wouldn’t be content on just browsing the shelves. With the low EQ that I have, I would’ve bought dozens more to add to my pile!
i think you made a good decision. good luck on reading your pile. i have several waiting for me too and hopefully i get to read them soon.
yap i lost momentum in reading again. i have a small pile (5-6) books at the foot of the bed that’s collecting dust. although over the summer i read a fair share while vacationing in mexico. the owner of the condo that we stayed in has a good library of books so i read a lot while listening to the sound of the sea.
that’s a lovely scene you painted for me there, thanks. i don’t read as much this year as the last so i guess a change in momentum’s normal but i’m quite excited to get started with the new ones i got.