#minsanlangto - Books I got from the National Bookstore Sale, Powerbooks Sale and the MIBF2014

Just like that, my most favorite time of the year is over.  These are the books I got during the sale.

From Powerbooks:

1. The Secret Daily Teachings by Rhonda Byrne - Php 665 (from Php 739)

2.  Daring Greatly by Brene Brown - Php 490.50 (from Php 545)

3. The Sketchbook Challenge  by Sue Bleiweiss - Php 639.20 (from Php 799)

 

Powerbooks Sale 2014 shelfie

From National Bookstore's Sale:

1. How To Be An Explorer of the World by Keri Smith - Php 436 (from Php 545)

2. Just Paint It by Sam Piyasena etc. - Php 548 (from Php 685)

3. How to Paint Abstracts by Barron's - Php 197.50 (from Php 395)

4. The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman - Php 927.20 (from Php 1159)

National Bookstore Sale 2014 Shelfie

This year's Manila International Bookfair was the best!  There were so many books on art and design.  I spent more because my sister (the enabler, hehe) came too. 

 

From the Manila International Bookfair 2014

1. No Excuses Art Journaling by Gina Armfield - Php 1192.50 (from Php 1325)

2. Dorling Kindersley : Monet - Php 200

3. Dorling Kindersley : Impressionism - Php 200

4. Dorling Kindersley : Van Gogh - Php 200

5. Urban Sketching by Thomas Thorspecken - Php 719.20 (from Php 899)

6. Happy Handmade Home by A Beautiful Mess - Php 719.20 (from Php 899)

7 - 9. Watercolor Flower Books - Php 1650 (Php 550 each)

10. Sleepy Kittens - Php 288 (from Php 360)

MIBF 2014 Shelfie

I have not totaled my expenses yet.  Threw my common sense out the door once the sales started.  #minsanlangto anyway. :)

Books I Got From Malaysia

I prefer spending my savings on experiences than on things.  When we travel, I like putting our money into touring places than for shopping.  However, on this trip to Malaysia, I really couldn't stop myself.  :)  I went there armed with a book wishlist!  Besides,  I am totally convinced that getting these books doesn't equate to shopping.  These books are investments in my craft education. hehehehe! :)

 After spending hours in Kinokuniya (and after painfully discarding other books I wanted too), here's what I got :

Books from Kinokuniya, Times Bookstore and Popular Bookstore

These illustration books are the main reason why I went there. I first learned about these illustration books from Hobby Depot and then when my sister brought me home some from Eslite (a Taiwanese Bookstore chain in HongKong), I was hooked.  The problem was,   I don't even know what language they are in (either Japanese or Chinese).  I couldn't even find them on the internet.  

Chinese/Japanese Illustration Books

Once you open them, it won't really matter if you can't understand a word in the book.  The illustrations will get you hooked too.  I also found other illustration books on using watercolor and ballpoint ink.

Watercolor Illustration books

  

Ballpoint Ink Illustration books

And some on fashion illustration.  By the way, I used the ISBN number of one of the books I already had so that I could find others to add to my wishlist (my sister's tip).  One of the websites I go to is Kingstone.com.tw.  It's not in English, so good luck! :)

Fashion Illustration Books

 I also got books based on my current interests:  art journaling, lettering, stamping and doodling.

Other books

By the way, it is not my intention to brag about what I bought.   I posted these hoping to inspire you to find something from the crafts section that might interest you.  I'll share more about these japanese/chinese illustration books in my future posts.

If you want to know which bookstores I got these from, go here.

Malaysia Bookstores

     If you ever make your way to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (and you should!), here are some of the bookstores you should check out during your trip.

      Popular Bookstore is part of the largest bookstore chain in Malaysia.  The Avenue K branch we went to was not a megabranch, so I was not that impressed with their book selections.  However, they had the most helpful sales assistants. 

Popular Bookstore - Avenue K Mall

     

      Times Bookstore in Pavilion Mall was quite big.   They had a good selection of books.  Most of the books on display were recently published.  The sales people were not as excited to hunt for books on my wishlist though.  Boo!!!

Times Bookstore - Pavilion Mall

Crafts and Graphic Design Section

     And finally, one of the best parts of the trip!!  Books Kinokuniya in Suria Mall!!!!   Grabe!!  I've died and gone to bookstore heaven!  Books Kinokuniya is a bookstore chain that originated from Japan.  They carry a HUGE selection of books.  One day is not enough to browse through my favorite aisles (Graphic Design, Arts and Crafts). 

Crafts and Graphic Design Section

     Hehe,  one of the reasons why I picked Malaysia is because of Kinokuniya.  I went there because my goal was really to buy japanese and chinese illustration books (the best!).  You can't find those here in the Philippines. 

Japanese and Chinese Craft Books

Enjoy, Hehe!

     

     By the way, did you know that there is a Borders Bookstore in Berjaya Times Square?   We loved Kinokuniya so much we ran out of time to visit Borders.  It has always been my dream to work as a sales lady at Borders so I was really sad when they closed.  If you have been there, share your photos, please! :)

        In my next post, I'll share with you the books I got from my trip.   :)

The Constant Reader in Malaysia

Ask most people what's on their travel bucket list and they'll give you the usual: France, Italy, Spain, etc ... chances are, you won't find Malaysia on that list.  It was not on mine but that is where we decided to go.  Why Malaysia? Because it was our first time to do international travel with our 2 year old toddler.  I needed a place that we could explore at a least intensive pace (just in case we find time in between feeding and changing diapers, hehe).   In other words, I picked Malaysia because I thought that other than the Petronas Twin Towers, there would be nothing much to see or do.

with my Berlitz Kuala Lumpur Pocket Guide

But I was wrong!      True, other countries are more drool-worthy or facebook-envy inspiring, but if there's anything I learned from this trip, it is that each country is special and unique.   There's more to Malaysia than just the twin towers.  I hope you go there and find out for yourself.  

more beautiful at night

The Madness That Was The National Bookstore Warehouse Sale 2014

     Imagine my excitement when I found out that National Bookstore will hold its warehouse sale in the South, at Alabang Town Center.  80% off on books!!!!  There was no book over PHP 75!!  The only catch is you need to fight squeeze your way in between other excited crazy bookworms.

     It was crowded.  It was messy.   It was smelly.  It was every man for himself.  And I loved every bit of it.  Para akong nasa Booksale except the books were brand new, some having been published 2013!
      If I didn't have a kindle, I would have bought a lot of bestselling fiction books at Php 25.  Think James Patterson, Jodi Picoult, Jeffrey Archer and many more.    I'm sure you would be able to find a book you like in most genres: children's (Knufflebunny! Mo Willems! ), travel (the Lonely Planet! DK travel guides!), cooking (Martha Stewart!).  Really, the challenge would be to find new space for all the books you intend to buy. 

Here's what I got

A. LIFE: THE CLASSIC COLLECTION - WONDERS OF THE WORLD - PHP 75!!!
B. DAILY INSPIRATION BY ROBIN SHARMA - PHP 50!!!
C. THE NEW PAPER QUILLING - PHP 37.50!!!
D. THE LAW OF THE NINES BY TERRY GOODKIND - PHP 15!!!!

See you at the next warehouse sale!

Hand-Lettering Ledger - Mary Kate McDevitt

Happiness is finding a book on your Amazon wishlist here in Manila!  Yey!

Available at National Bookstore and Powerbooks, Php 895. 

#iwanttobealetterer

Fully Booked Sale 2014 - My Book Loot

                             

     When Fully Booked announced they're having a sale, nothing could stop me from going to their Fort and Rockwell branches.  Not even a kulit and malikot toddler, hehe!

      Here's what I got from the sale.

 

1. Playing With Sketches (Php 1199.20) - a very cool book about illustration.
2. Brilliant New Typography (Php 1086) - Letters, of course!!!
3. Pat the Pony (Php 75) - Yes, it was discounted to Php 75!!  My sisters and I loved the Pat the Bunny series when we were young.

I love booksales!

  

The Constant Reader in Baguio

Sharing with you some photos from our family trip to Baguio last December.

Leisure + Adventure Travel Magazine Vol. 1 - 2013

 

See you again in 2016 when the TPLEX is finally completed or when Luis is less fussy on road trips, whichever comes first!