Going to the MIBF
So, this year, I was actually considering skipping the Manila International Book Fair. See, I have this periodical recovery program--by that, I mean recovery from buying books more than I read them. I've been down to purchasing two books a month and had recently gotten rid of 70 from my shelves. Oh, yeah, that was the other reason I was thinking of not going--lack of shelf space.
But, I'd already planned on getting Gary Shteyngart's Super Sad True Love Story and Cassie Clare's Clockwork Angel for this September, and since the books are on sale at the book fair, I figured I'd just get it from there. So on a Thursday afternoon, I went with my little brood to MIBF to get those books. And here they are, plus a hardcover of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, which I got for P100 (roughly $2.50).
Actually, I didn't get Clockwork Angel from the book fair, as the stall where it was sold had run out of them. I got it at full price still in another book store, which means for me, it didn't seem worth it to go to the fair.
Ah, but since I brought my two kids along, it was all worth it for them.:) I honestly couldn't browse much as my kids were running around and grabbing books, yelling, "Mama, I want this!" And because I was trying to teach them to shop on a budget, I taught my son to read the map, mark the stall, and write down which books he wanted, so that we could look at the list after we browsed, trim it down according to the budget, and go back to the requisite stalls. Alas, to no avail. My boy eventually said, "Mama, you write faster," and since we were all hungry already, I agreed. Mama did write faster, so Mama ended up doing all the writing. And all the buying.
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| My boy posing with a lumpy looking Clifford at the Scholastic booth |
Anyway, also came across a few friends while we were there, like Blooey of Bookmarked and Tarie of Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind and Into the Wardrobe. Plus a few other colleagues and former colleagues. And a co-parent from my son's former school. It's pretty cool to bump into a lot of people from the different parts of your life in a book fair. It either means a lot of people read or I surround myself with people who read. I was also supposed to catch the e-book launch of Carl Javier's The Kobayashi Maru of Love, Adam David's El Bimbo Variations, care of Vee Press, but we missed it since I was feeding my kids. Hee.
So, regardless of the missed book launch and the missing book, I'm glad I went back to the fair this year. I didn't pressure myself to get as many books as I can, only those couple I wanted, and I bought stuff mostly for my kids and the mini-library project. I saw old friends, and I was able to partake in the fantastic energy that is the Manila International Book Fair. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday afternoon.
Comments
As for the MIBF, it's my first time to go to the event. I was reluctant to go at first, thinking I might not get much out of it anyway, but since last Saturday was the girlfriend's birthday and she wanted to celebrate it at MOA, it was just as well we went to the book fair. I got Thomas Pynchon's V. (very rare, at 20% off), Martin Amis's Money (for only P50), and the lovely Margaret Atwood's The Tent (also for P50). I put off the Shteyngart until next month. :)
no budget and it's a bit far from marikina. I envy you coz you get to see the fair in person. i will try to attend the next one next year!
Oh, and thank you for the compliment to my son and your admiration. Actually, the mini-library's not my project alone, but I am terribly glad to be helping out.
@Ruperto - too bad. In that case, will look forward to seeing you next year at the book fair.:)
@Lightheaded - Yep, I use my shelves, too, or lack of shelf space, as an excuse not to buy books. Of course, it doesn't mean I don't want to buy them.:)
But what an awesome project you and the PTA are doing providing a library for the caregivers. That is such a great idea! I hope others see this post and think about doing the same thing.
Heather
Buried in Books
Every therapy center should have a little library. There is one at my son's preschool, but not at his therapy center. There is a stack of empty bookshelves and I have thought about asking the people in charge if I can leave some books there for others to read while waiting. If you decide to make this into a bigger thing, I'd be very interested in taking part of it.