As the Christmas rush set in early for me, starting with the annual Flips Flipping Pages Christmas party (I’ll tell you more about that soon!), I nearly forgot about the National Book Store Christmas Book Bazaar at Market! Market!, which I’m happy to see is becoming an annual event.
I had work lined up all day with a client in the area the other day, and I suddenly remembered I hadn’t been to the Book Bazaar yet, so I braved the rush hour after work and headed there. I apparently did not think it through — I didn’t have a lot of cash on me and I was loaded down with my “portable office” consisting of my work bag and laptop bag — hence I had to limit myself to the one basket (I swear!) that I could carry, but I think I still made out like a bandit with the lovely loot I scored.
If you haven’t been there yet, the NBS Book Bazaar is in the play area at one end of Market! Market!, close to where the Fort bus drops off passengers getting off at the mall.
Here are some, erm, ‘surveillance photos,’ as I’m pretty sure I’ll be back before the Book Bazaar ends on Sunday (11 December). I was only able to take a few, as I was trying to be as inconspicuous as possible — and let’s face it, I was just too distracted by the rows and rows of books! :D
Books are priced from P20 to P200, upwards of that are the coffeetable books. I like this year’s selection — a lot of titles to choose from in the P50-P200 range, and fairly new titles at that. There were 2010 releases – like Ken Follett’s Fall of Giants and Emma Donoghue’s Room going for P200; and popular YA titles by Cassandra Clare, Darren Shan, and Jonathan Stroud going for P75-P100.
My basket was overflowing in less than an hour and I was pushing it to the counter with my foot, as I had no strength left in my arms after my mad dash around the tent, hahaha!
Here’s what I ended up taking home:
I am inching towards completing my set in the signature album format,
as the text in the 3-in-1 compilations makes me squint (I have 16 of them now!)
a gift for my best friend Mika, who loves anything Spanish
this one’s for my sister, but I’ll probably end up reading it
and giving her a summary of points
squee — elaborate pop-up book!
I got this one for my cousin Dianne — I totally lucked out on this copy!
another book off my wishlist! squee!
doodle books, because I need the practice
got this for my Chinese tutee
I heart Emily Gravett!
for my trivia book collection, and future quiz nights
and finally, a brush sourcebook, because I’ve been puttering about Illustrator
Not bad for a little over P1,000!
I’m still completing my Christmas list, hehe, so that means I have an excuse to go back this weekend!
Good job! I had a difficult time explaining The Wall to the kids (Franco was amazed with the illustrations, though). When Paul saw the book, he gave me THE look. Like: Seriously? You’re reading this to the kids? Honestly, I bought it for my own consumption, but the cover can’t be helped –the kids just gravitated towards it! Mi-mo, what’s this?! What’s this?! Ayun.
I was so glad to have found it. I’ve wanted to read The Wall for the longest time!
I think on some level, the kids probably got something out of the book (and how you explained it to them), and later on they can pick it up again and get some new understanding out of it :)
Blooey, are there still copies of the Battle Royale?
Again, I’m envious! You are able to sniff good bargains… a certified book bloodhound =)
^_^ The book bloodhound strikes again!
Sana, it was just the one copy hidden in one of the lower shelves, and it was an amazing P50. If I find any other copy when (if?) I go back, I’ll get it for you
I visited the bazaar and went home with my loot, too! But, oh my, I did not see that copy of Battle Royale :(
I nearly missed it too, I spotted it on my way to the counter!
Went last night and scored a lot too! :) I’ll post it in my blog soon! ha ha
9 books for P800. Not bad!
I wanna go back but no time :(
Ruby I wanna see what you got! Tag me in your post!
went there thursday last week and last tuesday. 7 books for 475 and 10 books for 855, respectively. and i still want to go back on saturday :D
been waiting for your post about this yr’s nbs bazaar :D
Wow!!! That’s quite a haul!– what books did you get?
namili din ako dyn nun isang araw. sobrang mura tlaga… nagkaron din sila nitong mid year. madalas ata ang clearance sale sa market market ng national. so glad malapit lang ako… hehehe
ENVY!!! good thing i read your post, will be going there this weekend despite trrrrraffic. thank you.
Here’s hoping they have another book bazaar soon!
I totally missed MIBF this year – kailangang bumawi ha ha ^_^
I’m typing the blog post of my hauls (well, took a break). I think I went on a book hoarding spree this month. whoops.
Hear hear! I haven’t seen you in a while — don’t forget the FFP Best/Worst in January!
Ha! I now know what I will be receiving for Christmas. *happy jig*
I was hoping you wouldn’t see it! :P but there’s more. hee hee!