29th Manila International Book Fair

Some catchy titles.  Which one did you like best?

I wrote here how I thoroughly enjoyed the international book fair last year.  If I happened to be not miles away, I’d surely be spending at least a day in this fair.  This is widely attended by all sorts.  I remember there were those who even went down from North to the Trade Center just to check the exhibit.  At the entrance, they said that it’s always during the book fair that they make good finds and find what they really want.

Although some regular attendees claimed that the international book fair is not consistently outstanding (it depends on the exhibitors), I’d say it’s generally an overwhelming experience for the book lovers.  Like in my case, it was my first time to attend then.  It’s my fault that I didn’t  make a list of what I really want.  I went there on a whatever-I-want-depends-on-the-budget basis.  Or should I say, I intentionally didn’t bring much cash and left my credit cards?  It’s taking precaution, or else, I would be buying much, really much.

20% off on HP series

Expect a big slash in prices.  And I’m seriously expecting that they will offer a big deal for the Twilight series in this year’s fair, like what they did for Harry Potter in 2007.  Since copies of New Moon and Eclipse are relatively out of stock in the Philippines, I am sure a lot of Twilighters are putting big hopes to find it there.

I wanted to buy so many, my eyes so wide awake hopping from one booth to another.  I suggest you go to Fully Booked and your other targets/stations straight.  There are just too many choices.  It’s better to set your priorities.  At the end of the day, I ended up buying The Secret (which was slashed by almost 50%), this precious book Credit Suisse Guide (PhP50, beat that!), and a Hepburn biography (PhP10, how can I forget?).  Those were my rare finds.  I felt triumphant to find the Credit Suisse Guide, I could hardly believe.  I actually thought that was for PhP500 and still I was willing to take it.  It was really PhP50.  How did I find it?  I totally forgot from which booth, it was like I digged from the unknown.

In this year’s international book fair, there will be 300 exhibitors from all over the Philippines and the world.  With the theme Words Without Borders, it will celebrate the power of literature to cross the boundaries of time, place, and culture. MIBF showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature, textbooks, educational supplements, general references, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hard-to-find titles, magazines, audio and e-books, multimedia, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.

Book fair will run from September 12 to 16, 2008 in SMX Convention Center.   Visit www.manilabookfair.com for more details.