#MIBF2016

[nonsuperficial]

#MIBF2016 Last year's book fair experience includes this little man glady assisting me in #OMF's booth. 😙 {#adibaby}

[bentchbites]

Scandalized by Tara Frejas. • I know I just posted my daily bookstagram but I can’t help but post another one featuring this amazing book! I read it last year and it’s one of those that resonated with me, what with all that anti-bullying message and KPop romance. 😘 It’s got a new cover and I CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on it! • 📀 #fearyournovelApril: Books + Beverage The juice drink on the side is from @locally_ph and is my current favorite drink! 📀 #BookstagramreadsApril: #FlatlayFriday 📀 #AprilBookishMadness :Favorite quote: “You Are Golden” Tara wrote this in the dedication on my print copy at #MIBF2016. I didnt get why until i read it. You have to read the book now too! . . . . . #bookstagram #bibliophile #booknerdPH #bookworm #instabooks #bookish #scandalized #kpop #repackaged #coverlove #printbook #NAromance #pinoy #selfpublishing #indiepublishing #romanceclass #readlocalPH #diversebooks #diversereads #kindlebooks

[bentchcreates]

Only A Kiss by Ines Bautista-Yao

It’s light and fun and I’m so happy I started reading YA again with this book. I’ve had it since MIBF last September but it kept getting pushed around in the TBR pile because I was under the illusion that I wouldn’t enjoy YA with all the NA and smut I’ve been devouring the past few months. But hoho, I enjoyed this so much!

Katie and Chris’ easy friendship was awesome to witness from their younger years up to the point where they realize they wanted to be more than friends to each other. I loved the authenticity of Katie’s innocence regarding love and marriage, as well as Chris’ juvenile revelation that things aren’t always what they seem. With all the adult books I’ve immersed myself into, I kind of forgot how all these figured to kids and teens and I’m happy this book reminded me of that time when you can really focus on just emotions and love and not be bothered by the politics of it all.  

Because the story is set on several times in the protagonists lives, the jump from one time period to another is a little woozy (there are long recaps of what happened in between) but Ines makes it work. I still want the story to be longer, though, and I want more conflict. But I must commend the shifting POV’s as it really made the expression of the characters’ feelings better.

I guess what I really love about this is that Katie and Chris didn’t force themselves to feel the way they do. Or even forced themselves not to feel things. They just let it be, and the best friends to lovers trope in this one is so pure I literally squirmed in bed when I was reading my favorite parts (The eponymous kiss, Katie and Chris’ banter, the prom, the weddings!). And I loved that Ines wrote it in a way that makes you really root for both of them to be happy in each other’s arms. I don’t know how she did it but I shipped Katie and Chris so hard!  

4 of 5 Stars. An easy read and it left me smiling for the rest of the day when I finished it. Heck, I’m still smiling at the cuteness of Katie x Chris days after I finished! :)

Blurb:

When she was nine-years-old, Katie knew she wanted Chris to give her her first kiss. It wasn’t because she was in love with him (no way, he was her best friend! Besides, she was in love with his fourteen-year-old big brother), it was because she could make him do anything she wanted. 

Besides, it didn't really mean anything. It was only a kiss after all. 

But then things started to change. They grew up. They parted ways and went to different high schools. And other girls and boys—well, just one particular boy—came into the picture, throwing their lives upside down. 

Told from the alternating points of view of Katie and Chris, this love story between two best friends will tug at your heartstrings and leave you thinking how the simplest things can mean so much.

Buy Links:

Amazon E-Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PI7SDW2/

Print Book:

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/only-a-kiss-ines-bautista-yao/1126822412

*I got my copy from the author at MIBF2016 but I saw copies available on Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street (PH)

About the Author:

Ines Bautista-Yao is the author of young adult and contemporary, sweet romance books and short stories. Her first book, One Crazy Summer, was published in the Philippines by Summit Books in 2011. 

She is the former editor-in-chief of Candy and K-Zone magazines and a former high school and college English and Literature teacher. She is also a wife and mom and blogs about the many challenges and joys of motherhood at theeverydayprojectblog.com. She also posts story spirals on her author blog: http://theeverydayprojectblog.com/inesbautistayao-author/

You can find her on Instagram and Twitter: @inesbyao, through email: writeme@inesbyao.com, her website: inesbautistayao.com, or Facebook: www.facebook.com/inesbautistayao

[dappersheep]

This is over two weeks due because I was severely hit by a viral infection the day after. But anyhow! A photo of my hauls from Best of Anime 2016 and the Manila International Book Fair 2016 (top) and pictures of artbooks that were on sale at the Book Fair.

The artbook photos are from the book fair. I finally got to find the Taiwan merchant who sells them again! Oh Lord, after more than six years of unfortunate circumstances. It was a Saturday, so most of the rarer finds could have been sold the Friday (The book fair starts Thursday), likesay... posters. Beautiful posters you thought you can only find in Japan or as ripped-off prints. And no, not mainstream anime/game posters. They’re legit uncommon finds.

Other than some squeamish wincing due to squealing fangirls and boys -how mister vendor tolerates them, I do not know-, I got reassurances from the merchant that they cannot NOT come back each year now. I’m pretty sure it’s because despite being in Chinese text, the artbooks are original (catering to Chinese speaking/writing countries) and they’re cheaper than trying to order by proxy or through online shops. Since they only come once a year, their booth is always a treat to visit every MIBF.

If they still have that artbook featuring the ladies and the fashion they’re wearing, I’m getting that next year. Fashion reference books like these are gold!

At Best of Anime 2016, located just a level above the event halls for the book fair, I was more interested in what the small Artist Alley had to offer. I’ve long since started going to cons mostly for the local artists because I love supporting their works in little ways and also sending what I get to friends.

Sometimes I get interested in bargain japan products, which is great too, But I’ve graduated from the ‘buy everything that I find fancy and cool’ phase, so I have less emotional stress when I couldn’t afford this or that. My wallet remains suffering to this day, however.

Also this is the first time I’ve stayed until closing time because my sister wanted so much to watch Uchusentai:NOIZ’s concert inside the con grounds I couldn’t deny her. It’s the only thing she wanted out of this con. Too bad my immunity didn’t agree with me after that.

Overall, good time. I got to enjoy some Takoyaki from my usual haunt at MoA and get some nice things.

Next stop, ARCHcon 2016!

[bentchbites]

I'm at Scandalized's last chapter and @tarafrejas ' dedication at MIBF2016 means SO much more to me now, esp since I'm almost in the same career standing as Fi at this point. 🙂 This is one of those books I don't want to finish yet, while at the same time itching to find out what happens next! #Scandalized #romanceclass #supportlocal

[erraticdamaged]

hi queen, my name is abby. you are my favorite author, and i have read all of your stories on wattpad! i am a huge fan of yours. your stories inspired me.. it makes me laugh, cry, and smile. i really felt like i am connected with the characters from your stories. it really allowed me to feel the character's emotions and dive deep into the story. and lastly, i couldn't believe that i saw you last saturday.. you are a drop dead gorgeous! i can't wait to see you again, ilysm ❤️✨ #mibf2016 #jonaxx (at SMX Convention Center)

[faynotfaye]

More than Words: #AllTheFeels and My Heart

#AllTheFeels and #romanceclass goals: A fangirl's story

Helloooo! <3 Nagsimula lang sa isang tweet, na sinundan ng isang Facebook comment, at nakarating na sa SMX Convention Center kung saan naganap ang #AllTheFeels – live readings ng #romanceclass books. May English version ang recap na ‘to. Nasa book blog ko kasi focused sa bookish aspect ng event yung blog post. At itong Filipino version, focused sa writing aspect. Pero kahit na focused sa writing…

[thenerdybaker]

It’s a pretty late post but I FREAKING ENJOYED MIBF TOO MUCH!

[bentchbites]

I wasn't gonna post anything today (bec I'm exhausted af) but FB memories reminded me of my #MIBF2016 haul and OMG, it took me two years but I finally read all the print books I got that day, and all romanceclass books to boot! (The first batch of this addictive book hoarding hobby! 😂) •⠀ So yeah, I've only managed to read and finish Chi's book last stormy weekend and agh, I never should've waited so long. I loved it! The pacing, Meile's voice, the romantic-comedy-ness of it all in her POV is fantastic! I would like less of the emotional labor on the heroine's part, and even more grovel (yes, nakulangan ako, Warren, don't @ me!) but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. ⠀ •⠀ Aside from the love-to-hate-to-love roller coaster that Meile and Warren went through (the ride was delicious!) I also loved the Dad parts, the second lead (which is another romance I want to "bloom"), Meile's love for flowers, her lingering love for her mother, and Chester! 🐶. •⠀ 4 of 5 🌟s. It is strongly and pleasantly written, and now I'm craving for more of Chi's books. (Lucky for me I have her newest short story anthology! 😘) ⠀ •⠀ Swipe left to see Chi's dedication on my copy and our first photo together! :) It was the first time we met after months of chatting/tweeting online. It was the first time I saw all my romanceclass friends (and Idols!) ever and huhu, look at how far we've come! ❤️❤️❤️.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #bookstagram #bibliophile #booknerdPH #bookworm #instabooks #bookish #bookishfeature #bookcommunity #alwaysreading #bookstagramersPH #IGreads #books⠀ #selfpublishing #indiepublishing⠀ #romanceclass #TheByeByeBouquet #ChiYuRodriguez #readlocalPH #diversebooks #diversereads ⠀ #MIBF2016 #throwback (at SMX Convention Center - SM Mall of Asia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn3nvAQnUJm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1c5ysafl0tegx

[noveanntan]

After 15 years and you see one of the proof of God's hand in your kids journey in life, assuring you that He loves our kids more than us parents makes my heart leap for joy. Truly the only one who transform our kids is God alone and nothing else. Jesus + nothing is everything ❤🙏 #tandynasty #youareloved #joyfulmom #admajoremdeigloriam #tanparenting #moneywisekids #csmpublishing #mibf2016

[kathrinetan]

Manila International Book Fair 2016

The most awaited event of the book nerds has already ended but the hype is still there. Manila International Book Fair is an annual fair where you can find every – I mean, every – kind of books. Usually the fair lasted for 5 days, this year it was from September 14-18. There were different activities as well, from book signing to story telling, name it!

I've been wanting to go to mibf since I missed the event last year and luckily I had the time to go this year!! It was my first time to go to a book fair so I didnt know what to expect so I kind of panicked when I saw a lot of people! Knowing me, I have a silly anxiety about being surrounded by a huge crowd so I didnt get to enjoy the fair as much as I expected. Bummer, I know. I was panicking the whole time and decided to just stay in Fullybooked (which by the way didnt help hehe). Hence, the lack of photos of the event.

Fortunately for me, when the crowd subsided a little bit, I got the chance to roam around and finally snatched three books!

A little bit of a side story, I'm actually in hunt of JE Smith's books but they were nowhere to be found so when I decided to just give up, I found Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project in a hidden corner of Fullybooked. I got curious and fell in love with the synopsis, I hope to fall in love with the story as well. As the synopsis goes, sometimes you don't find love, it finds you.

Don Tillman, genetics professor, is getting married. Or he will be, when his sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey yields a candidate (see: the Wife Project). Designed to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the vegans, the late arrivers, Don's questionnaire is, for this socially challenged academic, the most logical method to find the perfect partner.

Enter Rosie Jarman

Don quickly disqualifies her as a potential wife but is drawn into Rosie's quest to find her biological father (see: the Father Project). When something like friendship develops, Don must confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie and the decidedly unscientific conclusion that sometimes you don't find love, it finds you.

Then comes Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl and Love, Stargirl. I've already read the book because my friend let me borrow his copy and I've been thinking if I should buy one. Funny story, when I gave up looking for JE Smith's books, I contemplated looking for Stargirl since I loved the book and suddenly found a copy of both Love, Stargirl and Stargirl (which I think was the last copy). It was pure coincidence because I found them without actually looking and the thing is they were in a different shelf!! Talk about fate, right?

Stargirl. She's as magical as the desert sky. As strange as her pet rat. As mysterious as her own name. And she captures Leo Borlock's heart with just one smale.

But when the students of Mica High turn on Stargirl for everything that makes her different, Leo urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In a celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity – and the inspiration of first love.

Stargirl has moved and left everything behind: Arizona, enchanted desert places – and Leo, her once (and future?) boyfriend.

He's all she can think about, and her life begins to feels a parade of unhappy anniversaries. Then Stargirl meets her wonderfully bizarre new neighbors: Dootsie, the curly-headed five-year-old “human bean”; Betty Lou, who hasn't stepped outside her house for nine years; hot-tempered Alvina with that one glittery nail; and Perry Dellophane, the blue-eyed thief who soon lays his own claim to Stargirl's heart.

In letters to Leo over the course of a year, Stargirl comes to find hope in new places: mockingbirds, donut angels, and the Winter Solstice – that turning point day when dark tips to light. But what's life without Leo? Will he – can he – answer that one crucial question she asks every morning to the rising sun?

In this companion novel to Stargirl, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli continues his beloved heroine's story in a tale of hurt and healing, solstice and sunbeams.

Last but not the least is Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park which is a gift from my bestfriend because (to her words) malapit na ang birthday ko!!Okay so another coincidental story, I actually planned on going to mibf alone after my duty when I received a call from her (bestfriend) asking what book do I like because she's in mibf. I freaked out and told her to wait for me because I was going as well after my shift (told her to buy any je smith book or eleanor and park, though). We didn't get to roam around mibf because she went with her friends but we met inside and gave me the book and told me it was her birthday gift to me!! Yaaayyy! She knows that I prefer books than anything for my birthday. Isn't she the sweetest? She and her friends ended up waiting for me so we can go home together. Such luck!

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough... Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises... Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

Even though I was freaking out the whole time and I had to occasionally stop to breath because I was so overwhelmed with the crowd, I had fun! I'm not sure if I will attend the event next year or I will just pick a day with lesser people hehe. But nonetheless, it was definitely an experience to keep. I'm still so elated about the event and seeing all those bookworms around one place. Ahhh, my heart.

Kudos, Manila International Book Fair!! Until next year!

Self-proclaimed blogger, Kath