On Books, and My Birthday Wishlist *hint hint*
I am so totally not into material things.
Yeah, right. Who am I kidding anyway? Like I’d fool myself by saying that. 
Currently, I’ve only two obsessions: books (mostly the used ones; I don’t care about the condition as long as they’re readable and have no missing pages. Here’s a very incomplete list of my books), and the animanga Yu Yu Hakusho (I know I’ve told ya’ll that before, right?).
Sex? Nah. I like it, but I can live without it. 
I’m quite fond of pre-loved stuff, though I have no idea why. Ninety-nine percent of my books are from either National Bookstore in Cubao (but that was during the late 90’s era, back when there were books being sold for as low as P5) or Booksale (this one’s in major trouble; I can’t find anything other than romance books nowadays).
Christian said that reading is an expensive hobby, but I beg to disagree. In any case and at the very least, it doesn’t have to be. I can’t understand why book prices have gone up steadily since Harry Potter came along, when we’re supposed to be encouraging the youth to read. But I know I wouldn’t throw money in the air for one good book when I could find an equally good one for half the price. It takes a rather keen eye to spot the best out of the bunch of worn books in thrift shops, but it’s well worth one’s time if you find a gem.
Or maybe I’m living in the past…? 
The only reason why I was one of the best English students in my class during my grade school and high school years was because I was a prolific reader. My mom would always scold me for reading novels during exams week, but I didn’t care. Blah blah blah. Yadda yadda yadda. Hell, reading saved my fugly ass in the UPCAT, because Language Proficiency and Reading Comprehension were the ones I got my highest mark in — 98 (Memorable because I was flabbergasted. Yay, I’m a braggart! Though really, I’m just pointing out that reading random things can do you a lot good even if you’re a major school slacker like I am. I failed goddamn PE, for crying out loud! So, yes, Marocharim, I only got into UP with a lot of damn dumb luck and ended up being a mediocre-slash-undeserving “Iska”). So why did books have to become so darn pricey as to stop even me from spending on them?
How incredibly stupid and sad.
Anyway, no sense in crying over spilt milk now, yes? So on to the birthday wishlist. The list is a reminder to self what to buy if enough money comes around. I want them so much I’m whoring myself out. Hell, I’d gladly trade misteryosa.com for them. Seriously.
First time I did this wishlist thing, actually. I had a little trouble coming up with things I like, since I like everything given to me.
YYH-related
- Botan Figure - $12
Fangirl alert! I am so in love with Botan. I think she’s the most amazing animanga character ever made, and that’s not even because I think Yu Yu Hakusho is the best manga ever created (or because Togashi Yoshihiro is one of the best manga artists of all time). I’m obsessed, I know. She’s just perfection-personified. In the animanga character kind of way, I mean. And hey, you can even throw in Kurama, if you want, for good measure. Haha. There’s also one from Right Stuf. - Complete Yu Yu Hakusho manga/Yu Yu Hakusho Graphic Novels
Online manga viewing can only go so far, especially because my darn internet connection is all fucked up. It’s friggin’ hard to find YYH mangas, but the graphic novels are available at Right Stuf for less than $6 each. Now if only shipping wouldn’t be such a bitch….(Why am I not living in Canada or US again?) - Yu Yu Hakusho Season One Box Set - $31.48
This was released about two months ago, and…yeah, well. Hmm. It’s, like, two DVDs for the price of one. Selling price has gone up since its initial release, though. The Season Two Box Set will be available next month, and its current selling price is $26.24. Uncut episodes and all that jazz. Who could resist? - Yu Yu Hakusho: The Complete Guide - $11.95
Because I am a fan, and this is a potential gem. There might be some kind of revelation or information that’s not known to even the most obsessive YYH fans. Maybe there’s a tidbit about Botan’s past? Not much is known about her, so people tend to play around with her character. - A new Kurama/Botan story.
Books (Easy Reads)
- Block Sale of Nancy Drew Books - P1,250 (US $28-29)
I’m a huge huge huge Nancy Drew fan even up to now. I especially like the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys SuperMystery ones. I was a bit disappointed when I saw that most of the SuperMystery books were removed from the list (most likely the seller allowed some buyer to just buy them off the lot), but I really had no right to complain, right? - Lean Mean Thirteen and Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
Evanovich is simply one of the wittiest authors I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading since I became a sort-of-but-not-quite bookworm when I was in the 2nd grade. Fearless Fourteen is the 14th book (duh) in the cleverly written Stephanie Plum series of novels. The two books are the only ones missing from my collection, only because they’re not released in the Philippines yet. That just sucks. Especially since Ranger Manoso is the hottest book character ever. - Books I Wish I Could Buy (040808 Edition)
A list I made 4 months ago. There are only 6 books, and 2 of them I’ve read already (Bridge of Terabithia and Story of a Girl). Skip to the list if you don’t understand the Filipino language or if you don’t care much for ramblings.
- Body of Evidence series by Christopher Golden
Oh, man. This series rocks. Of course, I haven’t read anything new from it in the past 5 years or so, but I still am hoping that *someday*, the books are going to be available in the Philippines *again*. This fueled my dream to become a forensic scientist, until I acknowledge the bitter fact that I didn’t have the smarts nor the perseverance for it. - Time of the Eagle by Sherryl Jordan
Released just last year, Time of the Eagle is the sequel to one of the most beautiful fantasies I’ve ever read, Secret Sacrament, which I sort-of-but-not-quite reviewed just a few months ago. Not even Tamora Pierce pierced my heart the way Jordan did. Drama, drama, drama. - Children of the Night and Jinx High by Mercedes Lackey
I fell in love with Diana Tregarde, psychic and witch extraordinaire, the moment I read about her in Burning Water years ago. I did a lot of reading after and found “The Last Straw”, where Lackey explained why the series was discontinued after only 3 books. Such a shame.
If you have any or the books listed above, please consider selling them to me at a discounted price. He he. 
Miscellany
- Sometimes I have problems plugging my phone to the laptop, so I think I need a new Palm Desktop Hotsync Cable
- Saving up some hefty amount of money for the upcoming Manila International Book Fair
- My old book light’s a goner.
- Lava lamps fascinate me.
I’m easy to please. 
In conclusion, I reiterate this line I wrote from last year):
Anyone who says that all the good ones are taken has got to be kidding because, hey, I’m still single!
I knoooow. Walang koneksyon.
heya shari, it has been a while (like a year?) since I last I visited your blog.
YYH is like one of my favorite anime/manga! Well, next to Sailor Moon~ haha Amazon is my friend when it comes to buying manga online. The shipping took 21+ days tho. So sad but I was *yay* when it arrived!
Really now… were you genuinely offended by the stream-of-thought that was the blog entry?
Man… I should start being nice…
Response to 15489:
Are you kidding? Of course not. Whatever gave you that idea? LOL
Man…and I thought I was being funny.
THANK HEAVENS you ain’t got “Twilight” and the whole annoying franchise included on your list because, um, well, I’m seeing them on everyone’s goddamn wishlist for crying out loud! Plus I have made it a personal goal to tease people who think soooo highly of those overrated books LOL. Happy birthday, yo! ;-p
Wait… how the hell do you fail P.E.? I mean, provided one is not physically challenged in a major way… all one has to do is… show up in class? (You must’ve skipped, eh?) Attendance was my formula for passing. :P (TIP: when you have to do 50 sit-ups… and the P.E. teacher comes around to check on you… pretend you’ve finished 25 sit-ups already when you’re only at #8. Sucker.)
The one thing I TOTALLY hated about P.E. is that brutal game called ‘dodgeball’ (or here in Canada, it’s called ‘murderball’). 2 groups on different sides… just try to hit each other with a huge ball (get hit, get eliminated from game). It brings out the worst killer instinct in teens. I was more scared of dying in murderball… than I was of the rest of high school experience/classes. :P
I get most of my books and DVDs @ library, but the library system in my city is pretty good. Current stuff (even movies and anime stuff).
Response to 15491:
I haven’t even read anything from the author of Twilight, I think. In fact, I’ve never heard of her nor the franchise before this month. I’m such a loser lang siguro, haha.
Response to 15492:
Well, yeah, that’s the point. I hardly attended my classes. I have more absences than attendance, seriously. Not proud of it, but it’s still funny whenever I think about it. So yeah, I failed PE because I didn’t go to school, which caused me to miss the practicum. I wasn’t even supposed to march during graduation, but the school administration let it pass because I had high grades in most of my subjects. Heh.
Dodgeball! Classic! Love that game back when I was a kid. I don’t think we have that in the curriculum here though.
Seriously? Library? Movies and anime? I never would have thought. Libraries in the Philippines, I think, pretty much suck. Except for the one in UP Baguio. The library was my haven, but I always had to hide my face whenever I read Bob Ong; I tend to crack up/snort/guffaw really loudly whenever I read something funny.
Doesn’t help that the only libraries I have access to are the school ones. And we all know what kind of books we find on school libraries.
Wow. You have a long list of books! And a very interesting birthday wishlist. I’ve been reading more books lately and I plan to read many more. I’m actually ATTEMPTING to read New Moon (books of Oran) by Midori Snyder, but I simply don’t like it. So at the moment I am also reading New Moon (lol) by Stephenie Meyer, the sequel to Twilight. I finished reading Twilight a few days ago and I *loved* it. It makes me want to read more books.
Anyway, I’m slowly expanding my library of books. I figured out I like buying books better than getting them at the library. I don’t like used books. =\
I bought classics and REALLY GOOD BOOKS at Booksale for around 40 to 70 pesos each. It’s not really an expensive hobby - I mean, it depends on WHERE you buy your books.
I’m digging teen fictions lately. Awesometastic.
Haven’t you received my texts? I’ve been texting you about your birthday plans (and I hope there’s A LOT MORE PLANS than the word itself). Text me (09166157140 and please do hide this number, LOL)
Anyways, advanced Happy Birthday!
:-o
I haven’t talked to you for like… AGES! XD
Glad to know your fine~
Know what I have a fluctuating hobby when it comes to reading. Other times, I’d really read, other times, I forget that I am reading a novel. Hahaha. I’m so weird.
Got a couple of ‘antiquated’ hard bound Nancy Drew here. Sadly they’re not mine though. They’re my Tita’s.
Thanks for sharing some though. I’ll try to find these books… in the thrift shop(Takes LOTS of LUCK though).
Sorry to ask, but when’s your b-day again?
Hooray for birthdays.
Ako rin, sobrang hilig ko sa YYH. High school pa lang ako, I was dying to get my hands on the entire manga series — especially volume 19, because lots of fun and significant YusKei moments took place there. 
I hope you get most of your wishlist, dear! (Scan mo yung Y/K sweetness in the manga ha, lol.)
I love reading, too. Whether it’s an expensive hobby or not, diskarte na ng mambabasa yun.
I love scouring through BookSale hoping for a cheap find, and I am almost never disappointed. 
But for the really good ones — my luxury pa mandin is to buy the hardbound books, mas tumatagal kasi — talagang maglalabas ng pera dapat. Ako pa man din, hindi ako yung tipong bili nang bili ng libro; I only buy the books I want to keep forever, so talagang kailangang gustong-gusto ko. 
Response to 15495:
Nanda! Heeey. I’ve missed you.
I have yet to read anything by Meyer, but maybe I’d get to it as soon as I steal a copy. 
I like used books because they’re cheap but still does the job. 
Response to 15496:
Hah, there are a lot cheaper than 40, seriously. My classics are only P20-30. Any more expensive and I think twice about buying something. True, true. Depends on where you buy them, but then, if you want the newly-released ones, no sense in going to Booksale now, is there?
No, I’m afraid I haven’t been receiving your SMS. I’ll text you later, though I’m telling you now, wala akong plano. 
And hey, it’s been exactly ONE YEAR since that “party” in our house!
Response to 15498:
Ako kasi I tend to finish a book quickly. I don’t stop until I’m done with it, so I never forget. On the other hand, pag may ginagawa ako at nagbasa ako, makakalimutan ko na may ginagawa nga pala ako. LOL. Oooh, your Tita and I are the bestest of friends!
The birthday is on Wednesday.
Response to 15500:
You know, I always wonder if the guy Atsuko was talking with in the final volume is actually Yusuke’s dad. It’s been one of the lesser known suspicion, but a suspicion all the same. I’ve discussed it with fellow YYH addicts from other countries, and they admit it’s possible. And heh, I’m loving the Kuwabara/Kurama moments. Haha. I’m evil.
I like the YusKei interaction more in the manga than in the anime. Togashi is a genius. Sad that, while the anime did stick to the manga mostly, some scenes have been altered.
True, nasa diskarte na nga rin yun. Madalas ako sa Booksale ng SM North EDSA, and geez, wala na talaga. Since this year, puro romance na ang books nila. Maraming mura, pero konti lang ang mukhang promising.
I’ve only bought one expensive hardbound ever, and that’s only because I was very excited that the book has just come out, and it was on sale sa NBS. Parang, naka-discount ata ako ng P100 nun. A book by Tamora Pierce. Na nawawala ngayon dahil may nanghiram at di na binalik. Grr.
Ako naman, I read anything (except for school books, hahaha). I splurge on books; they’re my only investment talaga. As long as they “look” promising, I read them, and in this case, I’m almost never disappointed. Sometimes I give books away, or, just lately, I sell them.
Response to 15502:
Wow, let me just sat that that surprised me a bit — I didn’t think a YusKei fan would be into yaoi. :P Back to Atsuko and Yusuke’s dad, heck yeah, that IS a possibility. Argh, I wish I could get my hand on the manga! (Di kasi kumpleto ang scans ng OneManga eh.
)
Response to 15502:
Response to 15502:
Haha nakakabwisit talaga yang mga nanghihiram tapos di na binabalik. Tsk tsk tsk. Ako naman dahil abounding nga ang romance novels everywhere, I induldged in Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown. Have you read Brown’s Exclusive? Interesting yung plot twist. Pwedeng i-adapt as a movie.
Response to 15504:
I’m a big Kurama/Botan fan. The “like” I feel for YusKei is probably only 1% for the one I feel for KurBo. Mwahehehe. Anywya, actually, no, I’m not into yaoi at all. I just found it extremely funny that Kurama was mistaken for Kuwabara’s girlfriend (heck, it’s bad enough that he was being taken as a girl). I made my day when I reached that part.
I have the raw of YYH manga, but then of course I don’t understand anything in the bubbles. One has to theorize what is being said.
Response to 15504:
Exactly. I never really did understand why Keiko had to be such a…wimp…in the animé. She’s also made out to be quite a pushover. Hell, I hated her, really. In the manga, it can actually be viewed that Yusuke relied heavily on Keiko. Also, Keiko more often supported Yusuke and gave him space to grow. She was a lot strongly, both physically and mentally. And she whined less.
Response to 15504:
Hahaha, true, true. I haven’t read Roberts and Brown yet. Not exactly into drama-romance. I like comedy-romance though (which explains the addiction to Janet Evanovich’s novels).
[...] counter, and see a stack of “fresh from the box” books that sets your heart on fire. You’ve been wanting to get that title for the longest time. You’ve looked in every bookstore imaginable for that book, and you feel extremely lucky [...]