This recent book haul update is actually one week late due to the board exam that I had to prepare and take on the previous week. The book is the recent story of the lore of Magic: the Gathering’s planeswalkers and is titled as the same with the newest set, Ravnica: War of the Spark.

Since its announcement on the Wizards page, I planned on ordering a copy but the issue is that it is only sold online on the Amazon website and on stores abroad. I had yet to check on the Manila sellers if they can get a batch order for this one.

Fortunately, I found one at the MTG Damnation FB group with its admin Irv Rai. He posted the first batch order good for ten copies of the book, priced at P1350 each. I had second thoughts at that time but decided to go for it and ordered. I was then told of the arrival date to be two to three weeks later. I am not on a rush at that time since I was on the board exam preparation mode.

Anyhow, I finally got the book here in the office last Friday. Looking at the sleek hardcover with the artwork of the four planeswalkers and Nicol Bolas on the background, Wizards had definitely made this product very special for the fans of the game and the story itself. Of course, the story was already spoiled with the release of the MTG set which on specific cards depicting the fate of the heroes and heroines. I might need to read on how it came upon and on what specific significant events. Perhaps a book and story review soon?  We shall see.

My “impulse buying” act has triggered and done it again. This time is due to the books posted in an online shop. This is the second book released by the author and also the admin of the Facebook page Typical Pinoy Crap that I have been following for many years now.

I have purchased his first book, Labo, on a special order from the author and which were mostly composed of his compilation of the various topics he posts on his page. His second book named Tagos by TPC is said to be out at the local bookstore on August 30. Since I am an impatient person as my natural self, seeing the book that is available for purchase online convinced me to buy as soon as possible. The book costs P150.00, which has the same price as the first book.

What worried me was the shipping fee and in order to waive that fee, I needed to buy an additional book and so I proceed to browse the online shop that was also selling fiction and love novels. I found two more titles that got my curiosity: Depinisyon: Art of Hugot and Cristina’s Guide for Online Writing. Each also costs P150.00. The total purchase is P450.00. It is still short of the minimum for a free shipping and so I decided to use my voucher to waive it. The grand total cost: P455.

As of this posting, the recent update is that the package will arrive by August 4 which is Saturday. Since my shipping address would be at the City Planning Office, I would expect Monday to be the correct delivery date. Hoping for no delays.

This is a bit of a late blog post (just a week ago) but I just wanted to share again that I had my recent book purchases when I dropped by Booksale in Robinsons Iloilo on a Friday last week. I seldom go to that establishment lately as I currently have a lot of pending books that I haven’t done reading yet.

Anyhow, here it goes

Blueprint – Measuring Sustainable Development

Price: P155

As I have browsed through this book’s table of contents, I’ve found some topics that I might need to read or have as a reference for my subjects in the current course I am taking which is the Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning. Sustainable Development has been thoroughly discussed in the previous semester so I am convinced that I still need to know more about this topic.

The Money Diet by Martin Lewis

Price: P50

This is a late grab purchase as I was about to drop my books at the cashier for payment. I have thought of having this one as my guide in budgeting my weekly or even daily expenses. That’s included in my pile of financial freedom books I have at the HQ.

Steve Jackson’s Creature of Havoc

Price: P25

I usually browse at the Fantasy books section whenever I drop by Booksale and hoping to find an old Magic: the Gathering novel that was once included in Fat Packs. I haven’t been lucky ever since, as I usually found Dragon Lance and the Star Trek book series. Anyhow, what convinced me to buy this book is the fantasy gameplay factor. It is not only reading but also taking the role of the main character and deciding its fate in your hands. That is every move and decision are to be done by you. I haven’t started playing it though so I’ll just share a quick look of the inside page.

To wrap up things, I’d suggest having and reading books as a pastime activity. It will in one way relax your eyes from the PC or laptop monitor. Also, it won’t cost you much as Booksale is your store of source. Most books would only cost about half or less of that expensive coffee you are buying, and the value of knowledge that you are digesting would surely suffice.