Nicocosity: Big Bad wolf

As per Marie Kondo, no.

Before I got engrossed with skin care (I blame my job hahaha), I was, and still am a sucker for discounted books. You see, it's a fusion of 2 things that I love the most namely, books and a good bargain! So when I found out that Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is coming back in our shores, it made me smile a bit, then moved on. Wonder why I did not get the initial enthusiasm? Well, coming from my experience from last year's book sale, which was also their first in The Philippines, I was quite underwhelmed with the titles. Sure, there are millions of books I can choose from, but they just don't spark joy 🤔 I felt that they were selling surplus titles, books that people clearly wouldn't buy at full price. With that, I have mediocre feels about it.

But lo and behold, I suppose fate really wants me to see Big Bad Wolf on its first day! Supposedly my boss planned to go on the VIP day on Feb. 21, after receiving a pass from one of her close friends. My boss is a crazy bookworm like me, and I know for a fact that she is looking forward to it. Unfortunately she had to attend to a family matter that day, which ended up with me having her ticket instead 😍😍😍

Given I came from work and had to wait for my friend, we braved the car park traffic (pretty wild because after exiting the steel parking you'll see Edsa doesn't even have heavy traffic!), and managed to arrive at World Trade Center in Pasay at 10 P.M. 🤘🤘🤘

The VIP day is up until 11 P.M. only, also the ticket holder can bring an extra adult friend, while you can bring as many kids as you can (hahaha field trip?).

I want this for myself!

Upon entering the glorious gates of World Trade Center, you'll be greeted by thousands of children's books. I must say Big Bad Wolf's specialty are children's books, because they offer A LOT of titles, some I was quite surprised that they actually have it available.

I did a book review of this HERE

An upgrade that I noticed in this year's Big Bad Wolf is the selection of titles, particularly for Young Adult. Sure, they still don't have the John Green & Adam Silvera titles, but hey they have Ransom Riggs, Meg Cabot, and Suzanne Collins, and that ain't bad! I was so tempted to grab Victoria Aveyard's Glass Sword, which was actually a sequel of Red Queen! But I was not sure back then if Glass Sword is the sequel ~~because I have no internet to check, SAD.~~ so I ended up buying a standalone novel instead *shrugs*

Another positive feat I have noticed are the increase of Fiction titles! Last year, the fiction section was so small, and I remember how people have commented online on how they were a bit underwhelmed that they weren't able to score titles from Murakami or Coelho. In all fairness, the organizer of BBW heard our pleas and added more fiction titles that are well-loved, and are available in bookstores nationwide. I was able to spot some Chuck Palahniuk, Jojo Moyes, Emma Donoghue, and Judy Picoult titles, but still no Murakami 🤣😂

I have this book!

And my most favorite part in every bookstore (aside from the stationery and useless trinkets area), the beauty and fashion section! There are around 2-3 rows jampacked with amazing titles, from styling, constructing, and even illustration, the fashion area is well-decked! It was so hard for me to resist not buying all of the majestic fashion titles available, but since I am saving up for a trip I had to let go with a heavy heart.

Ultimate WANT!!!

Anyhoo, here's the complete round-up of my Big Bad Wolf experience, plus musings that may help you if you plan to go:

📚 It's best to go to BBW with a friend, especially when you need to go to the bathroom because that person will take care of your loot.

📚 Be open in reading titles from authors you have never heard of!

📚 Expect loooong lines! You are not the only one who adores books and sales, so be patient, and enjoy passing by seas of books 😀

📚 The lowest price of books is Php 190 or roughly $4, while the most expensive ones are retailed at around Php 1,499. Usually the coffee table books are the most expensive.

📚 Don't bring too much stuff, you don't need to bring your whole 10-step skin care with you.

📚 You can pay with your PayMaya account! Aside from that, they also accept cash and credit card (either Visa or Mastercard). However they do not accept debit cards!!! I had this problema last night because I did not bring my credit card nor was I able to withdraw prior to going here, so I only had my debit card and phone with me that night!!! Good thing my friend has cash with him, so he paid for it instead-See? That's why you need to have a friend with you!!! 💁‍♀️

For the love of Class Act Ph

📚 Go early! If you can, just go early or go verrrry late in the evening, because there will definitely be a shortage when it comes to parking spaces.

📚 Eat before you go here! The only time you'll get to see food is after you have paid for your loot, and the food are a bit pricier than the usual, so better eat before going into battle.

📚 Look out for the books with 'SAMPLE' on the cover, since most books are cling wrapped, you cannot open it if you want to take a peek, that's why there's a sample book for that.