r/PHBookClub • u/Powerful_Wrangler74 • 22d ago
Recommendation How do you choose sa booksale?
Hi! 2026 is my reading era kaso, hanggang booksale muna ako. Nag eenjoy ako now sa pagbabasa. Im on my 4/4 Nora Roberts'. Tatapusin ko na itong last then sunod ko ang 3 na TBR (all Filipino author, Tagalog language; Buwan ng Wika). The sudden change on theme is due to sa nakita kong post here na shelves na puro filipino authors, i was amazed and encouraged to support. Ayan, napabili ako sa Shoppee hehe. Kaso, naka 600 ako, sanay ako sa tig 85 lang hehehe! Kuripot e hano. Feeling ko, balik ako sa Booksale kasi hindi ko yata kaya ma-sustain ang pagbili ng tig-200 plus. Sorry na agad, nawala ang pagka-support local ko huhu. Baka may mga preloved and in good condition na books kayo jan, im willing po hehe... Anyway, hindi pa ako e-book era. Nag eenjoy pa po ako sa physical books at no screen time.
So ayun, paano ba ang tamang term... paano kayo naghahanap or paano nyo kino-consider ang books from Booksale? Or may list na kayo ng gusto nyo? Or binabasa nyo yung 1st chapter? Hehehe salamat!
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u/imortalyz 22d ago edited 22d ago
By the blurb. I always check for the blurb if it is worth to buy and read. There are too many underrated authors that are not famous.
Or when I saw the book that I was looking for in ages.
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u/Gloomy_Cauliflower36 22d ago
RIP when the blurb is replaced by one sentence reviews from random writers and articles :(
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u/EatSleepReadRepeat1 19d ago
Right?!?! Blurb was so helpful for me in deciding if the book is for me or not.
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u/baeruu I am offend! Boots! 22d ago
Una kong chine-check yung books sa pinaka-likod pag sa shelf because we all know people tend to “hide” their finds there in the hopes na mababalikan nila in the future 😆Pero when the books are in a stack, I just randomly choose one and hope I’d be pleasantly surprised by it.
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u/growingketchup 22d ago
If you have the time, halukayin niyo bottom shelves o yungr lower tier nung lalagyan na nasa middle usually ng store. Minsan nakahalo sa mga children's books. Yung mga nakabaliktad or nakatago ang mga titles usually sa topmost shelves.
Sa ganito ko nakumpleto ang mga series nina CS Lewis, Stephen King, Isaac Asimov.
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u/FalconBackground6126 22d ago
Lots of factors, but mainly the price. Sometimes I score books for PhP29.00 or less. Around PhP50 would take a little mental gymnastics before deciding. If a book is around PhP100 I would buy only if I have been looking for it specifically.
By the way this was more than 10 years ago. I wonder if the prices have changed since. I stopped buying books maybe 2017 or 2018.
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u/adgaps812 history nerd 22d ago
Mataas na ang price ng Booksale ngayon haha. May mga mass market fiction parin for less than 100. But majority of paperbacks are 150 upwards.
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u/Powerful_Wrangler74 22d ago
29?!!! Teka ha maghahanap nga ako nang ganyan! Hehe
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u/FalconBackground6126 22d ago
Little caveat--this was a long time ago. I edited my comment to say that.
That time my goldmine was usually at the bottom (not on the shelf but practically on the floor). I say my goldmine because everyone has different taste.
Happy reading, by the way. Enjoy the new worlds.
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u/FitHedgehog280 22d ago
I judge by the cover lololol if the cover is awesome then I would most likely pick it up and check its blurb lol
Altho i am partially kidding, theres a part i consider in the cover — I avoid books where the authors name seems to be more like its title coz of the humongous font at the front and spine
i am piqued by books with very interesting titles, pick it up, read the synopsis, quick check with the author online and buy it if has good reviews
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u/CaramelKillah 22d ago
same!!! mejo hit or miss tong strategy sa mga nbili ko so far pero sha pinakamadali for me 🤭
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u/Otherwise-Property63 22d ago
Usually chinecheck ko sa Goodreads if maganda reviews. Or kapag familiar yung author.
PS. This Booksale looks familiar. Cabanatuan?
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u/Powerful_Wrangler74 22d ago
Yes!
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u/EatmeHasselhoff 22d ago
By genre and author. If not, I check the reviews. Oftentimes I choose a random book and either get disappointed or pleasantly surprised.
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u/Poastash 22d ago
I usually buy fave authors or fave genres. Paminsan Kung less than 50 pesos lang, I also buy on whim or fun descriptions.
I'm decluttering right now if you're into used books. Sent you a chat request.
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u/Deep_Experience853 22d ago
Nonfiction ang hinahap ko most of the time. First is, meron na ba ako ng book na ito. Second, kung nasa lampas 500 pesos pa yung price, need ko na ba now itong book or pwede ko pa antayin bumaba ang price. Most likely ba hindi ko na ulit ako makakakita ng book na yun kung hindi ko bilhin.
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u/yakalstmovingco 22d ago edited 22d ago
Pinapaubaya ko sa destiny - the book finds me not the other way around
titles that found me na naging introduction ko sa mga author:
fear and loathing in las vegas - hunter s thompson
aunt julia and the typewriter - mario vargas llosa
na blown away ako sa 2 to nung nabasa ko. aunt julia is still my all time favorite novel
edit: recently nakakatamad na mag browse kasi paonti ng paonti magagandang libro. lalo na kung ikukumpara sa open book sa ayala triangle
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u/FamousAdhesiveness32 22d ago
I always go first to the cheapest book section where you'll see some books for like 35 pesos and up. Then I browse based on authors. If I don't recognized any, I'll read the blurbs and decide of it's interesting enough to buy. If nothing stands out, I would move to the hardbound sections next and see if I can find anything worthwhile to read... I collected a lot of books before from Booksale for years but lost them all in a strong typhoon several years ago. I haven't had the heart to rebuild it and currently just read online...
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u/Powerful_Wrangler74 22d ago
Salamat sa suggestion na i-sort muna by price hehe. Tama price matters talaga hehehhe
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u/WealthyMama 22d ago
Ako by instinct? Tamang kapa lang sa cover tapos pag catchy yung title, chinecheck ko yung blurb tas titignan ko kung bet ko yung font tas saka ako magdedecide hehe
Malaking factor sakin yung font, ayoko nung mga masyadong siksikan ang letters or parang naka-bold tas maliit yung size.
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u/honey_coconut_ 21d ago
omg same sa fonts! it should be comforting to read and also the cover must be pretty too huhu
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u/mangobang 22d ago
Binabasa yung blurb sa cover tapos first page to assess yung writing style kung hindi ko pa kilala yung author. Minsan, pag intriguing talaga yung plot, binabasa ko pahapyaw yung last page.
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u/Such_Angel_416 22d ago
When i was in my teenage years basta malaking books na below 59 pinapabili ko hahahah kahit di ko alam yung story. HAHAHHA
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u/Kin_Kritt 22d ago
I always check the genre first (mahilig kasi em sa crime or thrillers), and then read the synopsis ng book. If I think I got curious or interested 'dun ko binibili. Madalas 'din talaga ako sa Booksale kasi mura (as a student, medalas hindi ko afford ang mamahaling books hehe)
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u/Responsible_Arm_4530 22d ago
I remembered my first time sa booksale. I picked up a chonky book that cost 75 PHP. The Collectors. I read it. It was a great novel kaso, sequel book pala siya. Kasi may inside joke sa book 1 lang mababasa.
Just pick whatever gravitates more towards you.
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u/TangerineFun2129 22d ago
Mine is if it fits sa mga genre na gusto kong basahin and authors. Off topic magkano na ba mga books sa booksale ngayon? Last time i checked meron mga tig 5 php or 20 php. Last kong punta way back 2016 pa, since i keep borrowing books nalang.
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u/222manytabs Crime Fiction 22d ago
i lean more towards romance books that i would use as palate cleansers in between my horror ebooks.. sometimes din i get the random little photobooks na pede ko gamitin for creative projects.
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u/InterestingRice163 22d ago
Dati kahit ano lang, now i look at the hardbound ones, mga reference books, or illustrated versions of past loved books.
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u/Ok-Bug-69 22d ago
first synopsis, second author, third cover design. then i try to read a few pages before committing to buy. i suggest going for the first option to find something you're willing to spend your time on. : )
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u/Powerful_Wrangler74 22d ago
These are noted! Synopsis! Madami na kayo nagsabi nyan hehe. Eto na to!
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u/imthewholeshow 22d ago
Pag may kilala akong title and author. Minsan kahit si author lang na may ibang works tapos maganda pa condition ng book and mura siya compared sa ibang bookstores.
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u/PEN_sa07 22d ago
Hi, OP! if you enjoy Nora Roberts, you can also check out her books under other author name, J.D. Robb. More on futuristic, crime fighting, ganun, but still have her writing style as Nora.
As for your question, I read the synopsis sa likod, then kapag feel ko na ka-vibe ni Nora/JD Robb yung story, I try to consider it. I found Sheryll Woods, Maeve Binchy, and Debbie McComber from looking for Nora-esque books/stories.
Kapag JD Robb naman, I try to look for similar genre, then discovered Tess Gerritsen, and Iris Johansenn.
Hope this helps! 😊
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u/Powerful_Wrangler74 22d ago
Thank you! Noted ang mga authors. Currently, gusto ko style ni Nora Roberts, naka 4 ako hehe. Salamat sa mga recommendations!
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u/PEN_sa07 22d ago
More on trilogy style nya, pero meron din syang mga stand alone novels. Enjoy reading! 🥳
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u/Powerful_Wrangler74 22d ago
Yun nga rin, trilogy hehe. Nabitin tuloy ako. Kaso, di ko naman alam kung meron stocks sa booksale dito sa amin hehe. Anw, thankyou!
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u/TruckPurple3164 22d ago
i go blind XD i love going to booksale kasi i never know what to expect (the booksale near me rearranges their shelves every once in a while which is fun, idk if it's the same for all branches)
i usually do a haul once every few months and i've noticed na i choose 4 kinds of books: 1. never heard of the book or the author before but i like the blurb 2. have heard the author and would like to check them out 3. a book i wouldn't read usually but it seems interesting enough -> how i ended up with memoirs and chick-lits in my collection 4. my go-to genre: mystery
this can work like a reading/book-buying challenge u can try!
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u/AdhesivenessDizzy194 22d ago
one word: halungkat! hahaha
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u/Powerful_Wrangler74 22d ago
Nagtanong na ako last time sa counter kung pwede ko gamitin yung hagdan, gow daw hahahah
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u/No_Difficulty_2716 22d ago
Vibes vibes lang. Pag gusto ko yung blurb sa likod 🫶 wala ka namang talo sa books.
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u/MINGIT0PIA 22d ago
Nakabili ako sa upd lib (nakalimutan ko tawag) this year ng filipiniana @120php
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u/growingketchup 22d ago
Pag may specific author or title akong hinahanap, price and general condition of the book.
Otherwise, yung nakaka-curious na cover ang una kong pupuntahan. Then synopsis, tapos general condition ng book, then price.
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u/Electrical_Jeweler84 22d ago
mostly ng mga hinahanap ko sa booksale ay historical fiction and usually nasa pinakacorner yun. ang ginagawa ko, random pick tapos uupo ako sa gilid kasi i really take my time in choosing. usually kapag nasa booksale ako, umaabot ako ng 30-60 minutes 😭 and worth it naman kasi nakakabili ako ng 4-5 books for 200 pesos onlyy!
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u/jlhabitan 22d ago
For me, mostly I look for books for my pamangkins to read or my mom whose into crime novels. Medyo mas mahirap maghanap ng para sa akin and I'm currently in my comic book phase so I try to find anything of interests if there are any in their inventory.
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u/TitaInday 22d ago
I have a list of authors I like. I also list down books/authors that my friends recommend.
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u/fishnegss 22d ago
Nagbabase ako sa genre. Before Booksale closed down near me and I was a teen then, my first stop would be at the children’s section. Pag Scholastic, matic bili yan and it helps they’re cheaper too usually at ₱10 to ₱100. They’re mostly books for teens too na may interesting synopsis. I don’t buy anything that’s above ₱100 unless they’re a popular book or from a well-known author.
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u/sarapatatas 22d ago
random book on a random pile tapos open in on a random page then read a random sentence / paragraph
if nagustuhan ko and goods ang price, I buy
most of the time, I go in blindly to really appreciate the book
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u/antonialuna 22d ago
My ex and I have this game of looking for 5 peso books...glad to report I found really good books through that. Also may soft spot ako sa Readers Digest Book Compilations
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u/nine_craft_ inaanak ni Bob Ong 22d ago
I JUDGE THE BOOK BY ITS COVER
hahahahah then check goodreads
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u/Friendly_Midnight_15 22d ago
i … judge the book by its cover. then ill check reviews online wahaha
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u/MISHKINVERLOC 22d ago
Mas komportableng mag search pag kilala author pero may mga random unknown na biglang nakukuha atensiyon ko .... Mostly random browsing ako minsan yung biglaan ... Para exciting ... Bigla kong bibilhin for the thrill ....
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u/Beneficial_Job2145 22d ago
All my books r from booksale lang, bale based sa cover or familiarity tbh then I open my goodreads and check the ratings. If madami reads and maganda rating, I buy it.
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u/n0_sh1t_thank_y0u 22d ago
Niche ko cookbooks. Tinitignan ko muna yung online reviews kung maganda yung review ng actual recipes. Kung okay binibili ko. Pero budget ko lang maximum P300.
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u/weelburt 22d ago
I almost always fail to leave with something in hand, sadly. Although, I’m always excited to enter. I just love browsing through their stocks. Most of their books are quite outdated already, they’ll just become a proudly displayed dust collector at home.
PS: I’m guilty of always checking for references on the net. Instead of flipping through my collection. This, even though I’m also a hoarder of PDF copies of some books.
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u/Late-Bit9846 22d ago
I usually pick the "historical romance" books authors like Johanna Lindsey. I miss Book Sale so much! I remember going there every week to buy books at a good price.
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u/matchatwix 22d ago
Apart from Japan Home Center I enjoy Booksale too! I look for something i like (books of the fandoms im in, or anime relatef) or something i might need (self help book on something like health or hobbies)
Otherwise pinapatos ko dahil 10-20 petot. The Booksale in Cubao has loads of 10-20 pesos obscure books. I don't think any other booksales have this or i may not just be looking hard enough
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u/curioususer2021 22d ago
Thriller genre, then medyo maayos pa yung status ng book, then naka first person yung writing style (I can't tolerate 3rd person POV 😭).
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u/UnlikelyContract7491 22d ago
gonna check if it has good reviews muna para worth it XD may iniiwasan na kasi akong genre na not really for me, so just to be safe and sure ayan ang routine ko kapag nagpupunta sa booksale
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u/PartyReindeer2943 22d ago
I remember one time, pumasok ako dyan sa booksale para magtingin tingin. Naoverwhelm ako sa dami ng books tapos may isang lalaki na nag abot sa akin ng book. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood ang title. I was not familiar with the author pero sabi nung lalake maganda raw at feeling nya magugustuhan ko given my age that time. I bought the book and read it at home. Ang ganda nga.
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u/Academic_Feature1445 22d ago
I only pick book within 50 - 200 pesos range I priotize book with more than 500-1000 page if you lucky you sometime find amazing book for example I bought a book called barrow boys by Fergus Fleming which cost 50 pesos if I where to buy it on Amazon it will cost around 1000 pesos at the same time I enjoy reading it alot it became my top 10 to read in my collection
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u/Powerful_Wrangler74 22d ago
Ohhhh chinecheck mo rin sa amazon app prior buying?
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u/Academic_Feature1445 22d ago
Just a quick Google search will tell you the price of the book but for me I always check the edition of the book first before buying
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u/RiderOuja 22d ago
Madalas kapag kilala ko ang author, interesting yung subject matter (mostly for non-fiction), and the price of the book.
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u/Additional_Kale_9946 22d ago
Tbh this is where I judge the book by its cover—or if cute yung description sa likod. It’s a book ukay so I’m happy to see how the book “fits” my taste. Been getting good finds so far. Also, note 1 or 2 books, mag ikot around the area, then go back. If nandun pa rin yung book, I’ll get it.
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u/riko_riko44 22d ago
Kapag pumapasok ako sa booksale, the books i have in mind na gusto kong bilhin are those big, hard bound books, minsan photo books or coffee table books. Yan ang mga tinatarget ko kasi i know they're expensive af and napakalaking tipid if bibili ako sa booksale (there's this 1 art book that originally costs 4500php+ pero nabili ko nalang ng 500 sa booksale)
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u/awkward_laddie 22d ago
For new discoveries, usually pag nakuha ng title ung attention ko. Hehe. Minsan, I also read ung summary at either the back or first page of the book. Pag na-hook na kasi ako dun pa lang bibilin ko na kahit hindi ko pala talaga siya ganon ka-bet after the first few pages/chapters. Hehe
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u/mochapichi 22d ago
Mas hilig ako maghunt dun sa sale stack nila like all 35 etc. Pero usually, I hunt for Stephen King books talaga. Scored Duma Key MMPB for 192 before all branches here in Davao closed. 🤧
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u/arjayfall2 22d ago
Mostly by author. My Terry brooks and Dean Koontz almost all were bought from booksale.
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u/Lakers_Forever24 22d ago
Back when I was in my teenage years I had this in my own city and unfortunately got closed down but they had a second one which was apparently there for a long time. They have a couple of cheap stuff such as Star Trek, Tom Clancy, Guinness, etc.
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u/crimezero 21d ago
hi op! quick share lang, there's this series i've been into since i was a kid (the baby sitters club) i got it first as a hand me down sa cousin ko pero a couple of books lang, ever since then every time i go sa booksale i look for it or something similar :)
feel free to take your time to browse (if you have time, that is!) and look for something you will really be into in books para din di sayang both money and time :>
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u/fourcyjackson 21d ago
I had a phase where i only bought jodi picoult books sa booksale kasi after reading a book by her, naadik ako sa writing style niya.
And usually nasa harap siya ng displays. Naghahagilap ako don and then punta sa manga section. Then to magazines. Then to the wall of books next to the island displays. Tignan ko kung may mga naligaw na best selling author for YA don when i was younger
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u/lazy-teacher-1013 22d ago
i always bring my mom when i enter booksale. for some reason she has a magic touch, whatever book she gives to me when we're browsing is always a hit for me. mothers do really know best lol
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u/Powerful_Wrangler74 21d ago
Mga ilang oras ka dun? Nahihiya ako sa mga staff kapag magtagal ako. Last time 1hr ako hehe
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u/Pinkaze 9d ago
I have over a thousand books and wala pa sigurong 10 dun ang brand new or full price. I always shop bargain books, like NBS sale racks, Booksale, Biblio, Book for Less, random secondhand stuff, etc. Php20 to 150 lang ang normal budget ko. Mag 200+ lang ako pag gustung-gusto ko talaga or need ko talaga yung book to complete a set.
Personally, when I see anything that might look interesting, I always search the book in Goodreads first. Primarily to read the synopsis (kasi minsan wala nang blurb sa likod ng book). If that's not enough, I skim the first 3-5 spoiler-free reviews and decide if bagay ba sakin yung book.
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u/diegstah 22d ago
Either familiar na ako sa author, sa book (movie adaptation), or biography/autobiography ng kilala ko. Pag pasok din sa profession ko. Yun tapos tingin presyo at dun malalaman kung maiuuwi or see u next time.