Book Hunting Expeditions: The Beginning

Today we are launching a new feature in our blog called Book Hunting Expeditions (lovely widget courtesy of Iphigene, of course). Nothing excites us more than brainstorming, planning, and coming up with new ideas. Still pumped up from our previous bimonthly theme, our current one, and the AFCC hype, we came up with Book Hunting Expeditions.

We consider ourselves book hunters, looters, and gatherers. In Book Hunting Expeditions, our main goal is to share with you our “bookish” adventures. These include trips to bookstores and libraries that we’ve been to and the books that we bought and borrowed from there. Most of the stores and libraries you’ll see being featured here are the ones we frequently go to. Next time you end up in California, Singapore, or the Philippines, you’ll know the best places to go. =)

27 Apr 2012: Book Off (San Diego)

I’ve mentioned Book Off in my posts a few times already. When the $1 Bookstore at the Chula Vista Mall shut down for business, Book Off became my new book haven. I will forever be grateful to my co-worker for introducing me to this store. If you live in San Diego, Book Off is located in Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa. It’s in the same plaza as the Mitsuwa Marketplace, which is right in front of In N’ Out Burger.

Book Off has a huge selection of Japanese books, comics, and magazines, among others. But it also has a wide selection of graphic novels, fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books. It also sells DVDs, Blu-Rays, video games, and consoles at discounted prices. If you love bargain books, Book Off is a good place to go. You’ll be sure to get your money’s worth.

Picture Books

The Wizard by Jack Prelutsky,
illustrated by Brandon Dorman ($3)
The Spider and the Fly by Tony DiTerlizzi,
based on the cautionary tale by Mary Howitt ($3)
I Met a Man by John Ciardi,
illustrated by Robert Osborn ($1)

Nothing is more thrilling than finding picture books of renowned children’s authors at a very cheap price. While I’ve seen other books by Prelutsky and DiTerlizzi, Ciardi was a new discovery. I Met a Man is actually a series of poems for children. Some are funny, and some dark. Some of the poems remind me a little of Tim Burton’s poems from The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy.

Yakov and the Seven Thieves by Madonna ($3)
Once Upon a Princess and a Pea by Ann Campbell,
illustrated by Kathy Osborn Young ($1)

I knew about Madonna’s Yakov and the Seven Thieves through Myra back in my college days. And a fractured fairy tale for a dollar? Heck yeah, I’ll take it!!! Haha!

The Princes’ Gifts: Magic Folktales from Around the World by John Yeoman,
illustrated by Quentin Blake ($3)
The Missing Piece Meets the Big-O by Shel Silverstein ($8)

I loved Quentin Blake’s illustrations ever since I bought my Roald Dahl box set. Imagine my excitement when I saw The Princes’ Gifts! Shel Silverstein’s sequel to The Missing Piece was also a notable find. Found it still sealed in plastic. Really awesome. Any hardbound picture book for less than $10 is a great buy.

Children’s Books

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare ($1)
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Lane Smith ($1)
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken ($1)

I buy any Roald Dahl book I come across with. I simply love, love, love the man!

ArchEnemy by Frank Beddor ($5)
The Black Book of Secrets by F.E. Higgins ($7)

So happy that my Looking Glass Wars trilogy is now complete. I’ve read The Black Book of Secrets when I borrowed a copy from the library, but I loved the story so much that I simply must have my own copy of the book!

28 Apr 2012: Barnes & Noble Booksellers (Otay Ranch Mall)

The Survivors Club by Ben Sherwood ($5.98)
Germs: Biological Weapons and America’s Secret War by Judith Miller, Stephen Engleberg, William Board ($4.98)

Bought both these books for Mikey. He enjoys reading non-fiction once in a while, and these books appealed to him. The former because he’s street smart; the latter because he enjoyed watching Jack Bauer in the TV series, 24.

JUST IN: Books From Authors, Publishers, and Contests

Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon
(courtesy of Tara from Zeitghostmedia and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Co.)
Declaration of Interdependence by Janet Wong (courtesy of Jama Rattigan)

FEATURED BOOK OF THE DAY

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict
by Trenton Lee Stewart ($17.99)

AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Can I say that again? Haha. If you’re a follower of the Mysterious Benedict Society, then you’ll understand why I simply had to scream my heart out. Superduperthrilled I got a copy of this book. Got 10% off from Barnes & Noble so it’s all good. =)

*Hope you enjoyed reading today’s post. Stay tuned for more bookish adventures and book hunting expeditions!