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Books For Less

 

As a certified bookworm, reading has become almost as important to me as breathing. But as much as I love devouring the printed word, I also realized that obtaining books is very expensive and can put a strain on my tight budget. However, with a lot of great advice from fellow book lovers, common sense, and a little bit of trial and error on my part, I was able to build a sizeable collection without sacrificing money for other basic needs. Over the years I have become an expert on how to get the best books without burning a hole in my pocket. I'd like to share with you the following tips:

 

1. Frequent second-hand bookshops. These stores are a Godsend to book lovers. A copy of a best-selling novel that would normally fetch for more than Php300.00 at regular bookstores can be bought for less than Php90.00. The books being sold are still quite in good condition, and you might enjoy shopping in these places if you're not very meticulous about a few stained covers or pages that have turned yellow as time went by. Some bookshops even offer a free cup of coffee or hot cocoa if you meet the minimum required amount of purchase.

 

2. Look for books in unusual places. I used to think that the doctor's clinic would be one of the last places where I could find interesting books. But I never would have thought that I would get to buy Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina in the waiting room! The "books for a bargain" movement here in the Philippines has been reaching more and more places, even those little nooks and crannies that are unnoticeable at first glance. While I'm not advocating that you deliberately make trips to your doctor's clinic in order to quench your thirst for reading, please have an open mind about what else you might be able to find in those kinds of places.

 

3. Look out for sales. Even regular bookstores periodically hold sales. All you need to do is be patient enough to dig through motley assortments of titles. If you wish to purchase other reading materials like magazines or comic books, try stopping by specialty shops that cater to a limited market. They occasionally sell periodicals at give-away prices in order to get rid of their surplus.

 

4. Give a new meaning to the phrase "friends with benefits." Sit down and try to think of at least five friends, neighbors, or co-workers who share your passion for reading. I was very fortunate because an old woman who lives in my street gladly lends me her books, and she has one of the most diverse collections I've ever seen. The next time you and your friends get together for coffee, why not decide to have a "swap meet"? Bring along old reading materials that you'd be willing to trade for other titles. You can even get creative and come up with activities that might add spice to your reading. For instance, you and your friends might want to make it a goal to try reading genres that are quite different from what you normally prefer. If you enjoy classic novels, why not try chick lit, or works of more contemporary authors?

 

5. Contact people who want to de-clutter. I had a neighbor who did some house remodeling and redecorating, and she wanted to get rid of her collection of old paperbacks. She had copies of some of the world's most renowned and best-loved novels, and she was more than willing to give them to me for free! I received a rough total of 15 to 20 books, which was enough to keep me occupied for several months.

 

I once heard a popular author say that a true book lover reads not just to gain knowledge and information. Reading should also be "aimless" and spontaneous, or should be done simply to pass the time. For book lovers like me, keeping the above-mentioned tips in mind will help sustain our reading habit. 

 

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How to Develop a Healthy Body Image

 

  • Realize that there is no ideal body type or figure that everyone should aspire for. Men and women were created in a variety of shapes and sizes. We readily appreciate diversity in plants and animals. Why not in human beings?
  • Never try to measure up to the models or actors/actresses you see in the glossy pages of magazines, on billboards, or on the T.V. and movie screens. Photos of celebrities can be airbrushed and enhanced by computers to project the illusion of looking “flawless.” You live in the real world.
  • Put more emphasis and importance on achieving a sound, healthy, and fit body rather than struggling to meet unrealistic standards of perfection. Eating nutritious meals at regular intervals and exercising moderately are more feasible than going on crazy crash diets.
  • Don’t define yourself solely through physical appearance. You are more than what you weigh and what you look like. Identify whatever your assets are (e.g. being a good artist or cook) and choose to capitalize on them.
  • Cultivate several hobbies. Pursue and develop new interests. You don’t need to be skinny to go swimming, ride a bike, write a book, or join an organization. Being obsessed with your weight causes you to miss out on a lot of fun and fulfilling activities.
  • When you enhance your appearance, find out what works best for you. Never think that if you had another person’s looks, people would also find you attractive. Being attractive has nothing to do with owning a particular eye or skin color, hairstyle, or physique. You might even want to break norms and traditions.
  • Don’t be a slave to the latest trends and fads in fashion. Create your own look when you dress up. Be original.
  • Don’t neglect your positive inner qualities. Make a list of at least ten of your best attributes. Are you caring? Sympathetic? Patient? Remember that these are the traits that will remain steadfast all throughout life.

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