Travel Book Giveaway

Monette of Flip’n Travel gave me an idea. I’ve been looking for ways to dispose of some of my books to make some space for my growing Japanese manga collection in my book case, but haven’t really figured out how. I can always go to Book Mooch, but it would take too long for some of my books. So, I decided to give them away to you, my dear JustWandering readers 😀

Booksale finds
Bill Bryson is staying with me, but you’re free to take Frances Mayes home

Before we get to the goodies, you have to understand a couple of things: these books are pre-loved. All but two of them are second hand books, most of them bought in Melbourne. Some of these books have even traveled with me. I’m giving them away because as much as I enjoyed them, I decided to just keep a handful of authors and series in my collection (Peter Moore, Bill Bryson, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman).

Unlike my Schützen notebook contest, this travel book giveaway is open to all JustWandering readers, whereever they may be (except outerspace, because I’ve no idea how to send you the book). However, international readers can only get one book (books are heavy and shipping is expensive, unless you’re going to come over and pick up the book from me), while Philippine-based readers can get up to 2 books each. Since Monette gave me this idea, she gets first dibs. Leave your book choices at the comment box and I will confirm whether you get the book. Don’t leave your address in the comment box! I’ll e-mail you for that, so be sure to leave a valid e-mail address. Be sure to read the mechanics at the end of this post. Now, on to the goods!

By the Seat of My Pants (Anthology)
A collection of hilarious misadventures on the road, as told by some of the best travel writers including Tim Cahill and Rolf Potts. Save from the usual wear and tear and a couple of cat scrathes, the book is in pretty good condition. I picked this up in Singapore.
Lonely Planet Unpacked
As written in the inside cover, travel disaster stories by Tony Wheeler and other Lonely Planet authors. This books is in pretty good shape, except for some slight damage on the bottom of the back cover. Found this one in a second hand book store in Melbourne.
A House Somewhere: Tales of Life Abroad
Read about the perils and pleasures of exchanging the familiar for the foreign. The best contemporary travel writers come together in this book to share their adventures about settling in a new country. The book includes writings by Peter Mayle and Paul Theroux. The book is also in pretty good condition, save for the usual wear and tear. Doesn’t even have a crease in the spine. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve read this yet…
Time & Tide: The Islands of Tuvalu
This was definitely my best bargain find in Australia. The book is in great condition, and it was even signed by the authors Peter Bennetts and Loney Planet founder Tony Wheeler! The summary ganked from Amazon.com: “Tuvalu is a Pacific nation of low lying coral atolls and islands whose existence is threatened by climate change and rising sea levels. This large format, softcover, full-colour photographic essay will show the world what will surely be lost as sea levels rise: a unique culture and environment irrevocably erased. This moody and evocative portrait of the tiny island nation is a foray into previously undocumented territory – it is the kind of venture Lonely Planet has pioneered. Photographed by Peter Bennetts with text and interviews by Tony Wheeler, Time & Tide is a serenely beautiful and poignant story of our times.”
AAA Spiral Thailand, 3rd Edition (Aaa Spiral Guides)
This is one of the first travel book I’ve ever bought. Was too cheap to buy Lonely Planet Thailand (not that this is much cheaper). On the upside, it was much easier to carry this in my bag than the heavy LP guide. It’s a very basic guide to Thailand, though it doesn’t have much info for budget travelers.
No image available Traveler’s Companion Thailand 98-99
Another travel book I bought when I was planning my trip to Thailand in 2006. This cost less than the AAA Spiral Guides above, but the total comes out roughly the same price as a LP Thailand book. Way to go, Nina. The book is in great condition and comes with about a million removable page markers, courtesy of Mela, who borrowed it when she was planning her trip.
A Year in the Merde
My copy has a differet cover, but I’m sure the content is the same. This is a funny book, chronicling Paul West’s first years as an expat in France. From the book’s cover: “A Year in the Merde will tell you how to get served by the grumpiest Parisian waiter; how to make amour — not war; how not to buy a house in the French countryside; and the perils of slippery dog poo.”
Sailing with Mohammed: A True Yachting Adventure in Asia and the Middle East
Ever wondered how it’s like to travel in your own yatch? This book gives you a glimpse of the not-so glamorous aspects of yatching. The book was an unfortunate victim of some hungry insects, as a chunk of the back cover and a couple of pages from the end of the book has been chewed off. Apart from that, the book is intact and none of the chewed off areas got to the part where the text is (except for the glossary).
One Hit Wonderland
Again, the book I have had a different cover from the thumbnail, but it’s basically the same book. A funny book, as can be expected from comedian Tony Hawks (not to be confused with Tony Hawk, the skateboarder). I mooched this book, and now it’s your turn to mooch it from me.
Under the Tuscan Sun
One of my rare travel book find in our very own Booksale. I was so elated when I found it among the Jackie Collins and Tom Clancy books. Prety awesome bargain at Php 110 too.
Femme d’Adventure: Tales from a Wild Life (Adventura Books)
Another Booksale find. I brought this with me during my Southeast Asia backpacking trip back in June. It was a pretty good read, specially for female travelers. And people with fear of flying. Or those who love fishing.
No image available Come Away with Me
“Come away with me is the ideal companion to help you get away from it all, no matter where you are,” it says in the back cover. It’s a compilation of writings by Sarah MacDonald (who also edited the book), Tim Elliot, Peter Moore and other notable travel writers.
Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure
This book was highly recommended by the member of the Bootnall.com Travel forums, so when I got into travel books, I searched high and low for it. I eventually found a used copy in Singapore in the most unlikely place: China Square Central. It was a fun and insightful read, but if you’re uncomfortable about religion (or an atheist), don’t get this book.

Travel book giveaway mechanics:

  1. The giveaway is first come first served. First to reserve a book gets it. Monette of Flip’n Travels get first dibs, so even if you pick a book before her, she gets priority.
  2. This is open to all JustWandering.org readers. Philippine-based readers are allowed to get up to 2 books, while international readers can only get one book.
  3. Reserve your book by posting a comment. Please include your location in your comment. Do not post your address in the comment box. I will ask you for it via e-mail once I confirm your reservation.
  4. I will confirm your reservation via e-mail, so be sure to leave a valid e-mail address.
  5. Books going to international destinations will be send via surface mail, while books going to local destinations will be sent via Air21 or LBC. I’ll start sending books in early January 2010.

UPDATE!
Thanks for the overwhelming response! In just 5 hours, all the books have been reserved. Thanks for helping me clean out my book case 😀 Here’s the lucky recipients of these books:

  1. Monette: Lonely Planet Unpacked & Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure
  2. Caz: By the Seat of My Pants (Anthology) & Under the Tuscan Sun
  3. Klara: Come Away with Me
  4. Cla: A House Somewhere: Tales of Life Abroad
  5. Mile: A Year in the Merde & Femme d’Adventure: Tales from a Wild Life (Adventura Books)
  6. Hannahbee: Time & Tide: The Islands of Tuvalu & AAA Spiral Thailand, 3rd Edition (Aaa Spiral Guides)
  7. Cargog: Traveler’s Companion Thailand 98-99
  8. Jona: One hit Wonderland & Sailing with Mohammed

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Comments

24 responses to “Travel Book Giveaway”

  1. monette Avatar

    yey! i call first dibs!!! >_< i'm an avid book collector but have never thought of buying books about travel. sobrang mahiyain ako pero dahil books ito, i'll forget about my usual shyness and embrace the offer. if it isn't too much of a bother, i'd love to have "lonely planet unpacked" and "holy cow: an indian adventure." 😀 thank you, thank you, thank you so much nina! ron and i owe you dinner! *hugs*

  2. monette Avatar

    yey! i call first dibs! >_< i am an avid book collector but never thought of buying travel books. mahiyain talaga ako pero since these are books, i'll forget my usual shyness and embrace the offer. if it isn't too much of a bother, i would love to have "lonely planet unpacked" and "holy cow: an indian adventure". thank you, thank you, thank you nina! ron and i owe you dinner! *hugs*

  3. kaoko Avatar

    *raises hand* Lonely Planet unpacked! 😀

  4. caz Avatar
    caz

    By the Seat of My Pants (Anthology) YAY! 🙂

  5. caz Avatar
    caz

    Under the Tuscan Sun too 😀 I’m from Cavite 🙂

  6. klara Avatar
    klara

    come away with me!

  7. Cla Avatar
    Cla

    A House Somewhere 🙂

  8. klara Avatar
    klara

    or a house somewhere. I’m from manila 🙂

  9. mile Avatar

    1. A House Somewhere: Tales of Life Abroad
    2. A Year in the Merde

    I’m from Las Piñas 🙂

  10. mile Avatar

    bidding also for “Femme d’Adventure: Tales from a Wild Life (Adventura Books)” hehe

  11. hannahbee Avatar
    hannahbee

    1. Time & Tide: The Islands of Tuvalu
    2. AAA Spiral Thailand, 3rd Edition (Aaa Spiral Guides)

    from Cebu

    ;]

  12. cargo Avatar
    cargo

    hi nina. cargo here. being a bangkokphile, can i ask for Traveler’s Companion Thailand 98-99

    by the way travelfish is giving free ebooks. like you, they’re feeling santa-ish. thanks again and happy holidays.

    here’s to more travels in 2010!

  13. jona Avatar
    jona

    hello nina. jona here can I request for
    1. One hit Wonderland
    2. Sailing with mohammed

  14. cat Avatar
    cat

    LOL…I won’t reserve any books, but you’re giving me an idea of what to get you as a coughbelatedxmaspresentcough. I’d send it out earlier, but the freakin’ post offices here look like the ones in amusement parks. Seriously. 😉

    Just wondering—aside from manga, what other genres do you like reading on your travels? 😉

  15. teeyah Avatar

    Under the Tuscan Sun and One Year in Merde! 🙂

  16. magnetic_rose Avatar

    baaaaw all the books i wanted are spoken for >.>

  17. cheng hernandez Avatar

    Hi Nina. I’d like to reserve By the Seat of my Pants and/or One Hit Wonderland. I’m from Pasay City.

  18. out on vacation Avatar

    🙁 all the books I wanted have been reserved 🙁 so..I’ll just ask where do you get your travel books in Singapore?

  19. Amor Avatar
    Amor

    Hi Nina,

    May I reserve this one?
    Traveler’s Companion Thailand 98-99

    Thanks!
    Amor – Quezon City

  20. Monette Avatar

    Hi Nina…

    Thank you sooooo much!
    I chose the Lonely Planet Unpacked and Holy Cow

    Ron and I owe you a dinner 😉
    Happy Holidays!

    Monette
    (fliptravels.com)

  21. Ann Avatar

    I wish I can have Sailing with Mohammed… but they’re all reserved…

    Merry Christmas!

    Home: Las Pinas City
    Office: Makati City

  22. leng Avatar
    leng

    May I have whatever’s left? Haha. I’m from QC. 🙂

  23. Brian Avatar

    I wish to have the Lonely Planet Unpacked and Time & Tide: The Islands of Tuvalu Yey! This is a wonderful Christmas gift Nina.

    Merry Christmas!

    Brian of Makati City

  24. nina Avatar

    Whoa! Thanks for the overwhelming response! I wasn’t expecting that. All the books are taken, and I’ll be updating this entry with who gets what. Again, thanks for helping me clean out my book case! 😀

    Cat: I’m rather picky with books. I will try any genre (though maybe not the historical classics with Fabio in the cover. To give you a clue of the authors whose writings I’ve enjoyed: Peter Moore, Bill Bryson, Peter Mayle, Tony Hawks, Erich Segal, Anne Rice, Tom Clancy, John Grisham, David Baldacci, Lillian Jackson Braun, and Jessica Zafra.