What’s in My KŪLN Tote: Dreamy Book Finds Under ₱500

A peek inside a well-loved tote—filled with quiet reads, soft moments, and the kind of stories you carry with you.

There’s something quietly ironic about walking into a bookstore with a statement tote bag—as if I’m making a subtle promise to myself that I’ll leave with more than I planned. Lately, that promise comes with a price tag. A quick stop at Fully Booked easily turns into a small investment, which makes those unexpected bargain finds feel even more special.

Thankfully, National Book Store still gives me a glimpse of that old-school thrill with its under-₱500 shelves. I find a quiet kind of satisfaction in browsing through the ₱199, ₱299, and ₱399 tiers—it feels like a gentle treasure hunt for stories waiting to be rediscovered. And when I’m in the mood for a proper haul, Booksale remains unmatched (though realistically, my tote bag tends to surrender halfway through).

Lately, I’ve been drawn to books that feel soft, reflective, and quietly encouraging—just right for this season I’m in. Your Time to Thrive by Marina Khidekel carries that sense of intentional growth I’ve been craving. Words in Progress by Sammi LaBue feels like a gentle companion for in-between moments. And Dream First, Details Later by Ellen Marie Bennett—even the title alone feels like a quiet nudge to trust where I am right now.

These are the kinds of books I like to pair with unhurried mornings—coffee in hand, with nowhere urgent to be. 

Slow Sundays, for me, are less about doing and more about becoming, one page at a time.