Picking up KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

29 Dec, 2025

Got a text today (Dec. 29) from Fully Booked Gateway saying that the copy of KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL that I had transferred from the Sta. Rosa branch to their branch was already here. This, despite letting me know that it might take 2-3 weeks. Though I know they under-promise, just to minimize disappointment.

So I hied myself to Gateway to pick it up. And thought it would be a good time to post that Fully Booked Viber PSA I was planning for IG.

Full text here:

HOW TO SHOP FOR SPECIFIC BOOKS in @_fullybooked if they don’t have it online and without having to go to several branches to see if they have it in stock (PSA as a reader):…

Make liberal use of their Viber numbers.

This is specifically for people like me who enjoy 1) hunting for books and 2) certainty.

(This also works if they don’t have stock anywhere, meaning you can initiate your special order through Viber.)

Each branch’s Viber no. is on their website. As you can see, I’ve saved a few of them. And when I want a specific book (as opposed to regular browsing in a store), I message the branch convenient to me at the moment.

There is a series of questions you can ask to get what you need (see photos). If I’m not in a rush, I typically ask them to transfer a book to my preferred branch, once they locate stock. If they don’t have it in stock anywhere, I ask them to order it (if they can, as some editions may not have PH distribution rights or an accessible distributor). I’m ok waiting a few weeks; I have enough reading material.

Other notes:

• if a book isn’t on their online stores, this does not mean it isn’t in their physical branches or vice-versa. (This is true for many bookstores. They have different allocations for the branches and online.)
• You can actually also do the same thing for @nationalbookstore branches. Have called their branches a couple of times to ask which branches have a specific book, and they would enumerate it, including how many possible copies. Haven’t had them transfer a book yet, though, as I’ve only done pick-ups.
• When I lived near Santolan, I especially loved that branch’s Viber account bec they would greet me on my birthday every year and remind me of the birthday discount.
• Why don’t I just order from Amazon? Bec for print books, 1) most of the titles I want have a shipping fee rendering them more expensive and 2) whenever possible, I think it’s better to support the local economy.
• I have that many unread messages on Viber bec I dislike Viber.🤷🏽‍♀️

Happy hunting!

Kind of hoping someone also shares it on Reddit. I figure the more people who know, the better for our local bookstores.

Addendum: And in a poetic turn of events, I spilled a bit of chili garlic on KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL.