Just when you thought you were finally getting your spending under control… BAM!… the Colombo International Book Fair rolls around. And if there’s one thing every bookworm knows, it’s that “I’m only going to look” is a dangerous promise to make when you’re surrounded by thousands of books.
As if our TBR piles weren’t already threatening to take over our lives, BookTok (TikTok’s wonderfully book-obsessed corner of the internet with over 85Mn posts) has introduced us to our next must-read. One minute you’re casually scrolling; the next, you’ve added six books to your mental shopping list because a stranger on the internet said, “Trust me, you’ll love this.”
So, with the Colombo International Book Fair happening from September 25 to October 4 at BMICH, we decided it was time to get some professional help before we collectively lose the plot, and our money.
Enter Shirleen of Shirlisticle, a BookTok creator who knows a thing or two about finding, recommending and falling hopelessly in love with books. We asked her for her top tips and tricks to make this year’s Book Fair worth the trip… from what to look out for to how to navigate the temptation when every single book suddenly feels like one you absolutely need.
Will her advice save our wallets? We’re not making any promises. But at least we’ll be going in prepared.
1. How do you survive the Colombo Book Fair without losing the plot or your wallet?
My first rule? Get there early and do a lap before you let your wallet anywhere near a checkout. I always pre-book my ticket, ideally for the first day, and this year I’m planning to be there by 9 a.m., before the crowds really kick in. I’ve already purchased my ticket online!
Once I’m in, I spend the first hour or two scouting the stalls, comparing prices and checking out the offers. Jeya Book Center, Makeen Books and GoodReads Lanka are usually on my list, with CGA, M.D. Gunasena and Sarasavi depending on what I’m looking for.
I’d also recommend checking out the second-hand section. Even if you’re usually a new-book person like me, you can find books in great condition at much cheaper prices, along with some really good bundle deals.
And please come prepared. Have a rough wishlist and budget but leave room for a surprise find. Carry water, wear comfortable shoes and bring a tote bag or backpack. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, and somehow that one-book plan can get very heavy, very quickly.
2. So, how would you build a Book Fair wishlist using BookTok before you go?
Start today! Intentionally curate your FYP by watching, saving and interacting with BookTok creators who actually share your taste. Search specific genres, tropes and vibes rather than just “book recommendations”. Try #FantasyBookTok, #ThrillerBookTok, #MysteryBookTok, #HorrorBookTok, #SciFiBooks, #DarkAcademia, #CozyBookTok and #UnderratedBooks if you want to get beyond the usual viral titles.
I’d also look beyond the mega-viral titles. Follow smaller, honest reviewers who do quick, spoiler-free reviews and you might find some hidden gems that haven’t already taken over everyone’s TBR.
Then make two lists: a primary wishlist and a “maybe, if I find it” list. Want to try fantasy but you’re not usually a fantasy reader? Maybe this is your sign to finally pick up something like Fourth Wing. Or maybe you want to try something completely different, like healing fiction, where the focus is less on a heavy, plot-driven story and more on people, everyday experiences and those little things we often go through but don’t always talk about. These books can feel like a safe haven, so put one on that second list and see if it speaks to you. Put a few books outside your usual comfort zone on that second list and challenge yourself to try something new.
And then, unfortunately, we have to talk about money. With the current cost of books in Sri Lanka, set a realistic budget before you go and actually stick to it… or at least try! I’d even do a little pre-check of the bookshops you want to visit and see which ones that offer ‘Buy now, Pay later’ options so you know your options before you get carried away.
Finally, keep checking BookTok in the days leading up to and during the fair. Sri Lankan BookTok creators will be sharing new finds, reviews, collections, discounts and offers, so your wishlist can evolve as you discover more.
Just remember: the goal is to build a wishlist, not a shopping cart. The wallet still has to survive.
3. What are three non-negotiable rules every Book Fair-goer should follow?
Non-negotiable number one: charge your phone! Your phone is your wishlist, price checker, BookTok feed, review checker and, potentially, your payment method. Bring a power bank too. You do not want to find the book and then have your battery die at the worst possible moment.
Non-negotiable number two: follow the three-stall rule. See a book you love? Keep walking! Check at least three stalls before you commit. You might find the same title at a better price, a different edition or a better offer somewhere else.
Non-negotiable number three: pack a snack. A hungry tummy will tell your head it’s had enough, but it really hasn’t! Bring water and something to eat, especially if you’re planning to spend hours walking around. Nobody wants hanger to be the reason they abandon their Book Fair mission.
And finally, you know how the wand chooses the wizard? Well, at the Book Fair, let the book choose you! Go prepared with your ticket, BookTok wishlist and budget, but leave some room for the unexpected. Reading is personal, so don’t feel pressured to buy something just because BookTok is obsessed with it. Browse, discover, trust your instincts and let the right book find you. Just make sure your wallet gets a say too.
At the end of the day, the Colombo Book Fair is exactly the kind of place where all your carefully made plans can go wonderfully off-script. You might walk in looking for one book and walk out with five. You might discover a genre you never thought you’d read, stumble across a hidden gem on a second-hand shelf, or finally find the book that BookTok has been telling you about for months.
So yes, go prepared. But leave a little room for the chaos. Because the best part of being a bookworm is that there is always another story waiting to pull you in. Just make sure your wallet survives long enough to bring it home.
