by Rea Alducente
I was on a high, like a book addict who couldn’t wait to get their fix. The moment I heard MV Logos Hope, the world’s largest traveling bookshop, was coming to Cebu, I knew right away that I shouldn’t and couldn’t miss it. I dragged two of my friends with me to what I call a book paradise.
Some people consider Logos Hope as the biggest floating library in the world, even though it isn’t exactly a library. The books are for sale and the price ranges from P100 to P200 for the cheaper books, while the more expensive ones cost around P400 to P1,000. The bookshop occupies one air-conditioned deck of the ship and has over 5,000 titles to choose from!
It was my first time on board and it did not disappoint. Upon entering, we were greeted by their very friendly and accommodating crew who are all volunteers and come from different parts of the world.
For a while, I was debating with myself on which books to get. So many genres were available! Children’s books, classics, romance novels, fiction, self-help books, cook books, books on religion, academic books, audio books… you name it, they probably have it.
For some reason, I expected the books to look old and dusty like they were passed down from one generation to the next (which I don’t mind by the way). I was surprised to see that they’re good as new! I was so giddy to own more books so it took me quite some time to go around and finally decide what to buy.
I ended up getting only one book for myself: A Waist is a Terrible Thing to Mind by Karen Scalf Linamen for P150. I bought my toddler a thick coloring book (P75) and an adventure book called Owl’s Big Tree (P100). For the rest of the titles I wanted to buy, I made a mental list and promised myself to come back for them.
Logos Hope also sells souvenirs like Logos Hope caps, journal notebooks, posters, pens, and crayons, to name a few. After buying my books and a key chain (worth P35), I thought our adventure was over but the experience didn’t end there.
Right next to the bookshop is what they call the Journey of Life. Two crew members asked us if we wanted to listen to the journey story, which turned out to be the parable of The Prodigal Son. And although we already knew what it’s all about, the amazing illustrations on the walls made us stop, look and listen anyway.
Our own Logos Hope journey ended at their international café where we grabbed mocha vanilla ice cream. It was the perfect way to cap off a book shopping-filled morning. I was amazed by the idea of a floating bookshop that I couldn’t help repeat the words Douglas MacArthur once uttered. I told myself, “I shall return.”
☁️
BOOKBED 
Anything to share? :)