Have you already bought your first book(s) of the year? I was hoping to hold out a bit longer but my mom wanted to go to Half Price Books to look for a calendar and I couldn’t resist a little something for me.
I found a copy of Murder at the Portland Variety by M.J. Zellnick. This is a first in a series set in 1894 Portland. A vaudeville actress is found murdered and a seamstress working for the same theater, Libby, isn’t convinced it was a random kidnapping gone wrong. So she sets to investigate.
You know how much I enjoy historical mysteries so I couldn’t pass up on this one.
When I wandered to the Clearance Section I quickly spotted a copy of The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry and I was thinking “oh, lucky bookgirl” until I picked up the book and realized that some of the pages were warped and the book had a lot of writing in it. Now I know why it was on clearance. The book had to go back on the shelf.
I love used books but they have to be pretty good copies before they find a home with the rest of my books. Anyway, it was still a fun visit to the bookstore and I’m glad I found a book that had been on my wish list.
How about you, which books have you recently bought?
I bought my first book a week or so ago. Sarah’s Key! I gave you an award.
I had to make a deal with myself at the start of 2009- no new books except for those I’ll have to buy for my two book clubs. I’m starting to feel jittery about that already, but there’s no way to justify buying more books when I have 175 + waiting on my to-read shelf.
Still, the book I bought most recently (and it was for book club) is The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.
By the way, hello. I’ve enjoyed checking in on your blog every now and then and hope to be around more.
I have purchased one new book so far in 2009 and has instantly become a favorite – “A Certain Alchemy” by Keith Carter (a photography monograph).
Too bad about “The Lace Reader” — you can always borrow my copy if you like…. 😉
Just bought my first two tonight from the For Sale shelf at the library: 1) Bee Season and 2) The Girls. Onto the TBR bookselves they go ….
What a bummer! I don’t mind used books too, but like you I want them to be in a fairly good condition (meaning no scribbles, no missing pages or a badly wrinkled spine!). All of these really takes away the reading pleasure and I’d rather go for the new ones even though that means I’ve to spend more money. ;P
I have been good so far and not bought any yet this year. It’s only a matter of time though I am sure.
I’ve bought several already and two more arrived today. One was actually for my husband, though, so it doesn’t count. 🙂 Murder at the Portland Variety sounds good, but I will for your review before adding it to the list.
I love buying used books, you never know what you’re going to find! So far I’ve bought The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga), A Heartbreaking work of staggering genius (Dave Eggers), The Bookclub bible and McSweeney’s issue 13. I just couldn’t help myself
I haven’t purchased any new books recently. I’m not allowing myself to until I clear my stack of review copies. My husband bought me a book recently, though, Sarah’s Key.
Half-Price reeled me in as well! I bought Emily’s Runaway Imagination (collecting Beverly Cleary books) and The Man Who Made Lists. Oh, and my husband and I got textbooks…but those don’t count. 😉
I haven’t bought my first book yet, but I did get ONE FIFTH AVENUE from the library today. I can’t wait to start reading it.
I’ve only bought one: Revolutionary Road. So far, so good on the no buying. We’ll see how long it lasts. The urge is STRONG!!!
You know, I don’t think I have bought a book yet this year. But I will soon — I ordered a copy of The Glass Castle for a book group. But still, not so bad! And book group books shouldn’t count, right? 🙂
I have to tighten the belt this year…and book buying is part of that! But I did go to the library and checked out Einstein by Walter Isaacson. It is very interesting (100 pages in)…
Happy New Year!
Serena – You were fast! 🙂 Thank you for the award, I promise to visit soon!
Christie – Thank you so much for stopping by! I know what you mean, my TBR shelves are threatening to take over the place but I can’t stop! It’s a lovely madness 🙂
Christine – Thanks Chica. I think this means I have to come visit you to pick it up right? 🙂 I can’t wait to hear more about your new book!
Betty & Boo’s Mommy – You must read The Girls! I loved that book 🙂
Melody – I know what you mean! I don’t mind a little inscription somewhere – actually that’s kind of cool but too many jottings or worse highlighting and that’s it. The book is set aside!
Marg – I know, we have no willpower right. Hang in there!
jenclair – Yea, your husband’s book does not count so you are doing great 🙂
Rebecca – Ooh, you got some cool stuff. I keep hearing about The White Tiger everywhere and now I want it 🙂
Anna – See, you are ok, if it was bought for you, that doesn’t count 🙂
Tiffany – No textbooks don’t count so you are fine 🙂 It’s hard to resist Half Price Books isn’t it!
nik – I also got a library book too even though I’m supposed to be reading from my stacks! 🙂
Andi – Keep away from the big Half Price Bookstore! 🙂 How are you liking Revolutionary Road – I want to see the film!
Dorothy W. – That’s right we are not going to count book group books! 🙂 Hope you enjoy The Glass Castle – that seems to always get good reviews.
Anon – I totally understand. That’s why I was trying to be good but well at least it did come from Half Price Book so it was a bit of a bargain 🙂
I haven’t actually bought anything yet this year but I bought quite a lot at the end of last year so I’m trying to hold out, until February at least! 😉
I’ve haven’t bought anything yet in 09, although I bought Guernsey Literary Society on new year’s eve, so that was close 😉
I went to the library today and took out The Hour I First Believed, as well as three books for Eva’s World Citizen Challenge.
tanabata – Well, I guess you did have quite a bit of a spree there didn’t you? 🙂 I’m hoping to hold out on any other purchases until then too. We’ll see how long that lasts!
Becca – So close… I am trying to read more from my stacks this year as well but I haven’t spent time in the library just browsing and I know the minute I do I’ll be walking away with a huge stack. Enjoy Eva’s challenge. That sounds so fun!
I’ve been very bad this year so far, though I at least have been mostly using gift cards. I’ve posted a couple of times on new books–I think so far they are all my favorites! 🙂
Heh, I haven’t bought a book yet this year but I bought three books on December 31st and got them in the mail this week. That was fun and will help me resist binging for at least a little while.
Danielle – Ah well you have to use the gift cards right? I have missed not having internet so I can’t wait to catch up on your book purchases – I wanna see pics 🙂
Stefanie – You are doing good! Just wait until Half Price Books has a sale though 🙂
I was going to try to be very good this year and not buy too many books, but I had to get my current book club selection since they were all checked out at the library. It’s Tana French’s In the Woods and it’s wonderful!! Off to go read a couple of chapters right now.
I have bought a handful of books so far this year, but only one that I used my own money on. I still have plenty of gift cards left to use up too, which is a nice prospect, but I’m trying to be more selective this year. The first book I bought this year (with the gift card) was The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. I loved The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books and figured it was time I read some of his other work.
Les in NE – Yay, I’m so glad you are enjoying In the Woods. I really liked the sequel to it as well. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the ending!
Literary Feline – Oh you are good. I try to save up gift cards too but this time around I couldn’t wait 🙂 I’ve never read anything by Tolkien!