I’m in Dallas for several days and I think I timed my visit just perfectly. Today I went to a library book sale and I got quite a few goodies. Let me tell you what I got:
- The Long Haul by Amanda Stern. This is a book from Soft Skull Press, one of those indie presses I’ve been meaning to check out for a while now.
- July’s People by Nadine Gordimer. I’ve not read anything by this Noble Prize winner.
- Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Meditations on love, marriage, peace, life…
- The Debut by Anita Brookner. Story of a woman who’s been escaping from life into books. Has she been ruined by literature? Oh this sounds very good.
- The Effect of Living Backwards by Heidi Julavits. A tale of two sisters.
- The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin. A novel of the near future. You know, if it hadn’t been for the Once Upon a Time Challenge that I’ve participated in I don’t know if I’d be so keen to read this. Reading challenges and book blogs have definitely expanded my reading interests.
- Alice in Bed by Cathleen Schine. According to the book jacket this is an exceptionally funny first novel.
- Let Me Alone & A Scarcity of Love by Anna Kavan. I couldn’t find a link to this edition of the two stories but according to a quote on the back of the book these are considered Kavan’s best.
- Beacon Street Mourning by Dianne Day. A historical mystery – you know I love those.
- Pride and Predator by Sally Wright. Literary Feline just reviewed one of the newer books in this series and it sounded really good so I’m glad I snagged this copy.
- What is Mine by Anne Holt. Yep, another crime novel but I do like these.
I’m so excited about my books!
In the next few days I hope to catch up with friends, visit one of my former book groups, go to the grand opening of Paper Source (shh, don’t tell my husband because I’m sure to spend a lot of money!) and of course catch up on some of my bookbinding classes. I’m very excited because I’m learning a new technique which is really neat – I can’t wait to show you pics. And, I definitely plan to visit my old library quite a bit. As much as I love Austin, I really miss my public library.
I know I’ve been promising some book reviews and I will get to those but it’s just that I feel like my brain is fried. Seriously, this heat is getting on my nerves! Plus, I am in Dallas which means a lot of family stuff to take care of but hopefully I’ll get around to those reviews soon.
Anyway, I’m off to find something cold to drink and grab a good book.
You got great books! Especially The Long Haul by Amanda Stern.
Wow, looks like you’ll have a great reading week ahead!
Happy reading and hope you’ve a great weekend, Iliana. 🙂
Those are great finds Ili! Did you know that Plano is having their annual book fair this weekend? It started on Thursday, I think Friday costs $1 or $5 to get in, but Saturday and Sunday are free. Will you be checking that out? I am at the Mary Kay Seminar, so I can’t go but if you do and see something you know I’ll like pick it up and I’ll pay you! 🙂 See you at Mystery book group on Monday.
This is the second post I’ve read this morning about a good library sale. What a lot of books you found! It sounds like you have a nice few days ahead – enjoy!
How convenient that there was a book sale just when you were in town. No secret planning to make that happen now, was there? 🙂
What a haul! Looks like a great bunch of books. I really liked July’s People, but I haven’t read any of the others. This reminds me that I want to read some Ursula LeGuin, though!
Wow! You made out like a bandit! And you gave me some great reading suggestions!
Don’t worry about the book reviews. You will always be behind because you find such great books everywhere!
Keep cool. I am doing as little as possible to keep my brain going also.
Wow, you did snag some really good books! I love a good library sale. Unfortunately, in my area that only happens once a year!
Some exciting finds! Looking forward to the reviews!
Ooh…The Debut sounds *very* good–it’s almost like me losing myself in books! 🙂 I have grown to like Brookner a lot. I’ll have to keep an eye on this one. Last year the Outmoded Author Challenge introduced me to Anna Kavan, whose detached, unsentimental prose really intrigues me. The writing is so crisp but she is very observant.
Enjoy your stay in Dallas…and have fun!
I think I told you I got The Debut at my library sale — it’s sitting right beside me! Bet you beat me to it. Gifts from the Sea is a lovely read. You really make a killing at those sales, don’t you?
I second Bookfool’s comment. Gifts from the Sea is a lovely read. I listened to it on audio (great narrator) and have read it as well. The Brookner book sounds intriguing. I love books about books!
Try to stay cool. I know it’s difficult when Dallas is in triple digits. We’re supposed to hit 100 for the first time this summer. We’ve been very lucky thus far. Wonder if that means we’re in for a nasty winter!
Nice timing about the library sale. You came away with some interesting books, some of which are now on my wishlist. Thanks a lot! 😉
I’ve just been over to the Paper Source site and I am so envious. If we had anything comparable anywhere near here I would be permanently penniless!
Ahh, the magic words “library sale” 😀
Enjoy your new books!
Wow, looks like you’ll be busy. I hope you enjoy.
I love library book sales, you never know what you’ll find; I posted about my haul back in June … I showed great restraint!
on another note, the “masthead” on your blog is fantastic!
What great books! I haven’t read an Anita Brookner in years but I really like the sound of the one you picked up.
Lucky you to find a library sale. It looks like you came away with a great stack. I’ve read most (maybe all) of Dianne Day’s mysteries by the way. I really enjoyed them, but was sorry to hear she had lost her publisher and she must not have gotten a new one as I’ve not seen any books by her published in years! Hope you’re having fun in Dallas!
Anon – I’m looking forward to the Stern book!
Melody – Thank you… My weekend has been good albeit hot! I just want to sit and read and not be bothered. ha,ha… Hope you are enjoying yours too!
Shadan – That’s where I got all these books from girl! Remember we went last year? I thought it was better this time but again too many people. I can’t wait to see you on Monday 🙂
Tara – I haven’t started any of my library sale books yet but I’m tempted by them. I just don’t want to get too overwhelmed with too many books going at once. I think I learned my lesson 🙂
Stefanie – Oh no, no secret planning at all 😉
Gentle Reader – I’m glad to hear you’ve enjoyed July’s People. I was talking to some book group friends and they all said they had a problem with some of her books. I was getting a bit worried! I’m very curious so I’m trying to go in with an open mind!
Anna – I did pretty good didn’t I? I hope I didn’t hit anyone with my bag of books as I was trying to get a closer look at all the books 🙂
Isabel – Tomorrow it’s supposed to get up to 107 here! I’m being very lazy.. Well, when I can 🙂
Lisa – Most of the libraries in the Dallas area also have once a year sales – I guess since a lot of the burbs aren’t that far from one another though I have been able to enjoy various sales a year!
Jordan – I know, I’m pretty excited about some of my finds too!
Matt – I knew I’d heard of Anna Kavan from the blogosphere and I just couldn’t remember who mentioned her.. I’m sure now I read about her on your blog. I’ve looked for some info on her and she sounds like an important writer – I’m surprised I’ve never really heard about her before though.
Bookfool, aka Nancy – Yes, I remember you said that! Yay. Well, given what my towering stacks of unread books look like, I’m not sure when I’ll get to the book but I’m glad I’ve got in my greedy little hands now 🙂
Les in NE – I am looking forward to Gifts from the Sea. A couple of years ago I read a memoir and the writer kept referring to this book. I didn’t like that one much but have high hopes for this one. You guys stay cool too!
tanabata – I know, some of these books I don’t know if I’d pick them up before but finding them at a sale makes them more tempting 🙂
Ann (Table Talk) – I had visited that store in Chicago & Boston and was so jealous that they had one. Granted, here I am moving to Austin and they finally open a store in Dallas. Ah well, at least I know I’ll be coming up to Dallas quite frequently so that’s another incentive. It’s such a cool store!
Nymeth – That’s a great set of words – you are right!
aka Nik – I know! I’ve been catching up with some books for reviews though and so they’ll have to wait a bit longer. Good thing is the books I’m currently reading are very good!
Dawn – Aren’t library sales great? I probably would have gotten more books but there were so many people and finally I got a bit tired of the crowd. Still a good haul. Oh and thank you for the compliment on the mast head – I wish I could take full credit for that but it’s my husband’s doing 🙂
litlove – I’ve only read one of her books but I just have a feeling I’ll enjoy her books. I guess that’s the good thing of just having discovered her – I’ve got lots of books of hers to look forward to 🙂
Danielle – Oh isn’t that awful when you like a good mystery series and then they just stop… Dallas is good but I’m busy with a lot of house stuff so that’s not too fun. Thank goodness for the library sale, friends and books 🙂
Ooh ooh, I definitely want to know what you think of Cathleen Schine’s book. I interviewed her for ER and read and reviewed her book The New Yorkers. She is a fabulous person, and her writing is top notch, in my opinion. From what I’ve read thus far, anyway!