Don’t read any posters. Read these books.
We saw this poster when we first arrived at the Frankfurt Airport. An auspicious start to good vacation don’t you think?
Even though my German is still not good it doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of the bookstores. Aside from checking out how well stocked the English book sections are, I also browse around the whole store. I want to see the differences in book cover art, I want to figure out the titles of books and I like to come upon favorite books.
I didn’t go too crazy with the book buying this time around but on my trips to Buchhandlung Hugendubel in Frankfurt and Thalia in Braunschweig I bought the following books:
- Hunting and Gathering by Anna Gavalda
- Hurting Distance by Sophie Hannah
- The Complete Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby
- The Faces of Angels by Lucretia Walsh Grindle
- A Jarful of Angels by Babs Horton
- Fixing Shadows by Susan Barrett
I also bought some cute bookmarks and a copy of Marie Claire Idées. Hurrah. I’d heard a lot about this magazine from some of my crafty friends but I hadn’t been able to find one in Dallas. Let’s see if I can still put my knowledge of high school French to good use. At least there are a lot of pictures of pretty things so I’ll enjoy those. Heh.
Hopefully tomorrow I’ll tell you about the books I read. Gotta finish up my book reports.
I’m sure you are wishing you were still on vacation, but I’m glad you’re back! 🙂 You have shown excellent restraint with the books. Are books in English expensive? I remember when I was in Austria they were terribly expensive, so I always bought used books (awful selection, but better prices). Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.
I think the Euro exchange rate would make everything a bit more pricier than home.
I suppose it’s not difficult to get books in English language in Germany? I know there are always used bookstores that stock up on English titles, but it might be a bit hard to find hardcore fiction.
Anyway I’m glad you’re back. 🙂
What a great poster! I need to stop reading from my computer screen and return to my book. 😉 Looks like you got some great books there. I need to give Nick Hornby a try. I have one of his books on my shelf. The title eludes me now.
Great list! I’ve had my eye on a couple of these – I’d love to go on a European book shopping spree!
Danielle – Yes, they are expensive as they are imports and then there is the Euro which is at an all time high. Ugh. I do know of one good used bookstore in Berlin but we didn’t have a chance to visit it so hence why I restrained a bit on the book buying 🙂
Matt – Yep, in some places it is hard to find more a small section of English books but I’ve been amazed to see how well stocked some of the larger bookstores are. The one bookstore I visited in Frankfurt had a whole room called “The Bookshop” where it was all English books and some other international books. And, yes, I’m hoping the Euro isn’t so high next time we go!
Literary Feline – Ha,ha.. I’ve read a couple of Nick Hornby’s books. I recommend High Fidelity!
Tara – I’ve read two of them so I’ll post reviews soon 🙂 My book shopping sprees used to be great when Germany was still using Marks but ah well.
I like magazines from other countries. It gives you an idea of what the regular people read.
Sounds like you picked up some wonderful items along the way. Yeah, that exchange rate is a killer! Great book finds and I like that little magazine….the French really know fashion!
Hey you’re back!! With streets like that one below, in Germany, I don’t blame you for wanting to be on vacation mode still. Go thru your pics slowly, it will help prolong that state of mind. Haha!
I’ve got that Nick Hornby book on my bookshelf but is still unread. Are you going to be reading that one next? Tell me what you think.
I agree with Danielle – you showed some restraint. Haha!! Honestly, I think books in the US are still cheaper by far.
But so glad you’re back, and looking forward to your pixs and book reviews. 🙂
You did well only buying 6 books. I love the bookmarks!
I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the Anna Gavalda. I’ve heard of her a few times lately.
Isabel – Indeed! I also picked up a lot of flyers at the bookstores and my list of books to be read is growing like crazy. I will have to blog about those too 🙂
Christine – I know, the exchange rate is the pits. Thank goodness we didn’t have to spend much on hotels! Idees is so cute. I love the shabby chic look.
Kisane – You are right! I would love to read the Hornby book next but I’ve got to get caught up on some book club reads so it may have to wait.
Tanabata – I did read the Gavalda book (review to come) and it wasn’t what I expected. From what I’d heard of her I assumed it was going to be more “literary”? It wasn’t bad, I quite enjoyed it but just different I guess.
Fun!!! A Complete Polysyllabic Spree. I didn’t even know there was such a thing. Enjoy!
Love that poster! And the bookmarks! And there’s really nothing quite like a new pile of books, is there? Ahhh.
Welcome back! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip. Cute bookmarks you got. And I love the poster. What a cool thing to see at the airport!
Andi – I know isn’t that cool? The book doesn’t look much larger than the other one but I’m glad I have the “complete” version 🙂
Anon – Yep, a pile of new books makes this bookgirl happy indeed!
Stefanie – Thank you! I saw it as a good sign that lots of reading was ahead. hee.
Welcome back!
The Gavalda book is one of my favorites of the last few years. But I read the French original version. Maybe the translation doesn’t do it justice. There is also a movie, which I haven’t seen yet but which is supposed to be excellent.
Grominou2 – Thank you! I get the feeling that could be the case. I did enjoy it but there were a few things that seemed kind of odd. I would really like to read more by Gavalda though as I’ve heard such good things about some of her other books. I hope the movie makes it to the States – I would definitely see it.