I found Salem Chapel, a Virago that I didn't have, and a couple of P.D. James books. I'm not sure when or where I heard about P.D. James - definitely from the book blog world. I found exactly what I was looking for - An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, and think Innocent Blood looks really good as well. My big score of the day was 1939: The Last Season by Anne De Courcy. I've had my eye out for this for years and have considered ordering it from the UK. That's the best thing about shopping at Half Price - those surprising finds that make me catch my breath.
Once I got home I realized I hadn't been as pure in the book buying department as I thought.
I've also picked up The Red Leather Diary by Lily Koppel, one I'd been waiting for in paperback; Climbing the Mango Trees by Madhur Jeffrey, and The Beekeeper's Apprentice. The two books on the bottom are advance copies.
It looks like I am going to be a delinquent book club member this month. Our February book is The Plague of Doves, Louise Erdrich's latest novel. I'm not sure why, but 30 pages in I feel completely flummoxed by it and I dread picking it up again. In fact, I think I won't. I know another member who said this is the first novel she's ever put down 80 pages in and said enough, and my mother-in-law couldn't finish it either which is saying something. I had high hopes for it, since I enjoyed her novel The Master Butcher's Singing Club so very much.
I don't think Bloglines is updating me properly, so if you missed my last post(s) do look below as I am having a giveaway.
Cheers!
23 comments:
That should keep you busy for a little while. Happy Reading!
What a great collection of books! I really enjoyed Anne De Courcey's book on debs, and I remember liking An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, I think I'd quite like to read it again.
I'm a big Louise Erdrich fan, but some of her novels are harder to like. My favourites are Love Medicine and The Beet Queen. I also liked The Blue Jay's Dance, a pregnancy diary. I must catch up with Erdrich's latest novels.
Yay for book buying! I think I'm due a peek in my local second-hand bookstore today... I really want to read An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and The Red Leather Diary. And I enjoyed the Laurie R. King book. Happy reading!
I had the same experience with Plague of Doves, and quit. But if it were a bookclub pick I don't know if I would have perservered or not - it would have been painful! Beekeeper's Apprentice is one of my faves - hope you like it.
Looks like you have a great stash of books there.
As for the book club book. I skip books once in awhile. There are just too many that I am dying to read and spending time on one that I just cannot get into is just a waste to me.
Our March book is Obama's Dreams From My Father but we should have placed this one later in the year because I am like 98 on the hold list at the library and I don't typically buy memoirs.
Looks like a fun stash of books! I've heard good things about P.D. James, but haven't read anything yet. I'll be interested in your reviews. Never have been a fan of Erdrich. Didn't care at all for Love Medicine. Tried another, but can't remember what it was now. I know I gave up on it.
I really enjoyed An Unsuitable Job for a Woman when I listened to it on audio - and The Beekeeper's Apprentice is one of my all-time favorites! Great finds.
Beekeeper's Apprentice has been out a while, but it is so good. My book group did it almost 2 years ago. You'll have to tell us what you think when you finish it.
Flummoxed, LOL. What a great word. I need to start using that in everyday conversation!!
I've been eyeing The Red Leather Diary! I look forward to your review.
Tara,
Love the stacks of books you have just acquired!!! P.D. James- I haven't read any of this author's books but I feel like I should. Am I missing out on something?
Whew, I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that I wasn't alone in my feelings of The Plague of Doves, I too stopped at around page 80 and said to myself...WTH? I didn't understand a thing and it just didn't feel good so I sent it packing back to the library!!
bermudaonion, I think so !
GeraniumCat, I'm glad to know you liked those, esp. the De Courcey book, seeing as it has been on my want list so very long!
Vintage Reading, someone on amazon remarked that they really liked her more plot-based books and had trouble with others such as Plague of Doves. I just loved the one book I've read by her so this was a disappointment.
avisannschild, I hope you found some treasures in your local book store. So many people have liked the King book - do you keep up with that series?
Melanie, do you read the other books in the King series? My bookclub used to be more 'strict' that is to say, we pretty much all always read the book, but in the past couple years life takes over and everyone is understanding of not being able to spend time on an unenjoyable book. Long story short, it'll be ok if I don't finish, and I'll go to the mtg anyway.
Ti, I always try the book club book and in most cases finish it. Some I just cannot stomach, though, besides this, Wicked and Smila's Sense of Snow. I can't imagine getting Pres. Obama's book from the library would be very easy right now - you're right about the timing.
Les, I'm excited to read the P.D. James. People seem to have strong reactions to Erdrich, I've noticed. I have another by her, with a long title about a female priest that looks good. I'll try it someday, though I'm not as eager now!
Carrie, one of your all time favorites? Wow! Do you read the others in the series. You're all making me want to start this one right now!
Kay, another fan! I definitely will. All the positive comments are bringing the book closer and closer to my nightstand.
LisaMM, it's a great word! I've had my eye on it since it first came out - I think I like the hardcover cover better.
Staci, I'll let you know if you're missing out on something! My impression is that she's a classic English mystery writer and I like the female perspective. Are you in my bookclub? Because the woman I spoke with got to page 80 also and said 'Enough!'. It's nice to know I am not in the minority on this one. I seriously feel as though I don't know what she (the author) is talking about!
Wow, you found a copy of 1939 at HPB--now that is a total score!! Actually the whole pile looks good!
My book group is reading The Plague of Doves, too! I haven't started it yet, but I liked The Master Butcher's Singing Club and The Last Report of the Miracles at Little No Horse (ok, might not have that last title right). Now I'm nervous that I might not like it...I'll let you know what I think :)
Danielle, I know! I just knew you would understand.
Gentle Reader, definitley let me know what you think! I have the Little No Horse book in the stacks here - I'm not in such a big hurry to read it now!
Oh fun, new books! I've read one P.D. James book, Cover Her Face, which I thought was a great mystery but I need to follow up with that series.
I have a coupon for HPB but didn't get a chance to stop in this weekend. I think it's still good for tomorrow though so there may still be new books in my future :)
Iliana, you have a coupon? I wonder if I had one too and threw it away accidentally - nuts! I hope you find some treats!
Well, I didn't find any books for me, but I did pick up one for my partner, the second in a series (I bought him the first for Christmas and he loved it).
To answer your question about King's books, I've only read two (or maybe three) in the Mary Russell series, although I own nearly all of them. I just haven't gotten around to reading more. I also really like her other series (the main character's name escapes me at the moment), as well as her standalone books. She's definitely a favourite!
I didn't know Madhur Jaffrey had written a book about her childhood in India! After checking I found my local library has a copy so I'll be grabbing that soon. Thanks for the heads-up! I hope you enjoy The Beekeeper's Apprentice!
avisannschild, Maybe the later ones were not as compelling? Funny, Eva wrote about Laurie King today, and will have an interview with her tomorrow. So cool!
Cath, You'll have to tell me how it is - I bet you'll read it before me. It seems like a much different picture of India than other books I have read, being that she came from a well off family.
I purchased The Red Leather Diary too - just before Christmas. Looks interesting. Also, is the Madhur Jaffrey a follow on from a previous memoir or stand alone. I have meant to look up some of her recipes for some time now?
Nutmeg, as far as I know the Jaffrey is a stand along book, I'm not aware of another memoir of hers. It looks like there are some recipes in this book, which is always a nice addition.
Well, I do tend to like mysteries with a modern setting better than historical mysteries, which is why I've read her other series first.
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