Last weekend was our annual Friends of the Library book sale. I love the Friday night preview event for members - wine, cheese, music, and a chance to shop before the Saturday morning madness. It's basically a cocktail party with books!
My goal is always to donate more than I purchase. Despite the wine, I came home with only 14 books. Such restraint! From the top:
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
I loved the audio version of This is How You Lose Her (read by the author) and have wanted to read his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel ever since.
Fin & Lady by Cathleen Schine
If it's even half as entertaining as The Three Weissmans of Westport, I'll be happy.
The Time of Our Singing by Richard Powers
I've been wanting to read this author for quite a while.
Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan
I seem to collect McEwan's novels.
Isabel's Bed by Elinor Lipman
The View From Penthouse B was a highlight last summer. I'm not familiar with this title, but for a dollar I'll take the risk.
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
I've enjoyed several other books by this author.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
It seems like this has been on my wish list forever. Is it old enough to be considered a classic?
Mary Coin by Marisa Silver
recommended by a book club friend
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart
...for Anbolyn's Mary Stewart Reading Week next month
The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman
Another Lipman! This one is Thomas's favorite.
TheSnow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Maybe a little outside my comfort zone, but many bloggers loved it.
Winter of the World by Ken Follett
Book Two of the Century Trilogy, 940 pages in hardcover - what was I thinking? Maybe I'll read it on the beach in Florida this winter.
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
This book was everywhere a couple of years ago. Time to find out what all the fuss was about.
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
totally an impulse purchase
Have you read any of these? Where should I start?
I have a few of these on my shelf unread. The only one I HAVE read is The Snow Child, which people loved. I can't say I loved it, but it was very unique, and almost like a fairy tale.
ReplyDeleteSandy - I remember thinking The Snow Child was not at all like the books I typically read, but thought the premise was interesting. Time to expand my horizons... we'll see .
DeleteThat's a great pile! I feel like Mary Coin is one that was a little lost in the shuffle last year, but I absolutely loved it.
ReplyDeleteShannon - My friend raved about Mary Coin, so I was surprised it didn't get mentioned on many blogs.
DeleteI always end up with book envy when I see a haul like this! The Inn at Lake Divine is a favorite of mine as well. And Nine Coaches Waiting is such a great book.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I almost started Lake Devine a couple of nights ago, but decided to go for a library e-book that is about to expire (and it's one that Audrey recommended). Looking forward to Mary Stewart week and Nine Coaches Waiting!
DeleteI've only read one of those books but do own a couple others. So, did you donate more than 14 books?
ReplyDeleteKathy - Should have mentioned that in my post, but yes... I donated several shopping bags full :-)
DeleteIt is not a perfect book by any means, but I think you will love Sweet Tooth. It is much less dark than many McEwan novels and it has a rather fun literary storyline mixed with clandestine government ops and a bit of romance. I really loved that book.
ReplyDeleteYou know my thoughts on The Inn at Lake Devine. I own Isobel's Bed but haven't read it. I think Devine is by far her best book with many of the rest being worth reading but somewhat mediocre.
Your comment on the Weissmans gives me a little hope. I own it, but am a little hesitant to try it because I found Fin & Lady a tad boring. Not so much that I didn't want to read it, but just felt it could have been a little bit more.
Thomas - I'd heard that Sweet Tooth wasn't as dark as some of his others (The Comfort of Strangers is probably the darkest I've read), which makes it more appealing to me.
DeleteCan't remember if you read Lipman's View From Penthouse B, but that was just a perfect summer read for me last year.
Three Weissmans is a modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility and I thought it was very clever and entertaining (another great summer read). I remember watching a BBC version of S&S afterwards and appreciating it even more.
I've only read Caleb's Crossing. I liked it! I love how the author writes.
ReplyDeleteHeida - I'm hoping Caleb's Crossing is as good as Year of Wonders... loved that one!
DeleteSounds like a fun event. I enjoyed The Snow Child.
ReplyDeletePat - The Snow Chid may be a stretch for me, but I'm looking forward to it!
DeleteWhat a great book haul!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these, but Mary Coin is on my TBR list. The premise sounds so intriguing!
Bookmammalmusings - I thought Mary Coin sounded really interesting, too, and am surprised I haven't seen it on more blogs.
DeleteGREAT haul! I've enjoyed Cathleen Schine before, and I've been dying to read McEwan's Sweet Tooth. And The Remains of the Day! High on my wanna-read list.
ReplyDeleteAndi - I came so close to starting Remains of the Day the other night! Decided to go with a library e-book that's about to disappear. Sweet Tooth sounds like a good read, too...
DeleteMary Coin and The Snow Child are SO good! I've been meaning to read The a Remains of the Day forever for my own Japanese Literature Challenges. I also have a Richard Powers book, Orfeo, because it is long listed for the Man Booker prize. But, I hadn't really heard of him before last week. You scored, as my son would say!
ReplyDeleteBellezza - Glad to know you liked Mary Coin. It seems like a book that should have received more attention. I'm sure The Snow Child is flirting with the boundaries of my com for zone, but I think that's a good thing :)
DeleteI like the "only 14" tag!
ReplyDeleteMystica - In previous years, I've come out with 2 bags full or even more! My tbr pile is starting to stress me out, so I try to be more careful about adding to it ;-)
DeleteWhat a great selection of books! I've been meaning to read Junot Diaz for ages, and anything Geraldine Brooks is good. Enjoy all of your new reads :)
ReplyDeleteSam - I was really surprise at how much I enjoyed This is How You Lose Her and can't wait to read more Diaz.
DeleteYay! Elinor Lipman and Cathleen Schine are two of my favorites. Is Wilfred Price your expiring ebook? I hope you're enjoying it ... it always makes me a little nervous when people read books I recommend! :)
ReplyDeleteAudrey - Yes, it's Wilfred Price, and no need to worry - it's delightful!
DeleteI read Inn at Lake Devine earlier this summer and adored it. Loved the characters, loved the writing. My first Lipman but definitely not my last.
ReplyDeleteAgoodstoppingpoint - I'm hoping to read Lake Devine before summer ends... seems like the perfect time!
DeleteGreat haul! Library book sales are delicious. =)
ReplyDeleteDiana - This particular sale is always a summer highlight!
DeleteYou definitely scored with Oscar Wao!
ReplyDeleteVasilly - I think Diaz is wonderfully talented... looking forward to Oscar Wao.
DeleteThat's an awesome haul! A few of those are on my shelf, but I haven't actually read any of them. I did try The Happiness Project, but didn't finish. I know a lot of people loved it, but it just wasn't for me. Hopefully you'll have better luck with it. In fact, hopefully you'll love every last one of those "only 14" books. ;)
ReplyDeleteDebi - I actually borrowed The Happiness Project from the library when it was all the rage. Never got very far and then it was due... we'll see what happens this time.
DeleteWhat great book loot JoAnn. I loved The Inn at Lake Devine - read it twice, something I never do. I also loved the Follet one a lot. enjoy
ReplyDeleteDiane - So much love out there for Lake Devine.... must get to it before summer ends!!
DeleteWinter of the World was so good...can't believe you're going to try it in hardback!! I couldn't even read that one in paperback...had to go Kindle. I also read Sweet Tooth last year...my first McEwan. I liked it fine, but wasn't blown away.
ReplyDeleteIn other news - I'm about 70% through We Are Not Ourselves and now totally see what you mean about needing to recover! It took me awhile to even figure out what the book was about - it's so subtle for the first 1/3 or so - but now I'm completely affected by it! Looking forward to your review when you're ready to write it.
Sarah - Funny story about Fall of Giants. My brother-in-law bought the hardcover and left it in Florida. I picked it up on a whim and got hooked, but ended buying the kindle edition after a couple hundred pages. We'll see what happens with Winter of the World.
DeleteThe more I think about We Are Not Ourselves, the more impressed I am. Can't wait to hear what you think at the end!
Great books! I LOVED The Snow Child. It's a bit outside my comfort zone but it was a quick read. The writing was really nice - stark but descriptive at the same time. The Happiness Project was an experience for me. I didn't like the author but I got a lot out of it and it definitely helped me focus on being happy. I'll be interested to see what you think about it. Geraldine Brooks has been on my authors to try list for years. I really enjoy her husband's (Tony Horwitz) travel memoir type books but haven't tried her yet. Mary Stewart is on my reread list. It's been far too long since I've read any of her books. Enjoy your reading!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Thanks for your input on these titles! I've never read Tony Horwitz, but have Blue Latitudes on my shelf... have you read that one?
DeleteWonderful choices-- I just went to a Friends of the Library sale, fill up a plastic supermarket bag for $3.00. I came home with 3 hardcovers and 15 paperbacks! Not all books I might necessarily be clamoring to read, but I felt I could find a home for them somewhere :) By the way, on my blog I am doing a 2 free used books giveaway, ends Monday 9 am...if you have room on your shelves, lol.
ReplyDeleteRita - Friends sales are definitely the best! I'm so tempted to stop by your giveaway, but after clearing my shelves for donations, I'm being very careful about filling them up again ;-)
DeleteThe Follett is so worth it! I can't wait to get a copy of the final book in the trilogy. I listened to the audios, though.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - I'm really looking forward toWinter of the World, but am sure I'll have to supplement this hardcover with either a kindle edition or the audio!
DeleteThose are some seriously good books that you got. I have been considering Snow Child too. Not my cup of tea either but everyone has raved about it. I also want to read the Remains of the Day.
ReplyDeleteAthira - My feelings exactly on The Snow Child, but I will give it a go. Remains of the Day is on my Classics Club list so I'm glad to have found an inexpensive copy. I wonder about buying so many paper books though... so much pf my reading has been on the kindle lately.
DeleteI went to a library sale last week and came home with 9. Maybe if I'd had wine it would have been 14 :) I own Nine Coaches but haven't read it yet.
ReplyDeleteStacy - If you're in the mood for Stewart next month, check out the special event week I mentioned. Without the wine, I may have skipped a few of these ;-)
DeleteYou got some good ones! I can't imagine what I'd do at a book sale on wine. That's why I have to just do the regular weekly sale.
ReplyDeleteLisa - Good think it was only one glass... and mostly after I'd finished shopping ;-)
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