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My Latest Book Purchases

I  love buying books! There is no way I could manage to stick to a book buying ban and the moment I heard about the BLOB (Biggest Loser of Books) competition I knew there was no point signing up, as I was sure to fail.

I think it is worth it though. Look at all the wonderful books I’ve bought/swapped so far in 2010:

 

I have no idea where I’m going to find the time to read them all, but I’m very proud of my recent treasure hunting abilities!

Which books would you like to see me read first?

78 replies on “My Latest Book Purchases”

diane, I was very excited to find The Glass Castle for just 50p in a charity shop. I have heard so many wonderful things about it! I look forward to reading it.

I loved I’m Not Scared and The Book of Negroes! And I’ve read a Kelly Link story which really impressed me, so I keep meaning to check out her collection. 🙂

A Bookshelf Monstrosity, Marcelo is the only one I bought full price. I plan to read it very soon, so hopefully you won’t have to wait too long for my opinion of that. I am very excited about Incendiary, but am aware of how emotional Cleave’s books are, so have to wait until I’m in the right frame of mind for that.

Stujallen, I loved Starter for Ten, but have heard mixed things about One Day. I’ll still read it at some point. If half the book is great then that is enough for me!

Ella Minnow Pea and Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox are both very good, and I’ve heard wonderful things about Marcelo in the real world (just got that one out of the library today!).

I do so love photographs of book stacks! They are one of my favourite “type” of blog post.

Did I mention Ella Minnow Pea to you over coffee discussion regarding epistolary novels? I am desperate to read it, having added it to my wish-list years ago and promptly forgetting about it until a recent mention by Nymeth. I am impatiently holding off until my birthday to acquire a copy…

I have The Book of Negroes on my TBR so interested in hearing more about that and have been intrigued by a few of the others (especially the Cleave, Link and O’Farrell).

Enjoy! I do so love acquiring new books but fully sympathise with then having to find the time to read them all.

Claire, I can’t remember if you mentioned Minnow Pea, but have heard it raved about several times. You are welcome to borrow my copy if you like – just let me know and I’ll bring it along to our next book group.

I should have explained myself. Marmite is a yeast extract spread – and as the others have said underneath, you tend to love it or hate it, hence the UK expression a Marmite whatever.

Ok, what does Annabel mean that Ella Minnow Pea is “one of those Marmite books”?! I am a Marmite lover, but don’t get the reference. Someone please explain!

I say go for Marcelo in the Real World since it won an award recently. But, enjoy them all no matter what order you read them in.

Marmite – some love it, some hate it.

I loved Ella Minnow Pea – it’s a very clever concept. Esme Lennox is utterly fantastic – I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t think so. And you have a marvellous treat in store with “I’m Not Scared”.

On the down side, I couldn’t finish The Book of Negroes – I found it quite dull.

Lizzy, It is good to see positive comments about so many of the books in my pile! I am really excited about trying them now.

Sorry to hear you didn’t like the Book of Negroes – I hope I enjoy it more than you did.

Helen, I love marmite too! Thanks to Lizzy and Claire for explaining it to you.

I’m going to read Marcelo first from this pile, but didn’t realise it had won an award – that makes it even more appealing!

I just finished Maggie O’Farrell’s latest novel – The Hand that First Held Mine – and was totally blown away by it. It was not at all what I was expecting, but it had really gorgeous writing and a riveting storyline. Now I definitely want to read more by her, starting with The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox! I’d absolutely start there! 😀

The Glass Castle is spectacular. I’ll be interested in what you think about Maggie O’Farrell’s first novel. I have an ARC of her second novel that sounds really good (and it looks as though Steph above seconds that).

Thanks for sharing your purchases. I love to see what people are buying.

Your books look lovely! You bought so many that I want! I’m playing BLOB right now and had to deduct many points for buying books or accepting review copies! 😉 But I’m glad I’m doing it. I’m starting to feel like my TBR pile is getting under control.

Even if you can’t read all of your books at least they’re physically close to you. 😉

Vasilly, Sadly? I think my TBR will always be out of control! I do like the fact I have so many great books to choose from – as you say it is nice to have them close to me!

There is nothing more lovely than a pile of newly acquired books 🙂

I am anxious to read your review of Marcelo in the Real World – that has been on my TBR list for quite a while.

I enjoy Ella Minnow Pea and discuss it with my Brit Lit class to help them prepare for their epistolary writing assignment that coordinates with the reading of Pride and Prejudice.

Claire, I didn’t realise that she had a new novel out until I read these comments. It sounds as though I need to read Esme soon so I can get onto her new one!

Looks like a great loot! Cleave’s incediary grabs my attention and then the Maggie O’Farrell. Looking forward to your reviews, cos I know I wont get time to read these soon. I also love the stacked book photo!

Tamara, Incendiary is supposed to be very good, but highly emotional. I’ll hopefully get round to it sometime in 2010, but it probably wont be in the next couple of months.

I was very pleased to hear that you did not join the BLOB team and went ahead and bought and swapped more books – can’t wait for your reviews, Jackie, as I haven’t read a single one of those in this pile.
A marmite book – I also learned something new by reading your blog today too…….thank you.
If only there were more hours in the day!!

Rub it in!! But I have taken plenty of points for accepting review copies and for some library books. I can’t believe that I haven’t bought a book this entire month (but I bought about 10 the last week of January in a panic!).

Lovely stack of books.

What a fantastic stack. I should probably do one of these posts, but I’m way too embarrassed, specially as I want to end the year with only ten unread books on my shelves. So far, I seem to be on e “read one-buy two” spree. Whoops! Oh, and then I almost convinced myself Cutting for Stone wasn’t for me, and then read your reply to my comment! So much for that…

I’ve been curious about One Day, so would love to read your thoughts on it.

anothercookiecrumbles, I think you’re doing better than me – I think I’m buying about 3x more than I read, but at least they are cheap, bargain finds, so I’m not spending lots of money (well that is my excuse anyway!)

I hope I’ve persuaded you to pick up Cutting fo Stone! If I have I hope you like it!

I’ll get round to One Day soon!

What a lovely haul! I’d love to know what you’ll think of Maggie O’Farrell’s as I’ve only read one of her books so far so I’m interested to find out the rest of her books.

Happy reading!

I’m like the one person who didn’t really love The Glass Castle, but I thought Ella Minnow Pea was absolutely wonderful, and I’ve heard lots of good things about Kelly Link as well.

I loved the Glass Castle, and given your preferences for books NOT about the idle rich, I’d say this one might be right up your street. Hope you enjoy all of them – that’s a delicious pile!

I know it is the fattest of the bunch but I would vote for the Memoirs of Cleopatra. I bought this one years ago when my son was a baby and somehow lost it so never got around to reading it. I’d love to hear what you think of it.

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