I think I neglected to mention that my Bookman and I made a visit to Half Price Books over the weekend, the very one that had so disappointed us previously. We had hoped that last time was just a fluke. Alas, not so. The price of used books has definitely increased. Maybe that is a result of the price of newly published books increasing over the years, but it still pinches. The shelves were pretty full this time, last time there was lots of empty space, but still nothing caught my attention. Maybe I have become too picky or maybe I am learning restraint, especially since the tbr shelf is bulging and has long ago spilled out onto the floor into piles. Whatever the case, I didn’t buy a book and my Bookman found only one, a science fiction book I don’t even recall the title of.
Over the past couple of days I have still managed to bring three new books into the house. One is a library book so it is only visiting. That book, Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, is the next Slaves book. Homework allowing, I hope to start it tonight.
The second book is Roberto Bolaño’s 2666 that the wonderful Isabella at Magnificent Octopus gave away. I hope to start reading it either over Thanksgiving in November of between quarters at school. Dare I start this big book though when I am still in the middle of Proust and Gaddis? Those poor languishing books!
The third book arrived an unsolicited surprise from Free Press. Mentors, Muses & Monsters: 30 Writers on the People Who Changed Their Lives. It could prove very interesting as it has some writers I have never heard of an others the likes of Michael Cunningham, Mary Gordon, and Sigrid Nunez. I have no idea when I will be able to dip into this one, but it is nice to have it to look forward to. No doubt the publisher wants me to dive in right away but since it was unsolicited I don’t feel any kind of time obligation on it.
I have noticed the same thing. My favorite (and almost only bookstore I frequent) is Half Price Books. Their prices have gone up — at least compared to what I remember when I first started going to Half Price Books about eight years ago when I moved to San Antonio.
I haven’t brought home a new book from Half Price Books in ages, but I did pick up some wonderful books from Powell’s Bookstore in Portland a couple of months ago while visiting my daughter.
I think my next phase will be Tim O’Brien who has written 8 books on the Vietnam War. I’ve read two of his books and they focus on the soldier and thus the writing transfers to soldiers in Iraq. Very poignant. Based on his own experience in Vietnam, so very credible. Somewhat Hemingway in nature, but definitely his own style.
I see someone has published an anthology and critical analysis of Tim O’Brien’s 8 Vietnam books — c. 2005 — through Amazon about $50 — way too expensive for me. Will forgo it for the moment.
Oh don’t – I feel bad about poor old Gaddis and yet I never get near picking him up because other books seduce me (it’s their fault, honest!). I’m waiting for my copy of The Woman in Black to arrive in the post. Hopefully today, fingers crossed, and then I’ll be joining you in reading that.
I do love Half Price – but I find that I mostly purchase the books in the clearance section (where $1 – $3 bargains can still be found).
I hope you enjoy The Woman in Black as much I did. I am anxious to read more of Susan Hill’s works.
I am waiting, waiting, waiting for another Big Book Sale at the library. Since our firm merged with a large outfit, we moved and the main library is now only a block away! All the hardbound books were $1 and the paperbacks were .50. I learned that you have to be in tip-top physical condition, however, as you have to bend and stretch and carry and wiggle your way through throngs of people. Does your library ever have a book sale? They are wonderful!!
I’ve actually never bought anything at Half Price — they never seemed to have what I was looking for. Generally nowadays I only buy books from the thrift store or this one particular used book down the street…or from an occasional ‘treat’ trip to Dark Carnival. Library book sales are terrific; the San Francisco Library Sale is pretty amazing although I haven’t been in years!
Grad and Daphne — I’m glad you mentioned Library sales! I just moved to a new city, and tried to volunteer at the Library for collection support, but they didn’t need me there, so I’ll be starting on Library Book Sales next week. I never even knew these existed!
I went and visited the room with all the books yesterday, I could not believe my eyes how well-stocked it was. I think this “volunteer” operation is going to result in me spending more money on books… But it’s for a good cause, isn’t it?
I bought a couple of books at Half Price books the other night – the price of used books has gone up everywhere (I’m blessed with at least 4 great IUBS in my neighborhood) but still cheaper than the $15 paperbacks. Hate! those!
The “….Monsters” book looks interesting! I can’t seem to read an actual book lately, but I’ve been reading *about* books (“Beowulf on the Beach” at the moment).
At least you weren’t sobbing in the aisles of the bookstore.
What a bummer about your HPB store. I have been avoiding mine just because I’m trying to restrict my book buying but I drive by it almost daily and it’s getting hard to resist that pull!
The Monsters book sounds interesting. You’ll have to tell us about it!
Sorry about Half Price Books! I have The Woman in Black on my shelves, and I should get to it in a week or so. I like to wait until the last minute with book group books, although that does mean I worry about not finishing. I don’t often get unsolicited books, but when I do, I feel absolutely free to do whatever I want with them, including giving them away on Book Mooch. But I guess I shouldn’t say that too loudly, now, should I, or I’ll never get another one!
Ooooo, I can’t wait to hear what all you Slaves have to say about The Woman in Black. I loved that one when I read it last year: classic ghost story with all the right pieces. The Mentors, etc. book sounds great. I’ll have to check that out (because, you know, I DESPERATELY need more to fill the pages of my TBR tome).
An interesting post. I find that I have had to become a lot more conscious of the amount of money I spend on books… I find that I am too willing to SAY I can afford yet another book when really… things are sometimes getting out of control.
Just tonight I walked through a Chapters bookstore and saw for the first time, the new John Irving book. A big display.
However, a while ago I received a mailing from Chapters, a catalog sent out to iRewards [a club] cardholders, and in it, the catalog said the book would be coming out at an immediate 40% off for cardholders. So I took this book up to the cashier and said, “Don’t ring this in, just tell me, what is the price of it?”
With tax it came to 36 or 37 dollars. FULL PRICE, in other words. So I told her about the catalog notice.
She said “Oh, that isn’t until next week!”
Can you imagine how angry people are going to be when they pay full price for this thing right now and in a few days they will se that the same book is marked down to 40% off?
A shopper must be wary!
On Nov.6th I am going to my one big huge-normous USED BOOKSALE of the year and I will be filling many boxes with books! It’s an annual event, and a VERY good sale.
Bruce, I am glad to hear I am not imagining the prices at HPB going up! I read a Tim O’Brien book ages ago for a book group. I don’t remember which one it was but it was good. I hope you enjoy your project!
Litlove, I am comforted that I am not the only one who started on the Gaddis project and has left the poor book to sit unattended for so long. I hope you got you Woman in Black book in the post!
Molly, I used to love the clearance section at HPB. My store used to have a really good one. But it has shrunk dramatically in size and quality of late and the $1 books are few and far between, most of them are $3 which wouldn’t be bad if I could ever find some good books there.
Grad, the public library in my city doesn’t have huge booksales. They have a bookstore where they sell books all the time and once or twice a year they have a big sale to clear out the stock. Now and then I find a good book there but since they are always for sale much of the good stuff gets snapped up as soon as it is put on the shelf.
Daphne, unfortunately the thrift stores around here usually have tons of romance. My area seems to be filled with book scouts who regularly visit the thrift shops and garage and estate sales taking all the good stuff before the regular folk get a chance to get it.
Charlotte, oh how marvelous! Do you get to browse the books before the sale for first pick?
Carrie, you have a point, even the price of used books has gone up they are still much cheaper than new! I should look at it in such a positive light
I love to read books about books! Ha! yes, at least I wasn’t sobbing in the store aisles!
Iliana, you have a steely will to drive by HPB every day and not go in! I will definitely be sure to say whether the Monsters book is good.
Dorothy, I like to wait until the last minute too but with school it doesn’t work out very well and I end up not getting to read it at all like happened with Dawn Powell. So this time I am starting early so I don’t have to be worried about not finishing in time. I hope.
Emily, you will have to be sure and join in on the Slaves discussion since you read the book. We’d be glad to have you thoughts!
Cipriano, it is so easy to get out of control in buying books, isn’t it? That was very smart of you to check the price on the Irving. I am sure there will be many grumpy people when they see they paid more for it than they had to. How to fun have that big sale to anticipate! I can’t wait to hear about what you find.