It was nice to come home today and find a small box of books on the porch. There were only two books in the box but that’s okay. I bought them with a gift card and only went over the card amount by .71 cents. The books:
- What Ever Happened to Modernism by Gabriel Josipovici. I’ve not read his nonfiction before and this book is one of The Wolves’ choices for discussion in May. I am really looking forward to it!
- Neuromancer by William Gibson. I’ve always meant to read Gibson but have yet to manage it. And in the last several months it seems a number of people have read this one and have generally praised it. I enjoy a good science fiction book and haven’t read one in awhile so this one will be fun whenever I get to it. Summer maybe? Or perhaps it will be my commute book after The Warden, which I am enjoying quite a lot at the moment.
Two books seem so few but since Waldo’s expensive weekend hospital stay for cystitis at the end of January we’ve been trying to be a little frugal. Waldo is doing fine, by the way, for which we are very glad. And now I think of it, these are the first books I’ve bought this year. But wait, I didn’t actually buy them because of the gift card unless you count the .71 cent overage. So technically I haven’t bought a single book this year.
Holy cow! What’s wrong with me?!?!
Even worse, I don’t feel like I need to go to a bookstore. Please excuse me while I hyperventilate a moment…
Okay, I’m back.
Maybe it’s all because I am not lacking for books? But it’s not like that has ever mattered before. Maybe it’s just because I’ve been too busy. And frugal. But to not even have an urge?
Should I be concerned? Should I seek therapy? Please, be honest.
Yes, and yes. Without doubt.
I’ve got Neuromancer on the shelf (my son’s book) but never thought of reading it myself. I’ll wait for your review first.
I’m more curious about the first one though.
“Neuromancer” is a good one, but it takes a bit to get into it. Gibson is deliberately vague about a lot of things, so you just have to go with him. It’s a real mindbender, with a great concept and ending.
Yes, there’s something seriously wrong with you if you have no desire to go to a bookstore. We might need to have an intervention.
I wouldn’t worry just yet. But do get back to us if your book hoarding ways haven’t returned in a couple of months
I’m hoping to join in the discussion on the Josipovici if the wolves will have me as a cub! I’m imagining that you’ve been just too busy to desire anything much of late, what with all the school work and ordinary work, and in both areas you are surrounded by books and bookish things. But now those two books have arrived on your doorstep, and they look lovely and feel lovely and hold out fresh promise… ah, we shall have to see what happens next….
These are both authors who have been on my ‘to explore’ list for so long, but my library has very little by either and I’m always a bit wary about shelling out for a writer I don’t know I’m going to enjoy. Perhaps this is the push I need to go and explore a large secondhand shop I’ve recently heard about an hour or so ride from here and see if they have any. I’ve been stalling because as yet it doesn’t have a tea room and what is the use of a day out with no tea room at the end of it? However, there is one opening at Easter, so I thought I’d wait till then. But Easter is so darned late this year……..
I’d be thrilled. It means you’ve got a good stock at home and can expect a delightfully rewarding relapse very soon!
Lizi, you’re making me worried!
Arti, well then, since Neuromancer is an easy to carry mass market, I’ll be sure to make it my next commute read and let you know how it goes.
Brandon, thanks for the tips! Mindbending is good
softdrink, oh I was afraid of that!
Nymeth, so if things haven’t improved by April, I’ll start to really worry
Litlove, we can be wolf cubs together then. I just read a short article Josipovici wrote about modernism in The New Statesmen from late 2010 and it has me wanting to dive into the book right now it sounded so interesting. And I suspect you’re right. Nothing increases the desire for more books than a couple of new books.
Annie, I’ve not read Gibson but he is popular. I had to resort to buying Neuromancer in order to read it. As for Josipovici, I have read a couple of his novels and am a huge fan girl. He is well worth the price of admission.
Bibliobio, well that puts a positive spin on things! Still, I look forward to that relapse
I think maybe it’s a good thing not to have a huge desire to go spend lots of money, though I’m not sure it’s one I’d want for myself…
I think having so many books at your fingertips and working in a library helps. Wait ’til your done with school, and I bet the desire will return when you have more free time to contemplate starting more new books!
I feel your pain. I haven’t bought a book this year either, but for me it is a conscious effort – a little like giving up the drink. I’ve declared this as my year to get out of debt (except for the mortgage), and so I live like a monk. That means library books and my own bookshelves (the latter of which are full of books I’ve yet to read – some decades old). I have a good selection gathering dust. Although, I do have several gift cards from B&N, which I am saving to use on a Nook. (I’d get a Kindle if I had any Amazon cards). I’m going to try the Warden again…could not get into it first go ’round.
Yay, Waldo! I almost never have the urge to buy books — but I can’t stay away from the library! I had to restrict myself today when I went in to return some books. I have a whole pile of YA that I’m trying to race through. But yay you — .71 is not a bad price for excellent books!
Not yet … you are allowed a little aberration every now and then I reckon. If it goes on too long thought, come back and I’ll reassess the situation!
“though” not “thought”!! Hopeless!
I’m glad Waldo is okay! Hobgoblin has recently read a bunch of Gibson’s books and liked them a lot. Not Neuromancer, but I’m sure he’ll get to that one soon. As for not buying books — enjoy it while the feeling lasts! Surely the book-buying urge will come back, and in the meantime, your TBR piles thank you!
No. Not unless it’s still happening.
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