Bookman and I made it out to do a little used book shopping and as you can see, I’ve added a few more books to my recent acquisitions. Sorry the photo is blurry (if you click to enlarge), Dickens was “helping” me and this one was the least blurry of my multiple attempts.
From bottom to top:
- Thomas Hardy by Claire Tomalin. Bookman found this one and told me I should get it. Here I must admit I have not read anything by Hardy. I know! I know! I keep meaning to but it just hasn’t happened yet. I got the book anyway because Tomalin is one of the premier literary biographers and I seem to have a little collection of her biographies. Most of them are unread, but why should that stop me from getting another?
- Dear Bunny, Dear Volodya. Nabokov and Edmund Wilson were great friends and this is a collection of their letters. Since I love reading letters and I have developed a crush on Nabokov, this seemed like one I needed to have.
- The Canon: a whirligig tour of the beautiful basics of science by Natalie Angier. I’m supposed to be reading science books by women and I loved Angier’s Woman when I read that a number of years ago so this one seemed worth owning.
- Amulet by Roberto Bolaño. I have no idea what this book is about but it is by Bolaño and slim which seemed like a nice change from his really fat books, especially the monster that is 2666, so I couldn’t pass it by.
- The two books on the top of the pile, Fyodor Dostoevsky by Anthony Briggs (part of the “Brief Lives” series) and Uncle’s Dream by Dostoevsky himself were a pleasant surprise in my mailbox from Hesperus Press. I didn’t ask for them, I didn’t know they were coming, they just magically appeared. So thanks Hesperus! I look forward to reading these very much.
Nice new additions to the shelves along with appropriate justifications so I can be guilt-free. I’m not doing that TBR Challenge so many seem to be taking part in so I shouldn’t feel guilty. No one should feel guilty buying a few new books even with a bunch of unread books on the shelves. After all, buying a few books is not like eating half a chocolate cake or a pint of ice cream. Books are cholesterol-free, fat-free, sugar-free, and zero calories, good for the brain and for the soul.
Hooray for The Canon! Enjoy
I LOVE Dostoyevsky! Crime and Punishment is one of my all-time favorites.
Hi Stephanie, I didn’t know Thomas Hardy either until I got a copy of, Tess of the d’Urbervilles and listened to it in my car. I loved it!! Couldn’t get through Jude the Obscure though. Thanks for the tip on the biography.
Woo hoo … great collection. I have Amulet too, patiently waiting for me to get time to read it. I shouldn’t say it, but I will, you must read Hardy one day. How did you get through school without doing so?! I read three for school – one (Tess …) in high school and two (The woodlanders, and Jude ….) in university – and fell in love with him. I’ve read a two or three others since but have more to do. Tess is a great start, or Far from the madding world.
I have that Thomas Hardy biography too but haven’t yet read it. And I’ll add my voice to the chorus encouraging you to read Hardy. He’s my favorite, but he tends to polarize people, but you have to try him to know which camp you’re in
I think Far from the Madding Crowd is a good one to start with, or maybe Mayor of Casterbridge (which was where I started). Jude is his darkest by a long shot, and Tess seems to arouse the strongest feelings, positive or negative. It’s my favorite, but so many people loathe it so violently that I’m not sure it’s the one to start with.
I’m reading The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley. Members of the Corn Cob Club – fellow booksellers – meet at Mr. Mifflin’s book store to discuss the book trade (and eat Mrs. Mifflin’s remarkable chocolate cake). One of the members says, “The mistake you fellows in the retail trade have made is in trying to persuade your customers that books are necessities. Tell them they’re luxuries. That’ll get them! People have to work so hard in this life they’re shy of necessities. A man will go on wearing a suit until it’s threadbare, much sooner than smoke a threadbare cigar.” I used this reasoning just last week when I spotted a deal on The Complete Sherlock Holmes (with original illustrations) and Lisa Genova’s new one, Left Neglected. Although I already have more books than I will probably get around to reading, I felt I deserved a little luxury! Oh, and I have some Thomas Hardy on my Kindle, which one day I hope to get around to reading. Lovely stack you’ve got there.
Nymeth, thanks! Since it is a survey sort of book, I think I might start my project off with that. Maybe today even
Amelia, I loved Crime and Punishment too when I read it quite a few years ago now. I’m very much looking forward to these.
Kathleen, I am sure I will like Hardy, but so many other books seem to get in the way. Perhaps I will make an extra effort to get to him this year. I hope you find a copy of the bio and I hope you like it!
Whisperinggums, perhaps we will both get to Amulet about the same time? You never know! After I am done with this I will go an load up some Hardy onto my Kindle. Promise.
Teresa, Ok, I guess just putting Hardy on my Kindle isn’t good enough. I will make a revision to my goals for the year and add Hardy to it.
Grad, The Haunted Bookshop is a wonderful book! I have a vague remembrance of that scene. It is all too true, isn’t it? Luxuries are sometimes so much easier to indulge in than necessities. And more fun too!
Great selections! I’ve read Tomalin’s biography of Jane Austen, and it’s sharp and fearless. In other words, entertaining. So, enjoy your Hardy bio and all the other ones too!
I must order Angier, either The Canon or Woman, am really keen to try her. What a lovely stack of books you have here, and the Dear Bunny, Dear Volodya must be a gem, too.
I’ve never read Hardy either – perhaps we should do one for the Slaves? Particularly if Rohan’s up for it, since Victorian lit is her bag. Lovely new books, and no, no need for guilt, ever!
That’s what I tell myself, too! And carrying them around the house is also exercise, so it’s all good! Tess is the only Hardy book I’ve read and I liked it very much even though it is not the happiest of stories. Enjoy your goodies!
Arti, thanks! I’ve got the Tomalin Austen bio on my shelf too but haven’t read it yet. Not sure what I am waiting for. I’m glad to know it is so good. I should probably read it before I read the one on Hardy.
Michelle, I really liked Angier’s Woman so I expect The Canon will be just as good. I was pleased to find the Dear Bunny book. Nabokov’s and Wilson’s friendship is mentioned in the intro of his Lectures on Lit book and it seems like it was a really special relationship.
Litlove, oh I am so glad I am not the only one who has not read Hardy! I’d be up for a Slaves Hardy reading if everyone else is.
Danielle, heh, we are such book enablers! I seem to recall you reading and enjoying Tess. I might try Far from the Madding Crowd first but you never know which one will ultimately catch my fancy.
The Canon sounds really interesting. I loved Angier’s book Woman as well and would like to read more of her. How fun to have Thomas Hardy ahead of you to read! I like his novels and his poetry both very much. I’ll have to keep an eye out for my own copy of the biography.
Rebecca, I was hoping to start The Canon over the holiday weekend but I got sucked into Rereading Women instead. After I finish that one Angier is next. I am looking forward to giving Hardy a whirl especially after so many people have commented how wonderful he is. It’s nice to know I have some really good books to look forward to!
I thought I was the only one who hasn’t read Hardy yet. Some day….and I’ve heard great things about Tomalin’s biographies. I hope that it is good!