The weather here has been gray of late and Bookman and I were feeling a bit blah yesterday so we cheered ourselves up by going used book shopping!
Here’s what I brought home:
- Botany for Gardeners by Brian Capon. I don’t remember how I found out about this book, and I certainly didn’t expect to see it at the used bookstore, wasn’t even looking for it, so I feel like I scored big. Back when I was in college before I became an English major, I was a biology major. But I wanted to change from biology because I couldn’t bear the idea of dissecting cats. For a brief time I considered botany. The really dumb reason I ditched the idea? I was afraid that learning all the details of growing things would ruin the big picture beauty and wonder of it all. When one is eighteen, one does not reason well. Anyway, this book is sure to be a fascinating and useful way to increase my gardening skills.
- The Wild Iris by Louis Glück. This book won a Pulitzer in 1993 so will be part of my Pulitzer poetry reading. I would have gotten it anyway though as I have heard the book and poet praised frequently.
- The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson. This was an impulse grab. There were several copies on an endcap and from all I have heard about the book I am intrigued. So I couldn’t help myself when it leapt into my arms.
- Inventing the Enemy by Umberto Eco. Eco is not easy reading but I admire him for that, for expecting the reader to work a little too. I had intended to read Foucault’s Pendulum over the summer but never managed it. Maybe next year? Bookman found this one for me. It’s essays on a wide range of topics including literature and his own books. There is a piece in here about Prague Cemetery I expect will be interesting and will probably make me want to read the book more than I already do.
That’s all for the books. Not a big haul, but I am happy. The big find though wasn’t even a book, but book related: Jane Austen notecards. They have scenes from Austen novels on them. How cool is that? I can’t wait to write some notes to bookish friends!
400 Hobron Lane, #1903, Honolulu, HI 96815
Richard, ah, the Hawaii address! I might have to hand deliver a card to you
Oooh Austen notecards – how lovely! And that’s a very interesting haul you have there. I’ve also got The Finkler Question to read one of these fine days. And the Eco sounds wonderful – I love that sort of essay (as you know!!).
Litlove, I know, such fun! I’m going to make an effort to read more from my shelves next year and borrow fewer new and shiny books from the library so maybe I’ll actually read Finkler and Eco soon. But then every year I make the same resolution so who knows?
Sounds like a lovely haul … I’ve only read one, the Jacobson. As for Jane Austen, I was in one of my favourite independent bookshops the other day and on their sale table they had little Jane Austen notebooks. I bought one for my mum’s xmas stocking (and while I was at it bought one for myself too of course!)
whisperinggums, I was trying to remember who had read the Jacobson so I am glad you mentioned it was you. You made it sound rather interesting I thought. Of course you had to pick up a little Jane Austen notebook for yourself too! I think that is part of the fun of holiday shopping
It sure is … After all those buying gifts for us mightn’t see the things we’d really like
The only thing I’ve read by Eco is The Name of the Rose. Hope you enjoy this collection. I’ll be anxious to hear what you think of this.
boarding, I loved Name of the Rose! I’ve also read The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, an unusual but enjoyable book and it increased my vocabulary quite a bit!
I too picked up The Finkler Question and an Umberto Eco – The Name of Rose over the weekend….hope to compare notes soon!
I remember the used book heaven of big library sales. It was high stress and you had to have your elbows in good condition to fight off the other bibliomaniacs but there were some wonderful bargains and a huge range of stuff you couldn’t find in ordinary bookstores.
Ian, heh, my library is having a sale this coming weekend but I am staying away because it is sure to be a madhouse. Have you read Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next book Lost in a Good Book? There is a booksale scene in it that is over-the-top hilarious. When I was a kid the library would have a huge annual booksale and the last day was fill a brown grocery bag for $2. I was an expert and packing in just one more book
I admire your iron resolution!
cirtnecce, there must have been some kind of planetary alignment or something this weekend! It’s been ages since I read Name of the Rose. Hope you like it!
Ah neat! I just took out Eco’s book from the library Monday. Looking forward to your thoughts.
Vanessa, very cool! Might be a bit before I get to it, but I am looking forward to it!
I had no idea that you were once a biology major, but I’m not surprised! The gardening book sounds interesting. Was it from you I read about the garden book about the Founding Fathers? I want to get my hands on that and buy a copy (if I get a gift card that is…). Even a few books is nice–will you read one on your break? The Austen notecards sound nice–I’m going to have to look for new letter writing accessories–I hope to do some letter writing over the break!
Danielle, yup, I was going to be a vet and then I decided I wasn’t going to be able to euthanize animals without crying so I was going to teach high school biology but I found out we had to dissect cats in one of the classes and that was just too upsetting. I was indeed the one who told you about the Founding Fathers gardening book
Hope you get a few gift cards. Don’t know if I will read any of the new books during break. Maybe I’ll start the gardening one since snow always puts me in the garden mood.