It’s been a while since I updated everyone on my book purchases, probably because I’m hugely embarrassed that my self-imposed embargo on new books has imploded in a manner rarely seen these days. So as confession is good for the soul, these are the items bought since my last post at the end of May:
- Team Cul de Sac, edited by Chris Sparks – a tribute volume to the cartoonist Richard Thompson, with proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research; i read this as soon as it arrived being a huge fan of the comic strip and it is just sublime;
- The Addams Family: An Evilution by Charles Addams – um, it’s the Addams Family, why wouldn’t I buy it? Yay Morticia!;
- Oscar’s Books by Thomas Wright – tells the story of Oscar Wilde through his reading;
- Hot Flushes, Cold Science by Louise Foxcroft – a history of the modern menopause (because I am a woman of a certain age and it looked fascinating);
- Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo – haven’t read any DeLillo for a while, and the film version looks interesting so thought I would give it a go – nothing to do with R-Patz on the cover.
Other bits and bobs:
- Blue Nights by Joan Didion – because I hugely admired The Year of Magical Thinking (as both a book and a play);
- Maps & Legends by Michael Chabon – a series of linked essays in praise of reading and writing according to the blurb, part of my love affair with books about books and reading;
- Vox by Nicholson Baker – about time for a re-read I thought, then realised I didn’t have a copy of my own;
- Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan – so impressed by The Last Werewolf I went and bought the sequel.
From my first trip to Daunts bookshop on Cheapside, courtesy of Silvery Dude:
- The Horror of Love by Lisa Hilton – the story of Nancy Mitford’s relationship with Gaston Palewski, part of my ever-growing Mitford library;
From a trip to Waterstones Piccadilly to hear Ben Aaronovitch speak (more of that in a second):
- When Nights Were Cold by Susanna Jones – came in under my radar, sole survivor of an all-woman expedition to the Alps, an unsettling historical thrillery sort of book as I understand it
So you can see why I might be embarrassed.
I have managed to finish a few books in this time (though as always not as many as I would like): Team Cul de Sac as mentioned above, Kings of Eternity and The Last Werewolf – reviews of the latter two will follow, and I’m currently enjoying Whispers Underground.
Which brings me to an evening with Ben Aaronovitch at the end of June, where I was able to hear him speak about his writing and got my book signed and also one for Silvery Dude who couldn’t come along because of a family emergency. Very enjoyable, funny and engaging evening which just proves that I need to make time for this sort of event more than I do currently.
Have a good reading week!
5 comments
Comments feed for this article
June 30, 2012 at 4:41 pm
kheenand
All of which makes me feel much better about my secret purchase of just two books in June…….
June 30, 2012 at 4:57 pm
brideofthebookgod
Always happy to help!!
July 2, 2012 at 5:23 pm
wherethereisjoy
What a fabulous stack! I’m envious. I haven’t bought a book in a very long time — well, a few thrift-store finds notwithstanding. Enjoy enjoy!
July 17, 2012 at 4:19 am
Susan
I’ve been hearing about the Horror of Love for a little while now. I think Cath at Read Warbler might have been reading it too, she’s been reading the Mitfords all year long.
How did you like The Last Werewolf? I haven’t decided when to pick it up yet. At some point I will, it’s a werewolf book! sheesh! of course will.
I am hoping to go on a book-buying freeze very soon too. I have been buying and buying and its’ ridiculous how many books I have on my shelves to read now! I need to read them so I can buy the sequels! lol Not sure how well I will do with this, and it’s not official yet, though I am proud of using the library more this year also. So don’t feel ashamed at how rainy days and hiding out in bookstores is not helping the new book embargo. Sometimes, a girl just has to have new books 🙂
July 17, 2012 at 8:34 am
brideofthebookgod
Hi Susan – I loved The Last Werewolf, its hugely enjoyable, so much so I’ve already got the sequel. As my embargo is just about physical books (because its all about space) I’m starting to make more use of the Kindle app on my iPad….