Oops I did it again…
28 October, 2009
Yup, you guessed it. I somehow stumbled into a secondhand bookshop or two and came away with some books. And it happened a few weeks ago. Who am I kidding, I can’t seem to stop buying books. Anyway, they were gems and I just had to have them. What did I get, I hear you ask. Excellent question. Well, I got the following:
The Great Western Beach: A Memoir of a Cornish Childhood between the Wars by Emma Smith – I can’t seem to resist anything about the interwar years, and especially after this review.
The Language of Bees by Laurie R. King – the latest in the mystery series featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes set during the interwar years. I read the first two books in the series and was pretty impressed with the period details and how well King introduced Sherlock Holmes into Mary Russell’s world without causing offence.
Passionate Minds: The Great Scientific Affair by David Bodanis – about Voltaire and the great mathematician and aristocrat Émilie du Châtelet in Enlightenment France. I’ve been intrigued about Émilie du Châtelet, who popularised Newton, after seeing a documentary about her many years ago.
Picking Bones from Ashes by Marie Mutsuki Mockett – this one I bought new because it’s Mockett’s first book and I like to support new writers. It’s also about Japan and about being mixed (Mockett is also half-Japanese and reminds me of the lovely tribal bellydancer Sharon Kihara.)
Currently I’m two thirds through A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. I had tried to read it earlier in the year and only got through about 20 pages, but this time I’m like a hedgehog caught in GRRM’s headlights. It’s brilliant so far, and I cannot wait to see the HBO pilot which I think they’ve finished casting. Hello, Sean Bean!
chasing bawa 
28 October, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Glad you’re liking Game of Thrones this time around. It is a commitment because of its size (and sequels!), but I loved it. I’ve got the other three in the series but haven’t gotten to them yet. Can’t wait!
28 October, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I have Picking Bones from Ash as well, and have just read a bit, but it seems very good.
28 October, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I love finding treasures in second hand stores, or at yard sales, or when my local library holds a book sale! Congrats on the great finds. I’ve been trying to get books from the library lately, at least until after Christmas. Pesky gift giving season ;p
29 October, 2009 at 9:48 am
Good finds! it always happens in the second hand bookshops you can depend upon it you will find gems. Last week was good for me as well with very good pickings!
29 October, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hi everyone, and thanks for your comments. I love reading about other people’s finds and writing about my new acquisitions. Seeing your comments really brings home to me how much we all love books, and I feel I’m in good company.
Terri B – I finished reading A Game of Thrones and am in awe of GRRM. I can’t believe I hadn’t read any of his stuff before and I’m looking forward to reading the rest too! I’ll be posting my review soon once I’ve let it all sink in.
diane – I’m hoping to read that as part of my Japanese Literary Challenge, but it will have to sit tight for another month or so… I’m curious about where you heard of this title.
Astaryth – I know, I just got three more books from my library yesterday…can’t seem to stop myself, especially when I know I’m going to be ultra busy next month.
Mystica – Nice! I’m curious about the secondhand bookshops in Colombo. Do you find new secondhand books or are there some really old and out of print books as well?
30 October, 2009 at 7:54 am
Apart from recent second hand books you get ancient books as well. Some really I would say decrepit!!! There was a book on Birds of Britain published in the 1920’s which i picked up for a bird fancier friend of mine and so many older books which I just liked the look of. The one at Wellawatte known as Senanayake bookshop is a goldmine. Its junky if you know what I mean with books all over the place. You have to go in and poke and pry as the owner hasnt a clue! You get wonderful finds but of course nothing which has been published very recently.
30 October, 2009 at 11:29 am
I love secondhand bookshops because you just never know what you are going to find there. I’m going to try and find the Senanayake bookshop when next I visit Colombo!