Yes, I’ve caved again. New books!
10 July, 2010
So I strolled into my local charity shop last weekend on the way to the park to read in the sunshine and came away with two books before I realised that I was supposed to be on a tight leash regarding book-buying. Oh well, such is life. If I was really serious about it, I wouldn’t put myself in the path of temptation in the first place. Heh heh.
I found these:
The Crimson Rooms by Katherine McMahon – Danielle who blogs at A Work in Progress said she loved it and who am I to resist?
The Left Hand of God by Paul Harding – religious fantasy, can’t seem to get enough of it.
I read for three hours in the park, finished my book and got a tan. And on my way to my sister’s, I nipped into another charity shop and got these:
The River of Gods by Ian McDonald – I’ve heard great things about this one, an sff novel about India in its 100th year of independence. So different!
The Wolf Totem by Jian Rong – Boof who blogs at The Book Whisperer said this was one of her favourite books of the year so far and I just had to find out why. Can you blame me?
I guess it was my day of buying secondhand books!
And from the library I got the following:
Submarine by Joe Dunthorne – because I read some of his work in the Five Dials magazine and liked it.
Cemetary Dance by Preston Child – because I’m in love with Agent Pendergast who reminds me of Lord Peter Wimsey but is American and modern.
Their Finest Hour and a Half by Lissa Evans – because this just looked too good to leave behind.
And I got sent these:
Illustrado by Miguel Syjuco – kindly sent to me by Picador Books. Asian, mystery, lost manuscripts and a beautiful cover. What’s not to like?
The Baker Street Phantom by Fabrice Bourland – which I won on Twitter from the fabulous Gallic Books. Sounds delicious.
And my friends lent me these:
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – I love books that fuel the creative mind, especially when I’m suffering from writer’s block.
Hons and Rebels by Jessica Mitford – I don’t think I’m the only who’s in love with the Mitfords. Especially since Unity Mitford (the one in love with Hitler) studied at my school for a term until she got expelled. Yup, my school is famous like that.
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby – I’ve never read any novels by Hornby although I saw the film version of Fever Pitch which I didn’t get because I’m not really into football and am not a bloke. But apparently this is rather good.
Phew! Is that enough books for summer?
I’m off to Munich this weekend and will be reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbary and The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. Let’s see how much reading I’ll get done what with my friends, the World Cup final, beer and brezn.
chasing bawa 
10 July, 2010 at 11:55 am
Who can resist charity shops? Or helpful friends lending us books? I’ve yet to read Juliet, Naked but I adore Nick Hornby – I hope you’ll enjoy it.
Have a safe trip and a lovely time!
10 July, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Ooohhh what a lovely list of books. Religious fantasy sounds interesting, I’ll be interested to see your review of Left Hand of God… and the others too!
10 July, 2010 at 2:51 pm
A great selection of books there ,Ilustrado does sound good ,all the best stu
10 July, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I have River of Gods, but lent it to a friend. I haven’t read it yet, but I agree it sounds so cool- if done well, that is!
10 July, 2010 at 7:35 pm
YAY!!! You got Wolf Totem – I’m so happy! (I hope you like it now). And double YAY for The Elegance of the Hedgehog and The Girl Who Played with Fire for reading in Munich (both EXCELLENT books!)
Enjoy your trip 🙂
10 July, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I bought Wolf Totem too! I’m looking forward to reading it next month.
Illustrado is very good, but perhaps a bit too clever in places. Enjoy all your new books 🙂
11 July, 2010 at 12:03 am
What a nice mixed pile. I think I have picked up Hons and Rebels but other than that everything else sounds new to me. I think a fall from grace once in a while is quite permissible!
11 July, 2010 at 10:27 pm
So many books and I can’t believe I haven’t read any of them! I want to read Juliet, Naked though.
12 July, 2010 at 3:36 pm
I’ve been eyeing The Wolf Totem myself, so I’ll be eager to hear what you think of it. And Illustrado looks sooooo good!
13 July, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Maybe it’s just because I write, but to me, excitement about a book is different from any other of life’s excitements.
14 July, 2010 at 10:10 am
Nymeth: I was a little reluctant to try Nick Hornby, but knowing you also like him is a good sign:)
amymckie: It’s had some mixed reviews so I’ll just have to read it and see for myself.
winstonsdad: Thanks Stu!
Aarti: I know, it could go so wrong, right? But the reviews have been really promising so I’m looking forward to reading it.
The Book Whisperer: Wolf Totem really sounds fascinating! And I’m really liking the other two as well.
Jackie: Looking forward to your thoughts on them as well.
Mystica: Yes, all my bookish friends think it’s actually quite normal! Have you read any other Mitford books?
Iris: I find that most of my choices aren’t really current, so I’m trying to mix my reading a little.
Buried in Print: They both look good, don’t they?
Shelley: Me too:) And I’m sure it’s more if you write too.
14 July, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Happy birthday! You don’t need to include me in the draw though – I am drowning in books. 🙂
15 July, 2010 at 9:34 pm
River of Gods, eh? It’s pretty neat. Serious cyberpunk. Enjoy!
(Btw, don’t recall if you mentioned Shamini Flint’s ‘Inspector Singh Investigates’ series? Those are good fun as well. A Singaporean rotund Sikh police inspector roves about South-East Asia solving natty crimes.)
15 July, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Flint’s books have been on my wishlist for a while now. As if I’ll miss her! Just have too many books to read at the moment although it hasn’t stopped me from acquiring more…
I’m happy to hear you liked River of Gods. Looking forward to reading it. His new book The Dervish House is supposed to be really good. Have you read it?