Last Saturday my local library had another booksale. The last couple of sales I was really lucky to get some good history books but no such luck this time, in fact the selection of non-fiction was poor so I didn’t buy any.
I did end up buying plenty more fiction though, and honestly I need more books like a hole in the head but we can’t pass up a library booksale as we would be wondering what gems we had missed out on.
So my haul was:
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D.James. I know that a lot of people have been disappointed with this book but I like P.D. James and I thought that at a cost of 50p I’d give it a go anyway.
Frederica by Georgette Heyer. I really prefer Heyer’s murder mysteries but I’m reading her regency romances too, although I already have about half a dozen unread ones in my pile.
Problem at Pollensa Bay by Agatha Christie. This is a collection of her short stories which I think will be interesting.
Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham. This is an Albert Campion book from 1933, my favourite crime fiction era.
Death of a Valentine by M.C.Beaton. I’ve just realised that this is a Hamish Macbeth murder mystery and I’ve only tried one of those and I gave up on it fairly early on, oh well, I might give it a go anyway.
Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death by M.C.Beaton. Sometimes Agatha is exactly what I want to read, daft but somehow comforting.
The Kellys of Kelvingrove by Margaret Thomson Davis. I don’t think I’ve read anything by this author before, if I ever did it was way back in the mists of time. My mother was a fan of her books though, it was the title which caught my eye as the Kelvingrove/Glasgow Uni area of Glasgow is our old stamping ground and it’s also set in the 1970s which is exactly when we were there.
The Complete Borrowers by Mary Norton. I bought this to give to a young friend of ours. I have a hardback copy but I loce children’s classics and I don’t want to part with my own copy, hope she likes this one too.
So those should keep me busy over the coming winter along with my ever growing pile, and I bought more today in Edinburgh, but I’ll tell you about them another time.
As ever, Jack bought far fewer books. He came away with: Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. and
The Infinities by John Banville. Looking at the blurb I might give these ones a go sometime too.
“Give it a go, girl” and enjoy.
You had a great sale too. You have a broad range of tastes in books than I do. That is a compliment. I hardly buy or read anything but mysteries, occasionally non-fiction. (I remember the book sale in the church that you went too. So beautiful and so many books.)
TracyK,
I’m happy to try reading just about anything, including SF, but I think vintage crime is my favourite. I still have some books from that Edinburgh church sale to read, they just keep piling up.
That is a lovely stack! I don’t often have such good luck a library sales, though I usually find one or two. Sweet Danger is one of my favorite of the Campion stories, and I also like Frederica (which I just re-read last month). Happy reading!
Lisa,
I was wondering what to read next, you’ve made my decision easier, thanks!
I loved The Borrowers books when I was a kid and I just bought The Borrowers Avenged – for me! I don’t remember reading this one. I loved the thought of tiny people living under the floorboards. I’m not sure I love the idea now, as a grownup!
Joan,
I first read The Borrowers as an adult, I missed out on so many books as a kid. I love the books and the original film, but not that more recent remake so much. I hope Freya will love the books too. I don’t know The Borrowers Avenged either.
I just tried to read John Banville’s The Sea and didn’t finish it. It was on audio maybe it’s more suited to the printed page so you can concentrate better. Nice haul, girl!
Peggy,
I don’t know when I’ll get around to the Banville one, I haven’t read anything by him yet. My mind would wander if I listened to books I think, I only listen to the radio in the kitchen and then I usually miss something crucial!
I’ve never heard of Margaret Thomson Davis, but I’ve read all the others in your haul– they’re such fun! I didn’t care much for the P D James though, and din’t manage to finish it. Perhaps you’ll have better luck!
Niranjana,
I really have my doubts about that P D James one. Margaret Thomson Davis was popular here in the UK, she was Scottish. I hope you’re settling in well in CA!
Look at all those yummy books! You will be well stocked for when the chill arrives and the snow flies.
Stefanie,
I have enough unread books to keep me going for some years never mind this winter! I’ll have to speed up.
Katrina, just saw this over @ Crime Always Pays:
Death
comes to Pemberley is currently being made into a 3 part mini-drama series for the BBC to be aired in December
Peggy Ann,
I’ll have to read it before then and compare it with the series. It might be that rare thing – better than the actual book.