Recently bought (acquired) books! Showing 1,801-1,850 of 2,634

[Kevin]

Given the severity of your recent BBB having just the one slight lapse is fairly justifiable. :)

[Barbara]

Allan wrote: "Given that my BBB doesn't include memoirs or auttobiographies, today in our local supermarket I bought Anger is an Energy: My Life Uncensored by John Lydon and A Work In Progr..."

How do you manage to keep track of all the exceptions:)
I've bought a couple of e-books - [book:Soccer in Sun and Shadow by Eduardo Galleano ($1.99) and Life Here Below: Stories By Michael Farrell which is for my July Solas Nua book club. Also some titles for work Speaking the Unpleasant and Creating Significant Learning Experiences: An Integrated Approach to Designing College Courses. My copy of Revolutionary Road arrived today and Out in the Open by Jesus Carrasco yesterday.

[Claire]

Having recently bought and read "Peachtree Road" by Anne Rivers Siddons, I immediately bought another of her books entitled "Colony." I am a huge fan of Southern writers who wield language like lyrical prose. I just wrote a review of "Peachtree Road" on my Goodreads page should anyone be interested. There's a reason Pat Conroy calls the book the Southern novel for our generation.

[Cathleen]

Allan wrote: "Given that my BBB doesn't include memoirs or auttobiographies, today in our local supermarket I bought Anger is an Energy: My Life Uncensored by John Lydon and [book:A Work In Progr..."

I'm amazed that you always find such good books in your local supermarket, Allan. I never see anything but bodice rippers and sports memoirs in ours.

[H]

I agree Cathleen. In Tesco the best sellers are always priced ridiculously and everything reasonable is poorly written smut or run of the mill murder mysteries!

[Allan]

Cathleen / Heather, we have a Tesco Extra near us, and the selection of books in it is a lot better than other Tesco stores that I've been in. They have new paperback releases every fortnight as well, and there's always the chance that there'll be something interesting, although they do stock a lot of books that wouldn't interest me.

Indeed, seeing as I've been doing so well with my BBB, I thought that I'd reward myself today with another two paperbacks for £7-Alan Johnson's second memoir, Please, Mister Postman (I really enjoyed his first last year) and Mr Mercedes by Stephen King, which I thought I might enjoy as a summer read, given the fact that I liked his JFK novel last year.

The BBB is going so well...

[Cathleen]

Thank you, thank you Allan for making me burst out laughing. The news has been so disturbing and grim this week that I delight reading about your successful BBB. ;)

[Allan]

It's actually been very easy this time around, mainly I think because of the restraint I was able to show during my last BBB in the run up to Christmas.

[Thomas, Moderator]

The Doctor's Daughter: Journey to Justiceby Belle Blackburn

I am reading this book because the author invited me to read her book on a separate GR group. This is the first author to do so. I am 20% along. I will be posting a review in due course. It is a historical fiction book, taking place in Tennessee, US, 1860.

[H]

Allan I really enjoyed Mr. Mercedes, hoping to read the second in the series next month! Didn't drag as some King books tend to!

[Allan]

Given that my BBB doesn't include books that have France as a setting, I took advantage of two 1p plus postage deals on Amazon today to buy second hand copies of James Salter's A Sport and a Pastime, as well as Robert Merle's The Brethren: Fortunes of France: Volume 1, which I reckon would be right up Susan's street.

[Gavin]

"Given that my BBB doesn't include books that have..." Allan you must eventually tell all these exceptions you do have ha.

[Barbara]

Allan wrote: "Given that my BBB doesn't include books that have France as a setting, I took advantage of two 1p plus postage deals on Amazon today to buy second hand copies of James Salter's [book:A Sport and a ..."

A good laugh for Sunday evening :)

[Barbara]

Emma wrote: "Gavin it seems to be pretty simple, for every book Allan wants to buy there is an exception which allows him to buy it."

You hit the nail on the head and though the acronym LOL really really annoys me, I did laugh (chuckle) aloud.

[Thomas, Moderator]

So I went to the library today and signed up for the summer book reading club. I get a chance to win various prizes for each book that I read.
I borrowed the following:

Jar City by Arnaldur Indriðason

Street Without a Name: Childhood and Other Misadventures in Bulgaria by Kapka Kassabova

Star Island by Carl Hiaasen

Trust Me by Peter Leonard

Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin

I am not violating any BBB, w. the above, but I did buy 2 kindle books.
The Square of Revenge: An Inspector Van In Novel by Pieter Aspe

The Crossing at Blaisdell Park Marta Tandori

[Allan]

The summer book reading club sounds like a pretty good arrangement, Thomas. Are the books you borrowed being discussed, or is the library giving members incentives to read any book that they want to read?

[Thomas, Moderator]

The books are not being discussed. I can get an extra raffle ticket by writing a book review. They have sponsored this adult reading club and another for children for about 10-15 years. I used to enroll my grandchildren, but they moved away.
Adult prizes include restaurant gift certificates, gourmet tea, coffee, chocolate, dvds, and of course books. Only books borrowed from the library are eligible.
Liz has had me on a semi physical BBB for years. Therefore most of my book purchases are on the kindle. In addition, I have been giving away books to family members and the library

[[deleted user]]

And of course with an ereader you can be a bit vague about how many you have really bought.....

[Thomas, Moderator]

Theresa wrote: "And of course with an ereader you can be a bit vague about how many you have really bought....."

She doesn't care how many kindle books I buy--they don't take up space and she doesn't have to have dust them. We each have a kindle now and occasionally she has me buy a kindle book in a series that she likes.
Some authors that she reads Julie Smith
Dana Stabenow Sue Henry Cheryl Bradshaw
Toby Neal

[Barbara]

Thomas wrote: "Theresa wrote: "And of course with an ereader you can be a bit vague about how many you have really bought....."

She doesn't care how many kindle books I buy--they don't take up space and she does..."

Thomas - there are other GRI members who have been gifted kindles by members of their household to reduce book clutter and it hasn't worked:) I too buy kindle daily deals and am trying to read some of them.
Theresa - not only am I vague about how many ebooks I have I forget I have them. Plus the physical books call out "read me" much louder. I have a lot of books I want to read so I gave give them away, but instead I am reading books I want to keep. Most are related to my upcoming trip.

As for new books, I just got a late birthday gift (from my procrasting son) Myth and Materiality in a Woman's World: Shetland 1800-2000. I've dipped into it and it's exactly what I hoped it would be.

[Allan]

Have any of our US members, or dare I say it, older members, heard of Harold Robbins? I finished the Brendan Behan book I was reading last night, and came across a list of books available from the publisher, one of which, 79 Park Avenue, caught my eye. Apparently he sold massive amounts in the 1960s and 1970s, and when I checked on Audible, his back catalogue seems just to have been made available.

Needless to say, authors who are long forgotten don't fall under the BBB, so I bought an old edition of the book for a penny, along with Americanah, also for a penny, which is for my August 'In Person' Book Club.

The summer reading plans are coming along nicely! :)

[[deleted user]]

Barbara wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Theresa wrote: "And of course with an ereader you can be a bit vague about how many you have really bought....."

She doesn't care how many kindle books I buy--they don't take up spa..."

Your birthday book sounds brilliant! Looking forward to the review!

[Barbara]

Allan wrote: "Have any of our US members, or dare I say it, older members, heard of Harold Robbins? I finished the Brendan Behan book I was reading last night, and came across a list of books available from the ..."

I have some idea he wrote books that were best sellers and kind of like the male equivalent of bodice-rippers.

[Thomas, Moderator]

Allan wrote: "Have any of our US members, or dare I say it, older members, heard of Harold Robbins? I finished the Brendan Behan book I was reading last night, and came across a list of books available from the ..."

Robbins books were very popular in the 60-70s and indeed were bodice rippers. Several were turned into movies. I never read any of his books, but did watch some of his movies.

[Cathleen]

Thomas wrote: "So I went to the library today and signed up for the summer book reading club. I get a chance to win various prizes for each book that I read.
I borrowed the following:

Jar City by..."
Thomas, I read Jar City a couple of years ago, and I thought it was really good. That's the first in a good series. Hope you enjoy it!

[Cathleen]

Allan wrote: "Have any of our US members, or dare I say it, older members, heard of Harold Robbins? I finished the Brendan Behan book I was reading last night, and came across a list of books available from the ..."

Allan, I think he was considered a little racy back in the day (70s?). I remember my mother and some of her friends reading his books and talking about them in hushed tones, as if they had broken some laws :)

[Billy]

Allan wrote: "Have any of our US members, or dare I say it, older members, heard of Harold Robbins? I finished the Brendan Behan book I was reading last night, and came across a list of books available from the ..."

Some might remember that Harold Robbins is mentioned in the 'Waldorf Salad' episode of Fawlty Towers (Sybil is reading one of his books...)!

[Allan]

Thanks for the info, everyone-he's an author that has completely passed me by. The NYC setting sold the novel to me, but it may not be my thing. Time will tell...

[Barbara]

Cathleen wrote: "Thomas wrote: "So I went to the library today and signed up for the summer book reading club. I get a chance to win various prizes for each book that I read.
I borrowed the following:

[book:Jar C..."

I read the book and then saw the film (on a big screen) and the film was awesome as Iceland itself was one of the main characters.

[Thomas, Moderator]

Barbara wrote: "Cathleen wrote: "Thomas wrote: "So I went to the library today and signed up for the summer book reading club. I get a chance to win various prizes for each book that I read.
I borrowed the follow..."
I have seen the film--gorgeous scenery

[Allan]

The Miniaturist was £3 in Audible UK's Daily Deal today, so I couldn't resist picking it up. It would've been rude not to...

[Seraphina]

Hows that book buying ban of yours going Alan? All your reading time at the mo makes me very envious :)

[Allan]

Audible US members might be interested in the current promotion, 100 books for $4.95 each, 10 chosen by each of 10 different editors.

I had the majority of a $10 voucher on my account which had expired, but they reinstated when I queried it, so I bought The Brooklyn Follies by Paul Auster and We Are Not Ourselves, which I know Barbara wasn't too fussed on, but which I liked the look of. All in all, $2.90 for both isn't bad.

I know that I've joked about a bbb, but I think that, given what I now have on my physical and Audible shelves, it might be time to wind my neck in a wee bit...

[Barbara]

Allan wrote: "Audible US members might be interested in the current promotion, 100 books for $4.95 each, 10 chosen by each of 10 different editors.

I had the majority of a $10 voucher on my account which had ex..."

Allan- I also got Brooklyn Follies as well as A Thousand Splendid Suns which I have as a physical book but haven't managed to read. Got 3 extra credits earlier this week and got Until Thy Wrath Be Past by Asa Larsson and The Bones of Paris by Laurie King.

[Barbara]

This thread has been quiet this week. On Sunday, after an unexciting trip to the hardware store, I decided to spice up my day and go to Politics and Prose for the new James Salter. I got the Salter All That Is as well as A Dark Redemption, the first in detective series set in London. I couldn't resist The Enlightenment of Nina Findlay by Andrea Gillies, a Scottish novel.

In the mail my copy of the new Ciaran Carson From Elsewhere and Wasted Lives: Modernity and Its Outcasts. I was very disappointed by the copy of Wasted I got. It is full of writing and underlining which I just hate, hate, hate. Sigh.

[Allan]

I haven't bought any books this week, but my copy of 79 Park Avenue, complete with a really racy cover different from any of those on the GR database, arrived today. Definitely of its time, and one that I have to admit I'd be embarrassed to be seen reading.

[Allan]

If I remember, Thomas or Barbara referred to the author's work as bodice rippers for men. On the front cover, it looks like a woman's bodice has been ripped, judging by what's on show...

I do fully intend to stick to the bbb now btw, aside from spending my Audible credits, as I really do have a load of books there on my shelf to read. No doubt being off over the summer will result in me being sorely tempted though!

[Barbara]

Allan wrote: "If I remember, ThoA Sport and a Pastimemas or Barbara referred to the author's work as bodice rippers for men. On the front cover, it looks like a woman's bodice has been ripped, judging by what's on show...

I do full..."

I had my Joyce group at Politics and Prose tonight and bought Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, A Sport and a Pastime, Fair Isle Style: 20 Fresh Designs for a Classic Technique (a remainder) and Nordic Knitting Traditions: Knit 25 Scandinavian, Icelandic and Fair Isle Accessories(another remainder). Also Kurt Wallander's Faceless Killers was $1.99 on kindle and the audible was $3.99 if you bought the kindle book first. I bought both.

[Trelawn]

That's an impressive haul Barbara

[[deleted user]]

Barbara, I think under Allan's rules that you must have a BBB - to use your favourite acronym ;)

[Barbara]

Theresa - I have been in shopping mode this week. I needed a daypack for Shetland (on the packing list) and got a small purple one- perfect!
http://www.rei.com/product/846577/osp...
Shopping for shoes, I bought purple shoes too!

BBB is a good idea. What might work for me is a one-in and one-out rule. Unlike some of our members, I don't keep all my books. But now, I am reading mostly books I want to keep - primarily my "Irish" library.

[Trelawn]

I have been on a BBB for a month or so now because it's my birthday this weekend. It's been worth it though because today Paul and the little fella got me the following;
The Pierced Heart by Lynn Shepherd.
Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks
Stone's Fall by Ian Pears
The Last Confession of Mabel Stark by Robert Hough
A Question of Proof by Nicholas Blake.

I am dying to get stuck into them now.

[[deleted user]]

Did you know what you were getting, Trelawn, or are they a complete surprise? It so comforting having that pile of unread books and exciting too. Looking forward to your reviews. Happy Birthday! I hope that you celebrate in style:)

[Trelawn]

Mostly a surprise Theresa, some were on my to buy list but they got me some lovely hard back editions. Quiet weekend this week Theresa but we are off to Kinnity Castle next week for an overnight stay. Really looking forward to it.

[[deleted user]]

The library has a unique collection of antique books and journals according to the website! It looks fabulous:) Enjoy!

[Paul]

We are staying in a very exlusive Baronial suite which should be nice

[Trelawn]

I am being spoiled :-) And thank you, I intend to enjoy every minute.

[[deleted user]]

And the little fella will have a great time somewhere else.....?

[Trelawn]

He is having a sleepover with his nana and granda. As far as he's concerned that is SO much better than a medieval castle :-)

[Cathleen]

Happy birthday, Trelawn. Your presents and getaway sound like the perfect way to celebrate.