Neither Snow nor Rain nor Heat nor Gloom of Night
Besides being associated with postal carriers, it could very well apply to dedicated (read: obsessive) bibliophiles who brave the elements to attend local book sales. Especially ones held by the Friends of the Library. And especially ones that are scheduled to be a one day event, instead of the normal two day event.
This was taken Monday, but we had another storm hit, so when I awoke this morning, hoping to make the sale early, I pretty much found the same sight as I walked out the door.
Let’s just say more than the Jeep was warmed up by the time I had cleared off the snow and was ready to leave.
As usual, resellers with scanners made it there ahead of me. But I’ve learned that it really doesn’t matter. Apparently there’s quite a gap between what they’re looking for and what I hope to find. Not once have I ever seen them take a book I would’ve wanted.
That being said, I made off with close to my average:
- A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
- Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner
- Bastard out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
- Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
- Contact by Carl Sagan
- Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
- Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
- Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
- Native Son by Richard Wright
- Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes
- Mr. Lincoln’s Wars by Adam Braver
- Run by Ann Patchett
- Teacher Man by Frank McCourt
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Not only is this book on many “must read” lists and a modern classic, the picture on the cover of the author compelled me to buy this copy. See for yourself (I didn’t get the audio version. This was the best representatin of the cover I could find) - The March by E.L. Doctorow
- The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason
This is a pristine first edition that is replacing the trade paperback I bought previously, which is in poor condition
Nearly all of these are on some kind of list: Best of the Decade and/or Century, 1001 Books to Read Before You Die, Pulitzer’s, Nobel winning authors, not to mention much touted books such as Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
I still have several review copies I need to read. But starting next year, I plan on tacking the stacks on my shelves. (current count = 264) To see my plans, take a look at the challenges I hope to tackle.
It’s not as bad as it looks though, as many of them allow overlaps and several are perpetual.
WHEW!
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is also my favorite movie of all time. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
1Wos! That’s a great haul…and all despite the weather.
I LOVE The Bluest Eye, and think it is my favorite of Morrison’s novels. Maybe with another storm like you had, you can enjoy these books all cozied down, to your heart’s content!
2I recently realized I need to stop buying books and read the ones I already have (including quite a few hand-me-downs from around the family). Except then I went to a bookstore that was having an incredible sale and I got a gift card and ultimately I went home with 6 books for the price of 1. So I think I understand your plight. Enjoy the books!
3I read Bastard Out of Carolina for a Southern Reading Challenge this summer and really enjoyed it. Good finds!
4What an awesome batch of books! I read Contact a really, really long time ago but liked it a lot. And I have The Bluest Eye on my fiction TBR shelf… whenever I have time to get to it
I’m always looking out of the “famous” books though — I feel like I’m expanding my literary familiarity when I read them.
5There are just so many great books that you were able to get a ahold of. I plan on reading a lot more from my shelves as well this year.
6I admire your dedication. I would have slept in.
But then, our FotL sale takes place at the other end of the county, so it’s quite a haul even on good-weather days.
Plus I really like to sleep in.
7yes, you got some EXCELLENT books – I’ve read a few (and recently) and only a few I will have to look up more or wait for your reviews. congrats.
8I loved The Girl with The Dragon Tatoo! But I have to warn you that it moves at a pretty slow pace at the beginning as the author lays out everything that is going on. Don’t give up! Lisbeth Sanders is probably one of the most memorable characters that I enjoyed reading this year! Here’s a link to my review:
http://chickwithbooks.blogspot.com/2009/04/review-girl-with-dragon-tattoo.html
Looks like you picked up a wonderful selection! I don’t know why, but I really resent those people with the scanners. It’s as though they don’t really care about the books they are buying! Of course the libraries need the $$ and I should be happy that they are buying those books.
9Bastard out of Carolina is a great book! You have to read it first! Then The Bluest Eye. Both are beautiful but heartbreaking books about two young girls trying to find their places in the world.
You’re right that many of these books are award-winners or notables. Happy reading!
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