Taking the scenic route on my book-buying expedition
I have added a lot of books to my library this year. Well, “a lot” by my standards. (I think my year’s entire haul is about equal to one day of book shopping for Simon). And now, with books teetering on every available surface (space on the shelves having run out long ago), I remember why I usually curb the instinct to buy. But oh it feels good.
Here’s what’s come in lately:
First, three books arrived from Greyladies (two of them complimentary – a delightful surprise):
The Road to the Harbour by Susan Pleydell
Mrs. Frensham Describes a Circle by Richmal Crompton
Near Neighbours by Molly Clavering
Then, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to head over to Vancouver Island for the day, partly to see stunning Butchart Gardens at the height of summer, partly to go shopping at Russell Books in downtown Victoria:
The sunken garden at Butchart
The beautiful provincial legislature in Victoria
At Russell Books, I picked up as many titles as I could carry (that A.A. Milne biography is heavy, as I discovered on the ensuing bus/ferry/bus/train/bus rides to get home) and left many more behind:
The books I bought
The books I left behind
Finally, this weekend, cheerfully ignoring the fact that the teetering piles of books in my office will crush me to death in event of an earthquake and really don’t need to be built up any further, I picked up two more new books:
I loved Diplomatic Baggage, Keenan’s first memoir, and have been itching to read this
A chunky saga about a Viennese family that seems very promising from what I’ve read so far
I should probably swear off book buying for the rest of the year. Or maybe just have good clear out of my existing shelves…
The Captive Reader 
Oh, but then we wouldn’t get to look at your recent arrivals and write down all the titles. (I just saw Swept off her feet at the library – I should have brought it home!)
Excellent rationalisation! I shall cling to it desperately.
I really enjoy Hester Browne’s books. They’re Chick Lit but the kind I like – with heroines who are generally capable, intelligent women without crippling shoe fetishes.
The Vienna Melody looks especially attractive to me! Thanks for sharing all your lovely selections.
It’s such a beautiful cover and the inside is promising, too!
I love the book pictures, and also the ferry and garden shots as I’m fascinated lately with Victoria and that part of the world – can’t wait to visit.
I am more than a little biased but I do think it’s a wonderful part of the world. Hope you’re able to visit soon.
Ooh… I’m kind of interested in Packing Up. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on all of these!
I’m halfway through Packing Up right now and loving it.
That A.A.Milne might be heavy, but it seems wonderful. Happy reading!
It’s so wonderful! I read it a few years ago and I can’t imagine any better reading for a Milne fan.
A lovely selection of books, and I particularly like the look of The Vienna Melody. It would fit a vacant year in my century of books, and maybe that’s a good enough reason to go looking for a copy ….
That is certainly reason enough to go looking!
oooohhh…. We missed our Victoria pilgrimage this year, and I’m pining for it all, including Russell Books (and the annexe below stairs). Next summer for sure.
Looks like no Island for us this year, either…but nice to see that Claire has done her part in keeping Russell Books in business! 😉
I do my best!
I can’t honestly say I did Victoria justice this trip. I had a quick lunch at Murchie’s and glanced briefly at the Parliament buildings (conveniently located next to the bus stop) but aside from that I spent the whole time in Russell Books. Time very well spent, if you ask me!
I haven’t been to Victoria in like 14 years! And I feel like I would really like it there. And on the Island in general. One of these days, I really need to get over there again.
After seeing your instagram of The Vienna Melody I REALLY want to read it. It sounds like just the kind of thing I would love. There’s really something about reading books set in Vienna that I love.
I also had a chuckle that you realize your books will likely crush you to death but really, who among us book lovers doesn’t have this problem? What a way to go!
It is so cheap there! Looking at the real estate listings is surreal. But I find I like the idea of Victoria more than I like the city itself. It’s an odd mix of quaint and seedy and I miss the mountains when I’m there. We are so spoiled in Vancouver.
enjoyed your pics of Victoria – reminded me of a wonderful holiday there a few years ago.
Happy to bring back some memories for you!
Hooray for finding a copy of Vera!
Yes…except that’s one of the books I left behind! I seem to find copies of Vera all over the place so I’m not too worried (famous last words) about one day getting hold of it. Russell Books is the sight of my most wonderful von Arnim acquisition – it was here I picked up Christopher and Columbus (Virago edition with a hilariously inaccurate back cover blurb) a few years ago.
Wow, great haul and what a beautiful place to live!
It is very lovely here and I never get tired of it!
I loved those Joan Marble books. I think she is a friend of Joan Didion. Anyway the two books here are very enjoyable
I’d never heard of Marble before but I can’t resist garden books and, with my own Italy trip coming up next month, am drawn to anything Italy-related right now. From what I’ve read so far, I’m sure I’m going to enjoy these.