Books That Recently Sneaked Onto My Shelves
I swear I have been trying not to buy books lately. After all, I have a fantastic library system and an out-of-control habit of requesting books. I am drowning in library books right now with more winging their way to me as you read this. However, (and you knew there was a “however” coming, didn’t you?) I work at two library branches and both of them have ongoing Friends of the Library book sales. How am I supposed to resist? Well, obviously I have not been doing a particularly good job at resisting. The books only cost a quarter or fifty cents each so at least I am not going to go bankrupt.
I read both the Trollopes a few years ago but that was on my Kindle and I like having the real books. I don’t have much experience with Henry James but I used to live near Boston and go there regularly and I miss it. That was enough to convince me to fling away another twenty-five cents.
Now that I am actually writing this I have realized that a few of these books came from a profligate trip to Goodwill. I think Marmee & Louisa cost me a whole dollar. Little Women was my favorite book for years and years of my childhood and I am always happy to read about the novel and its author. I recently read a biography about Dickens and he was an interesting man. I don’t think I would have liked him but I did enjoy reading about him so I’m going to do it again.
These two are books I actually ordered online. My ongoing obsession with life during World War II continues and I have a long list of books I want to read. Fashion on the Ration is a book I have wanted since I went to the exhibit at the Imperial War Museum in London a few years ago. I don’t know why I didn’t buy the book then but I have regretted it ever since and finally caved in and ordered it. If I was going to order one book about the war then I might as well order two (that makes sense, right?) and I randomly picked another one off my list.
My dad loaned me a book about the Lusitania a while ago and I enjoyed it so when I saw this I grabbed it. I know absolutely nothing about An Enchanted Childhood at Raven Rocks but there was absolutely no way I was going to leave it behind. Also, I am morbidly amused by the “epic tragedy” next to the “enchanted childhood.”
Well. Nine books. I suppose it could be worse. I am trying to only buy books that are extremely inexpensive, like most of these, or ones that I cannot get through the library. That perfectly justifies the two books I ordered online this morning, right? I also requested a few more books from the library. There is a lovely sense of security in having lots of books to read.
4 Comments
Joan Kyler.
I think your book buying strategy makes sense – says another woman with too many books (too many books isn’t really possible unless they collapse your house). Have you read any of the Nella Last books? I think there are three. She participated in the Mass Observation project in Britain during WWII. Civilians sent in journals they wrote during the war. It’s a great way to see everyday life during the war. I liked Nella’s personality.
jllee656
Yes, I have read those. A book about the Mass Observation project led me to her. I like her too.
Katrina
I would definitely have bought the Lusitania book, I’ve just finished reading a book about it. Fashion on the Ration sounds interesting too. I think back then women were really quite obsessed with clothes and re-making them. My m-i-l was a Make Do and Mend teacher during the war. She had to give up her job as a sewing teacher in a high school as soon as she got married in 1944, just before D-Day, as they thought that Jack’s father might not be coming home – ever. She said that everyone loved refurbishing hats and they were very important then as women didn’t leave the home without a hat on.
jllee656
Your mother-in-law sounds like she would have been very interesting to chat with. Can you imagine always having to wear a hat? Nowadays, all our clothes are relatively disposable. We definitely do not make do and mend enough!