50 Books Challenge 2023 Part Three

I hated Jonathan Strange. Love Middlemarch though and Vanity Fair, Don Quixote and a few other monsters are on my tbr over the next few years.

Vanity Fair is massively underrated I think, probably due to its intimidating length

Much as I love Middlemarch I think Vanity Fair and Jonathan Strange are easier reads. Although I know some hate Jonathan Strange.

I’ve actually never read any Hilary Mantel despite owning the first two Wolf Hall books for years so this is going to be a HM year.

I did dither over American Psycho as one friend loved it and another hated it! I’ll wait until I’m in the right frame of mind for that and The Wasp Factory.

I last read Jane Eyre 20+ years ago so fancied a reread before I read Wide Saragasso Sea, Middlemarch is new for me. I was also tempted to buy Vanity Fair and Jonathan Strange… but couldn’t face too many doorstops!

Tattie - same RE Wool

Also spotted you have A Place Of Greater Safety which is brilliant and my worst book ever American Psycho

Are Jane Eyre and Middlemarch new to you as a reader or were you just getting copies?

@MegBusset most of the books I bought today were £1.80 - £2.80 with a couple at £3.60 and the Iris Murdoch was £5.60 (but it’s very pretty and in pristine condition). I got £43 credit for 37 paperbacks which makes a huge difference to the price.

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit Wool wasn’t on my list but I’ve seen it mentioned on a few threads lately so thought I’d give it a punt.

@MarkWithaC I was checking my wishlist as someone had said all the 99p books weren't on the main deals page, and Trespasses popped up. Just luck this time!

Love the look of barter books - inspirational!

Barter Books is an amazing building but I have found it pretty expensive for a second-hand bookstore. I didn’t know they did trade-ins though so will bear that in mind for my next visit

17 The Giant Under The Snow - John Gordon

Somewhat obscure children’s book from the 1960s - I found it via Backlisted, and it seems to be out of print now. It’s a spooky English folk / fantasy tale, set in East Anglia and weaving in the Green Man and a Sutton Hoo-like legend. Very much in the vein of Susan Cooper, Alan Garner etc, and although the plot is a little random in parts it rattles along nicely and there are plenty of enjoyable atmospheric flourishes in the prose.

@TattiePants

Amazing haul

I loved The Red Tent and I'm currently reading the Wool trilogy

@SapatSea they have a lovely cafe in the old waiting rooms - I’d highly recommend the lemon drizzle cake!

I got a pretty decent haul today which cost me £30 after using my credit from the books I’d brought with me.

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
99p easy-read. Not sure if it's marketed as YA, but definitely feels like YA. Not very well written, but just right for a long soak in the bath. If you like reading about the history of medicine, enjoyed Enola Holmes and don't mind a bit of YA, you'd probably quite like it.

@TattiePants I saw Barter Books a few years ago on a TV programme. It looks awesome - do they have a coffee stall in it too?

I trawl through all of them. I sort them first by price though because I don't go over 99p for Kindle. I also tend to swerve the "unlimited" free ones. I used to grab all of those because : free. Then realised free invariably meant: bit shit.

Thank you, yes, I keep an eye on my wish list too. I don’t find that I get many good deals from it, but maybe over time I will.

Adding number 29. (I think!)

*'The Curfew.'- TM Logan.
*
I actually stayed up all night reading this. I would heartily recommend this if you like reading thrillers with a bit of twist. 🤩

I only trawl first of the month deals.

I have however built a personal wish list on Amazon which I continue to add to - it's surprising how often prices change

@kateandme its a huge secondhand bookshop in an old railway station. My basket’s full and I haven’t even started on this room yet!

Me too! Thanks Remus

I’m also looking forward to the reviews (I can already predict mine saying ‘really enjoyed it, too long’ since that’s what I’ve said about the entire series I think.

Thanks Remus, I’ll save TIBH until I’ve read the others!

Oh Remus and Sol I can’t wait for your review of Ink Black Heart. I might get some popcorn in ready.

What?I've never heard of that? Bartering books!?

<rolls sleeves up, licks pencil and clears throat>

I'll also buy it, if only to enjoy myself reviewing it in due course.

I went back into the deals last night and bought about 10 which were not there absolutely on Wednesday. That'll teach me not to go straight there on the 1st of the month! My bank account would be happier though obvs!

In other news, dd's 18 years old cultural bonus from the Italian govt expired on 28/2 and she still had £300 on it so I was "would you like me to spend it?" But she managed to spend it herself which is good. (not that it would have been hard for me to give a generous hand!)

I bought Ink Black Heart too. I had already got it as an audiobook but, as with Troubled Blood, I quite like a written copy to double check things I might otherwise miss or mishear.

@MarkWithaC I check the daily deal and my wish list every day. It’s surprising how often there can be a random price drop.