I've got an unexpected £150 voucher... Should I be indulgent and blow it on books?

[JoyceDivision]

Unexpected love to shop voucher,so obviously limited where to spend...but it includes Waterstones.

I usually am a savvy book shopper online and love second hand books,so the idea of pottering around Waterstones and buying a pile of books is very enticing!

So whatcouldanyone recommend?

I like fiction / short stories, eg Alice Munroe, Joyce Carol Oates, not too keen on Edith Pearlman, not crime / thrillers, more dark fiction, Margaret Atwood, Kate Atkinson, Andrew Hurley....

Would love suggestions!

I love crime and thrillers so no help on that front, but that sounds like heaven having £150 to spend in a book shop ! Enjoy it.

Or browse and buy one book for a treat then go to the library for the others and spend the rest on something you can't get for free!

Kate Morton, Kate Morton, Kate Morton!

YABVU. Books are essential, not indulgences

Have you read Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees? Absolutely beautiful.

Strange Weather in Tokyo
Born Weird
All my Friends are Superheros
The Plague
The Housekeeper and the Professor
Balzac and the Chinese Seamstress
Anything by Raymond Carver

Oh how wonderful. Enjoy your shopping. I’d be tempted to go for biographies of the old film stars such as JudyGarland, Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant.

Thank you for all the suggestions, I have a day off work in a couple of week so I am.going to head in to.the town, take my phone for this thread, get a drink.and slowly browse and look up recommended books

Ooh I would love that. Terry Pratchett's discworld, hard back editions.

Can you not use a library and then spend it on something else? Or maybe I’ve missed the point....

Very much missed the point @Greentreeviews but it does mean more books available for the rest of us

I would buy kids books and cookbooks🤫

Once upon a river by Diane Setterfield is one of the best books I've read recently!

Greentrees I use the library a lot,just been this afternoon to drop books off, but budget cuts mean choice is becoming increasingly narrow: at the moment they have no plans to buy in the new Kate Atkinson which is likely to be a popular book! Plus we have lots of books at home, it's just the opportunity to buy, keep, have for best, the luxury of purchasing a book to keep.

It's a book thing

Based on your interests have a browse on the Jeanette Winterson shelf! I love all her fiction but particularly Lighthousekeeping and Written on the Body. Angela Carter might also be a good shout.

I also recently read Gentleman and Players by Joanne Harris which was dark and brilliant.

Ooh yes, try The Daylight Gate by Jeanette Winterson.

Lucky you, I'd blow it all on books too. Normally like non fiction but currently had way through and loving Circe by Madeleine Miller.

It’s most definitely a book thing.
I’d be tempted to split in to 2 or 3 visits.
Buy, read, revisit. The luxury of a second shop if you find a new author or genre you love shouldn’t be underestimated.

Hmm...good idea about splitting visits.... Ideally I want it to be a late autumnal day, raining or very cold,tipping towards winter,big jumper etc.... Just to indulge myself

How wonderful. If it's books you want, buy them. Treat yourself!

I'd include a couple of (beautiful) reference books too. Also maybe a special edition/beautiful hardback version of one of your favourite books.

I'm so jealous. Anything by Donna Tartt is always a good buy. Be sure to come back and tell us what you bought!

Have a look at Margaret Attwood as well
I'm jealous too! Have fun

Ooh yes,loved the little friend, adore margaret Atwood.... Can't wait for the book in September!

So so with Lionel Shriver, lived The Mandibles and Property .

Keep browsing Waterstones and good reads. I will for once not spend it on the DC's! Unless a book catches my eye they'd like....