Recent Book Acquisitions

There was quite a bit of interest in my recent book adoption program, so I thought I would write a quick summary post.

I have come to learn that if I don't GO to the store, then I won't be able to buy (duh!).  So, I haven't necessarily put myself on a book buying ban, but I have limited myself to the number of trips that I am allowed to take to the local thrift stores until after my summer school course (and then WATCH OUT!!)

Here is the list of recent adoptions (I prefer to think of it as me giving the book a new home rather than making a purchase); most of them were purchased during the month of March.  The vast majority of them were found on the clearance shelves and cost about $2.00; others were purchased at the recent coupon sale:

• Creating a Charmed Life by Victoria Moran (I remember that Jenners gave very favorable reviews for this book, so when I saw it on the shelf I simply could not resist)
• French Lessons by Alice Kaplan (this book was required for a memoir course offered last summer which I did not take, but several recommended.  Since I was a French major, they thought this would be a great book for me)
• Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler
• Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler (I did not have a chance to finish Noah's Compass before it was due to the library, but I thoroughly enjoyed the chapters that I read.  When I saw these two books by the author I decided to take chance and hope they are as good)
• The Intellectual Devotional by Kidder & Oppenheim (who could resist the subtitle:  Revive your Mind, Complete your Education, and Roam confidently with the Cultured Class)
• American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (I read favorable reviews of this book last year and even managed to enjoy the first couple of chapters while waiting at a bookstore.)
• The Somnambulist by Jonathan  Barnes (this has been on my TBR list for years.  I remember the author was a guest on the Barnes and Noble book club website and after following the conversation, I knew that this would be a book that I would enjoy)
• The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser (this book is making the rounds lately - most notable Wendy and Margo mentioned it on their blogs)
• The Likeness by Tana French (I actually purchased her first book, In the Woods, from the clearance shelf a few months ago.  Someday I will read them - I promise!)
• The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister (I read this book and enjoyed it - but when I found this hardcover book in pristine condition for $2.00 --- I simply could not resist)
• Writer's Guide to Character Traits by Linda Edelstein (a student of mine saw this in the local bookstore and recommended it to me.  When I saw it available at Half Price - I knew that it was meant to be.  Actually, I am planning to start a school "writing library" - so this book will serve double duty)
• Lost by Gregory Maguire (I wasn't a fan of the book Wicked - although I love the premise and can't get enough of the musical.  I would love to try another Maguire book to see if perhaps I like it any better)
• The Unauthorized Harry Potter Companion by Colin Duriez (I took a hiatus from my exercise plan - but I do plan to start up soon and with that will be the continuation of the Harry Potter audiobooks.  Since my mind doesn't seem to retain facts as well as it used to - I thought this book might help me keep track of all the useful information across the seven volumes)
• The Annotated Mona Lisa by Carol Strickland (I actually read this book from the library about 3 years ago before I went to Paris.  I have never learned how to appreciate art, but it is definitely a skill I would like to hone over time.  This book is simple, condense, but informative and I look forward to re-rereading it before I head to Europe this summer)
• Better Picture Guide to Travel Photography by Michael Busselle (not pictured - but discussed on a previous post.  I would like to learn to compose a nice picture before I leave for Oxford in the hopes of coming back with photos that others will actually want to view)
• Travel Writing by L Peat O'Neil (not pictured - and purchased through Alibris.com  I actually skimmed through several books on travel writing over the past couple of weeks, but I found I kept wanting to take notes as I read this one.  I want to try to practice some writing exercises on writing about place before I attend Oxford, again with the hopes that I can document my excursions in an interesting way that others might like to read them)
• American Writer's at Home by J. D. McClatchy (this was a total impulse buy.  It is a hardcover book with beautiful illustrations of famous American authors' homes.  Many of the authors that I am reading for this summer are featured in the book and I thought I might appreciate some of this kind of background information)

So there you have it --- 17 books purchased for the grand total of approximately $47.00!!

I haven't decided which gives me the most thrills:  reading a great book - or finding a great book bargain.  Both are high on my "things that make me happy" list.  I am pretty ecstatic right now :)