Stress buying is a thing

I would say it's been one of those weeks, but in truth it's been worse.  On Monday morning my mother called me to let me know that our neighbour of over 20 years had passed away during the night.  For people who don't talk to their neighbours you may not know how close you can get to a person you see every day, or at least a couple of times a week, for decades.

Coral was a lovely lady and I would often chat over the fence with her for an hour or two.  Towards the end, before we knew about how sick she really was, I would often talk to her where she would stand on her balcony and chat to me as I stood near the garden that separated our yards.  I saw her back in June/July when I went home to get my new glasses, never thinking that would be the last time I would speak to her....

So.  Today was her funeral.  I couldn't go (medical reasons), but that didn't stop me from stressing out about my mother and aunt who were going.   And you can tell what happened from the title.  I got on my handy dandy mobile phone and bought more books that I should have... but at least it wasn't chocolate!

So, Dallass (you might be asking yourself), exactly what did you buy?

Well, I splurged.  Seriously, I spent over $100 dollars (a lot for me) and I have to admit that although I feel a little guilty about it, I'm not sorry.  First indulgence came via Book Depository - and it was all that 10% off codes fault!  This order includes the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (which I still haven't read, but didn't want to miss snapping up a special edition of), Devonshire Scream by Laura Childs and The Chalk Pit by Elly Griffiths are two books that are from series that I'm following, Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews because I need some more from her since I found out that Magic Triumphs is the final Kate Daniels book!, and finally Vigil by Angela Slatter as I haven't read a book that is set in Brisbane (QLD) before - and an urban fantasy at that ;-D

Even using my 10% off code it was still a pretty penny, but when I swung my attention over to Awesome Books early this evening to see if the books in my cart were still there I realized that I needed to snap them up asap as I had a few items that were "1 of 1" in stock.  After a few tense moments when I couldn't get the stupid website to accept my payment (which resulted in me firing up the computer), I was the proud owner of seven more books!  Seven!  Okay, it's really five because I bought two that my mum was after, but still - that's a lot of books.

I can now add The Making of a Marchioness by Francis Burnett Hodgson to my shelves, as well as two books by Marisha Pessl, Night Film and Special Topics in Calamity Physics.  Should be interesting because I have never read anything by Pessl.  Dark Aemilia by Sally O'Reilly will do nicely for the historical paranormal craving I've been having ever since I reread Shadow of Night, and Villette by Charlotte Bronte was available in the PEL edition, so of course that was coming home to me.  Finally there were the two books that I was getting for my mum, and they are MacKenzie's Legacy by Linda Howard.  I really adored the first of the two stories in this bind up.  MacKenzie's Mountain is a wonderful story.  And alongside that, mum will be getting Born in Flame by Nora Roberts.  Hopefully this order will get here a little early, otherwise it'll be early November before I can haul them.

I tell you, when you're clicking on buttons with your phone, it doesn't seem like this many items...

So that was how I spent this Friday the 13th.  Avoiding all thoughts of a funeral and the lovely neighbour I will never see again, and stress buying more books - because that really is a thing.

I think I'm going to go get a hot cup of tea and destress some more, but with YouTube this time - and until I see you next time,

 

It can't be October already!

Seriously, I can't have been in this house for almost a month!  There are still boxes stored in the garage and stuff spread out throughout the house with only a vauge idea of where they will finally go - and I'm freaking out about the hours of unboxing and decorating that need to be done before Christmas.  So with that deadline foremost in mind, I fired up the desktop and put on a movie and spent most of this morning in the spare room trying to bring a little bit of order to what will be the 'library' and sewing room.  It was so messy that I nearly twisted my ankle trying to get past the boxes that had been conveniently dropped just past the door and forgotten.  It's now nearly 1pm and I'm quiting for the day so I can go grab some lunch and either continue reading my October Miss Marple, At Bertrams, or (most likely) whack in a season of The Vampire Diaries and veg out for the rest of the afternoon.

Looking out over the farmland behind my place!

On the reading front, I finished my September Miss Marple in a few hours.  Enjoyed it more that I thought I would, but I can't believe how much the Miss Marple TV adaptations play fast and loose with the source material.  I'm down to my final three books for the year, and while some books were adapted quite closely - others... only vaguely.  Hopefully in the future the BBC will remake all the Marples in the style of And Then There Were None as that was beautifully designed and filmed.

Apart from these two Agatha Chrisite's, I have only started reading the All Souls Trilogy as October means Halloween Reads is back on again.  Like the LOTR trilogy for fantasy fans, I think this has become a yearly reread around this time of year.  I love the way the story unfolds over the trilogy, and while I don't think it ended with all my questions answered, I do love reading A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night.

Couldn't resist these gorgeous Halloween Jack-o-antern lights!

Luckily my first lot of Book Depository orders have arrived at the new address.  One is a bind up of the first two Aunt Dimity books that I ordered last month only to have the order cancelled and refunded as they were out of stock of this very book.  However, when I saw it recently I ordered it again and managed to get a copy! (It's now out of stock again).  The final book in the Kylie Chan series arrived as well, can't believe that Black Jade is the final time we'll see these characters.  Thankfully there are nine books in the series that I can reread any time I get the urge to see Emma and Xuan Wu, but still, I'll miss them.

Still having trouble finding all the books I'd like to read soon as the bookshelves are a total mess (and I won't be unpacking any more 'book' boxes until I get the current mess under control), so I'll go with whatever strike the Halloween spirit in me.

Until next time, 

Where's my pre-order?

So, yesterday I posted a little first impression review of Fire Touched that I read on the computer as I waited for the trade paperback to be published.  Well, what a difference 24 hours makes.  When I woke up this morning I had a reply from Book Depository.  It turns out that this trade edition of Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs will not be published until - wait for it - 31 January, 2017!  

Yes, that's right.  A whole ten and a half months from now.

I can't begin to describe how annoying this is, but I have been offered a full refund which is something at least.  So, since I don't want to fork out AUS$30 plus for the hardcover, I may as well wait and get the mass market paperback instead.

The funny thing is that when I was browsing Book Depository earlier this morning, Book Depository still hasn't changed the publication date for Fire Touched!  Grrr!  Has this happened to you?  Let me know in the comments as I'd love to hear that I'm not the only one left high and dry after pre-ordering.

Anyway, I hope you're having a better bookish day than I am.

Until next time,

 

Not getting hardcover!

Yep, it's official.  I won't be getting the hardcover of Six of Crows.  After I updated you all on the news that Book Depository were sending the hardcover edition my way (so excited!), the next morning I got an email to say that there had been a mix up with the publishers/information - and the book I ordered was not supposed to be listed as a hardcover.  

Bummer.

So, I will be getting a refund instead.  I'm a tad miffed that I won't be getting the book in hardcover, but the trade is just as nice so I'll stick with that.

On the plus side, the staff at Book Depository were very quick to answer emails, and even emailed me back to update me on the mix up (and offered refund).  Thank you, Book Depository ;-D

Until next time,

Oh no, not again!

I can't believe that this has happened again!  Two weeks ago I ordered a hardcover copy of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.  Today the postman knocked on my door and handed me a Book Depository parcel and I was excited to finally have the book in my hands... that was until I ripped the box open.

There no hardcover!  I ended up with a trade paperback.  What is going on?  Has anyone else had this happen?  If so, let me know about it down below as I'm not a happy camper at the moment.

UPDATE!

Emailed Book Depository yesterday and received an email to let me know that they have re-ordered

the hardcover and will be sending that to me!  So happy that I will get the hardcover ;-D

Until next time,

Dead Ice has arrived!

My postman just delivered a package to my door.  It was my pre-order of Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton.  This is book number twenty-something in the Anita Blake series.  I read the sample chapter at the end of Jason {READ MY REVIEW HERE} and it sounded so good.   

Bought this from Book Depository, and it was a little expensive at just over $32, but I just had to have it.  I wanted this cover to match my other books, and Australian book shops don't stock this edition.  Isn't it so pretty.  The endpapers are just so gorgeous, and completely unexpected.  Total bookgasm ;-D

Hopefully I can start this some time today.  Fingers crossed that we're back into RPIT/animator mode with little to no ardeur action.

Until next time,

 

This time I let my fingers do the walking

As if my Big W blow-out wasn't bad enough, I then let my fingers do the walking after yesterday's splurge and visited two of my favourite online places to buy books.

First port of call was Booktopia.  I already had some amazing specials in my cart.  Bought The Swan Gondola for $9.90, and Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch for $6.35!  They also had a copy of Steal the Dragon by Patricia Briggs - to complete the Sianim Quartet - which seems to be either Out of Stock (OOS) or Out of Print (OOP) at Book Depository.  Every time I browse Booktopia I find so many great titles with great discounts.  Great for my bookshelves, bad for my wallet.

About half a hour later, my fingers got itchy again, so it was off to Book Depository.  I caved and pre-ordered Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton.  This is book 21? in the Anita Blake series, and from the sample I read in the back of the novella, Jason, it sounded pretty good.  We're back into the zombie raising aspect of the series, and I hope to see some of the RPIT characters that I have been missing for the last 12 books or so ;-D

So, in all Friday was just a book-fest of a day.  I spent way too much money.  Will have to tighten my belt for the next couple of weeks and ban myself from browsing the online book sites. . . maybe?

Until next time,

"Where's my book?" Update

Yesterday I posted a small rant about how when my book arrived it was a paperback instead of a hardcover copy.  

Well, it's all been resolved.   I was contacted less than 12 hours after emailing them, and they were very friendly and, like always, I've had no negative experiences when dealing with Book Depository if I have a complaint.  A+ service!

After messaging back and forth, okay once, I found out that the book had been incorrectly advertised, and I received a full refund, plus I can keep the paperback.

Now I only have to decide whether or not to buy the books in hardcover or not since I have one hardcover and one paperback book from the Thursday Next series.  Ah, decisions decisions ;-D

Until next time,

Where's my book?

Granted, this very rarely happens, but on occasion I do have a book snafu from Book Depository.  This morning my postman arrived bearing two parcels.  One was the gorgeous edition of Perfume by Patrick Suskind {it's sooo pretty!}, 

while the other was a copy of The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde... the WRONG edition.

See, it even says 'Hardback' right there on the invoice!

Instead of a lovely hardcover, to match the other books, I find that I have somehow (?) ended up with a paperback.  While not happy, I've already shot off an email to them to hopefully resolve the problem asap.  In the past they have been wonderful in resolving these problems.  A+ for service in my experience, but that doesn't mean that a little part of me isn't terribly disappointed right at this moment.

Will let you know how this plays out ;-D

Until next time,

Huge Book Order for April

Yes, I know that I really should be used to this by now.  However I was not technically on a book buying ban - wouldn't even delude myself by trying to attempt one - so I can take some comfort in that.

I have ordered more than a few books from my favourite online retailers (my local chain store bookshop has a poor range) and I had two discount vouchers to use as well which made the damage done to my wallet slightly less.

My spending has been reasonable so far this month, but today I went a tad overboard.  I couldn't go down to celebrate ANZAC Day as I'm sick, and I didn't want to either a) give it to anyone else, or b) catch something that will make me feel worse, so naturally I ended up online.  Today wasn't supposed to be about buying books.  I just wanted to catch up on some YouTube and do a few other bits and pieces.  But did that happen?  NO!  Last night my mother asked me to get a book for her so it all started from that request. 

Today I managed to order...

The Hobbit - Tolkien

The Return on the King - Tolkien {both these Tolkien books are beautiful cloth-bound editions!}

A Darker Shade of Magic - V. E. Schwab

The Winter Sea - Susanna Kearsley

Heraclix & Pomp - Forrest Aguirre

MOAB is my Washpot - Stephen Fry *

The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides *

Lady Audley's Secret - Mary Elizabeth Braddon *

Cut Throat - Sharon Sala {this was mum's request!} *

On Thursday I went a little mad and ordered,
A Blight of Mages - Karen Miller
Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle {Barnes & Noble leather editions!}
The Arabian Nights
The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

and earlier in the month I ordered - and am still waiting for mind you - these titles;

The Shining - Stephen King *
Tennant of Wildfell Hall - Emily Bronte
Shirley - Charlotte Bronte
Hounded - Kevin Hearne
Wolfsbane - Patricia Briggs
Air Bound - Christine Feehan

And I am still waiting for The Dragon of Despair* by Jane Lindskold to find it's way into my post box as I ordered it over 4 weeks ago!

* AbeBooks {I can now finally find my OOP editions, God bless them!}

Amongst this rather large amount of books that will be winging their way to me during May I have tried a few new editions.  There are some Penguin English Library books.  I just love the spines and the lovely almost suede feeling of the covers!  As mentioned, the Sherlock Holmes volume is one of those gorgeous B&N leather bound editions with the gilding.  Today I seemed to have a thing for hardcovers, so I hope that they have that they have dust jackets, and there is also a smattering of my usual mass market paperbacks.  Yes, I know that they're quite delicate as the spines almost always break, but they are reasonably priced which matters a hell of a lot when books cost so much in Australia! 

I could tally up all the money I've spent on books this month, but I think I'd keel over in shock.  Thankfully I was able to use some 10% off vouchers - thank you Book Depository! -  and Booktopia always has some amazing bargains.  Even op shops have some great titles.  I found my The Fry Chronicles - hardcover! - at a local thrift shop for $4 last year! 

Speaking of thrift shops, I nearly forgot to mention the great books I found yesterday when I went looking for some cheap bowls {I use them for plant saucers - they look nicer and are easier to keep clean inside!}.  As soon as I walked in the door I was sidetracked by the books.  I haven't been to my local St. Vinnie's in months, and I'm so glad I went because I found a couple of books that I've been meaning to get - as well as one that I'd just put in my wishlist!

As per usual, I spent more time and money on the books than I did on the items I actually went for.

Well, I think I've spent enough.  Have to leave you all as I'll just want to start compiling another cart full of books if I keep thinking about them for much longer ;-D 

Okay, must go watch a DVD to take my mind off this dead tree purchasing ...

Until next time,

 

First book haul of the year

So over the last three days I was bad and bought my first books for 2015.  On Saturday I went into my local bookshop and couldn't resist taking home with me The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Such a beautiful cover, and it feels lovely and suede-like as well which is a bonus.

Then on Sunday I went online (originally just to check my email) and found my way to the Book Depository - for the first time this year! - and bought some classics (Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde by R.L Stevenson and Orlando by Virginia Woolf) as well as the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.  This book has been well represented on YouTube and I've held off till now as I'm still not sure that I'll like it.  But you've got to take a chance on a new book every now and then.  Unfortunately now I have to play the waiting game.  I won't get the books till the end of the week at the earliest.

Yesterday, Monday, I went to town and happened to find the hardcover of Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes plus a discounted copy of The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (down to $5!).  The plain Penguin cover copy of Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov was on sale as well, and I couldn't resist the beauty that is A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray.  That cover is so gorgeous.  I've resisted buying this for the last couple weeks, but finally caved.

Finally when I was at the counter paying for my books there was a box beside the register that had some free audiobooks.  Ever the sucker for a good audiobook I sorted through them and found the last remaining copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland read by Miriam Margolyes.

In all I've had a great week in terms of new books.  Hopefully my Boxing Day Sale order from Book Outlet will turn before the end of the month - order includes Red Shirts by John Scalzi, Artemis Awakening by Jane Lindskold, Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong and Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski - and I have two orders to pick up before the end of the month from local outlets as well.  So if I add those (Snugglepot & Cuddlepie by May Gibbs, Clash of Kings/Feast of Crow/Storm of Swords 1 & 2 by George R.R. Martin, plus The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly) I've totally exceeded my monthly quota for books!  Oh, and I need to order some new releases for early Feb by then too!

So many books, not enough bookshelves ;-D

I hope you have luck finding some great books this month and until next time,

 

My Big Fat (EPIC) September Book Haul

OMG!  I have spent soooo much money over the last month on books.  Really, I need help... mmm, perhaps some free ARC's would help {hint, hint ;-D}.  Anyway, my postie has been a regular visitor to my place and today she dropped off the last of my September orders.

New to the party is Booktopia, where I've had two recent orders thanks to no P&H specials {always a plus}.  They have a great range of books and some truly amazing bargains (The Demon King was only $3.35!).

Literary Lusts - Stella Hyde

Oscar Wilde Biography - Jeff Nunokawa/Amy Sickels

The Demon King - Cinda Williams Chima

Love Letters of Great Women - edited by Ursula Doyle

The Spellman Files - Lisa Lutz

  Another Book Depository order fulfilled

The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton {this has the most gorgeous cover}

Wickedly Dangerous - Deborah Blake

Copper Beach - Jayne Ann Krentz

Demon Child - Kylie Chan ---- still not published yet!!!!!!

Slightly Shady / Don't Look Back / Late for the Wedding - Amanda Quick

The Hot Zone - Jayne Castle

A Matter of Magic - Patricia C. Wrede

When Day Breaks - Maya Banks {for mum}

and today's mail brought me the items I'd been waiting for from Basement Books;

Unbreakable - Kami Garcia

Replica - Jenna Black

Wayfarer - C.E. Murphy

A Cook in Time - Joanne Pence

Vanished in the Night - Eileen Carr

The City's Son - Tom Pollock

 Then on the home front I went and raided all the shops that had even a hint of a book section...

Local discount chain store

different local discount chain store (4 for $10)

Big W (box set $30, others $12 ea)

local grocery store

local bookshop (3 for $14.95)

Big W bargain books $3.47 ea

And sadly this is still not all the books as I was given Dorothy Must Die by my mother.  

So much reading to do with the 20 plus other books I've bought locally (above pics) - I'm not even going to go into all the books I've bought from the local charity shops in September - and then there was the big Bookarama Booksale at the Town Hall where I bought about 45 books.  Then yesterday what did I do?... I went and ordered some books from Book Outlet.  Thankfully they were so cheap (for hardcovers) that I didn't mind paying the outrageous postage.  Luckily I managed to snag the last copy of Queen of Kings, as well as hardcovers of

First Grave on the Right / Second Grave on the Left / Third Grave Dead Ahead - Darynda Jones

River of No Return - Bee Ridgway

Quiver - Holly Luhning {paperback only I'm sorry to say}

I'm so happy with the books that I've got heading my way, but as with all book addictions, as soon as my shopping cart was empty I was in there refilling it with books I'll get next time.  Why aren't books cheaper so I can afford to get the all? ;-D

In the meantime, I hope you've found something fabulous to put on your bookshelves and until next time,