New books delivered!

I love the postman!  Well, not really.  But I do love when they bring such pretty books to my door ;-D

Today's parcels arrived a while ago, however in the rush to get other stuff done I forgot to show you my new books!

Swallowing Darkness is the 7th book in the Merry Gentry series.  I have an ugly UK trade paperback (seriously, have you seen those cover designs... UGLY!) and I have the others in these lovely hardcovers.  So when I happened across this one while browsing on AbeBooks.com I had to get it.

The second parcel was a copy of the Breeds series by Lora Leigh that I did not own yet.  Aiden's Charity comes somewhere after Jacob's Faith.  I have only just started it and although these books include some very sexy times, they are one of my guilty pleasure reads ;-D

Let me know if you'd like to see an overview of any of these series.

Until next time, my lovelies.

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,

 

Too Many Books!

Back again after a break. I was in a mad state when I had to finish my assignments for my course. I nearly cried when I saw how much I had to do. So everything else that wasn't essential got put on the backburner. That included reading... OMG!

I've now started some more units, but these aren't as intense as the first ones, so I do have a little bit more leisure time. There are so many good books coming out over the next few weeks. I've already got my name down for book 3 in the Jill Kismet series, Redemption Alley, and book 4 should be available at the end of September (Flesh Circus). I should receive my copy of Hidden Currents soon, plus the latest Nalini Singh book in the Psy-Changeling series. I've also got Lora Leigh's latest book, Bengal's Heart in my cart ready to go at Amazon. Unfortunately, there are so many titles to choose from, and I'm a bit strapped with paying for my education that I have to whittle my selections down the the must haves, and not the 'but I want it's'.

I have finished reading the latest Stephanie Plum books, and enjoyed them both. You have to be in the right mood for Stephanie. I still love Lula, and I hope that Janet Evanovich will put more Ranger/Morelli angst in there. Just who will SP end up with? I loved the latest book in Christine Feehan's "Leopard-People" series, and although Burning Wild took many, many, many years to come out, it was well worth the wait. I loved the fact that it wasn't just Emma & Jake, but that old favourites like Connor and Drake were in there too. I hope that Drake is the next Leopard to find a mate. Hopefully the surgery goes well and he can shift in the future.

Amazingly, after all the hype, I was quite disappointed with this last Anita Blake story, "Skin Trade". I was looking forward to it, and had pre-ordered from Amazon. It arrived all nice and shiny, and I got a hot drink, a few chocolate nibblies and dove into it. But again, like Blood Noir, I was disappointed that there was no Jean-Claude or Micah. Anita spent 99.9% of the story in another state, and there was hardly any interaction with those left behind. I hope she gets this travelling Anita kick out of her system soon. I loved Edward, and his being there was one of the only saving graces. SPOILER ..... I hated that the defeat of the MoAD was over so soon, and that another archrival was dealt with in the manner that he was. He was the MoAD's enemy, yet Anita seemed to vanquish him with less difficulty that it should have taken. I've faithfully followed the series for over 10 years now, and I've skimmed over the blatantly sexual scenes that I don't feel further the storyline, but this book seemed to hit new lows in that arena. When I think back to the prudish Anita that we were first introduced to and see where she's going today... her mother would be rolling over in her grave if she could see her now.... (maybe she is? who knows). I'll give next years novel a go, but after 17 books, I may have to think hard about forking out my money for them and just borrow them from my local library.

Now that winter is upon me, I can indulge in one of my favourite yearly rituals... the annual snuggle-in-the-doona-all-day-and-read weekend. One the coldest winter days, I like to cater to my little whims in this way. It makes for great reading. This time round I chose some of my favourites to keep my (and my cat) company. I started last night with Krentz's Arcane Society books, Running Hot and Sizzle and Burn, and will start White Lies this afternoon. Followed by some of the Anita Blake books, and with a little Lora Leigh, Nalini Singh and Yasmine Galenorn thrown in. Lastly, I'll add my Lily Bard books, and other miscellaneous mysteries that I have.

Keep your eyes out for the new Chicagoland Vampire series, it's really good, and also the Ilona Andrews Kate Daniel's series (short story in the anthology "Must Love Hellhounds"). Too many books to mention here today, but I'll try and get through some more and let you know what's coming out soon.

PS - for those of you in Australia who read this, don't try getting the books on Fishpond.com.au. I have noticed that the prices for items have jumped by $5 dollars, and on some items like Angela Knight's Time Hunter series, the price rose by $10! for a small massmarket paperback!

Better off going through QBD (still $12.95), or amazon.com