Mooching, books and random thoughts
13 January 2013 
Thankfully I didn’t include any resolutions in my New Year ‘rules I like to break list’ about not adding to my stacks. Phew, that’s a good thing. Yesterday, spent a couple of hours mooching round the shops and in particular a second hand bookstore, very conveniently situated about 10 minutes walk from where I live. And, came away with the following goodies which I’m really pleased with:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – I’ve already read this but it was the library copy and I obviously wanted my own – I will be reading this again. So I’ve picked up a beautiful copy, hardback illustrated by Dave McKean. What a find! Believe me, Neil Gaiman’s books are very rarely seen in second hand book shops! I sort of did a double take and then quickly snatched if off the shelf before anyone else had the chance!
Haunted by James Herbert – decided I needed to pick up JH after a very long departure from his books. Thought I could save this for this year’s RIP at Stainless Steel Droppings (already downloaded to Kindle Lovecraft’s complete works with this in mind although don’t think I can read all of them!) I’ve just realised that I am just assuming that Carl will be hosting a RIP event this year! Well, I certainly hope so – it’s a massive event (which is why I’m already collecting books!)
The Mote in God’s Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle – what a very unusual cover this book has, I haven’t the foggiest notion what is going on – who knows maybe the content will reveal all. Hoping to get to this as part of the Vintage Sci fi but realistically might not manage it – it does look rather chunky to say the least! Maybe I’ll just squeeze it into the Sci Fi Experience instead. Funnily the cover price says UK £1.25 – exactly how old is this copy?? The back of the book says ‘a masterpiece to rank with Dune and Stranger in a Strange Land’. Well, time will tell. Anybody out there agree with that??
The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Definitely reading this this month (I almost read a quarter of it in the shop! Standing in the aisle, clutching all my books and smiling at the start of the story). Again, not read this in ages.
And, finally:
Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel – this one does seem a little out of character with the books above but apparently this is a ghost story, so, again, RIP.
So, now all I have to do is find some hiding places for these so the hubby doesn’t know I’m sneaking in contraband! (although, I only paid £7.50 for all the lot – it would have been rude not to buy them under the circumstances!)
Books and travelling with Lynn 
Oh yes, it would have been unconscionable to leave the shop without rescuing those books. 🙂
It is rare to find a Gaiman book at a used bookstore and I’ve snatched a few hard covers up in the past when I saw them there.
The Mote in God’s Eye seems to be a very liked book, haven’t read it myself.
And yes, RIP will be coming off again this September.
Ah, that’s good news. I keep thinking I’ll save a book or buy a book here and there to add to that list but then it occurred to me that I was taking a huge liberty! Phew 😀
Lynn
“Rules I like to break list” – that sounds funny. 🙂
What a good book shopping trip, coming back with Gaiman and Herbert, I definitely want to read more books by these authors. I’ve read “The Secret of Crickley Hall” by Herbert last year for Carl’s event and enjoyed it very much.
“Beyond Black” is a ghost story you say? Hmm, must look into that one.
You’re the third person now to tell me that Crickley Hall is good – the problem is of course is that I’ve seen the dramatisation of it now so don’t know whether I can go back and read it. Maybe I should give it a try.
Lynn 😀
Ah, I understand, I feel the same about watching the movie before I read the books (with a few exceptions).
You can’t go wrong with James Herbet and I might be reading Hilary Mantel’s Beyond Black after my mother.
The H.P. Lovecraft stories you must read are At the Mountains of Madness, The Colour Out of Space, The Shadow Over Innsmouth, The Haunter of the Dark, Dagon and i>The Call of Cthulhu.
I’ve never read any Lovecraft – I’m really looking forward to getting to some of these – apparently he writes some creepy stuff and I’m told I’ll want all the lights on in the house! I hope it lives up to it’s reputation.
I’ll be interested to see what you think of Beyond Black. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Lynn 😀
The Mote in God’s Eye is excellent, even tho the cover art and title don’t give you any clue about what the book is about. It is quite the chunkster, and with a slow start to boot, so don’t pressure yourself to read it quick. the only reason I was able to zip through it so quick last year was because that was like the 3rd or 4th time I’ve read it.
This James Herbert fellow, I have will have to learn more about and get reading on, as everyone is saying how good he is! Great finds!
I know, I was well pleased with myself. Looking forward to The Mote – but it definitely is a chunkster. It must be good if you’ve now read it 3 or 4 times. Might have to read in instalments with other books inbetween.
Lynn 😀
I’ll live vicariously through you. Remember me when you are buying books and please give the books a good home. I hate seeing books that aren’t loved 🙂
At least these finds were VERY reasonable – 5 books for under £8.00. I couldn’t really not purchase them. And they looked at me so hopefully with large pleading eyes so I couldn’t resist bringing them home!
Lynn 😀
It’s one of my quirky rules about having to read the book first – I must admit that I’ve broken the rules a couple of times last year – I read the Princess Bride (which I loved) and I’ve already seen the film.
Lynn 😀
I love The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 🙂
I know, I do. I’ve already read this book a few times. Plus seen the series and played on a computer game about it! I picked it up just casually last night to have a quick flip through and I’ve already read a third of it!
Lynn 😀
I haven’t read the Larry Niven book, but have heard good things. I should give it a try too. I am going to have to be in the nearest big city at the end of this month, so I should probably take along 10 dollars and spend some quality time at a used bookstore. I do so enjoy it. Who knows, maybe I will get lucky and find Coraline by Gaiman.
Fingers crossed for that elusive find! I love it when that happens.
Lynn 😀