I seem to have fallen off the wagon when it comes to 'not buying anymore books for the rest of the year'. It's too soon to tell whether I'll be able to get back on or not. In my defense most of the books I've bought are for my niece for Christmas. Half of these were bought earlier this week and the others yesterday after work. You see the lure was a 30% off coupon that someone emailed me after I complained about not getting anything good from Borders. Combine this with the decision that I really need to read (well buy in any case) Roberto Bolaño's 2666. I saw the boxed set of three paperbacks in the bookstore earlier in the week but didn't buy it. You know how you do that and then instantly regret it later? That would be me this week.
So when I got the coupon I thought, Perfect. Only the bookstore no longer had the set. It figures. I still felt the need to buy myself something, so I brought home Diane Ackerman's The Zookeeper's Wife that Dorothy wrote about here and here. I already knew I wanted it, but her first post pretty much clinched it for me. And Smithereen's enthusiasm over French crime writer Fred Vargas, most recently mentioned here meant that when I spotted a couple of her books on theshelf I had to get one. It was only a matter of deciding which. I usually like to start at the beginning, but as there were only two titles on the shelf (and she apparently has written quite a few books), and it's likely they've been published out of order over here (if they've even all been translated yet) I picked the one that appealed to me the most.
It's the books I bought for my niece that I wanted to post about, however. I've mentioned that she is not always really excited about reading. She does read, but she never tells me about the stories she's reading or what she is really enjoying. We were talking about gifts a couple of nights ago, and she actually said she'd like some books. Granted that request came after much thought and many other suggestions, but that was all I needed. So my stack of books for her doubled. I tend to be much more particular about the cost of toys that I buy, but I have no problem choosing a pile of books to give her. Books just seem like a better investment to me (but then we all know I'm biased).
I spent more time choosing her books than I did mine. I am always afraid I pick books I would want to read rather than what I think she'll like, but I tried to match her ability with some books I hope she'll enjoy.
- Winnie-the-Pooh, A.A. Milne -- I think I will have to reread this one.
- Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Judy Blume -- I used to Love Judy Blume when I was a kid.
- Utterly Me, Clarice Bean, Lauren Child
- Caddie Woodlawn, Carol Ryrie Brink -- I never read this, maybe I can squeeze it in now?
- The Midwife's Apprentice, Karen Cushman -- I read one of her other books and liked it.
- Trixie Belden: The Secret of the Mansion, Julie Campbell -- Trixie was another great favorite of mine as a child!
I think I might wait to wrap a few of these so I can read them first!
