Here is my lovely, inexpensive, faux pressed wood bookcase. I wish I could say here ismy lovely, cherry wood bookcase, but my budget only allows for faux wood products these days. But that is okay as it serves its purpose quite nicely. It could be a bit bigger, but with yet more creative maneuvering I have fit most of my classics on this case (not counting the stacks in my bedroom). I decided that poetry, plays and essays will have to go on yet another (as yet not bought---but doubtless will be of the faux wood persuasion once again) smaller three shelf case. Why is it so enjoyable to organize books on a new bookcase? They are even alphabetized!
I knew this anyway, but this weekend's mail confirmed my thoughts. Litbloggers are truly generous folks--both in imparting their knowledge, and with sharing books, too. Kimbofo from Reading Matters has sent along a copy of An Accidental Terrorist by Steven Lang. I mentioned that I was trying to read more Australian authors. Lang is the winner of the 2004 Queensland Premier's Literary Award - Best Emerging Author. I think it sounds quite interesting and am looking forward to reading it. Kimbofo also mentioned in her post that the book is a nice size and weight. I have to agree, it is very pleasing. I have noticed this size on a few of my own books, but I wouldn't mind more publishers adopting this sort of layout. Then I was lamenting the fact that the new translation of War and Peace by Anthony Briggs was still in hardcover here in the US. Aside from the fact that I don't want to spend $40 on it (okay Amazon does sell it discounted)--it looks very heavy in hardcover and I can't imagine dragging that around with me! However, Victoria and I worked out a little exchange. She has sent along the lovely Penguin paperback from the UK. I mailed off a book yesterday that she had wanted from here. It is a lovely edition. It is very manageable--not too heavy to carry. Of course it is in perfect, pristine condition and I hate to break the binding, so I will be reading it very cautiously. I got a small start on it last night, and I am very excited to be reading the new translation. And a nice shallow thought--isn't the cover design pretty? What is it about putting a new and attractive cover on an old classic and it seems so much more approachable? Or is it just me!
And one more thing. Sassymonkey gave me a little heads on up Ami McKay's new book The Birth House, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It is one of the books being offered this month through HarperCollins First Look Program. If you are not already familiar with the First Look Program, I recommend checking out their website. You sign up and put in a request to read advance readers copies of books and give a brief review. The catch is that it is sort of set up as a lottery. They pick names for the copies. I have had some luck with this program and read a few books, but I haven't put in any requests lately. If you want to read this book, though, here is an opportunity to try and get a free ccpy! It looks like they have some good selections this month--maybe I will try my luck as well!