Half Price Books has arrived! It opened yesterday, and rather than wait until the excitement died down, I had to stop by today after work. Yes, it was crowded. Just as well, as I would probably spent more time and money there had I been able to browse in peace and quiet. Still, I managed to fill a basket full of books and then had to rethink what I was doing. No, this is not a library sale where the paperbacks are 50 cents each, they're only half price... (still reasonably cheap, though), so I put some back. Best to leave a few for next time around surely. The store is very nice, all newly remodeled, good lighting (no chairs or anywhere to sit and look over your basket of books, though), and there were lots and lots of books (and today, lots and lots of people). I'm still partial to my favorite used bookstore in the Old Market area (even better prices), which is nice and homey and has it's own very distinct personality. Half Price books is nice, but in the end it is still a chain. Not that I won't frequent it, of course. Variety is always appreciated. And yes, I did leave with a respectable stack of books. What I found:
Isn't the UK cover of Orhan Pamuk's Istanbul: Memories of a City lovely? I've had a long standing fantasy about traveling to Istanbul--even the city's name sounds exotic. I've wanted this book for a while now. I will grab it at the bookstore, but then always reconsider (why are nonfiction books always more expensive than novels?) and put it back. I didn't put it back this time around.
Along with a variety of UK editions of books, I also found quite a few Hesperus Press books. Many I already had, and the others I would have bought, but I had to stop filling my basket. I did decide to buy Manon Lescaut by Antoine Francois Prevost--"a passionate tale of the illicit love between an nobleman and his lower-class lover."
The Haunted Hotel and Other Stories by Wilkie Collins. I wanted this mostly for the novella, The Haunted Hotel, but it's nice to have his other stories as well.
I found one lone Virago, Edith Wharton's Roman Fever. I already have this collection of Wharton's short stories (different publisher), but Viragos are so lovely, I had to buy this anyway.
Lighthousekeeping by Jeannette Winterson. I've not yet read any of her work, though I feel like I should have. This novel starts: "My mother called me Silver. I was born part precious medal, part pirate." I love that opening line.
The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric. He won the Nobel for this in 1961. Since reading Geraldine Brooks's latest novel, which is partially set in Bosnia, I've wanted to read more about the country. "The Bridge on the Drina is a vivid depiction of the suffering history has imposed upon the people of Bosnia from the late 16th century to the beginning of World War I. As we seek to make sense of the current nightmare in this region, this remarkable, timely book serves as a reliable guide to its people and history."
I seem to be collecting Michelle Lovric's books. The latest is The Remedy set in 18th century London and Venice. I'm going to read one of them very soon!
My only complaint with Half Price Books. They use sticky labels that are a little too sticky. I had an annoying time removing them from the books without ripping the covers. I'm not sure if this is true, but I heard a customer say that they shift stock around from store to store every so often, so their inventory is always changing. This could be dangerous.