Starting my Virago reading project gave me the inspiration excuse to look for some more used Viragos. This stack came from Better World Books. Not only were they inexpensive, but they offer free shipping and the books came quickly--all good things. The only down side is the condition of some of the books. One has a bit of water damage and one is an ex-library copy. Both still readable, but it's nice to find used copies in good condition, and you don't always know what you will get from BWB. And you never know whether it will be a bottle green cover or a later edition. I found:
- The Edwardians by Vita Sackville-West
- Good Behaviour by Molly Keane
- The Land of Spices by Kate O'Brien
- Troy Chimneys by Margaret Kennedy
- Bobbin Up by Dorothy Hewitt
- A Note in Music by Rosamund Lehmann
Now, which to read next. But more about that problem later.
I also had to stop by the bookstore earlier in the week to pick up two books that I ordered. Although I did browse a little, not many new books really caught my eye (I think I have too many other really good reads at home that appeal to me more at the moment). I didn't go in with a list, as I had only planned on picking up my special orders. Three extra books later...
- The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani - I love the cover of this book. Of course I bought it for the contents, but it's nice to have such a lovely, exotic illustration to look at as well.
- Voice of the Violin by Andrea Camilleri - I've wanted to try this author ever since Iliana wrote about him. This is not the first in the series, however, so I'll have to find his first book. These mysteries are set in Sicily!
- A Wall of Light by Edeet Ravel - I read an earlier novel by this author and always mean to buy this book, but never got around to it. My patience was rewarded as I found a remaindered copy. Her books are set in Israel.
- The Perfect Summer by Juliet Nicholson - These last two books are my special orders. I wanted to buy this one, as it is about Britain in 1911--before WWI changed British society so irrevocably. As it's a period I've been reading about a lot, I had to own this one. I can't wait to read it.
- The Red Leather Diary by Lily Koppel - There's been lots of talk about this one--a diary found in a NYC dumpster. It was written between 1929-1934--again the period I am interested in. I've heard good things about this as well. I've already got two NF books started, I'm tempted to start another, but I suppose I should just concentrate on finishing one of my already-started-books first!