It’s not like I don’t own enough books. I already have more than 200 books on my to-read list – and this is books I own (we’re not talking about my wish list in this post, that’s even more out of control). Anyway, even though I clearly have more than enough books on the shelves in my living room, I simply can’t resist a good bookstore. And recently, I’ve visited three good bookstores so of course, I had to get something. And I’m actually proud of myself for only buying 5 books. That’s less than 2 books per store so really, I can spin this so I deserve a pad on the back!
So here’s what I bought:
- Kate Atkinson: Life After Life. This is one of this year’s new releases that I’m really excited about. A baby is born in 1910 and dies before she can take her first breath. But in 1910, the same baby is born and lives on. How exciting does that sound? And the cover on this edition is gorgeous! And I love this quote on the back cover: What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right?
- Adam Johnson: The Orphan Master’s Son. So this is one of last year’s most exciting releases. I’ve been curious about this book ever since I heard about it for the first time. A book taking place in North Korea with a main character who is a rival to Kim Jong II – it is simply not possible not to be excited about this one! And since it has gone on to win the Pulitzer this year. So I’m really looking forward to reading this one!
- Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird. I read this one back in 2010 and really loved it. I knew that I wanted to get my own copy of it at some point and that this book has the potential to become a favorite of mine. When I saw this 50th Anniversary Edition, I just thought this would be as good a time as any to pick it up.
- Wilkie Collins: The Moonstone. I read The Woman in White last year and absolute loved it. I also read Dan Simmons’ novel Drood where Wilkie Collins is the main character and among other things talks about the inspiration for The Moonstone. I really want to read this book so couldn’t resist this one either.
- Julian Barnes: Arthur & George. I have this on my list of books I want to read after having read Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes books. And I have been wanted to read something by Julian Barnes ever since he won the Man Booker for The Sense of an Ending. I haven’t seen this book in the stores before so I grasped it as soon as I saw it.
So that end’s this latest book buying spree. And it brings my to-read list to 208. And it means that I have bought 24 books this year. I’ve read 6 of them so far so I need to get moving on reading more of them especially since I have a goal of having less books on my to-read list when the year ends than when it began – and I’m not doing so good on this goal…
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The Literary Bunny 
Aside from To Kill a Mockingbird, which I’ve already read, I also want to read all of these (of course). I own The Orphan Master’s Son but haven’t gotten to it yet. I loved The Sense of an Ending, so I definitely want to read more from Julian Barnes.
Of course you want to read all these, my dear book twin 🙂
I agree, this cover of “Life After Life” is so much more elegant than the other one (with rose). (Oh and the book is awesome, too 🙂 )
Yes it is so pretty and captivating! I’m really looking forward to it!
You DO know how to pick ’em. GREAT haul. I was given The Moonstone as a gift but haven’t read it yet.
I do, don’t I? 😉 maybe we should have a Moonstone readalong at some point 🙂
Life After Life was FANTASTIC. Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year already. Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks! I hope so too. I’ve read some mixed reviews of it but I’m still very excited about it.
Great choices! I loved To Kill a Mockingbird and The Moonstone, and want to read the other three.
To Kill a Mockingbird is such a good book! And I have high hopes for The Moonstone – and the other three…
I NEED to read Drood. There are so many things about that book I could potentially love. I can wholeheartedly recommend The Orphan Master’s Son – it’s excellent.
Drood was amazing! I so loved it! And I’m really looking forward to The Orphan Master’s Son!
I love seeing the books other people pick up! 🙂
Me too. It’s really inspiring to see which books other readers don’t just read but buy. Although it can be dangerous some times too 😉
Soooo dangerous! I went to a library book sale yesterday and gave myself a budget.
Did it work? 😉
Yes! I mean, I took waaaay too many books but I narrowed it down to my price limit. It won’t always work, but it did yesterday!
I plan to re-read the Moonstone again this year. its an intriguing novel. The Atkinson one sounds wonderful
I’m really looking forward to the both. I hope The Moonstone is as good as The Woman in White!
It’s good but in a different way. It’s not a sensation novel.
Still looking forward to it. It sounds fascinating even if it’s not sensationalist.
Hehe, of course you went and got yourself some more books:-) Fascinating list BTW.
Of course I did. You know me 🙂