I certainly was! I have been trying (and succeeding) not to buy any books lately. Not only is the festive season (and my birthday!) approaching, a time when I’m very likely to receive books, but also the shelves are still bulging despite my clearing out earlier in the year. So apart from sending off for the final book I need to complete my set of C.P. Snow’s “Strangers and Brothers” series, I had been very good up until the weekend…
Unfortunately the Oxfam Shop was the instrument of my downfall. They’ve revamped the shelves I like, which were Modern Classics and Classics, into just one section and added some new titles. So I ended up coming home on Saturday with these:
… for which there really is no excuse, particularly as I already have a perfectly acceptable copy of “English Journey”. HOWEVER – this is a lovely 50th anniversary (book club) edition with lots of period illustrations and it was only £2.99.
I mean, it *is* lovely, isn’t it? And here is Priestley on the back cover:
The other book was a whim, nothing else:
I know not a thing about it, but was intrigued enough to risk £1.99. And if anyone has any thoughts on the book, I’d be interested to hear them, because I’ve never heard of Machado de Assis!
Incidentally, I was surprised at the prices of both these books, as the Oxfams often charge more than the other charity shops, but both of these were very reasonable. There is a new guy behind the counter so maybe he’s decided lower prices will stimulate sales – which could be a very dangerous trend…. 🙂
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Dec 08, 2014 @ 07:58:46
Oh, it’s only a dip off the edge of the wagon, not a full fall off it and into the book-buying road! And the Priestley looks wonderful!
Dec 08, 2014 @ 08:55:03
Exactly – a minor blip. The fact that I may be in the vicinity of Foyles later in the week is nothing to be concerned about…..
Dec 08, 2014 @ 09:11:33
Well you can forgive yourself as you were also donating to charity !!
Dec 08, 2014 @ 09:26:15
Now *that’s* a good thought – I can justify any charity shop spend that way really! 🙂
Dec 08, 2014 @ 11:11:36
Be still my heart! Such prices are delightful. Never heard of Machado de Assis but with cover like that, you have to take it home and explore. And well, you donated to charity too! Enjoy, Johanna
Dec 08, 2014 @ 11:33:43
Indeed – the prices at the local charity shops are lovely – and it’s a good cause! 🙂
Dec 08, 2014 @ 14:49:20
There are a number of thoughts about Machado de Assis, Brazil’s greatest writer, including about stories from that specific book, at Wuthering Expectations. Here’s one. And another, which compares available collections; happily, it is now out of date.
Dec 08, 2014 @ 15:41:11
Oh fabulous! Thank you – I’ll look forward to reading them! 🙂
Dec 08, 2014 @ 20:34:27
£2.99…£1.99… well, that’s practically free, isn’t it? And I thought I recognised Machado de Assis from Tom’s blog. It would surely have been rude to have turned away from such bounty! 😉
Dec 09, 2014 @ 08:11:57
Yeah, you’re right – I couldn’t have walked away from them and we’re not talking big bucks here! 🙂
Dec 15, 2014 @ 18:56:51
You can’t buy too many books. Well, you can, but you can always give them back to charity. I went for 10 days without buying a book recently and was very proud.:) I like the look of that J. B. Priestley and would not have resisted it for a mintute.
Dec 15, 2014 @ 21:45:39
Yes – I foresee more going to the charity shops. And I’m glad I got the Priestley!