Things really *do* never go as planned, do they??? Like so many bookish types, I try to control the flow of incoming books as we get closer to the C-word time of year as I know lovely friends and family will be gifting me with them. And I had intended to do a very small post (if at all!) this weekend featuring a modest pair of arrivals which had made their way into the Ramblings this week:
The Owen Hatherley book is one I was very excited to receive from the publishers. I’ll be covering it for Shiny New Books; I’ve read a number of his books and he’s an incisive, funny and fascinating commentator. The Friedrich Ani was a result of a giveaway on the lovely Lizzy Siddal’s blog – I have won two books there recently, which is quite unprecedented, as I *never* win things! It’s a beautiful Seagull Books crime novel and I’m *so* pleased. So that seemed quite modest for a week’s arrivals…
However, I’m still in that Baudelaire-Benjamin wormhole and I amused myself mid-week by having a look at the local library’s online catalogue to see if there was anything interesting lurking. I was having an itch to amass more of their works, one in particular, and I wondered whether anything would be available to borrow which would scratch that itch without buying more books. I had low expectations, and the local Big Town didn’t have anything in stock. However, a wider search revealed that Bury St. Edmunds, of all places, seems to be a hotbed of rebellious thought and critical theory, as they had the specific book I was after as well as a number of Other Interesting Titles. Who knew?? Anyway, I placed reserves on four books and expected to wait a while for the library service to get them over here. However, an email pinged into the inbox today informing me that all four had arrived and were ready for collection, which was speedy and surprising, and meant that I ended up lugging these four round town with me today…
Despite the weight, I’m pleased to be able to explore these four volumes. Obviously, Benjamin on Baudelaire is what was exercising my brain most, but “Baudelaire in Chains” is a biographical work which sounds intriguing… The Modernism book also sounded good, and Adorno is one of the authors mentioned in “The Grand Hotel Abyss” which I’ve started dipping into also, so this seemed a good way to have a look at his writing and see if I want to explore further.
However.
As usual on Saturdays, I fell into the Oxfam bookshop to see if anything new was on the shelves, as the stock has been moving a little faster than usual of late – and this might have happened…
Someone has obviously been donating a lot of Julian Barnes and since my love of his writing has been rekindled recently, I really couldn’t ignore these. Particularly as they were marked at 99p each. It seems that my grumpy comment about their increasing prices may have been a little premature, as across the board they didn’t seem too pricy today. As for the Robb… Well, I actually had a copy of this before, then donated it in a fit of madness and clearing out books, and then thoroughly regretted it, particularly after I enjoyed his “The Debatable Lands“. So again, a no brainer, and only £1.99. Four books of such interest at less then a fiver ain’t bad.
And coming across the Robb reminded me that a couple of weeks I hauled home a few books from the Oxfam and then shoved them on a shelf and forgot all about them. Here they are, with an Interesting Other Title on top which snuck in through the front door one day:
The Alexis de Tocqueville is one of two titles by that author I’ve picked up recently to add to the French Revolution pile. I was pleased to get this particular edition, because the translator is Stuart Gilbert, who rendered the version I own of my favourite Camus novel, “The Plague”, and I like his style. And as I said, the other three were from the Oxfam and Very Reasonably Priced. The Eric Newby is one of the few I don’t have by him – I love his travel books and his wonderful self-deprecating style. The Robb is mentioned above and I’m so pleased to have these two volumes. And “Walking in Berlin” is a book I heard about when it came out and *so* wanted to read, but didn’t get round to doing anything about. It was never going to stay on the Oxfam shelves…
So. I’m not doing too well at stemming the incoming flow of books. But do you blame me?????
Nov 10, 2018 @ 16:26:28
Envy rather than blame!
Nov 10, 2018 @ 19:51:33
:))) Thank you….
Nov 10, 2018 @ 17:55:23
Some interesting stuff there, Karen. I’m expecting some deliveries early next week of online orders made in a deluded moment of enthusiasm, while trying to reduce the backlog of books waiting to be read. Vita S-West at present, a recent charity shop find – VVMC edition with nice cover art by my namesake. It’s No Signposts- strange and sad
Nov 10, 2018 @ 19:51:20
Well, I thought so! 🙂 I do try to exercise restraint and then I just get carried away. At least some of them will go back to the library, although if I like them I’ll be wanting to get my own copies. The Vita *is* sad – it’s one of hers I’ve read (back in 2017) and despite some flaws I found it very moving and involving.
Nov 10, 2018 @ 19:58:22
A woman after my own heart..have a friend who collects my library books but last time I shopped locally also went into the hospice shop..scored a Penny Vincenzi,the Virgin Suicides,an early J.T.Ellison,plus three posh food magazines,books (nearly new)$2NZ,and mags three for a dollar,..And local monthly book fair NEXT Saturday so watch this space…
Nov 10, 2018 @ 20:17:59
Chuckle. Despite my best intentions, it’s just not possible to avoid these purchases. And I have loved my recent reads of Julian Barnes so much that I couldn’t avoid these ones. Happy hunting next Saturday! :)))
Nov 10, 2018 @ 22:02:53
The Hessel and Newby books appeal. Happy reading.
Nov 11, 2018 @ 08:07:21
I love Eric Newby’s books so I really couldn’t resist! And the Berlin book is soooo appealing!
Nov 10, 2018 @ 22:58:22
I’m so impressed at your library finds. Such treasures could induce me to move house! I do love Baudelaire and Benjamin, but sold my stash when we moved to Wales as we could only take what we could fit in a small transit – sob! Still, where there’s shelf space and the internet, there’s hope. 😉
Nov 11, 2018 @ 08:06:35
Indeed! With online sources at least it’s possible to track down replacements…. 😉😉😉
Nov 10, 2018 @ 23:52:13
Wow you did well. I can see those are very ‘you’ books, 😉 so if course you had to get them. Finding perfect books is a joy, and hurrah for the library. It’s ages since I ordered books through the library but it is a thrill when the email comes through. Enjoy your books.
Nov 11, 2018 @ 08:05:34
Yeah, I really couldn’t resist! And the library haul was an attempt to *stop* me buying books – well, it stopped me buying *those* particular ones… 🤣🤣🤣
Nov 11, 2018 @ 00:39:22
I don’t blame you! These are all fabulous finds. Who could resist!?
Nov 11, 2018 @ 08:04:19
Not me that’s for sure! 🤣🤣🤣
Nov 11, 2018 @ 09:53:39
What a fantastic haul! I loved (briefly) learning about Benjamin at Uni, and you’ve made me want to unearth more of his work. I read, and very much enjoyed, ‘Walking in Berlin’ a little while ago. I also used to love going to Bury St Edmunds’ library when my boyfriend lived there; whilst I wasn’t able to get a card as I didn’t live in the county, it was such a peaceful place to sit and read. Enjoy all of your new books!
Nov 11, 2018 @ 12:52:15
Thank you – yes, I was quite pleased with the incomings! I really want to explore more of Benjamin’s work – but Walking in Berlin is shouting very loudly to be read!
Nov 11, 2018 @ 12:14:35
Well, you’ve rocked my world view – Bury St. Edmunds is a hotbed of rebellious thought and critical theory 😀
Nov 11, 2018 @ 12:49:22
LOL! Who knew??? Although, to be fair, that’s their library – I don’t know if the place itself is particularly radical…. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nov 11, 2018 @ 17:56:56
No blaming from here, of course!! And hooray Newby!
Nov 11, 2018 @ 20:11:00
🙂 Thank you! And I was very excited by the Newby as I thought I owned (and had read) all of his titles pre-blog. :))
Nov 11, 2018 @ 18:02:09
I’m in the envy corner of the room as well! And I’ve never heard of The Porcupine, but I recently read another of Barnes (one which I think EVERYone else has already read, The Sense of an Ending) which did remind me how much I enjoy his writing on relationships and their complications (and disappointments and thrills). I’ve read three or four of his much earlier work but clearly I need to have a closer look (or perhaps I’ll do so via your upcoming posts instead)!
Nov 11, 2018 @ 20:06:51
I think I *might* have been aware of The Porcupine, but then there are lot of Barnes books I somehow missed. I’ve been resold on his writing though. I don’t think I’ve read any of these before so this will be a voyage of discovery for me!
Nov 13, 2018 @ 19:06:16
99p is brilliant! Congrats! My Oxfam bookshop seems to have a base price of £2.75, which is still cheap and all, but there’s no guilt-free, gleeful filling of a carrier bag at that price.
Nov 13, 2018 @ 19:51:20
It was a bit of a shock! I picked the Barnes books up to have a look and decide which I might prefer, but when I saw 99p each there was no question but that I would take them all! And yes, £2.75 *is* still cheap but the lower price is going to get me buying more and going back again!
Nov 14, 2018 @ 03:54:41
What great finds! Love the Graham Robbs, and will need to check out the Hessel. If only there were some Oxfam over here….
Nov 14, 2018 @ 06:16:10
I *was* particularly pleased with the Robbs and the Hessel. I tend to moan about the state of the local town sometimes but I should be grateful for the charity shops!