Sunday, July 12, 2009

Book Haul

Otherwise known as a buttload of books!


Granted, these are Terri and my books combined. But we hauled them out of the library in one giant bag. I felt like Santa Claus. Seriously. It was heavy. Comfort-book central.

So here's what I got. (Terri got thrillers and spirituality books.)

A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving: I've read this, but it's been a long time. Seems like a good comfort/inspiration book.

The Rescuers, Margery Sharp: I haven't read this since.... uh, a very long time ago. It is seriously so adorable. I remember sitting out in our huge redwood tree reading this, sheltered from the rain.

The Sandman, Neil Gaiman: I know I read one or two of these a few years ago, but was not huge Neil fan then. Now I am, and I can't wait to read this big collection.

Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie: OK, people. How have I not read Agatha Christie before now?? OMG, totally in love with this book (currently reading). Poirot is droll, the characters are perfect, and I love the 30s writing style. And, this book is a bonus nice little size with a fun 60s-era cover.

The Book of Lost Things, John Connelly: Picked at random from shelf. Looks like fun. I can't remember what it's about... something about a magic book?

The Long Winter, Laura Ingalls Wilder: Vying for position as my favorite Little House book (next to On The Banks of Plum Creek or Little House In The Big Woods). Have not read this in years and years. Really looking forward to it. I think I read the Little House books at least four or five times.

Danny, Champion of the World, Roald Dahl: A favorite, and bittersweet to suit my current mood.

The Witches, Roald Dahl: Because it is so delightfully funny and weird.

A Series of Unfortunate Events #2 (The Reptile Room), Lemony Snickett: I've read the first one and thought it was so wonderful. Somehow the title (...Unfortunate Events) seems apt.

The Wind In The Willows, Kenneth Grahame: Another childhood favorite. I love Toad!

The Giver, Lois Lowry: I'm ashamed that somehow I have never read this.

Umm... so yeah. I'd better get reading. I'm so excited about all these books -- I really just picked out whatever looked comforting, funny, and cozy. Particularly happy that I'm enjoying the Christie so much -- I think I have a new source of comfort reads, especially for rainy nights! Is the Poirot series any good?

10 comments:

Alex said...

I want to read "The Monster of Florence" as I am currently obsessed with the Amanda Knox trial. That prosecutor is SCARY, and he jailed the authors of that book!

Ana S. said...

I adore The Sandman - it's probably my favourite thing Neil Gaiman has done, which is saying a lot, but a warning: the first two books in particular are very dark, and there are quite a few upsetting moments. So even though I love then, I'd probably not pick them up if when I was feeling down.

Daphne said...

Alex: it looks good!

Ana: ooh, thanks for the warning. Maybe I'll save it for the weekend when I have time to recoup.

Anonymous said...

I hope you like The Book of Lost Things - I loved it when I read it!

Susan said...

They sound so relaxing and comforting! Like a great big blanket you can hide under, and read until ready to face the world again. I especially like Laura Ingalls Wilder, and agree that any of them would be among the best of her books! Most of all, give yourselves a hug. I'm glad you're enjoying Agatha Christie! By the Pricking of My Thumbs and N or M are two of my favourites by her - but both very dark and scary, so when you're ready.....!

D'Arcy said...

I like Maeve Binchy for comfort reads, especially Scarlet Feather. I also can't believe you haven't read Agatha Christie before now, if for no other reason than it seems like the kind of thing the Oulu library would have had. I'll have to find the title of the ones I really like... I think And Then There Were None is one of them.

D'Arcy said...

I like Maeve Binchy for comfort reads, especially Scarlet Feather. I also can't believe you haven't read Agatha Christie before now, if for no other reason than it seems like the kind of thing the Oulu library would have had. I'll have to find the title of the ones I really like... I think And Then There Were None is one of them.

Kate said...

Wait, you've never read Agatha Christie??? What?!? Murder on the Orient Express is genius, but And Then There Were None is my hands-down favorite. I go through a phase about twice a year where all I want to do is read and reread Agatha Christie so I pick up bunches for cheap at Goodwill...I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd this year and really enjoyed that too.

By the way, there's some person who does a monthly Agatha Christie roundup blog somesuch techno-something, and she's always looking for Agatha Christie reviews. I think I have the link on my blog somewhere if you're interested in more material.

Daphne said...

Regular: oh good -- I just picked it up off the shelf 'cause it looked good!

Susan: thanks for the Christie recs! I am going to have a make a list, everyone is suggesting such great ones! I am feeling much comforted by my pile o' books.

D'Arcy: I always see Maeve Binchy and try not to laugh. For some reason that name just cracks me up. However, I will check out Scarlett Feather. I KNOW... Christie seems TOTALLY like Oulu-library books. I don't know why I haven't read her before? Why? WHY? I love it so much!

Kate: Hello?! Why am I so late to the Agatha party?? why didn't anyone tell me? I'm sooooo loving my first venture into the world of Poirot. I was thrilled to discover there are SO MANY, too. I am seriously in heaven. I think I'm going to be devouring a lot of these this winter, in front of the fire, definitely with tea and chocolate.

Cipriano said...

Did you ever get back to a re-reading of Owen Meany?
That's one of my favorite books ever, and just last night I could not sleep and I took that old novel off the shelf and just thumbed through it. Reminiscing.
Also spent some time looking through Tom Sawyer [The Adventures of] and thought..... I've got to read this one FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Too many books.
Not enough time.