Thursday, March 3, 2011

Books as a Reward!

Last week I received some fantastic news--I got my CPA License!  It took me much longer than most because I chose to work part-time so that I could stay home to raise my kids (not a dig on anyone--just what works for our family).  It took me five years to get my one year of work experience, but I finally finished!

As a reward for myself I decided to buy some books.  The accountant in me makes me a bit of a tightwad, so it's kind of a big deal when I buy new books.  Here is what I purchased.

I'm in love with the Vintage Classics books.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde--I've been wanting to read this forever, and I've read wonderful things about it on so many blogs.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell--I've read some raving reviews of this one (and a few that disliked it). I have yet to read anything by Gaskell, so I thought I'd give this one a shot.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith--I think this was one of the most frequent books on blogger's "Best Books of 2010" posts.  I saw it everywhere, and from what little I know about it, it sounds like something I'd love.

I think I'm last person on Earth to read these books.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins--I have heard such wonderful things about these books.  When Amanda of The Zen Leaf mentioned that she'd read them multiple times, I knew I'd have to get my hands on them.  I don't like buying modern books unless I've already read them, but my entire library system only had book 1 and 3.  Crazy, right?  Oh well.

Have you read any of these?  Which book should I read first?

This was a total splurge for me, which I'm sure sounds weird.  I've learned that I'm an anomaly--a non-book-buying freak of the book blogging community.  I'm okay with that.  It's okay to tell me how strange I am.  How often do you buy books?

17 comments:

  1. Congrats to you! I've read all but North and South and you picked some great ones. I'd read the Hunger Games trilogy when you know you'll have time, because it completely sucks you in.

    I Capture the Castle was one of my favorites last year, I can't wait to hear what you think. It's been years wince I read Dorian Gray, but I'm a huge Wilde fan and loved it at the time. I've never seen those vintage covers, but I love them!

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  2. The only ones I've read are the three Hunger Games books-- Very good, addictive, fast reads. The first one especially is very tense and thoughtprovoking-- I thought about it for days after reading it. If you are in the mood for dystopian action, I'd read Hunger Games first.

    Since I've already read it, I would read North and South first. I just discovered the BBC miniseries Cranford-- terrific. Didn't know about Gaskell but I've got to read her books now!

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  3. Ooooh new books! Delicious! Congratulations on getting your CPA License and raising kids - that's awesome.

    You're not the last one to have read Hunger games, I haven't yet either. Love to hear your thoughts. I have read Picture of Dorian Grey for a class in university, it was pretty good but not in the top ten. Probably an indication of my preference for contemporary lit rather than anything else.

    Also it's not weird not to buy new books. Loads of different ways to come by books and all of them good. I'm a massive fan of Bookcrossing and get loads of what I read through bookrings etc. Pre-loved books need homes too ;)

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  4. Congrats! Those Vintage Classics are fabulous! These are printed in the UK, right? May I ask where you purchased them? :)

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  5. Congrats! An extra achievement with little ones to care for. Definitely deserves a book treat.

    Love the cover of the Dorian Gray.

    I'm also wondering about the Hunger Games, I'll be the last on earth...

    You're not alone, I don't buy often. I try to support my library and download free classics online.

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  6. Avid Reader--Thanks! I really want to read The Hunger Games, but I think I'm going to wait until after April 15th. :)

    Lesa--I've heard great things about Cranford, but I haven't read it. Thanks for sharing about the miniseries. I'll have to check it out.

    Kathmeista--Thanks! I'm glad I'm not the only one that hasn't read The Hunger Games. Are you planning to read them at some point, or does it not interest you?

    Carey--The Vintage Classics are printed in the UK. I got them from the UK Amazon website, but I checked and they sell some of them on the US Amazon website also. I think my blog confuses people. I'm a CPA in the US, working for a US company, but I live in Scotland. I know--it's weird.

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  7. Monica--Thanks! I'm a library supporter also. I also don't want to deal with storing all of the books I read. My kids things take up enough of the space in my house.

    I'm curious to see whether The Hunger Games lives up to it's hype. Do you think you'll eventually read them?

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  8. Yay for you! That is quite the accomplishment and a well-deserved reward.

    Interesting covers for the Hunger Games trilogy. I'd not seen those before. I'd read those first to take a break from the heavier reading you've been doing. The first book is really good but I thought it went downhill from there (but that is just me). Have fun and enjoy.

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  9. Congratulations! It looks like you have some great reading ahead of you. You deserve it!

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  10. Jenners--Of these books I purchased, I think I am going to pick up the Hunger Games first. It seems that trilogies often end up going downhill. We'll see how it goes.

    Shelley--Thanks! I hope I enjoy North and South as much as you did. Your review got me to pick up sooner rather than later.

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  11. Congratulations. You picked a ton of great books. I suggest picking up The Hunger Games series when you're ready stay up really late. LOL. I couldn't put them down, and I immediately started Catching Fire right after finishing The Hunger Games.

    I have a book-buying addiction, but I'm also a bit of a tight wad. So, I guess that's why secondhand bookstores are usually my first destinations. I can buy at least two books (okay, maybe four) per week without spending too much. :)

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  12. Darlyn--I figured I would get sucked in like everyone else. I had to buy all three because I know I'm so impatient I'll go crazy if I have to wait to start the second one. I'm sure I'll stay up way too late reading them. I'll have to wait until my life slows down a bit to where I can afford a few lost hours of sleep. :)

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  13. Congratulations! And some lovely picks there, I've just downloaded the Hunger Games as I've read such good reviews of them, too. We have the vintage classics here, too (Australia) and they're just gorgeous! It's hard not to buy doubles of things I already own, just for the lovely covers!

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  14. Selene--I love the Vintage Classics covers. I haven't started reading The Hunger Games yet, but I'm curious to see how you like them. I'm hoping to get to it early in April.

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  15. Hi there, I love the Vintage Classics covers but I was wondering how is the paper quality? I was going to buy their edition of North and South, but then I saw it at my library and it was very yellowed and smelled musty even though it wasn't very old. It may have been that way because they had it in storage for a while though. How are your Vintage paperbacks holding up?

    Lora

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    1. Lora, the only one I've read from the photo is The Picture of Dorian Gray and it seems fine. The paper quality doesn't seem any different than other trade paperbacks that I have. They don't seem to have any weird smelling or strange aging and I've had my Don Quixote vintage classics for a year and a half now. I'm guessing that someone may have stored your library copy improperly. My North and South copy still looks great.

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    2. Thanks Kristi! That's great news. Perhaps it was damp where my library stored it. I'll definitely buy my own copy now.

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