Oh, what a beautiful diversion from our real errands!
Two Saturdays in a row (Nov. 1, Nov. 8) I attempted to drop the CR-V at the dealer for an oil change and a looksee at some small issues. Despite calling ahead, and being told of course we could drop in, when we got there they said, "too busy." I made an appointment for Tuesday night (spoilers: I forgot about it), and then we decided to salvage the trip with a little book-buying at Half-Price Books.
I wish I could say the four books I bought were long on my wish lists, but alas....
[Redacted - already had, returned]
Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman - I honestly thought Mandy might like it more than me, so maybe I'm not so evil. First in a series
Seed by Rob Ziegler - I thought this was a horror story by the same name (that one by Ania Ahlborn), was disappointed it wasn't, but then fascinated by the story anyway!
The Two-Bear Mambo by Joe R. Lansdale - love me some Hap & Leonard (coming soon to a TV station near you!); this is the third in the series.
Oh, and Mandy and Olivia might have bought some, too....
...and the following Saturday, while waiting for the oil change and actual service desired a week prior (spoilers: they said they didn't have time, schedule an appointment), I wandered across a busy LaGrange Road and wide, wind-swept parking lot to HPB yet again. After getting these five, I made the foolhardy decision to pop into PetSmart and get some cat litter. The 35 lb tub might have a handle, but it was not designed for long walks, as it whacks your leg and tries to trip you up, much like the cat waiting at home for the fresh poop gravel. I got some strange looks in the Continental Honda waiting room as I stumbled through the door, red-cheeked and breathy, clutching 35 lbs of cat litter to my chest, a plastic bag of gently used books spilling onto the floor. "No, no, I'm fine. Just practicing late life senility. Who wants to play buried treasure at the beach?"
Books legally obtained:
The Family Trade by Charles Stross - I've read some of his hard sci-fi, but only heard about this fantasy-ish diversion. First in a series
Handling the Undead by John Ajvide Lindqvist - author of Let The Right One In, another promising horror novel from a country of disturbed novelists.
Seven Wonders by Adam Christopher - I was looking for his first book, but this is a good consolation prize.
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris (bargain shelf, $1) - no matter how bonkers the show turned out, the Southern Vampire mystery books have a certain low-key charm to them.
Replay by Ken Grimwood (bargain shelf, $2) - I read a loaner copy a few years ago, but bought this for Mandy. The book is wonderful! You should all be so proud to be having a copy!
This would be why we have five substantial bookshelves in the house of unread books. We love books and encourage others to do so as well.
-EMH
