I’ve been absent from the Salon for a few weeks now. Nothing’s wrong, I’ve just been busy with work, family, and the garden. My last Salon post was a recap of my first quarter reading, in which I gloated over having read more books than I acquired in the first quarter of the year. And then, in the space of a few weeks, I managed to completely blow that reading resolution. I fell victim to a particularly potent combination of Paperbackswap and my Virago-reading friends on LibraryThing.
First, one Virago reader posted two books on Paperbackswap which happened to be on my wish list:
Willa Cather’s The Professor’s House and Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth — yippee!
As it happened, this same Virago reader was going through some serious house cleaning. A few days later, four more Viragos became available. These are lesser-known works (at least to me), but I’m not picky when it comes to Virago collecting.
Clash, Dust Falls on Eugene Schlumberger, Life Before Man, and The Grain of Truth
And then, for reasons I can’t really explain, I decided it was time for me to read E. F. Benson’s Mapp and Lucia series. Paperbackswap to the rescue again!
Queen Lucia (vol 1) and Lucia in London (vol 3)
I have to say that when these Moyer Bell editions arrived, I was smitten. They are in mint condition and the covers are gorgeous. I suddenly felt I had to have the complete set — they would look so pretty on my new bookshelves! I promptly ordered volume 2 from Amazon (I have no restraint!), and wishlisted volumes 4-6 on Paperbackswap.
Oh, and I just happen to have 2 more Viragos on the way from Paperbackswap. I can’t believe my luck!
That’s 11 books altogether, all in a few short weeks. And I’ve read … erm … 4 books so far this month. Oops, so much for that reading resolution!
But really, can you blame me?
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No, I can’t blame you at all and I am just as bad…… :))) They are lovely looking volumes and I rather wish I could sit down and re-read the Mapp and Lucias again!
Ha ha ha! Karen, you were very much on my mind as I was writing this post!
:)))))))
No I can’t blame you at all, you have made some very wise investments.
“Investment” — good word, Jane. I will have to keep it in mind! Actually, in evaluating my book acquisition reading resolution, I sometimes waffle over whether to count Virago acquisitions. They are part of a “collection,” which I see as something slightly different than just buying books I intend to read someday. Only slightly different, but I can rationalize my way through it. 🙂
This sounds similar to my rationale for buying shoes. Sandals, trainers, boots do not count as shoes.
Well, yes, you fell off the wagon, but it was Paperback Swap! It’s not like you spent money! 🙂
I went to a library book sale this weekend and set a budget for myself (and I stuck to it!!!!)
Oh you’re right Rebecca, I didn’t spend money! That makes all the difference!! 🙂
I agree with the comments. Paperback Swap isn’t QUITE falling off the wagon, is it? 🙂
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Rachel, thanks for the support!
I just received two Viragos from PBS myself (though I’d read one of them already) and I got an email for another one yesterday. Le sigh. But how can one pass up the offer of such riches?
Karen, the way I see it, you have an obligation to accept any Virago that comes your way!