Book Sale

I am a sucker . . . for a book sale. Last week, the university bookstore had a sidewalk sale, and I could not resist. Every book seemed like a great deal, and soon I had a huge pile.

At the point when I had more books than I could carry, I naturally ran into a librarian from work.

“You know,” he said. “You can get those books for free from the library.”

He had a valid point—although he is the same man who wouldn’t buy a book because it still cost $4.99—and I am a great fan of libraries. I use the library for most books, usually because they are so expensive to buy.

But when they are for sale for less than $5, how can I resist? Don’t I need a dozen more books to add to my “to read” pile?

Here are my finds:

• After the Dancing Days ($2.99): I remember reading this book as a teenager. And I remember liking it and being devastated because the romance did not end up as I’d wished. I have no recollection of the particulars, so this is definitely a reread for me. I had to buy it.

• Beauty ($3.99): This retelling of Beauty & the Beast by Robin McKinley was a favorite when I was younger. I couldn’t believe I didn’t already own a copy, so I had to buy one.

• The Mayor of Casterbridge ($1.99): Everyone needs to read more Thomas Hardy. And for $1.99, how could I resist?
  

• Cranford/Cousin Phillis ($2.99): I was hoping to find a cheap copy of Gaskell’s North and South. I settled with two novellas. Granted, I don’t know what happens in either story, but I liked Wives and Daughters . . .

• Bleak House ($3.99): I haven’t read this Dickens’s classic, but I have seen the Masterpiece Theatre version. Since it’s over a thousand pages, though, I suspect it might languish for a while in the pile.

• Vanity Fair ($2.99): Once again, I’ve only seen movie versions of this book. To be honest, I didn’t really love the movies. But the book was $2.99.

• Romola ($2.99): How is it that I've never heard of this George Eliot novel? Clearly, it’s been overlooked. Perhaps I’ll be the one to rediscover it.

• The Big Over Easy ($4.99): This Jasper Fforde book is the perfect example of why I buy books. I’ve checked this book out from the library several times—and have run out of time before finishing it. Now that I own it, I will finish.

Since these books are now in my possession, expect a flurry of book reviews.