JustAdventure+ Book Group discussion

Excited about your latest book purchase? Just bought ten books and not sure which to read first? Post them here, let us know what you bought and why you bought 'em :)

I just purchased Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill, Books of Blood 1-3 by Clive Barker, Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite, as well as The Sex Mook: What Is Our Sex? and The Death Mook: How do we die? by Vignette Press.

I bought Heart-Shaped Box because I've been meaning to for a long time now, I feel like I'm not doing my job as a Stephen King fan if I don't read his son's first, and supposedly great, work. Exquisite Corpse I perused in a book store, and was sufficiently intrigued by the smutty and unapologetic tone of the book, which, so far as I could tell, deals with a homosexual serial killer. I bought Clive Barker's Books of Blood 1-3 in the wake of being spurred on by Traveller's recent appraisal of Barker's work - I'd been meaning to read these for far, far too long now and I'm glad I've finally got one on the way.

I found 'Death Mook' in a book store, I was first attracted to the beautiful, gothic art on the cover and then to the hodge-podge of articles and pictures contained within the book, all dealing with a fascinating aspect of, insight into, or rumor about death. The mix of interesting, thought-provoking content written by different authors, coupled with unique and eye-catching illustrations, meant I was almost intrigued enough to buy it right then and there from the book store - something I never do, due to the hideous over-pricing of book stores in my city. I looked it up as soon as I got online, and found to my chagrin that none of the book stores I usually purchase from sell the book online. Finally, I somehow ended up at the publisher's website, where they were selling copies of the book. I saw that there was another 'mook' - apparently terminology for something 'more than a magazine, not quite a book' (I don't see the qualm with calling it a book) - this one on sex. So I figured why not, and have purchased the two together. I love finding hard-to-obtain books with unique content, and the art is a big bonus.

Something I really wanted to purchase this time around but couldn't quite afford is House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski. It's a horror novel with an 'experimental' approach - apparently the prose is often 'shaped' - for instance, some pages only have one or two words on them. I love experimental literature, and I've heard this is a great example of it. Unfortunately I can't find the book for less than $30, and there are too many great books currently on my list for me to justify purchasing one book when I could get three for the same price. Eventually :D

Cryptonomicon arrived in the mail yesterday. I'll probably start it right after I finish Snow Crash.
I'm holding off on any more purchases until I get to Toronto in 2 weeks. My friend and I are going on a girl's spa weekend and part of our agenda involves visiting Bakka Phoenix , a SFF specialty bookstore.
http://www.bakkaphoenixbooks.com/page...
One of my favorite authors works part time there,
Michelle Sagara West . I'm hoping she'll be at the store the day we shop.

That sounds so exciting, Elvet!

Well, I'm afraid I've been a very, very naughty girl.

Ever since I can remember, 2nd hand bookstores have been to me what heroin is to other people.

Not good. I visited two this past week.
What I came away with:
Robert Holdstock : The Bone Forest
Clive barker: Sacrament
Neil Gaiman: American Gods
Christopher Lee: This Sceptered Isle ( A book filled with British history from 55BC up to 1901 AD..) ;)
A World history of the 20th century: Western Dominance 1900-45
Stephen Lawhead : Taliesin
Stephen Lawhead : Merlin
Anne Rice: Violin
The Wizards of Odd, which is an anthology of comic fantasy tales by Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams,Ray Bradbury, Ursula Le Guin etc, edited by Peter Haining

Ramsey Cambell: Obsession. I have no idea if this will be any good at all, but I've heard so much about Ramsey C, that I thought getting a book costing around half a $ wouldn't hurt...

A purchase I feel quite chuffed about: In perfect condition, a hardcover edition of GRR Martin's Dreamsongs. :D

Supernatural Stories edited by William Mayne, which seems to contain some classic authors, and similarly "The Craft of Terror" edited by Peter Haining with some gothic tales included.

Phew! just a few Michael Moorcock novels too,and "Where Angels Fear to Tread" by E.M. Forster, and that's about it from there..

From the library I got the following, so that'll have to enjoy priority:

Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (which looks scarily thick)
A Treasury of Fantasy edited by Cary Wilkens

From my online store:
Day of the Triffids (Paperback) Wyndham, John

I Am Legend (Paperback) Matheson, Richard

The Left Hand of Darkness (Paperback) Le Guin, Ursula K.

Tales of the Dying Earth (Paperback) Vance, Jack

The Urth of the New Sun (Paperback) Wolfe, Gene

Gormenghast Trilogy (Paperback) Peake, Mervyn

Orphan's Tales, the: in the Night Garden Valente, Catherynne

I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream (Paperback) Ellison, Harlan

Shadow Of The Wind (Paperback) Zafon, Carlos Ruiz

Short History of Nearly Everything (Paperback) Bryson, Bill

Anathem (Paperback) Stephenson, Neal

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)
George R.R. Martin

Gardens Of The Moon (Paperback) Erikson, Steven

The Golden Compass (Paperback) Pullman, Philip

The Historian (Paperback) Kostova, Elizabeth

Weird Tales 290 (Spring 1988) (Paperback) Wolfe, Gene

*cough* I'll say no more... (except that from online stores, it seems you can get some books cheaper even than you can get them from used bookstores.. >:( ...so that's why I a got such a lot from there. )

Wow! What a good selection.
I've never shopped at a secondhand bookstore. Maybe it's because I'm in a small town, and I don't really expect to find anything that I'm interested in.

There's always a first time, Elvet... I dare you to try one out, - you might just be surprised.

Oh, and do give yourself some time to browse.. ;)

Wow Trav! And I thought I was bad :D I've purchased 21 books this month but you've got me beat. All of them were new though, and I'm about due for a trip to a second-hand book store. You have an exciting selection now - The Wizards of Odd sounds extremely intriguing, you'll have to let me know what you think when you get around to it. Day of the Triffids is a book I particularly liked, and I think I've mentioned my love and adoration for The Golden Compass and its sequels more times than I should have.

I wonder what you'll think of I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream - have you read any of Ellison's other work? I've been wanting to buy the I Have No Mouth game for what, at least 9 years now? I'd definitely be interested in reading the story.

I've never read any of Ellison's other stuff (that I recall - I think there was a short story or two I may have come across in the past) but have it in my future plans. Do let me know what you think :)

Well, I'm lucky in that a friend of mine had the game of I have No Mouth, as part of his collection, and since he considered it too old for his own use, gifted it to me, obviously thinking he was getting rid of a piece of junk... XD

It plays nicely with SCUMMVM, so I've played a bit of it, and so naturally was very curious about the literature. It does come with other stories, so I'll let you know as soon as I lay my grubby hands on it.

And regarding my volume of books purchased; having had no friends around lately that really share my interests and could give me book recommendations, I really had not been buying a lot of books lately. Perhaps one every month or two, so this has been unusal for me. ;)

While doing some other shopping I found two of the three books I have in my to-read list: The Angel's game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Sepulchre by Kate Moss. Both in paperback since that's the only way to fit them into my bookshelves. I have not listed all my books here yet and I don't see how I'd find time to. Btw, do you guys always keep your books or do you pass them forward after having read them? I find it hard to part with a book I like, but my book shelves have double rows of books now. :D

I sometimes take books to the book exchange, Jelena (in fact, I plan to take a few in next week); but it's usually in the ratio of about 1 for every 10 books I purchase, so yes, I know what you mean regarding the space problem.

My bookcases are full, and I'm packing them in the bottom of cupboards by now.

I almost always keep the books I read, but I do lend when I have the chance. Not too many people I know locally are heavy readers, though, unfortunately.

I usually only keep the books I know I'm going to reread, sort of like my games.

Ah Jelena - I wrote a reply to you, but it seems to have been lost in the abyss of the interweb.

Basically what I said was - I can't encourage you enough to at the very least check out your nearest second-hand bookshop - they are almost always full of hidden treasures, these often being in the places where you least expect it. I've made a habit of checking out any second-hand bookshop I'm fortunate to come across, and have thus been exposed to many a small-town/country bookstore - and here have been where I have found many of my treasures. Leather-bound copies of Homer's Iliad, thousand-page books on the occult, copies of books from my favourite authors from just 25 cents... I certainly have found some special things in those seemingly humble tiny second-hand bookstores. Definitely worth checking out :)

And - I wouldn't dream of letting go of a single book - or game - I own... I'm a natural pack-rat. There are many books I have multiple copies of that I still couldn't bare to give away. I have commitment issues with objects. I commit to them FOREVER.

I am in total agreement with Arkadia about the used bookstore thing. Browsing these little stores is like digging in the sand for treasure along a coastline known for it's many shipwrecks, or like "panning" for gold in the Yukon.

You have to sift through some rubble sure, but oi, do you come away with many happy bargains for your time spent browsing those dusty shelves... :D
I never walk away with less than an armful of books and a huge smile on my face... XD

Whoo-hoo!! Finally have Dust of Dreams
in my possession. It was slated to have a September Canadian release at the same time as the UK version, but for some reason it was pushed back to the US release date of January 2010. Kind of has me wondering why I have to wait longer for a Canadian author. Probably the politics of publishing.
Now this part will make you laugh - I'm not going to read it until The Crippled God (last of the series) comes out later this year, and you'll be sure that this time I'll order it from whatever country gets it first. The Malazan books are so complex that I'm looking forward to a reread anyhow. Then I'll be able to finish the last 2 books in sequence.

Elvet wrote: "Whoo-hoo!! Finally have Dust of Dreams
in my possession. It was slated to have a September Canadian release at the same time as the UK version, but for some reason it was pushed bac..."Good planning Elvet! :D

EEk! How many of the books of Malazan the Fallen are there? Anyway, nice to see that you have a series you are passionate about, Elvet. I've ordered the first one due to your enthusiasm, and it's on it's way... ;)

Traveller wrote: "EEk! How many of the books of Malazan the Fallen are there? Anyway, nice to see that you have a series you are passionate about, Elvet. I've ordered the first one due to your enthusiasm, and it..."
There are 10 Malazan book of the Fallen written by
Steven Erikson. He also has some novellas about some of the characters. The Malazan world was concieved by him and his friend Ian Cameron Esslemont, and Esslemont has his own book series also from the same world.

Very interesting, Elvet. I take it that Esslemont's work is not as highly regarded by you as that of Erikson?

Traveller wrote: "Very interesting, Elvet. I take it that Esslemont's work is not as highly regarded by you as that of Erikson?"
I like both writers, but basically it's because I love the world and characters that inhabit their stories. Erikson's writing is more 'gut-wrenching ' for me, so he has the edge.
Esselmont only has 2 books out, and they are much more focused than Erikson's. His 1st one, Night of Knives tells about a 24hr. period that preceeds Gardens of the Moon. Though it is technically a prequel, I would recommend you read it after GotM.

Cool, will do. With Esslemont only having two out as yet, who knows..- I might get "in" in time with this series before it completely runs away like Stephen King's the Dark Tower series and Terry Pratchet's Discworld did for me. :P

Hopefully it takes the authors longer to write a book than it'll take me to read them... ;)

Spent the day with my daughter in the capital and found my way into a book store. I came out with the latest book by the Swedish author Carl-Johan Vallgren: Kunzelmann & Kunzelmann.
Vallgren has written one of my favourite stories all times: 'Den vidunderliga kärlekens historia'.
I found that the English translation is called 'The Horrific Sufferings of the Mind Reading Monster Hercules Barefoot' which is kind of surprising to me. A very strange translation although true to the story.

I've put the abovementioned book on my wishlist, which is currently out of stock at my fave online bookstore. I adore alternative retellings of popular fairytales. :)

Traveller wrote: "I've put the abovementioned book on my wishlist, which is currently out of stock at my fave online bookstore. I adore alternative retellings of popular fairytales. :)"
Once you read it, I'd love to know your opinion on it. I sincerely hope that the translation gives the story justice (not sure about that expression).

Well, I'm really hoping I'll get hold of it soon, Jelena, and will definitely give feedback. :)

After a long wait, I finally got to Bakka Phoenix, the Toronto SFF specialty bookstore. Here's my haul:
The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer
The Scavenger trilogy by K.J. Parker
Ill Met in the Arena
Avilion
Consider Phlebas
The Dragon Keeper
The Spirit Lens: A Novel of the Collegia Magica
Sweet Fair Thing by Libba Bray
and the rest of the Black Company omnibuses.

Who has time to read or buy books in these days with the Winter Olympic Games?!! :D
I watch it all the time and hardly sleep at night. If I would have been a Canadian I would have been in the crowds cheering! Colpet, J. You have noticed the games haven't you!?
j/k
I do read and come on here on a daily basis. But not so active due to above mentioned event.
See you!
Jelena

Jelena wrote: "Who has time to read or buy books in these days with the Winter Olympic Games?!! :D
I watch it all the time and hardly sleep at night. If I would have been a Canadian I would have been in the crowd..."
I'm not very interested in sports (other than hockey), so the Olympics are not the problem. Uru Live is keeping me from reading and keeping up with the forums - I play every spare minute.
Jo

I've watched some curling, but otherwise have limited interest---and it doesn't help that I've boycotted CTV, the broadcaster of the Games in Canada. I can watch NBC, but, well, it's an alien broadcast, and it often shows.

I've one of these rare and fabled Canadians who doesn't like hockey. :P

Aargh, I keep missing my figure-skating! They should really have the Winter O. in Europe - the times are better for me... :P
Um, how CAN you people not just adore figure skating???? <_<

I recently bought "Jarlens sekel" by Dick Harrison & "Contact" by Carl Sagan 2nd hand. I also bought "Sherlock Holmes The complete novels and stories" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this time not 2nd hand.

Good buys, Fnord! Especially that last one... ;D

The Swedish annual book sale started today and I got Peter Hoeg's novel The Quiet Girl (original title is Den Stille Pige and I got the Swedish translation.)
I haven't read much by Peter Hoeg, but I really liked "Miss Smilla's feeling for snow" which was turned into a movie. Sadly the movie wasn't by far as interesting as the book.

Sorry for being so off topic, but the Swedish curling team (women)is now playing the Olympic finals v/s Canada! *brings out popcorn*

Well, on the weekend I took a trip to not one but -two- book stores while trying to kill lots of time. At the first I picked up The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood, and at the second I picked up Shadowplay by Tad Williams since I so enjoyed its predecessor Shadowmarch, and All This Is So: A Future History by John F. Roe---because the cover was too pretty not to get it! :D

I could have saved twenty dollars shopping on Amazon, but then I wouldn't have picked up the same things and wouldn't have had a chsnce to get lost in a sea of lovely book-covers, so sometimes it's worth it.

I agree J, sometimes the experience and pleasure of browsing and purchasing from a book store is well worth the extra cost.

I very much want to read The Year of the Flood, so please do let us know what you think of it! It sounds fascinating.

My newest aquisitions include a gift from a friend, a book that I would always look at just to admire the cover The Child Thief. I also got:
First 4 Ender's Game books
A signed copy of Michelle West's City of Night (so new it's not listed at this site yet :-)
Hyperion
Twelve by Jasper Kent
Treasure Forest

J.King mentioned that he and Elvet visited some bookstores together on Sunday, on their way to movies. Sounds like you guys had fun! Pick up any good books?

As for myself, I finally caved in and ordered Ender's Game. :P

Also, my copies of The Reader by Bernhard Schlink and I'm Not Scared by Joseph Ammaniti, prescribed books for my film course, have finally arrived. So far, I'm finding it very interesting to learn about the elements one needs to take into account when adapting a novel or play to a movie. Great stuff!

I also got : I, Claudius by Robert Graves and Black Sun Rising by C.S Friedman, both recommended by Nikolaos, as well as Dark Delicacies, as recommended by Arkadia.

Oh, and I also got Hyperion as recommended by JKing, and The Dragonbone Chair, because of Elvet's high opinion of it.

"J.King mentioned that he and Elvet visited some bookstores together on Sunday, on their way to movies. Sounds like you guys had fun! Pick up any good books?"
Absolutely! Check post right above yours :-)
I agree that books can be had cheaper online, but I feel lucky to have a SFF bookstore relatively close and would like it to stay in business. I try and get there 2-3 times a year. It's a wonderful place, and often the staff is quite helpful. They have a shelf full of their personal recommendations and they also have a wall of used SFF books.

Hey, hey, hey Trav - I don't know if I per se RECOMMENDED Dark Delicacies - I said it was okay, but recommended ones much better =D That's okay though, let me know what you think of it :) And Ender's Game, too.

I spent an hour browsing through a used book store I had been meaning to get back to ever since purchasing a couple of hundred dollars worth of fascinating books on the occult and supernatural. They had a massive desk devoted to the genre - delightful old and creepy looking books full to the brim of alluded secrets. I was really eager to pick some more up, but was disappointed to find that the once large collection had been reduce to two extremely tiny shelves - maybe 30 books in all, and most of them to do with the extraterrestrial, which I have little interest in (I'm already convinced there are inter-planetary beings out there).

I found a host of other books I wanted to purchase however, and they have a wonderfully large selection of classics bound in old, beautiful leather and cotton covers... Unfortunately I realised that I had barely any cash on me and no cards, so I had to settle for purchasing one book, instead of the twenty I might have purchased had I had access to more money...

I tossed up between a two-volume set of Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, bound in beautiful red leather with gold embellishments, and a very blase cover of Wally Lamb's 'I Know This Much Is True' - both books I've been meaning to read. I ended up purchasing I Know This Much Is True, since the price was unbeatable. I plan on going back and buying Anna Karenina if it's still there, but if it's not I won't be too sad because I have nowhere safe to put the beautiful volumes and I'd only feel bad when it ended up on the floor :\


Okay, that's my story. :P

"Hey, hey, hey Trav - I don't know if I per se RECOMMENDED Dark Delicacies.."
Oops! Must have got my books confused then? Too late! :D

Don't worry, I won't hunt you down if the book is bad... LOL

Hahaha I just had to make sure you didn't hold it against me if you didn't like it! :D I believe I most strongly recommended '999' by Al Sarrantonio - the book is far larger with far more gems. I think I mentioned I only really liked 2 or 3 of the DD stories and despised many of them :( I'll be curious to see how much your opinion differs though!

"I believe I most strongly recommended '999' by Al Sarrantonio "
Sadly that book is rather scarce and rather expensive too.. :P

It is in my wishlist, I'm just waiting for a good price to come along... ;) They often mark books down, and then I'll pounce. ;D

Oh no, I didn't realise. I suppose it is a massive book though so it makes sense. I received it as a gift a long time ago. :)

Had a great day perusing 2 used bookstores with J.King. We were literally crawing on the floor in amongst stacks of books. It was wonderful fun :-)
Used book purchases:
Swords of Haven: The Adventures of Hawk and Fisher
Drinking Midnight Wine
Blue Moon Rising
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
Rendezvous with Rama
Childhood's End
Dave Duncan - Upland Outlaws, The Hunter's Haunt, The Stricken Field, Past Imperative

Got some new books too:
Sasha
Petrodor
Roadkill
Neverwhere
Corambis

So many books, so little time!

I also got many books, but they're making me sneeze right now, so I'll have to wait a little while before listing them off, I think....

As if this weekend's purchases weren't enough, I ordered online:
Hominids (I needed my own copy since the one I read was J.King's)
Humans
Hybrids
The just released Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
The Hollowing by Robert Holdstock