This is where I will from time to time – confess – confess to my terrible addiction, my compulsion to buy books
May 2nd 2012
The Book People tempted me with three lovely Rumer Godden books. I have read Rumer Godden before and loved them. There are still several of Godden’s books I have to read, and these look wonderful.
April 27th 2013
I downloaded Findings to my kindle to start reading right away, it was a lovely collection of essays’
Also bought – but still to arrive is A very Private Eye – the letters and diaries of Barbara Pym for my continuing Pym reading.
March 30th 2013
A very extravagant purchase: As a Hardy fan I couldn’t resit a boxset of Hardy novels from the Folio Society on ebay. They are so lovely, with black and white illustrations and beautiful creamy paper. 
The set includes: Tess of the D’Urbevilles, The Trumpet Major, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Far from the Madding Crowd, Return of the Native and Under the Greenwood Tree. I am so pleased with them.
March 23rd 2013
I bought Civil to Strangers for the continuing Barbara Pym read a long, I won’t be reading it for a while – but well…
March 17th 2013
I decided to just read books by people born in May, during May my birthday month. 
I bought Jamaica Inn to re-read and a book of short stories on Kindle by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala called A Lovesong for India.
March 2nd 2013
Having read a brilliant review of this I had to buy it – downloaded to my kindle – it was a real bargain!
February 25th 2013
Bought in antcipation of an author talk toward the end of March.
February 22nd 2013
Despite having already bought (just a few days ago) the first volume of Helen Thomas’s memoirs – I caved in and bought the book I really wanted – Under Storm’s wing – which contains both volumes of her memoir – As it Was and World Without End, along with Helen’s letters and lots of photos. 
Then as if that wasn’t enough – I found myself in an Oxfam bookshop, and they had several very nice VMC’s – well it would have been rude not to. 
February 19th 2013
I was reminded by my reading of another book, and various book blogs that I would like to read Helen Thomas’s memoirs about herself and her war poet husband Edward Thomas. I bought a slim volume of As it Was from abebooks 
my next dilemma will be about getting the next volume, second-hand volumes while not prohibitively expensive are priced quite highly.
I was also tempted to The Blind Man’s Garden by Nadeem Aslam which is newly out, and whose previous books I have read with great enjoyment.
February 7th 2013
Bought with a Christmas voucher from a good and generous friend (who also bought me the book I am currently reading) 
Loving, Living, Party Going by Henry Green – which looks amazing.
and The Complete Mapp & Lucia by E F Benson – something which has managed to pass me by – no idea why. Sort of glad it did though as – I can’t wait to read it.
January 29th 2013 
Bought for the Barbara Pym read a long – copies I had read but don’t own – so they don’t really count in my book.
Book buying of 2013
So that was 2012 – how will I do in 2013? Fewer? possibly not – we shall see – my tbr is such I shouldn’t be buying anything.
November 27th 2012
I was reading Fluerfisher’s excellent blog and her review of The Heir by Vita sackville West just made me want to read it. Being such a book buying addict – I had to click!
November 23rd 2012
penguin had an offer! What could I do?
My first clothbound classic – which hasn’t arrived yet. My beloved Jane Eyre, for my month of re-reading and then I also bought a new copy of my favourite Thomas Hardy – The Mayor of Casterbridge. 
November 26th 2012
i actually stopped myself from buying a book – I was very tempted to buy William; story of an Englishman Persephone book no1 – when I heard about Savidge read’s read along on his blog. However I downloaded a free copy to my kindle instead – but will maybe buy a Persephone copy to keep in the future. 
November 15th 2012
Having recently read and enjoyed The two mrs Abbots by D E Stevenson, I succumbed to the temptations of ebay and bought two more. The Four Graces, and The Young Mrs Savage. Both have rather dodgy old book jackets, but a quick look at what lies beneath, make me think I may be in for another treat.
I have attended a couple of local author talks recently, through a new meet up group. Such a great idea but dangerous for a book buying addict. Local self published author Katherine De Souza gave us a great talk about her work and i of course bought her book. In fact a few weeks ago I bought another book by a local-ish author judith cutler – which I am reading now. I had managed to forget all about confessing that one! 
November 2nd 2012
I can honestly say – I am out of control – no really I am – my TBR is horrendous – some marvelous looking books on it – but still horrendous. I have started re-reading old favourites this year – and that will continue so my TBR does suffer as a result. Anyway I went away during half term – Devon – in the drizzle – well what’s a girl to do when there are charity shops everywhere. I was tinkering around on the interent in the evenings – and ooops!
I bought Margaret Oliphant’s Miss Marjoribanks in a chrity shop – which promptly lead me to wanting to read all the Carlingford Chronicles – and a few clicks later – well you know the rest.
We passed a book sale at the Teignmouth theatre one day – and there I found an ancient DE Stevenson book The Musgraves and a fairly elderly copy of The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford – which I wanted to re- read in my month of re-reading in January. I also came across a Laurie R. King book – although I still have another of her novels TBR. 
This book buying is particularly bad – and I do really feel naughty, Christmas is coming and the Librarything Virago Group Secret Santa looms too. Ssh! don’t tell anyone.
October 4th 2012
I have been feeling a bit over tired and glum this week – so in order to cheer myself up I bought some of the delicious Penguin English library classics – I don’t really need them – I think I have two of the four I bought already in other editions -a third I have on my kindle – as it’s available free. However the books are just so beautiful – I couldn’t resist – I have been thinking about them for weeks maybe months and I think I did well to resist so far.
I bought:
Two on a tower – Thomas Hardy
Lady Audley’s secret – Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Howards End – E M Forster
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall – Anne Bronte
I have also bought two others – to give away during the Literary blog hop at the end of October. I will reveal which they are then.
September 28th 2012
Along with many of thousands of other people I bought The Casual Vacancy when it was released. Curiosity – pure and simple. Can’t say I think much of the cover art really – it’s a bit dull.
September 12th 2012
Confession time again, as I have been buying more books. A few days ago – I ordered 3 Edith Wharton books from Awesome books – such a bargain! The ones I ordered are The Glimpses of the Moon, The Buccaneers and The Reef, they haven’t arrived as yet but are winging their way to me. Then on Saturday I wen to an independent publishers book fair and came away with just one book – The Witch’s daughter by Paula Brackston – it was cheap – and I’m not sure why I bought it really, but it does look good and if I don’t read it I may give it away to someone. However after that I stupidly went into Waterstones to mooch – I never go to Waterstones – for obvious reasons I’m bad enough on the internet. So of course I bought two books:
The Yellow Wallpaper and selected writings by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and
The Moorland Cottage by Elizabeth Gaskell.
I think I read The Yellow Wallpaper in another collection many years ago – and have wanted to re-read it for a while.
The as if that wasn’t bad enough – last night I downloaded 4 books to my kindle. The four remaining books on the Booker shortlist that I have still to read.
August 16th 2012
While on holiday in Devon we had a bit of rain, so I whiled away a bit of time mooching around charity shops teling myself I was ony looking. I ended up with these three.
1.I still Dream about you – Fannie Flagg – I used to love Fannie Flagg – not sure if I still wil or not – hadn’t heard of this one.
2. The thing around your neck – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – short stories that look excelent.
3. The Blue Flower – Peneope Fitzgerald – is supposed to be one of her best novels. 
August 15th 2012
When I heard about Booker longlisted The Lighthouse I wanted to read it – so I ordered it the day it was pubished – really looking forward to it.
August 5th 2012
Having finished and loved Devoted Ladies by MollyKeane I noticed in the back of the book a few pages of tempting synopsis’ for other Virago books – A particular place sounded right up my alley and I found a cheap copy on Abebooks.
12the July 2012
Re-reading the delightful Northanger Abbey- made me do a quick search on Amzon for other things about or by Jane Austen – I was really looking at the posh box sets of her novels – considering buying a nice matching set – I resisted that particular impulse. I couldn’t resist these though – two Austen books I haven’t read. Catherine and other Writings is a collection of her juvenalia – and the collection of her letters looks wonderful. They will be have to wait TBR for a while – as I have another reading project in August – following my month of re-reading in July.
8th July 2012
I have tried to be good – but the compulsion to buy books over came me after reading reviews of these tw0 books on Booksnob’s blog. They are lovely editions published by Daunt books – and they look great. Will probably not get to read them for a couple of months yet though. Something to look forward to. I refuse to count the books on my TBR though – I refuse! It could be worse though – honestly I have been quite good – for me!
18th June 2012
Oh dear : ) over the weekend there were several book buying incidents of the mainly Virago kind. This was the result – some of these don’t count! Two are replacement copies for books I have either in another edition or have read but don’t own – one is a replacement for a book currently on my kindle which I would rather have in Virago green, and one is for the literary giveaway which is coming up soon.
But I don’t have to confess to the three beautiful green Viragos that I was given – do I? no – that’s ok then.
This is my TBR today – things have got rather serious.
17th May 2012
It was my birthday last week and I recieved money from work friends which was spent on lovely Persephone books, I then received a Persephone voucher from a friend which couldn’t help but spend right away. I got a copy of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry as a gift, and have ordered Beryl Bainbridge’s ‘The Bottle Factory Outing’ with an amazon voucher I got from another friend.
5th May 2012
Follotwing a comment on a Libraything Virago group thread I was alerted to the fact that Daunt books were re-issuing Illyrian Spring by Ann Bridge which is a favourite of many Virago readers and yet very hard hard to find. Although the website states its release date at May 17th it arrived today – a beautiful looking book. 
3rd May 2012
I know I shouldn’t mind what editions I read – but I find I do mind – a bit. So I have been buying more Elizabeth Taylor books in lovely Virago Green. Two are replacements for others – and one I’ve bought in readyness for the Elizabeth Taylor read a long on the Librarything Virago group.
I have also ordered a copy of Hilary Mantel’s sequel to Wolf Hall – Bring up the Bodies. It is released on the 10th May and I await its arrival eagerly. 
7th April 2012
Well my TBR is now in a serious state – that is it is out of control. The reason? An unexpected trip to Hay on Wye.
This was the result.
quite a nice collection. I hasten to say that three don’t count as they were replacements for other editions.
1st April 2012
Although I already own a small hardback copy – I have bought a nice green Virago copy of A Wreath of Roses to re-read along with the Librarything Virago group, who are reading all of Elizabeth Taylor’s novels in order of publication during 2012 – her centenary year. 
I also ordered A Soul of Kindness – although we don’t read it until September I couldn’t resist. 
21st March 2012
I was feeling a bit fed up – and needed that book buying high – the satisfaction of the click on Amazon or elesewhere followed by the anticipation of the package being delivered. So I bought a threesome – well they were a bargin!
The new Moon with the old by Dodie Smith
The Town in Bloom by Dodie Smith
It ends with revelations by Dodie Smith
Well they are pretty looking books!
To my Kindle I downloaded:
The Lavenworth Case by Anna Katherine Green
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
The Turn of the Screw – Henry James (which will be a re-read)
The Third Miss Symons – F M Mayor
But none of the above 4 really count as they are a) on kindle so I can’t see them, and b) were free ( my favourite price)
TBR is now : 83 real books 30 ebooks – yes it never really gets any better.
8th March 2012
After seeing TV book club on channel four – I bought the much reviewed and talked about Girl Reading by Katie Ward.
3rd March 2012
I had an unepected cash windfall today – so what’s a girl to do? I bought three lovely Persephone books – although as one was a birthday gift for my Mum I need only count the other two.
I bought:
The New House – Lettice Cooper
Manja – Anna Gmeyner.
1st March 2012
I was determined not to buy any more books for weeks and weeks – however I have been very twitchy – checking out Amzon everyday – looking up books that I have read good reviews of on other book blogs, so I gave in last night – but bought only 2 books. I did think that was restrained.
The Anatomy of Disappearance – Hisham Matar
The Snow Child – Eowyn Ivey
Both of these purchases are as a direct result of reading reviews on book blogs – which shows that reading book blogs can turn out to be an expensive business. Looking forward to these two and so will probably try and read them soon.
February 11th 2012
I was so determined not to buy any more books for weeks and weeks – and instead I have proved I have no self control. I have wanted to read ‘Late Beginner’ by Priscilla Napier for some time now – but it is very hard to get hold of an old copy – they are going for at least £20 on abebooks – and over £30 on Amazon. I tried the Birmingham Library catalogue too – they don’t seem to have any copies. I had another look this evening – on abebooks hoping there might be a cheaper copy – there wasn’t. I had been reminded again of this book while reading ‘Counting my Chickens’ by Deborah Devonshire. Then in a moment of inspiration, I seemed to remember that Foxed Qaurterly had published it in one of their attractive editions – I hadn’t originally wanted to spend as much as the £15 that they cost – but oh well! And so reader – I ordered it.
February 7th 2012
Having seen a lot of hype about the new film ‘The Woman in Black’ I was reminded how I had never even read it – and I do rather like a ghost story. So I dowloaded the book to my Kindle.
The Woman in Black – (kindle edition) by Susan Hill
I also dowloaded a free sample – of John Le Carre’s Tinker Sailor Soldier Spy – which I have a sudden desire to read.
Feel as though I reached book critical mass – as of today I have 92 real books TBR and 29 kindle books. I must not acquire any more for a while.
Febuary 5th 2012
I have been off work ill this last week, and have had a lot of time for reading. I have to say it has been lovely to have time to read. What I have also had time for is book buying. Never has it been so easy to buy books while recovering at home. No need to go out – no need to fight to get on over crowded buses. It is all just so easy – too easy.
So far this week I have bought
City of Veils by Zoe Ferras – I heard about it ages ago and have had it in the back of my mind ever since.
Heat of the day – Elizabeth Bowen – I have recently read reviews of Bowen on other blogs and was prompted to give her another try. I read one years ago – although have no memory which book it was.
The Corner That Held them – by Sylvia Townsend Warner – actually this was a charity shop buy after my doctors appointment. This is also my current read.
White crosses by Larry Watson, bought on the strength of a review I saw on dovegreyreaders blog.
The Bolter – Frances Osborne – another one from the charity shop.
A View of the Harbour – Elizabeth Taylor
A Dedicated Man and other Stories – Elizabeth Taylor
The Sleeping Beauty – Elizabeth Taylor
Each of the Taylors bought – well because I was reading Palladian – and it is her centenary year – and well ….
What can I say – I am a hopeless addict – and there is I am now certain no cure!
Will have to revisit Elizabeth Taylor and watch out for any BBC productions.
Carry on with the addiction!
I loved The Bolter, read for a SF meet.
I am looking forward to The Bolter : )
I like this page and don’t worry about your TBR. I’d say it’s quite acceptable …
So glad you covered the novel I Capture the Castle, one of my favorite gifts to give friends of mine who love books. No one else in America ever seems to have read it
Listening to the audio commentary of the film version gives you some interesting info (like how beloved the book is in England). I notice that you have purchased other books by Dodie Smith. Have you ever found The Starlight Barking, or do you know anything about it?
I haven’t found a copy of Starlight Barking no – though I thought it was one of her Children’s books.
It’s one of her children’s books and, I believe, a follow-up to 101 Dalmatians. I have it …
Can’t think of a better thing to be addicted to and such a lovely crowd to hang out with, I totally approve.
‘The Snow Child’ is my favourite read so far this year, I also bought and read ‘The Woman in Black’ (and feel tempted by ‘The Woman in White’ to know if there is any reference) and now love Susan Hill, have read 3 other of her books since the first one ‘A Kind Man’ last year and happy to know she has a long back list.
Read my first two Edith Wharton’s this year. Oh to visit the Hay & Wye, what a pleasure. Enjoy.
Lovely blog Ali, and I especially like this page as it makes me feel much less guilty about all the books I’m reading!
Thanks Karen. I have to update this page later – with my latest purchases : )
What lovely Elizabeth Taylor green editions! I quite understand you being fussy about which ones you read – I am doing the same if I can with my current purchases and the green copies are so lovely I do think it’s best to have them!
The modern editions just don’t do the books justice in my opinion – they look all wrong.
You’re *so* right – I think they just look bland compared with the originals.
Hi Ali, I’ve enjoyed my first visit to your blog. It’s great to come across someone who shares the same passion for books and who has Wilkie Collins as a favourite author! Just thought I’d add a bit about The Starlight Barking by Dodie Smith. Way back in the 60s, I had the good fortune to have a teacher who read to us for 15 minutes before we left school each day. She first read 101 Dalmatians then followed with The Starlight Barking. Both were Puffin Books. I loved both of them and read them to my daughters when they were young. I enjoyed reading about the Elizabeth Taylor day and feel quite envious of you lucky people in the UK who can attend such wonderful events!
Thank you. Sounds like a wonderful teacher! The Elizabeth Taylor day was great – nice to share an enthusiasm.
As long as you keep reading, what’s the problem? Just don’t get into debt!
It is so lovely having such wonderful books to look forward to : ) I can’t wait to get at them. Thanks again Jen for generosity it made my day on Monday.
Whenever I feel bad for clicky-clicking – and another old book loved as a teenager then forgotten until someone mentioned it online arrived today – I think at least I’m not alone …
Lol You are certainly not alone : )
I had a lovely trip to London yesterday (I’ll blog about it later!) but I was very BAD when it came to books – feeling pleased but guilty now and I am *so* glad I’m not the only one! I know exactly what you mean about wanting the rest of a set – I do exactly the same!
: ) looking forward to hearing what you bought.
That’s a lovely edition of “The Heir” – I was tempted too by FleurFisher and I’m glad I did – it’s a beautiful story!
What a lovely way to keep a check on all the books coming in to your life, especially where they originate from! Blogging gives me way too many more books to read.
[...] soul to confess to new book acquisitions on here – an idea shamelessly stolen from my friend, Ali, although she has a static page for it and I’ll slip a blog post in when it happens (which [...]
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