pontalba

It's hard to pin down specific books, so I only can say that I want to [for once] read more books than I buy.

princessponti, I love your outlook and take on this subject! :readingtwo:

While I agree with much of what you say, I cannot agree with the above portion of your post. There are those that cannot find the money, especially 25 dollars for a new hardback. In that case they will hopefully go to the library and borrow it, and the author certainly doesn't make more money because more people borrow it from the library. At least if the book is bought second hand it feeds the economy, second hand dealers, people selling at garage sales etc. Money is flowing and that is a good thing.

Our local area library had a Library Sale every third Friday and Saturday and while I can't always find what I am particularly looking for I often find hardbacks to replace the paperbacks I have and unexpected gems that make my day.

There is of course something to be said for both sides. The writer wants and deserves to get the most for their creation, the public wants to get the most bang for their buck. Fireball, you brought out the publishers, the "middle men" and I have to agree, they are the ones that are the most able and also the most unwilling to adjust their ways. They are in reality many times gamblers, so maybe they can't adjust as much as we think they can/should. [?] Michelle's point is very valid however as the "new" prices are often out of reach. I do buy second hand books both from Amazon Marketplace and second hand shops and cut rate new on Amazon. I can't think the authors make much money on Amazon's deals, and agree with Talisman that it is not fair to the author, but where to draw the line? Authors write so consumers can read, so maybe however the book is acquired is fair in the end. Maybe in buying a second hand book by an unknown, untried author will lead to more new book buying if the reader is pleased with the first cheaper book. So hopefully it will all come out in the wash.

As evidenced by my previous post I wouldn't dream of getting rid of any of my books, they include my great grandfathers, grandfathers, my mothers, great uncles....my family has read and reread so many of them. Many are gifts from loved ones that are no longer with me, it would be like giving away a piece of them. Maybe I am too sentimental, but so be it. The books are not things to me, they are attachments to people, places and times that are gone.

LOL I would have to suppose I've probably read two-thirds of them...some are from my great grandfather, so I haven't gotten around to them yet. A couple of years ago there was an article, or maybe a series? of articles in the New York Times about this very thing. Some people had over 20,000 books! /sigh/ I wish! Sounded just perfect.

One of my dearest books is one an Aunt of my mother's sent her in 1937, a copy of Jane Eyre, it is inscribed with a short note to my mother [who was 12 at the time] and the date. That said, I hardly mark in hardbacks at all, now the paperbacks are a whole 'nuther ball game. I write notes, underline and make cross references, how else can I do it for a discussion? I did try once to use post it notes, and there were more post its than pages [practically] and quite unwieldy!

I counted about 2 years ago and it was at just over 2500 then, I know for a fact I've acquired over a thousand since then, so somewhere between 3500-3700. Conservatively. Yes, I am a pack rat.

Sorry! I wasn't clear, 6 hardbacks at 7.95 each. Still, for a hardback an excellent price I thought.

I must have at least a dozen dictionaries, and love and use them constantly. Mostly for spelling though, I am an atrocious speller. But with certain authors they are a necessity.

I ordered and have received all six Austen's from Amazon...they have a lovely sort of muted cover on all of them, hardbacks well put together for only 7.95 U.S.D, how to go wrong at that rate, already read Pride and Prejudice and totally enjoyed her writing style.

Grits are good with plenty of butter! Usually I don't salt my food too much, but I do salt grits, and some cheese is delicious melted into it. I wouldn't care for the syrup...too sweet for me.

I have read and enjoyed Suite Francaise and only wish she had been able to live to complete it. Another by Erich Maria Remarque, Arch of Triumph was an excellent read, and I have Kenny to thank as I bought that as well as The Night in Lisbon...the latter yet unread. So far. I'd seen the film with Charles Boyer AoT, many years ago. Oh, another author mentioned up the thread Nevil Shute wrote A Town Called Alice, a good bit of it takes place in WWII. It is based on the true story of the forced march in Sumatra of the women and children.

I had a bit of trouble getting into the rhythm of her writing, but when I did I enjoyed the flow, what was it that you didn't care for?

I just finished Pride and Prejudice, my first Austen. Most enjoyable. I actually was inspired to read Austen by Reading Lolita in Tehran and am very glad I have finally started to plug that particular hole in my reading. My California cousin informed me she thought Austen was "overrated", not so in my opinion. Her writing is as fresh and pleasant to read now as it was in 1813. Her insights into human nature read well in the present day. Just prior to that I finished The Wooden Sea by Jonathan Carroll, and a funnier tear-jerker you could not find. Quirky and decidedly masculine in flavor it was a pleasure to read and one of the aspects I really appreciated was the older [47 y.o.] having a chance to get to know and appreciate his younger [17 y.o.] self in a very different and interesting manner.

I agree! Excellent idea! This will encourage me to read all of Austen's works.

A large portion of my books are second hand. If you only buy ones in good condition and not split or stained and look as good as new, why pay full price if you can buy it for a fraction? I have found Amazon Marketplace to be a good source of second hand books. The dealers have to be truthful about the condition of the books because if they get too many complaints against them, there are repercussions for them. The one time I received a book that was crummy when it was supposed to be "like new" I complained and Amazon refunded my money both for the book and postage. Of course I would rather be able to get out to the store myself, but I can't always, so I rely on Amazon a great deal and their rating system has proved dependable.

Having just finished Reading Lolita in Tehran I have Pride and Prejudice next on my hit list to read, so yes I would be interested in at least some of them. I've wanted to read them for years anyhow and somehow have never gotten around to it, even though I have all six in one of those Penguin editions. I've had it [i just checked the date written inside] since February, 1984. Alas, I have ordered a new copy, this one is moth eaten. :blush:

Oh that is a lovely site! No, I order the Harrogate from Teadog, originally I'd bought it through Amazon, but then they are rather spotty about carrying it, and Teadog advertised on Amazon, so that is how I found them. I don't really like fruity teas, I mostly drink the plain black tea, and occasionally a plain green or white tea. But I do like it strong and bitter.

For years a friend had been telling me that the loose tea was far superior. I laughed at him. /sigh/ Well, he was right. Much richer flavor. I've bought a couple of those iron teapots, and the ones I bought have a stainless steel strainer that really keeps the tea clear from debris. If you search enough, they go on sale at Amazon or Republic of Tea every so often and are well worth having.

Taylors of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast Tea black, no sugar or milk The best!

I do have a ton of unread TBR books, and I'd hate to not finish all of them, but otoh, if I finish...I'll just have to buy more, so there will always be unread books in Mt. TBR. Gosh, at least I hope so! As far as what happens to my books if I croak, well, that is why we have Wills, yes? Decide who you want to have your books, and take care of it!

Well for now at least, and the foreseeable future I am finished with Irene Nemirovsky. Just finished her bio by Johathan Weiss, and while it is well written it doesn't have the "heart" I would expect of a bio of this woman. It is dry, although really without much paper on it's subject, it could not help but be so. I found it to be more conjecture than fact as far as her personal feelings.

Skipped my usual Weetabix biscuits and cream cheese this morning, finished up some cream of chicken soup [from last night] and then on to peanut butter and butter on oatmeal toast with tea.