Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Boots and Books

Sunday was an absolutely stunning day with people out jogging in shorts and T-shirts. I wasn't one of them but it was definitely a day to venture outside and enjoy the sunshine. R and I went to Toronto for the afternoon and browsed in an area we'd never been to before, there were quaint shops and lots of dogs milling about with their owners. We found a shop that carried Hunter boots so now I can throw my leaky wellies out in the bin. The forecast is calling for a chance of rain for the rest of the week and I couldn't be happier! I'm so enjoying No Name by Wilkie Collins that I've gone on a bit of a spree to add more of his work to my library. Don't you think it sounds nicer to say 'building a library' than 'adding it to the pile'? So I've ordered The Law and the Lady and Armadale from TBD and found a lovely copy of The Woman in White while out and about on Sunday. Everyman's has this charming edition of A Christmas Carol with a few other stories by Dickens that I didn't have and couldn't resist so I've added it to 'my library' as well. The introduction is by Margaret Atwood, I'm curious to read what she has to say about Dickens and his work. I'm not feeling terribly motivated to do anything about Christmas just yet...but I'm more than happy to read about it!
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13 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 24, 2009 at 2:58 PM

    What an inspired way of putting it. I am building a library which has yet to be shelved - not tripping over piles of old books which I buy faster than I can possibly read them!
    Wilkie Collins soon becomes an addiction, doesn't he? I read all of those back to back when I first discovered him.

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  2. StacyNovember 24, 2009 at 3:42 PM

    You are so right! Building a library sounds much nicer. Does your beautiful new edition have illustrations? I am not sure if I really want to know because then I might be tempted...ok, yes I do:) Here's hoping for rain!

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  3. CornflowerNovember 24, 2009 at 3:45 PM

    Oh yes! Building a library ....

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  4. AnonymousNovember 24, 2009 at 4:19 PM

    I am definitely building a library. I dream of floor to ceiling shelves and library steps. And maybe a knitting room. Those Everyman Editions are lovely - one of my libraries had a large number donated and they look very lovely spread over 2 bookcases.

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  5. Rachel (Book Snob)November 24, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    Yes! Building a library indeed. I have just been feeling guilty about buying books at my favourite 2nd hand book shop today but now the guilt has gone.

    I am so glad you are loving Wilkie so much that you are amassing more - I'd love to read more of his other novels too. So much to be read, so little time!

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  6. DarleneNovember 24, 2009 at 7:57 PM

    Anonymous, I can't believe that its taken me so long to discover this wonderful author but better late than never. Best of luck with your library!

    Book Psmith, Oh Stacy, I'm afraid there are illustrations. Have a peek next time you're in a bookshop!

    Cornflower, ...and a legacy!

    fleurfisher, We think a lot alike.

    Rachel, So many books, so little time...it's a reader's lament. No Name has been such a terrific introduction to Wilkie Collins, thanks for the company!

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  7. verityNovember 25, 2009 at 4:29 AM

    It's been raining incessantly here for days, but now we have sunshine - I guess it has gone your way, not that you will mind with those new boots!

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  8. DarleneNovember 25, 2009 at 8:04 AM

    verity, We've been having fog and drizzle the past couple of days, we're all very happy that it's not snow!

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  9. JoNovember 25, 2009 at 8:06 AM

    Building a Library is a brilliant way of thinking of it! I'm going to tell my son that next time he tells me I don't need any more books. Don't think he'll go for it though! ( but seeing as he's only 12, I don't have to justify myself) Lol

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  10. kristinaNovember 25, 2009 at 10:49 AM

    But what color are your new Hunters? That's very important you know!

    And I'm going to say 'building a library' from now on. It does sound so much more worthy than just 'buying books'!

    K x

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  11. DanielleNovember 25, 2009 at 11:05 AM

    I like the idea of adding to a library, too! I'm so glad you are enjoying Wilkie Collins--your posts (and Rachel's) make me want to go grab my copy now but I need to finish Elizabeth Gaskell's hefty (but enjoyable) Wives and Daughters first. Armadale is my favorite and I really enjoyed The Law and the Lady--you pretty much can't miss with his novels! And I'm with you on not being motivated about doing anything about Christmas. Can I just do all my ordering online and avoid the malls entirely? Now if I could shop in some quaint downtown shops with lovely windows that might be a different story...

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  12. DarleneNovember 25, 2009 at 2:51 PM

    Jo, He'll be glad of your 'library' when he's assigned classics to read in high school and Mum already has them! Oh, perhaps you don't want him putting your books in his backpack, goodness knows the sorts of things in there!

    Kristina, I chose classic black for my first pair...notice that I said 'first'. There's some catching up to be done to match your collection! D x

    Danielle, Shops are the way to go, I love that you get a breath of fresh air every now and then and the windows...lovely! If you order gifts for your loved ones on-line you'll miss having lunch out and chancing upon a bookshop as a reward for your efforts.

    Danielle,

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  13. DarleneNovember 25, 2009 at 2:52 PM

    Ooops, An extra 'Danielle' snuck in there!

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