Thursday, March 12, 2015

Locust Grove Spring Used Book Sale 2015

I kept telling myself I wasn't going to go shopping at the semi-annual used book sale sponsored by Locust Grove Historic Home last weekend. I haven't even read all the books I bought at the Summer Sale. Well, you can guess how that conversation ended. 

I broke down on Sunday and went (I blame it on cabin fever due to the snow) and it turns out everything was half price which only made the selection more enticing. 

Here are my finds:

Coronation Summer by Angela Thirkell

There were quite a few Thirkell's this time. I don't believe I have seen any on offer at previous sales. I bought this one because I love the cover. The coronation in the title is that of Queen Victoria in 1838 and is the story of a young girl's trip to London to witness the festivities.
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The Beside 'Guardian': Number 8

On the last Grand Southern Literary Tour I scored several Beside 'Guardian' books from the 1970s and '80s. This much earlier volume includes articles from 1958-59 and has a forward and selections from Alistair Cooke which meant that I absolutely had to have it.
**

Hunting Season by Andrea Camilleri

Once again, I was attracted by a colorful cover. This is a mystery story that takes place in Italy. How could I go wrong?
The author writes the popular Inspector Montalbano series (Full Disclosure: none of which I have read). 
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Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper
by Harriet Scott Chessman

This novel paints a portrait of American artist Mary Cassatt from the view of her sister (and model) Lydia. There are five color portraits of Lydia reproduced here. Even if I don't read the book, just think how lovely it will be sitting on my bedside table or at my desk.
** 

The Cat-Nappers by P.G. Wodehouse

Wodehouse! Need I explain?
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14 comments:

  1. Nice selection of books...especially the Thirkell and the Lydia Cassat book. (I can never resist book sales either...even though I have too many unread books sitting on my shelves.) Happy Reading!

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    1. I have way too many books sitting on my shelves, Lark, unread and forlorn. It doesn't seem to stop me from buying more though. I just like having books around!

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  2. Wodehouse! No, no need for explanations. I've read Lydia Cassat Reading the Morning Paper, and quite enjoyed it. The others do look irresistible, too. (I probably would have planned to go to the sale all along! I missed my library's yearly book sale for a horse event that I didn't want to miss and I'm still in mourning. Not, of course, that I don't already have PLENTY of books to read.)

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    1. There always seems to be a nice paperback copy of a Wodehouse at this book sale. Makes me happy to see - and buy - them. I had not heard of the Cassatt book but am planning on reading it first. It is tragic when two events concerning our passions are scheduled for the same weekend. That is just rude!

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  3. What a treasure trove! I love Thirkell, I love Camellari's Montalbano series, I have a print of Mary Cassatt's Boston Common on my bathroom wall, partly because I love Cassatt and partly because I miss Boston Common, and who doesn't love Wodehouse?! Lucky you!.

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    1. I do feel, Joan, that I found some gems. I too love Mary Cassatt and anyway, how could I resist a book with a woman reading on the cover? I am glad to get your recommendation on the Montalbano series. As you know, I do love a mystery.I will give it a try.

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  4. Oh sure Belle......"I blame it on cabin fever due to the snow" yes we book hounds will find any excuse......! I do like your finds by the by my local library book sale is on this this Saturday and since I have to go to the village anyway to get a prescription filled I may as well drop in to the library and see what is going on plus I haven't seen the new chairs they bought, and I have a book to return ....and to celebrate the time change and that lovely Crocus I saw yesterday...so......yes I WILL attend the book sale!

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    1. Well, Tullik, you found me out. Any excuse is right. Hope your trip to the village and the book sale is successful. I am sure the new chairs are lovely and yes, you must see them. Good for you for making up your mind ahead of time!

      I love that you even have a village to go to! I did see a lavender crocus yesterday so good weather can't be far behind. However, I am not one to celebrate Daylight Savings Time. I wish the powers that be would just leave Time alone. Good luck at the sale. Let me know what treasures you find.

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    2. Hello Belle, reporting as directed, a pretty decent selection of books overall, I spent more time saying hello to fellow book lovers all coming out of hibernation then with nose down. These are a few nice finds: "Offshore" by Penelope Fitzgerald (amazing lady who commenced writing late in life, this was awarded The Booker Prize (as it was known then)), "Still Life" by A.S. Byatt, this is number two in The Frederica Quartet, "The Virgin in the Garden" being the first in the series was wonderful, but her style can be a challenge and an acquired taste for some. I had this one on my want list but hadn't gotten around to it, "Federico Garcia Lorca: A Life" by Ian Gibson, a wonderful poet killed (Spanish Civil War) when he was far too young. Not sure I will be reading this next one right away in case there is anything too sad in there (loosing a pet is still to recent for me) "Dog Songs" by Mary Oliver and last but not least, "Laughing Gas" by P.G. Wodehouse, I always have to find a Wodehouse! By the way with all my excuses to be in the village I forget to look at the new library chairs!!

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    3. Thanks, Tullik, for the excellent report. You did find some good ones. I have only read 'The Bookshop' by Ms. Fitzgerald (no surprise there). I haven't read anything my Ms. Byatt. The Lorca biography sounds right up your alley. You loving poetry like I know you do. And, yes, it might be too soon for "Dog Songs" but it is always nice to have a Mary Oliver book of poems.

      And a Wodehouse! Aren't we lucky he was so prolific!

      I am sure the library chairs will be there next time you visit the village...just waiting for your approval. I understand how you could have missed them, being distracted as you were by so many book lovers and books.

      Happy reading!

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  5. I've not heard of Wodehouse's The Cat Nappers - must keep an eye out for that one! Some lovely covers there too.

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    1. I do love my Wodehouse! I may have read this one but who cares. He is so lively and funny his books are always worth the reread.

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  6. What lovely books you found! I've never seen Thirkell's Coronation Summer, and love the cover! The only one I've read is The Catnappers: it was my first P. G. Wodehouse. I saw him interviewed on PBS many years ago, and this may have been his current book. God only knows, it was so long ago.

    I like the sound of the Mary Cassatt novel, too.

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    1. Kat, I was excited to stumble on to 'Coronation Summer'. I hope it is as entertaining as the cover. I wonder if I can find the Wodehouse interview online somewhere? I would love to hear his voice. That will be my next project!

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