It has been exactly one month and one day since I visited Half Price Books and for me, that's great. I also had a February coupon that I didn't want to waste so I finally went and here are the goods listed from top to bottom:
Farewell Summer, Ray Bradbury: Ever since this video I've been meaning to read more Bradbury.
Everything is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer: I loved loved loved Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. In fact it was my favorite read of 2010. I could not be more excited about this one.
The Razor's Edge, W. Somerset Maugham: I read The Painted Veil in January and fell in love with Maugham. Many readers recommended this title after reading my review of The Painted Veil.
The Game, A. S. Byatt: I've never read any Byatt and thought this would be a good place to start since it's one of her earlier works.
Falling Man, Don DeLillo: I read White Noise in college and have yet to revisit DeLillo. This one is listed in my 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die book so I think it's going to be good.
Mr. Muo's Traveling Couch, Dai Sijie: I loved Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress and after reading the synopsis of this one I'm guessing it will be great as well.
East of Eden, John Steinbeck: I've had this one on my TBR forever but have been hesitant to press go because of it's daunting size. I decided I'm going to tackle it in '11.
Don't be intimidated by East of Eden. It is long, but it is a pleasurable read.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenna
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a really good selection. I read the Razor's Edge last year and really enjoyed it. Maugham's style works for me. I look forward to your review on the Don DeLillo. I think he might be an author who's books are very different to each other. I read The Body Artist and Cosmopolis last year. I liked The Body Artist more, but Cosmopolis was memorable for its brutal style and unlikeable protagonist. He is an interesting writer for sure.
I love Byatt and Everything is Illuminated. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteBrenna, what a great haul! I love Everything is Illuminated - its an excellent book! Hope you enjoy it! Looking forward to your upcoming posts about all of these amazing reads.
ReplyDeleteEast of Eden - easily in my top five favorite books ever. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteNice haul! I look forward to reading your thoughts on your new books, especially Everything is Illuminated and East of Eden
ReplyDeleteOooh! I'm excited about your books! I loved Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles, but I haven't read any of his work in years. Must revisit. I've also been meaning to reread the Razor's Edge since we had to read it in high school -- it was one of my favorite books back then. I think you'll like it. Although lately I can only picture Larry as Bill Murray, which is a little weird. Possession by Byatt is also one of my favorite books - I have not read The Game, so I'll look forward to your assessment!
ReplyDeleteOh so many good ones here! East of Eden is amazing, and I really loved The Razor's Edge as well.
ReplyDeleteDo not wait to read East of Eden - it's right up there with Steinbeck's best... and one of my favourites.
ReplyDeleteMy review here: http://eclectic-indulgence.blogspot.com/2008/10/east-of-eden-john-steinbeck.html
LBC, Thanks! Good to know.
ReplyDeleteMel, I've only read one DeLillo but I'm excited for Falling Man. Also, did you know they are going to make a movie for Cosmopolis staring Robert Pattenson?
Nymeth, Yay! Can't wait.
Nadia, I think I'm looking forward to Everything Is Illuminated the most.
Sara, That seems to be the consensus. I'm so happy I bought it.
Red, I'll be reading Everything Is Illuminated soon!
ReplyDeleteZeteticat, I almost bought Possession but then I decided to read one of her earlier works first since it's my first Byatt. I think then I'll hit Possession.
L.L., I feel like I'm the last one to read Razor's Edge!
Eclectic, Ok I won't wait and I'll check out your review! Thanks.
I see Bradbury
ReplyDeleteI see DeLillo
I see Steinbeck
I also foresee a lot of fun readings in the future. Good catches. I will also back up Zeteticat by saying "Martian Chronicles" was amazing.
What a haul! I've read a lot of Bradbury and a few by Byatt, but neither of the two you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI've read The Razor's Edge, but not The Painted Veil. From what I've heard, Razor is the more introspective of the two, which can be grating at times.
Falling Man was interesting to read close to Extremely Loud because they both focus on 9/11.
East of Eden is brilliant and has one of the most villainous characters ever.
I've read Everything is Illuminated and actually liked Extremely Loud more. Both are good though and I can't wait to hear what you think.
Happy reading!
I also have Everything is Illuminated on my TBR pile after completing Extremely Loud. Enjoy East of Eden, it's my favorite Steinbeck book :)
ReplyDeleteI've been hankering after a copy of East of Eden after I saw the movie a couple of years ago. I can't wait to read your thoughts on it. :)
ReplyDeleteFalling Man IS good - probably not as good as White Noise, but still very readable.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, as everyone else has said, Everything Is Illuminated is friggin' amazing.
I hope you love East of Eden! It's such a great read.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope you are not incredibly underwhelmed by Falling Man. That first chapter is pure gorgeousness, but the rest of the novel does not live up to it!
I am new to your blog, Brenna - I discovered it through Nymeth's blog and it looks wonderful! I love the creative touches that you have given to your blog - like for example 'Morsels of love' - it sounds so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour new acquisitions are wonderful! Ray Bradbury's 'Dandelion Wine' is one of my alltime favourite books and I got to know that 'Farewell Summer' is the sequel to that. Hope you enjoy reading it. Would love to hear your thoughts on it. 'The Razor's Edge' is one of my alltime favourite books. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Hope you enjoy reading your new acquisitions!
Excellent selection. I really want to try Foer. Everything is Illuminated is on my very soon tbr list.
ReplyDeleteMonica
How're you liking Everything is Illuminated? I found it to be quite a bit different from EL&IC. Not particularly in a bad way, but maybe in that it's a bit more abstract than EL&IC. I think I actually liked the movie better than the book...
ReplyDeleteI recently bought my first AS Byatt, too!