Monday, February 15, 2010

Best book haul ever!

Whenever I have Sundays off Cy and I do pretty much the same thing. We get up (usually hungover, and this past weekend was no different) and sometimes go to church (although, I don't think we have been together since before Christmas) and then we go get some breakfast or lunch.

After that we go to Half Price Books. Ahhhhhh, heaven on Earth.

I introduced Cy to this store when we met and it's become sort of a tradition for us. First we walk over to the "newer" section, then to the dvds and then we usually separate. I go to the fiction section and he goes to the section with the biographies on US presidents.

This time I finished shopping first and headed over to find Cy. I got distracted though... I was distracted by.... A NEW FICTION SECTION! (Yes, that deserved to be shouted) There were two glorious sections full of books that I had been pining for. Usually I'm pretty unimpressed with their selection, but this time I was like a kid in a candy store. I don't know where these came from! I know they turn a lot of people away that try to sell books because they just don't have the space for it, so I'm wondering if these were stored somewhere? This particular location of Half Price Books is actually moving to a larger space down the street soon and I cannot wait!

I was in the section for a good 20-25 minutes and since it was new Cy didn't know where I was. He said he circled the store at least two times before finding me. Once he did his eyes about bugged out of his head because I had an armful of books. I put some back though...

Here is what I decided needed to come home with me:

Two books by Nicholas Sparks. Since, you know, my love for Mr. Sparks has been restored.
The Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky. Shannon was reading this last week and raved about it, so when I saw it I knew I had to buy it.
I bought Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld since the copy I read was borrowed from the library. Curtis Sittenfeld has become one of my absolute favorite authors and I hate that she only has three titles out. I want more from her!
Then I bought Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult replacing the copy I bought when it first came out. I lent it to a friend and never got it back. :( Don't you hate that? That's the worst thing you can do to a booklover.
I have been buying books like crazy lately. Last year I did so good on my "no buying books" commitment and so far in 2010 I have probably bought more books than I bought in all of 2009! Sigh.

I seriously cannot stop thinking about this new section of the store. It was awesome! Think lots of chick lit and popular contemporary authors... I considered going back again today, but I think five books is plenty.

Do you buy or borrow more? Do you have a Half Price Books near you?

18 comments:

Lesli said...

Well, lately I have been trying to use the Public Library with my no spending.

We do have Half Price Books here--I can think of two off-hand.

I haven't bought any books all year--gosh, can that even be true? I think it is!

Am saving my B&N gift card for one or two books that will be coming out this spring such as Jennifer Lancaster's new book.

Happy Reading!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

My BFF is the Nicholas Sparks junkie! Let me know how Prep is! I loved American Wife, but have heard it's not as good! xoe

Jamie said...

I've read At First Sight before and it was pretty good. You'll have to let us know how The Lucky One is!

Leigh Hutchens Burch said...

I went to my 1/2 Price Books after work on Friday night - because I am a winner.

So far, I've spent about 60 bucks there this year on about 15 books. I have this sick desire to buy all 100 books I plan to read in 2010, so I can line them up for a group photo come December.

I do not know if my budget will allow it.

I'm going to have to make a carboard sign and stand in the road:

WILL WORK FOR BOOKS.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I dream of dating a guy that would enjoy a ritual like that! That is so neat!

I don't think I have bought a single book for myself this year. I have multiple shelves of books that I previously bought & haven't read so I have told myself that I can't buy any books until I have read the ones I own!!

P said...

I buy pretty much all my books off amazon marketplace since I can get used copies for cheap there - love it! It's one of the best things about online shopping EVER!

Everything's Rosey said...

we have a fantastic library system where I live, so I tend to only borrow. once in a while I buy- but not often. I love to read, but I don't usually want to read the book more than once, so I am content to read it and pass it along. Plus, I don't want to find places for all my books! haha! We have ENOUGH books as it is!! :-P
Thanks for some new titles to look for!!!
Right now I am reading Beth Harbison's books. I checked all her's out and have them in a stack by my bed. they are fun reads!!

Anonymous said...

The Lucky One is SUCH a good book! I loved it!

Anonymous said...

At First Sight was a good book, but I haven't read The Lucky One yet - it's on my bookshelf waiting for me though!

I hope you love Family Tree - it was such a page turner!! The last few chapters are a little predictable, but I still LOVED the book!!

Suz said...

The only one I have read on there is Prep and it was pretty good. The other ones look good too! I am going to have to add them to my wishlist.

I get almost all of my books from paperbackswap.com. We don't have a half price bookstore which is a shame because I love shopping for books!

And I agree with Lisa...a guy that enjoys a ritual like that is a real find! I want one!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

The Lucky One is my FAVORITE book by Sparks. And I'm currently reading at First Sight. Have you read True Believer because that's the first book to At First Sight.

Kara said...

I think I borrow more than I buy, but I do have a quaint little collection. I lent out one of my favourite non-fiction books and never got it back! It's soooo irritating and I should've known better because she's flakey. :(

There is no Half Price books store here but there's a lot of second-hand ones. I really should look in them more often because it's great finding a good, cheap book!

And I've never read any Nicolas Sparks! I want to read Dear John, but it has the characters from the movie on it now. Not cool.

Anonymous said...

You got a GREAT haul!!! :) Prep is one of my favorite novels!

CIP said...

Yay for finding great books!

Shoshanah said...

I definitely buy, which probably isn't the best idea monetarily. But I love being able to keep the books I love. And while I like the idea of lending books to other books, there are several books that I've lent to people, that I've never gotten back. And is still makes me a little sad inside. Especially when you've lost touch with the person you lent them too

marisol said...

Holy moly... hope we get some reviews on these books.

p S h A o R t A o said...

Ahhh I miss half price! I grew up with one within five minutes from my house my whole life. Ever since I moved to the north, I've been reading less. I did discover a public library super close to me so I'm thinking of getting a library card and getting into reading again.

A friend of mine raved about 'Nineteen Minute'. We have a similar interest in what we read, so I've been wanting to read that! That would definitely make a good incentive :)

Elizabeth said...

I Love the book Prep! I need to read some of the other books you mentioned- they sound intriguing!
I am glad you found so many great reads!

Check out my blog when you get a chance- I tagged you for an award!