Sunday, November 16, 2014

Mailbox Monday

Earlier in the month I made a goal for myself to purchase less than 5 books during the month of November, and the books I do purchase, they must be used.

I'm doing great with the used portion of my goal, but the only 5 books portion? Not so much.

Between Friday and Sunday I visited Half Price Books twice due to their big 40-50% off coupons that were out. Here's what I purchased ...

First, let me tell you a story...

Friday night Tracey Garvis Graves was going to be at Beaverdale Books for a signing (she's from Ankeny) and I was really excited to meet her! I loved On the Island and it's sequel (a novella) called Unchartered. I didn't love Covet, but it wasn't terrible by any means!

So, I planned to go and get my book signed. Then, I realized that I didn't read OTI as a physical book. I owned the ebook. Can't really get an ebook signed!! So, I hopped over to Half Price Books in hope that they would have a cheap copy instead of dropping $14 on a book at Beaverdale Books that I had already read.

$4.50 later, I'm happy with a physical copy of OTI and headed to the signing with my mom in tow. We get up to Tracey's table and she opens my book to sign it and .... dun, dun, dun ... it's already signed.

Talk about embarrassing. I quickly made a joke about needing a copy of her book because my copy is an electronic copy and could she just sign my iPad instead? I don't think she was too amused. :(

I have been to a lot of signings, and that is only one that I wanted to crawl under the table and just die. Most embarrassing moment in A LONG TIME. 


As you can see, now my book is signed TWICE. Oops. 
Great book ... definitely worth checking out if you want a quick, easy beach read.

They were giving away these amazing cookies!
Yum. I would like another one Right. Now.


What about the second trip to HPB, you ask? Just hold your horses. I'll get there.

Friday I got a notice from the library that Shopaholic to the Stars was available for me to pick up. When I  got to the library, I had two more holds also waiting for me. Will I get to these before they're due? Probably not. However, I am sure I'll read the Shopaholic book. I can't remember the last book in that series that I actually liked, but I can't help it. I love me some Becky Bloomwood and just keep hoping ...

Maybe I can squeeze in The Vacationers over Thanksgiving break. I have heard it's good!
 My second trip to HPB was to find a copy of The Indian in the Cupboard for our next read aloud in my classroom. We are getting close to wrapping up Wonder by RJ Palacio (sob!) and the kids have LOVED it so much. I know I need something amazing to follow it up. They are loving the realistic fiction, but I know I need to mix up some genres, so a fantasy book it is!

The Indian in the Cupboard was huge when I was a kid, but I'm not going to tell the kids that ... I'll let them think it's new. As soon as they catch wind that it is an "old" book, it's like all appeal is GONE. Poof. Just like that.

Makes me crazy.

I also picked up a copy of The Devil's Arithmetic (never read it) and Tatiana  De Rosnay's newest (used my 50% off coupon on that one). I adored Sarah's Key, so I am hopeful that her newest is just as good.

This weekend I also read an entire book (which I will be talking about on Friday). What an amazing, bookish weekend! Perfect for the weekend where we got our first significant snow.

What books have you picked up recently?

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Had to laugh at the book already being signed. Too funny!

Shoshanah said...

I actually enjoyed the new Shopaholic book far more than I expected to. Going into it I felt a little over Kinsella, but I feel a little renewed. I actually haven't read her most recent books, and after finishing it now want to.

And I loved The Indian in the Cupboard books growing up! I actually have the whole series here (at least I'm pretty sure I do...) and have been thinking about rereading them all lately. And seeing you picked the first one up only makes me want to make it happen more!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Oh man, I feel so bad for you about the book signing! :( What are the chances that would happen? Sorry you felt embarrassed - that is an awful way to feel but the author should understand! That is one big downside to having the eBook!

I hope your kids like The Indian in the Cupboard! I loved that book, too!

This week I bought GI Brides because it was $1.99 on the nook and I picked up Us from the library! I might have to request the de Rosnay book from the library. I loved Sarah's Key but really disliked her next book so I fear that Sarah's Key was a one hit wonder...

Nora said...

I have The Hurricane Sisters borrowed (eBook) from my library, and the Vacationers, too, but it's due back next Monday and I doubt I'll get to it. I am the queen of requesting books/borrowing them and not finishing them. I tend to alternate between reading an eBook, then back to physical book, and then back to eBook, etc. etc.

Sorry about the book signing mix-up! I would be flattered that you bought the book to have me sign it, especially since you also have the eBook.

Unknown said...

Your story about your book signing mix-up is hilarious and completely made my day. :)

Also, I hate to say that I didn't love Wonder as much as I feel like I should have. I heard so many great things, but I didn't like it as much. It was good, but I think I got too built up.

Unknown said...

Yay for finally being able to comment with my new account! :)

San said...

Oh my, what a coincidence that your book was already signed... but I am surprised that the author didn't just laugh it off ;)

I just joined the postalbookclub (organized by Kathleen (Kapachino)) and I got my first book in the mail. It's the first (physical) book I've gotten in a long time.