BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

[osprey_archer]

We're doing a Secret Santa at work, and my recipient made the mistake of requesting something "readable."

"TIME FOR A TRIP TO THE BOOKSTORE!" I yelled, silently inside my head, and hied myself to the nearest Half Price Books to get the most bang for the $15 spending limit.

I got three books! Including two beautiful hardcovers. One of which was a beautiful copy of Code Name Verity, ON CLEARANCE, and while it hurts my soul to see Code Name Verity clearanced at least I will be sending it to a new and hopefully loving home.

Other finds include The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - it occurs to me, rather belatedly, that this is a lot of World War II; I do hope she likes that - and Zilpha Keatley Snyder's The Egypt Game, because everyone's life is improved by having The Egypt Game in it.

Also, it was the only Zilpha Keatley Snyder book they had. I have been trawling the stores for ages looking for a copy of The Changeling, without any luck. Also hard to find: Elizabeth Marie Pope's The Perilous Gard. I have had this book stolen from me twice, because whenever I lend it out to people they fall so in love with it that (one can but presume) they forget that it isn't actually theirs.

Comments

[sartorias]

I won't let my copies of The Changeling or The Perilous Gard out of my house.

[osprey_archer]

I mean honestly, that seems fair. I've lost at least one copy of The Changeling, too. But then I found a signed copy in a Goodwill, which does not leave my side, so I came out ahead on that one.

[sovay]

Other finds include The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - it occurs to me, rather belatedly, that this is a lot of World War II; I do hope she likes that

I was really surprised and pleased by that book. It had a whimsical title and a premise that could easily have gone twee (German occupation notwithstanding) and it wasn't either of these things.

[osprey_archer]

It's so rare to find a book where the characters really talk about books - it completely delighted me. Someday I'm going to have to read Charles Lamb's essays so I can appreciate it even more.

[thisbluespirit]

I have had this book stolen from me twice, because whenever I lend it out to people they fall so in love with it that (one can but presume) they forget that it isn't actually theirs.

LOL! Clearly, the only explanation! I hope your secert santa recipient enjoys the books.

[osprey_archer]

I actually once got into an argument with a friend over whether the copy of The Changeling she had on her shelf was hers, which was only solved when I took the book off the shelf and showed her my name in the front cover. She was shocked.

I think I ended up giving it to her, because ultimately I am a pushover and everyone deserves their own copy of The Changeling.

[ladyherenya]

Code Name Verity and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society are excellent gift choices.

[osprey_archer]

Really, I feel like I can't go wrong with them. True, they are both World War II books, but they're very different otherwise, so at least one of them has to appeal to her!

[missroserose]

That happens to me with Terry Pratchett's Good Omens - I finally bought a super-nice hardcover so I'd know it wasn't for lending out.

Also, now I have a bunch more books to look up and possibly add to my to-read list. Thanks...? :D

[osprey_archer]

I would apologize, but in fact I feel no shame. Happy reading!

[missroserose]

No apologies necessary! If I didn't have a to-read list a mile long it would be a sad day. <3