Monday, May 27, 2013

Bad Bloggers - 5/27/13

OMG, I just realized today that it's been almost TWO MONTHS since I've posted a Bad Bloggers post. That's two months worth of books that have come into the house that I haven't told you about and that I haven't spread blame for. Believe it or not, it's actually not as bad as it could be. I've managed to somehow only bring 18 books into the house in the last two months! Woohoo! And I can at least blame others for some of those books :p I only remembered to post this because I decided that I hadn't been book shopping in too long so I treated myself to a night at Barnes and Noble tonight! And only walked out with two books :) So let's get this party started.

1. Before and Afterlives by Christopher Barzak - I've been eagerly anticipating this book ever since I first heard about it's publication :) I love Barzak's short stories and here's a collection of just that. And isn't that an awesome cover too? In June, Debi and I are focusing on LGBT lit for our themed reading month, so I've put this on the pile as I'm sure there are a few stories at least with some lgbt characters! (Bought it)

2. The Round House by Louise Erdrich - I don't even remember what this one is about, but I remember that Beth Fish made me want to read it and for that, she gets a point :) (Paperback Swap)

3. Bodily Secrets by William Trevor - This gets added to the ever growing Penguin collection..it's part of their "Great Loves" series. (Paperback Swap)





4. Unnatural Creatures by Neil Gaiman - I can't believe I haven't finished this book yet! In fact, I haven't gotten any further in it than where I left it at the end of the readathon....really need to get back to it. It's an anthology of stories that Gaiman hand selected. What I've read so far has been great! (Bought it)

5. Mortal Sins: Sex, Crime and the Era of Catholic Scandal by Michael D'Antonio - I don't know if "looking forward to" is the right word for this book because it shouldn't be a topic that ever had to be written about, but I'm very interested in reading this book. I heard about it on NPR and it sounds like a well researched and much needed book. (Bought it)

6. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris - It's new Sedaris...had to get it. Loved it. (Bought it)
  
7. Natural Fashion by Hans Silvester - This is a book that I've literally been wanting for YEARS! I'm so glad that I finally bought it because it's an amazing and beautiful book. Carole McDonnell told me about this photographer and this tribe years ago when I first met her and for that she gets a point. You can read my thoughts on the book here. (Bought it)

8. A Confession by Leo Tolstoy - Another one for the Penguin collection...this one from the Penguin Great Ideas series (Paperback Swap)

9. Lamby by Nikki Polidori - Here's a book that I REALLY need to review!! I don't do many review books anymore, but this was one I specifically asked for when I got an email about it. Nikki Polidori tells the story of her son's constant battle with the medical system and his own health and her refusal to give up in getting him the treatment that he needed when there were seemingly no answers. I can relate to that SO much. My migraines are NOTHING compared to what her and her son have gone through, but the run around with doctors, the constant referrals from one doctor to the next...this was a really excellent read and I WILL tell you about it soon. (Review copy)






10. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan - My dear friend Pat knows how to take care of me :p For my birthday, I got a super sweet card from her and not one but TWO books in like new condition from her that she had reviewed that had gone straight onto my wishlist afterwards! This was one of them! It's such a gorgeous cover, isn't it?? Point to Pat! (Gift from a friend)

11. The Apothecary by Maile Meloy - And here's the other beauty that she sent me :) This is another absolutely gorgeous book with gorgeous illustrations to go along :) Can't wait to read these!! And yet another point to Pat :p (Gift from a friend)

12. High Fidelity by Nick Hornby - Woohoo! I get to pass out blame for three books in a row! This one's blame goes to a new friend! I met my friend Ante through Postcrossing :) Yet another way that the online world has bettered my life. Since meeting him we've exchanged numerous emails talking about things we love and share in common. He read this book and of course I knew of the book, but never really had any interest in reading it until he was telling me about it and he mailed me copy! All the way from Croatia! I'm excited to read it now :) And he's getting a point for it too...so a point to Ante :) (Gift from a friend)





13. Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman - This is such a beautifully designed little book. It's a quick read, but an important one and makes a fantastic gift for recent graduates or anyone really. It's just good life advice, whether you're an artist or not. Yet another one that I have to review soon. (Bought it)

14. Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan - I bought this one at my local independent bookshop, Octavia Books. I was there look for Raven Girl and stumbled upon a copy of this one, which I wanted anyway, that was signed by both authors!! So I had to get it :p (Bought it)

15. Raven Girl by Audrey Niffenegger - And another one that I still have to review. If I told you the premise of this book you'd probably say "what the fuck?!" As you probably would for most Audrey Niffenegger books now that I think about it. But it works beautifully just as Niffenegger does with most of her tales. I'll tell you all about it soon, I promise. (Bought it)



16. This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer Smith - I remember Lu reading this one recently and her love of the book was SO infectious while she was reading it that when I saw it tonight at Barnes and Noble I just had to pick it up. I think I'm actually going to dive into this one tonight :) Point to Lu! (Bought it)

17. The First Rule of Swimming by Courtney Angela Brkic - I read Amy's review of this book late last night/early this morning before I went to bed and knew right after reading it that I wanted to read this book! So I went onto my Nook to download it and saw it doesn't come out until tomorrow. But I preordered it so I should get it at Midnight tonight :) Not only does the story sound great, but much of the backstory takes place in Croatia from what I understand and I've been enjoying learning about Croatia through Ante recently, so I'm looking forward to this book! Point to Amy! (Bought it)

18. Book of Blues by Jack Kerouac - And finally, a book of poetry by Jack Kerouac...I was in the mood for some poetry tonight and while browsing the poetry section at Barnes and Noble tonight, this caught my eye. Poetry and Kerouac is a really good combination. (Bought it)




9 comments:

Megan said...

LOL - it's pretty funny when you start thinking that 18 books in 2 months isn't many, right? And I do! That's impressive! I've been good about not bringing in an awful lot of paper books lately, but my Kindle's gotten a little out of control. But library book sale season cometh, so who knows what will happen to me now? LOL

Anyhow, looks like you've accumulated a lot of quality reading these past two months. Enjoy! =)

Debi said...

Chris! I am sooooo impressed!!! Just 18 books in two months---that may be a record for you, my dear!!! And as always, it looks like the ones you've picked up are pretty darn awesome---and that's what really matters. :D

Btw, SOOOOOOOO EXCITED for glbt month!!! :D

Andi said...

So many good-lookin' books!

DesLily said...

wow! I don't think I've ever gotten 2 points in one post before! LOL.. I am always glad to add to ones compulsions!

I think I have 2 or 4 more to post about that came into my dinky apartment *sigh* I wish I read faster!

Snowball said...

I just had to laugh about 'only 18' books. I'm surrounded by people who react, when confronted by a book, the same as vampires when confronted by a cross. Unfortunately, most folks don't read that in a year. (Sorry, frustrated reading teacher at the end of the school year.)

The only Kerouac poetry I have is a book of haiku. I need to do some searching.

Bookfool said...

I'm stunned that you didn't already have a copy of High Fidelity. That is a GREAT book, better than the movie if you ask me. And, so very British. I wish the movie had been as British as the book.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Chris! SO MANY really really cool book covers! Too many to comment on. Happy book collecting and i look forward to some of the reviews you teased about.

Nan said...

I loved The Apothecary, and the followup book, The Apprentices, is just out.
Have you seen the movie of High Fidelity? I'm very fond of it, and of the book.

Carole McDonnell said...

wow!!! So glad you got that photo book! Thanks for the point.

Do I ever steer you wrong?
:-) <3
-C