Books, books and more books

Ooooh, I’ve been book shopping. I wiped out the knowledge of my towering ‘To Be Read’ pile at home and bought some more. (I was in Asia Books this time (not Kinokuniya) and they had an offer of ‘buy three get a fourth free’ – so really who could resist?)

I’ve bought:

My Favourite Wife by Tony Parsons
I bought this because it’s about an expat family in Shanghai. (Research, you see! Know your market: recognise your work in the context of the modern publishing industry… persuaded?) And anyway, I like his books … although I do get him terribly mixed up with Nick Hornby.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
I’m almost too ashamed to say out loud that I have never even seen the film. *flinches while everyone shouts in disbelief.* I know, I know, it’s shocking.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
I first heard about this book from Liz Novel Racer Fenwick. And I’ve continued to be told what a good read it is. I didn’t bother to read the blurb and still have no idea what it’s about.

Marley & Me by John Grogan
What can I say about this? Animal stories aren’t really my thing but it does have a cute Labrador on the jacket, I grew up with yellow and black labs and I keep seeing it on library thing on the blogs. I read the blurb and thought it would make some nice light reading. I've just finished this; it made me laugh out loud.

Afterwards by Rachel Seiffert
I thought this was a wildcard until I read about the author inside the jacket, but that was after I got it home. I was attracted initially by the cover (YUP), read the blurb and committed. She was Booker shortlisted with her first novel The Dark Room and Granta have named her ‘Best of Young British Novelists.’ Not really a wildcard then.

Yes, I know I bought five when the offer was for three/four, but I chose Afterwards as a fourth and then when I decided on Marley and Me as well, I found I couldn’t put Afterwards back on the shelf… cos, well, they were restacking the shelves and there was no longer any space left, so I had to get that too. See?