So he checked out my Amazon list and decided to get me ten different books off it, focusing on the out-of-print ones we could only get used, but putting a few new ones in the mix too. He wanted me to get a package or two in the mail every day for a whole week, and it pretty well worked! I think there were only two days I didn't get a surprise from him, and some days more than one!
Top to bottom, they are:
Aspects of the Novel by E. M. Forster -- sooooo looking forward to digging into this once my writing/revising hangover passes.
The Silent Gondoliers by William Goldman -- this is supposed to be very funny, and it's from the guy who wrote The Princess Bride and set up in the same way, ie that it was originally told by S. Morgenstern.
Westward the Women by Nancy Wilson Ross -- I'd kind of forgotten this was on my wish list. I'm curious as to whether it bears any resemblance to the movie of the same name.
Lark Rise to Candleford: A Trilogy by Flora Thompson -- I've heard a lot about this trilogy, and more about the TV show based on it, and I'm hoping it'll be really fun.
Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson -- obviously, a prequel to Anne of Green Gables, but other than that, I can't remember what I've heard about it, or even where. I'm hoping to read this during My Year with Anne, if I can squeeze it in.
The Quest for Shakespeare by Joseph Pearce -- someone's attempt to figure out what Shakespeare was really like, I think.
The Lavender Cookbook by Sharon Shipley -- I tried cooking with lavender for the first time last year and had mixed results with recipes I found on Pinterest, so I'm hoping this will lead to more successes.
The Anne of Green Gables Treasury by Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina Wyss Eriksson -- a collection of a bunch of Anne-related stuff, like a map of Avonlea, a timeline of her life, how to do crafty activities mentioned in the books, and so on.
Tolkien's World -- a coloring book. Yes, it's true. I'm an adult colorer! One of these days, I'll do a post about all the different adult coloring books I have, and which ones I like versus which ones have disappointed me, and so on.
EDIT: I just realized I left one out! Sam absconded with it, and I forgot to get it back for the photo and post. It's Mr. Bliss by J.R.R. Tolkien -- a picture book about a man in a tall hat and his yellow car, which Joseph recommended to me a while back.
I'm linking this up with Mailbox Monday, which is always such fun :-) Have you gotten any new (or at least, new to you) books lately?
Fun! Cowboy sounds like an awesome husband. :)
ReplyDeleteI read Before Green Gables a few years ago, and from what I can remember, it's an excellent prequel to the original series. Interesting plot and it sticks true to Montgomery's characters and writing style. I especially enjoyed the first bits with Anne's parents, but the whole book is great (from what I can remember - if it turns out to be blah, I'm sorry).
We own the Anne of Green Gables Treasury (I also own the Little Women Treasury by the same authors) and Mom used it as a study help when she taught AoGG to me.
~Eva
Eva, he is :-D I'm blessed.
DeletePerhaps I learned about both those Green Gables books from you and your mom, then!
I agree with Eva. "Before Green Gables" starts off very good, and it stays VERY true to the facts in Anne of Green Gables, but it does drag on a little. I do think it's worth the read though, especially if you're a fan. :-)
DeleteAnd Cowboy is awesome. :-D
Thanks, Naomi! You're both making me excited to start that one.
DeleteOh, and in answer to your question, I recently picked up a gigantic American West Encyclopedia at a used bookstore. It looks like a treasure trove of good information to use in my writing, so that's super. :)
ReplyDeleteEva, I WANT ONE. I haven't even seen it, but I want one anyway. How awesome that sounds!
DeleteI like Lark Rise to Candleford. I hope you enjoy it. And what a nice gift!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, oh good! I'm hoping I will too. I know, it's been really fun wondering what would show up next :-D
DeleteHappy belated birthday! And what a fun birthday gift - I'll have to stock up my wish list for my family ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jamie! It was really fun, all these things I've been wanting but not enough to buy them myself, hee.
DeleteOh, Aspects of the Novel is good. I asked for a copy for Christmas last year after enjoying it on my first read, and pencil-marked all my favorite passages in my own copy.
ReplyDeleteElisabeth, goodie! You're making me look forward to it even more.
DeleteWhat a great present! I've been meaning to read my copy of Aspects of the Novel for ages now, but I haven't read anything else by Forster yet and feel like I probably should do that first.
ReplyDeleteRob, I agree! I was very excited by it. The anticipation was great fun, too.
DeleteI've only read A Room with a View by Forster so far, but I looooooove it and have read it several times.
Looks like a great stack of books.
ReplyDeleteAnd so sweet about the surprises.
ENJOY!!
Have a great reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
Thanks, Elizabeth :-) It was definitely sweet!
DeleteOh that's so sweet of him!
ReplyDeleteI've kind of been dying of Tolkien's World. XD Coloring truly is the best. It's so relaxing, and I can't draw to save my life, so this way I can partake in that side of art. XD
Out of all of the books, which one were you most excited to get?
Yeah, there are some amazing Tolkien coloring books out there. And Harry Potter, too. I haven't seen any cool Narnia ones yet, though -- what's up with that?
DeleteI agree! Coloring is sort of soothing. And finishing off a picture gives me a lot of satisfaction. I can draw too, but this is something I can do in the evening when my brain is too tired to be very creative, but I don't have any crocheting or knitting projects.
I realized that I left a book off! He also got me Mr. Bliss, a picture book by J. R. R. Tolkien. My 8-year-old ran off with it when it arrived, and I need to get it back from him so I can read it myself. That's the one I was most excited to get, and also The Silent Gondoliers.
Ohhh! What a grand birthday gift Hamlette!
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I agree :-D
DeleteYour Cowboy sure sounds like a great catch!!! :-D
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to get a package every day for a week. That's such a thoughtful idea he had! And how lovely to focus on some of the out-of-print books.
I saw that photo with the stack and immediately went 'eeeEEE!' on the inside. LoL Very excited for you. It's SO much fun to get new books!
Happy late birthday once again!!
Kenia, indeed, he is!
DeleteIt's incredibly fun to have all these new books! Now to find the time to read them. Good thing my kids are almost done for school, and I'll have about 8 weeks of slightly more free time for reading and such!
And thanks :-)
What a great birthday gift...s! I try to tell my family that is what I would like but they haven't caught on yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your good fortune and Happy Reading!
Martha, what a silly family you must have! Tsk tsk. You have my sympathy!
DeleteAnd "happy reading" is one of the nicest things you can wish anyone, don't you think? Thank you!
Happy mother's day!! I hope that you are being blessed by your little ones. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura! My husband and kids came home from the grocery store with surprises: a dozen yellow roses, a big balloon, and a heart-shaped chocolate cake :-9 And all 3 kids made me gifts, too. We went out for lunch with our pastor and his family after church, which was such fun. And then I spent the afternoon picking cherry-plums, and the evening planting tomatoes, which made for such a fun day.
DeleteOh, how very exciting, Hamlette! What a sweet idea to have a package delivered every day for a week...and the titles you received are amazing! I also would like to read Lark Rise to Candleford - I started reading it but never got too much further! I actually just finished Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy - loved it...:). Happy belated birthday to you! Sending hugs your way!
ReplyDeleteKelly-Anne
Kelly-Anne, I agree. It was such a sweet idea, and totally his own.
DeleteI just watched the BBC movie version of Far from the Madding Crowd earlier this year, and wow, it's such a meaty story. I want to read the book eventually too! Isn't Gabriel Oak amazing? Wow.
Thanks for the hugs :-)
Aaah...yes! I think Oak is a truly decent fellow and a true gentleman. Hope I can meet with one of his kind...{{Smiles}}. I absolutely loved the new Far From The Madding Crowd...I just had to buy it! I still want to see the old one - apparently it focuses more on Troy... Have a blessed weekend Hamlette!
DeleteA sensible, deliberate, honorable man -- I hope you meet one too! I really want to see the new version, so maybe I'll find time this summer. Hope you're having a great week, Kelly-Anne!
DeleteCowboy is THE BEST. A whole week of getting books in the mail? What a fabulously awesome idea! I was a cowboy of my own. ;) I love the Lark Rise to Candleford show and have had a copy of the books for a few years now. Haven't read it yet though.
ReplyDeleteKara, he really is. I highly recommend having one around :-) I haven't seen Lark Rise to Candleford yet, but I've requested that my library get it, so who knows?
Delete