Recently, my favourite charity shop in my neighbourhood, the Shaw Trust, is putting up a 50p book sales. Even if there is no sale, I got all my used books from here at £1. This is what I have got on my last two hauls.
(From top to bottom, L to R):
Japanese in 30 days – Although I know I am not going to learn Japanese in 30 days, I can stop myself from snapping this up for a NEW 2-CDs and workbook set. Yes it is new. I can safely say the previous owner hasn’t learnt Japanese in 30 days either. That applies to me. Oh… How difficult it is for me to learn another language at this point now!
Seville & Andalusia and Provence & the Côte D’Zur – These two DK travel guides seems too good to give them a miss, the two places that I most wanted to visit (besides Moscow, Italy, Paris, Loire Valley, Switzerland the list goes on..) Although they are old editions but the virtue of DK beautiful illustration and explanation of relics, history and historical sites will never change, will they?
Thriving on vague objectives – Dilbert comics – sigh… that sounds like me, thriving on vague objectives…. but I could always count on Scott Adams to give me a few laughs on the idiocy of the corporate world!
South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami – Hooray!!! Imagine how elated I was when I found this at the sales!! I have been looking high and low for it and I almost miss this because of its black spine. I am chuffed to find this on a quality paperback edition. 🙂
The Lost Dog by Michelle De Kretser – The book made it to Man Booker long list in 2008. De Kretser is new to me and I would love to hear the amalgamation of both Sri Lankan and Australian voices.
The Third Reich at War by Richard Evans –Richard John Evans DLitt FRHistS FRSL FLSW FBA (born 1947) is a British academic and historian, prominently known for his history of Germany. He is currently the Regius Professor of Modern History and Chairman of the Faculty of History at the University of Cambridge. A 764-page history book going for 50p is such a great shame if I don’t pick this up. It is a very detailed and military history account of the WWII, one that may draw grimaces at the prospect of reading war books; but I feel I should have a good understanding of this period’s history and its direct (or indirect) influence in shaping of current international policies, especially the Europeans.
I thought it was a very generous book sales and if it is not because I exercised a certain amount of self restraint, I would have brought home a carton of books.
Speaking of generosity, 2 weeks ago I visited Waterstones and decided to sign up for membership. Although I buy many of my books online, Waterstones supplies new ideas and wonderful opportunity to feel the new releases on my hand that I need. Waterstones also give out free copies of its quarterly literary magazine to its members. The magazine contains 100+ reviews of books and new releases, including exclusive interviews of book authors, and I love it very much. In this Autumn’s edition, Daivd Grossman and his critically acclaimed new novel – “To The End of the Land” is the main feature.
On top of that, I was given a free book “The One from the Other” by Philip Kerr. These are just the little things that can made a person’s day and it made mine, for that day I wore a silly grin on my face just thinking of the kind gesture Waterstones have extended to me. 🙂
JoV's Book Pyramid 
What a great haul, Jo! 🙂 Good luck with starting Japanese! South of the Border, West of the Sun is actually the only Murakami I’ve read! It wasn’t perfect, but I enjoyed it. Oh, I miss Waterstones!
Posted by Bina | November 21, 2010, 1:08 pmThanks Bina! About Japanese, not anytime soon and Waterstones is available online. 😉
Posted by JoV | November 21, 2010, 3:27 pmgreat books at a wonderful price
Posted by Mel u | November 21, 2010, 1:29 pmThanks Mel!
Posted by JoV | November 21, 2010, 3:25 pmHa ha – I think I would need the version Japanese in Thirty YEARS!
Posted by rhapsodyinbooks | November 21, 2010, 1:37 pmJill, LOL… I think I need that too – Japanese in 30 years Ha ha! 😉
Posted by JoV | November 21, 2010, 3:25 pmI buy most of my books online as well. The thing is, the price is quite expensive for me. Sigh..
Posted by Puspa | November 21, 2010, 3:51 pmPushpa, is there a market of used book at where you live? It would slice off a big chunk of your expenses, not to mention it is a greener option! 😉
Posted by JoV | November 21, 2010, 5:14 pmIf only I have such bookstores or sales near my place.. Haha..
Posted by Marvin | November 21, 2010, 4:39 pmMarvin, 🙂
Posted by JoV | November 21, 2010, 5:15 pmClaire, from kissacloud, gave me The Lost Dog years ago when I won it from her post. I still haven’t read it, but it looks marvelous.
Too bad we can’t learn Japanese in thirty days. I bought a CD of Russian music which had never been listened to, but I love it. I would have bought the Japanese language tapes, as well.
Posted by Bellezza | November 22, 2010, 12:11 amBellezza, I suppose if I’m caught in a situation where I have to live in Japan for 30 days, I might be able to find the urgent need to learn basic conversational Japanese to get around. 😉 I hope you get to read The Lost Dog soon, it looks like an easy read.
Posted by JoV | November 22, 2010, 8:55 amCongratulations on finding a Murakami book in a charity shop – that is a rare find 🙂 I hope that you enjoy it.
Good luck learning Japanese – I have a few friends who have moved out to Japan they all say that learning to speak Japanese is quite easy – it is the reading and writing that is tricky. Let us know how you get on.
Posted by Jackie (Farm Lane Books) | November 22, 2010, 1:45 pmJackie, thank you. That Murakami find really made my day! I’ll definitely keep everyone posted on learning the language. 😉
Posted by JoV | November 22, 2010, 10:11 pmMurakami’s South of the border… is really great! Nice blog by the way.
Posted by Touloulou | November 24, 2010, 6:04 pmTouloulou, thanks for stopping by! Yes, I anticipate the South of the border… to be a great read!
Posted by JoV | November 25, 2010, 9:10 am