After reading of Kimbofo's success at the Borders closing down sale I thought I would visit and see what I could find. I have no business buying new books just now, I really can't afford it, but who can resist 50% off everything? Borders itself isn't closing (although I think it has just been bought over again) but they are closing five stores including the prime retail spot of Oxford Street, London, which doesn't bode well for the company really but rent of £1.9 million per year was probably a deciding factor. It fills me with sadness to see any bookshop closing but I would be more upset if it had been an independent one. However, I would have been devastated if it had been the Glasgow branch of Borders as it is a heavenly converted bank full of books, a welcome haven, and the receptacle of many fond memories.
Anyway, I made it to Borders this week before everything had disappeared and restrained myself some. If I were more financially solvent at the moment I would have stocked up on several future reads and Christmas gifts for family and friends but as it was I scanned for favourite writers (of which I have most of their books anyway and found few) and only books that were on my wishlist as I couldn't justify any indulgences. I did, however, pounce on the only Persephone book that I spied: The Far Cry by Emma Smith and am delighted to have a brand new Persephone for only £5. I settled for only one of three Esther Freud books that I haven't yet read, opting for Peerless Flats but again couldn't justify any additional ones as I recently acquired Summer at Gaglow too. I also purchased The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks, which is a book that has been on my wish-list since last November. Lastly I could not leave one loan copy of Margo Lanagan's Tender Morsels after an enthused Nymeth raved about it and the recent controversy that has ensued.
Anyway, I made it to Borders this week before everything had disappeared and restrained myself some. If I were more financially solvent at the moment I would have stocked up on several future reads and Christmas gifts for family and friends but as it was I scanned for favourite writers (of which I have most of their books anyway and found few) and only books that were on my wishlist as I couldn't justify any indulgences. I did, however, pounce on the only Persephone book that I spied: The Far Cry by Emma Smith and am delighted to have a brand new Persephone for only £5. I settled for only one of three Esther Freud books that I haven't yet read, opting for Peerless Flats but again couldn't justify any additional ones as I recently acquired Summer at Gaglow too. I also purchased The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks, which is a book that has been on my wish-list since last November. Lastly I could not leave one loan copy of Margo Lanagan's Tender Morsels after an enthused Nymeth raved about it and the recent controversy that has ensued.
10 comments:
Well done! It is a sad day though when a bookshop closes isn't it. I remember how horrified I was when a branch of Chapters closed in Toronto and a discount clothing store opened in its place.
I really want to read Tender Morsels! Congratulations for finding a copy! I look forward to hearing what you think of it.
Now I'm very glad that the book on its way to you is NOT Tender Morsels, though I hesitated between it and the one I eventually picked :P I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
It always makes me sad to see bookstores closing too, but yes, more so when they're independent ones.
Darlene, the shop above is being replaced by a highstreet "fashion" clothing chain, which is rather tacky and it is so disappointing.
Jackie, I am really looking forward to reading it and was ecstatic to come across a copy (I think that somebody had decided against it and left it on a random shelf for my buying pleasure).
Ana, I am also very relieved! I am so looking forward to reading it and have been since you posted on it (until then I hadn't heard of it although now it does seem to be everywhere).
Bookshops closing to me is such a disappointing thing to see and in this economic climate more (independent and chain) are struggling.
I loved the Far cry, so am glad you got a copy!
And The L Shaped Room is such a lovely lovely read.
Just got home!
Oh you did well with this selection, I have been hankering after The L Shaped Room. Is the sale over, was every book gone? I have missed this which is awful as I have missed a wonderous event, but good for my shelves and my spending!
Verity, welcome back!
I remembered you liked The Far Cry and I am very glad I have a copy.
Hi Simon :). There were still a fair amount of books left on Thursday but they were going fast. There was a LOT of Daphne Du Maurier but I was a little overwhelmed by them all to choose any! There were also a lot of the beautiful hardback copies of PG Wodehouse remaining but they were really the only two famous writers who still had a surprising representation on the shelves.
For the good of my shelves and spending I shouldn't have gone but I couldn't resist!
The other Simon has The L Shaped Room on his 50 Novels You Must Read But May Not Have Heard About, which is one of the main reasons I've been itching to read it.
I love The L-Shaped Room - enjoy!
You found a Persephone? Wow. Did not see any when I was there.
Simon, it's mainly down to you that I wanted to read it!
Kim, I was consciously scanning for grey and luckily spotted it. There were probably a lot less books when I was there so easier to find it.
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