Sunday, August 12, 2007

Found on a Weekend





On the weekends I've started checking the local thrift store, garage sales, and the like for books. I admit that I have an addiction and the cheaper I can get my fix the better. Besides the new books that I come across for much cheaper than the chain bookstores I also find some wonderful old books for less than what you expect.

I came across a copy of Jenny Essenden by Anthony Pryde from 1921 in beautiful condition. It doesn't have its dust jacket mores the pity but is lovely just the same.

I don't know what it is about, only that it is A Romance of the Other Woman, from the title page. Chapter One opens with:

'Mark Sturt had not long returned from an expedition to the Southern Andes, and since he was in a contempative turn of mind it amused him to stand behind a curtain in the recess of the balcony window and watch the dance going on to the tune of Offenbach's ingenuous Barcarolle.'

It's a wonderful opening and I'm looking forward to reading it. If you've read it or have heard of the author please tell me all you can, I would love to learn more.

9 comments:

Pallav said...

Hi K, sorry havent read this book but i love collecting old books too, there is a BIG second hand book market in delhi, india every sunday, that is around 10 kms covered with old books at throw away prices. I can almost see you grin :D

Drop over to india sometime :) we'll go there.
Oh and booker long list has been announced, some interesting books there! 'Gifted' and 'animal's people'

check it out here> http://www.themanbookerprize.com/prize/thisyear/longlist

Take care!

N

Katie said...

Nothingman, I would love to go to that book sale. Wow! That would be the best thing... just ever really. :)

I've never been to India, my uncle was born there, but maybe I could talk him into going back for a visit with me. :) I'd have to go to the book sale then. :)

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out. :)

Constance Burris said...

MaN, YOU ARE TRULY A BOOK JUNKIE.

Constance Burris said...

YOU SHOULD TEACH LITERATURE

Katie said...

Kahnee,

I am a book junkie... and you know that would be a great blog title! :) I don't think I could teach though... what if they didn't love the books as much as I did?

Anonymous said...

I haven't heard of this book but what you said about satisfying your interest as cheaply as possible really hit a chord with me - I also devour books and begrudge paying a large amount for a new book when I can pick one up for a few pence at a jumble sale or village fete somewhere!

Katie said...

Ashencircle, I agree totally! I just wish books were free... but then I think I wouldn't be able to move for the amount of books I would have in my house. :)

Cee said...

I have always been afraid of getting into buying old editions of books because I know I spend enough buying new stuff. Though I did pick up a very old collection of Sherlock Holmes stories once and that is one of my favorite books in my collection.

Katie said...

Cee,
That's why I love the thrift stores! I picked this one up for fifty cents and I looked it up on ebay and it's worth fifty dollars! not bad at all... :)