BOOKLOVE: November 2013
Well, here we go again. My self-serving update for all the notable books that I’ve acquired this month and, technically, this will be only for the books that I’ve acquired on the 2nd half of November because the first half was already covered in last months BOOKLOVE.
Anyway, here is my hoard for the 2nd half of November:
- Moon Palace by Paul Auster – I’ve read two books by Auster this year and I included another one in my reading pile for November. I think it’s suffice to say that, ever since Man in the Dark, Paul Auster has captured me with his writing so I always feel happy when I acquire an Auster. This one is extra-special because I won it in a raffle from the moderator of our book club’s discussion on Auster’s The New York Trilogy.
- Berlin Stories by Robert Walser – My monthly NYRB and I acquired this because this was for sale for half the price and because I already have Walser’s A Schoolboy’s Diary. Walser has been experiencing some sort of rediscovery lately because of NYRB Classics’ reprints of his works and I’m one of those who became highly intrigued. Somehow, book advertising really works on me.
- Call If You Need Me by Raymond Carver – Carver is one of my favorite short story writers and I always liked the way that he wrote his stories with what the literary world call as “dirty realism.” This collection is not only filled with short stories but it also has essays written by Carver. His works are kind of hard to find in the Philippines so whenever I find a Carver at a second-hand bookstore, I buy it. I only found two so far, by the way.
- The Cure at Troy: A Version of Philoctetes and Field Work by Seamus Heaney – The Cure at Troy is a play that was derived from Sophocles’ play and Field Work is a collection of his poems. I found these two of Heaney’s works when I visited Booksale a few days back and I bought them immediately since I had an interest in Heaney’s works ever since I learned that he passed away a few months back.
- Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges – This is a special book in the bunch since I received this as a gift from a dear friend. I couldn’t hide my glee when I received it since I love how Borges writes ever since I read Labyrinths. Receiving his collected short stories is a treat for my bookish eyes.
I always tell myself that I should keep my book hoarding in check but how can I do so if great books keep on staring at me from their shelves? Oh well, at least I’m happy whenever I look lovingly at my books.
The Book Hooligan 
I’m obsessed with the Penguin graffiti prints. I have that style for Bone People by Keri Hulme and I just want to hold it and look at it all the time. AND OH MY GOSH, Seamus Heaney, love him. Ploughshares has dedicated their winter 2013-2014 issue to him if you want to check that out for your next Book Love haul.
Moon Palace is my first Penguin Graffiti. I’m thinking twice about collecting them because I’m already collecting a lot of other imprints and I don’t want to another one to the list but they are really eye-catching.
I’m dying to try Heaney’s poems. Sadly, Ploughshares is not available in our shores so I can’t look into that.
Thanks for dropping by, Cassie.
Ugh, I’m supposed to do a monthly NYRB purchase but I keep forgetting it. I started last August and I managed to get … two (Soul by Platonov and Speedboat by Adler). XD
From the two, I only have Speedboat. I was trying to decide if I wanted to buy Soul but, by the time I made up my mind, I can no longer find any copies. You can always start your NYRB collecting next year.:)
Hi, Benny! It was great to finally meet you in person last Saturday! I hope I can join one of your book discussions at TFG.
Anyway, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the Collected Fictions book. I read it years ago (20 years ago, I think). After closing the book, I thought, “What on earth did I just read?”
Yes! I was also glad to meet you.:) And, at the same time, I hope that I can join a discussion by the Flippers too.:)
I think I will like Borges’ Collected Fictions. I read Labyrinths and we pretty much have the same reaction.:D