Monday 10 December 2007
By the way
I forgot to mention that today went by fairly quickly, which is a blessing. I think it is helped by the fact that I am taking a book in to read every day. I started on Saturday and today I began (and am halfway through) my third. I am reading the Tales of the City series and I'd forgotten how good they are. Luckily I can't remember all the details so thay are still exciting and funny. When I have finished them I think I will have to read the Harry Potter series and after that I am going to have to find a new book, or should I say series of books, to read!! God knows what though!! I really hope that Michael Tolliver Lives is out in paperback soon so I can enjoy that too! For those not aware it is the latest, and long awaited, in the Tales of the City series, and I really want to get my teeth (eyes?) into it to find out what has happened to my beloved Michael Mouse, who I, and presumably thousands of other readers, totally indentified with (except that he has actually had relationships but cannot maintain a longstanding one, I just can't get one!).
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3 comments:
Hi there.
I was going to suggest you buy the hardback of Michael Tolliver Lives, since I see from amazonUK that it will not be published in paperback over there until June 2008. But then I forgot how preposterously expensive books are in the UK these days - so get the hardback 'used' from a dealer (via amazon) or order the US edition - even with postage I bet it'll be cheaper. ANYWAY. For the sake of a few quid - even if you go for the UK hardback - TREAT YOURSELF, IT'S CHRISTMAS ! Why do I wax so impatient re: UK bookprices ? Because I'm an expat Londoner living in Los Angeles, and I crave books like some old, creepy, ink 'n print junkie. The price of a paperback in the UK is often more than a nice new US hardback. PLUS the US editions are nicer, with better cover artwork, and acid-free paper that doesn't go brown within 18 months. God, but I miss London though, despite regular visits. My (American) partner was just over there acting in a play, while I had to stay behind in Southern California where the weather might be more agreeable but you can't just wander into the British Museum or the National Gallery for a calming 45 minutes in the middle of the day. And there's no National Health Service here either (for God's sake Britain, hang on to your NHS! Mega-fund it! Screw the Olympics, give the cash instead to Health Care and the Arts and sod you Sebastian Coe, what did you ever do but get medals for running around in circles rather quickly ?) It's also worth repeating that my partner and I had to return to London to enjoy the benefits of Civil Union/marriage after nearly 20 years together. The USA is still medieval in some respects, despite being my much-loved adopted home ... well, I feel better now. Love your blog. I won't spoil Maupin's new book for you, but you will be glad to know that All Is Well.
I quite like American editions - the remainder shops in London often have the American editions - but I do wish they were bound properly: a nice rounded spine and smooth fore-edge is what's required, not flat and ragged like they so often are.
How about Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Material's' trilogy (http://www.amazon.co.uk/His-Dark-Materials-Boxed-set/dp/1407104160/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197402067&sr=8-1) or Ursula K Le Guin's 'Earthsea Quartet'(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Earthsea-Quartet-Wizard-Farthest-Tehanu/dp/0140154272/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197402174&sr=1-2), instead of Potter. If you set up an Amazon wish list I'll even send you one ! (anything but the dreaded Potter)
Hardback books look great on the shelf, and are good because they are sturdy enough to take to work in a rucksack (after taking the wrap-around cover off, obviously). But I like keeping my books and find that hardbacks are far too heavy to carry around when I move (which seems to be every few years).
Apart from Maupin I am also waiting for "The Hell You Say" by Josh Lanyon to come out (have you read the Adrien English books? They are easy reading again but entertaining). Other than that, I have no idea what books to get so I really appreciate the tips, thanks.
And most of all thanks for reading and commenting, I often wonder who reads the blog so it is good to get to "hear" your thoughts!
p.s. Iain, am intrigued by what play your partner was appearing in!
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