Happy New Year, to come…..

First book haul of the year in early March that went missing in transit and never arrived till replacements were despatched in October. Good things come to those that wait, though….and these were well worth waiting for.

Next book haul happened in May when I found these beauties at the hypermarket (after a long dry spell of having found nothing exciting on their bargain tables).

And so, believe it or not, I managed to arrive at December with only 6 books bought for the year. Have not seen the likes of this in the past decade or so.

Somehow, I’ve actually been rather contented with just enjoying the offering I had on my own shelves this past eleven months (well, that as well as those on my Scribd account – I so love Scribd, by the way!)

Of course one particularly bad Wolf saw it as rather ‘unbefitting’ of a self professed book hoarder to end the year with anything less than a bang (or thud!) and so, a Fire Sale was started and thus bad begins. :p

Haul from 1st trip to the sale.

Thrilled to have found the Everyman’s Library edition, as they are always such a joy to hold and behold (not as thrilled that it’s Naipaul, though – I may be biased). I’ve read & loved the Uhlman before (skim-read the entire slim volume at a Borders bookstore some years back, being miserly and thinking I could save some bucks…. guess it’s time to pay back! :p)

Wonderland looks pretty promising, and McCall Smith is always a sure bet for comfort reading.

Bounty from 2nd trip to the sale.

This one is such a pleasure – I’m in love with Hannah Dale’s work now.

I already own a copy of the Gardam in a different edition but much preferred this instead, and so it came home with me. Heard many good things about Moore and this was a lovely copy to be had. Same goes to the Lehmann

This was not found to be in the best of shapes externally (the internal contents were intact, though) but even if it was in tatters I would still have brought it home, I think.

A peek inside.

Final haul from the sale (and for the year).

The Jasper Fforde looks really fun (plus, I have a cat named after the famous egg, so….. :p) Anyway, another McCall Smith from the Corduroy Mansions series – I loved The Dog Who Came in From The Cold (book no. 2 in the series) so am looking forward to this one too. And a pretty copy of a Fitzgerald. I have amassed quite a fair few of her books over the years, even though I have yet to really hit it off with her writing. Might this be the one?

One for the gardens. A visual treat and some armchair travelling.

Not a bad way to ring out the year, I suppose. Yes, there is much to be thankful for.

Personally, I was hit unexpectedly by some bleak and discouraging news during a recent medical follow up just the week before Christmas, and it had put a damper on my spirits. But God has been faithful and good, and while not everything is completely out of the woods yet, I can thankfully at this moment say, it is well with my soul.

Wishing all of you a blessed new year, and may you find much hope and light in the days to come! God bless….

“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Psalm 18:28