I don't know how much longer I am going to do this because truthfully it would take an awfully long time to go through every shelf. And I still have all Phil's books too. As I am sure it would for you to go through your shelves. And is it even interesting?
Black Wings Has My Angel, Elliott Chaze. I don't think I read this. It is pretty new and it sounds good but unfamiliar.
Phantom Lady, Cornell Woolrich. This I read and liked. I think I used to have Waltz Into Darkness too. Another very fragile book.
The Third Man, Graham Greene. I am not sure if I have read this or just seen the movie. The movie was so good and I seem to have two copies of the book. So maybe I read it.
So Long See You Tomorrow, William Maxwell, One of my favorite writers. And one of his best novels. Reading the first page, makes me want to read it again. I love to have a first person narrator tell me his story. And I like it when he/she is a child at the start. It starts with a tenant farmer being killed. It is not a crime novel but a crime is a good place to begin with a lot of stories. What is more dramatic. I may have to read this again.
Falling Angel, William Hjortsberg, I did read this but have little memory of it. It was turned into the movie Angel Heart. It is identified as a horror novel and has a blurb by Stephen King. Another book that I would have to read very carefully because it is fragile. I think I bought it used. So many of my books were bought at used bookstores.
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen. I have probably read this five times. This shelf is really a mix. I don't know why some of these books are classics and some are classic crime novels. I think it comes from moving and consolidating book cases. And then I never get around to organizing them. And now I don't like crawling around and lifting books so they will probably stay like this. In some things I am organized but apparently not with this.
All of my books that are in really good condition are in the living room. This bookcase is my study/office.
The Stories of William Trevor, One of my favorite short story writers.
And then we have four crime books, none of which I have read. Highsmith, Armstrong, Thompson and Goodis. I have four or five Highsmiths but not this one.
All of these were picked up at used bookstores over the years too. I got a lot of them at a used bookstore in Ann Arbor called Dawn Treader. I wonder if I will ever go to Ann Arbor again. It's only an hour away but it seems too far now.
If I went into a used bookstore now, I wouldn't buy any of these books probably. The days of "collecting" are over. I only buy books I am pretty sure I will read.
13 comments:
Well, I am always interested, and I bet everyone else who reads your blog is too.
This is not only because I have read a lot of the books this week. Jim Thompson is a huge favorite. I've read the large majority of his books. I think I might have had that same Charlotte Armstrong book from the Mystery Guild, but not sure. If so, I read at least one of the titles. I liked FALLING ANGEL a lot. Spooky book, the movie was not as good. Mickey Rourke mostly just annoys me. The Chaze book (BLACK WINGS) is very good, if you haven't read it. Also, it is short and a fast read.
THE THIRD MAN was, I think, Greene's novelization of his script, which came first. I read both, and I love the movie. A highlight of visiting Vienna for me was going to the Prater and riding the 212 foot high Ferris wheel, as in the movie.
You've got some good 'uns here, Patti. I always like learning what's on others' shelves, so thanks for sharing yours.
I bet non-readers are not trying to read the titles behind the TV reporters. Only readers are obsessed with what other people read.
So true. I am always trying to see what books are on the shelves. But then, in the days when we could actually visit other people, I would look at their bookshelves too.
Great minds think alike! I own all the books on your stack (some different editions, though). You have excellent taste in reading material! And, like Jeff Meyerson, I'm always looking at other people's bookshelves. You can tell a lot about someone depending on what's on that person's bookshelf. Some of the books behind the people of TV are fake books.
I have read all of these except The Trevor and the Maxwell. I read a lot of Armstrong as a teenager. And I have the Chaze but not read it yet. The Thompson is probably my favorite of this bunch.
Very nice, some interesting titles there. I love seeing what others have on their shelves. During the news and other shows I try to make out what books are behind them. I hope you keep this up.
Yes, visiting people and seeing their bookshelves was fun. Although I have very few friends who read mysteries. Or if they do, they hide them. Or they recycle them.
That is a real mix of books. I have read about the Elliott Chaze book and I thought I had it but I don't. Falling Angel has been recommended to me several times but the mention of horror stops me. But I think I should try it.
I have read a couple of Charlotte Armstrong books in the last year or two and really enjoyed them. Would like to read more by her.
In other times, I would mail you mine, Tracy.
I appreciate the thought, Patti. We have been buying more books lately ... from a local bookseller, and from Amazon and Daedalus. Even more ebooks, which I seldom read.
Another fan. Might even e moved to grab a stack or a box. That is a nice set of often fragile but impressive books.
Thanks. Todd. Afraid to open a few.
Post a Comment