So, on Saturday, things were a little slow at the library, so I moseyed over to the new books shelf and picked up How I Write by Janet Evanovich and Shroud by John Banville. I already had The Annotated Pride and Prejudice going at home, but I just wanted a little something else.

What do you think happened today? Three, count ‘em, Three books on my hold list came in. I want to read them all. right now! Whatever shall I do? I couldn’t possibly try to read them all at once! Sigh. Such problems.

I took today off, sent my kids to the babysitter’s and went out to play! Of course, I started at the bookstore. Here’s what I came home with:

Fix-it And Forget-it 5-ingredient Favorites: Comforting Slow-cooker Recipes I borrowed this from the library a couple of weeks ago and loved it, but it had holds on it, so I had to give it back. So, I bought it.

Exercise Balls for Dummies I love my swiss ball, but I hate the boring old video I have. I did some of these exercises this evening. I’ll be feeling it tomorrow.

Read or Dream This is really the only Manga series I’ll really bother with. They don’t have them in my library system, which seems like a tragedy considering the theme, so I have to buy them. Can’t wait to read it (in one sitting, probably).

The Annotated Pride and Prejudice Remember this one from yesterday? Yeah, I bought it. I’m reading it. It’s fun.

Danse Macabre Didn’t see that one coming, did ya? I bought it because of the cover. That’s a red toe shoe she’s dangling down her back! I used to have red toe shoes in high school! No idea what the story’s about.

You little temptress you. You know I will never, ever, in a million years be able to resist this So you send me an email to point it out to me. And it’s on sale! I’m thinking my March re-read will have to be Pride and Prejudice. Yum!

1. Do you weed regularly? If so, how often? If not, why not? I do weed pretty regularly, but that’s only been a recent thing. Just in the last six months or so, I’ve kept a box in my book room and when I’ve read a book I don’t think I’ll bother with again, or my mom gives me a book to get rid of, or I just get tired of looking at that shelf-sitter that’s just never going to get read, I drop it in the box. When the box gets full, I take it over to the used bookstore for credit.

2. Do you have guidelines you stick with? Well, I sort of answered that in number 1. I try not to think of it as “getting rid of” books so much as “setting them free” to be loved by someone better suited to them.

3. Are there books you would never weed? My leather bound Jane Austens. The copy of Jane Eyre and the one of A Tale of Two Cities that my sister gave me when I was a kid. Pretty much any gift book. You know, the really nice ones that mean a lot.

This is what I call a no-bookmark book. It’s not necessary. You will not be putting it down long enough to require a bookmark.

This is called a between the numbers Stephanie Plum novel. It has most of the main characters, but the action does not depend on her job as a bounty hunter or her relationships with Morelli and Ranger. In fact, there’s a new hunk in the equation, if only temporarily. His name is Diesel. There are only 160 pages so if I tell you any more, it’ll ruin something for you. It was enjoyable.

I know. Finally. A book review. Shushyou.

This is the last installment of the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman series. The series is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the perspective of Darcy. The whole thing could really have descended into just a horrible mess. Luckily it was really good. I really enjoyed Aidan’s imaginings of what Darcy was doing and thinking all those times he and Elizabeth were apart. She made the whole bit after he proposes the first time (badly) and then goes away for several months real work for Darcy. He doesn’t just slap his palm against his forehead and go, “Oh. She was right. I was wrong. I’d better change.” It’s really great.

I know I’ve been slacking terribly in the book review department. I have no excuse. I just didn’t have anything brilliant to say about anything I read.

Back in January I posted a list of books I intended to read in February. Let’s compare, shall we? Continue reading →