Tracking incoming books for comparison - 2023

Trying to be honest about numbers.

From the Friends of the Library room:
Soul of a People - accompanies a Smithsonian documentary.
Retronaut - I love photographic histories. This is fascinating.
Beeconomy - a KY writer and beekeeper. I think I’ve met her. Great theme.
Steampunk Prime - I will give this to daughter who will appreciate it, but I want to peruse it first.
A Short Guide to a Happy Life - again, something I will gift, but want to read myself.
Grace (Eventually) - love her take on life.
The Fate of Gender - I’ve got a transgender grand, so want to try to understand.
Dog is My Co-Pilot - meant for a present to a grand, but perhaps a bit advanced for this year.
The Total Garden - because, me.
The Queen of Clean Conquers Clutter - for laughs probably.

Missed a few.

The Santa Claus Girl
The Modern Library - just curious. I used to save lists of the best this and that books to read. I’ve abandoned such things for the most part; but I’m curious. Looks like I’ve read just a handful of these.
Homegrown Democrat - I’ve enjoyed reading and listened to his stuff for decades.

I was reviewing an old thread, and saw that I had referenced The Victorian Woman as a pivotal book in my understanding of the subtleties and reasons for Victorian mores. It made a whole lot of sense when I read it in the 80s or 90s, and I realized I’d like to re-visit the book. Obviously, not to be found in the libraries I have access to, I jumped on AbeBooks. And noticed Crow had another book, The Edwardian Woman. They both arrived today. The postman has moved where he parks so he doesn’t have to travel so far with my books.😁

>3 2wonderY: doing both incoming and outgoing?

Good for you.

This week’s incoming
My textbook, Building Soils for Better Crops. It’s in like-new condition.
A Sense of Humus arrived today. Though the dust jacket has the message “Buy War Bonds” inside the back flap, it too is nearly pristine and still has a postcard inside from the publisher.

The only arrival this week is Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life.
I probably did not need it, but I was talking to one of the librarians about Potter and gave her my list of nonfiction I’ve read. I don’t have access to the Ohio library system anymore for physical books.

I’ve ordered one or two more, but will list them as they arrive.

I see I missed reporting
Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and Diet Dictocrats. That’s because I set it aside to ask daughter if she wants it. I don’t usually buy cookbooks; but I remember we spoke about this title. I didn’t remember ordering it, but I must have.

Today My Friend the Chauffeur arrived.
It’s a motoring romance!

I waited till today because I’m expecting one more in the mail.
Seven Times Seven arrived a week ago and I’m already deep into it. (Thanks Fuzzi!)

After I spoke to the librarian about Beatrix Potter, I decided I needed a few that I used to be able to borrow in Ohio.
The Art of Beatrix Potter is the 1956 version from Warne. The copy that I received is a reprint from 1972, with a chunk of bonus pages.

I’m counting 8 acquisitions in January, not including the cookbook for daughter.

>8 2wonderY: Dagnabit! There is a publisher’s note in the 1972 book that her picture letters and manuscripts are omitted in this edition, but can be found in another publication. Had to order it too!

This is an interesting kind of reading tracker. Am I right that these are titles that yI'ou both acquire as well as discard? I suspect I'm confused because clearly you're borrowing from libraries as well?

>10 jillmwo: Ah. I am tracking my discards on other threads in this group. It’s a feel good exercise that I thought should be balanced with the true numbers of acquisitions.
I’m trying very hard to reduce my library size; but I still continue to bring books in. AbeBooks is an open tab on my phone. The list from >1 2wonderY: and >2 2wonderY: are books I bought from the library Friends sale room. I’ve already read a few and list them in the other thread as released again.

Most of the books listed here are keepers, actively sought. And my reading thread is in another group altogether

Sorry for the confusion.

I'm laughing because I am constantly doing price checks on ABE Books for various titles. My collection of books has already outgrown my house (and equally any discretionary income). But I do try to keep a certain balance in the flow of physical volumes in and out. It's just that at the moment, I'm not doing as well at that as one might wish.

I stopped at the used book store in Parkersburg, WV, while I’m here checking on my old house.

I was looking for books for grandchildren and a few fantasy/sF authors for myself.

I need to get my series shelves in order though, as I don’t trust my catalog entries.

I did find two airplane/flight books for grandson, who intends to go to flight school.
I also picked up an early Animorphs book for daughter to sample again. She was recently lamenting that she had discarded her collection.

I did buy Mother of Winter for myself. Oh! The cover! Hambly is unique in her treatment of aging women in fantasy. It’s the third in a series that I haven’t read.

I do not believe I've read the full Darwath trilogy but I like Barbara Hambly and Mother of Winter does look good.

I love Winterlands and The Unschooled Wizard. I sampled a vampire story and wasn’t impressed.

I was trying to be responsible. I went to the public library hoping to borrow some Discworld books. A not unreasonable quest, I thought. No!!! Not a one!!
Blinded and betrayed, I staggered to the Friends room and carried a random pile out.
Passing the Free Books cart, I saw two volumes of This Fabulous Century. Blinking away my tears, I checked my LT catalog… had I just donated these? Well, no, they didn’t even appear in my catalog. I must need them!

Got home and discovered I do have them, so back they go. And I will try again to stay updated in my catalog.

Two books are Anne LaMott, and I will never pass up her books. Though I do plan to pass these to daughters because I have read both back when.
How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms? is for T.

The book that came in the mail today is for grandson, as were the two I found at Half Price yesterday.

So the only one left unaccounted is The County Fair, which has a cute pig on the cover. And fully justified by the author’s name.

There - confession of the day.

The evidence of my weakness continues to roll in. The Art of Beatrix Potter came in the mail today.

Earlier this week, a package of 18 books came from Poland.


I may try to inventory the dollhouse library at some point. But I count these as toys, not books; so not adding them here.
Just showing them off. Can’t have too many gardening books.

I may stop posting in this thread; my backsliding is becoming apparent.

Another book for grandson arrived in the mail.

Along with it, for me:
A History of the Writings of Beatrix Potter. It’s a hefty book - more than 400 pages! There is no room for it on that shelf!
The Late Great Wizard and The New Improved Sorceress - only available as ebooks, and I HAVE to read the sequel, and update my memory of the first book.

From Goodwill
Sunset Cottage Style Decorating - I expect to keep this only briefly.

From the Friends room
a paperback The Wind in the Willows with illustrations by Robert J. Lee. I will keep this only long enough to review the illustrations and toss it back.

Oh, and a small luxury - an almost new duck-feather filled bed pillow. For $1.99!

>17 2wonderY: those are doll books?!? Wow.

On my way home from WV/OH last week I stopped at HalfPrice Books. I had seen an interesting historical book last time and had almost determined to drop the $40 it required. The book was gone; but I did my regular wander.
I found The Wind in the Willows illustrated by David K. Stone. So now I own the two page spread of Toad and his toothy grin tooling down the highway.
I had given Olivia some of my Young Wizards books and I’m filling in the holes. I found A Wizard Alone, #6.
Also picked up Extended Edition The Hobbit for $2.

I’m incurable. I’ve got 3 on order from AbeBooks and brought more home from the library Friends room. I have an excuse - four of them are Georgette Heyer titles. Also, The Astonishing Life of August March and a childrens picture book in silhouettes - The Invisible Kingdom

Well, if they are Georgette Heyer, of course you needed them.

>22 MarthaJeanne: agreed. Georgette Heyer books shouldn't even COUNT!

I recently forced my way through a non-Heyer 'regency romance'. No! No! and again, No!

>24 MarthaJeanne: I used to like Marion Chesney, but I discovered that Heyer is so much better. I'm spoiled.

The three I ordered are all garden books:
Prairie Up
Decorating Your Garden, which may give me some ideas.
Garden Tools, which I borrowed from the library a long while back, and was reminded of recently.

February - 10. I did toss Lee’s WITW, as I promised.
March - 11

I started to write my short list here and was interrupted by a raccoon. I will try again later.

I’ve lost track, but the pile is modest.

Yesterday, I stopped at a pretty LFL and brought home Widow’s Tears and Mistletoe Magic just because. I found myself eye-rolling on page 8 of the Fern Michaels book, so it’s going back.

At a yard sale, I was delighted to find European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman for $1. I’ve read the first two in the series and love the concept and the execution.
Similarly, I picked up The Doll People for 50c in a junk shop. I’ve been reading dollhouse stories this year.
At the library the other day, I scanned the Friends room hoping to find another Heyer title, and found Devil’s Cub for 50c. Score!!
On the free shelf, I found Enchanted Streets and The Patron Saint of Ugly.
I have no memory of bringing Keeper of Enchanted Rooms home, but it appeared on my bedside table.🤔

I see I added it to my catalog in February, but no mention of it in this thread.

Oh, and I ordered 3 books from AbeBooks this morning, one a newly banned picture book. But I will post those when they arrive.

Gained ground in April, but it slips away this month.

The banned book - Uncle Jed’s Barbershop
Two picture books that T needs to read:
Make Way for Ducklings
The Story of Ping

Graphic novel for Liv:
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich

For me:
Cannery Row: the history of Old Ocean View Avenue
And spent 25c on Hill Women, but it’s a duplicate.

Terrible start for the month.

I certainly approve of the two for T. Both excellent books.

As I mentioned in one of the other threads, I rescued three boxes of tattered books from the curb, poor discarded dears! One box was all Mark Twain titles, but in very poor condition. I haven’t made a decision about them yet.
I brought 14 books home, and am discarding one.

The others are pretty wonderful.
Father Struck It Rich
When the Whippoorwill
Light From Many Lamps, which is just an upgrade in condition.
The Merry Month of May
A collection of three stories by Rumer Godden
The Travels of John Wryland - a 1903 fantastic fiction example.
Mademoiselle Fifi - it’s been a looong time since I’ve read this author.
The Case of the Constant Suicides - great title?
114 Proved Plans to Save a Busy Man Time - office organization from 1918.
Demelza - loving the title character and her spouse immediately.
Aurora Dawn
The Saint of the Speedway - about the Gold Rush, not yet entered in LT.
Devil’s Bridge - this is the only one I’m uncertain of.

Erm. Well, it was for a good cause. Teens fundraising to go to national archery competition. Yes, I’ve stopped there once before. The trip is next week.

I spent $5 at approx 25c each, though I think I just gave them the balance. A dozen picture books for T. I’m not keeping them so not counting or cataloging them.

A handful of YA and younger chapter books. A replacement copy of The Dollhouse Murders, which fell apart as I read it in March.
Goodbye Stranger
Paris for Two
Looking for Alaska
The Beast on the Brink
The Adventures of a South Pole Pig

>30 MarthaJeanne: I agree! Both of those were gifted to my Grands.

>31 2wonderY: Demelza??? Have you not read the Poldark books yet!?!?

There's one prior to Demelza, Ross Poldark. They're all wonderful reads.

>33 fuzzi: Nope. Didn’t even realize it was related or famous.

>34 2wonderY: wonderful series, first books were written in the 1950s. I gave Demelza 4 1/2 stars.

Influenced by a post on Instagram that told a story about their generosity to sick children, I bought
George and Marina.

MrsLee recommended Excuse My Dust!

There’s a LFL on campus and I was finally near enough to stop and check it out. Oddly, it’s full of junior books like The Boxcar Children and picture books. I can’t imagine those working in general on campus.
I brought home Dogs Don’t Wear Sneakers for T.

And there were two adult paperbacks shoved to the rear. Very happy to acquire another The Ladies of Missalonghi, as it’s my favorite to give to other women.
And Summer on Blossom Street is just a try. It will go back, more than likely.

Arrived in the mail:
Soeur Angele And The Bell Ringers Niece and Soeur Angele And The Embarrassed Ladies.

Was it MrsLee who mentioned these?

>37 2wonderY: Two of these three are out of the house already.

Oh, and I picked up Stokes Birds at Goodwill for 99 cents.

I’m using spring class registration to buy a few books on old photography.
Sunlight and Shadow arrived. I will note the rest when they are in hand.

I stopped at the library to do some printing. I scolded myself as I stepped into the Friends room.
But then I realized that these books are uniformly in new condition and cost 50c to $1. Holiday shopping!
Three gardening books for daughters. (I can peek inside first, can’t I?)
The Cat’s Pajamas for son-in-law. A dog story for Callum and several dvds for Theia. (Remember, she said last year that she doesn’t like books.)

Um, also brought home Unsheltered, Edward S. Curtis Chronicles (hey! Photographer!) and Remarkable Books. How could I not?

>40 2wonderY: You did splendidly.

>41 jillmwo: **bows gracefully and gratefully**

The rest of the weighty photography books arrived.

Where We Find Ourselves - I had borrowed this from the library years ago and was in love with the images, but a low cost copy wasn’t available. This collection was lost for 50 years; recovered in the 1970s, but not published until 2019.
This is a discard from a NC library. The images are part of NC history!

A History of Women Photographers - I don’t remember how this volume came to my attention. Bought sight unseen. I think it will be a good resource. Covers 1839 to 1990.

The Waking Dream - again sight unseen. Exciting images. It has a centerfold-out panorama of Cincinatti, 1865-66.😁
Whew! My copy has a price card inside from 2016 at $99.95 I paid $14.

Oh, I must have reviewed this and other threads in this quiet group:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/194959

Jan - 8
Feb - 6 (4 were quickly discarded, I think)
Mar- 11
Apr - 0
May - 6
June - 22
July - 0
Aug - 0
Sept - 2
Oct - 0
Nov - 1
Dec - 7

I’ve ordered a couple more and will add them if they arrive next week.

>43 2wonderY: wow. I love getting coffee table books, but then they sit on the table, or shelves.

Arrived today
One Man’s Meat

That’s an official 64 books added to the piles in 2023

It may be more than that, it’s always an approximation.