Recent Acquisitions #9

[littlerdog.livejournal.com]

Went into town yesterday to visit the local independent bookshop and pick up two books I'd ordered. There they were, sitting together on the shelf behind the counter, even though the computer denied all knowledge in its charming computery way.

The Life and Death of Mary Wollstonecraft by Claire Tomalin
and
The Mammoth Book of Best New SF 26, edited by Gardner Dozois.

They don't seem that obviously to go together, I admit.

I buy the Dozois antho every year. It's my attempt at keeping up with what's being published in short SF, in the absence of being able to get hold of the print mags or having any particular desire to read on the computer or even my Nook. Over time, I've acquired a copy of every volume ever published in this particular series. They are a bit mismatched--tall American paperbacks against squat British ones, with one lonesome American hardback at #10. A friend of mine pursuing the same goal decided to buy only the American volumes so his would match. For myself, I don't care that much. I have them all (bwa ha ha!) and that's what matters.

Except of course there's a new volume every year. Curses ;). I'm a bit late buying it this year (it came out in September), which suggests a certain amount of ennui or possibly laziness or even forgetfulness. Anyway, here it is now. And it's green. Plus, there are stories in it by people I know. Cool.

The charity shops were also explored, that is until I realised how much money I was spending, and called a halt.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer;
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi;
In Search of the Edge of Time by John Gribbin
and
Holy Madness by Adam Zamoyski.

Plus Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons, which I gave to Dad.

(There was yet another book but I'm considering also giving that to someone, so shan't list it here)