Book Love: My Book Haul

As promised, I bring you more details of my book-buying mini-splurge last week.  Apologies for the delay – I had the most minor internet problem possible, which still somehow made WordPress decide not to work.

So, my books.  They came from Oxfam Emporium on Oldham Street in Manchester, just off Piccadilly Gardens.  I buy almost all my general fiction books from charity shops at the moment – they usually have a more-than-wide-enough choice to keep me going for a while, they’re loads cheaper than buying new, and you’re helping charity.  Surely there’s no better way?  If you happen to be in the Manchester area, this Oxfam in particular has a good range of books, and I always have to rein myself in when I go to browse in there!

This time I did pretty well, I managed to keep it down to five books at £2.99 each (it was originally four, but as I left the till I spotted The Jaguar Smile, which has been on my to-read list for years).

1. The Jaguar Smile: A Nicaraguan Journey by Salman Rushdie has, as I say, been a book I’ve wanted to read for years, and I’m already halfway through it.  It’s non-fiction, about the author’s trip to Nicaragua while the revolutionary Sandinista’s were democratically running the country and were being unfairly attacked by Ronald Reagan as a result of Cold War politics.  I totally realise that this is probably not everyone’s cup of tea (!), but it’s something I’ve been studying at uni and is a subject I find totally fascinating.  It’s probably also a good introduction to Rushdie for me, since I stand half a chance of knowing what he’s writing about!  So far, needless to say, I am loving it.
2. On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan.  Atonement (review here) is one of my favourite books, as well as the first book I read after starting my blog, and I’ve enjoyed a couple of Ian McEwan’s other books, so this seemed like a pretty good bet.  No idea what it’s about, more info to come!
3. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.  I remember exactly when I first heard of this book.  Someone very enthusiastically recommended it to me in my high school library when I was in sixth form, and I immediately thought, “Ooh I must take that out and read it, it sounds good”.  Five years later, I’ve finally got my hands on a copy!  This is also now on my list for The Classics Club, so it’s very high on my upcoming list.
4. Regeneration by Pat Barker was a book I’d never heard of before I bought it, but was recommended by the friend I went shopping with (who knows me very well after ten years, and whose opinion I completely trust).  It’s about the First World War.  It’s supposed to be good.  That’s all I know.
5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker.  Another book on my list for The Classics Club.  Also recommended by previously mentioned friend.  Looking forward to reading it.  Enough said.

So that’s it – yet more books for the shelf.  And all old, previously read and loved books.  I can’t wait.  Anyone read any of them?  Any other recommendations – of books or charity shops?  Is anyone else a charity shop lover?  Drop me a comment if you feel like it and let me know.