Okay, I am really cheap. ( I may have mentioned that before here.) So, for me to lay down hard cold, foldable cash for a book, I have to be pretty confident I’m going to love it. But as unused birthday credit would have it, I found my self with a nice little gift card, a couple coupons and an hour to myself. Off to Borders I went.
Standing at the new-in-paperback display, I ran into Jane J. (AAR reviewer, bookstore employee and librarian extraordinaire). Jane isn’t like me–Jane is an author’s dream. Not only does she BUY books a lot, she buys new-to-her-authors in hardback!!! If any authors out there would like to send Jane personal thank yous, small gifts, etc. just let me know and I will forward them on.
So, anyway, back to cheap me. As I said, this was a special book buying day and I loaded up. Here’s what I found:
- Dates from Hell–I am not a short story/novella type reader. In fact there was a time in my life when I only bought books at least 2 inches thick–3 to 4 being my preferred thickness, but a book with both Kelley Armstrong AND Kim Harrison? Then Lori Handeland thrown in? Come on, how could I pass that by?
- Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton–That’s right I have never read an Anita Blake book. I tried a Merry Gentry, so this isn’t completely buying cold (as in an author I haven’t read) and the books are set in St. Louis where I used to live plus, of course, you would have to live in a cave to not know what people think of these books (the early ones apparently being most loved). So, there you go–I bought it.
- Doppelganger by Marie Brennan –This was my risk book. I have never read this author. (I believe it is her debut book, but I do like supporting debut authors.) I had heard nothing about this book, but it has a fab cover. (Yes, it’s true I am a sucker for a good cover.) And I love witches, and I really liked that it sounded like neither character was pure evil. So, two good guys pitted against each other. I like less than clear-cut characters (as in misguided, but good or evil with good intentions.)
- Moon Called by Patricia Briggs–Another new-to-me author. I was walking on the wild side wasn’t I? But Patricia Briggs was recommended by a number of people–and have you seen the cover? Well, enough said. ;-)
- Mystic Rider by Sharon Shinn–This I got for my husband. I might read it too, but she sounds like someone he might like. Neither of us have read her books. So, yet ANOTHER new-to-me author.
- Why do Horses Neigh–For my daughter. Pretty sure it’s a new-to-her author, but I’m thinking she won’t care.
- Spot’s Show & Tell–For my son. He is a spot fan, so no big risk here. :)
So, how about you? Do you buy new-to-you authors? Or do you try them at the library or used store first?
I don’t get to the library very often, so I frequently buy new-to-me authors. I love finding new authors and often end up loving them and adding them to my must-buy list. This doesn’t really help my budget (grin), but I love to read. I do usually try to find out a little more about the book before I buy (basically a synopsis) to make sure it is something that I am going to enjoy.
by Jennifer Yates April 9th, 2006 at 11:05 pmI’m cheap too. Frugal? Wise? I get most of my books at a used book store or the library, but our library sucks swamp water so there’s not that much to choose from. But I will buy books new from close friends and CPs.
I’m so jealous of your gift card. :)
by Jan April 12th, 2006 at 4:45 pmWhere are you from, Jan? “Sucks swamp water” is one of my oft used phrases. :)
by Lori April 12th, 2006 at 5:35 pmLori
I tried to answer the email notification I got on this…didn’t work. What I don’t know about computers is a lot. But to the point; I come from North Central Texas. Wichita Falls to be exact. We say “uglier’dn homemade soap”…”if I had my druthers”…and “just ‘tween you, me, and the fencepost” as well. Card-carrying hicks, one and all.
by Jan April 13th, 2006 at 6:38 am