Member: StringerTowers

Just wanted to let your know, you're my Indiana Jones. Thank you.

posted by destinyhascheatedme at 4:35 am (EST) on Oct 17, 2009

Bookbarn is still open and running, it started out in Wells and closed there in 2002ish [I worked there first] and they also had stores in Glastonbury [closed in 2002 as well, i think] and bristol in the artsworks, that closed 2 years ago. They had 2 barns at whitecross, 1 was shabby and the other being 'done up' for the books with a mezzanine floor as well. They have moved into the renovated barn 18 months/2 years ago and they are turning the old barn into a garden centre, to be completed for next year. I volunteer at the white cross one. It plans to prosper for many years. They even have a tea/cake section too. The prices have climbed a bit lately but still a good place to come across something special. My OH is happy if it's a haynes manual but not 'real' books :). I am just starting out on the geneology thing and it's amazing how many stringers there are in this area. My gran and grandad moved out here as grandad was based nearby in the marines, and there are stringers in glastonbury [5th cousins with gary from reef, very distant of course:)] My grandad is James Stringer born in Hemel Hempstead, the rest of them are still there, it's just our little branch out this way. Nice to meet you, fellow stringer!

I wish so much for books, I have a massive tbr pile too, that is diminishing slowly but surely. The amount of books is limited by the sagging floorboards... :)

posted by viciouslittlething at 9:25 am (EST) on Aug 14, 2009

how do I remove a book I have read 'no longer reading' but without deleting it from my library? cannot see any options.

posted by vanessajw at 6:03 pm (EST) on Jun 29, 2009

No, I didn't sign up. I am, however, considering a trip to Portland (a pilgrimage to Powells). I've never been; can't decide if my heart could take the excitement and my pocketbook the hit!

posted by book_up at 3:45 pm (EST) on Mar 29, 2009

Hello there, fellow bookseller.
Yes, I have seen the new McMurtry book but haven't looked through it yet. Did you like it? I've had 2 customers say they were a bit disappointed - 1 returned it - both are extreme biblioholics. I've made myself wait to look at it because if it looks good to me I will feel compelled to buy it and I don't really like to buy too many hardcovers. Paperbacks take up less space - and, these days, that is a real concern. I did, however, recently order a hardcover of a book that had just come out in paperback because I liked the cover art of the hardcover better.
I see that you have some books about the Pacific Northwest. My husband and I will be moving to Oregon within the next couple of years. He used to live there.
Thank you for adding me to your interesting libraries. I'm going to peruse yours a bit more now.
Best,
Pam

posted by JolieLouise at 10:50 am (EST) on Sep 8, 2008

Hi Julie,

Sorry for not seeing your comment earlier - I have been a bit lax and haven't logged into LT for about 6 weeks! Just saw your note about the Virago hardbacks. They are lovely - I have two at the moment but keep getting very tempted by others. Not only are they great titles but they are such lovely bindings (although The Valley of the Dolls is suffering a bit from its numerous trips on the Tube while I was reading it - all the corners are pink and faded - still, it shows it is well-loved).

Looking forward to seeing what turns up in your library next.

Lyn

posted by LynCollett at 9:29 am (EST) on Aug 12, 2008

thanks for your postings to the "food-related titles groups. Some nice entries!

stringcat3

posted by stringcat3 at 1:59 am (EST) on Aug 1, 2008

Hi Julie, if you haven't read "Lunatic at Large", you must. i adored it! And also. "Toast" Judie

posted by passy at 3:26 pm (EST) on Jun 23, 2008

Hi Julie. Well, I've done it! Read "The Suicide Shop" & I, too, loved it. Just the perfect bit of fluff to read on a lazy summer's day. What an unusual story line, and I loved the ending-so French & unexpected. That's why I adore French films; one rarely can anticipate the ending. Am just starting Nigel Slater's "Toast" and am thoroughly enjoying it. He's a wonderful writer; puts you right back into the tastes, smells & adventures of childhood. Cheers! Judie

posted by passy at 8:30 am (EST) on Jun 13, 2008

I feel the same way-I'm vegetarian & anti-hunting, too, but find her utterly fascinating & a good writer. Don't know what the attraction to the show was, either, but I never missed it!

posted by passy at 8:10 am (EST) on Jun 8, 2008

Hi Julie, you know, it's been so long since i've read any Hemingway, i can't recall much. i would've remembered if i didn't like him! I just recall they were easy reads & that I had to skip over the gore of the bullfights. i rather subscribe to his "one true thing". As I recall his works told it without a lot of flourishes.
Glad to hear that your "S.O." liked Teule's book. Now I'm at war with Amazon over Clarissa Dickson Wright's "Spilling the Beans". I pre-ordered it in Feb & they promised it in May, I think, & now claim it to be out of stock until forever! I want it, but not enough to pay the hardcover price, so I'll wait, I guess.

posted by passy at 4:55 pm (EST) on Jun 5, 2008

Omigosh, I found a copy of "The Suicide Shop". Should arrive in a few days-excitement!

posted by passy at 8:52 am (EST) on Jun 5, 2008

Hi Julie, thanks for the reviews! Now I'm really excited about getting "The Suicide Shop" and will give the other a pass, as I woud be reading it for you r exact reasons.
You must have been lost without your computer. Glad it's up & at 'em again. Cheers! Judie

posted by passy at 7:30 pm (EST) on May 28, 2008

Ok Julie, you can tell me, have you started "The Suicide Shop" yet? I saw it on Vulpis Libris & got all excited. Our Amazon still isn't listing it for sale; will only let me get on a list to be advised when it's available. i swear, I may have to cough up the big bucks and go to your Amazon.
The reviews so far are interesting to say the least and several people feel it's more suited to the movie screen than the printed page, esp. the english translation. So come on & jump right in so I can hear your review! Cheers! Judie

posted by passy at 5:52 pm (EST) on May 23, 2008

Hello and thanks for the message!
You have a fun idea and I'd like to do it. I'm intrigued by the British sweets I've only heard of, like Winegums. If you'd like to stick to non-melting stuff until it cools down, I'm game. I know that it can get really muggy there in London because the one time I've been there we arrived during a heat wave in September.
BTW, we have 30 books in common! That's the most matches I've had.

posted by mstrust at 4:09 pm (EST) on May 14, 2008

Dear Julie,

Thanks very much for the link. I shall wait for the reply to activate it.
I took some pics of my bookselves, much easier too! Maybe I will email you sometime.
Sounds like you have more than I could store!
best wishes Vanessa

posted by vanessajw at 8:01 am (EST) on May 14, 2008

glad to have made the link, it would take ages to catalogue all my books, but my library is a sprinkling of what I have. More of the similar titles and some Wodehouse first editions and Penguins. Books from the past include Somerset Maugham's Short Stories, Chagall, Kandinsky, Winnie the Pooh 1930s, Hans Andersen, Jane Austen Everyman 1915 editions, Elizabeth Von Arnim, Vita Sackville-West garden books, All Passion Spent. Orlando 1930 edition. Maybe it would be easier to just upload a snap of my bookself!

posted by vanessajw at 6:17 am (EST) on May 13, 2008

Oh, how funny-sorry for the mix-up! Yes, you should be reading "The Suicide Shop" so you can tell me all about it!

posted by passy at 9:48 pm (EST) on May 12, 2008

Hi Julie, Just finished(I should say TRIED to finish) "Too Close to the Falls", which I see you own. I live 45 min away from the falls & was looking forward to a good local read. The first few chapters were hysterically captivating; were we really ever that innocent? I gave up toward the end. It got just a bit to religiously slanted for me, a former catholic private school girl. What did you think of it? Judie

posted by passy at 5:23 pm (EST) on May 11, 2008

Wow! Looked it up on our Amazon & it's $40.95 US! Think I'll wait a bit for that one, but it sounds good, esp. since I have a weakness for Aussie men (lived with 2 of them one for 2 yrs one for 10). I have thought of getting to London when I'm over but my time is so limited because of my dog. I feel I can't impose on friends to have him for more than 5 days. Hope to make it over early summer. No firm plans yet-long story........

posted by passy at 3:36 pm (EST) on Apr 28, 2008

Hi Julie, have you heard of "The Elegance of the Hedgehog"? It sounds fantastic! I've pre-ordered on our Amazon for July, I think. Apparently, it's been a huge success in France. Judie

posted by passy at 4:39 pm (EST) on Apr 27, 2008

Hi Julie,

No, my copy of "The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted" does not have a dust jacket either. I'm not sure why some publishers decide to go without one for certain books...

Have you started the book? I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Berg's writing and just started it this afternoon. So far it is fantastic! I was reading it at work and burst out laughing more than once...

Cathy

posted by catherinea at 6:24 pm (EST) on Apr 23, 2008

Excellent! Many thanks. I'll send a file which you may want to bake into a cake for my incarcerated relatives. The Mulberrry Outlet-been there, done that. All b-4 they got to Madison Avenue.

posted by passy at 12:38 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2008

Juie, I am positively racked with guilt, ha, ha. Just got the mail & an Amazon box "ta-da!"! containing a re-read! : "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank". Another LTer reminded me of it. I owned it yrs ago at a time when I passed on books as I read them. Silly girl. Also in the box were Peter Falk's auto & best for last-Quiller-Couch's "On the Art of Writing". Wonder if it'll improve mine?
Now, I must ask, do you ever get to towns called Compton-Abbas, Bridgwater, Shepton-mallet or Weston Zoyland? That's the region my family is from. My maiden name was Pitman & I guess the place is crawling with them.I visited Shepton on my one and only trip there but the only Pitman I found was in the local paper, having been jailed on suspicion of murdering his mother! Nice famiy, huh?
Spring has finally arrived & I must leave my new cache of books to weed. Judie

posted by passy at 12:28 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2008

Ha, ha. No, I'm afraid it's growing, but I took some of the cookbooks off because I was connecting with people of vastly different interests from mine. Now it's just right. To be honest, I read "Bobbed, etc. " ages ago-there you go, Julie, adding to my re-read list yet again! I can't tell you how very much I enjoyed "Sixpence House". I was sooo disappointed when they came back to the US! He's a great writer-tells you just enough to pique your imagination into adding details; I like that. I'm jealous of your trip there, rain or no. Would love to visit Wales-for the singing & now for the books. Just immersed myself in the "beeb" & their 12 day Stonehenge dig with its interactive 360degree view of the place. I have been there & it's magical. My ancestors are from nearby. I think I am of Druid stock! Cheers, Judie

posted by passy at 12:04 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2008

Hi Julie, OK, so now you've got me hooked on "Me and My Big Mouth". It's terrific, thanks so much.Finished the last few pgs. of "Duchess" last night. Although I've only been to London once, I now long for it! Judie

posted by passy at 3:35 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2008

Hi, now this is getting scary! Last week I re-read "Duchess of Bloomsbury Street" and "Q's Legacy", ha, ha. You were soo lucky to get that copy of "Suicide", I'm jealous. Please, when you get around to reading it, give me a rundown. Cheers! Judie

posted by passy at 3:48 pm (EST) on Apr 5, 2008

Hi Julie, I just saw that you added "The Suicide Shop" & it sounds wonderful. Amazon here doesn't have it, but I'm pre-ordering it on their UK site, because it is just not available here. I trust that, since our libraries are similar, that our tastes must follow! Isn't it a wonder what makes us drawn by certain books? I once had that discussion with a group of authors & there was quite a controversy about it: title, book-jacket, or what? Fun to ponder; I'm rather with the jacket, but then maybe the title?

posted by passy at 4:20 pm (EST) on Apr 4, 2008

Hi Julie, I certainly have been to Magnolia Bakery. It's like going into a kitchen of the '50's. They. make everything in small batches. The lines are unbelievable on the week-end & they even limit you to the # of items you may buy. I beleive its changed hands. They now have an uptown location. The very best is Payard Patisserie on Lexington &73rd. Everything is from France from the flour used to make the best croissants in the world(as good as Mulot's) to the bags & boxes! ( I lived in the NYC for 10 yrs until 2002. )
Well, I've gone from a pretty orderly library to one stacked with volumes I feel I must now look at! Guess I'd better get cracking. Cheers! Judie

posted by passy at 10:27 am (EST) on Apr 2, 2008

Hi Julie! I'm in awe of anyone with young children who has the time to do anything else! Have you traveled to France with them yet? I'm currently trying to negotiate a part-time rental back in Manhattan, but if that doesn't gel, I'm off to Paris early summer. Haven't been for 2 yrs! Today I hope to get more books added to my library here. Think the dog section will be next. Cheers!

posted by passy at 8:09 am (EST) on Apr 2, 2008

Thanks so much for including me in your "interesting libraries" list. I'm honored! Judie

posted by passy at 8:50 pm (EST) on Apr 1, 2008

Oh my, I see we share many interests, Helene Hanff among them. So happy to connect with you. Here's to many more shared interests and comments!

posted by passy at 10:10 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2008

I guess the grass is always greener...

posted by ladygata at 12:49 pm (EST) on Feb 5, 2008

Thanks for your note spotting my little quote about 'Speaking of love' - I'm a published reviewer at last! I can heartily recommend Angela's book (she's a librarything author) - it'll be out in paperback imminently.
Cheers
Annabel

posted by gaskella at 11:31 am (EST) on Jan 8, 2008

Thanks for your suggestion for my SantaThing person! It was the perfect choice!
LibraryLynn

posted by LibraryLynn at 2:41 pm (EST) on Dec 13, 2007

Thanks Julie! Hope you enjoy my novels and I look forward to keeping in touch.

posted by lisaunger at 6:35 am (EST) on Nov 19, 2007

Thanks for your friendship! I look forward to checking out your books and hope you enjoy mine.

posted by lisaunger at 1:30 pm (EST) on Nov 16, 2007

Absolutley!

posted by beckybose at 9:35 am (EST) on Oct 4, 2007

Well - I'm just getting my head round it so have put merely a drop in the ocean on. It's also going to be lovely remembering books that I've given away, lent away or *eek* sold - will be like having them back on the bookshelves again!

posted by beckybose at 9:11 am (EST) on Oct 4, 2007

Thanks for your reply - lovely to hear from you.
I adore children's classics and am hoping that my daughter who is 7 next month will want to read my Streatfield, EE Nesbit, etc, all the books I kept from my childhood. (Un?)fortunately, she is totally in thrall to Jacqueline Wilson at the moment, who while a fab writer is rather gritty, and my daughter shows no interest in fairy tales, the Famous Five or any such like yet.
Ladybirds are something I was addicted to as a child, and I've kept my stack although most are not in great condition, missing d/js and with writing inside (my brother and I used to play libraries, so they all had pockets and paper for the date stamps stuck in!
You have some interesting books in your library too - particularly Americana - I love holidaying in the states and those Smithsonian guides to historic America grab me as good to look out for ...
Cheers
Annabel

posted by gaskella at 1:33 pm (EST) on Aug 31, 2007

Hi - I see you've added me to your "Interesting libraries". Thanks! As I'm frankly quite obsessed by books - was there anything in particular in mine that drew you in?

As you're in London, I'd heartily recommend "readitswapit.co.uk" as a great way of getting books for just the cost of the postage (you can see mine available for swapping as user "gaskella"). The only problem with bookswapping is that you don't reduce the number of books you have - which is a problem for me - I think my "To read" pile is now about 20yrs worth!

I've added you to my private watch list, and will explore your library more soon ...
Cheers
Annabel

posted by gaskella at 3:02 am (EST) on Aug 30, 2007