I know you guys and gals just love these kinds of threads, so here goes.

I have been wanting to find a Folio copy of Out of Africa since I saw parts of the movie recently. I watched the first half hour or so but decided I wanted to read the book first and changed the channel. Anywho, this book is tough to find in the USA, but found one yesterday at abebooks for $50. I thought that was a decent price for a hard to find book.

Whoo hoo!

I just purchased a small Modern Library hardcover at B&N a week ago. Pitiful in comparison, but I did not want a paperback.

How about a competition on the most battered FS delivery?

My entry:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brindacier/...

I received the last of my Summer Sale books a few weeks ago. One of the mailbag contained something round like a football. Horrified, I took pictures before opening the box, prepared to complain to FS.

Incredibly, the books, including slipcases, were intact inside the bubble wrap!

Are you really serious about this 'competition' !!??

>2

I had one last year that looked just like that. However, like yours, all of the books were intact.

So, at one point I was wishing FS would use more environmentally friendly packing but after seeing that picture I think we'll stick with the bubble wrap. Luckily my postal people treat my packages right. If that had arrived at my doorstep I'd be afraid to open it. Hooray for bubble wrap!

That's a truly nightmare-inducing photo!!

I hope I never receive a delivery worthy of this "competition"!

At least now I know how to pack my books when I move in a couple of months time.

The oversize bubbles and the extra layer of bubble wrap between each volume seems to be the key.

Perhaps there is a similar competition in the different postal services over the world to produce the most battered delivery. Could anybody from the post confirm this?

I just found and bought Michelangelo and Travels with a Donkey from FS for $22

Rather embarrassingly, I've just had to buy the book on William Russell of the Times. Embarrassingly because my Dad gave it to me 10 years ago but not appreciating it then I passed it on to my stepdad... How little I knew then. I'm pleased that I got it now as it seems a chunky volume and full of great journalism.

I bought four second-hand Folios last week, for flat 15 CAD each, in a local antiquarian store. (The owner has a whole shelf of Folios, quite a few other desirable ones, but I'm doing my darned best to be "good"... for a while.) Here's the surprising one: East of the Sun..., in perfect condition! Hearing from others how expensive it is, this must be my lucky snag of the year, and more.

But I do wonder, echoing someone else (can't remember where)... yes, it is a very pretty book, the illustrations are gorgeous, but I don't quite understand why it is so sought after, especially as other editions seem to be plentiful.

I wonder if Lang's series will similarly increase in value with time... especially if they keep them out of print.

Message edited by its author, Sep 4, 2009, 3:16pm.

I just received my renewal books, including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy which I absolutely love. It's exactly what I've been looking for since the eighties to replace my tattered paperback with Alec Guinness as Smiley on the cover.

I was struck by one thing: There is no introduction. I had not noticed when ordering and frankly would not have hesitated if I had.

But:

One would think this would be one of those books screaming out for a new introduction by someone in the spying business, now that the secret files of the period have been declassified.

What do you think in general about introductions - waste of paper or valuable addition to the Folio experience?

we discussed introductions somewhere, can't remember where. I never know whether to read them before or after the book - before, they sometimes give the plot away, after - I think, oh gosh I wish I'd read that first.
I would have loved an introduction to Things Fall Apart, to know more about the place, the writer, etc.

I'm generally pro-introduction--but reading First Folio made me wonder about the selection of the writer. Some introductions are fine--recently, I read Ill Met by Moonlight and thought the forward was quite good (though the afterward, by Leigh-Fermor was even better, and I generally prefer an afterward, because if I have enjoyed the book, I want to find out more about the author). But I intensely disliked one forward I read in First Foloio, as the writer of the Foreward seemed to have grudging respect, at best, for the work he was introducing. I'd prefer no introduction to one where the writer of the Foreward is simply trying to one-up the author of the book.

I'm a little curious about the introduction to the Songlines, written by Nicholas Shakespeare, as he was so disparaging about Chatwin in the fat biography he wrote. Does anyone have it already?

I predict a long, expensive year ahead...I just ordered Leaves of Grass, The Realm of the Unreal and Other Tales, and Scott's Last Expedition

I did a search for Leaves of Grass on their site, which turned up nothing beyond the short mention in News. They say the art is taken from the 1855 version. What about the poetry itself? I've recently read the 1855 150th anniversary edition, and thought it might be nice to get a nice copy of a later version, as I understand there are many great poems written later on by Whitman, but which get umbrella'ed into the same collection.

Message edited by its author, Sep 13, 2009, 2:31pm.

>18 I understand there are many great poems written later on by Whitman, but which get umbrella'ed into the same collection

Whitman tweaked the collection several times as Leaves of Grass went into later editions, so what constitutes the definitive collection is probably suitable for unending discussion/debate.

Os.

Hence my query on what version FS is releasing.

> 17

I just picked up my copy of Scott and it's beautiful, big and heavy. The Bierce has been delayed a little but I was told that it should be out in the next week or two.

Message edited by its author, Sep 14, 2009, 9:05am.

Hi LoalaWasler ,
Which Bookstore in Toronto are you referring to or do you want to keep it a secret? Coming from Sudbury I to go to Toronto on book buying trips. I do have my favourites but I wouldn't mind additions to my list.

I went on a bit of an Ebay binge the other week so interesting parcels have been arriving at my house for the last few days. They contained:

A Month in the Country
The Name of the Rose
Tom Sawyer
Treasure Island
William Russell, Special Correspondent of the Times
The Scarlet Letter

And still in the post:
The Silk Road
A Nervous Splendour
The Histories

I can cross a few items off my want list now, but strangely the list isn't any shorter than before...

Edited to fix some touchstones. The Silk Road is pointing to the wrong book but the list of options isn't loading, grr.

Message edited by its author, Sep 15, 2009, 12:05pm.

I just received my renewal books, including Walden. I have a question about a possible flaw. Everything about the book is beautiful, but I noticed on the spine, about an inch from the top a lump - looks very much like books that have raised hubs on the spine (such as Easton Press), except that it is not straight. Has anyone seen this before? Is this sort of thing likely to affect the book later on (I don't mind the way it looks, but if it were to affect the structure of the book down the line I would be concerned) Thanks for any thoughts on this.

>24
My copy does not have this 'bump'. So, it is not supposed to be there. If you do not mind its appearance I can't think it will damage the book. I agree that it is a lovely edition and I am thoroughly enjoying reading it. At a time when the oceanic banking crisis has rocked capitalism's boat, Walden pond provides an imaginative haven from the turmoil. If only..

Walden is very apropos of our times, both for the reason given by PeterGreen and for the fact that Thoreau spent a few nights in jail for not paying his taxes around the time he lived at Walden. He did not like the way his taxes were being spent: for funding what he saw as an unjust and unprovoked war with Mexico. Read his essay Civil Disobedience if you haven't yet.

The last of my summer sale books just arrived, The Isle of Voices. It looks to be a great companion volume to The Body Snatcher. I look forward to reading it!

Oooh. I justs discovered (after being on LT for 3 yrs) that my posts in a thread are indented relative to all the others! Am I just slow, or is this something new?

Definitely off-topic,
Os.

>28

What's special about one's own posts are the editing icons on the right - the right margin is consequently pushed in, and it looks like the left margin automatically follows suit (designed or accidental symmetry). Is it new? Not sure, but doesn't feel unfamiliar.

>28
Either way, it makes it easier to scroll up and see what I said in the last post before I either contradict or repeat myself. You know, the memory is always the second thing to go :-)
Os.

My renewal books arrived today (all but the 2 that haven't been published yet). Both the Big White Bag and the box in it were in fine shape. Inside the box were 5 splendid books:

The Rosetta Stone -- looks wonderful; the binding is a lovely feeling vellum
Dracula -- absolutely gorgeous; the black binding and blood red endpapers are perfect; can't wait to read this one
A Passage to India -- nothing spectacular but a very fine edition that I am looking forward to reading (the only Forster novel I haven't read yet)
Impossible Journeys -- smaller than I expected, with a glossy feeling paper but looks very interesting
Ballet Shoes -- I love the dark lavender binding and the beautiful watercolor illustrations; I've never read this one, but saw part of a film based on it and can't wait to read the book

>31

"A Passage to India -- nothing spectacular but a very fine edition that I am looking forward to reading"

Great novel--more pertinent today in many ways than when it was written. You sound a bit reserved about this--is it the illustrations? I've been debating whether to order this because the few illustrations in the old Prospectus for this didn't appeal much to me.

Yippy, my renewal books came too!
Inside the big white bag was the standard renewal - Colour - what a gorgeous book, I skimmed through it quickly and can't wait to really get into it.
The Picture of Dorian Gray - just a bit disappointed in the illustrations, they look to...happy somehow.
Kidnapped - to round out my Stevenson collection, beautifully bound and looks great with Jekyll and Hyde and Treasure Island.
Sadly Aesop's Fables did not ship in this order, but it gives me something to look forward to!

>32

A Passage to India is nice, but yes, the illustrations are a bit ... unexciting and abstract. It is still a lovely book, as all Folios are, but it doesn't make me say "wow" like some of them do.

I just sent away for The Picture of Dorian Gray, Arabian Sands, Hons and Rebels, and Lark Rise to Candleford...what an Anglophile I must be!

I know that I have reached a saturation point when I have Folio Books from 2 or 3 years ago that are still wrapped in cellophane.. I am planning on only one FS book for the coming year.

If you are like me - I kept the cellophane on until recently - take it off! You will peruse and enjoy them much more!

Well, one of my renewal books showed up today Leaves of Grass. It is a beauty, but I'm always a little disappointed when they don't have decorative endpapers. With luck, the rest of my goodies will show up soon.

>38
I've noticed FS doesn't do deco. eps as much as you'd expect. I'm the same way, first impressions are the cover and the eps, and I'm often a bit let down when the eps are plain.

Os.

Just received in fine condition Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (2002).

Lovely.

Just received as a gift the two boxed sets of Beatrix Potter's Tales, very charmingly done.

>41 "the two boxed sets of Beatrix Potter's Tales"

These are currently a joining offer here in the UK:

You pay £19.95 and get the two BP sets "worth £207" and a free Wind in the Willows standard edition "worth £32.95", not to mention a free Folio Parker pen ("£6.75"). If you then decide not to join after all, you keep Wind in the Willows and the pen anyway.

>42
It is a joining offer in the US too but not with the Wind in the Willows. You instead get the Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus, I believe. Although they don't have it for sale to members on the website, if you call, they will sell it to you (all of which I passed on to my kind gifter).

Cicero On The Good Life. Companion to Lucretius. Surprisingly, it was not in shrink-wrap and slip-case slightly dented. Still, beautiful to look at. Also got Boethius and Journal of the Terror second-hand. The Boethius looks very beautiful.

Message edited by its author, Sep 28, 2009, 4:45am.

> 44

Be careful that you have not receive a 'return'.

Hi vat1sem

I am almost through The Histories by Herodotus and aim to tackle Lucretius shortly, after a quick detour of reading The Weir of Hermiston by the late great Robert Louis Stevenson.

>45

I wouldn't be surprised. There weren't many left in stock. Actually a gift for my son as he studied Cicero and Lucretius for his Higher School Certificate Latin and has fond memories (they served him well).

Anyway, I've looked closely and the book is in mint condition, apart from a slight bit of crush at the bottom of the spine, which actually gives the book character (honestly!).

And now I've bitten the bullet and ordered the Alistair Cooke 'Letter from America'. Some of the finest broadcasting of the 20th century I think. Now, just hope it arrives by Xmas.

>46
LesMis,
I'd like to hear what you think of 'Weir' when you're done. I read Kidnapped and the sequel Catriona last year, and thoroughly enjoyed both, and I have 'Weir' on my to read list, but other books keep stepping in front of the line. You and I have some common favorites, so your reaction to 'Weir' might do the trick (or send it further down the list).

Os.

Message edited by its author, Sep 29, 2009, 11:10am.

Well Os, after finishing The Histories yesterday, I started The Weir of Hermiston last night and got half way through it. I have said it before, but I think Stevenson is a master craftsman with the pen. I got one of those moments last nights when I suddenly burst out laughing as I became victim to Stevenson subtle humour :-)
I will update later as I finish this.....

Having a bit of an ordering splurge to build up my collection:

Alastair Cooke from the FS (plus keyring)

Twelve Ceasars, Procopius, Marcus Aurelius, The Leopard and 101 O Henry stories through various Abebook booksellers in Australia.

My wife wants to order the Siege of Krishnapur. Does anyone know if the FS version is nice?

I have just received it (I renewed with the Booker Prize winners joining offer) and think it's beautiful. The illustrations are excellent - pen and ink with watercolour.
BTW your Burmese cat is a stunner.

The white mail bag arrived yesterday with Scott's Last Expedition and The Realm of the Unreal and Other Stories. Scott's journals is a beautiful volume and is packed with photographs, many of which I have not seen before. The Bierce volume has 91 stories, but a paltry 11 illustrations by Nathan Sissons, most of which seem....ummm...uninspired given the subject matter. The cover design however is wonderful. Even so I am going to enjoy this volume because it contains many of Bierce's stories I have not come across before.

>51

Thanks for the info.

And the Burmese has a very sweet temperament to match.

Did someone say BURMESE CAT??? I covet, I covet!

Oh, vatsem, it IS a beauty!

And the Burmese has a very sweet temperament to match.

Yes! I knew a sable Burmese once--dark chocolate coat--he was the sweetest cat on Earth. He charmed me at the first meeting by jumping to "hug" me from the floor (a 5'9" vertical jump, considering I was wearing high heels), a paw on each of my shoulders. Monkey cat! I love their doggishness too. You could take Oliver out on a leash (he also ate through my friend's piano music stand, chair legs, shoes, and a kitchen cabinet door).

Having a little of shopping madness myself. Thru several on-line retailers the following Folio Editions have arrived this week:
- Just So Stories (Kipling)
- The Jungle Book (Kipling)
- Kim (Kipling) The 95 edition.
- The 3 volume Set. Travels (R. L. Stevenson). Reading it right now and loving it.
- The Dead Sea Scrolls.

And coming in the next few days:
- Rules of the Ancient World (5 volume set)
- The Name of the Rose (Eco) I have been after this one for quite some time. Finally got it!

Message edited by its author, Sep 30, 2009, 9:03am.

Just received the 8 volume Complete Plays of Shakespeare - had been looking for it for a while so very happy to get it. Even got the chance to peruse it before going to another fabulous performance at the Globe.

> 50

My FS 'The Leopard' arrived from a bookseller sourced through Abebooks. It is really lovely, in perfect condition and I'm delighted because I haven't seen it around much.

And a general question. Does anyone know if the FS did Heart of Darkness in the recent series illustrated by Francis Mosley?

thanks all.

>57

Cancel that last question. I have the answer (which is 'yes' in case anyone else was wondering).

Message edited by its author, Oct 1, 2009, 5:05pm.

>56

Which Globe?

Just received a copy of W.B. Yeats: The Folio Poets from an online vendor. Half-price, but brand new -- still in wrapper! What a deal. And what a book!

>59: Shakespeare's Globe in London. It is such a wonderful place. I always leave with a warm glow inside. I haven't had much chance to see plays there this year because of my baby son but as he's away this week I saw Love's Labour's Lost and As You Like It and both were fabulous. Amazingly, speaking to colleagues (I work only a few hundred yards from the Globe) nearly nobody has been there. More fool them. I've seen some excellent productions there over the years and often the "minor" plays turn out best: Merry Wives Of Windsor was wonderful and even Timon of Athens wasn't too bad.

The globe is a great place! I've been there only once some years ago, when I was on a school excursion to England. It was a real experience.

In 2002 I saw the Globe's "original practices" version of Twelfth Night - it was incredible! That production is responsible for Twelfth Night becoming my favorite Shakespeare play. I do hope someday to get there again.

I'm envious you get to experience the Globe in London, khaa! I'll just have to settle for the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Been meaning to catch a Shakespeare play there for a long time...

>61 We saw Merry Wives of Windsor - one of the funniest plays I've ever seen. The production was just brilliant. We also managed to get down (from the north) to Merchant of Venice the year before. Another good one, but not quite in the Merry Wives league. Sadly didn't manage it this year, but must do so next year - the whole atmosphere makes for a really enjoyable evening's entertainment.

Just got the Best Of Blandings boxset - from a seller of Ebay - and v happy. The usual whimsical drawings from Paul Cox and it all adds up to a delightful package. Plus, of course, there's the Wodehouse himself - a total comic genius.

One of my shelves is filled with Wodehouse, and the Folio boxed sets of Wooster and Jeeves and Blandings are my idea of perfection.

I called in at the Members Room yesterday and got the Green Fairy Book and Wealth of Nations. Looking at the website today, I see the latter is not there. So either it's in short supply or the website's playing up again.

I'm really looking forward to reading Adam Smith, as he ties in with my interest in James Boswell. Smith taught Boswell Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University and later became a member of 'The Club', where Johnson et al discussed literature and set the world to rights. Great contemporary illustrations in the FS edition.

I like those in the Green Fairy Book as well and it looks very fine on the shelf with its four companions. Only seven more to go. The FS has to finish the series now, surely?

Edited to add: The FS calendar, currently free with Christmas offers, is rather handsome. You don't often see them with woodcuts, still less with such elegant ones as these.

Message edited by its author, Oct 20, 2009, 1:19pm.

>68
I'm really looking forward to reading Adam Smith, as he ties in with my interest in James Boswell. Smith taught Boswell Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University...

I didn't know about Boswell's connection to Smith. I a big fan of Boswell (at least his journals, and Johnson biography). I've had Wealth of Nations on my 'to read' list for a long time. Perhaps this connection will help me move it up the list a bit.

I wonder if Boswell has an active fan club... :-)

Os.

Just picked up FS's Dead Sea Scrolls book on eBay for $22. It's a Christmas gift for my dad but I might be tempted to take a peek under the shrink wrap...

>69

"I wonder if Boswell has an active fan club."

Besides me?

>71

I guess one should search LT for a Boswellian group. Perhaps later.

Os.

Os, I was almost thinking of posing a question as a thread here, but decided against it--but now you have made me decide to post it after all!

The questions is: Boswell's The Life of Samuel Johnson is widely recognized as the greatest biography ever written--in English, anyway--but I have always been surprised by how FEW people, even well-read people, have ever read it. Folio published a 2 volume edition forty years ago, and reissued it in 1990, but such scant attention paid to one of the monuments of English literature makes me doubt whether it was a big seller. (Actually, the London Journal seems to get more comment and remains still in the catalogue.)

So--the question for those who bother to read this thread is: have YOU read Boswell's The Life of Samuel Johnson? (And as an afterthought, have you read any of Boswell's other works? I personally think his journals rank with Pepys, and deserve a similar treatment to the LE Pepys.

Message edited by its author, Oct 20, 2009, 10:49pm.

>73
See response in new thread (trying not to hijack this one)

I received my joinging books yesterday. The complete 2 sets of Beatrix Potter stories, the compact Oxford Dictionary and the compact Thesaurus. I read the Tale of Peter Rabbit to my youngest last night. Can't wait to read another tonight.

Still to arrive:
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials
To Kill a Mockingbird

I also received the Prospectus but I was disappointed. I was hoping it would contain all the books available for sale, not just a select few. I get the impression the website doesn't necessarily show them all either.

Message edited by its author, Oct 22, 2009, 3:50pm.

>75

"All" seems to be a slippery concept at FS.

Os.

I got a copy of Shota Rustaveli's The knight in panther skin, 1977 edition, and it's a lovely little book. Bound in magenta silk (faded to red on the spine), stamped in gold and silver, and with full page illustrations from contemporary paintings. I've never this before, so nothing to compare it to, the original verses have been translated in prose, but I don't expect it will be terrible. As far as looks go, this is a little gem.

My renewal order arrived today. How wonderful to come home after a horrible day at work to find the big white bag sitting in my chair. The three Lang Fairy Books (Pink, Yellow, Green) seem huge next to the Nesbit sets but the large type is perfect for these tired eyes. Although there are only a few colour illustrations (all full page) there are also some smaller black and white end pieces. And the covers are all fantastic--I wish I could hang them on the wall. The Nesbit books are totally new for me but they look like the sort of children's books I enjoy so I think I made the right choice for my set. The only problem with all these children's books, of course, is that there are no children in my household for me to read them to. I can't even borrow a neighbour child--they're all boys and hardly the sort to like these types of books.

My final book, the Picture of Dorian Gray looks interesting too. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the illustrations but they look way better "in person" than they do on the website.

Now all I have to do is find the time to read them and find someplace to put them on my shelves. And Lord of the Flies and Robin Hood haven't even shipped yet.

And I think my sister and the nephew have accepted my "affliction". Neither of them said anything about my latest book-buying binge. I'm feeling much more confident about completing the order of pre-Christmas books sitting in my basket.

Message edited by its author, Nov 3, 2009, 1:47am.

Hani, the best part of the order is the acceptance that has been lovingly forced upon your family!

78 - haniwitch, I was just eyeing the Nesbit books in the Christmas brochure FS sent me. They are very tempting, but I have two boys and I'm not sure they'd appreciate them, (though they did like the movie 'The Five Children and It'). My youngest is enjoying the Beatrix Potter tales, most of them anyway, so I'm glad I chose that for my joining offer. We're about halfway through the set and we've already been rereading new favourites.

I was also eyeing the Picture of Dorian Gray and Lord of the Flies. These two I'm pretty sure I will end up getting, but I'm wondering whether to wait and see if they show up on the Winter or Summer sales.

#79
JamesIII, of course that acceptance may disappear completely in the next month or so. I have Night Thoughts on order (come on, FS, the website says "Delivery November" so ship already!) and who knows how they will react to that. Firstly, it is apparently quite large so it will be difficult to find an out of the way spot for it in my small house. Secondly, although she would never pay money for a book she does recognize an expensive one (she told my nephew he is never to touch my Letterpress Hamlet or First Folio of Shakespeare) so I may get a lecture on wasting money on books. I'm hoping she'll at least look at the contents and maybe forgive my supposed lapse in judgment.

#80
sandragon, how lucky you are to have children that enjoy your books. They might like the Nesbit books if they liked the movie. The books are smaller so they would be easier for children to hold if they're old enough to read themselves. There are quite a few pictures, wonderful black and white drawings. Of course I had to peek and see if there was a drawing of It in Five Children and It (there is).

As for Dorian Gray and Lord of the Flies showing up in the Winter or Summer sales I'd guess probably not the winter one. Lord of the Flies isn't even shipping until December. Dorian Gray looks very interesting. I know the story of course from movies but have never read the original book. Same with the Lord of the Flies. I ordered that one mostly because it is the one book my sister actually liked (it was a high school assigned read for her) so I'm hoping she might take a second look at it.

I completely sympathise as my wife always gives me very negative looks (and usually accompanying comments) when a new book appears on our front steps. I have often wondered if I might be able to bribe the postman to stash book deliveries in some hidden location around my house...

78: I am also now a little more curious about the Dorian release once I read you think the illustrations better in person than they appear online. To be honest, when I saw them in the promotional material I felt them horribly mismatched with the story. I am interested to hear how you feel about them once you read the book.

>81

haniwitch, if she isn't impressed with Night Thoughts, I think she is immune to great books and great art, but at least she should be impressed by how the value in the aftermarket sales continues to be higher than the purchase price. (My copy was waiting for me in September when I returned from Saskatchewan, and I have to say, despite the other fine books I have, this one takes pride of place).

Incidentally, although all the excitement here has been about Blake's illuminations, for those who haven't read it, Young's poem is quite fascinating. I liked it when I read it in school, and it's even better the second time around.

82 - haniwitch, I also read Lord of the Flies in school, I think grade 7 or 8. I remember giving my head a shake at the end and thinking 'Wow, I'd forgotten they were just kids.' I haven't read it since then but I've been meaning to reread it. I think it was one of the first books I read that made me realize how powerful and manipulative words can be when used by a good storyteller.

I hope you both enjoy it!

Message edited by its author, Nov 3, 2009, 5:30pm.

#84
"Read the book", what a novel idea. My to-be-read piles stretch throughout the house (which is probably one of the reasons my sister objected to so many of my purchases). I barely found time to read Casting the Runes at Halloween (and I've owned the book for two years). This book is smaller than most so I might be able to squeeze it in somewhere (she says optimistically before tripping over another pile of books).

#85
Django, you're driving me crazy. Bad enough I keep checking the website two or three times a day to see if it's shipped but you've already got your copy. Please tell me that the companion volume contains the poem so I can read it undistracted (groan, there's that reading thing again). I'm pretty sure I'll never get full enjoyment from it if I try to read it surrounded by Blake's work.

#86
It sounds like a very powerful book. Of course any book that my sister still talks about thirty years later has to be good. Ironically I, being the family booklover, have never read it. My sister read it in school because she took the "easier" English courses (the ones for people who knew they weren't going to university). Her love of that book was probably the only good thing that course did for her.

I think I've nearly done my postman's back in this morning, just received this lot in the post (all from secondhand)

- The Eagle of the Ninth
- Kim
- Brighton Rock
- The Diary of a Young Girl
- Rob Roy
- Boswell's London Journal
- Treasury of Mark Twain (shiny smooth binding, very odd for a folio)
- Graham Greene The Entertainments

He'll be having to come back again soon with:

- Folk Tales of the British Isles
- The Power and the Glory
- Peter Pan at Kensington Gardens
- The Spy's Bedside Book

I've never tipped the postman at christmas before but I think I should after all the deliveries he's been having to make to me since I came down with Folio Fever ;)

Ah, he also brought a non-Folio omnibus of Evelyn Waugh with Black Mischief, Scoop, The Loved One and The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold... don't ask where I'm going to find the time to read all of these lol

>89

Of course all the Waugh are available in Folio editions--except for The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold--which I have been insisting that they publish for several years now....

I did notice a few on ebay but I think I've pushed my luck as it is with all the other purchases so settled with the everyman edition heh. I've not read any Waugh, if I like it Folio editions can go on the wanted list later on :)

I thought I'd give it a go as The Loved One came up as a recommendation on here after putting Travels With My Aunt in my 'currently reading' list. Shall be an interesting experiment to see if the auto recommend actually works!

I just received the FS Jane Austen set of 7 used.
Happy - It was relatively inexpensive and it reached me, in Canada, from the UK within a week.
A little Unhappy - It was advertised as fine with a fine slipcase. Definite tear in the slipcase, which I don't really care about, and the books aren't bright and perky. But for the price I won't worry about it too much.

There is a faint odour of cigarette smoke though which I will have to do something about. If I remember correctly, I should put the books in plastic bags with baking soda?

I got my LE The Tempest today. Beautiful book. I was disappointed to find out I was charged GST (tax in BC, Canada) by the Canadian Border Services Agency, and a handling fee by them, to the tune of $34. First time for either.

#93 Was this a purchase from the Folio Society?

Yes. I've ordered many books from them before, including 2 other limited editions.

That's odd as I have never had such a charge. The Society charges us the GST when we buy an item so I don't understand how you could be charged again. I wonder if it's something that gets added on when an item is above a certain price. I'm waiting for The Diary of Samuel Pepys and am now wondering if I'll get charged. I hope not as it would certainly curtail my buying of Folio books.

I'm in Toronto.

I purchased "Lord of the Flies" from FS and they also added a calendar and keychain. I must say, Folio is generous to their members! Looking forward to "Lord of the Flies". I haven't read it in 24 years at least.

I just ordered The Moon's A Balloon and Just So Stories. Looking forward to reading them both.

Well, I've done it again. I haven't even found a place for my renewal books; two of which (Lord of the Flies, December, and Robin Hood, June) aren't even here yet and I've gone and placed another order. From the Books for Christmas sale -- Realm of the Unreal, The Seeing Stone, The Moon's a Balloon and the Folio Diary (which wasn't offered with the renewal that I finally took). And of course the free calendar. Thank goodnes for the installment plan. Now all I have to do is figure out which of my other books should be sent to the basement to make room for the Folio ones.

With regards to the Canadian Border Services Agency and their handling fees. They seem quite erratic in the appliucation of the fees; I have had books arrive within a few days of each other with some charged and other ones not. It is all quite puzzling.

> 93 ff

When the Folio Society responded to my complaint about Australian prices they said one of the 'higher costs of trading internationally' was 'the cost of GST on higher priced items'.

Now I don't know if this comment related only to Australia, but if it also relates to Canada it would appear that your border authorities are double dipping!

Well I've been ordering books from the Folio Society for almost two years now and I've ordered quite a few and never have I had such a charge. It was my understanding that the the tax was taken when I purchased my order. It all seems very strange.

Maybe FS could answer the question.

#95

Andrew, you should definitely call up CBSA (there ought to be a phone number on the back of the form, I think). They've given me grief too, although never (so far!) over Folio shipments. The last time it was over something a friend had sent, marked as a gift, but including the actual high value...

What's more, CBSA seems to be separate from Customs. I've also had hassles with Customs (charging me twice for items that had been returned etc.)

All in all, I'm almost completely discouraged from receiving and sending mail while in Canada.

This is also the only country where I had internal mail lost--stuff sent to me and from me within the country.

Oh and I shall NEVER forgive the no-mail-on Saturdays policy.

(Annual anti-Canada Post rant: FILED.)

Ok, this is probably obvious, but do you have to be subscribed to FS to order from their website?

Just when I thought Canada Post held no more surprises for me, it comes up with a new trick: turns out my renewal books were brought on Nov 11, and returned to the post office because I wasn't in to sign for them. Now, this is the first time they requested my signature, but there's a first time for everything; the odd thing though is that I received no notification of the attempted delivery on the 11th until today! Six days later, there's a slip in the mailbox--dated Nov 11--informing me to come pick up my package. I hate Canada Post with the burning passion of a thousand suns, yes.

But, at least I got my books:

the Blandings set--I'm actually looking forward to this more than before. I read some Wodehouse on Project Gutenberg, and liked it much better than years ago.

The set looks great, the summery colours and casual illustration style fit him to a T.

the Green fairy book--cover looks handsome. The illustrations aren't my favourite of the set so far, green and brownish, not much individuality... and as we discussed before, far too few. I did the flip test, gently but quickly flipping pages, and it seems almost unillustrated. The paper is also very rough, and the type seems a bit greyish

the Wooden World--looks great. Nice paper and crisp type.

the Annals of imperial Rome--love the books in this set, am kicking myself for letting Caesar sell out without getting a copy (I've read him in Latin, German and Italian--was I really going to read him in English as well, I wondered... NOT THE POINT, as any true-blue collector knows.. . :))

And Empires of the Nile, looks uniform with other Ancient Empires, except for the gilt top, some glitter in the slipcase, and more illustrations, I think... Beautiful creamy paper, this one's going to be a pleasure to handle (a bit heavy).

Also expecting Xenophon in December...

106 > I completely sympathise with your feelings about Canada Post, though the mail carriers in my area are quite good.

I received Icelandic Sagas (Vol.1) today. It looks like it will be a great read and fits beautifully on the shelf next to other Folio one volume Myths/Legends.

FS were kind enough to reply quickly and offer to refund me the charge. I will try and get it back from the CBSA first though.

My copy of Lord of the Flies came nice and early today. I love the cover design -vivid red and the broken glasses lens is nicely textured to produce proper 'cracks'. The pictures inside are nice but wish there were more of them!

I got an introduce a friend leaflet in with mine to get £50 vouchers which is very handy indeed as I was going to ask my mother to join to get me the potter joining offer as a christmas present anyway and I'd pay for some of the 4 required books to fill the membership. Nice £50 extra bonus towards Walden or Leaves of Grass I think, not to be sniffed at lol

Message edited by its author, Nov 21, 2009, 1:41pm.

I received my introductory package including the Fairy Tales set and the free thesaurus and dictionary. Also, I received my first order of Dumaurier's Don't Look Now and Other Stories as well as Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea. Frankly I am overwhelmed by the size, the illustrations and the sheer luxury! I am officially hooked and there is little hope for me. I can't wait to dig into The Sea, The Sea. When I was studying 20th Century English Literature in college one of my professor's told all his students they had to read this novel before they die. I forgot about it until I saw it on Folio. Now I guess I will die happily!

I felt like Santa visited me as there were two huge white bags with these contents. I had no idea to expect them in these lovely sacks. My Abyssinian cat rather enjoyed playing in them after I removed the contents.

I am a Folio convert. Even the cats enjoy their mailings.

Oooh, an Abyssinian! Big radar ears!

Even the cats enjoy their mailings.

What's not to love? Boxes and bags to sneak into, chew on--and bubble wrap! And sturdy thick edges on the book to scratch against.

I'll break any minute now and finally get me a cat.

Abys are wonderful "book companions". My two, Dinah and Roux, will sit on my chest while I read in bed, play with any satin bookmarks that may be dangling and nuzzle against my face when they feel I am getting too much into the book. Roux was especially appreciative today of the Folio shipping bags. What fun! They are a curious and inquisitive breed, with their big ears, long whiskers and agile frames. Abys will convert any dog lover into cat lovers.

>111

LolaWalser, if you finally get a cat, it doesn't have to be an Abyssinian. It could be a Himalayan. They too are very Folio-friendly.

109 - LoChan, I've just joined FS in October and, since I ordered my committment books right away, am trying to wait until the new year to buy any more books. But you're making it very hard for me with your talk of Lord of the Flies. I really want that one! Of course there are other books I want, but I've got my heart set on getting this one sooner rather later.

>114 Hehe sorry, it's temptations left right and centre with this group really lol

I joined this September and ordered LotF not long after getting my four membership fillers - I really enjoyed the book when I first read it at school but didn't have my own copy and since it's one of the low-end prices I couldn't resist :)

Put it on your post christmas list maybe? It does look wonderful, the font looks nice and uncramped so should read well. Must be wary of additional purchases though as there's supposed to be a bigger sale coming up Januaryish with more temptations... eep!

I just joined FS two weeks ago and have managed to make 4 orders already! I've read so much about FS for several years and was not prepared for the beauty of these books. I LOVE the illustrations for The Sea, The Sea and also was captivated by Lord of the Flies and purchased that as well. I'm reading all the time, thankfully. Now The Age of Innocence is taunting me.

115 - Yup, the plan is to wait for the January sale, hope LotF is discounted, get it regardless, and see what else FS has to offer. IF temptation doesn't get the better of me first.

I doubt that new publications will be discounted in the January sale - it'll probably be the older items that'll see the reduced prices. I have several on my wish list, and can hardly wait to spend more money than I really should!

Just picked up my December books and am very happy - Lord Of The Flies looks great. Of course, I wish they were more of the really rather good pictures but it is a v nice edition. And the Poetry Anthology looks good as well.

Just a note on the North American Indians book - it may have already been remarked upon, so apologies, but the book is abridged. Given the feeling that created on other threads thought I'd point that out. Of the other books, the Napoleon was v weighty and I will get it for my Napoleon-nut step-Dad if it ever goes on sale. The Xenophon looked fairly straight-forward. I thought the Age Of Innocence looked really rather nice although as I haven't read the book I couldn't say if the cartoon-type illustrations suit it or not.

Message edited by its author, Nov 24, 2009, 12:31pm.

Received Travels with Charley, one of my favorite books for which the Folio is replacing my old trusty copy. Also received Du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek, which I am currently reading.

Really want Age of Innocence, though I already have that book in other editions. I think the illustrations, in their "comic book" style rather fit the proceedings of the novel quite well. Would love to pick this up for myself at some point.

I received my renewal books yesterday and just tore into them today. Twelve days from order to delivery! I'm impressed.

I am thoroughly delighted with all my books. I got the Raj Quartet and The Green Fairy Book as my renewal gifts. I love Finn Campbell-Notman's illustrations for the Scott, and I liked the Green Fairy book illustrations quite a lot better than I thought I would. Like Lola, they're not my favorites of the set, but the choice of scenes is quirky, and there's more color than I thought there would be. And hey, I like the bears.

I ordered two books (two more by March, you know the drill): Possession and Jane Austen's Letters. Both are wonderful. Possession is just to my taste: colorful and just a bit on the gaudy side. :) Turquoise! Peacocks! Arrows with hearts! Creepy nighttime seance! It is as though the illustrator looked into my kitschy little head. The fabric binding for Jane Austen's Letters is lovely up close, and I appreciate that there are more illustrations inside than I realized.

I just ordered Blake's 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' for my sister-in-law's Christmas present. She loves Blake. I can't wait to see her face when she gets it!

And since I had that $10 coupon, I got myself 'Lord of the Flies' as well.

>122
I got mine in 10 days! I was shocked to see the white Royal Mail bag at my door so soon.

Raj Quartet, Green Fairy Book, Consolation of Philosophy, the Blind Watchmaker.

I remember seeing that to fulfill my membership, I only needed to buy two books - which I did. I just logged on, and I don't see any notice that I need to buy two more books (total of 4). I am seeing the discounted red prices on the books - so I assume I'm good.

@Tames: 10 days! And to think that I had to wait an extra 48 hours! Harumph! ;)

Lucky you, if you only need two to renew. I see some discounted red prices, too. You might log in and check the "your basket" section. When I go to checkout with nothing in my shopping basket, I get a notice saying "You can fulfill you (sic) membership agreement today by ordering another 2 volumes."

a night mare wow awesome i'd love that aye

Can anyone tell me what kind of sales they have once you renew? The books I'm particularly interested in is History of Western Music, Walden, and Paradisio.

>125
Yep, I see it now. I need to buy two more. Wish they did not hide it there. It should be on your account information. Thanks for pointing this out!

The Great Enterprise looks like a great book. I bought this recently 2nd hand on the web for a couple of pounds: VG minus slipcase.

I just happened to flick through it last night and I don't believe I have read a finer introduction to any book for a long while. The plates inside too are lovely; rich colour and sharp contrast.

Finally my order below arrived. I have my books delivered to work, so now only have to get them home in installments!

I chose the The History of Paris in Painting as my gift, and negotiated getting Anna Karenina instead of the Green Fairy Book (not much into fairy tales).

Then ordered

The Wooden World
Journals Captain Scott's last expedition
Dorian Gray
Collected Short Stories of Gogol
Kidnapped
Robinson Crusoe
Arabian Sands
Typhoon

as well as a Dorian Gray and a Gogol as xmas presents!

Of course I then went immediately online and ordered more books!:

Cartographia
Impossible Journeys
North American Indians
On the Nature of things

> 130

Bravo!

Anna Karenina, by Jove! I'm reading it at the moment: a cheapo paperback from Wordsworth-editions and worth the couple of quid, without a doubt.

Great read.

I've just placed an order for

The Notebooks of Leonardo DaVinci
Napoleon
The Campaigns of Napoleon
The Persian Expeditions
Lives of the Later Caesars

and now begins the dreadful wait for the big white bag, which of course my wife will confiscate and not let me have until Christmas!!

>132
...which of course my wife will confiscate and not let me have until Christmas!!

Which is as it should be, since I don't have any FS books on their way at the moment :-(

Os.

Well, now I'm going to feel bad about post 133 (though not much).

I received earlier today John Fothergill's An Innkeeper's Diary, purchased used via Abebooks. It's FS's first edition/1st printing, FWIW (bound by Jarrold), and is in new condition except for a small discolored spot on the slipcase. For US$10, incl. shipping, I think I did quite well.

Os.