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My dear step-mother and father gave me a $50 gift certificate to our favourite book store for my birthday. What excitement! I am a bit like Lesa, and don't buy many new books at all, so I felt wealthy. My girls and I loaded into the car and I drove to the shop chanting to them, 'It's all about ME. It's all about ME.' I was worried they would try to bookjack my gift. To be fair, they had had their own, exact same gift a month or so earlier. When it comes to shopping, however, I am afraid their memories are as bad as mine.
To their credit, they each pointed out a couple of books they'd love to have, but didn't cross the line and actually request them. I reminded them of their own, upcoming birthdays and repeated, 'It's all about ME.'
Oh, the choices, the choices! How to spend it? Fiction? Non-fiction? Self help? (Goodness knows I need all the help I can get!) A few smaller purchases? One large, coffee table book with beautiful photos? It felt quite disorienting and took me a while to focus. I had looked at the beautiful Wisdom book before, but decided I didn't have a coffee table and it wouldn't fit in my book shelf. So in the end I got smaller purchases, to make the fun last longer.
I chose a suspense book I had been looking for and the beautiful pocket posh sudoku 3 puzzle book to carry in my handbag. I am hooked on puzzles and I love the Asian-y cover by Masha. So classy! So pretty! I have already done one puzzle waiting for kids after school. It's better for my eyes and my brain than the games on my cell phone. Every time I pull it out to pass the time I will think of my folks.
On the card there's little bit left for a bargain book or to put towards a purchase later. Oh, the choices!
What would you buy in a book store with $50 of birthday money?
Isn't it funny, that when without a gift card, we are able to name titles of books we want to have. When there is finally a gift card though, or someone else paying for your shopping, our mind goes totally blank!
ReplyDeleteOr maybe that's just me? Haha.
Right now, I'd probably spend it on books that I have already read and love, but have no copy of. Or maybe a nice coffee table book of quotes.. Hm, the possibilities.....
Jillian, I immediately thought the same thing. I'd buy a hardback of the Wheel of Time series that I don't have or a hardback or two of Jane Austen. I've been hankering to own the complete set in hardback. I only have well worn paperbacks of P&P and Persuasion.
ReplyDeleteLesa
Yes, my mind was wiped blank by the possibilities. Very strange feeling!
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteSomeone should "meme" that: Top 5 Books to Splurge on after Getting a Gift Card!
Then everyone who does the meme can refer back to his list if he ever wins that gift card!
gift cheques always do this... actually any money 'given' as a gift does this. gets your eyes to googling.
ReplyDeleteFirst,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Oh a gift card, what a lovely and perfect gift. Like you I would be looking, picking up, putting down, wondering about coffee table art books etc. In the end I would pick a couple of hardbacks on history. Then again there is that science book I want....
HELLO everyone & pls excuse the interruption... but speaking of getting giddy...LESA, I just finished reading Chinese Cinderella and it was awesome! So, thanks for recommending it. I have to go back and check out some more of your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteGosh, now where's a gift card when I need it!
Sari, thanks for the birthday wish. I am still spreading out the joy almost a fortnight later! RYCJ, so glad you liked Chinese Cinderella, too. It was really thought-provoking for us. I would love to meet Adeline now, wouldn't you?
ReplyDeleteRYCJ--- so happy Chinese Cinderella pleased you! The only credit I can take is recommending that you read DeLynne's review of the book. Thought it might suit you! Kinda like matchmaking only with books-- What would that be called?
ReplyDeleteLesa
you girls...I'm just getting you guys all mixed up here...though I swear I'm reading. I think my problem is I get so fidgety ready to read a story that I commonly bypass the author's name.
ReplyDeleteSo thank DeLynne... you sure pulled out a good one. Beautiful, though sad story.
And Lesa, perhaps it can be called book match-making? We'll I'll be looking for another book-blind date ;-)
Thanks you both!
rather blind book-date. did i ever mention I'm dsylexic too? really:-(
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome!
ReplyDelete