Debi has been hosting a Mini-Challenge for the month of May which involves posting about a book, or books, that one is coveting. I have recently joined some friends of mine in trying to turn my financial state around (in other words, eliminate debt) by following Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover plan. Doing that means that I am, and will be, doing much more coveting than actual purchasing over the next several months. I certainly won’t stop buying books, but the amount I buy vs. using the library has already gone waaay down and will continue to do so.
The book that I am currently coveting is the follow up to Gordon Dahlquist’s book, The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters. It is called The Dark Volume. The book is already out in other versions, but I want this Subterranean Press version with the Dave McKean cover which matches the Subterranean Press version of Glass Books that I own. It may seem odd to be coveting it considering I have never finished Glass Books. As with (I am ashamed to admit) Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, it is a book that I read about a third of, absolutely loved, and then got distracted and never got back to. Don’t know what it is about chunkster books that keeps me from finishing them no matter how much I am enjoying them. Gotta overcome that!
The interesting thing about coveting this book, which is on Pre-order right now, is that I think I may have already pre-ordered it many months ago. I would have to email Subterranean to find out, or go back and dig through my Paypal account, which I may just do. The mystery of whether I have or have not is kind of exciting though!
So that’s it. May still has some days left in it, so if you want to participate and talk about books you are coveting, please find out all the details here.
You are also welcome to talk about your covetous ways in the comments!
The Sarah Waters books I’ve been reading lately have really put me in the mood for neo-Victorian novels. So I was looking around online for reading suggestions, and The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters kept coming up. Something tells me I might be getting it before long. I didn’t know there was a sequel! That edition is indeed a gorgeous one.
did you ever finish reading The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters??? I don’t remember a review of it. I potentially have it on my wish list but kept waiting to hear some reviews and I can’t remember reading any at all.
I’d never heard of Gordon Dahlquist before, but that gorgeous cover has pretty well sold me on giving him a try. (Starting with the first book, of course). Dave McKean is a genius.
You and me both on the chunkster problem! I too was loving Susanna Clarke and STILL haven’t finished! I have The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters on my TBR pile, but I haven’t been inspired to read it yet… Another one is Drood by Dan Simmons. Actually, Dan Simmons period. I have started three of his books, got to a certain point, and, well, haven’t finished them yet!
I sometimes have the chunkster problem too. It is bizarre when you think about it, since it doesn’t have to do with enjoyment or lack of. I was proud of myself for recently finishing The Once and Future King (639 pages)! Fantastic book.
I liked The Glass Book through the beginning but then disliked it rather strongly by the end. I read it a while ago so I don’t have an actual review of it written. Still, I would probably be interested in reading the sequel. Is there something wrong with me? 😉
But Carl, Glass Books was so crazy GOOD! I can’t believe you didn’t finish it. It was just…so CRAZY! But, yes, I have that chunkster problem too. I have to really, really be in the mood for one. Glass Books is probably one of the few big ones I’ve actually managed to finish.
I got a review copy of The Dark Volume that I’m reading now. So far, it’s a *little* bit slower than the first one, but just as crazy and pretty good so far. If I could only fine the time to sit with it and really get INTO it.
OMG! That cover is incredible. I can see why you covet that book so much. I have no desire at all to read it but if I did it would be a RIP read from the looks of that cover.
I covet the limited release of George RR Martin Song of Ice and Fire books done by Meisha Merlin and Subterrean Press. I also covet the Wandering Star book Ultimate Triumph which includes many Frazetta pen and ink drawings.
a note to Jeff S: I met Frazetta’s son a few times and seen some of his work (he rarely paints).. the thing is, you can’t tell his work from his fathers! and yet he says he rarely paints and it isn’t his passion… can you imagine having the talent of Frazetta and not wanting to paint????
Oh that cover alone definitely makes that covet worthy! So, have you delved into the question of the pre-ordering…or are you going to let it be a surprise?
I’m coveting “Understanding Comics” – have you read it? It’s a graphic novel (not really a novel, more like philosophy) about how & why art affects people. I saw a copy at a friend’s house and read just enough to fall in love…but I can’t seem to find my own secondhand copy, and since I’m trying really hard to get out of debt too (one more credit card to go!) I vowed to not buy books at all this summer. But if I find a copy of UC I know my resolve will be swept away, and I will charge it.
I just re-alphabetised all my books, which involved re-shelving the lot of them, and it brought home to me just how many books I’ve bought this year. Augh! Many years ago, I made a resolution that I would only buy books that I definitely wanted to re-read. Unfortunately that doesn’t cut down the numbers that much…
I’m 29, so I’ve only had about 10 years in which I’ve been able to buy books without saving up. I hate to think how many there could be in another 10 years if I don’t slow down! I love all my books, but where would I put them all?
I have recently gone through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University and he talks about the steps in the Total Money Makeover book and its really good! And therefore, I too have been visiting the library a little more than the bookstore… So sad…
Sarah: We are going to do the Financial Peace University at some point. I’ve decided that it isn’t sad to visit the library because actually I am supporting something that I do strongly believe in and it becomes sort of an adventure, finding stuff I may not know had existed. I do want to get back to the place where I can buy the collectible books and other things that I want, but that can wait for now.
K: Storage is an issue in my house as well, which is why I will be parting with a few books in the process of trying to earn some extra money to pay off debt and opening space for the books that I will never part with and those new ones that will come my way in the future.
Ella: I haven’t read it but I do believe I have a copy. I’ve heard many good things about it.
Debi: I haven’t yet, mainly because I keep forgetting to check and don’t have internet up and running at home at this point.
Deslily: That is so cool, and sad. If he can paint that way it is sad that he isn’t using that talent. And no, Glass Books remains unfinished, sitting proudly amongst all my other Subterranean Press books.
Jeff: I want that Frazetta book too!!! Someday…
Heather: I know, I know! I was really, really enjoying it when I was reading it. I was working a lot of hours at that time and one reason for putting it aside was it wasn’t something that was easy to carry in to work. The biggest problem is that once I stop something for a long period of time it is hard to get back to it.
Kristen: If there is something wrong with you then it is a shared affliction! 🙂
Terri B: I have a copy of Once and Future King on my shelf. Another chunkster that I have yet to read.
Kailana: I won a copy of Drood and while it looks amazing my first thought was ‘Oh my, that is a BIG book!’
Memory: Since I haven’t finished it, I am not sure if you would enjoy it or not. I can say that of the 200+ pages I read I thought the author was wonderful with his writing style.
Nymeth: You should definitely check out Manual for Detection (review coming soon) and also the Langdon St. Ives books by James P. Blaylock. Wonderful stuff!!!
haha! 😀
i can certainly relate to your experiences with chunksters. i like to see myself progress through books at a good pace and if i don’t get distracted i actually get a bit demoralized by how long it takes me to progress!
although, it doesn’t have to be 700 pages and up for me – 500 pages is already enough to be an impediment!