Book Haul #1

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I have never done a book haul before on my blog, mostly because I don’t buy that many books. Most of the books I get are from the library, mostly because it is a rare book that I want to read multiple times.

However, a couple weeks ago I took a trip to the Goodwill and ended up leaving with seven books. The best part is the total cost for them all was $8 (paperbacks are 99 cents and hardback are $1.99). I mean, how often can you get seven books for that price? Besides, most of these are books I’ve been meaning to read for a while.

So, let’s get into my loot, starting from the bottom of the pile.

A Man Called John: the Life of Pope John XXIII by Alden R. Hatch

The title pretty much tells what this book is. It is a biography of Pope John the Thirteenth, who was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1958-1963. This book was published just a month after his death. I was super happy to find this book, because it has an imprimatur in the front. For those who aren’t Catholic, an imprimatur is when a bishop reads the book and says there are no lies about the Catholic Church. Basically, it’s a check mark saying there will be no bashing of the church in the book. I’m rather excited to read this one, though if you’re not Catholic, you probably wouldn’t care for it.

Thus Spoke Zarathustra

Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche

I have been wanting to read Nietzsche for years, but I wasn’t really sure where to start. For those who don’t know, Nietzsche was a late nineteenth century philosopher who taught things like nihilism is good and Christian morals are unessential (cause that’s worked well for our modern culture). As you might have guessed by my previous book, I am Catholic. Which means I will probably disagree with Nietzsche on many things. But I’m anxious to read his work, and this book seems to be the recommended introduction to his writing. Even if he was slightly insane (I mean, literally insane, since he collapsed at age 44 and lost his mental capacities), he was a brilliant and interesting man.

Life of Pi

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I have neither watched the movie nor read the book, but I’ve heard it’s great. My mother read and watched both and she said the story was…disturbing. She even said the book is much darker than the movie, so I have that to look forward too. I know the general plot as well as some spoilers, but it’s rare to find a good allegorical story. For those who don’t know, this book is about a surviving lifeboat after the sinking of a cargo ship, where a young man named Pi is left on the lifeboat with a hyena, zebra, orangutan, and a tiger. I’ve been wanting to read it for years, but have never had the time. But now that I own it, I have no excuse…right?

Far From the Madding Crowd

Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

This was the only book I bought that I have no idea if I’ll like. The movie wasn’t great, but I heard the book is so much better. I have high hopes that is will be good. Usually I don’t like romance, especially if it is a love square between one woman and three men (a bit creepy). But I have heard it’s a beautifully written book, though people say that about The Great Gatsby too, and I disliked that novel. Who knows, I may have deep regrets in buying this book, but then again it was only 99 cents. Even if I read it once and hate it, it’s not like I’m out tons of money.

The Sound and the Fury

The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner

This is another serious classic I’ve been meaning to read for a while. Apparently, it’s the tragic tale of Caddy Compson, told in four different perspectives, that of her three brothers and then of her. At least, that’s what I’ve heard. Don’t quote me, because I actually haven’t read it yet. However, I’ve heard it’s a great, but serious book. It was first published in 1929, and since I’ve never read anything else by Faulkner, I’m curious to read this book and see what I think of it.

The Joy Luck Club

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

I’ve been meaning to read one of Amy Tan’s books for so long, so I was pleased to find this one. There is also a movie based on the book, but I haven’t watched it. Apparently, it’s another serious book (why do I keep buying such depressing stories?) but I hear it is beautifully written. The book is perhaps Tan’s most famous work, but I feel as if I’m constantly running into her other books at the library or bookstores. It’s actually a surprise to me that only now I’m buying one. That does not mean, of course, that I will read this book any time soon, but I look forward to having a chance in the near future to sit down with it and read away.

Kidnapped

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

After reading and thoroughly enjoyed Treasure Island earlier this year, I was thrilled to be able to buy this one. I remember loving the movie adaptation from 1960, watching it multiple times as a child. So I know the general basic plot, and in many ways this book is similar to Treasure Island itself. It just a fun adventure story and compared to all the more serious books I bought, this is the perfect book to end my shopping trip with.

I won’t often do book hauls, mostly because I don’t buy that many books, but I plan to do one once in a while, just to add some new content to my blog. I was amazed how many of the editions I bought of these books were not on Goodreads, but I suppose it is bound to happen, especially with old editions.

Anyway, have you read any of these books? Did you like them? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments, follow my blog for more musings and, as always,

Best wishes in your life full of adventure,

Madame Writer

20 thoughts on “Book Haul #1

  1. Hello! Those are a good selection of books! I also bought The Sound and Fury. Glad to have found this essay of book hauls, because I also blogged my September book loot from an online shop of book sale from Book Duke: https://kloydecaday.wordpress.com/2019/09/20/unwrapping-my-book-loot-from-book-duke/. I’d appreciate it if we continue talking about our books and TBR lists, and if you follow me because I’m just new here in WordPress. Thanks!
    —Kloyde

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lol, you don’t get people to follow you by telling them to. Here on WordPress, just engaging in dialogue with other bloggers gets them to check out your blog. But yes, book hauls are so much fun to write! I haven’t read The Sound and the Fury yet, but I can’t wait to.

      Like

  2. Go for The Joy Luck Club first! I personally didn’t find it serious. As a matter of fact, I ended up hunting for all of Amy Tan’s books after TJLC. You’ll enjoy it surely. Great haul. Happy reading.

    P.S. Good luck with Faulkner. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I’ve only read one of his works, As I Lay Dying, and to be honest, it took me years to finish it. Kept putting it down but finished it eventually. It would be nice if you could write about him and his style someday.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. My only book hauls come from the library, and even then I can’t get too many because I’ll never have time to read them all in two weeks haha! But I love seeing pics of other people’s. The Joy Luck Club is great. I remember liking Life of Pi, and I think you will like the religious aspects of it, too.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. This is one fantastic list. Excellent buys. “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” is very deep and thought-provoking. “Far From the Madding Crowd” for 99 cents? – that is my dream come true because it is probably one of my favourite novels, though I prefer Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” slightly more. I cannot imagine anyone no liking “Far From the Madding Crowd”, so I am eager to read your review if you ever write it.

    “Kidnapped” is also a very interesting choice. I haven’t read it but I am curious about it because I have heard that some true events and characters provided inspiration for it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was amazed at how good the buys were too! I don’t know anything about Thus Spoke Zarathustra, so I’m excited to read it. And Far From the Madding Crowd and Kidnapped too. So many great classics!

      Liked by 1 person

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