The Sunday Salon - Books, Books, Books!

We’re only two weeks into the New Year, and already I’ve gone a tiny little bit crazy on the acquisitions department. But before you look at me that way, let me say that to my defence most of these were either birthday gifts or the result of leftover holidays gift cards. Also, I will behave myself in the future (once that last Amazon order I’m waiting for arrives, that is). This will not set the tone for the year, nope nope nope. Without further ado, my loot:

• A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen - Plus..
  
  
• So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ - ...and...
  
  
• The Subjection of Women by John Stuart Mill [and Harriet Taylor] – ...are all part of the Year of Feminist Classics reading list. If they prove even half as interesting as Vindication has, we’re in for quite a ride. I can’t wait to discuss these with the other participants.
  
  
• How Beautiful the Ordinary: Twelve Stories of Identity edited by Michael Cart – (Hey, this is edited by Michael Cart! I quoted him repeatedly when writing a grad school essay on YA literature recently, because he’s that awesome and quote-worthy). An anthology of glbtq short stories that I won at the awesome Karen Mahoney’s blog (thank you again!). I can’t wait to read it.
  
  
• I Have Waited, And You Have Come by Martine McDonagh – I know nothing about this book! I found it inside a box at university with a sign saying “Free books – help yourself”. Initially I was really excited because I thought the author was Martin McDonagh, an Irish playwright whose work I really love. But nope, it’s Martine. Who knows, maybe I have discovered a real gem. And hey, free book, right?

• Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech – Back with I read Ruby Holler, several of you recommended this and Walk Two Moons as the places where Sharon Creech’s true brilliance was to be found. I have recently finished Walk Two Moons and it was indeed as brilliant as advertised, so I couldn’t resist this one when I found it at a charity shop.
  
  
• The Very Thought of You by Rosie Alison – I probably don’t need to say much about this, as it made the rounds when the Orange Prize shortlist was announced last year. I remember it got mixed reviews, but considering how much I adored books like Saplings and Doreen, I think it will work for me.
  
  
• The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark – My very first Muriel Spark! All Claire’s fault, of course.
  
  
• Kissing the Witch by Emma Donogue – A collection of glbtq fairy tale retellings. I’ll be very surprised indeed if I don’t love it.
  
  
• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld – Finally! Found this for only 10p at the library. Oh libraries, I love you so.
  
  
• Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones – Another library discard *clutches book to chest*. It actually makes me sad that it’s not being kept forever and ever and ever.
  
  
• The 10PM Question by Kate de Goldi – I got this mostly because Margo Lanagan praised it. It will also come in handy for Maree’s Kiwi YA Challenge, which I appear to have joined because of my complete and utter inability to say no to Maree.
  
  
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins – Another Book I Got Because An Author I Love Recommended It: this time John Green. I’ve actually started it already and it’s charming so far. I can’t resist a good boarding school story.
  

• Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch
  
  
• Stuck Rubber Baby by Howard Cruse
  
  
• Local by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly – Wheeee, new comics! Dear lovely people who get me comics for my birthday: I love you.

What about you? Have you acquired any good books lately, or are you using the new year as an excuse to finally get the stacks under control? And have you read any of these? What should I read first?