Mmm, popcorn!

[rivka]

There's an exceedingly tiny used-and-new bookstore down the street from us - really, more of a cafe with a few bookshelves. Alex and I stop by there a lot when we're out walking, because a sweet, mellow Australian Shepherd mix hangs out under the counter. From time to time there's a decent book on their 25-cent cart. A couple of weeks ago, for example, I picked up a modern reprint of Georgette Heyer's The Foundling. Heyer's hard to find in used bookstores, at least around here, so that was a nice treat.

This morning, while Alex petted Miranda and talked to her in a high, squeaky voice, I looked idly over the 25-cent cart to see if there might be another Heyer. Hey, there was! And another... and another...

I walked out of there with thirteen Heyers, costing me less than $3.50 altogether. They're all 1950s and 1960s paperback editions: The Toll-Gate, Envious Casca, Regency Buck, The Nonesuch, Lady of Quality, Faro's Daughter, The Talisman Ring, The Reluctant Widow, The Black Moth, Pistols for Two, Sylvester or the Wicked Uncle, Friday's Child, and Black Sheep. I left two others behind on the shelf, The Grand Sophy (I already have it) and something pre-Regency, which I instinctively doubted. (I came home to discover that papersky had ranked it "Awful.")

Given that I haven't ever run across vintage Heyer in a used bookstore before (although I don't haunt used bookstores the way I ought; they're scarce around here), this is an unbelievable haul.

Yay! Popcorn reading for days and days.

Comments

[glinda-w.livejournal.com]

*envy*

:)

[ricevermicelli.livejournal.com]

Oooh. Envy.

I don't much care for The Black Moth (Heyer was 17 and it shows). Black Sheep is loads of fun. The Toll-Gate has Heyer's most passionate actual love scene. The Talisman Ring is a fantastic romp.

Enjoy your popcorn.

[txanne.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Sylvester is one of my very most favorite Heyers!

[wcg.livejournal.com]

The Book Nook II in Glen Burnie may have some. I could check if you like. Of, if you have a list of titles you're seeking I could take the list there and try to match it up.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

*screams with jealousy*

There are at least two on that list I'm still trying to find.

[ailsaek.livejournal.com]

Oooh. Sylvester and Friday's Child are two of my favorites.

[wiredferret.livejournal.com]

Pistols for Two? Ee!

You totally win at used books.

[selki.livejournal.com]

Wowee! I'm guessing someone got rid of someone else's collection all at once (child/inheritor? soon-to-be-ex-spouse?).

I like Black Moth more than other folks seem to. Not flawless, but some good moments. I started to list my favorites from your haul, but decided it was pointless when I started to write the 6th one. Envious Casca's a contemporary mystery (also good).

I liked An Infamous Army on papersky's Awful list (and several of the ones she ranks as Poor), but Heyer's earlier English historicals (not what I'd call romances) are work to get through.

I would buy you dinner if you would loan me Pistols for Two when you're done with it. I've never read that one.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

It's a collection.

[gjules.livejournal.com]

Hmm. My local bookshop has a mess of used Heyers -- I can see I'll have to go back and see if they're still there. (I bought a few to try a few weeks ago, having heard such good things about them -- but then I started with the mystery/thrillers, which were really terrible. Based on some of the comments to papersky's post, that was my mistake.)

[rivka.livejournal.com]

papersky's list is a good starting point. A Civil Contract really is the best by far, so if you can find that one it's a great starting place. My other favorite is Cotillion.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

No dinner needed! I will be happy to lend it. Pickup or dropoff would be a great excuse to have dinner, though. There's a great Afghan place in our neighborhood.

[selki.livejournal.com]

Mmm, Afghan!

I'd love to have dinner with you and book-geek. We just need to pick a good day for it. Weekdays would be unlikely for me to come over, unless possibly a Friday night.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

If you don't mind a certain amount of Alex, then a Sunday would be ideal for me - Michael is at gaming from about 4-10, and I would love the company.

If you'd rather get together one-on-one, or at least when two toddler-wranglers are present rather than one, a Saturday should be perfectly doable. We've got company in town on the 30th of June and will be on vacation from July 15-21, but otherwise my schedule is pretty open.

[writingortyping.livejournal.com]

I hit the mother lode a while back when I lived in Arlington, VA. I had poked around the local used book store, found about five Heyers (each for less than $1), and when I brought them to the desk, the gentleman there said, "Oh - we have a lot more of these downstairs. If you want to wait just a minute, I'll bring them up and you can decide which ones you want."

In the end, I think I got close to 20 from him. I also had very good (inexpensive) luck rounding out my collection using Alibris alert feature.

I forgive "The Reluctant Widow" for all sins when I read the passages in that book that include the dog, Bouncer. I read one bit out loud (where Bouncer attempts to engage the heroine in a game of fetch) to my husband, and his comment was, "She writes good dog."

[nancymcc.livejournal.com]

I guess it pays to be old, for once. Paperback Heyers were readily available when I was ready for them (about 1975). Unfortuately, they are falling apart. I didn't realize I should take better care of them.

One or two of the stories in "Pistols for Two" can serve as a great "happy pill" when I'm feeling down at bedtime (but I have to ration them, or I'll memorize them). I think it's been several years, so I can indulge again!

[selki.livejournal.com]

My nutty busy time is winding down. How about Sunday July 29?