Saturday, November 17, 2007

Tales from the Front Line

I haven't made it to the Penguin/Pearson Warehouse sale yet (maybe tomorrow?), so am grateful to Erna for writing about what's good to buy for all kinds of book lovers and the treasures she found.

Anyone else got a story from the front line to tell?


(Pic nicked from Erna)

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Erna's done great!

There are also a few non-fic gems, and apparently there might be more titles yet to be seen as they are still in boxes under the tables!

I got almost 30 books yesterday!

Anonymous said...

as much as i do go to these sales, i am quite appalled by the "discounted" prices most times. the discounts are really not much and most of the books remain at rather expensive prices, and for the condition they're in.

i went to one of the secondhand bookstores in north america, and the books are really, really cheap, with some hardbacks going for $1 even! and they've got great titles. the best thing is, their books are in almost mint condition.

makes you think twice about our book "sales."


Veez

Anonymous said...

I went yesterday afternoon and got myself around 22 books(despite the fact that I kept telling myself not to overspend!), mostly fiction from Paul Auster, Hanif Kureishi, Hari Kunzru, Marquez and Pamuk. Glad to grab a copy of Levi's If This is a Man and some Penguin Classic titles.

One down side of the sale is the books weren't categorized, and spending hours searchiing for books in the crowd in a hot afternoon is not a pleasant thing to do. I would definitely go in the morning next time, opppss, did I say "next time"?

Alice said...

I was at the warehouse sale this afternoon and bought some. The place was packed with people and quite stuffy but seeing the sea of books made me forget everything about the condition.

gnute said...

Oh, I am not in on the action, but I do have a book recommendation. It is John Bergerś latest non-fiction writing, "Hold Everything Dear". A meditation of sorts on the world weŕe living in today.

Chet said...

I did my bit and went on a penguin rescue mission this evening after Erna told us at this morning's MyWriMo write-in that the books not purchased by the end of the sale would be turned to pulp. I only rescued two this evening, but plan to go back during the week to do more.

And Sharon, if you're going, go in via Jalan 217, one road after 215, drive down towards the T junction and there should be some parking space to your left. Then just walk to the Pearson building which is to the left at the T junction.

Amir Muhammad said...

Bought 8 books for RM103, including large paperbacks of "Never Let Me Go" and "The Brooklyn Follies"; a hardboiled biography of Robert Mitchum; and an alternate cover of "The Secret History" to the one I have. Tempted by many more. Couldn't stay very long but doubt I will be able to go again...

synical said...

http://lifeasacynic.blogspot.com/2007/11/pearson-and-penguin-books-warehouse.html

Erna said...

Oh my, didn't expect to get linked here. ;) Thanks, Sharon.

Well, I should have written another update but am too tired after my second trip. Penguin Classics are now going extinct! Far and few between but I did finally buy classic books I've been promising myself to read for ages. I put aside two copies of Anna Karenina I found and they were gone in a blink. Yay for enduring classics.

Bring a lot of stamina and be picky about your boxes. Get a nice big deep one to stash your picks in. Your arms will love you for it.

Michelle Chin said...

I've got 10 books for RM97! Isn't that cool?

Anyway, if you want tips, you should come visit me bloggie. =D

Leon Wing said...

I got 3 Lethems, including this year's You Don't Love Me Yet, at RM15. Also the last Safran Foer's guardian winner,Evelyn Waugh's war trilogy classic, a hardback Carey on Japan, 2 Patrick Neate - altogether 12 books. The best book sales ever!

savante said...

Haven't gone either. Going soon though. Maybe I can pick up some Christmas gifts.

Anonymous said...

My haul. So many books, not enough money! haha

Anonymous said...

I bought 20 books.

Chet, is that true, they will pulp them after the sales?

Chet said...

That's what Erna said.

bibliobibuli said...

that's always the fate of unsold books! cruel ....