So remember how I said that no new books would be allowed to enter my home? I may, just may, have broken the hubby’s cardinal rule of buying a new book only after reading one I already own.
In my defense Magrudy’s, a popular UAE bookstore, is having their annual warehouse sale. This means that books are priced as low as 10 Dirhams (under 3 US Dollars) – a phenomenon practically unheard of in these parts. Can you blame me for getting a wee bit out of hand?
Now before you take the hubby’s side and wag any judgmental fingers at me, let me tell you I had perfectly logical reasons for (most of) these purchases.
To start with, the prices were good enough to send me skipping gleefully through the store, clutching books to my chest and lovingly whispering “Mine! Mine! Mine!”.
I bought a couple because they were written by a Pulitzer Prize winning author.
I bought one because the author’s writing was good enough to be made into an acclaimed movie.
I bought one because it was written by an Indian author. And it is my solemn duty to support my fellow countrymen.
And this next one because what is a book haul without at least one non-fiction book?
I bought one because the book haul seemed unbalanced without a classic in the mix. And besides those black Penguin covers look so good on a bookshelf!
And this one came home with me just because… Look! How haunting! I totally judge books by their covers. No shame.
And just for good measure I tossed in a couple of children’s books as well.
As you can see, I really did not have much choice in the matter. It was a Do or Live-With-Regret-Forever kind of situation.
So have you read any of these books? What was your largest haul ever (doesn’t have to be a book haul) and did you go on a guilt trip after?
P.S. I was told by the Magrudy’s staff that the sale will continue as long as stocks last. So you should probably pay them a visit soon. But be warned, leave any reluctant hubbies behind!
By the way you write and how you word things, I think you are ready to write your own book and I’ll buy it!
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Eeeeeps!!! That has got to be the best comment EVER! 😀 Thank you so much! Have to get my head out of the clouds now 😉
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My biggest haul has to be when Christmas shopping, one of those typical – I hope so anyway – moments where you buy a family member something because you know you want it and you’ll be able to steal it from them after an (hopefully) appropriate amount of time. I bought five of them, full priced. Ah well.
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Haha… you do that too? I totally buy people gifts that I want! 😀 Such a relief to find I am not the only one 😀 😉
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Haha hubby and I have the same epic battle! Enjoy your reads.
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‘Epic battle’ What a perfect way to put it! 😀 Who’s winning at your end? 😛
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Me, but only because he hates hauling the boxed up books I’m willing to part with to the school or library for donation!
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Haha… whatever works! 😉 Was just watching Mike and Molly yesterday where Joyce was advising her daughters that the secret to a happy marriage is to make hubbies ‘feel’ like they’re being given something 😉 Just saying 😛
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I really love your blog, incredibly professional – especially with all the photographs! Makes for a great read, I aspire to have my blog as interesting and with such a large following as yours some day!!
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Awwww gee… now you have me floating on cloud 9999999!!!! 😀 Thank you so much for your kind words 🙂 and I am just a tiny blogger. Not a professional by any means but just chipping away at making my space the best that it can be 🙂
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That’s a fun post!! 🙂 We are a family of book lovers. I used to read a lot (don’t ask me what 🙂 ) I am always nervous when people ask me what I read because I guess other than manuals I read everything 🙂
I have started reading again since last year. Not much though. Are you on goodreads ?
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Lol… Other than manuals! 😀 I’m afraid with all the recent events in my life reading has again taken a back seat. But I hope to get back to it soon! 🙂 🙂
And I am on Goodreads but maybe we can trade names via email because I use my personal details for that account 🙂
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I thought you had bought one book but you actually almost bought the whole store! Definitely feel you and totally understand the need for More books😤
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Thank you for the share Jacqui! 🙂 We are ravenous indeed 😉
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I wish I could read as much as you do. For some reason, my eyes start to swirl everytime I read more than 5 pages. I am still wondering how I survived school haha
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You misjudge me. I collect books. I don’t necessarily read them 😀 😀
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You must have a library in a few years!
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Shhhh…. Don’t tell my hubby 😉
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Thank God I didn’t go. Only God knows what damage and dents I would have done to my account. I have close to ten books unread and I am really trying to resist entering any bookstore, though I failed on that promise over the weekend *covers face in shame* 😉
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Lol Jacqui 😀 My wallet is pretty bent out of shape too. I went back a second time and got an even bigger haul! 😦
And 10 books is a really good number Jacqui! I’m ashamed to confess what my unread list looks like 🙂
Do post what you got over the weekend. Would love to see your haul 🙂
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No, no, I do not blame you at all with prices like that. The Roald Dahl treasury looks interesting.
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I love that you agree with me 😀 The Treasury is beautiful! Such thick, glossy, colorful pages. Can’t wait to dig in 🙂
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Could your blog be anymore amazing? I dropped in as I saw you in the community pool and I’m so glad I did. I’m sorry but now you’re gonna see me on every post of yours.
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Haha! This comment just made my day hun 😀 You are a master of flattery. My ego thanks you! 😛
I loved the humor in your post as well and you can bet I will be lurking around your posts too 😉 😀
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All those books for you? I am really slacking in my reading game. Anyway, I brought Sunshine. I have nominated you for the Sunshine Bloggers Award. You are under no Obligation to accept, It’s just to show I cherish your writings. You can refer to ‘SUNSHINE OVERDOSE’ in my blog.
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Yes. Mine! Mine! All mine! 😀 I love collecting books. That is a weakness I simply can’t seem to control 🙂
And thank you so much for the award hon! You made my day 😀 You are a bringer of sunshine indeed 🙂 🙂
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Thank you for sharing this very beautiful post via Jacqueline’s blog
I adore to discover your blog and follow
Kisses
Anita
https://femmeetinfos.wordpress.com
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Welcome to Pen2Needle Anita! So sweet of you to drop by and leave such a nice comment 🙂 I will be swinging by yours soon! 🙂
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you’re welcome
🙂
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I rarely buy books for myself – shock horror. No, I get sent them for free! I mostly use my staff discount to buy books for other people or for other people to buy me books for my Birthday and Christmas!
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Books? For free?!! Why o why did I not get into that profession 😀 You are truly blessed indeed 😀
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I’m jealous, but I shouldn’t be because I do the same thing. And then I need to find a place for all these books. I usually read them and then I give them to friends and family to read. That makes me feel less guilty; but I hate giving them up! Your selection is delightful.
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Hubby is encouraging me to give away some of my books. I keep telling him I will but somehow I can’t seem to part with them 🙂
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Even just looking at the cover of a well-loved book brings me back to the characters living inside.
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So true! And I love having them around just in case I want to visit those old friends some time 🙂
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Guilty book lover here as well!! It’s one of the reasons my hubby doesn’t take me to this book store called Half -Price-Bookstore. I love it there and I’d be in there all day!
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Half -Price-Bookstore! I already love the sound of that 😀 All our hubbies are such kill-joys 😛
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all very great reading choices at a very affordable price. what a great a deal. 😉
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It was too good to pass up. Books here are ridiculously expensive so a sale like this must be exploited at all cost! 😀
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*gasp* You can only buy a new book after you’ve read one you already own? Why … that’s … *sputter* sacrilege! No, as long as there are books to be bought, you must buy them.
What I did, because I am a total cheap-skate, is I got a tablet and put the Kindle App on it, and then went through Amazon Kindle’s Free listings, and signed up for a couple of sites that list new free Kindle books, and went to town. No one knows, but me and Amazon, how many books I have in my Kindle account. (if they were paper books, my place probably could not hold them all, shhh!) Now they have this thing, Kindle Unlimited, where for $10 (US) a month, you can have unlimited access to (read but not own) nearly every book on their site – new releases also. So tempting!
Can you get Amazon there in the UAE? Surely you can! If not, I will help you petition Amazon to get their butts there as soon as possible!
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I know right? The hubster is an absolute tyrant! What does it take to get men to see reason?
Lol… I promise to keep your Kindle shopping spree a secret. I suppose we do get it here as well but I haven’t really looked into it. I’m an old fuddy duddy and need to feel the crinkly pages of a book in my hands 🙂
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Good thing those men have us in their lives. 😀
I thought I would need to have that book feeling too, but the desire to have new things to read, for free, overrode that tactile sense, no problem, lol. I also like the ability to adjust the font size and the brightness of the display. These old eyes are getting awfully finicky.
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Hmmm… you’re trying to get me to cross over to the other side, eh? 😛 I like the idea of an endless supply of books. You never know… I may get converted after all 🙂
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An endless supply of books you can carry in one hand! I tell you, it sure makes packing and moving a heck of a lot easier, lol. 😄
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Lol… you evil influencer you! 😛 But I shall be strong and resist your wily charms 😛
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LOL You’ll wish you’d listened to me next time you move! 😉 Have fun with your new books, sweetie. 😀
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I must confess and admit that I bought a ‘few’ more. I’m just never, ever going to move 😛
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Hahaha! No, no you aren’t! 😀
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I say no regrets! I am sure you will enjoy reading them. I haven’t read any that you chose. The Sea of Innocence looks like one I would have picked. Enjoy reading time 🙂
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After reading this I felt like I have to go read and read all the books that I bought and totally forgot about them, stored on the shelves. Nice post and well done Diya, no one can resist the annual book sale. I didn’t read any of these, but hope you have fun reading them, and then tell us what you think 🙂
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Hehe… Yes you should pull those books off your shelf and get reading! 😛 I’m sure I will eventually get to these books… if I live to be 375 😉
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Hahaha :))
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Having just seen Matilda ( the musical) I was reminded how much I loved reading Roald Dahl when the kids were younger. I’m totally going to get Age of Orphans just for that cover!
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That Age of Orphans cover was so hard to photograph! Those birds are actually gold foil which doesn’t show up well in the picture. And that boy amidst those naked branches…Sigh! There’s a whole story right there on that cover 🙂
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I used to go to WTC in Dubai where Apparel group would hold these warehouse sales. While everybody else hoarded make-up, shoes and perfumes, I would head straight to the Booksplus stall and raid it shamelessly. I’ve bought books there for just AED 5! Then I’d hide the pile at work, and take the home two by two to avoid arousing my mother’s suspicion.
I even liked going to the public library at the Mall of the Emirate, where they have this tiny section of books for sale at the entrance. They’re second-hand books and I bought a recipe book just because it was only AED 2. They even have some that are free.
And if you ever end up in Karama, please go to Bookworm. It’s a library/store and you can find books under AED 10.
Some may say we need help but I think this is the best kind of crazy to be.
BTW, would love to know hear about the Emma Donoghue book after you’ve read it. I absolutely adored Room.
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Uh oh… you’ve unleashed a monster now. So many options I never knew about 😀 Will definitely be looking those up 😉
Lol… I liked how you tried to sneak the books past your mother. I do the same with the hubby too. For the most part it works but the bookshelves are suspiciously over-crowded now so will have to come up with a Plan B 🙂
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I am so, so jealous!! I totally would have done exactly the same thing. Most of the book hauls I have these days, though, are for children’s books. With moving so much, I let my kids take up the weight and space of our shipment with their books. My own shopping sprees are usually for kindle books . . . only because they are easier to carry when traveling 😦
I love the choices you made. And your justifications for buying so many make perfect sense to me. Have fun reading!!
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Made you jealous? My job here is done! 😛
I love children’s books! I didn’t realize it until this haul actually. I mean common… Dinosaurs Love Underpants! No adult book could ever have such a witty title 😉
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How can anyone not like books, right? I’m on the board of our local Friends of the Knox County Library, simply because I believe that books should be available to any and all. Your post makes me want to read even more, although I always seem to be behind. Thanks for following Oh, the Places We See. Glad to have you traveling with us — and reading your books at the same time!
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Gasp! What?! There are actually people out there who don’t like books?! :0
One thing I really miss here is a good public library. We were fortunate to visit the New York Public Library last year. I almost had to be dragged kicking and screaming out the front door 😀 If only libraries would let you camp overnight 😉
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We loved the NYPL, too! In fact, I get emails all the time from them now, and it’s fun to see what’s current. Someday, I may even get to return!
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Fingers crossed we can both make it back there someday 😉
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“Mine! Mine! Mine!” made me laugh right out loud!
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Sighhh… yes, there was definitely some cooing and cuddling of books involved. Shhh… it’s our little secret 😉
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I’m with you on this. I have a similar rule – no more books until we move – but agreed an exception if a not-to-be missed sale is on! What are we like! Bronte
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Hmph… that rule is not mine. Imposed by the hubby. Isn’t he an absolute tyrant? 😦
I just buy him one book for every 10 of mine and he’s happy 😉
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It was your DUTY to buy these books! You had to have them for your SOUL. Loved your picks. Middlesex was astonishing! I recently went on a crazy book haul and I still feel giddy thinking about it. I don’t get that excited over a pair of shoes (well almost). Enjoy them. I absolve you of any book guilt you may ever feel.
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Haha Amy… You are a girl after my own heart 😀 I luuuurrrveee you! 🙂
I’m so glad you have a positive review for at least one of the books. Makes me feel the haul wasn’t a total failure 😉 Have you posted about your haul? Would love to see and drool some 🙂
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I have not. But I’ll put something together. I’ve got 3 posts in the works and haven’t finished a one of them. If I posted everytime I bought a book I fear I’d be posting WAY TOO OFTEN. I love talking books!
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There’s no way you can talk too much about books 😀 Post away! 🙂
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Well done on your fabulous book haul! I am really influenced by book covers too, I love the look of the ones you have picked. I haven’t read any of these, but I’m tempted by the Jeffrey Eugenides.
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Thank you Georgie! I so need to go back and get some more. The sale is simply too good to pass up 🙂
I haven’t read Eugenides either but so looking forward to it!
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