Buy A Friend A Book Week

October 2, 2008 /

Buy a Friend A Book Week takes place the first weeks of October, January, April, and July.  The idea is that you buy a friend a book for no reason, except that you like them and would like them to have it.  Hey, that’s now!  OK, I’m in.  Sort of.

You remember how we pared down our books last year, after moving our things back into our house, right?  You also remember that I’m trying to be financially responsible, right?  So, instead of buying a friend a book, I’ve decided to GIVE  a friend a book.  Guess what?  This means you!  If you’re interested in any of the following books from my bookshelf, let me know in the comments!  I’ll get in touch with you and get your address, and mail it to you.  Sound fun?  Sure it is. :)  Links are to my reviews.

The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield No longer available.

The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion

Driving Sideways, by Jess Riley No longer available.

The Inheritance of Loss, by Kiran Desai

Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides

Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi No longer available.

Atonement, by Ian McEwan No longer available.

Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro No longer available.

Plainsong, by Kent Haruf No longer available.

Possession, by A.S. Byatt, though you have to wait until I finish it for this one.  😉 No longer available.

Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell  No longer available.

19 Comments

  • Amy Nathan

    October 2, 2008 at 6:39 am

    I would love to read Driving Sideways, J. And I’m happy to send you a book in return – although I’m not sure I have any you haven’t read. Gonna go check my stash!

  • Ted

    October 2, 2008 at 7:49 am

    I like this giveaway! Too bad I can’t participate ’cause, well, that would defeat the purpose of reducing clutter in the house. 🙂

  • Katy

    October 2, 2008 at 9:16 am

    I have just recently “found” your blog, and enjoy it very much. Your blog banner totally intrigued me, and understood it more after reading your 100 things.
    Love your idea of sharing books – I tend to drop them off at the Goodwill, and would love to swap the “Thirteenth Tale” – will check my remaining stack when I get home and you can choose

  • Deborah

    October 2, 2008 at 9:59 am

    I would love to read Possession whenever you’re done! I saw the movie in my history class and would love to read the book and compare!

  • Starshine

    October 2, 2008 at 11:00 am

    I would love to read Persepolis! I watched the movie after reading your book review, but I’ve never read a graphic novel, and this seems like a good one to start with. 🙂 Thanks for your generous offer!

    xo

  • J

    October 2, 2008 at 11:10 am

    Starshine, Looks like Gautami got there 21 minutes before you, which you couldn’t see because her comment was in moderation.

    You might like Plainsong, though it isn’t a graphic novel…

  • Cherry

    October 2, 2008 at 11:16 am

    I am just about ready to do something similar! I kick myself for buying books instead of just getting them from the library because I don’t usually want to keep the book. I’d rather pass it on or give it to the library.

    Let me know when you are into a light reading mood… I got plenty to pass on!

    Good luck!

  • Lucy

    October 3, 2008 at 4:05 am

    Wow, this is so generous of you! =) I was just wondering if this was international? (I wouldn’t want to put you out and it must be expensive to ship so many books!) If it is I would love a chance to read Plainsong if it isn’t already taken. =D Thanks, and I hope you have a great day!

  • C

    October 3, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    J, I’d be interested in Atonement…if it’s still available 🙂

    BTW, you never cease to amaze me. You know, I have a terrible problem of not letting go of my books. I don’t know why I’m so possessive of my books. They’re material, they’re possessions…but I am very attached to them. I’d probably be more inclined to be financially irresponsible and buy a friend a book! (Hope my hubby’s not reading this!!)

  • J

    October 3, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    Hmmmm….C, this is a definite paradigm shift for me. I’ve always been a real book hoarder up until this point. It’s hard for me to give away books, but even worse for me is the CLUTTER around here. Our little condo is 2 bedrooms, less than 1700 square feet, and there are three of us wanting those square feet. So every square foot needs to be accounted for and justified. I do not like that about our house. We tried to move (bad timing!), and since we have zero ability to build on, we have to deal with what we have. So, I suck it up, and give away books. You know what though? It’s kind of liberating, and I feel free in a way. The question is, if we were to move, would I have a LIBRARY, my fantasy, or would we stay cut back? I suspect it would be the Library. 🙂

  • gautami tripathy

    October 6, 2008 at 9:59 am

    Thanks! I an gonna love Persepolis!

    When I moved house in April, I gave up 1500+ books out of 4000+ books. After moving here, I gave up another 500+. It is liberating. I give my books to old age homes, orphanages and any kid who want any book from my collection. I avoid to sell any. I found out moohing is not for me either!