So...the Waterstones buy-one-get-one-half-price thing happened. I'm not sure I should be allowed to go in there anymore but I can't seem to walk past one without popping in 'just to have a look around'. Either that or I should just give all my pennies to them at the start of the month in return for all of the beautiful books!
Both of these are on my list of books I'd like to read this year so I'm pretty excited to have them sitting on my shelf waiting for me. I'll be delving into them as soon as I've finished writing the essay that's due in very soon and currently haunting my life. The thought of having a good book waiting for me is getting me through...
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
Over the last couple of months I've heard a steady stream of incredible things about this book so it made my list of books I'd like to read pretty much straight away. I had a quick peek at a few reviews over on Good Reads and it seems to be quite a divisive book. I think I'll either end up loving it or feeling a little disappointed and I'm keeping my fingers firmly crossed for the former because it sounds really promising.
The book begins with Allan deciding to ditch his own birthday party that everyone will be attending by climbing out of the window still wearing his slippers. He sounds like my kind of guy! On his journey he meets a plethora of characters including incompetent police and a few criminals. Allan's earlier life is also revealed like his involvement with some pretty key events of the twentieth century. I'm hoping that I love Allan as much as I think I will and that this is the feel-good book it has the potential to be.
Stoner by John Williams
I mentioned the other day that I'm not usually too fussed on book covers, but when I come across a beautiful cloth-bound edition like this (complete with bookmark ribbon!), of a book I've been wanting to read for a little while...it seems that I just can't help myself! This is a Waterstones exclusive edition (I think!) and as it was part of the buy-one-get-one-half-price offer, I figured it would be rude not to, right?
I don't know too much about this story and I don't want to. Sometimes half the magic of discovering a book comes from diving in without knowing too much about what to expect. It follows William Stoner, someone who is supposed to study agriculture and work on his father's farm, but a seminar on English Literature steals his heart and changes his life. He becomes a teacher, marries the wrong woman and has a quiet life. Stoner, in exploring the conflicts, victories, and defeats of the human race that go unrecorded by history, reclaims the significance of an individual life. I have a feeling this could be a book that stays with me. I'm hoping that there will be a couple of paragraphs in particular that I can fold up and store in a little compartment inside my head to open and reread during times when I might need to remember them. When I'm free from this essay, this will be the book I pick up first.
Have you read either of these books before?
Love, Jennie
xoxo
Both of these are on my wishlist! This month has had to be a no-spend one for me (thanks Christmas), but the January sales, in particular the Waterstones one, are keeeeeling my ability to be restrained!!
ReplyDeleteI know, the sales are super tempting! xo
DeleteThank you for the reminder that I have '100 Year-Old Man' STILL sitting on my Kindle - you see why I had to set myself a 'read the books you've already bought' type of challenge?! haha
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Stoner but you're right, that cover is beautiful! Hope you enjoy them xx
Haha your kindle and bookshelves must be a treasure trove of goodies! xo
Deletehopefully you will enjoy the hundred year old man, i felt mixed with it, some parts were wonderful, some not so i look forward to seeing what you think of the book!! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm looking forward to it xo
DeleteAllan sounds like my type of guy too, hehe <3 The way he decides to boycott the celebrations made me giggle and it sounds like a must read! I like that Stoner has quite an enigmatic vibe, one that definitely makes you want to explore the pages within!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy reading them both!
Sophie // soinspo xo
It really does, very intriguing! Xo
DeleteI'm going to download 'The Hundred Year Old Man...' asap! It sounds like my kind of story. I have almost finished 'The Cuckoo's Calling' now because of your lovely recommendation. I really enjoy your book reviews so I can't wait to read more! That's one of my goals for the year, to try and read as much as I can. <3 xxx
ReplyDeleteAww yay, I hope you loved it! Xo
DeleteI'm reading 100 year old man at the moment, I too loved the idea of a 100 year old man disappearing off into the night in his slippers! So far I think the book is well written and rather charming in places but I do not feel massively attached to it or the characters, you know when a book consumes you? I wouldn't say that this book has done that, but that is just me. I always think its good to go into a new book with an open mind x
ReplyDeleteI've heard that it's perhaps not quite as amazing as it had the potential to be. I'm still looking forward to it! Xo
DeleteLove both books, but I haven't read either of them yet! ^_^ I'm one of those people who doesn't read book reviews almost never, because I just like to be surprised by what's inside the book without knowing beforehand ! ^_^
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteYour book intro's making my booklist
ReplyDeleteneverending! I love checking out bookstores
as well. The buy one and get 2nd half
price is a nice deal c: Xx
hehe <3
Deletei've never heard of either book but the 100yearold man book sounds like something i'd really enjoy - i like him already!!! :) think i'll have to buy this and add it to my list on kindle!
ReplyDeleterachel x
blush&brunch
It sounds like a really fun read <3
Deleteyou've inspired me to go out and buy Stoner, sounds amazing x
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to reading it xo
DeleteYou will love Alan! I adore this book, so funny and yey it's going to be in film!
ReplyDeleteaww yay, I'm excited! xo
DeleteI worked in Waterstones for Christmas and it was so hard to restrain myself, especially with discount! That copy of Stoner is so beautiful and it was one of our biggest sellers over Christmas; I think I'm going to have to pop back and buy it! xx
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful edition, I can see why it was a best seller! xo
DeleteI like the sound of Stoner. After my experience of the fault in our stars, I feel inclined to avoid overly hyped books.
ReplyDeleteJenny | sunny sweet pea xx
I like that this one was almost forgotten about for so many years, I think it's going to be pretty special! x
DeleteLove love love the sound of The Hundred-Year-Old Man! I've not been very inspired by the sounds of many books recently, but I think this calls for a trip to Waterstones! Wendy xx
ReplyDeleteScottish Wendy | Wendy's World
It does sound like a good read! xo
Deleteboth of these are on my wishlist!I really want to start reading more this year xx
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to be able to escape into a good book <3
DeleteThese are both two books on my list to read at some point this year, I do have the first one on my shelf so I can start that soon :)
ReplyDeleteAmy x A Little Boat Sailing
<3
DeleteWowww, I now need that clothbound edition! x
ReplyDeletehttp://lettersfrombee.blogspot.co.uk/
It's beautiful! xo
DeleteI've got my eye firmly on The hundred-year old man (...) - it sounds like such a beautiful story! And Waterstone's buy one get one half price deals always get me as well, haha!
ReplyDeleteThey're just so tempting! :)
DeleteStoner looks like my sort of book, and it looks great too!
ReplyDeleteSamantha xo
sjmcdf
It's a beautiful edition <3
DeleteNothing beats the feeling of sitting down to start a new book!
ReplyDeleteThe cover of Stoner is gorgeous, I'm sorely tempted to head to Waterstones...
Jess xo
It's super stunning <3
DeleteI'm in the "not sure" camp with the 100yr man one, but I'd be interested to see what you think.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the background - I love that deer print!! x
It's a dress I've had for a little while <3
DeleteI'm a little over halfway through the 100 year old man, and I'm in the love it category. It's cleverly written and you learn a bit about history as you go through, bonus!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds wonderful! xo
Delete100 year old man seems really interesting. -Hanna Lei
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteI really enjoyed the one hundred year old man, I read it this summer and got lost in the story line. I've read better books, I wouldnt say it was a favourite, but it was really enjoyable :)
ReplyDeletelillies and lipbalm
Aww that's good to hear that you enjoyed it <3
Deletei got sucked into the WH Smith BOGO half price the other day too! it's a dangerous thing. i started but didn't finish the 100 year old man book, i got distracted by another - you've reminded me to finish it! x
ReplyDeleteSuch a good deal! xo
Deletei've never heard of these but i'm glad you suggested them because I need a good book to read :)
ReplyDeletehttp://chelsealeighbeauty.blogspot.ca/
<3 <3
DeleteHaven't read any of those *shame on me* It feels so good and refreshing to have new books on our possession though^^ Have I added you on Goodreads already? x
ReplyDeleteOoh I'm not sure, I'm sailorjennie over there :)
DeleteI think I saw someone else recommend Stoner. But personally I'd love to read the hundred year old man. It sounds really interesting and a little humorous?
ReplyDeleteThe Artistically Challenged: Beauty, Fashion, Music, Lifestyle Blog
Definitely sounds like a funny read! xo
DeleteI'm really curious about stoner, heard so much about it! I might read it for school, guess it's pretty interesting!
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteI liked The Hundred Year Old Man! It did get a little on the slow, repetitive side towards the end but I thought the premise was really good so it's worth a go.
ReplyDeleteI did pick Stoner up during my last Waterstones excursion, but the lack of synopsis on the cover meant I was wary of parting with my money not knowing what I was going to be reading. I know a few people who are going to be reading it though so if I hear good things I might go ahead.
Bella . BELLAETC
I've seen really amazing reviews! Xo
Deletethey sure don't make books like they used to anymore. When I saw your photos, I was immediately attracted to how these were made! =)
ReplyDeletexo,
nancy
<3
DeleteI can't wait to hear how you get on with Stoner, it's on my reading list too. And what a gorgeous copy of it!
ReplyDeleteIt's really lovely <3
DeleteI've not read either of these but the hundred year old man one seems like something I'd'd really enjoy! <3
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteGreat post! Both these books have just been put on my wish list! :)
ReplyDeleteKeeley's Wardrobe
yayy! xo
DeleteI haven't read either, but the 100-year old man is loaded onto my Kindle at the moment. Haven't had a chance to read it yet! I didn't realise it was such a hefty book--I feel like I got a real bargain for my £1.99!
ReplyDeleteDefinite bargain there! xo
DeleteIf these books are half as amazing to read as they are to look at, then you will definitely be having a good time!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either of these but they are both on my TBR, and the hundred year old man is actually sitting on my eReader waiting to be read. I have just been listening to it a little bit on Radio 4 (feel so old saying that haha) and it sounded great and really made me want to pick it up and start reading, so I will be interested to see if we both enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI too spotted that copy of Stoner in Waterstones and fell in love, I didn't pick it up but really wish I had as I have heard nothing but good things about the book, looking forward to hearing what you think of that one too! xx
thelibrarian.co.uk
Im seriously a massive book cover sucker! HA! I get drawn in and then hope for an amazing novel, Which offcourse doesnt always match, Never judge a book and all that !
ReplyDeleteLucy xx
elizakklozet.blogspot.co.uk