Friday, July 07, 2006

Taking a Chance

I just bought Sarah Dunant's "The Birth of Venus" last night, used, for about $4.40. I picked it up because it's gotten good reviews and I like to buy highly publicized books used because I'm curious but that way I don't have to worry about wasting money in case I don't like them. I did the same with "The Historian" and it turned out pretty well. However, I hestitated for a moment before buying this book since Kim read Dunant's latest, "In the Company of the Courtesan" and found it less than great.

I haven't started it yet since I'm reading some other books first. But have you ever bought a book you weren't sure about, only to find out you loved it? Or maybe bought a book you heard was great but ended up hating it?

2 comments:

Kym said...

This one was a thinker! At first I was put off by the Harry Potter series, had the first one read to me out loud and fell in love with them! I had also heard wonderful things about Sue Monk Kidd and hated "The Mermaid Chair" yet still purchased "The Secret Life of Bees" hoping it will be better.

Everyone loved Toni Morrison's "Paradise" and it was named the book of the century by the NY Times but I felt bad that I didn't cry my eyes out and hold the book close to my chest.

That will do.

Kym said...

Oh wait! It was "Beloved" not "Paradise" however I wasn't able to get into "Paradise" and will have to try again sometime.