Discussion: Collecting Books

Since I live in a 2-bedroom apartment, space for books is rare. We buy furniture based on how many books it can hold - there's no such thing as a short bookshelf around here! Some of you may be completely opposite with stickler self-control and the ability to 'Just Say No'. For those of you with one bookshelf, my hat goes off to you and your self-control. I pity you a little, since there's something majestic about knowing your child's entire closet is crammed full of books, just waiting to spill out. However, what this discussion is really about are those books you just CAN'T say no to.
I'm not talking about favorites. Oh, sure, I have about 5 copies of Little Women here (each one irreplaceable, of course) and 3 copies of Heidi, 2 of New Arabian Nights...and I'm sure every teen with a book blog has the Hunger Games series, Twilight...Harry Potter....
No, I'm talking about those books you just itch to own so bad you nearly scream when it finally hits publication date, hoping Amazon holds true to its "guaranteed delivery by...". I'm talking about those books you scour for at used book stores, gleefully holding up a copy you've found in the piles of romance paperbacks and hardback political yahoos. I'm talking about those books you display with pride, and when your friends ask, say, "Yes, I collect the series / author's works / out-of-print 80s teen books that hold many nostalgic memories."
And so I'm letting you in on what I'm collecting.

Series:




Skulduggery Pleasant, by Derek Landy
Want a wise-cracking skeleton detective and a kick-butt teenage heroine-turned-apprentice? This book has got it all. Skulduggery Pleasant works as a detective for the magical community that the world at large has no idea exists. Stephanie is a sharp teenager that casts in her lot with him. Together they save the world repeatedly...but their luck can only hold out for so long.

What I love is that despite it having such a kooky premise, it's entirely believable. That when you close the book and the world just got saved AGAIN, things aren't finished. There's always something that seriously needs addressing. On that note, I'm rarely motivated to finish a series. And yet every book is consistently good - nothing has gotten less than a B+. So, I take off my hat to Derek Landy who has gotten me to continue his series, and at such a break-neck speed of buying them the second they're available!
There is a variety of publication dates out there for this series, with the US being woefully last.

Theodosia Throckmorton, by R. L. LaFevers
I first bought Theodosia and The Serpent of Chaos because of its beautiful cover. Artfully done by Yoko Tanaka, the inside hardback is covered in a historical map of London. I was so impressed by how much effort went into the wrappings, that I grabbed it. I was completely hooked from page one. Egyptian mythology, secret societies, history, mysteries, and a dash of magic - what's not to like? My only wish is that she were a bit older. However, that hasn't stopped me from grabbing every sequel that hits the shelves.

Ranger's Apprentice, by John Flanagan
I think I grabbed this one initially because of the inside flap, although the cover caught me to begin with. Will becomes a Ranger's Apprentice through a series of interesting, funny, and catch-you-off-guard scenes. While you learn about his friends as well, it's mostly Will and Halt's (the Ranger who trains him) story that you read about. While the first couple of books tend to be broader in the plot they encompass, the later books are much more focused on a specific story. Will grows with each book - no small feat, and the characters are entirely believable and enjoyable.

My only reservation is that while these books are already published in Australia, they're still being re-published in the US. The final book is slated for April of 2011. I haven't read the last few books and plan on just grabbing the entire set when it's all done so I don't have to stress out about waiting for the next book for closure!






All About, by Various
This series is out-of-print, of course, but they sure seem to pop up at thrift stores all over. Mostly found without their jackets, they're fascinating books that make learning and non-fiction topics perfect for the young and curious. I currently have 21, and I know there's at least a few more. (I'm not positive the total, since I can't find much information on them anywhere.)

Hardy Boys, by Franklin W. Dixon
We all know and love these crazy boys that put their heads together to solve most any crime. I like to collect the older 1st and 2nd editions when I can. I only have one with an original cover, but I have roughly 20 of them so far.

Nancy Drew, by Carolyn Keene
This series is incredibly hard to find. Unless, of course, you want the sleek shiny plastic cover appearing on shelves lately. I prefer the older editions - particularly pre-1959 before they decided to rewrite any of the politically incorrect bits out. Along with these, I love the spin-off series The Dana Girls. These are even more ridiculously hard to find, but I do have a copy of The Secret At The Gatehouse, which I read over and over....read them if you get a chance.


Authors:
I do have other authors that fit the bill, but these two have passed the test of time, and I always check to make sure they haven't published something while I wasn't looking!



Patricia Wrede
I love just about everything Patricia Wrede has ever written - to me she is synonymous with 'Read it NOW'. With a clever mix of magic, romance, adventure and mystery, I can always count on her to give me a fabulous plot and a satisfying ending. Particular favorites are Sorcery and Cecilia and what is now being published as an omnibus: A Matter of Magic.

Avi
Despite over 60 books, Avi never ceases to amaze me. I can read the back of his latest, think, "Eh." but open it anyway, and immediately be transported into a whole other world. The man is completely gifted. His plots aren't always what you want, or perhaps you want the ending to be different, and yet you walk away completely satisfied feeling like you've been there, talked with the characters, and have a thorough understanding of what happened. May I recommend The Man Who Was Poe and of course my favorite, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.

Antiques:

O. Henry
His real name was William Sydney Porter, and he is one of my top favorite authors of all time. His short works of fictions are pure genius, each one better than the last. A few have even been made into movies or TV series. I'm sure you've all read The Gift of the Magi, but try A Retrieved Reformation, The Green Door...oh and just keep reading! I have a copy of his entire works and am slowly collecting each of his book of short stories.

Edgar Rice Burroughs
I have been given odd looks when I've suggested reading Tarzan of the Apes for my bookclub. They roll their eyes and wonder what I'm thinking to suggest such a vulgar book that they could never enjoy. Let me be the first to say that Tarzan is an incredible story that I have reread over and over. It's sequel, The Return of Tarzan is just as good if not better. Don't believe me? Try a chapter or two. Both were graded an A. BOTH.

As if that wasn't enough, he has published works like The Outlaw of Torn and The Mad King. (Both are an A - if you read this blog enough you'll know how rare that is for me.) You'll be hard-pressed to find even a ragged paperback copy of either of those at your used book store, but it is very well worth it. His plots are fascinating, and when you're finished you're left wishing you had his imagination and skill with a pen.
I try to collect any Burroughs that I can find - his stuff is worth quite a bit nowadays. Plus, I'd like to have a copy of his entire works.

Elizabeth Gaskell
My favorite book of all time is North and South (by the way, have you seen the movie?!), which Elizabeth Gaskell wrote. She wrote not only that, but other favorites like Wives and Daughters and Cranford. For motivation to read what can be intimidating, you might try watching the movies first - they're all fantastic. Never heard of her? She was good friends with, and wrote the biography of Charlotte Bronte.

While I collect quite a few antique books as I've mentioned above, I realized the other day that I have quite a few of Gaskell's works that are old enough to perhaps be worth something. And while I love her works, I haven't had a chance to read them all as I have other favorite literary masters, so I am making an effort to collect them all and read them as fast as possible.

Richard Scarry
This is a bit of a fish out of water, but let me assure you that Richard Scarry is for me one of the greatest children's authors ever. EVER. Many of his books are being re-printed by popular demand, but my favorite is Richard Scarry's Busy Busy World. The stories are hilarious, the illustrations perfect and engaging. I snap up every Richard Scarry book that I can find.

So after all of that! I would love to hear what YOU collect! Or make your own post and leave me the link in the comments if you like. Perhaps we can inspire each other or at the very least find new TBRs!