To be honest, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday was difficult for me. Mainly because in answer to the topic “Ten Books You’d Buy Right This Second If Someone Handed You a Fully Loaded Gift Card“, I really just want to say “my entire ‘to read’ list on Goodreads“. But something tells me that 2261 books (minus the few i actually do already own) is a bit more extensive than the ladies at The Broke and The Bookish had in mind.
I have read the complete Harry Potter series, borrowed from a friend. (Friendly PSA: THE BOOKS ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE MOVIES! If you have only watched the movies, you are seriously missing out. Just saying.) I have listened multiple times to the Jim Dale audiobooks which my husband and I both adore. But I still don’t have the paperback set for my own collection. This is an oversight I need to correct at the first possible opportunity. And since I hypothetically have a fully loaded gift card, I might as well spring for this absolutely gorgeous box set.
I have all of Melanie Dickerson’s books either in Kindle or eARC or paperback. But… some books … they just need to be held in your hand and even hugged on occasion. I have all of Melanie’s recent books (including her Regency spy novel!) in paperback but I so badly want to own the earlier Fairy Tale Romance retellings in paperback as well. They need a spot on my favorites shelf. They need to be pulled out and sighed happily over from time to time. Yes, I can read them all on my kindle because yes, I bought the whole set. But…. paperbacks. I need them. Enough said.
I know, I know. I talk ad nauseum about this book. But if I’ve got access to a fully loaded gift card, I’m for sure stocking up on Safely Home because I’ve given away all my copies and am currently left with none. 🙂 And – y’all could probably predict what I’m about to say next – out of all the fiction books I’ve read, this is the one that has changed me the most. I’m due for a re-read, come to think of it 😉
I collect Cinderella stories. Yet, I still do not own this collection of Cinderella stories. This is a travesty of the highest order. (Ok, not really. I may have a melodramatic side.) But this book HAS been high on my wish list since I first learned about it. I know nothing about the authors or any of the stories but they had me at the title. While I’m at it, I wouldn’t mind owning these other collections either:
When I read Jane Austen, I want to read pretty books. Something about the language and the setting and the “classic-ness” of her stories just makes me want to curl up with something lovely and feminine and not a paperback. This hardcover set from Penguin Classics fits the bill quite nicely.
Speaking of lovely books, I want this collection for my personal library as well. Colorful books make me happy. Colorful books beloved from my childhood make me even happier. This set from Puffin Hardcover Classics includes A Little Princess, Anne of Green Gables, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Secret Garden, The Wind in the Willows, and Peter Pan.
photo credit: SoObsessedWith.com
Modern Mrs. Darcy did a post on beautiful editions of Anne of Green Gables and another post on beautiful books with which to build your kids’ libraries. I discovered this pretty box set from Tundra Books in one of those posts. I don’t remember which one exactly because I have both of these posts bookmarked for my wish lists, not for my nieces and nephews (as much as I love them) but for me. LOL. No apologies. If I end up with any extra on this hypothetical fully loaded gift card, I may decide to buy a set for the nieces. But the first one is all mine 🙂
Quick secret about me: I have always wanted to be a spy. Just by stating that fact I have probably ensured I will never in fact BE one. So, to me, the next best thing is reading spy thrillers and books like this one by Jason Hanson. I discovered the existence of this book-that-belongs-on-my-bookshelf on someone’s Top Ten Tuesday a few months ago and I’ve been itching to add it to my personal library ever since!
While I’m at it, I might as well get 100 Deadly Skills too. Another quick secret about me: I’m like Jason Bourne. Ok, really really not. But I am able to tune in to multiple conversations going on around me and I usually scan for all the exits when I enter a building. That counts, right? Anyway… this book seems like Jason Bourne’s handbook. So I need it.
On a completely different note, my last book of the ten I would buy with a fully loaded gift card is Toss the Bouquet, a collection of novellas from Ruth Logan Herne, Amy Matayo, and Janice Thompson. Besides the fact that Ruth Logan Herne basically has her own shelf at my house, my reasons for needing to own this book are quite simple. I have the book that comes before this one – A Season to Wed – and I have the book that comes after this one – To Have and To Hold. But I don’t have Toss The Bouquet and that just really messes with my just-enough-to-be-annoying-in-cases-like-this OCD tendencies 🙂
So … after reading today’s post … you have learned that I like to hug my books, would intentionally withhold books from my nieces if it came down to me or them, have OCD tendencies, and am basically delusional because I think I’m a spy/JasonBourne in the making. If you are still following my blog after all that craziness (please rest assured that my sister-in-law is a therapist so I’m probably ok. lol) let me know which books YOU would buy if you were handed a fully loaded gift card!
We had the same thought! I want the beautiful dark covers of the HP box set!
they are so gorgeous!
Have the HP paperbacks, and the Austens, and the LM Montgomery books (even some of her more obscure collections of short stories). If I could get anything, I’d ensure I had all of Georgette Heyer’s books on my shelves, and not just my sister’s 🙂
I found a bunch of Heyer books for 25 cents a piece at our library’s book sale last sale – happy day!
I’d buy that paperback copy of The Lady and the Lionheart we were chatting about earlier. LOL Then I’d have to pre-order Sarah M. Eden’s The Sheriffs of Savage Wells and Julianne Donaldson’s Lost in Scotland.
Those are some pretty crazy confessions you made, Carrie! LOL! I guess everyone has their quirks–just make sure you stay on good terms with your sis-in-law! I used to be OCD, but now I’m CDO–in alphabetical order, like it should be! 😀
LOL LOL!!!
Great list! I also put the Puffin hard cover collection on my list because they just look so pretty.!
i know – they just make me smile 🙂
I would purchase the Rachel McMillan series. I recently went through the books in my TBR tubs and complied a list of missing books in a series. I would complete the series.
oh that’s a great idea!
I would buy Tubby and the lantern ,by AL Perkins since it is out of print and any copies available are not cheap. ( my childhood fave book, given to me by my gran)
then….I would stock up on Susanna Kearsley books.
I would preorder Jen Turano and Carla Laureano next releases, and I would then go through all my “must read again” books on my kindle app and buy print copies.
And I also really loved Randy Alcorn ‘ S book, so I would get some to have on hand to give away, although the audio book is brilliant.
you have an excellent plan, my friend!
Yes to owning beautiful books. I bought some really pretty copies of some of my favorites because we had a story-themed wedding reception where each table was a different book. But I really want that set of Anne of Green Gables books! Those are awesome. Have you read the Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl? (She runs the contests that produce the collections of five fairytales.) I just told my daughter I’d get The Healer’s Apprentice for her, too. Yay for all the great books! My TTT
ohhhh i love the story-themed wedding reception idea!!! I bet that was lovely!! I haven’t read Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s books yet but i really really must!
Yes to Anne of Green Gables box sets! I forgot that Modern Mrs Darcy did a post on that. And yes to sometimes wanting to curl up with hardcovers in a way that you can’t with paperbacks.
Only fellow bookworms really understand this, yes! 🙂
Nice to be included in this list! Thank you so much!
of course! 🙂
Everyone should own a copy of the HP books for sure. I do love some of these book covers that you’ve featured here, but even if I had a fully loaded gift card I’m still too cheap to buy additional copies of books that I already own. Even if they are gorgeous. 🙂 There are just too many new books that I haven’t read or owned that I’d want to spend the money on. You’ve got a lot of great choices here though. If I didn’t own Jane Austen’s books or Anne of Green Gables already I’d definitely want to get the ones with the pretty covers.
TTT
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
I justify it because I don’t actually own them in actual book form… just on kindle. 😉
I laughed when I read you wanted to be a spy. I think that would be cool too, but I’m too chicken.
I would probably want all the Agatha Christie books in hardcover, the original Nancy Drew series, any titles I’m missing from Louisa May Alcott (I have several from antique stores), and whatever modern day mystery or romance strikes my fancy while the card is hot in my hand.
I’ve got several of the original Nancy Drew and I was too lazy last night to go see which ones I would need to complete the set LOL. But if I hadn’t been, those would have made my list as well for sure.
LOL-And I thought my OCD tendencies were over the top! Glad to have a friend I can have ‘book therapy’ with as needed! I actually have the complete Harry Potter series in hardback and audio CD on my Read Multiple Times shelf. I have all Jane Austin books in either ebook, audio, or hardback. I own the complete series (all in one volume) of Ann of Green Gables…and I have the Meghan Follows movie to go with this set too. I own everything Melanie Dickerson puts out, but I am sorely lacking in my Denise Hunter collection (sigh). Thanks to you I have Carla Laureano and Becky Wade on my “Touch at Your Own Risk” shelf. I like to walk by and just fan myself thinking about Ty and James and a few other romance characters that made it to this swoon-worthy shelf. Jason Bourne…excellent choice! I like to imagine I’m a cross between Aragorn (LOTR), Katniss Everdeen (HG), and Halt (master ranger in Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan). We would definitely make a dynamic duo! Fun blog – Thanks Carrie!
hahahahahahaha Stacey, you and I are definitely kindred spirits! 😀 I love your “Touch at Your Own Risk” shelf hahahahaha. I need one of those too.
That HP box set is to die for! I want it!
isn’t it gorgeous?!?
I hope you get those Cinderella books! They are really beautiful! And I’m sure they’re fun to read, too! 🙂
My TTT: http://www.anovelglimpse.com/2016/08/02/top-ten-tuesday-ten-books-youd-buy-right-this-second-if-someone-handed-you-a-fully-loaded-gift-card/
Aren’t they pretty?
OhMyGosh! Those Anne books are stunning. I started collecting about set, but as I only have one or two, I might need to change which I collect. 😉
aren’t they beautiful?!? they make me smile and want to hug them. I think Anne Shirley would appreciate that. 😉
I agree. She would. 🙂
I may have to edit my list to include the new HP paperbacks and the illustrated editions!
And I can’t believe I overlooked Anne of Green Gables on the list for Shortcake to read.
oh yes, she needs those for sure! And you’re in luck that there are so many different gorgeous Anne of Green Gables editions out there!
Wow!! What a great list! You definitely need to get all of Melanie’s books! Totally worth it! 😀 And the Five Glass Slippers and two other books in that series are also on my TBR pile. LOVE fairytales!! 🙂 And Anne of Green Gables is a favorite of mine (so you must be a kindred spirit too if you like her!! ). And of course Toss the Boquet is on my TBR pile too! Soooo many good ones here. You can check out my list here: http://bit.ly/2aj0Lhn
yay! Thanks Sydney 🙂 We are definitely kindred spirits 😉
I would love to get the Harry Potter boxset as well! 🙂
it’s so pretty and it’s really a series that needs to be owned.
Hope you receive the books you want soon. Happy reading!!
Here’s a link to my TTT post for the week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2016/08/top-ten-tuesday-ten-books-id-buy-right.html
Anne of Green Gables set is adorable! Thanks for sharing it.
We do have many books in common; I do like Melanie Dickerson books and classics a lot.
Hope you find all those books in your list, Carrie 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Yay! Always love finding a kindred spirit 🙂
They’re all so gorgeous. I love this brightly coloured classics from Puffin but I didn’t like Anne of Green Gable so it would be a waste of money haha!
Awww lol
All of these sound soooo good! I’m going have to add them to my “want to read” list! ? I totally understand what you’re saying – that you wanted to put your entire reading list as your TTT! Once I finished putting all ten down, I remembered all the other books I want to read and wanted to put those down too!? #TheStruggle
lol! Yes! #TheStruggle is real 🙂
I own all seven of the original US editions of the HP books, but I would love to get the new ones as well because they’re so pretty. Those Jane Austen books and the Puffin Classics are some major eye candy though. I always drool over the huge bind-ups that B&N has because I love the colors and beautiful classic-ness they exude from the table. (Then consequently my shelf/table because I have no self-control.)
Great list!
Hahaha self control is overrated when it comes to books 😉
OMG, those Jane Austen books are so lovely. I need those in my life too!
Aren’t they?!?
Oh, goodness. I’m practically drooling over the Austen and Puffin sets. So pretty! (And I definitely would need a fully-loaded gift card to be able to afford them!)
yes – me too! For now, I just drool. 🙂
Ooh… These all look so pretty! I’m actually quite curious about the Cinderella collection as well as the other two, Beauty and the Beast collection and Sleeping Beauty collection–I love retellings! Going to have to add them to my own TBR. Great list!
i love retellings too!! One of my weaknesses 🙂
These are some fantastic books! My goodness, I agree with the desire to always be able to hold the physical copies of books, and I want all of Melanie’s as well! I have a set of the Anne of Green Gables books, but mine aren’t quite as cute as those you have pictured!
I have the Anne books on kindle but yeah I need one to hold lol
Wow you really shot for the stars with this list!!! Those classic box sets though!!! ((Swoon)) I also need to buy a new set of Harry Potter books since my set is from when my brothers and I read them as kids and are no longer in the best condition… I hope that my kids will read them someday and that way they can mess them up more and not my bright shinny new set 🙂
I cannot wait to read them with my nephew when he’s older!!
So very true about HP! Books all the way–movies? So-so! But I’ll get you the trunk of hardbacks, as promised! ? Read the Green Gables series last year and loved it! And I love that set!
Haha! Thank you! 😉
I totally agree with you on Harry Potter, I actually use my sister’s copies since she still hasn’t read them, but really want the hardcover ones for myself. Also, those Jane Austen covers are just gorgeous!
Harry Potter is just the best!
That edition of the Anne books are quite beautiful! I’ve only read the first book… maybe one day I’ll read the rest of them?
Thanks for stopping by Wandering Through Books!
They are definitely worth the read!
The Jane Austen and Anne of Green Gables boxsets are beautiful!
aren’t they pretty?!? 🙂
My dad is reading the Anne books right now. I only ever read the 1st and 3rd books when I was younger. I really should read them all someday. Maybe I’ll try audio sometime.
that would be a great way to read them all!!
I think I just want to own all thr Jane Austen sets that were ever made. Is that too much to ask? I have a different HP box set, but I would not mind another one like the one you mentioned in this post. Great picks!
i don’t think that’s too much to ask at all LOL
I like your picks Carrie, and mixtures of titles. I’m with you, couldn’t I just have my whole Goodreads list plz? Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my TTT.
Haha! Yes!
FIRST, I’m going on a kindle book shopping spree for new authors I want to try.
SECOND, sometimes the ebooks just don’t cut it, I agree with you there! I’d have to get some paperbacks of my favorites especially Mary Connealy, Julie Lessman, Laura Frantz, Regina Jennings (60 Acres and a Bride, I need to hold it!!!), Melanie Dickerson (YES!), Lori Benton, (I have to stop naming authors becuase I should be blogging)… a new Anne set would be wonderful (my kids are going to be the end of the one I got years ago).
THIRD, I’d fill in missing books from my favorite series. Books that don’t have their series mates are more likely to be donated to the library (I can’t stand them to be sitting on my shelf all orphaned but also, our library needs the help!)
LAST BUT NOT LEAST! I’d also love to fill a beautimous bookshelf for my children here in our living room (where I can make sure it STAYS beautimous and the books are given their proper care and attention. LOVE the books, children. LOVE THEM GENTLY!)
LOL!!! Oooo 60 Acres and a Bride is my FAVE Regina Jennings book, yes!!!!
I want that Harry Potter set too! And the Jane Austen one <3 Thanks for stopping by my blog!
They are awesome!
Million dollars? To heck with reading ’em — I’d go straight for resale value and get a first edition of the complete Shakespeare.
Haha!
Where was I Tuesday? How did I miss this post? Carrie, you have an amazing list. I would include several of the same books on my list too. I have all the hardcover Harry Potter books. I would love to have the original Britsh versions of Harry Potter. I would also replace my Anne of Green Gables collection. I lost so many books (100’s) to a broken water pipe flood, I would love to replace them all! And get waterproof bookcases to put them in. Could that be arranged with a fully loaded gift card?
oh that’s so sad! Losing books is disheartening and tragic. At least to book lovers. And yes – I’d say that could definitely be arranged! LOL