You can never have too many books

So I was switching purses the other day and found a booklet of coupons for Chapters (a Canadian version of Barnes & Noble or Borders). One of the coupons was for $5 Off any online purchase over $35. Egad! The expiry was in a few days.

So, like any sensible, budget-conscious booklover, I signed into my online Chapters account to see how I could make use of the coupon.

I keep an ongoing wishlist of desired and interesting titles and watch for them to go on sale or clearance (I almost never buy books at full retail anymore, which I'm sure doesn't make publishers very happy). I get a further discount by using my Chapters' loyalty card. When my budget allows, I send in an order of just over $39 (to take advantage of the "Free Shipping over $39"). An additional $5 off was just too irresistible.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I still had an unused gift card balance on my account (imagine me jumping up and down with glee).

What I got today for an out-of-pocket grand total of $13.75:

Vancouver Stories: West Coast Fiction From Canada's Best Writers – (introduction by Douglas Coupland)


This is a compilation of short fiction by Canadian authors. The stories are either set in or about Vancouver. I first saw this book in a hotel I was staying at for a weekend conference. I didn't have time to read all the stories, but knew it was something I wanted to get.

Some of the authors: Alice Munro, Ethel Wilson, Malcolm Lowry, William Gibson, Timothy Taylor, Zsuzsi Gartner and Madeline Thien.


The Birth House – Ami Mackay


A book recommended to me by a good friend and fellow nurse.


The Road – Cormac McCarthy


It's post-apocalyptic and Cormac McCarthy. Need I say more?


Coraline – Neil Gaiman


This book has been on my wishlist forever. A good, young adult fantasy story that I intend to take on vacation or to the beach. I've enjoyed Gaiman's other books and have heard good things about this attempt at younger fiction.