I'm usually a pretty frugal person by nature. I like fashion, but I don't spend a lot of money on my own clothes. I don't go out to eat that often. We buy a lot of our furnishings from vintage shops and ebay. I like to think that I'm just not that interested in materialistic possessions.

But I'm kidding myself because I have two definite weaknesses - shoes and books. I've been avoiding shoe stores for a while now, but I can't cut myself off from my books and have been allowing myself at least one new purchase a month. My two latest:




If you click the links, don't let either of the prices give you a heart attack, after vigilant ebay and amazon stalking, I acquired both for much less. And they're worth it - beautifully designed; large, glossy photos; I could flip through them for days and still be content. I've got a couple of book lists going on amazon and I'm trying to decide what will be my next monthly library addition. Perhaps one of these:

 Or, possibly, one or two new ones from the Coralie Bickford-Smith designed Penguin Hardcover Classics collection:

So far, I only own four - Great Expectations, Pride and Prejudice, Treasure Island and Sense and Sensibility, but I love Wuthering Heights and just saw the new version of Dracula....But, whenever I see any books from this series, it just reminds me that I still don't own any of these yet.....



....and that really must be remedied at soon. Especially that copy of This Side of Paradise. And I could always use another copy of The Great Gatsby. After all, I only have two so far.....

I know, I know, this has moved from obsession to addiction. If I was really addicted, though, I would have splurged on this. It's my holy grail. I've been looking for a cheaper version for ages and just can't allow myself to spend that much on a book no matter now magnificent. Oh well.  Have you bought any really, really good books lately?