Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Do you see any hidden gems?






I was at one of my used bookstores today looking at the romance section thinking, I bet there's something I should buy here, but being I'm a relative newcomer to romance, I just don't recognize it. 
Luckily I had my trusty camera.  

So? Have you read any of these and would you heartily recommend them?  It must be heartily, because it's not like this is one of those super cheap stores. These books are generally half off.

There were a couple Suzanne Brockmans.  I was thinking about those. But are they out of order?  

As you can see, it's not the best bookstore. The buyers are these super fantasy guys who have a really snobby attitude toward romance. I've tried to sell books there before. They refused to buy some Sookie books, telling me that they just aren't popular. WHATever. Serves me right for trying to sell them anyway!!!

The shelving conundrum: alive and well at USBs, huh?
The fantasy sci-fi section is like nine miles long, but that's where you can find authors like Kelley Armstrong. Don't you wish this shelving crisis would get solved? I'm not exactly happy there's chick lit in here, for example. In a way, I guess you could consider these few shelves to be the women's ghetto of the store.  

Can you see them now?
Does this work? If you click on the pictures, can you see the titles?  There have been complaints they are too small.   
  

21 comments:

Ladytink_534 said...

Sorry my eye-sight isn't that great. I can't really see the titles. I bet those guys changed their tune when they realize how big of a money-maker the Sookie books are now that the TV show has gotten such rave reviews!

Nicola O. said...

Yeah, I couldn't see any titles either, sorry!

Would it help to blow up the size of the photos?

Anna said...

Oh whatever... Sookie books are so popular. Since the tv show came out she has hit the best seller lists again. Those guys don't know what they are talking about it. LOL!

Shiloh Walker's Through the Veil is one to try.

If you have a Half-Price Books in your area, they buy anything. (psst there's one in Coon Rapids. ;)) That's where I sell my stuff.

Enchanted by Books said...

I could see the titles when I click on the pictures too enlarge them. I read Milk in My Coffee by Eric Jerome Dickey years ago and really liked it alot. Also Julie Kenner I saw on there and she's good. I love book shelf pics! I thought it was your shelves at first. LOL

KT Grant said...

Thorn Birds!!
Nice books you got there. Christine Feehan and Julia Quinn OH MY. :D

Renee said...

All but the last pic magnified enough to see the titles. :-)

Unfortunately, I got nothing. Barbara Michaels (supernatural romantic suspense) was a favorite, years ago, tho' now they seem a little old fashioned (but a sentimental favorite of mine.)

Thanks, tho' for the pics. It was like visiting my ubs from the comfort of my couch!

Jace said...

Hey CJ, I'd love to help out but the pics don't enlarge when I click on them, except for the 1st one. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

You of course have the Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz. I also saw Step Ball Change by Jeanne Ray and Vicki Hinze had some interesting military novels.

Ruth

Carolyn Crane said...

LT & Nic: Okay, I enlarged the pics, but still, some have glare!

Anna: Ah hah! Thanks for the tip.

Rach: Okay, Jerome Dickey. I'll check it! Wouldn't it be weird if these were my shelves? I've read none of these.

KB: They'r not mine. So is that Quinn any good? I thought about it.

Renee: It's like having you guys with me at the store.

Jace: Darn! Tech difficulties.

Ruth: Thanks for stopping by! I don't have either of them. Would you recommend one of those Krentzes or Roberts? I've actually never even read Krentz or Roberts - I came in really on paranormals. Is there a best Nora Roberts novel? Maybe I'll take a second look at that Step Ball Change.

Anonymous said...

Used book shopping! My favorite! I don't think this selection is awesome, but I would get:

Shiloh Walker Through the Veil
Janelle Denison Wild for Him
Vickie Lewis Thompson ???

The first two are authors I've been meaning to try. VLT's books usually work for me but I don't recognize the title/don't know how old or interesting it is.

Sorry I can't help more.

Anonymous said...

Oh, wait! Rising Tides is my favorite NR book ever!!!!!

Inner Harbor is the first, I believe, and Rising Tides the second in a great series.

Carolyn Crane said...

Jill: Okay, I'm definitely putting Rising Tides on my list then. Thanks!

Christine said...

Would you believe there isn't a USB within 20 miles from my house and I live in a NYC suburb? What's up with that?

So I've picked out a few things from those shelves I'd like you to buy for me..... LOL just kidding! ^_^

Katie Reus said...

Can't believe they said the Sookie books aren't popular! Idiots. Even blown up I couldn't see that well, but that's probably just me. I think I saw a book by Christine Feehan and she's always a good pick :)

Voxy said...

They refused to buy some Sookie books, telling me that they just aren't popular.

Interestingly enough, I was at Chapters last week and someone was browsing the Sookie books. Of course, I took the opportunity to rave about how awesome the books and Charlaine Harris are. The employee helping them out agreed and said they're leaving the shelf so fast now they can't even keep them in stock.

Joanna Chambers said...

I've not read Another Eden by Pat Gaffney but she is one of my favourite historical authors - I reckon it's got to be worth a go.

Have you read To Have and To Hold?

Anonymous said...

Soft Focus would be the better of the two I see there. It is about the film noir industry so may not be to your taste.

I saw the Roberts' Chesapeake Blue but you will want to read the others as it is a further sequel to that trilogy.

Upon reviewing again, I saw the Catherine Anderson "My Sunshine". Ms. Anderson writes contemporary romances for characters with a flaw. In this one, the heroine was in a car accident and suffered some brain damage that has left a speech impediment but I loved this heroine.

Ruth

ChariDee said...

"Upon reviewing again, I saw the Catherine Anderson "My Sunshine". Ms. Anderson writes contemporary romances for characters with a flaw. In this one, the heroine was in a car accident and suffered some brain damage that has left a speech impediment but I loved this heroine."

I also loved this book, but the rest of Anderson's stuff I've tried has left me cold. Not sure why, but can't get into her. But this one, this one is worth having!

Serena said...

I am probably repeating comments from others, but hello THE THORN BIRDS! what is that doing on the used book store shelf....it should be in your home!

Anonymous said...

I'm late to the party, but in case you haven't been back to the shop yet, here's all that I saw. It's not a great selection.

I'm not sure which Virginia Henley that is. If you haven't read her, I think her books are old-school in the sense of no-holds-barred fantasy situations but they aren't purple like, say, The Windflower. The Henley that stuck in my mind involved time travel to ancient Rome! :)

Carolyn Crane said...

gep751abOooh, thanks for the suggestions everyone.
Lots for my list! Plus, I should look at that Henley. I really want to read an ancient Rome.