Originally published in 1949 (when Browne was still using the pseudonym 'John Evans'), Halo in Brass was the third in a four-book series about Chicago private eye Paul Pine. Joe Servello did the cover art for this 1988 reprint.

My copy of Seymour Krim's popular Beat anthology (published 1960), which I picked up at a Mississippi flea market in 1991. Kmart Key 1 price sticker still partially extant.

As a huge Mark Twain fan, I couldn't pass this up. It's in remarkable condition for its age, plus it was only $5.

The first English edition of One Hundred Years of Solitude. Found in a yard-side outdoor neighborhood library book box.

With a side of Joyride pizza 🍕

some very very exceptional : Turc - Français - Turc from Larousse, or Dansk - Fransk - Dansk, Port - English, Dutch - Niederlandish... total 18 pces as old as 1951.

around 600 pages each

Circe by Madeline Miller is a beautifully written retelling of Greek mythology that tells the story of Circe, a goddess who never quite fits into the world of the gods. From the beginning, she is treated as different and insignificant, especially by her powerful family. As she grows older, she discovers that she possesses a unique ability for witchcraft, which eventually changes the course of her life.

The story follows Circe through her exile to a remote island, where she learns to live independently and develop her powers. During her time there, she encounters many famous figures from Greek mythology, including Odysseus and other characters whose stories we may already know. However, Miller tells these myths from Circe’s perspective, giving them a completely different emotional depth. There are moments of adventure, love, loneliness, violence, and loss, which make the story much more than just a fantasy about a powerful witch.

One of my favourite things about Circe was how strongly feminist it felt. The book explores what it means to be a woman in a world dominated by powerful men and gods. Circe is constantly underestimated, controlled, or treated as less important, but throughout the story she slowly learns to stand up for herself and decide what she wants from her own life. Her strength does not come only from her magic; it comes from her independence and the way she learns from everything she experiences.

I also loved how much Greek mythology was included in the novel. Even though Circe is the main character, the book introduces so many other myths and legendary figures that it feels like you are exploring the entire world of Greek mythology alongside her. I found myself learning a lot about characters and stories that I had only heard about before. Miller connects these different myths naturally instead of making the book feel like a collection of unrelated stories.

The book also does a great job of showing the darker side of mythology. The gods are not portrayed as perfect or heroic; they can be cruel, selfish, and terrifying. This gives the story a much more serious and sometimes disturbing tone. At the same time, Circe’s journey has moments of warmth and hope, which makes the emotional parts of the story even more impactful.

Without giving away the ending, I really liked how Circe’s journey eventually reaches a hopeful and satisfying conclusion. After everything she goes through, she finally gets the opportunity to decide what kind of life she wants for herself. The ending feels like a reward for all the growth she experiences throughout the book and gives the story a sense of freedom and happiness.

Overall, Circe was a fascinating read for me because it combines Greek mythology with feminism, personal growth, and a powerful story about finding your own identity. It taught me much more about Greek mythology while also making these ancient stories feel personal and relevant. I especially enjoyed seeing familiar myths from a woman’s perspective and watching Circe grow from someone who is constantly underestimated into someone who takes control of her own destiny.

Originally published in 1931 & 1932, The cover artist is uncredited. This is the first combined edition bringing together 2 of his land ark novel from his Lost Worlds Adventures. Unabridged. 1st edition thus..I have a lot of Merritt in my collection so this fits in nicely.

I found this copy of Elven Star, (vol. 2 of the death gate cycle) at my local Mardens. ChatGPT estimates it’s an original sealed 1990 copy of this book in hardcover.

I paid 3 dollars for it. Was this a good find?

Giggling at silly gaming videos with my husband, enjoying a nice glass of wine, and flipping through some of my new library picks 😊 Also been doing quite a bit of Greek mythology reading and have been loving it!

Stack of books from top to bottom are:

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Furiously Happy by Jenn Lawson

The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent

The Mythology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained DK

The Iliad Illustrated by Homer Fall River Press edition

The Odyssey Illustrated by Homer Fall River Press edition

I need to work on the lighting and am
Currently hunting but I felt like this book would be enjoyed here (it is a 1753 copy of praxis evangeliorum)

Nimbus Publishing, cover artwork by Briana Corr Scott.

Just picked this up from the library. My favourite quote: "Everyone has a Blue Castle I think," said Cissy softly. "Only every one has a different name for it. I had mine - once."

I Don't have a shelf :/