Trip to the UBS (part III) and Chapters/Indigo Sale - aka new books

So Saturday was a real book day for me. Aside from going to the UBS, I also went to two regular bookstores (Chapters and Indigo), because they were having a Family and Friends Day with 25% off on every books in-store.

I went to Indigo in downtown first, really early on Saturday and told myself to browse and look at books. Simply to enjoy walking in the aisles. Lately, I've been rushing in and out of bookstores, so it's been robbing a bit of my enjoyment.

So, what did I get?




Lucky in Love and One Lucky Cowboy by Carolyn Brown. Saw a review at Leslie's for One Lucky Cowboy, read the blurb and they sounded cute. I don't like western much, but these are in contemporary settings, so I should be fine... Well I hope :)




I also picked up the newest Susan Donovan, Ain't Too Proud To Beg. I was happy I didn't have to search too much to get my hand on it. I've been checking the online indicator the whole week and been sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering if I'd find copies during the week-end. Susan Donovan is quite hit and miss for me and this one has the potential to go either way. I guess I'll find out soon, right?


Holding Out For a Hero by HelenKay Dimon was the next book to make its way into my cart. I've picked this one up because Rosie seems to enjoy it, but I have to admit, I went back and forth in front of the shelve. I've never tried this author, so I wasn't sure if I should get it... on the other hand though, 25%off on a trade-size book... Now was the time to get it. In the end, I read some passages in the book and the writing seems good, so I got it.


Next was Earth Guys are Easy by Karen Kelley. I've been eying this books all summer long, not knowing whether or not I should take a chance on them. I'm not too much into aliens story, but I've been looking for something funny. So I wasn't sure what to do... until I read Kristie's review. Yes, I'm easily swayed, LOL. Only need one good word from a friend and I cave. However, did you see my willpower at work here? I only got one of Ms Kelley's book and not all three!

Another book was Home for the Holidays by Sarah Mayberry. I'm not sure about the blurb, but this is an author I'm determined to try before the year is out.

Another blogger recommendation was Hex in High Heels by Linda Wisdom, this time, courtesy of Hilcia with this review. I've been curious about Blair and Jake, so once again, I caved. Yes, I didn't enjoy her debut novel much, 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover, but it seems that I do enjoy her books when the main character isn't Jazz. So we'll see.





Finally, I picked up Skin Game by Ava Gray. This one, I wouldn't have gotten if the book was 25% off. I've tried this author under her other pen name, Ann Aguirre, and didn't enjoy much. However, this is about psychics right and I love psychics. Also Rosie loved it, but Tabz felt meh. So I'm taking a chance here. We'll see how much I like it.



Last but not least, Dark Haven by Gail Martin. This first heard of this series from SciFi Guy. He seems to really enjoy this series and I thought, why not give it a try. I've been in a mood for fantasy myself. There are three books so far and none of them were in stock back in August/September. Not even available to order! But now, they are, so I've bought all three ^_^; Yeah, I know, I should try at least one out before... but what if they go out of stock again? Better not risk it right?

Also, I bought other copies of The Thief and Queen of Attolia... as keepsafe... 8.99$ - 25%, that's my reasoning.

And here is what I found at the UBS:

Angel Lane by Sheila Roberts - I got lucky, because I almost bought it in-store... but didn't. So now, I saved a bundle :) I've enjoyed her books, but I don't think I love her enough to shell out trade-size price. Hmmm.

Somebody Wonderful by Kate Rothwell - Ames just read this book and loved it :)

The First Sin and The Second Betrayal by Cheyenne McCray - I've been curious about her series...

One Way Out by Michele Albert - If I remember correctly, Kristie really liked this one.

Hot Mail by Janice Maynard - recently reviewed by Leslie... and I got the hardcover version for 5$ I mean, it's a deal right?

One Week as Lovers by Victoria Dahl - I've been meaning to try one of her historicals and apparently, this one is very good.

Her Secret Fantasy, Lady of Desire and One Night of Sin by Gaelen Foley - I've read The Duke earlier this month and I liked it. These are all parts of the series if I'm not wrong.

Wishes in the Wind by Andrea Kane - She's a good author. I read all of her romantic suspense stuff, but have yet to try her historicals.

Wish Upon a Cowboy and This Time For Keeps by Kathleen Kane - I totally blame Cindy for these two! LOL, ever since I came back from my trip to Kristie and Cindy's, I've been buying all the Kathleen Kane I can find because Cindy loves her. I'm now starting to have a nice collection, but I've yet to try one ^_^;

The Sparkling One by Susan Mallery - A few years ago, I would have been estatic to get this one. I enjoyed The Seductive One and The Sassy One, but couldn't get my hand on the first book! Now though? The only reason I got it was because I need one more book so it was Buy 3, get the 4th free. Sad no?

The Prenup by Beth Kendrick - Another chit-lit author that I enjoy, but not sure I'm ready to buy in trade-size. This one Ames read and enjoyed it, so another good deal :)

Prelude to Heaven by Laure Lee Guhrke - Earlier work by Laura Lee Guhrke. Need I say more?

The Rake and A Matter of Scandal by Suzanne Enoch - Recently read England's Perfect Hero by this author and this book are kind of related, so I wanted to read them.

Secrets of a Duchess by Kathleen O'Reilley - Taja seemed to enjoy this author :)

After my trip to the UBS, I thought I should be more selective in my books buying habits. I mean, try not to buy authors I know I don't enjoy and that I don't enjoy anymore (that's a hard one for me to do ^_^;). Avoid plot lines I know I don't like. Also, do not use all the coupons and promotions available when I don't have books to buy! However, it's hard because most of the books I buy now, I know at least someone who has enjoyed them... and it's always like: This one might be the one that will make me enjoy this particular device or plotline.

I still buy a lot of books, but not much on impulse anymore. Each month, I follow the list I have and I'll add books that I've heard on blogland... So where do I cut?

Any Montreal romance readers? aka Trip to the UBS part II

Hmmm, so I'm back home after quite a long day. Like I said in my other post, I went to the UBS... but I also stopped at three other bookstores - another UBS (same franchise) and two regular bookstores (Chapters and Indigo - they had their 25%off sale).

Of course, that means I got some new treasures... which I'll share tomorrow or during the week.

Right now, I want to discuss UBS and books... So Kristie had this post about Keeper Books vs Keeping Books. Not long ago, Wendy had a post about your buying books habits... well now, I have questions about your purging books habits :)

How often do you purge your books? Once a year? Once in a while? Once every season?

What do you do with them? UBS? Paperswap? Charity?

If you bring them to the UBS, how much to you get for them?

I'm being curious and noisy, but I can't help it. See, I purge my books... at least once a year, usually when I re-shelve them. However, I don't really know what to do with them. I've been contemplating the options (limited) and none were too appealing. I considered charity (the McGill bookfair)... but then, yesterday, I thought if I could get some money out of them, I should right? So I brought my books to the UBS today.

The good news? I brought 144 books and they only rejected 2. I was a bit worried they wouldn't take any because I had a lot... and then, the lady told me they were very picky. Turns out they were picky about conditions... and a lot of them were pristine, I mean, like new - actually, many haven't been read. So I'm 142 books lighter! Not bad right?

The bad news? Euh, I got 50$ for 142 books... and there were a couple of hardcovers in that mix. So yeah, if you do quick calculations, I got 0.35$/book. Seriously?!? That's simply ridiculous and seriously, not worth it. I know, money is not everything and hey, I wasn't expecting much... but I bought 15 books at the UBS and I ended up owning them 20$. So let see, I sold 142 books for 50$ --> 0.35$/book and bought 15 books for 70$ --> 4.66$/book. I think someone's getting cheated/screwed/taken advantage of. Or someone else is making some profit. Or is it me?

When I went to the UBS in London, Ontario... Kristie told me they bought books at 25% cover price and sold books at 50% cover price. That actually makes a lot of sense to me. Ah well.

So yeah, I just don't it's really worth it ^_^; So I'm thinking of finding another option for the next purge... Any suggestion? I was thinking the best would be finding someone in Montreal and just outright exchanging books... and I didn't really consider the Internation Paperswap (can't remember how it's called), but now, it looks really attractive.

So that's it for now...

My books from California...

LOL, the few days before I left for California, whenever I mentioned I was going on a trip to a blogger, they would ask me: "What books are you bringing with you?" LOL :) So these are the books I brought with me.

Here are the books I bought at Borders :D I'd like to precise that I can most probably find all these books in Montreal... however, they're a bit cheaper in the States... and well yes, some of them, I couldn't.

And here is what I found at the UBS :D I was so in awe, I forgot to take pictures of the store to share ^_^;

A lot of good finds: Iron Lace by Emilie Richards, Return Engagement by Lynn Michaels, A Reason to Live by Maureen McKade. The Susan Andersen is probably the only one I don't own... I've heard of it, but never actually seen a real life copy. I bought the old Kay Hooper's, because although they're being reprinted, these were cheaper LOL. I read The Dare by Elda Minger and enjoyed it, so hence The Fling. Whispers of Heaven by Candice Proctor, I got because it was on my list, thanks to Kristie :P Books by Kathleen Kane are courtesy of Cindy :D

So total: 27 books :D Not bad no? And Tracy, it did all fit in the suitcases :D I'm an expert packer LOL :P


EDIT: But guess what? I forgot to buy Mischief in Mudbug by Jana Deleon... and I really want to kick myself... because I've seen it at Borders and at the UBS... Renee even pointed it out, because she bought the first book... and I just looked at the book stupidly, thinking I had ordered it and it came in my last shipment... but I remember incorrectly. And it's a Dorchester book, so I won't be finding it here in-store before at least 2 months. Sigh ^_^;

Book Porn

Last Friday, I went to buy more books. Yes, more books... but then, as many have told me - UBS shopping doesn't count and 26 books is okay to celebrate my 3rd blogniversary :D So all is good :)

So as Jill so nicely requested, here is some book porn - pictures of my new goodies :D I love this particular UBS because it's selection is quite wide, being in the English part of Montreal... and they've been having this Buy 3, get the 4th free sale forever :P Anyway, enjoy the pics :D

So yep, 26 books. It was supposed to be 24, but when I walked out the bookstore, there was a table with some books on it (duh, LOL). The sign said: "Become a serial reader" and there were series together... Innocent Mage and Awakened Mage caught my eyes - I've been looking for some fantasy reads, so I picked them up and went back to the cashier.

I really got lucky this time at the bookstore... Let see, hmmm, I found a couple of very "new/recent" releases such as the new Eloisa James, This Duchess of Mine, and Dirty, Sexy Knitting by Christie Ridgway. Those are two books I wasn't sure if I wanted, mainly because I felt meh about the prior books, but since I'm not paying full price, why not? :P Daring Time by Beth Kery for 10$, Tempted and Broken by Megan Hart - each for 5$ were some good deals. Especially the Megan Hart, since I've been debating forever whether to get them or not. I know many bloggers that love Ms Hart: Rosie and Isabel come to mind. I'm just not sure if she is my style... but again, for 5$? Why not? I mean, getting those 2 were cheaper than ordering one online.

One of my greatest find was When She's Bad by Leanne Banks, especially since I've just mentioned her the other day. I think I screamed a little when I found it LOL :) Found two Lynn Michaels - Mother of the Bride and Honeymoon Suite, two books I'm looking forward to read. I also found Golden Chance by Jayne Ann Krentz. I read this book earlier this year, but it was a library copy and I wanted one for my personal collection. Also found Lady's Choice, which I think Dear Author just happened to mention the other day. Also got Wildest Heart and Midnight Jewels by JAK... these are two full novels by her that I've never heard or come across, so I thought it was worth a try.

Among rare authors, I found two more books from Jane Goodger list - go me! LOL, I'm on a roll... Surprisingly, there were also two copies of When There is Hope. I also found two books by Kathleen Kane, which I promptly swept up :P

Seriously, I think I've been doing really well lately at UBS :) Since I had time, I went through all their Harlequin Desires, but unfortunately, did not find Amber By Night by Sharon Sala. Maybe next time :)

So what do you think? I did good, right? :P Spent almost 2 hours there , LOL :P