An Oooh! Sqwee!! Moment ...

[texchan]

Well, a small one, anyhow.

There is this Russian fairytale trilogy by C.J. Cherryh, which I absolutely adore. I first read it shortly after it came out in paperback, when I was much younger. The first book was published in 1989 ... so I was barely out of my "teen" years. Needless to say, the books are long, long, long out of print. And, I have no idea where my original copies of them are. We're talking how many years here? More than I care to think about ... *nervous laugh* Not to mention all the moving and packing and unpacking that's happened between then and now.

A few months ago, I managed to scare up copies of all three books in a used book store. And spent a lovely time rediscovering a favorite set of stories. These were books that, until I lost my own copies, I re-read at least once a year. If not more than that. And, I had missed them terribly all these years. I was happy at finally finding copies of them, although they were all in pretty horrible condition. Two of them are in paperback -- and paper backs don't fare well over time. The third was a hardcover, but it has been badly beaten up by life. It's stained on many pages. Where it's not stained, the pages are dirty. Really, it's one of those books you feel sorry for -- and, yet, you don't want to get all that close to, if you know what I mean. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have bothered purchasing it. But, it was dirt cheap. And the only copy of this particular book I had seen in quite some time.

So, my set was once again complete -- more or less. I wasn't thrilled at having non-matching copies. And I wasn't thrilled with the condition of them, either. But, my happiness at being able to rediscover a beloved story and characters made up for most of that.

But!!!

Tonight, I finally located matching copies of the books. All three of them together. First editions. Hard covers. Fine condition (which basically translates to mint condition, without defects or faults -- except the seller noted slight wear on the dust jackets). And ... signed by C.J. Cherryh!!! I just sent my order off for them a few minutes ago. I am so excited that I feel practically giddy!

(Even though I know ... yes, this proves what a huge DORK I am. >.O)

Still ... EEEEEEE! =D

Comments

[steffannee.livejournal.com]

oh yay!!! That sounds GREAT!

You know I'm the same way about my books matching. If I started a series in hardcover I need them all in hardcover & vice versa.

Years ago, I loaned one of my Chronicles of Narnia to my cousin. Who swears I never did, but I did and she lost it. So all I'd have to do is replace it, right? BUT... they don't make the set I had anymore, so the one I would get wouldn't match... and even worse, I have the set with the OLD ordering system (it used to be The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe was #1, now it's #2 (I think)). So even if I could get over them not matching, I can't get over the different numbers...

I've never replaced it. lol

[ladybuggington.livejournal.com]

I have totally replaced all my books when I've had a problem with one not matching so I completely understand your sqwees.

[ladybuggington.livejournal.com]

oops I totally didn't mean to reply to the entry and not that comment, but I suppose that still works.

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

Ha, ha! Yep! Of course it works just as well. ^.~ *gloms*

I don't usually replace a whole series to keep them all matching -- unless it's something really special to me. But, I will go to huge lengths to replace them if it's a special series ... or if the copies I have are in bad condition. And this trilogy is one of my absolute favorites. I got the order confirmation today, and I can't wait to see the books in person. I'm so excited about it! *dances*

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

I don't necessarily care if my books "match". I mean, I'm super happy when I can get them all in hardback or all in paperback. (Let's face it -- generally, it's all in paperback, because it's cheaper! LOLz) But, if I have some of a series in paperback and some in hardback, I'm not too fussed over it.

But, this series is special to me, so I really wanted some nice, matching copies of it. I'm like that with certain series -- which means it's usually harder for me to track them down, because I don't decide I need "special" books for them until way down the line. That sounds weird, doesn't it? I'm not sure how else to explain it ... *sigh*

BUMMER about your Chronicles of Narnia book! That would upset me, too. Particularly because of the changes in the numbering/order of the books. That would totally make me crazy. Have you tried half.com and abebooks? You might have some luck replacing it there, although it might end up being expensive. =(

[animerei.livejournal.com]

I love it when I'm able to track down matching books! Congrats - I know that such an endeavor can take many years. :)

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It has taken me a long time to find what I wanted with regard to this particular trilogy. So, I'm really excited at managing it. I'm a little nervous, though, until I see the books in person. >.O

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Heh, I hate CJ Cherryh ^^;;. But the author's been rec'd to me a couple times :-). I like fairytales though! So maybe I'd like those.

It's great to find something like that though!

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

Heh, I hate CJ Cherryh ^^;;

LOL! Well, she's definitely not for everyone. There are only two series of hers that I can unequivocally say I like: This Rusalka series and the Fortress series. I've tried to read her other stuff, and most of it just didn't grab me. For me, it's hit or miss with her books. But these two series ... I really, really love. They definitely have "favorite" status in my little pea brain.

I'm not sure if it helps or not, but the Rusalka series isn't one of her most popular. I think most of her "hard core" fans tend not to like it. It's very character-driven, and it focuses quite a lot on the relationships in the story, so I'm not sure if that's something you would like or not.

...

*sneak-GLOMS* =D

[tai-meyer.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! :)

Hehehehe, I'm the person who wouldn't buy the Narnia books until I found a set with the covers I preferred. Actually, I tend to do that wih most books. I'm such a cover doofus! :D

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

Thanks!! I'm still giddy-excited over it. I can't wait to see the books in person. *dances*

I'm actually thinking of searching out some "special" issues/copies of a few of my other favorite books. But, that kind of scares me -- am I potentially trading in cels for a new (and even more expensive???!!!) obsession? EEEEEK! >.O

[tai-meyer.livejournal.com]

That's so cool!!!

Hahahahahaha!! It depends on how special the issues are. Are you talking rare, out of print, or just a little hard to find? Now, if you're talking lettered or numbered copies, oh yeah, that can be expensive!! (I used to work for a publisher that did beautiful special editions and so wanted to buy the ones that came with original artwork, but was too poor).

[tex-chan.livejournal.com]

Ha! True, true on the "special" thing. Some would be out of print, probably. The Rusalka trilogy was like that.

But mostly, they would probably qualify as "hard to find". I could never afford the "super special" leather-bound, hand-illustrated sorts of editions. I definitely know my limits -- destined to be a "small fish". *snickers*

But, if they are "special" to me, I would still be pretty happy over it. =D