b/c I had $5 in Borders bucks to use. But upon walking in,  I saw a sign that said "All books buy 4, get the 5th free."

Do I even need to tell you what happened?   I spent a glorious hour and a half choosing 5 books, of course!

Here's the booty:

- The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick (which is the one I intended to buy with my coupon)

- Kingmaking by Helen Hollick (Book 1 in the triology)

- Pendragon's Banner by Helen Hollick (Book 2 in the triology)

- Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

- Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran

And of course I had several others I would've liked to have gotten, but I wanted to be a little bit reasonable with my spending! But between getting one book free plus $5 off the total, I don't think I did so bad. It was just under $62 for all that. I tried to pick books I had on my wishlist for a while, but was a long way from the top.

Now the dilemma will be what to read next! (sigh...I love having that problem!)

I do that on used book websites all the time - go there to buy one book and end up with a whole cart full!

I tend to go wild at used bookstores, but not so much at B&N or Borders anymore. Between my 2 local UBS, the local library, and of course PBS, I rarely buy a book brand new. I have to really really want to read it, and be unable to get it any other way.

So it was a nice treat today, esp. since a few of these books will probably be keepers.

Gee, that's never happened to anyone else

The Hollick books are very good, I read the trilogy earlier this year. Glad to see her books coming out again and hopefully Harold will be more readily available at a reasonable price.

I know the problem I do the same thing. I love it when I get gift cards for book stores. I have a grand time.

Alice

I work part-time at a B&N so I often have to restrain myself!  I only ever buy books if the WL REALLY isn't moving (as in hasn't been posted since 2007 I'm last in line kind of not moving).  But the employee discount helps out.

A day well-spent. Happy reading, Arika!

Good job Arika!  How are you liking The First Man in Rome?  I really enjoyed the series and I think #2 The Grass Crown is one of my favorites.

I am really enjoying it now, Cheryl. It's definitely picking up now. Sulla's luck (if you can call it that!) has done a complete 180, and I can't wait to see what happens next. (trying not to spoil the book for others)

I have to start this book. But, first, I have to finish my challenge books. I've been sidetracked by Born of the Sun, which I'm enjoying very much.

Are we doing another challenge next year? If so, will we change some of the categories? For instance, I'd vote for changing the "murder" category perhaps to a historical mystery. I'm also not fond of the regional category as I live in Amish country. Reading Amish HF just isn't my thing.

What do you all think?

Since I haven't taken part in the HF challenge, I'm open to anything for next year, although the regional thing would be a biggie for me simply for lack of options. Though if anyone can name me some HF that takes place in Vermont, I'd love to hear it. :P

Unless "region" can mean Northeast...which I'm totally used to & will resign myself to Massachusetts. I mean, everyone in VT/NH/ME has to root for the Sox or Patriots due to lack of homestate teams. (Though I don't, because I don't give a toss for sports.)

I love the challenge, as it's really making me read some books that have been on my shelf for quite a long time!  It's a great idea and I've loved doing it so far.

I PMd Valli the other day re: HF Challenge 2010.  I was wondering if she was going to be the Gentle Empress again, or if she felt the need to step down. I haven't heard back from her. I'm up for a challenge, but I'd like all new categories (maybe we can start a thread to start tossing out ideas) or maybe do an author A-Z type of thing (although some of us might not be able to make it through the alphabet, so that might be lame). I guess we can wait to hear Valli's $.02 and if she isn't up to coordinating again, maybe someone else will step up.

BTW, Arika, good score at the Borders! 

Karla - What?  You mean there aren't any fascinating HF books on syrup making?  (Sorry, I hear Vermont, and I think syrup! Is that weird?)  I think "region" would include the Northeast, so you would have plenty of options I would think.  This year the "region" challenge was the one I was kind of dreading, but I ended up discovering a great book that I never would've read had it not been for the challenge!

Karla - I believe Marie Blythe by Mosher and Beulah Hill by Heffernan are both set in Vermont and historical fiction.

Every time I see this subject heading it makes me smile, and I am reminded of that Lays Potato Chip Ad, " betcha can't eat just one"!

I'm definitely in for a 2010 challenge - I really enjoyed it this year!  I think it's a great idea to start a thread on category ideas.  The "Murder" one was tough, I agree.  There's all kinds of categories we could come up with, I'm sure!  For the "bonus", perhaps a series instead of a 1000 page book (which some people chose to do this year anyways).