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Monday, September 14, 2009

Treasures found!

Today, although it is still morning, has been absolutely delightful! Let me explain.

You all know that I began the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon several months ago, taking my time with each book so as not end the series too quickly. There was also another reason for the my self-made delays. The series goes in this order...

  1. Outlander

  2. Dragonfly in Amber
  3. Voyager
  4. Drums of Autumn
  5. The Fiery Cross
  6. A Breath of Snow and Ashes
  7. Echo in the Bone (yet to be released)

So far I had the first four books but could not seem to locate either The Fiery Cross or A Breath of Snow and Ashes anywhere in audible's library or online, for that matter. I did find the abridged version and I certainly do NOT want that since Davina Porter's narration is like butter. I've also read many reviews of the abridged narrator and they say there is no comparison, but still I don't like abridged books so that was pointless to worry about. So anyway, I decided to write to Diana myself. :) Don't you love it when an author puts their email address on their blog page and if you write to them, they actually respond? I know. Totally awesome. She told me that audible didn't have the rights to all the books and once the contract was up they would be able to purchase the final books. Okay, that's good to know, but how long would I have to wait.

Two years.

Um? No. I don't think I can wait that long to find out what happens in the world of Jamie and Claire Frazier. I'm too impatient anyway so this was torture even thinking that I might possibly have to wait that long.

I looked online for a "full compact disc" set and they were $273.00. (um. I don't think so!) There was no way I was going to pay that. Don't even think about it. After several months of searching I began to come to the conclusion that I might just have to break down and actually read. the. book. ::shudder:: lol

And then.

And then last week I thought, why not look on ebay and see what you find? So I did. And I found The Fiery Cross on cassette tape (43 of them!) for $20.00 and $3.00 shipping. Score!

And then.

And then this morning I just decided, on a whim, to check ebay for A Breath of Snow and Ashes. And low and behold there it was...on compact discs (!!!!!!) for $38.00 and free shipping. Now, I realize that this might be a waste of money to some who don't have a love for reading and/or listening to books, but considering that the new price for these books is substantially higher and the USED price for these books on CD is $132.00.... I felt I had the need to do a big WOOT WOOT!!!



So yeah, it's been a good morning, no a GREAT morning!

My plan for Echo in the Bone, the book that isn't out yet (it will be in a few days) is to purchase this on hardback. On September 25th Diana Gabaldon will be at our Jo-Beth booksellers signing copies so I plan to be there! The last time I ever had anyone sign a book was when Jeff and I stood in line for Jimmy Carter to sign our copy of his latest book of poems. :) My best friend Carie bought me a book by William Bennett that she had signed to the kids and I count that a treasure. And I do have a few signed copies of Kevin Henkes books for the kids (love Kevin!). But, my favorite book that I had signed is by Katherine Hepburn. When I was in college I was an avid autobiographical book reader (see? you didn't think I actually READ books, now did you?). Someone told me that if I mailed her my copy that she would sign it and return it, and she did. :) She was my favorite actress growing up. That book is hidden away safely with about forty of the tribute magazines to Diana, Princess of Wales on the week of her death. I don't know why I kept buying them but I did. Jeff even brought home a few. They're each sealed in plastic sleeves so as not to ruin the edges and they are kept from the light so they're as bright as the day they were taken off the shelf. :) I hope my kids will enjoy them someday. Who knows. They might end up thinking they're garage sale fodder, but I hope not.

So, it's been a rather good day. I'm now off to continue on my custom work journey. If you're still waiting, don't worry, it's coming. I'm working every day this week and will also include a few fun things too. :) The days aren't long enough, did you know? lol

Is anyone gonna watch Whitney Houston on Oprah today? I think I am. :) Have a great day, it's sunny here and I hope it is where you are too!




PS: Remember, tomorrow, September 15th is the last day in which I will receive Custom Orders. I'm moving in a new direction and would like to try different things. The 10% discount is still available until tomorrow as well. Thank you to all those who have placed your order. I will finish them as quickly as I can.

PSS: And thanks to Donna for the correction of my misspelling of Princess Diana's title. I suppose she is not the Princess of WHales but rather the Princess of Wales. oops.

3 comments:

Stacie said...

OK, so how did you get through book one listening to someone narrating some of that... action... without giggling?! :)

I started reading book three, "Voyager" (the green one) before school got out but set it aside this summer while the chaos took hold with Liam's issues, the dog situation and all the rest. I really wanted to ENJOY the story and just couldn't concentrate or sit for more than fifteen minutes at a time without being interrupted. Am thinking I'm going to pick up Voyager and get reading again here in the next couple of days! :)

byLGD Glass Jewelry said...

oh you're not kidding stacie! lol i really did enjoy the "action" though, i must say. lol it put me in the mood with my own jamie. ::wink wink:: lol

i have to tell you though, Davina Porter has such an amazing voice for narration both the male and female voices, that you honestly think there's more than one narrator. i'd say she's so similar to Jim Dale, narrator for the harry potter books. amazing work. i can't imagine trying to get through it in "book form" since many of the words are done in gaelic. yikes! lol

i didn't giggle too much. :) lol

Pretty Things said...

So so so SO jealous you get to meet her!

I'm in the middle of re-reading "Voyager" right now -- of, revisiting it all is heaven! I can't WAIT for the new book! SQUEE! But then to wait ANOTHER two years for the last one!

When I first discovered the series, I thought it ENDED with Ashes. So I read it, thought, "OK, then", joined a Gabaldon Yahoo group, only to find out WHAT? Two more books? YAYYYYY!

I've been reading this time around with my Outlandish Companion to try to get as much of the Gaelic as I can. I still get my tongue tied a bit. Welsh I can do, but not Gaelic!