Last Blog Entry From The Maldives

As usual when overseas here's a photo from the business centre of our hotel.  That's another visitor to the website today !

I've checked and there's no Bonds in the hotel library...

Greetings From The Maldives

My wife and I are currently spending three nights in the Maldives before flying to Sri Lanka to attend my manager's wedding.  Unfortunately her wedding is on November 12, the same day as "Spectre" is released in Australia, so I won't be attending any premiere screenings in Oz for this Bond film, but it's not everyday you've got a reason to fly to Lanka.

Anyhow, with the free-wifi ending soon I'll try and rush a quick blog.  Here's some photos from Melbourne and Singapore airports of promotional stuff for the new film.

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport

Singapore Changi Airport.  I also managed to score a "Spectre" magazine from the Omega shop.  Hopefully it makes it home without too many creases.

Mountains Of Books Bookfair 2015

Today was the first day of the annual Mountains Of Books Bookfair in Ferny Creek in the Dandenongs.  The book fair also continues tomorrow.

Last year I picked up some great books so I was pretty optimistic on my return.  My parents, my wife and I arrived just after 10am and to our amazement the carpark was almost full.  

Inside the hall there appeared to be more book stalls than last year and plenty of other bibliophiles.  There were also heaps of good quality books.

We scoured each stall and managed to find a number of Bond books including the ones below (yes, this is a whole box of Bonds!).

 

And these books at another stall... 

So after we had spent about an hour at the fair I purchased these three hardbacks.  I didn't previously own a copy of "The Man Who Saved Britain", however the other two are doubles.  The book club edition on the right is nicer than my existing copy while "The Spy Who Loved Me" is an ex-library 5th or 6th printing that has a really nice dust jacket.  All three were too good (and cheap) to refuse.

So if you've got a spare couple of hours tomorrow why not visit the Mountains Of Books Bookfair in Ferny Creek.  As you can see there's still plenty of Bond books available as well as hundreds of other fiction and non-fiction books ranging from Australiana to steam trains to children's books and everything in-between.

Trigger Mortis Goldsboro Edition

I received a hardback copy of "Trigger Mortis" in the mail yesterday.  This is the Goldsboro edition limited to just 1,000 copies and signed by the author, Anthony Horowitz.

It's a really nice first edition and also includes silver edges to the pages and a thin red ribbon that can be used as a book mark.  A nice addition to my library.

Also, following the premiere of "Spectre" in London a few days ago this quiz has appeared online.  A work colleague pointed it out to me today and other Bond fans may also find it interesting: How well do you know James Bond movies?  A bit of fun, although I'm being picky by saying that one question is technically wrong, especially as the film in particular is previously mentioned. 

Trigger Mortis Arrives In The Mail

The latest James Bond novel "Trigger Mortis" by Anthony Horowitz was released on September 7, 2015.  Since its release the reviews I've read for the novel have almost all been unanimously positive.  However I haven't had a copy of the novel to scan to add to the PizGloria.com website.  That all changed last week when I received this complimentary trade paperback in the mail from the kind people at Hachette Australia.  

As far as I'm aware there are no obvious differences from the UK Orion printing apart from the fact this copy was "printed and bound in Australia".  So if you're interested in purchasing an Australian edition of this novel click here, although you may have to check with Booktopia to ensure it's the Australian copy you're going to receive (just in case !). 

And if you don't own a copy of this book yet, maybe you should.

 

End Of Our Weekend Away

As the saying goes all good things must come to an end, and unfortunately our long weekend away in Metung concluded yesterday.  But my wife and I certainly enjoyed our break.

On our journey home we kept our eyes open for book stores and in Stratford we found Sugar Books.

This store sells lollies, gifts, new and "pre-loved" books... and icecreams.  The owner, Cassie, explained the store was inspired by a life-long love of Roald Dahl.  The store has only been open for a short time and is the perfect stop when driving to or from a holiday destination in Gippsland.  Many kids books adorn the shelves as well as popular fiction for teens and adults; prime reading while relaxing. There were no Bonds on the shelves this visit however Cassie said she'd keep her eyes open for them.

As I was leaving Cassie mentioned I should visit Pingvin Booksellers in Maffra.  They have a wide selection of books and collectables.  We weren't able to visit this store on our remaining journey home however I hope to make that visit sometime soon.

AFL Grand Final Day - Book Hunt

Just a quick blog entry as the AFL Grand Final is starting in less than an hour.  My wife and I have just returned to our accomodation in Metung having spent the morning walking the shops in Lakes Entrance.

There's one second hand book store in Lakes and several op shops.  As kids we used to holiday there every Winter with our families, and Just Books existed back then so it's certainly been around for a while.  Selling both new and second hand books this is another one of those stores where there could be a gem on the shelf just waiting to be bought.  I remember purchasing a couple of Pan Still Life books from here.  Unfortunately today there were none.

And finally here's a couple more photos from Metung.  What a great place for a break.

Weekend Away

My wife and I are currently driving through Gippsland, Victoria on our way to Metung for a relaxing long weekend away.

So far on our journey from Melbourne we have managed to stop at two second hand book stores.

The first was The Red Book Shop.  This book store has existed for years in Traralgon however the cafe aspect has only been around for the last two and a half.  The shelves hold hundreds of books, all neatly organised and categorised, and all ready to peruse with coffee in hand.  Unfortunately there were no Bonds today but one of the owners explained they have a large shed storing many more books and it's possible there are some Flemings there.  I'll be back.

The second store was Bairnsdale Books... in Bairnsdale.

To be honest I was excited at the chance of visiting this store again.  I can't remember the title but I remember buying an unusual Bond paperback from this store eons ago.  It's always been one of those book stores where I feel anything could be sitting on the shelf waiting to be discovered.  Today they had a hardback Bond omnibus and a Triad-Panther "From Russia With Love".  No luck this time but who knows what will be on the shelves next time I visit ?!

Melbourne (Unofficial) Secondhand Book Trail - Part 1

I've always wanted to create a Melbourne (Unofficial) Secondhand Book Trail page on my website.  It's still a goal of mine.  And when I do these will be the first four book stores on that list:

1) Fully Booked, Thornbury

This awesome book store is operated by husband and wife team Tadhg (pronounced "Taig") and Rallou. It contains a wide selection of quality books and is extremely well organised.  The prices are very reasonable and the owners both enthusiastic and knowledgeable.  As you can see below they always stock plenty of James Bond books with their "SpyFi" and "Bond, James Bond" categories.  Definitely has to be the first stop on any secondhand book trail in Melbourne.

2) Allsorts Books, Northcote

An eclectic store, Allsorts Books is just a short drive down the road in Northcote. The owner Paul has been in the book trade for many years and can always be found behind the counter ready for a chat or to give advice on books.  This store contains many books however I've always managed to find one or two Bond paperbacks hidden on the shelves so get ready for a little book shifting... it may prove very worthwhile !

3) Brown & Bunting Booksellers, Northcote

Another husband and wife team, Travis and Benita, own and operate this store.  Located just steps from Allsorts Books this store couldn't be more of a contrast.  Glass cabinets, shelves of first editions and plenty of space to browse, bookphiles could easily enter this store believing it sold brand new books.  The store is well organised and maintained.  It also often has both Bond hardbacks and paperbacks on the shelves as shown below.

4) Howard Bolton Bookseller, Northcote

Located just a short distance away down the back-streets near the local railway station is Howard Bolton Bookseller.  For a relatively small store it packs a big punch.  A wall of hardbacks, many first editions, fill the large shelf on the right as you enter.  Elsewhere hundreds of quality paperbacks sit neatly on the shelves around the rest of the store.  The owner, Howard, is a wealth of knowledge about books and the book trade as he has been dealing with them for many years.  He always has a large number of Bond paperback books for sale, and occasionally other Fleming titles such as first edition "Thrilling Cities".  Miss this store at your own peril, although be aware it only opens on Saturdays.

Also, don't forget to check out Retro Active and The Book Grocer on High Street in Northcote.  You may be surprised and find some book gems there too.

The Melbourne (Unofficial) Secondhand Book Trail continues here with Part 2.