Barnes and Noble trip!

One of my favorite things to do is to wander around the bookstore with no particular item in mind, simply browsing the shelves and taking my time picking up book after book.  Since I had some free time this morning in between work shifts and meetings, I decided to treat myself to just such a trip.  I went to the Barnes and Noble/Starbucks cafe and got their "Grilled Cheese Stuffed Pretzel" (it lives up to its name) and the new Starbucks Valencia Orange Refresher.  It was also delicious -- tasted kind of like a jacked up orange Italian soda.  Yum!  With these treats in hand, I began my mindless wandering.

My trip was fruitful; what's in the bag?

I knew I wanted a book bag because taking my books to work in my purse was really taking its toll on the covers.  I hate dogeared pages and dented/ripped up covers; I am very particular about keeping my books as pristine as possible which isn't always easy with paperbacks.  So when I saw the A Tree Grows In Brooklyn eco tote for only $1.99, I knew I had to have it.  Not to mention it was the only one left; the rest were either The Great Gatsby, Gone With the Wind or some such other business (Harry Potter, maybe?).  Since A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is one of my favorite books (read it!) I snatched it up immediately.

I had also gotten a 15% email coupon from old B&N yesterday so I knew I had a little bit of a discount to shop with.  No, I don't have a B&N membership, though I probably should.  There's something about forking over $25 and having nothing to show for it (at least immediately) that kind of irks me.  I had been wanting A Dance With Dragons by George R. R. Martin ever since I finished the last Game of Thrones volume, but it's not available yet in paperback.  With my discount in hand, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to splurge on the hardcover.  Yay!

I usually take a spin around the history section as well and I was well rewarded; I found this little gem, Queens Consort by Lisa Hilton.  It chronicles all of England's medieval queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth Woodville.  Win!!  Even just flipping through it in the store, I knew it was a book worth having.  It just looks fascinating. 

I got one little extra goodie too, and that was in the "Gifts for Readers" section of the store (which has some of the best little doo-dads).  I really loved some of the leather journals they had, complete with leather cords to wrap them in (cool!) but every time I buy one of those I end up either not writing in them or hating the look of my own scrawly handwriting mucking up the pages.  I would have also gotten a bookmark, but I just got another one of their Book Rugs (not available at barnesandnoble.com) last week to add to my existing one, so I doubt I need more.  Hehe.  I did, however, find a vintage-looking painted wood plaque to go on my bookshelf that has a little bookish saying:

Again, it was pretty much "I must have that" thinking as soon as I saw this.  It's pretty tiny, only about 4" x 6", which is the perfect size for my makeshift wall of books in my bedroom.  Glamour shot:

Isn't it pretty?  I was really excited to have found it.  It's those little touches that make a difference, right?  Plus I love anything that makes me feel like I'm in a library or other such book lover's paradise, even if it's because I've attempted to transform my own home. 

And thus concludes my Barnes and Noble Friday odyssey!  Not too shabby for an hour's worth of wandering.  I can't wait to start reading A Dance With Dragons after I finish the Mortal Instruments series (only a book and a half to go, and then the movie!).  I'll try and post a review of both/all when I'm done.  I swear, there is nothing better than having a "to be read" stack ready and raring to go!