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Next: Collecting: Born Wanderer by Paul F. Cranefield
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Since: Nov 29, 2005
Posts: 28
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:36 am
Post subject: Parker and Misc.
Archived from groups: rec>collecting>books (more info?)
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Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker?
I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the
late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as the
"Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an interesting
addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more unusual Parker items?
(The first three Spenser novels just went of over $1000 on eBay).
It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works are
easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and more
can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and those priced
over $1000.
I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to
Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all
produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea. Kid's
books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two. With the
exception of the first book, the worst books are often the hardest to
locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was terribly difficult to
find in good condition.
Regards,
Willow
--
Hugs,
Willow |
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External
Since: Jun 22, 2003
Posts: 111
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:38 pm
Post subject: Re: Parker and Misc. [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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I used to read Robert Parker's books, but I never collected them.
MInd you, I enjoy reading books about books, and books by or about
authors I collect, who no longer share a living presence with us;
however, I think I need to get back to reading modern mystery novels for
the pure pleasure of it.
My wife reads the Stephanie Plum series books written by Janet
Evanovitch. Every now and then, for seemingly no reason at all, she'll
start laughing as she turns a page. A few other friends of mine who
read the Evanovitch novels do the same thing. Yes, I think I need a
little laughter in my life again.
Jerry Morris
Willow wrote:
Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker?
I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the
late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as
the "Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an
interesting addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more
unusual Parker items? (The first three Spenser novels just went of over
$1000 on eBay).
It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works
are easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and
more can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and
those priced over $1000.
I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to
Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all
produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea.
Kid's books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two.
With the exception of the first book, the worst books are often the
hardest to locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was
terribly difficult to find in good condition.
Regards,
Willow
Moi's Books About Books: http://www.tinyurl.com/hib7
Moi's LIbrary http://www.moislibrary.com My Sentimental Library
http://www.picturetrail.com/mylibrary Florida Bibliophile Society
http://www.floridabibliophilesociety.org |
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External
Since: Sep 28, 2005
Posts: 89
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:08 pm
Post subject: Re: Parker and Misc. [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Jerry Morris wrote:
> I used to read Robert Parker's books, but I never collected them.
>
> MInd you, I enjoy reading books about books, and books by or about
> authors I collect, who no longer share a living presence with us;
> however, I think I need to get back to reading modern mystery novels for
> the pure pleasure of it.
>
> My wife reads the Stephanie Plum series books written by Janet
> Evanovitch. Every now and then, for seemingly no reason at all, she'll
> start laughing as she turns a page. A few other friends of mine who
> read the Evanovitch novels do the same thing. Yes, I think I need a
> little laughter in my life again.
I can recommend one series where you can have it all: mystery, humor, &
a little bit about books: Lawrence Block's books featuring Bernie
Rhodenbarr, professional burglar & proprietor of a used bookstore in
Manhattan. And speaking of Parker, this is the opening paragraph of
Blcok's _The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza_ :
"Around five-thirty I put down the book I'd been reading and started
shooing customers out of the store. The book was by Robert B. Parker,
and its hero was a private detective named Spenser who who compensated
for his lack of a first name by being terribly physical. Every couple
of chapters would find him jogging around Boston or lifting weights or
finding some other way to court a heart attack or a hernia. I was
getting exhausted just reading about him."
Re: the Stephanie Plum series. I started reading those, and I enjoyed
the first two. But the third & fourth books were much of a muchness,
and I lost interest.
--Jon Meyers
> Willow wrote:
>
> Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker?
> I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the
> late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as
> the "Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an
> interesting addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more
> unusual Parker items? (The first three Spenser novels just went of over
> $1000 on eBay).
> It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works
> are easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and
> more can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and
> those priced over $1000.
> I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to
> Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all
> produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea.
> Kid's books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two.
> With the exception of the first book, the worst books are often the
> hardest to locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was
> terribly difficult to find in good condition. >> Stay informed about: Parker and Misc. |
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External
Since: Jan 31, 2006
Posts: 28
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:33 pm
Post subject: Re: Parker and Misc. [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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Willow,
I've also been reading (and collecting) Parker for a few years. I
think that $1,000 for his first 3 was an asking price (didn't sell).
I'm sure you could buy all three for much less on ABE and maybe have
one of them signed (such as his signature is - that is my only
complaint about Parker, his colophonic sig).
Three Weeks in Spring is probably a "must have" for the true
collector and Spenser's Boston was an interesting read for me as I've
never been to Boston and it puts a nice "face" on his Spenser novels.
One cannot read these for their literary merit as they tend to
overlap each other (even with dialogue) but each new book is like
seeing an old friend and catching up with what's been going on. >> Stay informed about: Parker and Misc. |
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External
Since: Jan 31, 2006
Posts: 28
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:41 pm
Post subject: Re: Parker and Misc. [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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Jerry,
I'm guessing it's our California friends laughing away at Evanovich
 My better half got hooked on them and, after hearing her burst
out laughing while reading away, I decided I needed to see for myself.
I was hesitant since Janet got her start writing a "bunch" of romance
novels, but I'm glad I tried them out. There are parts in them that
are "laugh out loud" funny, and I'm a fairly somber fellow. One, Two
and Three are worthwhile, but after that, they tend to
be...predictable. Her characters tend to seem cartoonish yet still
pass as believable (don't you have any friends that do inane things at
times)? Her books won't make you think but I guarantee at least a
grin. >> Stay informed about: Parker and Misc. |
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External
Since: Mar 13, 2004
Posts: 659
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:15 pm
Post subject: Re: Parker and Misc. [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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Very curious. I sent the post below last night at 12:13 am, but it apparently
never arrived. While I am at it, let note that after reading Willow's post and
attempting to reply, I checked and found I do have a first printing of Parker's
The Godwulf Manuscript, ex-library unfortunately, but at least the real thing.
Francis A. Miniter
--------------------------------------
Willow Arune wrote:
> Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker?
>
> I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the
> late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as the
> "Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an interesting
> addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more unusual Parker items?
> (The first three Spenser novels just went of over $1000 on eBay).
>
> It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works are
> easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and more
> can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and those priced
> over $1000.
>
> I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to
> Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all
> produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea. Kid's
> books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two. With the
> exception of the first book, the worst books are often the hardest to
> locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was terribly difficult to
> find in good condition.
>
> Regards,
> Willow
>
>
>
>
I do- collect Parker, that is. I am still looking for some firsts of the early
books. (Your comment explains why I don't have them yet.) Actually, I do think
that after the first dozen or so books, he had said most of what he had to say
and the subsequent novels just do not have the same drive to them. Spenser's
relationship with Susan is no longer in flux, he seems to have found a way for
them to be together and yet keep their independence, the cooking is not central
and the literary aspects and language play of the early novels are no longer
there. But he tells a good yarn, and that is basic to any readable novel.
Francis A. Miniter >> Stay informed about: Parker and Misc. |
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Since: Nov 29, 2005
Posts: 28
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:42 pm
Post subject: Re: Parker and Misc. [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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I really must try the Block series - did we forget John Dunning?
John has an interesting approach to "signed firsts" which shows up in his
recent Janeway book.
Willow
"Jon Meyers" <stlouisTAKEbooks DeleteThis @MEcharter.OUTnet> wrote in message
news:tHCWf.856$TC5.33@fe06.lga...
> Jerry Morris wrote:
> > I used to read Robert Parker's books, but I never collected them.
> >
> > MInd you, I enjoy reading books about books, and books by or about
> > authors I collect, who no longer share a living presence with us;
> > however, I think I need to get back to reading modern mystery novels for
> > the pure pleasure of it.
> >
> > My wife reads the Stephanie Plum series books written by Janet
> > Evanovitch. Every now and then, for seemingly no reason at all, she'll
> > start laughing as she turns a page. A few other friends of mine who
> > read the Evanovitch novels do the same thing. Yes, I think I need a
> > little laughter in my life again.
>
>
> I can recommend one series where you can have it all: mystery, humor, &
> a little bit about books: Lawrence Block's books featuring Bernie
> Rhodenbarr, professional burglar & proprietor of a used bookstore in
> Manhattan. And speaking of Parker, this is the opening paragraph of
> Blcok's _The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza_ :
>
> "Around five-thirty I put down the book I'd been reading and started
> shooing customers out of the store. The book was by Robert B. Parker,
> and its hero was a private detective named Spenser who who compensated
> for his lack of a first name by being terribly physical. Every couple
> of chapters would find him jogging around Boston or lifting weights or
> finding some other way to court a heart attack or a hernia. I was
> getting exhausted just reading about him."
>
>
> Re: the Stephanie Plum series. I started reading those, and I enjoyed
> the first two. But the third & fourth books were much of a muchness,
> and I lost interest.
>
> --Jon Meyers
>
>
> > Willow wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker?
> > I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the
> > late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as
> > the "Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an
> > interesting addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more
> > unusual Parker items? (The first three Spenser novels just went of over
> > $1000 on eBay).
> > It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works
> > are easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and
> > more can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and
> > those priced over $1000.
> > I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to
> > Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all
> > produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea.
> > Kid's books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two.
> > With the exception of the first book, the worst books are often the
> > hardest to locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was
> > terribly difficult to find in good condition. >> Stay informed about: Parker and Misc. |
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External
Since: Mar 06, 2004
Posts: 118
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(Msg. 8) Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 3:06 am
Post subject: Re: Parker and Misc. [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Jerry Morris" <notjerryandlinda.TakeThisOut@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:11438-442AD435-67@storefull-3271.bay.webtv.net...
>I used to read Robert Parker's books, but I never collected them.
>
> MInd you, I enjoy reading books about books, and books by or about
> authors I collect, who no longer share a living presence with us;
> however, I think I need to get back to reading modern mystery novels for
> the pure pleasure of it.
>
> My wife reads the Stephanie Plum series books written by Janet
> Evanovitch. Every now and then, for seemingly no reason at all, she'll
> start laughing as she turns a page. A few other friends of mine who
> read the Evanovitch novels do the same thing. Yes, I think I need a
> little laughter in my life again.
>
I know just why your wife likes the Stephanie Plum books. I was hooked from
my first paperback reading of *One For the Money*. Not great literature
perhaps, but they are so funny...I've laughed my way through all of the
books (there are eleven, now, I believe). Some are better than others, but
they are all funny.
Obligatory collecting content: The author did a book signing locally for the
ninth book, and she signed not only the new book that was on sale that day,
but every book you brought from home. I had about five first editions at the
time. Now I've got them all, plus the special Christmas story.
Alice >> Stay informed about: Parker and Misc. |
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External
Since: Nov 29, 2005
Posts: 28
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(Msg. 9) Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 3:10 am
Post subject: Re: Parker and Misc. [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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I think I delayed reading Parker out of a rather snobbish bias. If it was
on television as a series, it could not be any good...
I was definitely wrong.
I started reading Parker earlier this year and was hooked very soon. The
books do indeed flow together in a delightful manner; I have become good
friends with Susan, Hawk and especially Pearl. It is always nice to find a
series that is new to you and start off. Sandford's "Prey" series,
remarkably similar in some ways, is also rather fun.
Drop me a line privately on that ex-libris copy, please Francis. I have
several ex-library of expensive first, including "Barn Blind", "Booked to
Die" and "Postmortem".
That raises a point. With my copy of "Barn Blind", the only indication it
is a library book is the first page, easily taken off and replaced. After
that, no one would even know. This raises tow questions"
1. Do you know of any good book restoration types who can do this type of
work, and
2. After repair, is the book described as "restored, former library" even
if it has never been read?
Willow
"Sam" <chainman6969 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1143678788.361840.306630@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Willow,
> I've also been reading (and collecting) Parker for a few years. I
> think that $1,000 for his first 3 was an asking price (didn't sell).
> I'm sure you could buy all three for much less on ABE and maybe have
> one of them signed (such as his signature is - that is my only
> complaint about Parker, his colophonic sig).
> Three Weeks in Spring is probably a "must have" for the true
> collector and Spenser's Boston was an interesting read for me as I've
> never been to Boston and it puts a nice "face" on his Spenser novels.
> One cannot read these for their literary merit as they tend to
> overlap each other (even with dialogue) but each new book is like
> seeing an old friend and catching up with what's been going on.
> >> Stay informed about: Parker and Misc. |
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External
Since: Jun 22, 2003
Posts: 111
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(Msg. 10) Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:30 pm
Post subject: Re: Parker and Misc. [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Jon Meyers wrote and I snipped:
....I can recommend one series where you can have it all: mystery,
humor, & a little bit about books: Lawrence Block's books featuring
Bernie Rhodenbarr, professional burglar & proprietor of a used bookstore
in Manhattan
Thanks Jon. I read some of Block's books and the books of many of the
other current mystery writers when I worked part time at Waldenbooks
from '90 to 97. I didn't care for Block's books then, but I'll give him
another chance.
The only mystery books I collect so far are the ones that Dunning
writes. I shall also get the first few volumes of Evanovitch's books
and think of Alice and Sam as I am reading them.
Jerry
Moi's Books About Books: http://www.tinyurl.com/hib7
Moi's LIbrary http://www.moislibrary.com My Sentimental Library
http://www.picturetrail.com/mylibrary Florida Bibliophile Society
http://www.floridabibliophilesociety.org >> Stay informed about: Parker and Misc. |
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