The Book Blab Episode 2: Pretty Books for Pretty Gifts Plus Two Favorite Books Published in 2015

This past Wednesday evening, Suzanne and I got together via Blab for the second episode of our new monthly video series. Mike was out of town this week, and so I had to do some serious bribing to ensure that my kids didn't come screaming or tattling into the room while I was recording. Turns out, however, it wasn't my kids I needed to worry about but my other arch nemesis, technology.

So yes, we had a few little technical glitches, mostly on my end. At one point, my connection went a little crazy, and I couldn't hear Suzanne very well, which translated to some blank stares on my part. Luckily, the recording didn't capture those problems (but my blank stares are still there). Also, in listening to it again, there are a few seconds here and there where there is some weird feedback. So I apologize in advance for all of that. I'm discovering that this is one of the drawbacks with doing a live show.

But on the upside, this was an extremely fun episode to record. I honestly think we could have just kept talking and talking . . . and talking, but we showed some restraint so that you can easily watch the replay without it taking up half of your day. You're welcome.

In this episode, we talk about our book buying philosophies, beautiful editions of books, and other related topics. By the end of the night, it was all I could do not to buy every single one of the books we talked about. Consider that your warning: watch at your own risk.

In case you missed it live, you can watch the replay (technical glitches and all) below. And I'd love to hear you weigh in on some of the things we talked about in the comments!

0:20 - Christmas preparations

1:50 - Book buying philosophy

• 2:10 - Suzanne's
• 3:53 - Amy's

5:35 - Beautiful editions

• 5:53 - Suzanne's favorites
• 8:09 - Amy's favorites

11:32 - The problem of not being able to get the entire series in some editions

15:37 - Collected works (pros and cons)

17:42 - Thoughts on the newly illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

21:15 - (Some of) the books we're buying for Christmas

24:56 - Two favorite books that were published in 2015

• 25:50 - Suzanne's pick
• 27:08 - Amy's pick

30:34 - Conclusion

Links from the show:

The Count of Monte Cristo -  Penguin classics hardcover clothbound edition
Emily of New Moon - Sourcebook edition with cover illustration by Jacqui Oakley
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Puffin in Bloom edition
A Merry Christmas and Other Christmas Stories - Penguin Christmas Classics edition
Little Men - Hesperus Press edition
Anne of Green Gables - Puffin in Bloom edition
Anne of Green Gables - Aladdin classics edition
Jane Austen collected works - Barnes & Noble Collectible edition
The Chronicles of Narnia collection - Barnes & Noble Collectible edition
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Arthur A. Levine Books edition, illustrated by Jim Kay
The Chronicles of Narnia - full color collector's edition by HarperTrophy
Suzanne's review of Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee  
Amy's review of The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall
 
Now it's your turn: Tell me about the gorgeous editions YOU love, as well as the books you'll be splurging on this holiday season. (Also, what's your opinion on the newly illustrated Harry Potter?) And stay tuned for the date and time of our next episode, airing sometime mid-January!