I needed some retail therapy so I bought books

[@SharonReads]

I have one smaller tree in the corner of the dining room just for the twinkle lights. It's dark so much of the day now. Also listening to a little instrumental Christmas music. 🙂

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

That's exactly what I like too. I'm going to bring my little tree in today. It sounds just like yours - just some white lights to brighten up my space. And I started playing my Charlie Brown Christmas album, I love it so much.

[@jensreadinglife]

I love The Little Paris Kitchen! I’ve had that book for years and her show is so charming too. A little bookish retail therapy is always a good idea!

[@betsymaher9489]

Hi Gina. I've been very unhappy about the election and ended up doing a lot of online retail therapy yesterday too. I got the last 2 books in the Anthony Trollope Barsetshire Towers series. I already had the third one coming in the mail. Then I got Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell and I had a free book offer from Thrift Books so I ordered Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Comes Back. I also ordered some bath and shower gel (actually use it for baths) from Philosopy. They have one scent called Fresh Cream that is heavenly - got 2 of those and I got Raspberry Sorbet. Just wanted to share that with somebody. It really did cheer me up.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Oh yes, I looove Philosophy! My favorite is Amazing Grace. ❤️❤️❤️

[@betsymaher9489]

@@GinaStanyerBooks 💜💚

[@ReadBecca]

Retail therapy is definitely soooo tempting, a little self care is needed in these times for sure. That cover on Comfort 😮

[@dianewalker9154]

I’m currently reading Thornyhold by Mary Stewart. Copyright of 1988, old hardcover edition.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

That’s a good one! I wish I had a hard copy of it.

[@spinstercatlady]

Love Thornyhold! It's my fav MS book I do believe.

[@BigboyErnie]

On my walk today I picked up the same 1988 copy of Thornyhold. It is a UK edition. I’m thrilled! It was in a little free library.

[@SueJacksonDE]

Love your book bag! It does feel a bit early for Christmas for me. I'm focused on Thanksgiving :) In fact, I need to finish putting up my Thanksgiving decorations today. While holiday creep sometimes bothers me, I understand it this year - people need some comfort. The Little Paris Kitchen looks fun! I like Jamie Oliver, too. I've heard several people on Booktube raving about the Corey series, including Sandy. Sounds like a great book haul - hope you enjoy them all!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks Sue. I get that, I started seeing Christmas stuff before Halloween this year! I don’t do much decorating for the holidays so for me it’ll mostly be listening to Christmas music, watching movies and reading some cozy books. I’m not sure when we’ll put up the tree, most years we don’t have one at all so I’m excited this year!!!

[@missstarbuck]

This was the perfect little watch before my bedtime now 🥰 Always love the chaos in it hihi. That Christmas book looks awesome!

[@katnissfire5605]

Hi Gina 👋 Great book, haul.Thank you for introducing me to Mary Stewart. I am currently enjoying Rose Cottage. 🙂

[@WildHeartsandWildflowers]

'Nine Coaches Waiting' is one of my top Mary Stewart books, too! Loved reading her as a teenager. Such a master of suspense. 😊 I want to re-read some of her books next year! So many great cookbooks! ❤ I'll be interested in hearing what you think of the Corey book. I do like reading some sci-fi. 😎 Just bought a bunch of used books myself today. It always feels so good to find something you want for an excellent price! 😊 Thanks for sharing! ~ Kim

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks Kim. I love a good cozy cookbook.

[@janetsmith8566]

Is nine coaches waiting set at Christmas time? I have a copy of that.

[@WildHeartsandWildflowers]

@@janetsmith8566 Hmmmm... 🤔 Don't remember. I tried looking it up, but no luck. Guess I'll find out when I re-read it! 😊

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

@ no, it’s not Christmasy at all.

[@WildHeartsandWildflowers]

@GinaStanyerBooks True, none of her suspense books have a "cozy" feel at all. ☺️

[@spinstercatlady]

I did the same thing, Gina lol! I've been cutting back on book spending, but that went all out the window after recent events haha. Treated myself to a big pile of Christmas books and advents from Blackwell's, so I'm excited about that. We could all use a little (or a lot) comfort right about now, and what better than Christmas books?!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

@@spinstercatlady how fun! I can’t wait to start Christmas reading.

[@itssammierose]

Oh have i been doing retail book therapy 😬 I bought so many 😅 (most used). I read The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery recently. That was SO good. I was shocked with how good it was. I read a DE Stevenson trilogy recently. SOOOOO good. DE Stevenson is one of my top fav authors. Im about to start another series by her. Its LM Montgomery month because her birthday is at the end of November (30th i think). So thats why i read The Blue Castle. Ive always loved the Anne books but didnt know she wrote so many others! So of course i hunted all her other books down 😂😂😂. I went and bought those organizer shelves with all the squares and turned it into a bookshelf. (2 of them). So i dug out all my books in my linen closet and fit as many and i could onto the new shelves. It is so nice to see all my books when i walk into my bedroom. I was so happy to see a video from you. You make me want to start my own channel. 😂 I love your haul!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks! I would love it if you’d start a channel (and I think you’d love it too!) I’d love to be able to see your shelves!! DE Stevenson is one of my favs too.

[@lisac1619]

Yes, please start a channel 😊 Would love to see all those books, your book taste sounds similar to mine.

[@itssammierose]

@@GinaStanyerBooksim so nervous to show my face 😅 Im thinking about it. My hubby is saying do it!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

@itssammierose I think you should!! I’d be happy to help any way I can! Feel free to message me if you want on Voxer or email (Ginastanyer at hotmail)

[@itssammierose]

@@GinaStanyerBooks that’s so nice of you. I will definitely email you.

[@kaortega1120]

I am catching up, Gina - Love all your recent videos and content - I just ordered our Christmas Cards so I am beginning to get into the holiday spirit - The weather is changing here in Boston, MA - So this also helps w feeling festive! All your cookbooks look wonderful --- I need to look into "Comfort" --- As you mentioned, right up my alley!

[@lindseyreads5450]

I’ve been cooking so much more recently now that the rainy season is here. The new cookbook Comfort sounds perfect right now! ❤

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Right? It’s certainly that time of year.

[@punitavisvanathan]

Holiday season will be here soon, another year done and dusted!!!😊. I loved little Paris kitchen, it was available here locally on the telly as she is part Malaysian😅. She has moved on to other things but I found her cooking inspirational. Book hauls are the best therapy! 📚♥️

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Hi Punita! I just love her tiny kitchen. I find it so inspiring to see what you can do in a small space.

[@Moonflower-v3o]

I always so much enjoy your videos, Gina. I like your style! I will be investigating your 'therapy' books. I, too, buy books way more often than I should, probably. (Can that situation ever exist?!). Mary Stewart is a definite favourite of mine. 'Nine Coaches Waiting' was the first one of hers I read when I was a teenager (too many years ago to admit to). Her writing might be vintage now, but it suits me. Other go-to authors included Phyllis Whitney, Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters, and Anya Seton. I'm a retired English teacher in the north east of England, so I'm getting the chance to re-visit all sorts of writers. Yes, I still have them all! I've just finished reading 'Leaving Time' by Jodi Picoult. She's an amazing writer. Cookbooks are a real thing for me, too, especially baking ones. Rachel Khoo's TV programmes are quite addictive, as are Mary Berry's, Rachel Allen, and Nadiya Hussain. Have you ever seen those?

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

I love Mary Berry (I just watched her old Christmas episode yesterday!) but I've not heard of Rachel Allen or Nadiya Hussain. I'll definitely check them out. Thanks for the nice comment. I get so excited when people from England visit with me here on my channel!

[@booksimnotreading]

That looks like some good retail therapy Gina! 💛

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

It was such a nice day!

[@betsymaher9489]

Very nice haul! I am going to check out Rachel Khoo online. I wonder if Sandy is going to get back to her 1001 book countdown. I keep checking for it. I got Barbra Streisand's autobiography from the library. It's about 950 pages and I'm a slow reader. I'm only about one third of the way through it but I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I had all her early records many years ago so I've always been a fan. I'm trying to finish up Intuitive Eating so I can start Learning from Leonardo soon. Unfortunately the Intuitive Eating book hasn't helped me lose any weight. Anway, happy holidays to you!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

I’ve heard good things about the Streisand biography. I don’t read much non-fiction but I’d really like to start.

[@betsymaher9489]

@@GinaStanyerBooks It's l o n g but I'm surprised that it's stayed steadily interesting. I do read a lot of memoirs though.

[@KAZHE63]

Everyone here in my Midwestern state is doing great! I also went on a book-buying trip over the weekend. Lots of people out enjoying browsing the shelves..

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Glad to hear you are doing great.

[@lisac1619]

A lucky find with Nine Coaches Waiting! I bought it secondhand last year but it was far too damaged to keep. I've been looking for another copy ever since.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Ugh, that's so frustrating. I hope you find a nice copy!

[@starlasell5698]

Nice haul. I have Leviathan Wakes and was told it can be read as a standalone if I chose not to continue with the other books. 👍

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

That’s good to know!

[@starlasell5698]

@@GinaStanyerBooks 🤗

[@938quilt]

LOL i've had a LOT of therapy lately! 😂🥰 and I've been reading Christmas all year - and bought a lot of kid books that Iv'e been reading lately! and my a/c is still on as we probably won't get much cold until jan or feb and then it'll be the record low LOL!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

A/C oh my!!! I can’t wait to start my Christmas reading. I’m going to lean into the holidays this year (many years I just skip it so I’m super excited!)

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

What a nice haul!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks!

[@theresepazell7875]

Glad you had a nice shopping day always fun.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

@@theresepazell7875 thanks! It really was nice.

[@peggysack950]

You are so delightful

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Awww, thanks 🙏

[@AaronReadABook]

The Expanse is great, and I'm a big fan of the show, especially the later series when Amazon bought them.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

I loved the show too, and I'm excited to read the book. I'm sure that it will be able to be a lot more detailed than the series.

[@eileennielsen5165]

Hi Gina! I've been doing too much book retail therapy this month! New and used. I just finished a Most Wonderful bk. Rated it 5 stars and I KNOW you will love it. The Little Village School by Gervase Phinn. It was recommended by Jenn Reads. Like your hair😊

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks Eileen!!

[@JTL447]

Leviathan Wakes is great! I hope you enjoy it 😊 I need to start reading more Mary Stewart--currently have Moon Spinners in my cart due to you mentioning it in a previous video! I got introduced to her writing in high school when we had to read the first book in her Merlin series.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

She’s a really fun writer!

[@theresas709]

No Christmas till December. 😄

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Lol, I get it.

[@lnmas2301]

People who enjoy stories like The Expanse or have recently watched Avenue 5 on MAX could also enjoy reading Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis

[@938quilt]

LOL I saw 'coaches waiting' and thought 'how many coaches is she dating??!' thinking football coaches

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

hahahaha! That's funny. I forgot I still had the prices on all of these.

[@amy8458]

You read my mind about the retail therapy Gina. I just ordered a new Christmas sweater on Amazon. Annie Raines is a sweet romance author who Sarah has recommended. I haven't read her yet so The Christmas Village is going on my TBR. I'm almost done with a mythical short story collection called A Cathedral of Myth and Bone.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks for letting me know about Annie Raines. I hadn’t heard of her before, but if Sarah likes her then I’m sure she’s good.

[@Emmie4497]

Hi Gina, great book haul! I'm currently reading The Librarian by Salley Vickers and enjoying it so far. Have you read anything by her? I'm not quite in the Christmassy mood yet... still feels too early for me! xx

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

I’ve never heard of Sally Vickers. I’ll check her out, anything with librarian in the title is 👍

[@Shellyish]

I want to read Leviathan Wakes because of Sandy as well. ❤

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Right? Sounds so good. We’ve watched the series and really enjoyed it so I’m excited to dig in.