Well, I’ve finished reading all of John Green‘s novels and so now it’s on to the next author as part of my comprehensive reading quest, and, oh! look what arrived in the mail this week. The first volume of William Faulkner’s novels from 1926-1929, Soldiers’ Pay, Mosquitoes, Flags in the Dust (previously published in a heavily edited form as Sartoris) and The Sound and the Fury. I really love the Library of America collections, even if the design is rather outwardly plain. They’re of a good, sturdy size, and thorough collections of essential authors. Positively drool-worthy.

Although, it is probably too heavy going and unwieldy for holiday reading for my brief trip to Sydney this week, so I might leave ol’ Willy behind and take Pop: Truth and Power at the Coca-Cola Company by Constance Hays. Or maybe Winter Under Water?  Other than seeing one of my favourite bands, Brand New – the original intent for the trip, a sort of reward for surviving a very average 2009 – I plan to scout out the best of Sydney’s bookstores. Excess luggage charges ahoy!

Image credit: Girl Reading by Charles Edward Perugini, 1879