Short post this week. Let's talk signed books.
I went through the shelves and pulled some of the signed books that Sandra and I have picked up over the years to share.
[
All of the images linked to are collected at this Pinterest board.]
I've picked up a couple at store signings. Here's signed copies of
The Shotgun Rule by Charlie Huston and
Generation Loss by Elizabeth Hand.
I've been fortunate enough to win some contests over the years. Here's signed copies of
The Six by Stuart Neville and
The Lighthouse Keepers by Adrian McKinty.
Bouchercon and other book festivals and conventions are a great place to get signed books from your favorite authors. Here's signed copies of
Violent Spring by Gary Phillips and
Blood of Paradise by David Corbett.
Some of my favorite signed books are the ones found in unlikely places or in used or remaindered bins. I found this signed copy of
Homicide by David Simon at Goodwill; This copy of
The Sweet Forever by George Pelecanos at Big Lots; This copy of
The Winter of Frankie Machine by Don Winslow remaindered at Borders.
I've picked up a few signed, numbered, limited editions over the years too. Here's signed copies of
Frayed by Tom Piccirilli,
The Stormwatcher by Graham Joyce,
Mad Dogs by Brian Hodge, and
Laughin' Boy by Bradley Denton.
Here's some others from our collection.
Interrogations by Jon Jordan,
The Right Madness by James Crumley,
Fleshmarket Close by Ian Rankin,
Priest by Ken Bruen.
It's always nice when an author does something a little extra like this signed copy of
Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride.
I like to get signed copies of the Snubnose Press books whenever possible. Here's a signed copy of
Choice Cuts by Joe Clifford.
OK, let's talk prized posessions and favorites. I have a few to share:
Renderings by James Sallis;
Windward Passage by Jim Nisbet; The Plots With Guns anthology (look at all of those signatures).
Final two. The two I prize the most. The first is a signed copy of
Giveadamn Brown by Robert Deane Pharr. Pharr is a forgotten writer and this, his final novel, is one of my favorite books by him. Because he's so unknown I don't think there are that many signed books by him out there. Plus I love the personal info on the page too. This was deal at $9.
The second is a signed, first edition hardback of
Blaze Starr's memoir. Usually if you see a copy of this book in the store it is the movie tie-in version with Paul Newman on the cover. These days you don't see the original cover that much so if you see one grab it. For many reasons, including this being in part a Baltimore book, this is my favorite signed book. I actually met Blaze Starr a few years ago. She was selling jewelry at a kiosk in a mall and was just as charming as can be.
[All of the images linked to are collected at this Pinterest board.]
Do you collect signed books?
Do you shelf them differently?
Which of your signed books do you treasure the most?
Dare I ask, What is the most you've paid for a signed book?
Have you turned down buying one but regretted it later?
Currently Reading: Submissions and the new Dennis Lehane.
Currently Listening: O Be Joyful by Shovels and Rope.
