One of the highlights of literary life in Brussels is the annual Book Festival. A huge warehouse full of new books at mouth-watering prices. Most of the books are in Dutch, but there’s still a great selection in English.
I’ve been dreaming about it for weeks and finally spent 2 zen hours there this weekend, until my trolley was full to the brim. The final loot: 28 book at an average of 2 Euros each. Here they are, my new precioussss… I’m particular proud of the beautiful edition of Susanna Clarke’s The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories.
The Sleepless Reader 
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October 17, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
Wow! That looks like an impressive book sale. I’m especially pleased that you have a copy of Clan of the Cave Bear – it is one of my favourites.
October 18, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Alex
To tell the truth, I used to have a copy, but gave it away, but lately I remember seeing it on your website as one of your favorite book and decided to give it another try. I’ll keep you posted 🙂
October 18, 2010 at 9:49 am
Joanna
I thought of you every time I saw a poster on our way back into Brussels yesterday. I’ll have to put it in my calendar early next year! Great books – The Clan of the Cave Bear is sitting on my shelf and I keep meaning to get to it. Same with the True History of the Kelly Gang – I heard that one’s fantastic. I hope you enjoy them all!
October 18, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Alex
You know, they’ll have other Festivals in Belgium and The Netherlands. If you’re up for a road trip, I wouldn’t mind going again. Here’s the calendar: http://www.boekenfestijn.com/agenda.php
October 18, 2010 at 11:47 am
leeswammes
Ah, the boekenfestijn! yes, I went last year (in Utrecht) and it was great. In the end, there were too many books to choose from and I felt a bit overwhelmed.
This year I didn’t go as I just have too many books to read still. Maybe next year again.
October 18, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Alex
It is overwhelming, that’s why I make sure I have enough time to soak it all in. After a while however, it’s difficult to concentrate after so much information, but it’s a nice problem to have 🙂
October 18, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Steph
What a great experience AND a great haul! I’ve never gotten to go to such a huge bookish event where so many books are looking for new homes… probably for the best! 😉 You actually picked up a few books that have been sitting on my shelves for a while and that I really need to read (Tartt and Carey, for starters), but all of your loot looks fantastic!
October 23, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Alex
If you decide to pick up one of the books we now have in common, please let me know. It would be nice to read it at the same time.
October 22, 2010 at 1:36 am
diane
This looks like a fabulous book sale, and you got some great looking books.
December 6, 2011 at 10:13 am
Book Festival Loot 2011 « The Sleepless Reader
[…] This year I missed it here in Brussels, so on Sunday I traveled about 25km to the city of Mechelen, to carry on the tradition (in 2010 I also posted about my loot). […]
October 15, 2012 at 11:56 am
Book Festival Loot 2012 « The Sleepless Reader
[…] that time of year again: Boekenfestijn was in town and this time I went a bit wilder than I did in previous […]