Charity Book Auction - Now Closed

The headline lot in the auction, this set of six leather-bound novels - plus leather carrying case - has only just been issued by Penguin Classics following their collaboration with leading leather designer Bill Amberg.

The books are iconic - The Picture of Dorian Gray, A Room with a View,  The Great Gatsby, The Big Sleep, Brideshead Revisited and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Each one has its own leather bookmark and is boxed with a belly-band. Each book is signed by Amberg.

The initials of the winning bidder will be stamped on to the luggage tag – what a prize for a booklover! The retail price for each book is £50 (that’s about USD $78).

The proceeds will go to the Children’s' Brain Tumour Research Fund at the Royal Marsden Hospital in the UK

Provided by our friends at Penguin US, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction earlier this year. The New Yorker magazine listed Díaz as one of the 20 top writers for the 21st century. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao was published in September 2007 and quickly acclaimed by literary critics including the New York Times and Time magazine. This novel is going to become a modern classic.

Proceeds go the United Way.

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Published in 2007, On Chesil Beach was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize last year. Many critics, on both sides of the Atlantic, consider the novel to one of McEwan’s most telling pieces of writing. The book focuses upon one couple's difficult relationship in the sexual awakening of 1960s Britain. McEwan found himself in hot water after admitting he had actually taken pebbles from Chesil Beach in Dorset. This is a hardcover Canadian edition with a protective plastic covering.

Proceeds go to the United Way.

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Both these novels were shortlisted for Canada’s 2008 Giller Prize with Through Black Spruce claiming victory. They represent the latest generation of Canadian creative writing. Cockroach has also been nominated for the Rogers Writers' Trust prizes and the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction. Both signed copies are hardcovers.

Proceeds go to the United Way.

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Kindly provided by the author herself, Sweetheart is the latest smash hit from the Oregon-based author.  Published in July, Sweetheart is the follow-up to Heartsick where she introduced the world to serial killer Gretchen Lowell and her obsessed pursuer Portland Detective Archie Sheridan. Don’t miss this outstanding thriller from Oregon’s finest.

Proceeds go to the United Way.

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Read an AbeBooks interview with Chelsea Cain

Kindly provided by our friends at Algonquin Books, Mudbound was the winner of the 2006 Bellwether Prize for fiction – a prize that acclaims debut novels addressing issues of social justice. A former advertising copywriter for 15 years, Jordan is one of the bright up-and-coming talents of American literature. The book features a bookplate signed by the author.

Proceeds go to the United Way.

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Looking for some good reading? Our friends at Random House Canada have provided an entire box of 11 brand new books.

The hardcovers are The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, Giving by Bill Clinton, The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson, The Ravine by Paul Quarrington, Petite Anglaise by Catherine Sanderson, No Such Creature by Giles Blunt, Don Cherry’s Hockey Stories and Stuff, and Not Guilty by Debbie Travis.

The softcovers are The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis, My Years As Prime Minister by Jean Chretien, and John A: The Man Who Made Us by Richard Gwyn.

Proceeds go the United Way.

This one is a little different. We have a softcover of the 1997 book about this world famous hotel chain, but also included is a gift certificate for two night’s accommodation in a deluxe city view guest room at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown in beautiful British Columbia, Canada.

Vancouver is one of the most remarkable cities in the world and always worth a visit. The gift certificate, valid until next November, includes buffet breakfast each morning. This fantastic hotel is one block from the waterfront and five blocks from the shops and restaurants of famous Robson Street. Stanley Park is just a short stroll away. This accommodation package is worth $680 (CAD). Please Note: Transport to Vancouver is not included.

Proceeds go to the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver with big thanks to our friends at the Marriott in Vancouver.

Find copies of The Spirit to Serve: Marriott's Way

Up for grabs are The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership, The Way of the Tiger and Inspire! What Great Leaders Do.

All three are hardcovers and signed by the author. Lance Secretan is a leadership guru who had retired from business by the time he was 40. Today, he is a much sought-after inspirational speaker. His books sell around the globe and many of the world’s most influential companies have turned him for advice and guidance on leadership issues.

Proceeds go to the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver with big thanks to the author.

Find signed copies of The Art and Practice of Consious Leadership

Find signed copies of The Way of the Tiger