dagibbs | looking for washer & dryer

So, last night I went looking for a washer & dryer. My appliances are old, still mostly functioning, but they occasionally deposit little stains on my clothers. The front-loading washers are nice, but bloody expensive, are they really worth the extra $500-1000? And, even non front loading are moderately expensive, and pretty boring, one is much like another. Buying a fridge was much more interesting -- a lot more differences between the various models, at least, a lot more differences that actually meant something rather than being unimportant, like the color of the dials. I didn't find anything that inspired me.

So, as a consolation, I went to the Chapters that was right next door to the two appliance stores that I had visitted. Found stuff to buy there. I bought:

Narcissus in Chains - Laurell K. Hamilton. I've read it, but in a borrowed hardcover.
War of Honor - David Weber. The latest Honor Harrington novel.
The Paths of the Dead and The Lord of Castle Black - Steven Brust. Parts 1 and 2 of the 3rd volume of the trilogy that started with The Phoenix Guards. These are a Dumas pastiche, and the first two were a lot of fun.
Angelmass - Timothy Zahn
The Curse of Chalion - Lois McMaster Bujold. I have this in paperback, this was a discounted HC. Gives me a loaner copy.
Ventus - Karl Schroeder. He's a Canadian author who has won an Aurora award, decided to give him a try with another discounted HC.
The Year's Best Science Fiction - Twentieth Annual Collection - Gardner Dozois (ed). I've been buying this series as they come out for a while now. A very good, large, collection of 2002's short SF.

Oooo books!