Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg and myself that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!
It’s awful but I’ve barely read anything since my library loot post last week. First I was sick, then I was angst-ridden, and now I’m just too excited about my imminent move back to Vancouver (three weeks tomorrow!). Because I’m moving it also meant that I had to cancel most of my holds at the library. That was actually a bit sad. I will miss my unlimited free holds very, very much. My posts over the next few weeks will definitely be a bit sparse as I work to read all the books I have out before I leave!
Here’s the loot for this week:
A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson
I never get tired of Ibbotson. Whenever I’m in the mood to reread youthful favourites, I go straight to her (well, perhaps making a detour to pick up something by L.M. Montgomery – Anne of the Island will always and forever be my ultimate comfort read). This tale of a young English woman who comes to work as housekeeper at a school in Austria in the late 1930s isn’t Ibbotson’s best but it’s still enjoyable.
Frost in May by Antonia White
In general, the last thing I want to read is a novel set in a convent; indeed, anything with religion as a major theme is usually just what I shy away from. However, I’m making an exception for this popular Virago Modern Classic. It seems everyone but me has read it and I hate being the odd man out!
Dancing with Mr. Darcy: Stories Inspired by Jane Austen and Chawton House Library, edited by Sarah Waters
Laurel Ann gave this four out of five stars when she reviewed it last month and I couldn’t resist ordering it when I saw my library had a copy. Short stories are just the thing to read right before bed, especially Austen-esque ones!
The Heroine’s Bookshelf: Life Lessons, from Jane Austen to Laura Ingalls Wilder by Erin M. Blakemore
This may be my favourite cover of the year. It’s even more gorgeous in person. Unfortunately, I flipped through the book once it arrived and wasn’t overly excited by the entries I did read.
A Mountain of Crumbs: A Memoir by Elena Gorokhova
I can’t remember if I first saw this on a blog or in a shop but I’ve been eagerly looking forward to reading it for a while now. A memoir of growing up in Soviet Russia? How could I resist? When I saw Marie’s enthusiastic review at The Boston Bibliophile I knew it was time to pick it up.
Virginia Woolf’s Nose: Essays on Biography by Hermione Lee
I’m not quite ready to tackle any of Lee’s much-praised but massive biographies (of Willa Cather, Edith Wharton, and Virginia Woolf) so this much shorter collection of essays on the art of biography seems a kinder introduction to her.
Dancing with Mr Darcy sounds interesting. Short stories might make it a more palatable read too.
This is a first time, but I’m glad to experience it on your blog: I want to read every single one of your Library Loot books.
I had never heard of Ibbotson before, but the author is not definitely added to my list. And Dancing With Mr Darcy, how could I resist? And the Virago Classic?
Like you I love the cover for The Heroine’s Bookshelf. I think the book might not be out yet in Europe, but I do hope to read it. And I like reading about biographies and the Mountain of Crumbs sounds fascinating as well 🙂
The Heroine’s Bookshelf and A Mountain of Crumbs are both on my TBR list already, and now so is Virginia Woolf’s Nose!
Dancing with Mr. Darcy is obviously a title to catch my eye! And edited by Sarah Waters would hopefully mean good content… I’ll have to check it out. Also The Heroine’s Bookshelf! I heard about it somewhere recently, put it on hold before it was at the library, then took it off, because it looked rather content-light, however enticing the title was! (I think I flipped through the author’s blog and got that impression) Now you have it, I may have to request it again too (partly because you’re right, it does look pretty)!
There’s a used copy of Frost in May (at Books on 4th, along with other Viragos, that’s where I buy mine) that I keep debating about getting, but haven’t given in so far. Novels in convents are really not my thing, but I’ll be interested in hearing how you get on with it.
Also, you don’t get free holds in Vancouver?
Oh what a great haul! I’ve never heard of Eva Ibbotson but her books sound quite lovely! Will have to check them out.
Great loot. Nothing for me this week. The libraries are closed due to a snow storm. No worries I have plenty of books to keep me entertained. Hopefully I’ll make it through my current stack of library books!
Very appealing covers on all your loot. I have a fascination for convent stories so will seek out Frost in May.
Good luck with the moving!
I’ve yet to read Frost in May so you’re not the only one… I’m thinking of reading it if there’s the Virago Bok read in January, which I’ve heard hinted at.
Haven’t seen this Ibbotson title before, but we’ve really enjoyed Journey to the River Sea. The short stories do sound nice, esp. before bed. Thanks for sharing!
You’re not the only who hasn’t read Frost in May; neither have I. I’ll be waiting to hear what you think of it.
Perhaps, using your parents’ address (or your parents’ membership) you could start setting up holds at Vancouver PL now, and have all those books waiting to greet you upon your return.
Congratulations on your decision. Feeling at home in a sense of place is terribly important. (Just as I, in 1971, decided I HAD to cut Vancouver and return to Toronto. I loved the city, but I was soooo homesick, and, sorry to say, I found myself pulled down by the endless grey skies from September to January — and yes, no doubt longer, but I caught the eastbound Transcontinental in January 1972. And I’m still here.)
Great list! Hope you can get everything read before you need to leave.
It’s been a while since I jumped in on Library Loot…got my list up!
You have some interesting books. I cant want to read your reviews. I have just put my library loot up.
I agree with the other comments – all of these books look really good! I hope all goes well as you get ready to move back to Vancouver! I’ve been visiting here every now and then for a while, but didn’t know you’re also from Canada. It’s great to come across fellow Canadian bloggers 🙂