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!
I’ve gone a little mad with my library loot since coming home last Thursday. But how could I resist? Less than 24 hours after arriving back in Vancouver I was at a function only blocks away from the central branch of the library. I couldn’t just let an opportunity like that pass me by, could I? I certainly didn’t. Total count from that trip: 11. And then I started placing holds online, knowing that with only 50 free holds a year I must take advantage of the ones for 2010 while I can. Count from online holds: 8 (with more in transit – the promise of loot for next week!). Add two for when I went to pick up the holds at my local branch and couldn’t resist the Manguel or the Heyer audio book (if you can resist Richard Armitage reading a favourite novel aloud you’re stronger than I). So, total count for the last five days: 21 (all but three of which are featured here). I’ve gotten to the point where I just like stacking them up or laying them out across my bed to admire them. A sad but cheap form of entertainment that has my parents shaking their heads and despairing of me.
Here they are:
Provincial Daughter by R.M. Dashwood
Tuesday, 23rd ‘Late nights do not suit me. Try to think I look interestingly haggard but have to admit that Unkempt Blowsiness is fitter description’ Way before that city slicker, Bridget Jones, there was the Provincial Daughter — an intelligent woman juggling too little money with too many kids in rural obscurity. In between taking deliveries of coal and attending ghastly provincial parties, our heroine makes tentative forays into the bright lights of London, seeking literary fame and fortune.
Your Mouth is Lovely by Nancy Richler
Inspired by A Mountain of Crumbs I thought it might be fun to read more books set in Russia. But once it arrived I realised I’d already read it five or even six years ago. I still adore the cover though.
Magic Flutes by Eva Ibbotson
More light, fairy tale fun with Ibbotson. Probably my least favourite of her adult novels but still a nice read.
Sexually, I’m More of a Switzerland: More Personal Ads from the London Review of Books, edited by David Rose
Good fun.
A Mountain of Crumbs by Elena Gorokhova
I started this in Calgary, was really enjoying it, and then had to return it when I was half way through. Was so happy to find that the library had a copy available, which allowed me to finish it over the weekend.
A Country in the Moon: Travels in Search of the Heart of Poland by Michael Moran
I know shockingly little about Poland and hope to learn more, having been intrigued after reading (and enjoying) A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True this summer.
Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees by Roger Deakin
I love trees and never tire of reading about them or about how people all over the world relate to them.
The Peacock Spring by Rumer Godden
My first outing with Godden (The Greengage Summer) was hardly a success but this title, set in India, sounds much more to my liking.
Elizabeth Gaskell: A Habit of Stories by Jenny Uglow
I’m feeling a little daunted by the size of this but am still eager to read more about Mrs Gaskell.
The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
Adventure and mystery in the Amazon. The best kind of escapism!
The Library at Night by Alberto Manguel
I loved A Reading Diary when I read it earlier this year and have been excited to read more by Manguel since then.
Kristin Lavransdatter: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset, translated by Tiina Nunnally
One of those books I’ve checked out time and again but never actually started.
One of the Family by Monica Dickens
No idea what this is about but it’s by Dickens and I’ve greatly enjoyed her other books I’ve read this year. Sometimes it’s just fun to order things and start reading with no preconceptions or expectations.
Mystics, Mavericks, and Merrymakers: An Intimate Journey Amoung Hasidic Girls by Stephanie Wellen Levine
Eva was very enthusiastic about this one (calling it “one of my favourite reads of the year”) and when I saw that my library had it I knew I had to try it, even though it’s not something I would generally pick out. But that’s the beauty of libraries: you can indulge in whims at no cost whatsoever!
Wild Strawberries by Angela Thirkell
Since finishing Greenery Street I’ve been excited to read something by Thirkell, Mackail’s sister. Everything I’ve heard from other readers is enthusiastic so I’m hopeful that I’ll enjoy this one. If I do, there’s a good number of her other works to look forward to!
Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall by Spike Milligan
Someone (sorry, can’t remember who) recently linked to an old Oprah article giving Emma Thompson’s favourite reads and this was one of them. A humourous memoir about WWII? How could I not want to try this?
Sylvester by Georgette Heyer (read by Richard Armitage)
I love Georgette Heyer and I love Richard Armitage. Combining the two is a no-brainer, even though I’m not generally a consumer of audiobooks.
Hens Dancing by Raffaella Barker
This was one of the few titles on India Knight’s list of comfort reads that I was not familiar with. Given how much I love most of her other picks, the odds seem good that I’ll like this as well.
Envious of your free holds and laughing at the picture of you desperately trying to use your 2010 ones – good job youmoved when you did 🙂 I hope you are settling in happily
Just think what chaos would have descended if I’d moved in January or February! I’m settling in VERY happily, thank you. It’s wonderful to be home.
You have to PAY for library holds? I would be broke. I hope my library systems never gets wind of this idea!!
I have never heard of the Provincial Daughter but I read two of the Diary of the Provincial Lady series by E. M. Delafield and found them delightful. You’ve got lots of great stuff on your list. I envy your Monica Dickens, none in my library!
I’ve only ever had one library that had unlimited free holds (Calgary). It seems to be more usual to have a limited number or to have to pay.
Yes, I’m very lucky with the selection at the library here!
I am with Karenlibrarian in being shocked about having to pay for library holds! My whole method of using the library would crumble if I had to do that – yikes!
Looks like you got a great haul though – something to suit every mood over the holidays.
Yes, I’m well prepared for any reading whim I may have!
Yes, like others it was the “only 50 free holds a year” that got my attention. Good heavens, I’d run through that in a month.
But welcome home, and happy reading.
Neither of my parents read much so they’ve generously said that I can use their holds once I’m done with mine. I may despair of their not being readers but can only be thankful in this instance!
Oh, I am so glad that there is someone else who likes stacking their library books and admiring them. Seriously, I do this too … and my husband thinks I have lost my mind.
Love that you have 21 books from just the past five days. That makes me feel much better about the total number of books I have out. (Let’s just say it is more than the total number of free holds … which is ridiculous. I’ve never heard of such a thing.)
Wow. I am impressed. I think the most I’ve ever had out of the library at any given time was around 40, and that was only when I was at university and some were for papers I was working on. But then I go to the library two or three times a week so things are returned pretty quickly.
That’s some loot! Enjoy all those great books!
Thanks! I’ll try my best to enjoy them all!
Richard Armitage reads audiobooks? I want one! And I look forward to your thoughts on the Elizabeth Gaskell biography..
He does and it’s glorious. If the Gaskell biography doesn’t completely overwhelm me I’ll be pleased to share my thoughts!
Ooo, there are several in your stack that look good to me. I had to laugh at your parents looking at you funny. There’s nothing like a good stack of books to admire. 🙂
It’s so true. I have my books in bags now and just looking at them piled next to the door is incredibly pleasing.
And I thought I was bad :). The book on Elizabeth Gaskell sounds interesting. How long is the borrowing time from your library?
The loan period is 3 weeks – pretty standard. And I can always renew the titles online if I find I need more time (which will probably be the case).
What a great pile of books! And thanks for the link to India Knight’s List of Comfort Reads. I hope my library has some of the more obscure ones.
You have to pay for holds over 50 a year? I would be it a world of hurt if my library charged for holds:)
The India Knight list is wonderful. I hope you find much inspiration in it!
Ooh, those look lovely! (Better than Calgary’s selection, I don’t think they’ve got the Armitage audio books!) And here I thought you were being such a spartan for only taking 5 books on the plane with you! Glad you’ve moved ok and are now enjoying your time. I’ve foolishly packed up my computer and am now forced to furtively send out a few comments from the library (while going slightly mad at home with nothing to do but clean the windows and walls and baseboards…)!
They definitely don’t have the Armitage audiobooks (trust me, I looked). I’m listening to it right now and it’s fantastic. I knew I’d be able to go to the library pretty soon after returning, which is why taking only five wasn’t such a trial.
Not only do I get free holds at my library but also an unlimited number! I take advantage of it, but I am trying to keep the number I borrow to a low roar as I read more from my own bookshelves at home. There has been some chat about Eva Ibbotson in an online reading group I belong to which makes me want to read something by her, though I’d not heard of this one. I started reading Angela Thirkell’s Barsetshire books and really must get back to them! And I had no idea Richard Armitage narrated audio books–yummy! 🙂 Enjoy your stacks–I like looking through my piles, too.
The Calgary library was like that and I definitely loved the free holds but, as I’ve said in other comments, most of the libraries I’ve subscribed to have had limited holds so while it’s annoying it’s hardly unexpected. Eva Ibbotson is very fun and I’d definitely recommend her!
I’ve always wanted to read (buy) on of those London Review of Book Personals books. Hope you enjoy it!
It’s very fun – the perfect thing to have around when you’ve got just a few minutes to read and need a smile!
What a great haul! I like the cover for Provincial Daughter. I am intrigued by Poland as well, so look forward to your thoughts on A Country In the Moon.
The cover for Provincial Daughter is excellent, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to A Country in the Moon and hope to report back many good things!
I just linked up. I added The Provincial Daughter to my reading list. Looks good!
Thanks Ruth! I’ll look forward to checking out your loot!
“I’ve gotten to the point where I just like stacking them up or laying them out across my bed to admire them.”
Hee, I thought I was the only one. Before we got our new shelves in the family room, I loved staring at the stacks of library books that accumulated under my coffee table. Just knowing they were there made me happy! Enjoy your loot (whether reading or admiring them)!
I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only one who does this! I may be strange to my parents but I’m obviously perfectly normal to other bibliophiles!
Thanks so much for stopping by. The Woman in White is really good. I know that sometimes people find it boring and long, but classics normally are long and there often are boring parts. I don’t think this book has too many boring parts. I even feel like I got into it pretty well.
I usually enjoy most ‘classics’. My issue is with Victorian sensation novels, which I can find too over the top. Hard to enjoy a book when you’re rolling your eyes!
I’m chiming in a little late but I;m going to read Jenny Uglow too in advance of reading more Elizabeth Gaskell. And I like Rafaella Barker…you’ve sent me to the comfort read list for more ideas! Happy New Year!
I’d never even heard of Barker before seeing India Knight’s list but have been quite excited by what I’ve read so far. Are you as scared of the Jenny Uglow as I am? It’s so big!
Oh, I missed one! Love, love, love Angela Thirkell. Silly, comforting, thoroughly enjoyable. I hope you enjoy Wild Strawberries.