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 am back! I am jet-lagged and getting over a cold that began while I was in London so any post with, you know, actual content is a bit of ways off but I do have loot to share. Because my priorities in life are clear: library trips rank ahead of sleep, laundry, and the purchase many more boxes of Kleenex.
The Greater Journey by David McCullough
I like David McCullough. Whenever I see interviews with him (and it seemed like there were many when this book came out), I am totally charmed. We shall see how I do with this, since I have little to no interest in American history, but I felt I had to give it a try since it is the McCullough title that most appeals to me (mostly because it’s all about Paris).
Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close
I placed a hold on this ages ago after seeing it on a list somewhere of new releases, but I have no memory of where. It looks like a frothy, girly read, which I am absolutely ready for.
The Storyteller by Anna Porter
Growing up in Budapest during the 1940s and ’50s, Anna Porter learned her family history–and the history of her troubled country–through the captivating stories of her grandfather, master storyteller Vili Racz. The Storyteller is, in turn, a masterfully told memoir that weaves Vili’s fantastic tales, Hungarian history, and Porter’s life experiences into a remarkable story of a nation in turmoil and the changing fortunes of a proud, resilient family.
What did you pick up this week?
I love the cover of Girls in White Dresses. Bit of a bugger that you got sick while you were away! Hope you feel better soon!
It is an attractive cover, definitely. It also has cute red and yellow dots that continue on to the spine that I am irrationally fond of.
I’m on the long waiting list for the McCullough book at the library. Welcome back – and I hope you feel better soon too.
I was way too intimidated by the hold list to join it but The Greater Journey showed up on our fast reads shelf (1 week loan period) so at least this will give me a chance to see if I like it!
I am a long time admirer of David McCullough, especially of the book, John Adams and will dig into The Greater Journey on day soon. He is a masterful storyteller of history, bringing it alive in an engaging way. I’ll sit and listen to him if ever he is on television, and he is on often, especially when a book is released.
This week? I picked up Persuasion and The Wilder Life, since I was traveling and stopping at a Laura Ingalls Wilder site while on the road. The book is, I am sorry to say, not interesting me one bit. Oh well.
Hope you are feeling better soon. Welcome back.
Yes, I’m really hoping I enjoy McCullough’s writing as much as I enjoy his media appearances!
Sorry that you’re not enjoying The Wilder Life, I had a lot of fun reading it earlier this year.
I wandered by the large print aisle at the library yesterday and there it was, a copy of McCullough’s book sitting there, plain as day, which surprised me as there is a long wait list for it. Actually, the same thing happened with The Wilder Life. I don’t really need large print -yet- but, snapped it up.
It might just be the wrong time for me to read The Wilder Life, Claire. I’ll pick it up again another time.
Feel better soon! I’ve seen Girls In White Dresses around. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts.
Thanks, Linda. I’m doing my best to rest up and get better quickly. I will report back soon on Girls in White Dresses!
Welcome back, Claire! Sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well…was it Simon sharing his virus with you?
It was lovely to meet you and I have to say that I’ve been craving that vegetable burrito from Giraffe for days now.
No, I can’t blame this on poor Simon since I was already starting to get sick when we met up. I was doing my best to subdue my symptoms that day but the cold struck full force the next day.
I loved meeting you and yes, the burrito was so good! I was actually thinking about how I could recreate it at home…
I think you saw Girls in White Dresses on an NPR list of back-to-school reads… at least, that’s the source I put on my reading list next to that title, and I think I found it from your blog. It wasn’t as frothy & girly as I expected, but once I got over that I thought it was really good.
You’re absolutely right, it was the NPR list! Thanks for reminding me!
Welcome home, and sorry to hear you are ill. Feel better soon!
I’ve seen Girls in White Dresses around a lot and am curious. Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks, Christine. It’s very nice to be home and to have time to read again!
Welcome back and I hope you had a wonderful holiday……and the cold clears up very soon. Some nice loot to help you recuperate.
Thanks, Cat!
Welcome home! So sorry to hear about the cold. We’ll be praying for a quick recovery. I’ve had my eye on the McCullough book, having enjoyed his book on John Adams (although I thought 1776 was a bit of a slog in places), but I’m going to wait awhile on it. Too much piled up to read! I’ll be curious to see what you think of it. I’ve been dipping in and out of Persuasion this week in the sparse time I’ve had to read. I’m recovering from a bug myself, but it was one of those that didn’t allow me to read.
Get lots of rest!
So sorry to hear you’ve been sick too. Austen is the perfect author to aid your recovery though!
Kleenex eucalyptus tissues are awesome!
I like that Girls in white dresses cover! I’m looking for new books to read too.. might check that out
Ooo, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the eucalyptus Kleenex. I get the aloe ones and they are excellent.
This looks good. I picked up heaps myself – its like a lucky dip at a fair in my secondhand store. Always a gem or two to be picked up.
Glad to hear you had a successful haul!
I loved so much The Greater Journey. here is my review: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/my-review-45-the-greater-journey/
Emma