Library Loot
I thought that it might be fun, now I've started using our mobile library service, to join in with Library Loot. The library van has been pulling up on alternate weeks in the yard for years, but I've been away so much I've never used it. Now I'm self-employed it seemed the right time to start. The selection of books is, of course, much smaller, and my choice accordingly more random, but I can still make requests online and the van will deliver the books to me when it comes out. It may encourage me to look for non-fiction. Here is this week's haul:
The Lindisfarne Gospels were recently on display in Durham - sadly, I didn't manage to get there, but I have seen them in the British Library. I've been looking at illumination recently with a view to making cards so I thought this book, which sets the Gospels in their proper context, would be worth requesting. It looks as if it might be hard to give back!
I remember June Knox-Mawr as a presenter on Woman's Hour, I think, so her book, A Ram in the Well, about returning to Wales, her childhood home, should be well-written. The title bodes well for silliness, too.
Four crime novels, by authors who'll need no introduction here. I've only read Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason (and saw the excellent film), so I'm really looking forward to it. The Flavia de Luce has been on my TBR list for ages, I really want to own them all but I am trying hard not to buy books. Louise Penny is a favourite, Jacqueline Winspear less so, but still readable. Finally a children's book by an author I don't know. I'll report on that in due course.
Apparently there's a new biography of Penelope Fitzgerald (by Hermione Lee) out next month - that will be the next request...
Some good choices there. The Flavia is excellent, I do love that series. I haven't read that Louise Penny but love her books as well. Maisie Dobbs... I seem to be alone in not being able to get on with that series. Love the sound of A Ram in the Well... will look that up. Nice haul!
ReplyDeleteI'm not wild about Maisie Dobbs myself, Cath. But Ram in the Well is proving reasonably entertaining.
DeleteEnjoy your loot!
ReplyDeleteOo, make sure to tell us what you learn about the Lindisfarne Gospels! That sounds so interesting.
ReplyDeleteWill do, Jenny - it's a beautiful book and so far I've just luxuriated in looking at the pictures.
DeleteI wish I still had 'The Beautiful Mystery' to read for the first time. Still there is a new one out that I'm waiting for from the library. The trouble is they are really dragging their heels over getting a copy. I may even be forced into a position where I have to buy it.
ReplyDeleteGosh, how incredibly unreasonable of them :-) I am trying so hard not to buy books, but I succumbed this morning when I discovered that Girls Gone By are reissuing Goudge's Henrietta's House next month. Had to have that. Do you like her books, Alex?
DeleteI only know a very limited range of her work and nothing that extends to what you might call a full length novel. Now I can see I shall have to do some more exploring. How evil of you to tempt me with something new, GC. :-)
DeleteWhat a treat! And the haul from right on your doorstep, too. You could look here to find out more about Penny Dolan:
ReplyDeletehttp://awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot.co.uk
She is a joint editor of the blog. It is one of my favourite sites, I look in there every day.
Oh, thank you so much, I hadn't realised she was on that blog (I do look at it from time to time, but must do so more often). Off to look straight away...
DeleteI'm trying very hard not to buy new books, so the library service is excellent - I use the mobile library too! I went off the Maisie Dobbs books, but I did enjoy Pardonable Lies. A Ram in the Well and the Lindisfarne books both interest me - I'll look out for them and for your reviews.
ReplyDeleteJust about to post on Ram in the Well, Margaret - watch this space!
DeleteFond memories; weekly visits to the library bus who stopped in my part of town when I was little were always highlights! Little did I know back then that one day I would be working there myself (I actually worked at the central library, but the bus was one of our branches, and I was sent out with the bus once or twice when the lady usually serving there was ill).
ReplyDeleteActually, I like having a limited choice; it has often made for interesting reads that I would not have touched otherwise.
I do agree about the choice stretching one's boundaries, I'm already finding that. I'd love to go along as librarian's assistant on the mobile library, but I don't think I'd be very necessary!
DeleteI really do love A.I.'s books. I have a couple to read to catch up. And I also thought the movie was terrific. It was great seeing the country.
ReplyDeleteWasn't the film superb! And fun to compare with the Scandinavian noir that we see now, like The Killing, and then to watch something like the Jimmy Perez series.
DeleteArctic Chill is a good mystery! I hope you enjoy it. I'm picking up Strange Shores this week, the latest in the series. I really enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear I'm not the only with a few problems with the Maisie series. I do like her, but I find that she is a little too perfect, and very reserved. The Lindisfarne Chronicles looks lovely, and the Welsh book intriguing.....
How lovely that the bookmobile can come out to you! I love that idea. I want to drive one myself, and I don't even drive! lol Imagine delivering books to people who love them and can't get to the local one.....I do agree that you will read books you wouldn't otherwise look at, I often end up doing the same thing when I'm in a library. Treasure troves of untold wisdom, I think of libraries as. Happy reading, Geranium Cat!