In Lieu of Library Loot . . .

Have you noticed that there haven't been many library books posts around here lately?  I've seriously cracked down on my formerly unrestrained borrowing of books.  They are so addicting and I would look forward to my weekly visit, but at the same time I always inwardly knew there was no way I would be able to read them all in the allotted time.  And trying hard to do so would only throw off my other reading.  

So now I have four, yes, count them, four books checked out from the library.  And I think I actually have a good chance to read them all by the due dates (or renew them so I have enough time).  And I am waiting for only one new book to arrive.  A cookbook by Martha Stewart no less.  (Cupcakes--have you noticed they're the new "in" thing?).

So, in lieu of showing you a huge pile of new library books (because I have none to show you), I will share the titles I've written down from their "new books" list.  When I finish with what I have I can move on to some new ones.  Such a novel idea, don't you think?

A few that caught my eye:

Rebel Princess, Judith Koll Healey (I read one of her earlier books, The Canterbury Papers, and really enjoyed it--I think this is a sequel to it).  

City of Strangers, Ian Mackenzie

Far Cry, John Harvey

Londongrad, Reggie Nadelson

The Castaways, Elin Hilderbrand (looks like a fluffy beach book).

An Honorable German, Charles McCain

April and Oliver, Tess Callahan

Strangers, Anita Brookner

Brunetti's Venice, Toni Sepeda (someone mentioned this to me--a sort of travel book that explores Donna Leon's beloved city).

Riddle of the River, Catherine Shaw (I really want to read this series of mysteries set in late-1800s Cambridge, though I wonder if I should start with the first--this is the fourth).

Sacred Hearts, Sarah Dunant (I've heard good things about this one--I've read some of her mysteries but none of the books set in Italy).

Arabesk, Barbara Nadel

Breaking Faith, Anna Blundy      

Martyr, Rory Clements (a mystery featuring John Shakespeare--did William have a brother?  I really do need to read one of my Shakespeare biographies!).

As nice as it would be to have all these books sitting here by my computer, it's far more realistic to just keep a list and choose a couple after I've read and returned what I have.  If nothing else it will help me read what I have in a reasonable amount of time so I can choose a new one.  And I think I might have to start with the book at the top of the list (well, that's what I'm in the mood for at the moment anyway).     

Comments

[Kristen M.]

When my library eyes got bigger than my reading time, I started a spreadsheet that I use to browse through and choose my holds and next reads. It's almost to 100 books now. Yikes!

[Dorothy W.]

I was just remarking earlier today on the cupcake fad -- it's funny the way food can be fashionable like clothing. Oh, dear, I'm getting hungry! The book list looks fun -- you're reminding me that I'd like to read more Brookner. She's a favorite.

[Danielle]

Kristen--This year for the first time I started keeping a spreadsheet for the books I read. I put in a variety of information so I can sort of track what types of books I read at the end of the year. I should make a list for library books as well, too. I can save a list of books in my library account online but once the list was deleted and I lost all the titles. It is certainly better than requesting everything I see outright!
Dorothy--A friend of mine said she went to a wedding a while back and rather than having cakes, they had cupcakes (though also still a small traditonal wedding cake). It is weird to think of food going in trends, but I suppose like everything else it does, too! I guess we have a cupcake bakery here in Omaha, but it is on the other side of town so it may be a long time before I go there. I want to read more Brookner, too. I went through a big phase years ago, but I've not read anything for quite a while. I am in the mood for something by her now, though. She is good, isn't she!

[BooksPlease]

I've borrowed The Riddle of the River this week from my library. I didn't realise it was in a series! I hope it works as a stand-alone.

[Isabel]

I don't have any library books out.
It's evacuation season here and I don't want to think about stuff that doesn't belong to me.

I want to read Barry Lopez books, but I will wait until October.

[Debby]

I agree that the library loan periods are too short for all the great books they have! I will occasionally borrow knitting books or other books I'm considering for purchase, to see if they live up to their reviews, but that's about all I can bear to take home.

[Marg]

I use a spreadsheet to keep track of titles that I would like to read, and also of my due dates to try and limit the number of overdue books I have!

I am very impressed by the fact you only have four books out!

[Darlene]

I have a hold on the Cupcakes book at the library - can't wait!

[Danielle]

BooksPlease--Let me know what you think of it! I also haven't read any of these books so am not sure whether to look for the first or just request this one!
Isabel--That's a drag to have to worry about having to be evacuated, but as you've experienced this before, I don't blame you for not wanting to have stuff that belongs to others in the way of harm! I've never read Barry Lopez--is he a nature writer?
Debby--We can renew books up to four times if there is no one waiting for them. Still, I think it's better to try and keep the pile really small--otherwise things get out of hand. I sometimes borrow cookbooks or needlework books which I know I won't need for long and can just browse!
Marg--I'm impressed too and wonder how long it will last! I was tempted to request several titles the last time I checked my account, but I just asked for one! I think I may try a spreadsheet, too!
Darlene--I took a peek at it at the store. I don't want to buy it, but I would love to at least look it over and copy a recipe or two!

[Stefanie]

I nod knowingly as I glance the the pile of library books on the corner of my desk. And what is it with cupcakes? I even have a vegan cupcake book that came out a little over a year ago. We make them sparingly otherwise my husband and I would weigh in at 300 pounds each!

[iliana]

I never made an announcement on my blog about not checking out library books because I knew as soon as I put it up I'd go to the library! haha... But, I have been on a library ban this summer. I just have to make a dent in my stacks somehow. So far it's going great. I just hope I can keep this up at least through September.

Oh and cupcakes are all the rage here too. There's even a little cupcake stand near downtown which from what I've heard is always packed.

[JaneGS]

John Shakespeare was Wm's father. Wm did have brothers, but none named John. The one I'm most interested in was named Edmund--he died at 27, but also went to London and was also an actor.

Cupcakes are definitely in.

[Danielle]

Stefanie--I had to cut myself off...but I have made up for this lack of books in other ways...I just have more stacks of my own close by. I wonder if I can make it through the summer? The nice thing about cupcakes, though, is it is a single serving and they are all the same size. Now if you make a cake--I tend to cut generous pieces. The idea, though, is to just eat one!
Iliana--There is always the problem of saying something in a post and then turning around and doing the opposite, which is why I try and never say I am not going to buy books! :) So far I've been okay with the library books, though I do miss all those nice,lovely new books waiting for me. We'll see how long I can keep it up.
Jane--Ah, thanks. I have two Shakespeare biographies and my plan was to read all these books about him and that period in history and so far...I haven't! I'm afraid I know very little about him, but I do look forward to reading something this year. Cupcakes sound pretty yummy at the moment. I've heard we have a cupcake bakery here in town, though I've never gone--probably just as well...

[Melanie]

I have a notebook in my desk at work where I write down all the titles I see as I am processing new books...otherwise I'd have forty out at a time! I don't think I'll ever catch up...but it gives me something to use when I'm stuck for reading (ha ha) And I have the vegan cupcake book too...the problem is that cupcake pans make 6 at the least...and I can't resist an uneaten cupcake. :)

[Danielle]

Melanie--I tend to write titles down on scraps of paper and then promptly lose them! I do have a notebook and when I plan it out better I list them there or on sticky notes that I keep inside the notebook. I need to do something other than just check out whatever looks appealing--that's for sure, since I know I can never read them all. And I know what you mean by cupcakes--of course the nice thing is they are small than cutting a piece of cake--as long as you just stick to one...