Why do cats feel the need to be in the middle of whatever you happen to be doing? Dulce is obviously also intrigued by my new books, too. I'm back to my old habits and have added a new stack of library books to the stack I already have (the next best thing to a shopping spree). So here are my new books--at no cost to me as they are borrowed and mooched!
Ivy Tree, Mary Stewart -- This has recently been reissued. I discovered it in the Bas Bleu catalog a while back. Although I'd love to have the new edition, I'll save my pennies for now. The blurb in the catalog compared this to Daphne du Maurier's work. I've only read her King Arthur books, which I greatly enjoyed.
Privilege of the sword, Ellen Kushner -- I discovered this via Eve's Alexandria. It was one of Nic's top reads last year. You can read her tempting review here. A swashbuckling romp sounds good to me and it even includes a female swashbuckler!
Maytrees, Annie Dillard -- I didn't know anything about this to be honest, but I saw it on a blogger's list of books recently read and I always respect her choices, so I had to grab it. And now that I've read the blurb, it does indeed sound good.
Signed Mata Hari, Yannick Murphy -- Not sure about this one, but it looks good. A novel about Mata Hari.
Bookmooches:
Carnevale, M.R. Lovric -- A novel set in 18th century Venice and featuring not only Casanova, but Byron as well. I'm not sure this was ever published in the US, so I was happy to come across it. Doesn't a book set in Italy sound good right now? (Okay, it does to me actually).
The Hummingbird's Daughter, Luis Alberto Urrea -- I've heard good things about this book from several bloggers. A novel about a young woman who is a healer during the Mexican Revolution.
Skating to Antarctica, Jenny Diski -- Another find via a book blogger. I only know it is a memoir, but I've heard raves about the author, so I'm willing to give it a try sight unseen (so to speak).
Inheritance of Loss, Kiran Desai -- I've tried to mooch this so many times, and I've never been able to get there before someone else has beat me to it. I somehow managed to be logged in when someone happened to be adding it to their inventory. I've been so curious about this book, but uncertain about buying it. And it is even in pristine condition.
I'm not as good as I appear to be. I recently ordered a few books in Amazon that I cannot seem to mooch or find in either bookstores or libraries locally. I should be getting a few Amazon boxes next week (that sounds like so many books, but in reality it is just a few as they have split up my order). The last time I placed an Amazon order for me (I did place a Christmas order but only for things for other people) was last July when I ordered the Harry Potter book. How's that for a little self control?! It hasn't been easy but I have even accustomed myself to not mind not getting books in the mail very often (only mooches). I only hope this doesn't push me off the wagon. I'll share my goodies next week when they've all arrived.