I think it is physically impossible for me to leave a library without something in my hands. I had to drop off a few books that were due, but for once I had nothing waiting for me that I had requested. Instead I pulled out my trusty list to see what books they had on hand that had come recommended to me. I've mentioned this before, but while I don't mind old, used books, I'm not altogether too fond of old library books. Once a book has passed through dozens of hands, they get kind of crusty. If you use the library often, you'll know what I mean. Strangely the university's older books never seem quite as bad as the public library's older books. If I could get over my squeamishness, there would be lots to investigate as my library has a fairly large fiction collection. Some books are in better condition than others, however. Anyway, I did find a few on my list.
Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson - This is one of the most recent Persephone releases. I've heard very good things about it. I'd love to have the nice Persephone edition, but I will have to settle for this plain library copy at the moment. Persephone Books describes it: "mostly this is an entirely light-hearted, easy read, one of those books like Mariana, Miss Pettigrew, The Making of a Marchioness and Greenery Street, which can be recommended unreservedly to anyone looking for something undemanding, fun and absorbing that is also well-written and intelligent."
The Next Room, by Sarah Harrison - This is actually a ghost story of sorts. It sounds very unlike The Flowers of the Field, which I am enjoying so much, but I don't mind. It's also less than 200 pages, so much shorter as well. It seems to have a contemporary setting, but flashes back in time--there is reference to a Victorian girl in a photograph. It could be fun, and it was just about the only book I could find by her in my library.
If On a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino - This sounds like it is very accessible experimental fiction. It is also the grimiest book of the lot, so I might have to just consider buying a nice copy. If it is as good as I have heard it is, however, I think it might be worth owning anyway. It starts:
"You are about to begin reading Italo Calvino's new novel, If on a winter's night a traveler. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade. Best to close the door; the TV is always on in the next room. Tell the others right away, 'No, I don't want to watch TV'! Raise your voice--they won't hear you otherwise--'I'm reading! I don't want to be disturbed!' Maybe they haven't heard you, with all that racket; speak louder, yell: 'I'm beginning to read Italo Calvino's new novel!' Or if you prefer, don't say anything; just hope they'll leave you alone."
Okay, so he has my attention. I can't think of another author who's written a book directed specifically at me like that. Maybe I should turn the computer off (there is not TV on in the next room, but I am sure Calvino would consider this the same sort of distraction) and go and read this...
The Flight of the Maidens by Jane Gardam - And I really do want to read something more by Jane Gardam. The library had a few of her novels. This one appealed to me the most at the moment. It is set in 1946 and concerns three young Yorkshire women, all scholarship students. I wonder if I own this book, or contemplated reading it before as the story sounds vaguely familiar! I hate it when I forget what I own (or possibly checked out from the library years ago!).
So, old library books aren't as nice as the brand new shiny (read: clean) ones, but the up side of checking out these out--I am sure I will be able to renew them as many times as I need to actually read them!