More reasons not to feel deprived during my book buying embargo. The top three books are from the library where I work and the bottom three are from the public library. Libraries are wonderful places. They let you browse around and take interesting-sounding books home with you. And if they don't have something you want, they'll even borrow it from another library!
After reading Mollie Panter-Downes's wartime stories I really wanted to move on to her peacetime stories and compare. As no local library had a copy of Minnie's Room, I put in a request for a copy via ILL. This is a very slim volume of stories--just over 120 pages containing only ten stories. I only have the book until November 7, so I'll be starting it this weekend, but I don't think I'll have a problem finishing it by the due date.
After reading Rachel's post on Ann Bridge's Illyrian Spring, I was very tempted to try and find a copy for myself. Unfortunately there don't seem to be lots of used copies out there (cheap used copies I should say), but the library where I work happened to have it (though not the lovely Virago), so I was in luck after all. It hadn't been checked out since 1985, so it seems like it's due for someone to read and enjoy it.
My online reading group is going to be reading Anthony Trollope's Lady Anna in November. I hope to read along, as I've never read anything by him. My library has a whole set published by the Trollope Society and this one appears unread.
A few years ago I read The Shape of Sand by Marjorie Eccles, which I recall was pretty good. Ever since I've wanted to read Shadows & Lies, which sounds even better than her earlier novel. It's set in the Edwardian period and moves between England and South Africa. Eccles also has another book coming out next year that I've already got in line for at the library, Last Nocturne.
The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley caught my eye when I saw it on the public library's new book list. The premise sounds intriguing--a princess turned spy. It begins in Peking in 1914 and is based on a true story.
And Rebecca Stott's The Coral Thief is a book I had to get in line for a second time as I didn't get it read when I checked it out earlier. I really do want to read it, however, so will make a better attempt at squeezing it in with my other books. The jacket blurb calls it a "tantalizing mix of history, philosophy and suspense."
Expect to see regular library loot posts as library books are a very effective for staving off book buying temptations!