Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg and myself that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!
Real life has been intruding on my reading lately. Not necessarily a bad thing but certainly a bit of a change in my habits. Case in point: I usually prepare my Library Loot posts on Tuesday afternoon/evening and schedule it to post immediately after midnight Pacific, knowing that many participants have been enjoying Wednesday around the world for many hours by the time I get around to it. Today, midnight is in sight as I’m writing this but it will be done in time! As someone who usually goes to bed before the clock strikes ten – I justify these hours by reminding people that I start work at six thirty but, really, I still do this on weekends and vacations – I wanted nothing more than to go to bed after I came back from the hockey game but Library Loot must be compiled! Goodness knows I’ve been slacking off with the rest of my usual blogging duties. However much I may let everything else slip, this shall remain unaffected! Probably. Hopefully. At least for one more week.
Here’s my rather meager but nonetheless intriguing loot for the week:
The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket
I’d never heard of this book or of Jane Brocket before reading Rachel’s review. I started reading it immediately after it arrived at the library this weekend and I hold it entirely responsible for derailing my plans of participating more fully in Persephone Reading Weekend. It made me want to cook and bake and clean (I love cleaning, though Brocket doesn’t seem so keen on it) and I immediately followed through on those urges.
Moving Pictures by Kathryn Immonen and Stuart Immonen
Blogging has certainly made me more accepting of the graphic novel genre but it is still not one I naturally gravitate towards. However, after reading Olduvai’s enthusiastic review of this graphic-historical-fiction-novel, I knew I had to try it. It promises Paris, Nazis, and a Canadian heroine. Really, could there be a combination better suited to tempt me?
A Little Folly by Jude Morgan
I’ve had mixed feelings about some of Morgan’s previous works but I still want to try this. I am a sucker for anything set during the Regency period. I’m not looking for much here, just a fun afternoon’s entertainment.
The Gentle Art is one of my favourite favourite books – I had to have my own copy even though it was quite pricey over here. it’s the sort of book that never fails to cheer one up.
It sounds like you are really busy and happy which is lovely 🙂
I like your last one. I just picked up Cynthia Harrod Eagles The Regency up (its in my Mailbox Monday post). Looks good.
Graphic novels are a genre that I am just beginning to explore, and the one you’ve picked up looks really good.
Glad Jane was a hit! She’s such a lovely lady and her warmth and generosity are all over The Gentle Art…. Such a comfort read though it does make you want to jack in the day job and just settle into domesticity, doesn’t it?!
Glad you are busy and having fun too…same here – I just don’t have time to blog these days…or read much either for that matter! But I’d rather be busy than bored!
I, too, had never heard of Jane Brocket before Rachel’s review and I have that one pretty high on my eventual “search and find” list. It does look like it would be inspiring. And, it sounds like I would get along with Brocket – I’m not to keen on cleaning myself. 🙂 Having it clean, yes. Doing the work, not so much. Fortunately I have my own small army that tackle most of it for me.
So glad your absence is due to busyness and not illness! Enjoy yourself – we’ll be here when you get back. 😉
Yay for Moving Pictures! I hope you enjoy it.
Olduvai’s review of Moving Pictures caused me to put it on my tbr list too. I’m still waiting for it from the library.
The Gentle Art of Domesticity looks interesting. Enjoy!
Moving Pictures (wonderful title, eh?) looks like a good bet to me. I have a few graphic novels on my shelves, and am always happy for another promising find.
Jane Brocket’s blog is one of my semi regulars, with exquisite pictures of baking and flowers and embroidery and other like pursuits. Gentle and Domestic eye candy.
As with Susan above, Jane’s blog is one of my semi-regulars, too. And I love the book – bought it when it came out and she’s had several more published since then. The photos are wonderful – my favourite is the Art Deco cake stand with the pink and green French fancies on it – but I’m slightly in awe of Jane as she is so accomplished: wine buff, well travelled, excellent photographer, an immaculate home (or so it appears), wonderful garden (ditto) with what looks like an endless supply of tulips (which I think are her favourite flower), a fine knitter and embroiderer, wonderful baker … but I’m not going to let my petty jealousy of such accomplishments stand in the way of my total enjoyment of her beautiful book!
Not sure a book on domesticity holds much appeal. I find Jude Morgan a bit hit and miss although I haven’t read this one.
Happy reading!
The Gentle Art of Domesticity looked so appealing I stopped to check our library. But no luck.
Real life comes first! 🙂
Moving Pictures sounds so great, I wish my library would catch up with the times and be quicker with acquiring graphic literature.
I should perhaps point out, for those who haven’t had a chance to see Jane Brocket’s delighteful book that it’s not about domesticity in the scrubbing the sink, vacuuming the carpets sense. It’s about making a home, what I call those extra things which make a place welcoming, a plumping up a cushion type of book – baking cakes, embroidering, arranging flowers (not stiff arrangements we associate with the 1950s and 1960s when we stuffed everything into oasis!) … but of course, the finishing bits only look good in a home that’s already been cleaned and tidied, so perhaps in its way it encourages us to give the place a bit of a going over with the furniture polish!
Margaret P
I’m a sucker for the Regency period too. I hope it’s good!
Got my loot in the Linky.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Jude Morgan. I’ve read The King’s Touch but nothing else so far.
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