Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader 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.
Only two new books for me this week! Hopefully, this will give me a chance to make a dent in the pile that I already have out.
Recipe for Love by Katie Fforde – Fforde’s newst novel, focused on a woman who is taking part in a televised cooking competition. I’m certain I’m going to have the same problem as Elaine and will spend the entire novel picturing the male lead as Paul Hollywood (of The Great British Bake Off). A fine problem to have, really.
Unusual Uses for Olive Oil by Alexander McCall Smith – Professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld is back! The ridiculous von Igelfeld is undoubtedly my favourite Alexander McCall Smith creation and I am thrilled to finally get to read about more of his embarassing adventures.
What did you pick up this week?
The Captive Reader 
I have only read the first book in the Professor von Igelfeld series. Actually from memory I listened to it. I think I need to actually read it before I can say for sure that I am not going to read on in the series.
Enjoy your loot!
The von Igelfeld books seem to have the least fans of all of Alexander McCall Smith’s works but they are my absolute favourites!
Picked up The Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaatje. A story of an 11 year old boy travelling on a cruise ship from Ceylon to England on his own and the mischief and relationships he establishes with two other boys plus a few adults who all are assigned to sit at the Cat’s Table which is the table farthest from the Captain’s Table. Enjoying it so far. I have so many books of my own to read and new ones coming in that I only allow myself to pick up one book from the library at a time until I make a dent in some other piles. Packing my penguinhunting motorbike and going camping for the next two nights so will take this with me and hopefully finish it off in my tent as long as the batteries hold out on the light. Love reading in my tent in the great outdoors of Tasmania. So quiet generally.
I haven’t read The Cat’s Table yet but I’ve loved everything else I’ve read by Ondaatje so am looking forward to it. Have fun on your camping trip!
Two authors I have not read yet. Enjoy your loot.
Thanks, Linda!
I love Katie F. too (but I do think her earlier books were a little better…) and I’ve been holding this A.M.S. series in reserve so that I will still have one to enjoy for the first time (isn’t that silly?) The Isabel Dalhousie books are my favorites, but I had a chance to hear him speak in Boston last year and he is so, so funny. I can only imagine how good this series must be!
I agree, Audrey, that Fforde’s earlier (though not her earliest) books were better than some of the recent ones but they are still fun. And if it’s silly to hold off reading something because you know you want to enjoy it the future is far from silly – it’s brilliant planning!
Only two??! What restraint. 😉
Both of these look very fun!
I know! I can hardly believe it myself.
Yes, I enjoyed Katie’s earlier novels best, too. Have tried McCall Smith’s books but don’t care for them.
My current reading is one I highly recommend: A Fisherman in the Saddle by Julian Roup. I won’t even describe it, just hunt out a copy and I assure you you won’t be disappointed. It is a joy from beginning to end.
And arrived this morning: Curiosity by Joan Thomas, a Canadian writer who has written a novel about Mary Anning.
And on its way to me: the latest Maisie Dobbs novel by Jacqueline Winspear.
I agree that Fforde’s most recent novels haven’t been as good as some of the ones that came before but I still have fun with them. I only like Alexander McCall Smith’s von Igelfeld and 44 Scotland Street books – none of his other series appeal to me, though I’ve tried them all.
Sounds like you have some excellent reading material this week!
What did I pick up this week? Sadly, nothing, because the Toronto Public Library Workers are on strike.
I did, however, attend a Knit In today in support.
I saw a piece about the Knit In on the news – what an excellent way to show your support!
I picked up Middlemarch this week – it should keep me busy for a while. I only just discovered A. McCall Smith and am enjoying working my way through his work one series at a time.
I still haven’t read Middlemarch, Susan! I’ve borrowed it so many times from the library but it’s one of those books I bring home and then return without ever having cracked the cover. One day this will change!
I find that so far I’m off to a very slow start! I’ve already put it down and devoured a smaller book. I think if I can find just one “larger chunk” of reading time to get me into the story I will be okay. We shall see…
It’s such a shock to see just two books in your loot!
I’ve never picked up Smith before, perhaps because for a time it seemed to be everywhere (and I foolishly decided to ignore its popularity), but I checked him out on Wikipedia and Smith’s background is itself rather interesting. I will have to check his books out soon.
Just think how shocked I was when I realised that was all I’d picked up over the week! Very out of character.
Alexander McCall Smith is an interesting man and certainly a prolific author. All his books qualify as comfort reads and odds are if you don’t click with one of his series there will be another one that’s just right for you!
Entered my link in Mr.Linky. I used to participate in this in 2009. I was updating some old posts and found the link. I mainly get DVD’s and e-books from the library. I hate carrying around heavy books.
I am not sure at all if I will get these all read before they are due. I also have another one waiting, only this is a paper book and the library was closed when I got home from work. Another reason I like e-books.
Welcome back to Library Loot, Bella!
I’ve only read one book by Katie Fforde, but I really need to read more. This one sounds good – perhaps it should be my next Fforde 🙂