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.
Marg has the Mr Linky this week!
I think my library lesson this year is that Interlibrary Loans Are Amazing. First, they brought me Angela Thirkell novels that neither the Vancouver library nor the university library had and now they are supplying me with D.E. Stevenson novels that I’ve never been able to find anywhere. It is glorious.
Elza’s Kitchen by Marc Fitten – this was mentioned over at Cornflower Books last week and I immediately checked the library catalogue to see if we had a copy. The Hungarian setting is particularly intriguing to me, since this is a book that centers on a chef and I can’t think of any other novel that touches on Central European cuisine – it’s difficult enough to find cookbooks!
Amberwell by D.E. Stevenson – I still have not made up my mind about D.E. Stevenson. I have loved the two Mrs Tim books I’ve read (Mrs Tim of the Regiment and Mrs Tim Flies Home) but was thoroughly underwhelmed by Miss Buncle’s Book. Clearly, more research is needed, so I ordered up a few of her books via interlibrary loan, knowing little more about them that what I could find out after a quick Google search:
Five young Ayrtons all grew up at Amberwell, playing in the gardens and preparing themselves to venture out into the world. To each of these children, Amberwell meant something different, but common to all of them was the idea that Amberwell was more than just where they lived — it was part of them. Amberwell drove one of its children into a reckless marriage and healed another of his wounds…and there was one child who stayed at home and gave up her life to keep things running smoothly.
Celia’s House by D.E. Stevenson – again, all I know comes from the summary on GoodReads:
Celia’s House, filled with effervescent warmth and cheer, is the story of Dunnian — a spellbindingly lovely family estate in Scottish Border country — and of the generations of Dunne family that live in it and love it dearly. Beginning in 1905 with ninety-year-old Celia Dunne, it delightfully portrays the bustling life of her heir and grand-nephew, Humphrey Dunne, and his family of five rambunctious children. It follows the family over forty years — through their youthful antics, merry parties, heartbreaks and loves and marriages, as each in turn comes to maturity and an understanding of the enduring satisfaction Dunnian gives to their lives.
What did you pick up this week?
The Captive Reader 
Ooh, added Elza’s Kitchen to my wishlist. I went to Hungary for an entire summer in my teens, had an amazing time there and came away loving the fact that I’d found a country as obsessed with cherries and cherry-flavoured things as me!
I am always excited about books set in Central Europe, though my Czech half has a difficult time praising Hungary 😉
These Stevensons are two of her family saga books, and I heartily recommend them both (well, I would, wouldn’t I?)
While Celia’s House is captivating, Amberwell is a true gem. Family growing up in the 1920s and 30s, and how they manage life during WWII. There is a sequel, Summerhills, as the characters cope with the changes of post-war Britain.
Celia’s House covers more years (1905-1942). See how quickly you recognise which Great English Novel it’s structured on.
I do adore family sagas, Susan, so these sound promising. Amberwell was the one I was most excited about so I’m happy to hear your thoughts on it – and I love knowing that there is a sequel waiting to be read!
Wonderful choices and “Elza’s Kitchen”, in particular, captures my interest.
I could not agree with you more about the interlibrary loan systems. Last night I picked up Marr’s biography on Eudora Welty and the night before it was, at long last, “Howard’s End is on the Landing”. I’m waiting for one more inter-loan, the new book about the vegetable gardens at the White House and their long history. All books order in my pj’s, late at night, from three separate libraries hither and yon.
Then there was the biography of Louisa May Alcott that was sitting in the bargain bin. It jumped out at me, decreeing “take me, take me”, and I did for a mere 10 cents.
I am so, so, so excited to hear that you’ve got your hands on Howards End is on the Landing, Penny! I ADORED it last year and I know it is one of those books that readers seem to either love or hate but I really hope you’re in the love group!
I too loved the Mrs. Tim series best. I have read many of D.E, Stevenson books but still maintain that I love Mrs. Tim best.
Candyce
It is hard to think that any of Stevenson’s other creations could ever match my affection for Mrs Tim but I suppose I shall find out as I read on!
I’m not familiar with any of these but I hope you enjoy them.
Thanks, Linda!
It’s too bad about you not liking Miss Buncle’s Book. That one is high up on my to-read list, whenever I get the cash to order some Persephone’s.
It is a nice, perfectly fine book but a little ho-hum for me. Still, it is adored by a lot of other Persephone and DES fans so I know I’m in the minority with my opinion and I hope you adore it!
I downloaded Miss Buncle’s Book from netgalley – will try not to start reading with too high expectations. Happy reading!
I think my expectations were definitely too high when I started, after having read so much praise from other Persephone fans. It is a sweet book but it was just a little bland for me. I hope you have better luck with it!
Inter-library loans are manna from heaven as far as I’m concerned.
I’m looking forward to your thoughts on Amberwell and Celia’s House. I’m intrigued but not sold, so your reviews may very well be the deciding factor. But no pressure! 😉
I am intrigued too! I’ll let you know how they go – I’m especially excited about Amberwell.
Elza’s Kitchen sounds so good. Am going to visit Cornflower Books to see what else is happening there. Not b een able to get to any of the Stevenson books but will be trying
Doesn’t it sound great? Cornflower Books always turns me on to such great-sounding books that might otherwise have passed me by. Good luck searching out D.E. Stevenson’s books, Mystica!
Oh I love inter-library loans! I’ve been able to get hold of plenty of graphic novels that my own library doesn’t have. The only problem is that now I’ve reached my hold limit!!
Hold limits are so cruel, aren’t they? Don’t they know we need to read EVERYTHING?
This is my first time participating in the Library Loot event, I’m excited! 🙂
Yay! It is always exciting when new people join us and share their love of libraries. Welcome, Jennifer!
I do love inter library loans for the most part. How neat is it to get a beloved book from miles away. The affliction for me is that our library has a two week limit and the book cannot be renewed. Once I ordered two books at different times and they came at the same time. And of course, I was in the middle of yet another book. So much for savoring a book. Still, I love it and continue to order books.