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.
After a bit of a break from the library in order to catch up on reviews (still a work in progress), I was happy to pick up these holds over the weekend:
Claudine at School by Colette – it has been years since I last reread the Claudine novels and this one will help me with one of the trickier years for my Century of Books (1900).
The Secret World of Og by Pierre Berton – Pierre Berton wrote a children’s book? I had no idea.
Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage by Madeleine L’Engle – Lisa reviewed The Summer of the Great-Grandmother last week, introducing me to the fact that in addition to her classic children’s books L’Engle has also written a series of four memoirs, known as the “Crosswick Journals”. They all sound interesting but Two-Part Invention, the story of L’Engle’s forty-year marriage to actor Hugh Franklin, was the one I was most excited to try.
Three inter-library loans also came in late last week, just as the Thanksgiving long weekend was beginning. Perfect timing!
Katherine Wentworth by D.E. Stevenson
Listening Valley by D.E. Stevenson
The Proper Place by O. Douglas
I read all three immediately and have already posted reviews of the D.E.S. books. The Proper Place was so excellent that it deserves a dedicated post and will hopefully get one at some point in the future.
What did you pick up this week?
The Captive Reader 
I have picked up Kate Morton’s “new bestseller” (how can publishers print this on a cover even before it’s been released? Because they know with the right promo, it will BE a best seller!) The Secret Keeper.
Also received The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simon St James (Canadian novelist).
Also received The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene (English 30-something writer, a first novel) This is chick-lit and I’m quite enjoying it although from my great age I now find it hard to read about 30-somethings and their angst but the problem lies with me, the reader, and not with the writer. I am sure a lot of younger readers will love this book and I’ve not yet read sufficient of this book to comment on it yet.
So three books this week, all quite different in context and style.
I think Kate Morton has moved beyond needing the right promo to being one of those authors who can sell just on the strength of her name. I imagine the pre-sales were enough to catapult this new book into bestseller territory. She is not my style but I have a lot of friends of all ages who enjoy her books – I know my manager is reading this right now and my mom is taking it with her on holiday next week.
I came across a mention of The Vintage Teacup Club somewhere earlier this week and the name stuck in my head. I’d be interested to hear what you think of it once you’re finished. I find most 30-somethings in typical chick-lit offerings to be insufferable but there are always exceptions (most of Katie Fforde’s books, for instance).
Happy reading!
I didn’t know about L’Engle’s memoirs either. I’ll have to look into those. Enjoy your loot!
I am finding Two-Part Invention really interesting, Linda. It is painful and difficult at times (as L’Engle struggles with her husband’s worsening illness) but well worth reading. She also talks a lot about her faith and the role it plays in her life in a way that I as a secular reader find very approachable and fascinating.
A nice variety – hope you will enjoy the rest of your loot.
Thanks, Cat!
I’m looking forward to The Two-Part Invention as well.
I haven’t read D.E. Stevenson, but from your reviews I’m starting to feel that I need to add her to the list. And I’m intrigued by the cover of The Proper Place.
It’s really good, Lisa. I’m so glad you brought these Crosswicks books to my attention!
Read the Mrs Tim books by D.E. Stevenson!!! Lots of other bloggers love Miss Buncle’s Book (reissued by Persephone a few years ago) but Mrs. Tim is my favourite Stevenson creation so far. The other books I’ve tried by her have all been comforting light romances – entertaining but forgettable. Mrs Tim, on the other hand, is an absolute delight and ranks up there with von Arnim’s Elizabeth and Delafield’s The Provincial Lady as one of my favourite fictional diarists.