Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief 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.
Today I have the pleasure of introducing Linda from Silly Little Mischief as my new Library Loot co-host! She has been an active Library Loot participant for years and I am delighted to be sharing hosting duties with her. We had decided to take a two week Library Loot break over the holidays so Linda’s first day hosting will be January 8th, 2014.
With all things Christmas taking up my non-working hours, I have not been reading a lot recently and I miss it. I’ve generally stayed away from the library but here are a few of the books I’ve picked up recently:
This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett – Patchett’s most recent book, a collection of personal essays. For the short periods I do have to read (i.e. my commute), this is perfect.
The Honeywell File by H.B. Creswell – This title might be familiar to anyone who has looked through this winter’s edition of Slightly Foxed Quarterly (which, by the way, is a particularly excellent issue). A comic epistolary novel from the 1920s about the building of mansion, I am very excited to start this one. At the same time, I can’t help but wonder if I should hold on to it until January 1st so as to count it for A Century of Books (which I am wildly excited about doing again). So many difficult decisions…
Glaciers by Alexis M. Smith – The less said about this the better. I was attracted to it because it was set in Portland and the protagonist is a librarian but it turned out to be too much like what you would think a book about a twenty-something Portland librarian would be like…I understand that sentence might not have made sense, but oh well. If you have hipster leanings, this is the book for you. If you don’t, you will probably spend all your time rolling your eyes and thinking of mean things to say about Portland and its hipsters. Though that is also a fun way to pass the time.
What did you pick up this week?
The Captive Reader 
I’ll need to get the Ann Patchett book; love her and love short stories and essays this time of year, when days and time is short. All I picked up was a short, Christmas book of M. C. Beaton (Hamish McBeth series). Just for fun.
Linda – welcome.
It’s a really interesting collection and some of the pieces are particularly outstanding. Patchett herself kind of grates my nerves at times but her writing is always excellent. Enjoy your Christmas and your Hamish Macbeth!
Too bad about Glaciers. It sounded like an interesting premise.
Oh well, that is why we use libraries rather than buying books!
Hmmm, have to say I agree with your assessment of the last one.. Haven’t read the others though I am interested in getting the Patchett if I have a chance.
The Patchett is very interesting. I hope you come across it!
I will be looking forward to checking out yours and Linda’s Library Loot posts next year. Happy Holidays!
Thanks!
I am currently reading The Goldfinch and really enjoying it. Though like you, I am finding it difficult to find the time. Wishing you a happy holiday!
I am in a very, very long library queue for The Goldfinch so I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it.
Since I live in Portland and spend lots of time in libraries I guess I’ll have to read Glaciers. But I’m also sick of hipsters! LOL!!