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.
There is a clear theme to my loot this week: correspondence. I am delighted to live in the age of book blogs, where I can instantly communicate with so many people around the world about what we are all reading, but I do think our blogs (like all things good and bad about the internet) came about at the expense of detailed, intelligent letter writing and the relationships built around such correspondence. I can just about manage to put aside my disappointment at the lost art of literary letter writing as long as I have plenty of other people’s letters to read – even if they aren’t written to me.
Sylvia and David: The Townsend Warner/Garnett Letters edited by Richard Garnett – Remember how I spent my whole review of Sylvia Townsend Warner’s Diaries saying how much better her letters were? Time for even more letters now, this time between STW and David Garnett (author of Lady Into Fox).
The Letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh edited by Charlotte Mosley – so glorious! I am halfway through these gossipy, snobby letters and am enjoying every second. But wasn’t Waugh awful?
The Lyttelton Hart-Davis Letters, Vol 1 – In 1955, when retired Eton master Lyttelton complained that no one wrote to him anymore his former pupil, publisher and editor Rupert Hart-Davis, “accepted his challenge.” They kept up a vigorous correspondence until Lyttelton’s death in 1962 which eventually filled 6 volumes. As someone who adores reading letters – particularly between such educated correspondents – this has been recommended to me time and again.
How I Came to Know Fish by Ota Pavel – a collection of poignant stories inspired by the author’s childhood in Czechoslovakia between the wars.
Resistance is Futile by Jenny T. Colgan – Math jokes and aliens and rom com moments (plus lots of Doctor Who references) made this a very fun read (I sped through it as soon as I brought it home).
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk – It is now the Scandinavians, not the French, who know everything about how children should be raised. I find books like these deeply entertaining to read as I have no children to worry about messing up either way.
Journey’s End by R.C. Sherriff – This glimpse into an officers’ dugout in March 1918 remains a highly-regarded piece of war writing and one of the most enduring plays of the 1920s.
The Flowering Thorn by Margery Sharp – Jane has put together a birthday book of underappreciated lady authors, highlighting authors whose works she wants to read more of and whom she thinks deserve a little more attention. This month – on January 25th – she’ll be celebrating the birthday of Margery Sharp and I thought I’d join in. I’ve had mixed feelings about Sharp in the past but think I’ve picked an excellent on this time (on the recommendation of my favourite Sharp aficionado).
Heidi’s Alp by Christina Hardyment – I’ve had this memoir about children’s literature-inspired travels in Europe on my to-be-read list since early 2013 (when Danielle read it). Looks like an interesting twist on the regular travel memoir!
Travellers in the Third Reich by Julia Boyd – I finally got my hands on this! You may recall it from my list of 2017 releases I hoped to get to in 2018 so I’m understandably excited to start reading.
The Blue Zones of Happiness by Dan Buettner – I find happiness research endlessly fascinating.
Swans on an Autumn River by Sylvia Townsend Warner – I’m clearly in a STW mood this month and am excited to read this collection of short stories. Simon read this late in 2017 and enjoyed it so much it made his Best Books of 2017 list – definitely a promising sign!
What did you pick up this week?
The Captive Reader 
I read the Lyttelton Hart-Davis letters when I was in my early twenties and loved all the book talk in them. However, when I went back and tried to re-read them, probably about ten years later, I was horrified by the misogynistic attitude of both men. I know they were probably representative of their time but I still found that I couldn’t stomach it and put the books to one side. I shall be very interested to hear what you think.
Interesting! I’ll let you know what I think when I get around to them.
Oooo what a great library loot! I’m excited to hear what you think of Swans on an Autumn River. And I don’t think the Sylvia/David letters are quite in the same league as Sylvia/William, but it’s still a delightful collection to have.
And I’ve had the Nancy/Evelyn letters for yeeeears but not read it. I can see myself starting soon, if it fits in ACOB…
The Nancy/Evelyn letters are from 1996 so definitely ACOB of approved! And highly, highly recommended by me (but they are the opposite of short – my edition is 531 pages).
love to hear your thoughts on The Blue Zones of Happiness by Dan Buettner
It’s unlikely I’ll write much about it here but I am enjoying it!
The Flowering Thorn may be my favorite Marjory Sharp book. I was thinking of re-reading it for Jane’s celebration, since I’ve never posted about it.
Heidi’s Alp immediately caught my eye. Our libraries don’t have it, though they do have other books by Christina Hardyment – one about National Trust houses that I immediately put on reserve. I’ve also requested Heidi’s Alp through inter-library loan.
I am all about inter-library loan right now. In fact, 7 of these books are ILL!
Can’t wait to hear what you think of Travelers in the Third Reich! Also: “I find books like these deeply entertaining to read as I have no children to worry about messing up either way.” that’s too funny, I never thought of that! Might have to give those kind of books a try, that does sound really entertaining.
Travellers in the Third Reich has started off very promisingly so I have high hopes for the rest of it.
I loved the Waugh letters – especially when Nancy buys things for Evelyn’s daughter and he says he has put them away, or that they are too good to let her have – such a beast! The Letters Between Six Sisters is also a feast, I fairly whipped through them both.
He comes across as a rather horrible parent (though very amusing in his criticisms of his children). And yes, the letters between the Mitford sisters are also fantastic. I have to say I think this has the edge though; Waugh is far more articulate than any other Mitford could be.
Travelers in the Third Reich has been sitting in my TBR stack too long. Thanks for the reminder!
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it.
This is a great haul of books. I love them. I am keeping this post in my library folder as I am keen to see if our library has any of them. I have the book How I Came to Know Fish on my shelf (unread). I might have to start with that. Ahhhhh! So many really good books out there to read. How does anyone manage to read them!! Loved this post.
So glad you enjoyed this! I must say that I’m excited about all of these books and am speeding through them.