Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Sharlene from Real Life Reading 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.
Business as Usual by Jane Oliver and Ann Stafford – As soon as I heard about this 1933 gem, I knew I had to read it. It’s an epistolary novel about a young woman who, engaged to a doctor at home in Edinburgh but still a year away from getting married, moves to London and starts work in a department store library. Handheld Press is reissuing it in March and it’s an absolute must-buy for me. I adored it and will definitely be posting more about it closer to publication day.
Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt – Blog reader Pam mentioned rereading Voigt recently, which prompted me to seek this out. It’s been 20 years since I read anything by Voigt but my vague memories are positive so I’ll be interested to see how this goes.
On Foot to the Golden Horn by Jason Goodwin – I can only go so long without reading about walking adventures! In this case, Goodwin and his friends walked across Eastern Europe to reach Istanbul.
One More Croissant for the Road by Felicity Cloake – On bicycle rather than on foot, I have been extraordinarily excited to read this chronicle of Cloake’s culinary cycling tour of France. (Book Depository)
To Venice with Love by Philip Gwynne Jones – As always, I am certain to track down all expat memoirs, especially when one is set in my favourite Italian city. (Book Depository)
When Miss Emmie was in Russia by Harvey Pitcher – A look at the lives of British governesses in Russia before, during, and after the Revolution. (Book Depository)
What did you pick up this week?
The Captive Reader 
I’m also saving full thoughts on Business As Usual until publication date, because it seems too cruel to tempt people with something so wonderful until it’s available…
So true! But then they can at least preorder it so they’ll have it as soon as possible once it becomes available.
‘When Miss Emmie was in Russia’ reminds me I have ‘When Grandma went to Russia’ by Antonia Ridge on my shelves. This book is about the English governess of the last Czar’s family, and I remember enjoying it when I read it years ago. It’s time for a re-read I think, so thanks for the prompt!.
Sounds interesting!
Nice ones! I have read a review of Business as Usual which indicates that I need it in my life! Also love a walk/cycle/expat book so they all look great!
You do need it! Everyone needs it!
All new to me and all sound delightful.
I’m looking forward to them!
Glad my library had BUSINESS AS USUAL in the stores last year.A fairly good book.
What a well-stocked library! I had to inter-library loan this as mine doesn’t have it.
Thanks so much for mentioning Business As Usual — I ordered right away. Of course, I will completely forget I ever did so, and thus it will be a lovely surprise when it finally arrives. Just my cup of tea!
It will be a wonderful surprise for you in March!
I like the sound of Business as Usual – it would be interesting to compare the British department store in 1930s with the Parisienne version in the previous century via Zola’s Ladies Paradise
It’s extraordinarily how many books are set in department stores!
You always find the most fascinating books in the library. I can’t wait to read Business as Usual – I’m considering pre-ordering soon!
Do! You won’t regret it.
Oooh. Like the sound of One More Croissant for the Road
I sped through and really enjoyed it. Except now I NEED to go back to France and visit all the places she did (especially the Haute Savoie, which was already high on my list and is now at the very top).
Have you perhaps read Patrick Fermor’s 3 volumes of his “walk” as an 18 year old from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople? It conjures up a world that no longer exists, since he started his walk shortly before WW II.
Of course! I adore A Time of Gifts (and reviewed it here some years back). I haven’t read the final book yet but do have it on my shelf.