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.
November seems to be off to a bumpy start, which seems the perfect excuse (as though an excuse were ever needed) to stockpile a ridiculous number of books.
Too Marvellous for Words! by Julie Welch – the inter-library loan system is running again! Sort of. To the extent that other libraries around the province/country are open and sufficiently staffed to participate. It may be back in only a small way but it meant I was able to finally get my hands on this memoir of 1960s boarding school life that I’ve been trying to track down since first hearing about it in early 2017.
An Accomplished Woman by Jude Morgan – I never, ever get tired of reading this Heyer-esque tale.
A Rage for Rock Gardening by Nicola Shulman – I’ve not been able to escape the plant collector Reginald Farrer this year, mainly because I keep reading Ursula Buchan and she keeps mentioning him. There was a piece about him in a collection of her garden writings, then he appeared in her biography of her grandfather John Buchan, and finally there was an essay about him in the Summer 2020 edition of the Slightly Foxed quarterly. Clearly, Buchan finds him interesting and I’m intrigued to learn more about him in this slim biography.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman – I had my first encounter with Backman last month when I read his newest novel, Anxious People, which I loved. I’m intrigued to start on this soon.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett – I’ve had this on hold for ages but have been leaving it paused (a wonderful feature! Bless all libraries that allow this), waiting for the right mood to hit. As the days grow darker and shorter, now seems like the right time to pick up this latest offering from the always dependable Patchett.
The Lost Love Song by Minnie Darke – I was surprised in the spring by how much I enjoyed Darke’s first novel, Star-Crossed, a romantic comedy centered around astrology. Happily, I didn’t have a long wait before this, her second book, came out and I sped through it right away and with great satisfaction.
Two Trees Make a Forest by Jessica J. Lee – In Lee’s first book, Turning, she combined memoir and nature writing beautifully as she wrote about her experiences swimming in the lakes around Berlin. Here she explores Taiwan to discover the land her family came from.
Ask Me Anything by P.Z. Reizin – I’m fairly skeptical of “smart” technology but what if it were plotting to help you? I’m looking forward to Reizin’s take on that in this “romantic comedy for the technology age“.
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher – I read September by Pilcher when I was on holiday at the end of the summer and while I had my quibbles with it I can’t deny that it was absorbing. I know this is many people’s favourite of her works so thought I’d give it a try.
Something of His Art by Horatio Clare – It’s here! I have been waiting years for the library to get hold of this (truly, it appeared in the catalogue so long ago that my first hold expired – which means I’d had it on hold for more than a year and a half). It’s a slim book to carry the pressure of so much anticipation but it was worth the wait for just the beautiful cover design alone – Little Toller have done a stunning job.
Finally, the remaining two titles from Handheld Press that I’d asked the library to buy have come in: Kingdoms of Elfin by Sylvia Townsend Warner and The Runagates Club by John Buchan.
What did you pick up this week?
The Captive Reader 
As a closet Pilcher fan can I recommend Winter Solstice? The narrative arc is perfectly balanced, the romantic sub plots are not cloying, and it captures something of the essence of Christmas which makes it absorbing to read at this time of year. I know that The Shell Seekers is much loved but I find the principal characters unlikeable – not, alas, in the witty and entertaining way that Trollope presents the cast of The Eustace Diamonds. Several of Pilcher’s prejudices are on display, notably her campaign against boarding schools, but not enough of her compassionate insight into growing old and friendship across generations.
I am struggling with The Shell Seekers, largely because, as you say, none of the principal characters is remotely likeable. I’m half way through and thinking of abandoning it – why bother with something this mediocre? As for Winter Solstice, I read it a number of years ago and wasn’t keen on it but I’ll give it another try.
Some lovely books here, and some interesting choices. So glad that you have managed to get them from a library. I have so many books here to read – birthday imminent – so will be reading for a while all being well! With good wishes in these strange times!
I should have added that I have read The Lost Love Song and Rungates Club – the latter is certainly unusual!
I’m really looking forward to The Runagates Club. After reading Ursula Buchan’s biography of John Buchan and learning so much more about I’m keen to read more of his writing.
Oh, how lovely that your library bought books for you on request! My all time favorite library would do that for me – maybe my current one would too, but my favorite one made it easy and obvious. 🙂 I’m not familiar with that publisher but I’ll go browse their site.
I too have been waiting on the right mood for the Dutch House. I hear the audiobook version is fabulous, but that, too, is a mood issue for me.
Yes, it’s an amazing service the library offers! I’ve only had them turn down two or three of my suggestions but they’ve bought dozens of books I’ve recommended so it’s been fantastic.
I agree with Alice C (above). My favorite Pilcher by far is Winter Solstice. My daughter and I reread it every other year or so at this time of year.
I’ll give it another try! I read it a few years back and was underwhelmed but comforting winter reads are looking attractive right now and every book deserves a second chance.
I read Kingdoms of Elfin long ago- have forgotten much but remember the mood it had this kind of ethereal darkness to it- very interested to hear what you think of it.
It was so highly praised when Handheld Press released it and I do love STW so I’m excited to try it.
I do hope you enjoy The Shellseekers – Rosamunde Pilcher was the novelist that first got me interested in reading so she is special to me. This week I was in Victoria and had a nice rummage around Russell Books where I found a copy of South Riding by Winifred Holtby which I am enjoying very much. Also while I was in Victoria a friend gave me a copy of Emily Carr’s “The House of All Sorts” which is quite interesting.
It’s wonderful to have certain authors who you can ascribe your love of reading to! I must admit, Pilcher is not proving to be one of those for me and I’m close to abandoning The Shell Seekers but I’ll persevere for a little while longer.
Very jealous of your visit to Russell Books! I haven’t been to Victoria this year and the highlight of any visit is a good long browse there.
I’m struggling through Miss Austen—an invented historical fiction about Jane’s sister Cassandra. A bit of a let down.
Sorry to hear that.
Have you read it yet?
No, it’s not one I’m particularly interested in.
Oh I love seeing a big (virtual) pile of books! Happy days! (though they may be getting darker and colder).
Though the days are depressingly short and dark now, at least that means longer evenings for reading!
Oh, I just recently read the Jude Morgan one. Reminded me a bit of Austen’s Emma (and perhaps, Heyer’s Bath Tangle). It was well-written and unexpected; I’d thought I would likely give it up within a chapter or two because I’ve tried too many Austen “readalikes”… but I actually carried it on to my surprise.
Yes, part of why I love it so much is that Emma, my favourite Austen, was clearly an inspiration! Morgan’s other Regency novels are also far better than anything else out in the modern market (Indiscretion and A Little Folly) and I enjoy rereading them too but this is his best.
Oh, that’s great! I’ve been on the fence about those two books – will definitely check them out now. Thanks!
Currently library loan: The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. I am absolutely loving it…putting it down to go to work, sleep, or eat is becoming a burden 😉
I’m always excited when people rave about books I’ve not heard of before! I’ll have to keep an eye out for that one.
Absolutely adored The Dutch House. Best book I’ve read this year!
High praise! I’m excited to get into it.