As usual, I had only planned to pick up one book that was being held for me at the library but who can resist the lure of the new books bookshelf? Not me. Here are the books I just couldn’t leave without:
- The Owl Service by Alan Garner. This is the next reading selection for the Slaves of Golconda. I’ve been very bad about participating lately but I’m really going to try and join in this time.
- Mary Modern by Camille DeAngelis. According to Publisher’s Weekly: This imaginative near-future, genre-bending debut novel borrows its premise from the iconic work of a less modern Mary—Mary Shelley. Sounds intriguing doesn’t it? Anyone read it?
- Borkmann’s Point by Håkan Nesser. This won the Swedish Crime Writer’s Academy prize for best novel of 2004.
- Raven Black by Ann Cleeves. Another mystery which according to all reviews I’ve read about it promises to be a very good one.
So much for reading from my stacks right? I’ve been thinking and even though I wanted to participate in the From the Stacks Challenge I think I will pass on it this time. I still want to see if I can finish at least another of my current reading challenges so I want to focus on those for now. Besides, 2008 is just around the corner and I have seen lots of good challenges that start up in January. You bet I’ll be joining some of those.
Oh, and while I was at the library I also got a chance to catch up on the latest issue of Utne Reader and I’m glad I did because they had the list of nominees for the Independent Press Awards. I love looking at their list because I always find new magazines to explore. I was so happy to see three magazines that arrive in the mailbox at Casa Bookgirl make the list. They are: Bookforum, E Magazine, and Yoga Journal. Good stuff.
Alright now it’s off to catch up on some of those challenge reads.
I hope you enjoy ‘The Owl Service’ (especially given as it was my choice and I will feel very guilty if you don’t!). I’m really looking forward to reading what you think.
I own Mary Modern, though I haven’t read it yet – the premise sounds so fascinating!
You know, I haven’t read a library book all year. I haven’t been since around February. Feels strange.
Mary Modern sounds like a good read. I can’t wait to see if you like it!
I look on the challenge list to see what I can do to bring down my stacks.
http://novelchallenges.blogspot.com/
I want to join the Jewish challenge, but I think that I have only 3 Jewish books.
TBR challenge may be good. I can double – dip with others.
And then, I get the new Hesperus Press Spring 2008 Catalog! Yikes, what a temptation.
Ann D. – Nah, don’t worry about that. I’m sure it will be interesting. You gave us some great choices 🙂
Tara – Doesn’t it? I had never heard of this book before but I’m very curious about it.
Heather – You are good! Well, I’ve been keeping track of the books I’ve read this year and I’ve noted which ones have come from my stacks and which are from the library. It’s not too bad. Most have been from my stacks.
Isabel – That’s a good idea to doing the challenges. I’ve tried that as well. Isn’t that catalog great? So many interesting books.
Ooh ooh ooh! I haven’t read Mary Modern but it’s at the tippy-top of my wishlist. I heard an interview with the author on NPR, and the book sounds just fantastic!
The challenge does look good but weighing what I’ve already got on my plate, I might not be able to complete before Jan 31, 2008. By the way, I’ve got a whole pile for the Russian challenge and I’m bring three slim ones with me home.
And yeah, although it’s a vacation, it feels more like at home because I’ll be staying home mostly in Hong Kong. 🙂
Oh, dear, I’ve just finished checking out all of them. And I want ALL OF THEM! So different, but each sounds so intriguing. Thanks, iliana!
Those books look really good (imagine me licking my chops!) Grrrr … i so envy you and your access to libraries! Not mad at you, just the crazy system here, or LACK of system.
As for the challenges, there are just so many that it’s overwhelming! Good luck to you on those!
Oh yeah, it starts with one book as you go in, but then you walkto the display, oh, and look at that book on the shelf… 🙂
Andi – Let’s see who reads it first 😉 I’m going to have to check out NPR and see if they still have a podcast of the interview. I’d like to hear more about it.
Matt – I know what you mean. When I travel to Mexico I feel the same way. I’m still unsure about the Russian Challenge but I’m going to do the Reading Dangerously challenge and I’m going to add one of your favorite books to that list. I promise to post my list soon so you’ll see 🙂
aloi – I’m pretty lucky to have such a great library near me. It’s actually hard to keep away from it! And, yes those challenges are becoming challenging. hee,hee.
Maggie – It’s evil I tell you! 😉
I look forward to hearing what you think about Mary Modern. I checked it out from the libary, but then thought the premise sounded maybe a little far fetched, so I didn’t read it, but I might be convinced otherwise if I hear you liked it!
Danielle – It is a library book so I don’t know if I’ll read it in time but if I do I’ll definitely post about it 🙂