Library Loot: January 13-19, 2010
Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by myself and Marg 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!
Want to share your loot? Marg has the Mr. Linky this week.
First vlog of 2010!
Here are the covers/linked titles (I actually forgot a few books in my vlog, lol, so there are some extras here):
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie (What’s in a Name? 3 Challenge), The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan (Rainbow Connection Challenge), Journey Into Islam by Akbar Ahmed (World Religion Challenge)
The Road to Home by Vanessa del Fabbro (Christy Awards Challenge), The Trees in My Forest by Bernd Heinrich (Science Book Challenge), A Handbook to Luck by Cristina Garcia (Rainbow Connection Challenge)
Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett (Terry Pratchett Challenge), Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang (China Challenge), Troll: a Love Story by Johanna Sinisalo (GLBT Challenge)
If not, Winter by Sappho (trans. Anne Carson) (Really Old Classics Challenge), Sugar Street by Naguib Mahfouz (What’s in a Name? 3 Challenge), Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid (African Diaspora Challenge), Scandals, Vandals, and da Vinci’s by Harvey Rachlin (Art History Challenge), Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund (read-a-long w/ Jason)
Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan (Colorful Challenge), Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule (because I loved her first book!), The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (Complete Booker Challenge)
The Far Traveler by Nancy Marie Brown (Tournament of Reading Challenge), Lesbian Widows: Invisible Grief by Vicky Whipple (GLBT Challenge), The Things that Matter by Edward Mendelson (Bibliophilia Challenge)
White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi (African Diaspora Challenge)
A Striped Armchair 
I enjoyed Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club but the others didn’t stand out to me. I hope you enjoy it though! Lots of amazing books here. As always, looking forward to your thoughts on whichever ones you decide to read next.
I’ve seen the movie of The Joy Luck Club, which is why I thought I’d try one of her books that I don’t know the plotline for. :)
There’s an African Diaspora Challenge?! I think Oyeyemi is indeed Nigerian, although she’s based in London (I believe); I enjoyed her debut novel, The Icarus Girl.
Looking forward to your thoughts on these especially the Rushdie, which I’ve had on my Rushdie shelf for a while.
I was only expressing to Ana the other day via Twitter how much I wish I could relive the experience of reading Fingersmith for the first time – I envy you!
I enjoy Amy Tan’s novels although The Bonesetter’s Daughter is one that I haven’t read yet. She writes engaging stories that, no, aren’t literary but are enjoyable.
The Things That Matter sounds fascinating. Between the Acts is great on masculinity and War and I’ll be interested to read what you think. I’m about to read To the Lighthouse for the first time and I am very excited – I too need a Woolf binge!
I’ll be sharing my library loot later this week – I picked up Woman!
Yep! Isn’t that the coolest challenge ever?! Hehe-it’s hosted by BrownGirl Reads. :) I’ve looked it up, and she was raised in England, so I suppose she’s more British than Nigerian. Whoops!
I’m excited about this Rushdie; it sounds so different from all the novels of his that I’ve read. :)
To the Lighthouse is the only Woolf in Winter book I’m not reading (since I just read it last year), so I might read Between the Acts during that time. Can’t wait to see your loot-and yay for Woman!
Wow, that’s a lot of books! I can’t wait to hear what you think of Fingersmith – it’s my favorite Waters book. And I loved Ahab’s Wife when I read it several years ago and have recommended it many times since.
The Far Traveller has caught my eye; I have to see if I can find a copy. Thanks – I think!
I ended up abandoning Ahab’s Wife, but I’m very excited about Fingersmith! Far Traveller is pretty short, so it shouldn’t take you too long to read. ;)
A lot of these are going on my tbr list. Great loot, Eva!
Thanks Linda! :)
I read The Bonesetter’s Daughter two years ago, but I don’t remember what I thought. I hope it leaves more of an impression on you than me.
lol; it’s big enough I hope that it leaves an impression too!
I’ll be curious what you think of The Bonesetter’s Daughter; as you know, my reaction was lukewarm – but I wonder if it will be different for you since it is your first Amy Tan.
A friend recommended Ahab’s Wife to me but I haven’t read it yet. I’m looking forward to your review!
I’ve never heard of Sarah Waters but Fingersmith sounds great based on a quick glance at the summary!
I’m hoping it’ll be different for me since it’s my first Tan. :) I ended up abandoning Ahab’s Wife 200 pages in; I’ll post about why at the end of the month, but it just really wasn’t my style.
Sarah Waters is awesome! I’m reading her novels in published order; if you’d like to do the same, start with Tipping the Velvet. :)
An awesome library loot! I’m looking forward to your review on Red Spikes, which sounds like a good read. And of course, plenty of adds to my TBR list.
Doesn’t Red Spikes have the craziest cover too?!
Ooh, Salman Rushdie. Have always wanted to read something by Rushdie so I can’t wait to see what you think of that.
I always see The White Tiger in sales in Waterstones whenever I go there. Have never read it but am told it’s really really good.
I love Rushdie-I think I’ve read 6 or 7 of his books now! So I do recommend you trying him. :)
Wow! I hope your books are as wonderful as they look.
I hope so too! ;)
Aww, Eva, thanks! :) I really hope you like The Troll & I also hope that the translation is good! And your pronunciation of Sinisalo’s name was very good.
All in all, that must be the perfect loot! So many interesting books! I must come back later and put some of these into my TBR list. I’m especially interested in The Far Traveler. I once wanted to go to Norway to study history, especially the viking period. I did end up spending a semester in Oslo University, but unfortunately there were no lectures on viking times just then, so I ended up studying 12th-14th century instead. The viking ships in the viking ship museum in Oslo are magnificent!
Enjoy your books!
Greetings,
Tiina
I do love your book blog! And if I end up not liking The Troll, I promise I won’t blame you. ;) But it *sounds* like a great book for me! I’d love to go to Scandanavia one day, and if so, you can bet I”ll check out the longships in Oslo. :D
I’m curious to see what you think of Ahab’s Wife. I’ve read mixed reviews about it, which have me wavering whether to keep it on my TBR or shrug it off…
I didn’t like it and abandoned it 200 pages in, if that helps. ;) Also, it’s HUGE.
White Tiger–woot, woot!
I take that to mean you enjoyed it? :D
Wow, some great books! I really liked another of Amy Tan’s books (can’t think of the name right now) so I’m interested to see what you think of The Bonesetter’s Daughter. The Far Traveller looks good too. I love Viking stories.
I’m curious to see what I’ll think of Tan too. :)
That’s an impressive loot. I read Equal Rites about ten days back, and quite enjoyed it. It was my introduction to Discworld – I have two other books to read in The Witches trilogy now!
Read Fingersmith last year, and absolutely loved it – the twists are fantastic, and I was disappointed when the book was over. I literally wanted it to continue forever!!! I’m spacing out my Sarah Waters reads as well – considering there are only five odd books, it isn’t much! :(
The only Amy Tan I’ve read is The Joy Luck Club, and while I didn’t exactly love it, I didn’t exactly not like it either. It just seemed somewhat hackneyed. Fellow bloggers have recommended Kitchen God’s Wife to me, and I might give that a shot. Am looking forward to seeing what you think of Bonesetter’s Daughter as well.
Oh, and as for White Tiger – it’s an entertaining read. Greatly exaggerated, but entertaining.
Enjoy the superb haul!
Equal Rites will be my introduction to adult Discworld! I have read the Tiffany Achings books, which are kids/YA stuff. :)
I don’t know *anyone* who hasn’t loved Fingersmith, hehe, so I’m excited that I’m in for a treat! And I know-don’t you wish that Waters had like 30 books in her backlist?!
I love Sarah Waters, too – Fingersmith kept me up way past my bedtime!
Also, If Not, Winter is AMAZING. At least I think so. Totally some of my favorite poetry out there, although very different from a normal poetry experience. I hope you like it too. :-)
I bet I’ll be staying up too late with Fingersmith too! :) I’m glad to hear good things about If Not, Winter…I’m not in the habit of reading poetry, so I’m a bit nervous.
Eek! This post is always very dangerous to my reading wishlist…
lol; I visit *every* Library Loot post *every* week. You can imagine what my TBR list looks like! :)
You always find the most interesting looking books!
Thanks! :)
WOW, lots of great stuff there! Rushdie, Adiga- what else did I see? Lots of awesome reading ahead for you! :-)
I know-my new approach of trying to read more books by authors I already love is really paying off! :D
Wow that cover to Love in a Fallen City is so different and beautiful! As usual, you have quite a fabulous loot here :)
Isn’t it gorgeous? It actually matches the cover I got from the library, which makes me happy. :)
Hi Eva, thank you for sharing your list. I will definitely try these books you’ve got and will keep an eye on your future reviews.
Thanks Natalie!
I loved Haroun and the Sea of Stories :) The other books on your loot make me want to live in a first world country with libraries such as yours :)
I want to live around the world, but one of the things I miss the most when I’m not in the States is the libraries. So I sympathise!
You always choose such interesting books!! Of course, it makes your blog a dangerous place to visit, ’cause I usually end up adding so many to my TBR list!!
Fingersmith is definitely one I want to read this year.
Awww-thanks!
I loved Fingersmith! I too envy you reading it for the first time. I haven’t reread it yet because I’m worried it won’t match up to that initial read, but it’s one I know I will go back to.
I have The Bonesetter’s Daughter and Ahab’s Wife on the huge TBR pile. It’ll be interesting to see what you think!
It always amuses me how your library loot sends me off to my own library website to see if I can get any of the books that sound fascinating. Of course The Far Traveler and The Things That Matter had me heading over, but my library has neither! I can’t buy books now, but they’re definitely on the wishlist. =)
I didn’t like Ahab’s Wife, but it seems like others did! I totally get half my TBR list from reading everyone’s LL posts every week, lol. I’m sorry your library doesn’t have either of those nonfiction books. :(
Ah, yes. Must read Sarah Waters! Must….
I haven’t read that Pratchett before! I finally started reading my first book for the Pratchett challenge – yay go me!
I read Amy Tan years ago, but haven’t even thought about reading any more of her books. Off to check the library to catalogue to see what they have.
Really?! I’m super-excited to get to know the Witches, and this was shown as the entry book for the Witches Discworld bit. :)
Hoorah a new vlog from you, I always love these and would do them but dont think anyone would be interested hahaha. Ot it might put them off the blog!
I am so jealous of your library, properly jealous!
You have some great reads ahead. Both White is for Witching and Fingersmith are on my TBR piles and desperate to be read. I loved White Tiger and the rest all sound really intriguing!
You should DEFINITELY do a vlog Simon! I’d be interested, and I bet everyone else would be too! Seriously: promise me you’ll do one soon. :)
I’m so grateful to my current library system; I’ve lived in places with awful libraries, so I’m trying to read as many books now before I move that I can!
White is for Witching is sitting in my library pile waiting to be read. I loved The Icarus Girl, so I hope this one is as good.
I haven’t read The Icarus Girl, but White is for Witching rocked! :)
Wow! You got a lot of books! They all have such colorful covers, too.
I don’t think there’s one in your stack that I’ve read! Which simply means what I’ve always known…so many books, so little time!
My post is here:
I know-this was a fun batch of colours! :) BTW, you did add your link to the Mr. Linky at Marg’s, right?
Great selections
My 16 books!!! are here
http://lyndasbookblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-weeks-libary-loot.html
Cool-I hope you added the link to Marg’s Mr. Linky too!
What an interesting and diverse set of books you grabbed! Equal Rites is on my TBR list. My post is here.
Great-be sure to add it to the Mr. Linky at Marg’s too! :)
It’s always so fun to see your vlogs on library loot! I’m really curious to see what you think of Troll. That’s one of those books that I was excited when I got it but then I’ve let it sit on my shelves for too long and have lost a bit of interest… So hopefully my interest will be reawakened after you review it :)
I’m glad you enjoy them! :) I always feel a bit silly recording them, hehe. I’ll definitely be reading and reviewing Troll this month!
I love If Not, Winter. Even the fragments of Sappho’s remaining poems are lovely to read. I think it’s a Sarah Waters week with us, don’t you? I have The Little Stranger and you have Fingersmith. I really want to read Fingersmith and cannot wait to read your review.
Journey into Islam sounds like a wonderful book! I added it to my TBR list. I just need to get through my current stack. I think I’ll need a mini-readathon this weekend!
Happy reading!
I didn’t care much for The Bonesetter’s Daughter but I remember really liking The Kitchen God’s Wife.
I’ve read Bernd Heinrich before – I think the title was Geese at Beaver Bog or something like that. I liked it. I like reading naturalist / ecological type books – I haven’t read a lot of them, but enough to say it’s a mini-trend in my non-fiction choices.
Eva, that’s a huge and eclectic haul of books! I usually borrow one, two or three books at a time. ;)
If not, winter is incredible, I loved it so much, which is a little weird I suppose since some are just a few fragmented words.
If you’re nervous about reading poetry, you should start with some Billy Collins. He’s my favorite, and he’s really easy to understand and enjoy. =)
A lot of these look really interesting. I’m glad to see I’m not the only library over-indulger.
Interesting list! One of my friends who teaches English keeps recommending Rushdie’s ‘Haroun and the Sea of Stories’ :) Looking forward to reading your review of it, when you get around to reading it. It was interesting to see Naguib Mahfouz’ ‘Sugar street’ in your list. Have you reviewed the first two books from his Cairo trilogy? I haven’t read any of his books, but am planning to read his book ‘The Harafish’ first, before trying the Cairo trilogy.
I’m curious to know how you find Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories. He is the only author I gave up on, because his novels are so intense, it takes me a long time to get into, sometimes never, and I keep choosing other books over his book.
The Road Home has a nice cover, and the things that matter sounds like a good read. I hope you enjoy your library loot of the week.
I came to your site almost by accident and came back today to read it more fully! I love the books you find and review and though I cannot join any of it because I will not be able to find these books here (pls visit my site and see why!) even reading about them in some way is very enjoyable.