Library Loot February 26, 2010

I missed a few weeks of posting my library loot, but this week was too fun for me to miss. For one thing, I went out in a snow storm to get (most) of it. I found out later that the schools had been closed, which doesn't happen much here, off the shores of Lake Erie. Good thing my branch is near by, I was safe and so were my books. I admit it, it was Flirt that got me there. It's the first Anita book by Laurell K. Hamilton that I haven't bought. I just can't rationalize hardback prices for her anymore. Especially for this tiny little book, really more of a short-story or novella. Not $24 worth. But I still wanted to read it, and suffered when so many Twitter friends bought it and loved it, so I went out in the storm to get it when it became available. I guess I'm still a fan. It was very good, if very short. I picked it up on Friday and returned it on Saturday because I know that hundreds of other fans are waiting for it.

For another thing, it was a great week on the ebook front; I was able to borrow 3 great ebooks from the library to read on my nook! I pasted images of the books onto my pile so that they could be included in this post, it seemed appropriate. I think they should still count, even though they aren't physical books. And this is my blog, so they do. Ah, the power...

I was really happy to borrow Dan Brown's over 500 page book and to be able to read it comfortably on my nook. It was a real example of why getting the nook was a smart idea for me. Especially after shoveling snow, my bad shoulder really needed the break from paper books! And I just enjoy the whole concept of borrowing ebooks from my library, it feels like everyone wins. I wish I could afford to buy every book that catches my attention, but it just isn't going to happen. But the libraries are a huge support to authors and publishers. And I really like supporting my local libraries, they are just wonderful and a real life-saver to me. Plus reading on the ebook reader is more comfortable for my body and my eyes (I really miss being able to adjust the font when I read paper books). And ebooks never smell like cigarettes, like one of the books I had to return unread recently because it just stunk.

As for the paper books in my haul, after Flirt, I'm most excited about the Norman Rockwell book. I read about it in a review and was really intrigued. I didn't know that he took pictures before making his paintings, and the book is the first to explore his photography archives. There are even many before and after shots with the photos and paintings. Should be fascinating! And at $40, another book I couldn't afford but am thrilled to borrow from my library.

I was happy to see the Ace of Cakes book on the feature wall at my branch; it has been on my to-read list and there it was, like magic! I'm also looking forward to exploring the book about organizing by Peter Walsh. I saw him on yet another talk show and figured it couldn't hurt to check it out and see if there is anything helpful for me.

The book about puberty by Lynda Madaras was quite good, useful both to tweens and their parents and friends. And the space research guide by Mary Pope Osborne should be interesting, especially because my littler guy is reading it too.

A great haul this week, plus I still have a pile of books from the last few weeks as well. So I'd better stop typing and start reading!

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Library Loot from January 30

 

It was a mixed bag this week. On the one hand, I was very disappointed not to get book 30 of The Magic Tree House series. I've been waiting for weeks and have received books 31-42, but still no 30! It's extra frustrating because book 29, the first Merlin Mission, was really good. The series took a turn from very accurate historical experiences to a story with traditional fantasy elements and adventure. I don't know if the trend will continue, but I want to find out. And "my" little guy is being smug about being so far ahead of me.

On the other hand, I discovered that Timothy Zahn wrote 2 more books in his Quadrail series! My little branch library had a feature wall with current sci-fi and fantasy books and I got both The Magicians and The Domino Pattern off the wall. I was able to buy the 3rd Zahn Quadrail ebook for a reasonable price, but Domino is still $25, so I'm thrilled to have it from the library. Plus I haven't read any sci-fi yet this year, so it will be a nice change of pace.

I was also glad to FINALLY get David Pogue's Twitter book. That was one of the longest waits I've had, which I find pretty interesting in and of itself. So far the book is hilarious; there are some terrifically witty people on Twitter. I was wondering how the book would work, but it's really quite fun to see the often hilarous answers people Tweeted to Pogue's questions. The book is very well done and would be a great gift, even for non-Twitter users.

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2010 Library Reading Challenge

I had been thinking about starting a blog for a while, but the opportunity to participate in reading challenges was the last straw. So here I go, off and running with my first challenge. Which actually might be a challenge, as I recently got a nook to help make reading easier with my bad hands and occasional migraines. I've always been a huge library user and supporter. I honestly would be insane without my books! I'm very lucky to live in an area with top-ranked libraries with inter-library loan access to another 14 library systems. I have a link to the internet request page on Firefox bookmarks bar and my Home screen on my iPhone and use them often. In fact, one of the main reasons I chose the nook is because I can continue to borrow from out libraries using their growing ebook collection.  Check out how I'm doing at Goodreads on my "challenge-library-borrowed-2010" shelf. Thank you to J. Kaye's Book Blog for organizing this challenge.

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My Library Loot from Thursday 1-14-10

My library loot from yesterday, quite the haul! Lots of YA and juvenile books this week. Since I got my nook (much easier on my poor sore hands) I have been buying a lot or borrowing from the library's ebook collection.

I'm reading the Magic Tree House books to catch up with "my" little guy. At almost 8 years-old he's read them all, except for the most recent and 43rd book that just arrived yesterday from Amazon as a belated Chanukah gift (from me). I'm so proud of him! I started the owl books by Kathryn Lasky to see if it might be a good next series for him and got hooked. I found the Pandora books because their author, Carolyn Hennesy, is one of my favorite actresses on General Hospital and Cougar Town. She's a smart, funny lady and it's fun to support her efforts. I also like the Greek mythology theme.

I'm very excited to read the final installment in the Buffy season 8 series. I don't read many graphic novels because my eyes have trouble following the style, but I had to find out what my favorite Slayer and friends were up to.

Does anyone want to take bets on whether I'll actually cook anything from Mike Symon's book? I love my Clevelander Iron Chef, and bacon, so maybe I'll get inspired, or at least pick up a few tips.

 This is my first time participating in an internet meme, but how could I resist Library Loot? Thank you Eva (A Striped Arm Chair) and Marg (ReadingAdventures) for creating this fun meme, as well as Natasha at the terrific Maw Books Blog, who turned me onto it.

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