I did it again. I ignored the piles of unread books in my own house to take a trip to the library and bring home another pile of books to read.
I could take the time to unpack what is wrong with me that I can’t seem to be happy with the riches already in my home and insist on making my reading life that much more chaotic (to say nothing of the physical piles of chaos I’ve created in our home…) but who wants to do that?
Want to hear about the bookish treasure I took home instead?
That’s what I thought. Read on, book lovers!
So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson. I’ve been wanting and meaning to read this book ever since it came out but for whatever reason, every time I pick it up in a bookstore, I’ve put it down again. But hey, I work in communications, it might not be a bad idea to finally read this book about the “renaissance of public shaming” via social media.
Girl at War by Sara Novic. I keep seeing this book and reading about it and it kind of jumped out at me at the library so I brought it home. This book about the war in Yugoslavia and it’s aftermath on our heroine, Ana Juric holds a personal connection for me: my father was a peacekeeper in that conflict. I’m not sure that I’ve ever read any fiction about this area and I’m glad for the opportunity to remedy that.
Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by Alexander McCall Smith. I can’t seem to quit him. And after reading the most recent Isabel Dalhousie novel (The Novel Habits of Happiness) I decided that I’d been harsh on this series based on the first book. This is the second book in the series and I’m excited to potentially have another mystery series to love.
The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes. I LOVE Marian Keyes. I’m pretty sure I own all of her books. I meant to buy this one. But every time I almost did it, I stopped myself. When I saw it at the library, I thought to myself why do I need to own this book? Why not just take it home now? So that’s exactly what I did.
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. Earlier this year I read and LOVED China Dolls. I’m hoping that Shanghai Girls is more of the same. Shanghai in the 1930s always seems like the most elegant place, until it all falls to sh*t of course.
Well there you have it. Are you marvelling at my self restraint? I only brought home FIVE books, guys. I can totally get through a pile of five books. I was actually incredibly selective when I went this time. I spent a lot of time in non-fiction but there was nothing there that I had to read immediately. Actually it just made me feel bad that I had books by A.N. Wilson and Judith Flanders already sitting at home since I glanced at some of their other work and almost brought them home too…
Also. There’s a teachers weekend at one of the big bookstores up here, the weekend of the 26th and I’ve already had one of the teachers in my book club offer to take advantage of that on my behalf so the book gluttony isn’t slowing down any time soon…
The Paperback Princess 
I love Marian Keyes! I have to find this book. I need to read Girl at War – I will look forward to hearing what you think about that one.
I’ve started walking to the library with the kid so I can only carry so much. At any point I could be carrying almost 40 more pounds of girl and her bike so I am restrained. My ebook check out rate – well that’s getting obscene.
I’m impressed at how much you can carry! There must be a way to turn your daughter and/or her bike into some kind of mule?
I can’t even imagine what kinds of trouble I could get into with an ereader. All those books available at my fingertips? Trouble.
Isn’t “library” a synonym for “book gluttony”? I spent a lot of time in the nonfiction section of my library before our vacation and ended up with 14 books for my 6 days off. I knew I wouldn’t read them (I managed 1.5), but it was fun looking at them. 🙂
hahaha I think it must be!
14 books for 6 days doesn’t sound crazy to me. I’m already mentally planning how many I may need for my time off at Christmas. Probably at least that many. Now I’m curious about which books you chose!
That’s fantastic. I can totally relate, too. I’ve been meaning to read Publicly Shamed. Looking forward to seeing how you digest from your book gluttony.
hahaha thanks! Hopefully I didn’t pick anything too rich.
Here’s the thing. When I go to the library and see the good books, I’m afraid that I’ll forget about them if I leave them there. So, I bring them all home. Is that what happens to you?
Here’s to book gluttony! Let’s hope it never ends. 🙂
I would never want someone to accuse me of not taking advantage of the library. I would never want to have library regrets. So yes, restraint is not a word I tend to associate with my time there!
Only five library books? That is remarkable restraint! I’m headed to the library on Friday and will probably bring home double that. 🙂 Hope you enjoy all five!
Thanks, I think so too. I should get some kind of medal – that’s Olympic level restraint right there. I hope you find some goodies when you go!
You are a marvel. How would I discover new reads without your shameless binging!
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It’s so hard not to bring books home from the library when they’re sitting on the shelf calling out to you. I read The Woman Who Stole My Life earlier in the year and thought it was a good story. Hope you enjoy your books!
It’s basically impossible. I’m so looking forward to that one. Marian Keyes never lets me down!
I totally get having a house full of books and then going to the library… I’ve actually had to stop myself from doing it as I ended up just returning them all unread (and sometimes late – silly silly). HOWEVER, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed. It’s such a fascinating and quick read and a lot of the points made really made me think. It’s so interesting!
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