It's been a while since I regaled you with my library loot so I thought I would share the haul collected on my latest visit. All but one were requests I had placed for specific challenges including my personal one to read the Man Booker longlist.
The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill: this ghost story may be my first read for the R.I.P. IV challenge, hopefully this weekend.
A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro: a double-header for both the R.I.P. IV challenge and the Japanese Literature one. Sarah Waters called Ishiguro's debut novel " a tightly controlled narrative surface, with half-glimpsed, terrifying depths".
Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon: a Victorian sensation novel, this will be my contribution to Simon's Sensational September.
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off: Love Quarrels from Anton Chekhov to ZZ Packer: I came across this compilation of short stories in Waterstone's a few weeks ago and the concept intrigued me. Some great short story writers are featured including Katherine Mansfield, Virginia Woolf, and Jhumpa Lahiri.
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami: also a combined Japanese and horror read, I am highly looking forward to reading this after books 1 and 2 of The Hunger Games, which has a similar premise. At 615 pages it is going to be a challenge but I hope a compelling one.
The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt: now featuring on the Man Booker shortlist this one is a must-read. It is also another 615 pages.
I have a busy few weeks ahead...
26 comments:
You're very restrained; I end up [icking up loads as I browse. I can never resist looking at the recent returns!
Execution-only: my mission is to enter, return, collect, exit.
Nice loot! I can't go to the library anymore because I have too many fines to pay. :( And I used to work there so the shame just mounts on every visit.
I HAVE TO READ THE CHILDREN'S BOOK! Someone needs to be in my flat, prodding me, until I pick it up and start. It's the thought of 600 pages...it strikes fear to my heart!
Rachel, I understand the library fines shame. I once accumulated an £88 fine at my University library in the weeks following my dissertation.
YOU HAVE TO READ THE CHILDREN"S BOOK! I HAVE TO READ THE CHILDREN"S BOOK! I'm planning on starting to read it this weekend but it is daunting.
600 pages daunting? Pah! I am shortly to venture much further than that (to be continued...).
And no, I don't really know what 'pah' means either.
Apparently it is an exclamation of disgust or disbelief! It does the trick anyway.
Normally 600 pages wouldn't daunt me but there are TWO plus, cumulatively, another 1800 pages give or take...
Ooh Claire I am going to re-read The Man in the Picture for sensational September as I think that a few of Susan's books are definately sensation inspired. Lady audley's Secret is one of my all time fav's glad you are joining in.
Also very much looking forward to your thoughts on The Children's Book.
Simon, if The Woman in Black is anything to go by then Hill definitely fits the profile! That terrified me and it was all about sense - sound mainly.
I reread what you had to say about Lady Audley's Secret on your Reader's Table and I am itching to read it! I need something frightening.
I hope to share my thoughts on The Children's Book within the next week or so but we'll see how it goes...
Alas, I haven't read any of the books in your stack, though of course I've been hearing a lot about The Children's Book lately.
The size of your stack is about the size of mine - I generally don't take out more than 6 books or so in one go, as I know I'll never get through more than that anyway. I feel guilty if I read too many library books because I have SO many unread books that I own, and feel I should be reading those!
Steph, I usually have anything ranging from six to the maximum twelve at any one time and just now I have ten. I also feel guilty not reading my own books and I do try to read some from both. The great thing about borrowing from the library is that it curbs buying any more (well, mostly...)! All of these were ones that I really wanted to read, some time-sensitive, and it's great that the library had them, preventing me from adding to my collection.
That is an impressive pile! Good luck with reading them all! 600 pages isn't normally daunting to me, but The Children's Book is very slow and detailed, so feels much longer. I think you might like it though.
I am currently going through a period of long books. The one I'm reading now is 900 pages long, but I bet I read it quicker than Byatt's!
Enjoy all your books!
Jackie, long issues aren't normally an issue for me either but they are when I have so many other things to read too.
I wonder how I am going to find The Children's Book; I am trying to put aside any expectations or preconceptions I may have and just read it.
I'm so excited to read The Children's Book but have no idea when I'm going to fit it in. Try though I must! Lady Audley's Secret is one that I dug out of the discard bin at the library and haven't got around to yet. One of the perks for me is that I don't have to pay for those so I need to exercise ultimate willpower lest I appear greedy. Have you been to The Fortune Theatre to see The Woman in Black yet?
I wouldn't worry about appearing greedy, Darlene! Take advantage of the job perk.
I haven't yet been to see The Woman in Black but I definitely intend to at some point; I've only heard good things.
I've seen the Woman in Black at the Fortune twice and each time I have nearly wet my knickers! It is TERRIFYING. You don't think that you can get that scared when you are surrounded by other people, but believe me, you can. And you will! I was screaming my head off! Spectacular stuff.
You've found some eclectic loot to enjoy.
Your profile pix is adorable!
Oooh, I want the Byatt and the Ishiguro! Possession is one of my favorite novels of all time, by A.S. Byatt, and I'm excited to learn about The Children's Book. Thanks!
Rachel, that's quite the review! To know that you went back a second time, however, gives me hope! I'm harbouring the plan of going in the coming months, whilst its dark and atmospheric!
Suko, thanks for commenting! My loot is often eclectic; I have diverse tastes. I'm looking forward to them.
I also love my profile pic.
bellezza, here's hoping they deliver for me and I can give you positive reviews :).
Lots of people have read Lady Audley's Secret for R.I.P. Challenges in the past, so feel free to count that one too if you want.
Carl, I actually did mean to count it and included it in my pool but forgot to specify here that it was for both challenges. I'm looking forward to reading it; it's been a while since I've read anything sensational.
Curious to see what you think of Children's Book.
As for Battle Royale - Once you read it, please let me know whether I should tackle that before The Hunger Games or after. It's been somehting I've spent way too much time contemplating, and I don't have an answer yet.
Looks like a fun couple of weeks :)
anothercookie, I'll definitely let you know about Battle Royale and The Hunger Games; it's partly why I'm reading it, to compare, and from curiosity. I am very intrigued.
Must get back to the books ;).
Maybe we should do a group outing to The Woman in Black (would go perfectly with Sensational Season) have seen it thrice and loooove it!
Great idea, Simon! My boyfriend wouldn't forgive me if I dragged him along; he hates scary things.
That's a great anthology of short stories you've tucked in there. Highly recommended.
http://lizzysiddal.wordpress.com/2009/02/15/tss-tiff-lit-split-lit-lets-call-the-whole-thing-off/
Hi Lizzy, thanks for commenting. It looks like a great anthology with a diverse mix of writers included, some I love and others that I've always wanted to read. I enjoyed reading your thoughts and now I am particularly intrigued about the Woolf short story and its ending that jars.
Post a Comment