Thursday 26 April 2012

Going a Bit Crazy at the Library....

Does anyone else have a problem with taking more books out of the library than they can possibly read in the time allocated?  I've gone back to work so my reading time has been cut but at the same time going back to work has meant I need a pick me up so I've ended up taking out too many books.  I keep telling myself that it's OK as library books are free to borrow but I have so many of my own book and review books to read that I really should steer clear.

Here are my books.  Some I already had checked out and some are new:

       

1. Baba Yaga Laid An Egg by Dubravka Ugresic: I adore the Canongate myth series and this one has appealed to me for a while.  I'm not familar at all with the Baba Yaga stories, apart from knowing she is a crazy old woman, and I like that this was written by someone born in Yugoslavia

2. A Continent Called Palestine by Najwa Kawar Farah: This is a memoir of a Christian woman growing up in Palestine as it existed pre-Israel.   I find the Middle East fascinating, so I'm looking forward to this.

3. Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg: This was on the Orange longlist and my hold only came in after it failed to get shortlisted.  I'm still looking forward to this story of a minister and his wife sailing to the Hebrides in 1830.

    

4. Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte: Anne is the only Bronte I have yet to read, and this is quite short, so I'm hopeful I will be able to do it.

5. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin: I read the 19th Wife a while back and find the idea of polygamy interesting.  I've seen so many good reviews of this one.

6. Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran: I've read Cleopatra's Daughter and have wanted to read more Moran ever since.  So ignoring the two others I actually own, I decided to take one out from the library!

    

7. Mirrors by Eduardo Galeano: This is a non-linear, non-chronological history of the world told in snapshots.  I picked this up randomly and it promises a lot.

8. Daughter of Dust by Wendy Wallace: Wendy Wallace is a journalist who has written about the life of Leila in Sudan, who was shunned by her family and who has experienced female genital mutilation.

9. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: Just to see what all the fuss is about.

   

10. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood: Because I recommended this in my Song of Achilles post and it made me want to read it again.

11. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini: This will be my first Hosseini book, I like the sound of this one better than Kite Runner.

12. March by Geraldine Brooks: Because my Penguin Threads copy of Little Women came in the post finally and I thought this would be a good companion read.


So I have a problem, right?  
There's also the fact that despite having all these books out, I chose to read an ARC about the history of sex which is absolutely fascinating but a long, slow reading.  I've been reading it since Sunday and I don't anticipate finishing it before next week.  Thank goodness for online renewals!

Am I alone in my library addiction? 

32 comments:

  1. I have to admit, I loved Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but *detested* Agnes Grey. It's a sort of love or hate book for most people, I've seen, so just know that if you don' end up liking it, don't give up on Anne! The two books are very, very different.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A few people have said this! Wildfell Hall is the one I really wanted to read, but it wasn't available so I thought I would try this first. I will bear what you said in mind if I don't like it.

      Delete
  2. Wow you weren't kidding! That is a lot of library books!

    I've had my eye on The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin since it made the orange longlist last year. Like you, I also haven't read any Hosseini. I've heard that of the two, Splendid Suns is better. I look forward to your thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, tell me about it!
      Baba Segi is one of the books I will definitely read, I plan to start it next.

      Delete
  3. Sam,
    So many books!!!!! I usually get about five or so and finish maybe two. I get in the habit of just adding stuff to my queue online when I'm thinking about it. I give them a few pages, and if not captivated, move on. I think you should definitely fit Madame Tussaud in there before the return date. If you enjoyed The Sealed Letter, you'll really like it. The historical aspect is fantastic. I really want to read Island of Wings, so I'm rooting for that so I can read your review ;) As long as you don't feel pressured, I think you're fine. I only feel bad if it's something I know people are waiting for (new releases with lots of requests).

    What's the check out policy on recent titles? In Atlanta, you can hold a new release for 2 weeks without being able to renewal.

    I also wanted to share that my copy of Gillespie and I arrived in the mail yesterday! The cover art is gorgeous. Plus, I found it online for 5 bucks (with shipping) -win! I'm waiting to finish Catherine before starting, but can't wait to share :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth,
      I won't finish all of these. Luckily I can renew all of these books as many times as I like online as long as no one else has put a hold on them. Island of Wings has a hold on it, so I'll read it soon-ish, but for the rest I should be able to have them for months if I want too. Madame Tussaud I will definitely read.

      Yay, you got Gillespie and I! Can't wait for you to read it, hope you like it :)

      Delete
  4. I have the same compulsion to overload with library books - they're irresistible and you have a lovely pile here. Hope you'll find time for 1000 Splendid Suns - beautiful and sad. I also liked the Michelle Moran and Island of Wings.
    Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I am not alone! The titles you mentioned are ones that lots of people are saying I should read, so I will definitely make time for them.

      Delete
  5. I haven't touched that audio book of Anne Rice so maybe not even the thought of just listening can elicit curiosity... But apart from that I have three books out for myself to read. I'm finally getting around to The Man Who Broke into Auschwitz which I started last night. I feel in a bit of a mood for non-fiction, and I need a break from my e-book because progress has been slower than I would liked.

    Nothing wrong with a library addiction, but you might have bitten off more than you can chew here, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know what you mean, I am making slow progress with my own ebook, even though it is fascinating. I will push through though!

      And yes, I've definitely bitten off more than I can chew :P

      Delete
  6. I have that problem, except it is with the Overdrive system. Even when I stagger putting the holds in, they always seem to come in at the same time. Audiobooks aren't too bad, since they can't disappear off my ipod, but the ebooks get to be a problem. At least one library offers 3 week checkouts, so it can be easier to stagger them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm very good with Overdrive, I always have just one audio book checked out at a time and I don't take any more out until I finish it. If only I could be that good with the regular library!

      Delete
  7. Yes, but isn't it lovely to just be surrounded by all those books even if time will only allow you to get to a few of them?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is lovely to see them all stacked up there :)

      Delete
  8. I actually hated Agnes Grey, but I would love to hear your thoughts on the book. If you do end up loving it, a different perspective is always interesting. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're the second person to tell me that, so I hope I fall into the love rather than hate camp. I wanted to read Wildfell Hall, but it wasn't available.

      Delete
  9. Oh, Sam, I do this all the time!! Think of it as previewing book for later ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good advice! If only I had more hours in the day in which to read...

      Delete
  10. I've been curious for a while now about Baba Yaga Laid an Egg. Let me know how it is!

    I don't use the library as often as I should, which is sad considering that I'm studying to be a librarian. I just have so many books of my own that I end up getting distracted by. I like Friends of the Library book sales, because they support the library but don't limit my reading to a specific timetable. One thing I do like about my local library is that you can renew online for a certain amount of time if there isn't a wait list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope Baba Yaga is good. In general I really like the Canongate myth series but some have fallen a bit flat.

      I have hundreds of my own books but yet I still can't stay away from the library. If I was studying to be a librarian I imagine I would be even worse! :P

      Delete
  11. I agree as well - why do I bring some home from the library when quite clearly I have them spilling off the shelves onto the floor at home? But yet I do.

    I was restrained last time and only brought one back - however I had my eye on a lot more!!

    My view, is we are supporting libraries which can only be a good thing surely?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one Jo! Sometimes I have to restrict myself to just picking up my holds as I know that I won't be able to browse and not bring anything home!

      Delete
  12. You are definitely not alone! My take-out-all-the-library-books--itis is really bad this month, since my library branch is closing for renovations next month. I figured I should read as many of their books as I can before time runs out!Then I really will tackle my personal tbr shelf.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think my problem is that my local library is excellent and only a five minute walk away from home - how am I supposed to resist temptation?

      Good luck reading all you can before renovations!

      Delete
  13. my husband and I are also crazy as for library books, so much so that now we have a whole shelf dedicated only to books we both bring back from the library! Time to delve into Madame Tussaud. I read it last year and keep raving about it. here is my review: http://wordsandpeace.com/2011/03/01/madame-tussaud-a-novel-of-the-french-revolution/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the link to Madame Tussaud, you've really made me want to read it :)

      Delete
  14. I picked up March and The Penelopead at the library yesterday! You have some fabulous books there. I adored Perks of Being a Wallflower when I read it many years ago. I also enjoyed Baba Segi's Wives from last year's Orange longlist. I'm planning to read Island of Wings soon too, and I've been meaning to read Michelle Moran for years. I hope you enjoy all of those!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Just be happy you have access to a library. No need to worry about possible addiction.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have the same problem Sam. I max out my 20 books loan most of the time, if that's not enough, my son's card is used for some of my books. :( and then I borrow books from Westminster Library where I work on hard to find books, so that makes it about 20-ish library book and I tried to keep it down, 3 weeks ago I managed to keep down to less than 10 and then paid a trip to the Central library and put the count back up to 20-ish! ... :( My library is across the road. I don't blame you Sam, what you have picked up there are amazing read. I want to read Baba Yaga. I have read Thousand Splendid Sun and Penelopiad. They are good.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Yep! always think I can fit just one more book in, as though I've found a way of expanding time allowing me that extra one, or one, another one & maybe just one more as it may be out next time.

    ReplyDelete