I just want to read all of the books, all of the time at the moment. This has resulted in yet another library trip, in which I have checked out more books than I will ever have the opportunity to read:
- Somewhere - This is a collection of short stories with the premise 'somewhere else', so it contains a lot of speculative fiction. I'm in the mood for trying short stories at the moment, and this collection contains a story by Michel Faber, so I can't lose!
- Ariel by Sylvia Plath - I never read poetry, although I keep intending too. I loved Plath's poetry as a student, and am looking forward to reading this collection in it's entirety.
- The Diving Pool by Yoko Ogawa - More short stories/novellas! Ogawa's writing intrigues me, as it seems to have an undercurrent of darkness running through it. I've been meaning to try some Japanese literature that isn't Murakami, and this seems like a good place to start.
- Changing my Mind by Zadie Smith - I love Zadie Smith, so I'm keen to try her collection of essays. It's split into four sections; reading, being, seeing and feeling, and I can't wait to dip in and out of them.
- The Complete Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby - This is essentially a collection of essays about what Hornby has been reading, and I've seen rave reviews of it on other blogs. I enjoy the light style of his fiction works, so hopefully that will translate well to these essays.
- Where I'm Reading From by Tim Barks - As you can see, I was loving the essays section of the library today. This collection promises to be about books and how the way we appreciate both them and literature is changing, which sounds very interesting.
If you've read any of these titles, I'd love to hear your thoughts on them. It might help me to prioritise!
This always happens to me when I go to the library! One book is never enough, I always end up with a stack! I haven't read any of these titles but I think I would start by Nick Hornby as he seems to be everywhere at the mo and I've only heard good things!
ReplyDeleteOne is never enough - I always think that it's not worth going for just one book! I started the Hornby this morning but I've put it down, I don't think it's going to be for me.
DeleteI have a library *problem* too! I just filled out a Book Riot survey about 2014 reading habits and was looking over my Goodreads list for the year to answer the questions about how many books I read, what format, etc. but the question that was really eye-opening was what percentage of books I read that I bought/spent money on -- it was rather sobering to realize I had only bought 15% of the books I read despite the fact that I buy a lot of books! Some ones early in the year were review copies which I'm taking a step back from, but I still hadn't realized that with all those shelves of books I've bought, I only read 15% non-library, non-review -- I love the library, but I'm thinking 2015 could use a bit more balance (and a bit less buying!) for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm focusing on much the same things, although I don't feel guilty for using the library as it keeps the circulation numbers high & helps to protect the service. I have stopped accepting review copies though, and I'm not buying any books at the moment.
DeleteWhat a great selection you picked out! Libraries are just amazing in being able to satisfy every curiosity. I work in one 5 days a week yet still marvel at all the wonderful things I discover on a daily basis. Never feel bad about checking out stacks from the library - it's free and it helps your library's circulation statistics!
ReplyDeleteI never feel bad for not reading library books, as I know that checking them out is important and helps to protect the service (which is amazing where I live). I do feel bad for not reading the books I own though!
DeleteI've had my eye on the Tim Parks essays for a while. I've read one of his other books and really enjoyed it so I'm sure this one will be even better as it's about books! I'll have to check out the Smith and Hornby collections too, I'm also loving the essays at the moment. You've also made me want to go to the library! :)
ReplyDeleteThe Tim Parks book was a total impulse pick-up, but your comment has made me determined to at least try it. And give in to the library impulse, you know you want to!
DeleteI wish our library has a wide variety of titles but no such luck. Anyhow, I'm interested to know what you think of these beauties once you have read them. Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteThe library where I live is excellent, and it's also free to reserve and transport books from other libraries in the area, so there's not much I can't get hold of.
DeleteI always go to the library and pick up way more titles than I will ever read. But part of it for me is just having these gems around the house. And you never know, you may find the time!
ReplyDeleteThat's true, and it's great to have access to the books, even if I don't end up reading them.
DeleteI don't think that's a problem at all!! I can't imagine not leaving a library or a bookstore without a stack of books. Still, I'm trying nowadays to have only one checkout at a time. I only started this month, so we'll see where it goes.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the books but I am eager to hear what you think of the Polysyllabic Spree. I have been thinking about checking it out recently.
I'm always leaving the library with far too many books as well. But I love that I can just take a peak and then decide whether I want to continue reading or not. It's taken a while to not feel guilty about returning the books unread, but I feel better about unread library books than about unread books I own. I've read a volume of Ogawa's short stories over the summer, and I really liked her style. I've seen lots of people recommend The Diving Pool.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love The Polysyllabic Spree and all of the follow-up collections.
ReplyDelete