I *do* love my lovely local library though I confess I borrow less than I used to; this is probably because my reading habits are a little erratic, and I don’t like having a time limit on a particular volume. Ā I’m constantly borrowing and then taking back because my mood has changed and the borrowed book isn’t in tune with my current literary vibe.
However, the local branch came up trumps last year when they ordered in a load of lovely British Library Crime Classics, and I was really pleased to find out more titles had arrived. I put them on reserve and these three lovelies were read for collection at the weekend:
I’m particularly looking forward to reading “Resorting to Murder” – I only wish I could be sitting in the sun on the English Riviera while I did so!
And I was very good in the charity shops this weekend after last week’s binge, just picking up one volume:
This was from the Samaritans Book Cave too and seems to have oodles of praise everywhere. Since I like European fiction very much, let’s hope it’s one for me!
It hasn’t all been incoming, though – I have four large boxes in the garage ready for collection by the Samaritans tomorrow! I confess, though, that while packing them up this morning I did salvage two titles for possible future reading:
There’s a reason for this… I grabbed these two from the charity shops ages ago when I thought I might like to explore Oates’ work. Then I decided I would never get round to reading them so I would donate them. Then I read my first Oates (this morning!) in the form of a NetGalley review e-book and liked it so much I figured I would try these ones too! However, when I’ll get round to them is another matter…. š
Apr 26, 2015 @ 13:08:18
Love the British Library Crime Classics – it’s such a great series. Happy reading!
Apr 26, 2015 @ 13:27:19
They’re lovely books, and I could with a little light relief! š
Apr 26, 2015 @ 13:09:09
Ha! Ha! That sounds familiar. I often set aside several books to be sold/given away and then have second thoughts. The longer I leave it the smaller the pile gets as I save them from their fate.
Apr 26, 2015 @ 13:26:52
I do that too – which is why I was going through them today for a final check… š
Apr 26, 2015 @ 13:32:45
I still long to have all of the BL Crime Classics books, just for how pretty they are! Luckily the content has also been great so far.
Apr 26, 2015 @ 15:59:03
They are very lovely – and if there was infinite time and also infinite shelf space I would want a complete set…..
Apr 26, 2015 @ 14:31:23
Envying you the British library crime classics, I must get my hands on more.
Apr 26, 2015 @ 15:58:34
I’m really looking forward to this set – nag your local library!
Apr 26, 2015 @ 16:40:55
Yes I might have to š
Apr 26, 2015 @ 14:54:13
Ohlalala, I love your choice for muder mysteries and such great covers again. And as a former librarian…Libraries Rock indeed! xo Johanna
Apr 26, 2015 @ 15:58:10
Aren’t they striking?? Libraries are the best!
Apr 26, 2015 @ 14:56:54
British Library Crime Classics are scheduled to be released in Canada in June! I can’t wait!!
Apr 26, 2015 @ 15:57:51
Excellent! You’ll love them, I’m sure! š
Apr 26, 2015 @ 16:01:38
I’ll be very interested to hear what you make of Joyce Carol Oates. I’ve read a couple of her novels and been both impressed and a bit creeped out. Hermann Broch is another name on my really-must-get-around-to list. I hope you enjoy that one, too!
Apr 26, 2015 @ 16:03:13
The one I’ve read is her new book, Jack of Spades – yes, creepy, but very, very clever and a real page-turner. I have no idea if it’s typical though! š
Apr 26, 2015 @ 16:04:35
That sounds about right! I haven’t heard of Jack of Spades – will have to go and look that up!
Apr 26, 2015 @ 17:19:16
I have read a number of her books and although readable the well written scary factor was a little too much for me due to the images they recorded in my mind. I was surprised that you hadn’t read her since I ended up reading her in the first place on your recommendation!
Apr 26, 2015 @ 18:37:00
erm…. when did I recommend her???? :s (my memory is obviously getting worse….)
Apr 26, 2015 @ 20:48:41
I read some Joyce Carol Oates early on. The first one I enjoyed. The second one raised some doubts. The third one was so unbelievable I could not take it seriously. Time to quit, so I did.
Apr 26, 2015 @ 20:53:56
I get the impression she’s something of a Marmite writer, but I’ll give her a try. Just hope she’s not going to be too graphic….
Apr 26, 2015 @ 22:49:14
The Cornish Library Service has bought a few British Library Crime Classics too, but I wasn’t so quick off the mark ordering and so I’m in a queue. I’m telling myself it’s good that they’re in demand, and that I don’t lack other books to read in the meantime.
Apr 27, 2015 @ 08:28:32
I was in a queue for these too – but they’re worth waiting for!
Apr 27, 2015 @ 03:31:38
I really want to read some of the BL Crime Classics and am kicking myself that I didn’t buy any when I was in London last fall. As a librarian I love to hear when readers not only purchase books but check them out from their libraries too.
Apr 27, 2015 @ 08:28:02
I’m trying to use the library more for books I think I will only read once – doesn’t work when they don’t stock them though….
Apr 27, 2015 @ 06:44:17
I know what you mean about libraries. There’s so much there, but I usually seem to be in the mood for my own books! I went through an extreme Oates phase a few years ago and The Falls is one of my favorites. I love the covers of the British Crime Series, though I’ve never actually seen one here.
Apr 27, 2015 @ 08:19:37
The BL crime books are lovely, but I don’t know whether they will make it into the US market – definitely worth reading if you get a chance. I *will* have a try at another Oates – when the mood is right! š
Apr 28, 2015 @ 18:48:29
They are beginning to arrive next month and through the summer. Now to get the libraries to order them.
Apr 28, 2015 @ 19:16:52
Excellent! Yes, put lots of requests in at the libraries – fingers crossed! š
Apr 27, 2015 @ 10:34:56
You really must read We Were The Mulvaneys – I love that book, and it’s such a great title. (You have a very lovely blog by the way!)
Apr 27, 2015 @ 11:08:30
Thank you! š And I’m definitely aiming to read at least these two titles by Oates – I’ve heard good things about both!
Apr 27, 2015 @ 11:46:35
My County library charges 60p a book to loan them from the HQ STORES.This means “old fashioned” books or forgotten authors have a tax on them.I am sure other libraries do not impose this tax.How unfair.
Apr 27, 2015 @ 11:53:08
I dunno – our library charges Ā£5 if we want to search out of county so 60p for a more obscure title that’s stored away somewhere seems quite reasonable – especially as the mainstream books are free!
Apr 27, 2015 @ 11:55:57
I’ve long been interested in The Sleepwalkers, so I’ll definitely look forward to your review of that.
Apr 27, 2015 @ 11:57:10
What I’ve read about it online intrigues me – and the first few pages seem very readable.
Apr 28, 2015 @ 04:57:26
Ooh, lovely! Those British Crime Classics are highly desirable looking books. I’ve been debating over ordering a set of them. I will look out for your reviews of them.
Apr 28, 2015 @ 09:32:50
They’re gorgeous things – I would highly recommend (not that I want to be a bad influence….)
Apr 28, 2015 @ 19:05:57
Oh, surely you would never try to influence anyone to waste money on things like books! š
Apr 28, 2015 @ 19:16:26
Ermmmmm – who me?????? š