9 books that I'd reserved were brought home from the library van last week and I still have 3 left from December too.
5 are crime fiction, 3 ordinary fiction of which 2 are D.E Stevenson reprints plus a recent book by Erica James and one non-fiction by Thomas Firbank which is a re-read from a very long time ago.
Last Month I brought home these below. Four went back un-read and I've just finished reading Next to Nature by Ronald Blythe (another wonderful compilation of his countryside writings). I started Frostquake which I thought was about the weather of frozen winter of 1962/3 and it is, but more about everything else that was happening at the time - like the threat of nuclear war, the Beetles topping the charts and the Profumo scandal. I stopped reading halfway through but will have another go at it later. Thunderstone is also still here - waiting for me to try it again after failing when I borrowed it several months ago.
There was an interesting obituary of Ronald Blythe in the Guardian yesterday. I shall be interested in hearing how you get on with the Richard Coles book.
ReplyDeleteRonald Blythe's books were always a treat of country writing he was such a gentle man.
DeleteI really enjoyed the Richard Coles. Full of dry, clever little observations, quite wry but never nasty. A bit like him really, I think. I'm looking forward to the next one now. xx
ReplyDeleteI think I'll try the Richard Coles next
DeleteI have read a few of your haul and have the Richard Coles book on order from Suffolk libraries….who knows I might get the same copy after it goes back in the system.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the RHS the best time to transplant is when they are dormant not in the green!
LThere is a view among expert galanthophiles (experts passionate about snowdrops) that the optimum time to lift and divide bulbs is when they are dormant, when the top growth has died back and before new root growth has begun. That would typically be between June and September. For most growers, though, there tend to be so many other jobs around by then it is difficult to add in another, plus some gardeners - like me - would struggle to remember where all the clumps were!”
Will mark some clumps and let’s plan on in June or July.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/wisley-blogs/wisley/March-2016/dividing-snowdrops
How strange about the snowdrops as I always thought they were best moved while green.
DeleteHad another look yesterday - still nothing!
I was very sad to hear about the death of Ronald Blythe. An exceptional writer and an exceptional person. I must admit to be annoyed at the obituary in The Guardian saying he was born in Acton near Lavenham. It's nearer Sudbury. I write as someone who grew up in Sudbury. I have family roots in Lavenham.
ReplyDeleteYes Sudbury certainly is the biggest town near Acton. Perhaps they thought Guardian readers would have heard of the posher Lavenham rather than Sudbury!
DeleteI've got the Richard Coles to read, recieved it as a Christmas present, which I was very pleased about. The book on your new pile that interests me is I Bought a Mountain so I will look that up.
ReplyDeleteI read I bought a mountain years and years ago but it's just been reprinted and the library were buying new copies so I thought it was time for a re-read
DeleteSad about Ronald Blythe but a good age - I love his books and have most of them. I have really enjoyed the latest compilation which was my present to myself this Christmas. He has given me a lot of pleasure over the years.
ReplyDeleteI loved the new book too - interesting to have each of the monthly compilations introduced by some of his many friends
DeleteEnvy your library stash and the only one I have read is Mothers and Daughters-enjoy! Catriona
ReplyDeleteI like something a bit lighter now and again and Erica James' books are always well written
DeleteI am curious about your library system. Here in the area where I live in Michigan, USA, one can check out library books for 3 weeks, unless they are new acquisitions and there is a waiting list and then it is 2 weeks. We are expected to return the books by the deadline, but can renew them at that time if needed. However, new books with a waiting list cannot be renewed. There used to be a fine of 10 cents a day if the book was not returned before the deadline, but that practice was eliminated a few years ago, when it was determined that children were being denied access to new books, because some parents could not affort the fines and it was a huge bookkeeping mess. Now we only have to pay for a book if it is lost or destroyed.
ReplyDeleteBooks borrowed from a library in a building are loaned for 3 weeks and can be renewed up to 6 times if no one wants them but if they have been reserved by another person they cannot be renewed. BUT the mobile library is different as it only comes around every 4 weeks so books are stamped for 8 weeks to allow for one missed visit.
DeleteI believe there are still fines in libraries for late returns but that never happens to me as picking them up from the mobile means I have them for 8 weeks if needed. I often return books to Stowmarket library when I've read them to get them back in the system more quickly.
I've read and enjoyed the Erica James one, in fact I bought a copy when the hardback version was reduced. I'm just thinking about re-reading it as I finished reading Raynor Winn's Landlines yesterday. Erica writes in a style which I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI don't read many light books like EJ just in case they might make me cry - and I mustn't cry anymore now! Anyway I prefer crime.
DeleteA good stack of books there, and a good mix too. What a coincidence that Robert Blythe died just as you were enjoying his book. One hundred is a good age, but I should imagine it is so hard for his family after having him in their lives for so long.
ReplyDeleteBlythe will be missed by his many many friends all around the country and from all walks of life. 100 is amazing - doubt I shall get there!
DeleteIt looks like you have someinteresting ones there. I have a few on my pile from that dsp publisher -- I haven't read any yet (but I like their logo!). Curious to see if they are similar to the BCL series.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had a mobile library. I do take full advantage of the books and DVDs at my local library though. Love to see your book posts as it gives me ideas for books I want to read upcoming. You had one post where you highlighted so mnay good books...maybe a year end round up of your posts. I need to bookmark that one.
ReplyDeleteI am reading Donna Leon's Death and Judgment right now. I like this series set in Venice. I checked your other crime/mystery titles but my library doesn't carry them. :(
ReplyDeleteI love piles of books
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of those. Have got one of the Philippa Gregory ones to read next. Arilx
ReplyDeleteLooks like you will be enjoying lots of great reading.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I used to get so many library books. I need to again!
ReplyDeleteBy the looks of your books, your mobile library service seems to be working very well. You show a good diverse collection. RB was a prolific writer and I will seek out his books.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy seeing your library book haul. Mum really liked Erica James. I think she had read most of them!
ReplyDelete