Library Loot VIII

Before I share my Library Loot, I have another update on my running. Yesterday was the last day of my fall running class that I've been doing for the last several weeks. We did a time trial run to find out the time it takes us to run a mile, then we worked on maintain that same pace for the duration of the entire run. I paced a mile fairly consistently at about 11 minutes 30 seconds, with my second mile actually a bit faster than the first. I'd love to improve my mile pace to at least a 10 minute mile, and lucky for me, the gym has decided the pilot class was successful enough to allow it to be a permanent part of the fitness classes offered. So I've decided to continue training and sign up for the next session and run through the winter. In the meantime, I still haven't registered for the 5 Mile Race on Saturday, but found out I can register on race day, so I'm still considering it. I don't think I'm ready to run a full 5 miles yet, and I'm not sure how I'll feel mentally if I have to walk part of it. Just in case I do decide to do it, though, I'm going to run tomorrow morning with my running partner from class to get another run in this week and we're going to discuss the race. Heck, if I run 2 miles on Thanksgiving morning, maybe I won't feel as guilty for having a slice of both pumpkin and apple pie before the day over. ;)

Now for today's Library Loot!

Library Loot is a weekly blog event that encourages bloggers to share what books they borrowed from the library that week. To participate, simply make your Library Loot post on your blog and link it using the Mr. Linky link at Marg's blog Reading Adventures or Eva's blog A Striped Armchair. FYI, this week's Mr.Linky is at Marg's.

As usual, I didn't plan on borrowing any books from the library this week. I have two library books on my nightstand that are due back very soon, one of which I have already renewed once, so I really ought to read those before I start borrowing more. Plus I am next on the hold list at my library for the first book in Nora Roberts' new Bride Quartet, and I think it should be in soon. Plus I there are a few new releases out now that I'd like to buy and read. Yet I ran in to return a book today, and well, who can resist?

Cry No More by Linda Howard.

I had this title jotted down in my notes as a "Linda Howard must read," recommended to me by one or more of my trusted blogging friends. Which trusted blogging friends, I can't really say, because I forgot! Maybe it was azteclady? I know orannia recommended Mackenzie's Legacy by Linda Howard, which I will get to eventually through interlibrary loan since mine doesn't have it. In the meantime, I'm going to check out Cry No More. I've read two other Linda Howard novels and thought they were sweet romances, but I'm still waiting to be carried away with one of her works. Maybe this one is it.

Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey.

Once I had Cry No More in my hands, I went looking for Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, another popular and favorite read that has been recommended by numerous romance blogging friends. Every time I look for this book, it is always out and I always neglect to put a hold on it. Today was no exception. As I made my way to the check out desk, I walked passed the 'new books' section, and I use the term 'new books' loosely when referring to my library because the books on this shelf can be any book new to the library within the last 12-18 months. I guess 'new' is a relative term when you think of all the books shelved at a library. So I'm walking passed the 'new books' shelves, not even looking at titles and all of a sudden, in a random moment, my eyes simply focused on Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey and I knew it was meant to be. I've been curious about this book since I read reviews for it earlier this year by The Book Smugglers and at least one or two other trusted sites (Again with the forgetting...), and just the other day I was reminded of it when I saw another more recent review of it somewhere (More forgetting...).

I love the cover to this one, too. Kind of dark, mysterious, fluid. I want to know more about the young woman on the cover. Who is she? What is she capable of? I'm obviously looking forward to reading this one and will probably do so soon as it is a 'new book' and due back in just 14 days!

So tell me what's your latest library loot?

No library loot? Then tell me what's the last book you bought? I'm anxious to get to the bookstore myself this weekend to pick up a few books I've been waiting for.