Library Loot XI

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. This week's link up is at Marg's.

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

I wanted to read this historical romance immediately after reading Hilcia's review and when I read Phyl's equally encouraging review shortly after that, I was impatient to do so. It turns out that the book was just being processed in my library, so I quickly jumped on the hold list and was second in line.

The only work of Mary Balogh's I've previously read was her short story contribution to the Heart of Christmas anthology, "A Handful of Gold" back in December and I enjoyed it very much, so I'm looking forward to reading this latest release. It's only a two week book, and I know there is a waiting list for it, which prohibits me from renewing it, so I'll read this one very soon.

Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris

Shakespeare's Trollop by Charlaine Harris

Lily Bard Mystery Series

These are the first two books in the Lily Bard Mystery series by Charlaine Harris. I had read such glowing series reviews from first Danielle at ALPHA Reader back in early November and then shortly after that from Angie at Angieville, both of which prompted me to make a mental note to look for these books. And then never did.

Recently, I discovered a section of shelves in my library that holds numerous romance, mystery and thriller paperbacks that are not catalogued in the system, so I've been browsing them each time I visit the library to see if there's anything of interest to me. I'm not really sure why these books are not barcoded so I can search for them with the online library catalogue, but at least now I know this section actually exists so I can search the good old fashioned way. Lucky for me, I spotted the first two books in the Lily Bard series in this section and immediately checked them out. Within pages I was strongly attached to Lily. I finished reading Shakespeare's Landlord yesterday and already started reading Shakespeare's Champion. I have a feeling I'm going to plow through this series quickly. I already checked the online catalog and the library actually has the rest of the series in hardcover, hence it's catalogued. I think I may suggest that they catalogue the first two books so they get shelved with the rest of the series. I wonder if they have the same appreciation for having a whole series catalogued and shelved together.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordin

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordin

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordin

Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Book 1, 2 and 3

I have been meaning to read this series for at least a year now, and my interest was recently renewed in this series after seeing that a few of my book blogging friends picked it up and read the first book, compounded by the fact that a movie based on the first book is coming out in theaters later this month. After waiting a week or more for one of the four copies of the first book that my library has to become available, I finally brought The Lightning Thief home to read. I encouraged my ten year old daughter to read it and at first she declined the book, but said yes to see the movie with me. Her preferred genre is chick lit for middle school age girls. Lo and behold, I caught her halfway through the book a few days later! LOL! This week alone she has also read the next two books in the series, Sea of Monsters and The Titan's Curse, and I believe I promised her a trip out to pick up books 4 and 5 tonight! Hey, when a girl's gotta have her books, a girl's gotta have her books. I get that. ;)

In the meantime, I've read the first chapter of The Lightning Thief, but am determined to finish it before the movie releases. Harry Potter is just going to have to set aside for Percy Jackson for a week or so, as that next film doesn't release until later this year.

Elements of Freedom by Alicia Keys

I love Alicia Keys and this album is really fantastic. Remember how much I loved her duet performance of Empire State of Mind with Jay-Z? Well, her solo version of the same song, "Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" is equally amazing. All of her songs on this album are R&B style; very poetic, soulful, emotional, and romantic and oh so good. One song, "Put It In A Love Song," features guest artist Beyonce and is a bit less R&B and more energetic and pop-like.


I've only recently started paying attention to the music section in my library. I don't know why I've always passed by it in the past, but it will become a regular section for me from now on, I'm sure.

Do you borrow music from your library?

Have you read any of these books from my Library Loot this week?