Wednesday, February 3, 2010

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?


19 comments:

  1. The LIghtning Theif is so much fun! I haven't jumped to the others yet. I just wanted to read the first one before the movie too!

    I always check out music at my library. It's a good way to discover music before or if you want to buy them!

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  2. Yes, I get music and DVDs from our local library all the time.

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  3. I've read The Lightning Thief, at Daughter's urging. She ADORES the Percy Jackson books and has spent her own money on them, which being a teenager should tell you a lot. She is currently counting down the days until the movie's release. (And btw, Rick Riordin is currently working on a new series featuring the Egyptian Mythology, then he'll go back and write ANOTHER camp half-blood series.)

    I check out music and DVD's from my library all the time. My budget just doesn't work for buying all those CD's or movies and this way I still get to see some of them.

    I hope you're having a lovely day!

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  4. Ok so I love libaries but serisously my librairy is not that great..you got amazing books at yours. I want to read the Lily Bard books I have the first one I think, and I definently want to read The Lighting Theif books now that they are a movie.

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  5. Can't wait to hear YOUR thoughts about the Balogh. And from time to time I borrow music too. It's a great way to decide if I like something well enough to purchase, or to decide which tracks to purchase off an album on iTunes. Enjoy your loot!

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  6. I hit up the library today.
    I picked up Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, The Screwed Up Life of Charlie the Second by Drew Ferguson and Wolf Tales VI by Kate Douglas.

    I've already read Wolf Tales VI, but I requested it from the library's ILL about 4 months ago, and they finally got it, so I felt obliged to take it. heh. In the meantime, they already ordered the book and have it on the shelf. Talk about one hand not knowing what the other is doing.

    I'd pick up the Charlaine Harris series you mentioned, but I'm already in the middle of 17 other series, and I want to finish a couple of them before I start yet another addiction.

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  7. Excellent reading choices! I've wanted to try Mary Balough and the Lilly Baird books.

    I used to check out music from the library when I was a teen but haven't looked as an adult. I discovered David Bowie through the library!

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  8. I went through a phase a couple of years ago where I glommed Mary Balogh. I am just reading the first book of her last series, First Comes Marriage.

    I am all caught up on a couple of Charlaine Harris' series so I keep on meaning to start one of the lesser known series like this one. One day.

    Enjoy your loot!

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  9. You have a great selection of Loot. I like that you push your attention toward Harris' books. I am a fan of her Sookie's series and would someday want to read more of her work. I can always hear that Southern accent on her characters and can almost taste a blood when she points it out from a distance. I'm turning back into a vamp now from being a wolf myself. But you surely enjoy Alicia's solo version of Empire state of mind. I kept hearing it from Light FM or PLJ radio stations. She had that crispy harshy type of voice but could definitely hit that very high notes on her live performance. Whatta great talent we have closeby right?

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  10. Christine, I hope you enjoy the Balogh. Can't wait to read your thoughts on it. :)

    RE: Percy. The Lightning Thief was my first review for Impressions last year. I'm not usually a YA reader, but I read & reviewed this series for the young ones in my family. They ALL loved it -- girls & boys alike. It's amazing how they all go around spouting Greek mythology without even knowing it, lol! I loved the whole series. I'm glad your daughter is enjoying it. :)

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  11. I've heard nothing but good things about the Balogh story - hope it lives up to it. :)

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  12. Thanks for taking time to check out my Library Loot, everyone! :)

    Michelle: I'm promising to read The Lightning Thief as soon as I finish the Lily Bard book I'm reading now... which will most likely be tonight.

    Linda: I don't know why I never thought of borrowing music from the library. I think I just assumed they'd have outdated stuff, but they get a few new releases every week!

    Brandy: Oooo! Egyptian Mythology! That sounds awesome.

    Good idea to check out movies, too. Do you have redbox machines near you for movies? That's what we've been using a lot recently. Although they don't stock blu ray yet.

    Caitlin: I am doing a decent job of hunting down the good stuff at my library, but they don't shelve as much romance and fantasy as I wished they did.

    Phyl: I will definitely report back on the Balogh story. I have to read it soon... it's due back next Saturday already!

    Venus, Oh! Perfect Chemistry!!! I read that last summer and LOVED it! So did my teen. I think I reviewed it back in August if you want to read more of my thoughts on it. I hope you like it as much as I did.

    Only 17 series? LOL.

    I am loving Lily Bard. I highly recommend the series.

    Patti: Sounds like you need to make a trip to your library for the Balogh release, a few Lily Bard books, and maybe some new music!

    Marg: Would you believe these two Lily Bard books are my first foray into Charlaine Harris? Funny how I've had the Sookie books on my shelves for three years and growing... yet a trip to the library and I'm reading Lily Bard books. LOL.

    Natalie: You should look for the Lily Bard books on your next library loot trip. Then let me know how the author's voice compares to that of the Sookie books.

    I've only just started noticing Alicia's solo version of "Empire State of Mind" on the radio. Is light FM 102.7? We listen to the same stations. I sometimes also listen to Z100 but in smaller doses these days.

    I love the way Alicia's NY accent reveals itself now and then when she sings. It reminds me that she's a local. ;)

    Hilcia: I'm going to start the Balogh this week... I'm sure I'm going to like it. You and Phyl have good taste. :)

    That is so cool about the kids in your family spouting Greek mythology now! LOL Love that!

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  13. Oh, I want to know what you think of A Matter of Class. Quite frankly, I haven't read that many books by Mary Balogh, but if it's available at the library and if my library has it, I'll probably look out for it :D

    and yay on the Percy Jackson series! I think you're going to enjoy them. They're just fun and fast reads :D The movie though, not sure...

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  14. nath, why aren't you sure about the movie? Is the trailer so different from the book?

    It looks like there's a lot of interest in my opinion on the Balogh book, so I shall make that a priority! :D

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  15. Oh, I look forward to hearing what you think of both The Lightning Thief and A Matter of Class.

    Music - I have borrowed the odd CD, but not many.

    Oh, and my latest book from the library is Murder for Christ's Mass (Maureen Ash) - medieval suspense. I'm not in the mood for romance ATM, so am reading fantasy with the odd bit of suspense :)

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  16. orannia, so the medieval suspense you are reading at the moment is fantasy as opposed to historical fiction?

    Never mind, I'll just pop over to your blog and take a peek. Hey look! I even have a tab already open for your blog in my browser from yesterday before obviously getting distracted... ;)

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  17. Christine, it's going to be on my TBR, I'll look for them in my library. Regarding Light FM it's actually 106.7, I listen mostly during their morning show where one of the hosts is Christine (heh same as your name) who originally came from Z100 Morning Zoo and was replaced by Carolina. LOL, I should stick to reading novels...but I also listen to Fresh (102.7). Both stations play great love/soulful/pop music I like the most to keep me at peace on the road - on my to work or way back home.

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  18. Wonderful collection of books Christine!

    You enjoy. :)

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  19. Natalie, You'd think I'd know what radio stations I listen to! LOL! I only listen to the radio in the car and really I don't go far... maybe the distance of two or three songs at a time. LOL! Even then... I have a handful of stations on preset and just press 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and don't know which one I'm on half the time. ;)

    Lea, thanks! I DID enjoy them! I read the Mary Balogh and Charlaine Harris books and am now reading the first Percy Jackson book. Well, trying to, anyway. ;)

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