Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Library Loot - February 4


This was a small week for us. We just have so many from previous weeks, I can't keep piling them on! Can I? The kids have such a surplus they didn't pick anything up either. We didn't even step into a library all weekend; that's unusual for us. But we were in two different ones today!

Living on the Wind: Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds. We love books about birds.

Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Home, Work, and School. Interesting book (so far, I'm not too much into it yet) about brain development and differences. Full of evolution; if that's not your bag you can skim those parts; if it offends you, stay away. I'm a bit miffed that "homeschool" does not appear in the index, even though there is a fair bit of talk on "customized instruction" for schoolchildren. Also see the author's site.

The Other Side of the Bridge. But, from the blurb and the first few pages, it looks like a Family Tragedy Story, and I am so done with those kinds of books, no matter how well-written. So back it goes, unfinished. I picked it up after reading this review, so, your mileage may vary. Sorry, Mrs. Smallworld!

The Private Lives of the Impressionists, inspired by my partial reading of Luncheon of the Boating Party. I also placed requests for a few more books on Renoir, et al.

The Five Red Herrings & Murder Must Advertise because people are constantly telling me to read some Dorothy Sayers right now! But which is the best to start with?

Looking at Pictures (apparently out of print; written by Kenneth Clark) because we're in sort of an art mode.

Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian because we need some new recipes. We aren't vegetarian, but we love Ms. Jaffrey's cookbooks!

Earth, a coffee-table type book filled with stunning pictures; a good browsing book.

Almost forgot Inkheart, which I keep hearing about. I doubt we'll see the movie, but... it looks like a good read-aloud.

To see more Library Loot, check in at A Striped Armchair.

5 comments:

Sarah at SmallWorld said...

Oh, ouch! Yes, it is a family tragedy, but it is a spectacularly written book!

samantha.1020 said...

I will be interested in hearing your thoughts on Inkheart. I've been wanting to read that one for awhile but haven't had the chance to pick it up yet :)

Sandra said...

The bird and art books sound interesting. The other Side of the Bridge sounds like something I'd like. You've got a nice variety there. happy reading.

Marbel said...

Sarah, I did keep it on my list to look for in the future. I nearly always like the books you do, and I trust (and love reading) your reviews. But I just can't do the family tragedies these days.

I hope to get to Inkheart this week, but we've had precious little family reading time lately!

Eva said...

I love Sayers! I haven't read Five Red Herrings, yet, though-I've been saving a couple for a rainy day. ;) I really enjoyed Murder Must Advertise (best. cricket. scene. ever), but it doesn't seem to have to best reputation in the series. So I'd start with Five Red Herrings.