Library Loot is a weekly meme hosted by Claire of The Captive Reader and Marg of The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader. Readers share what library books they have picked up recently. Marg is hosting this week.
This library loot post is actually the accumulation of several library trips, adding up to quite a lot.
We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families by Philip Gourevitch
– I’ve heard high praise for Gourevitch’s book about the 1994 Rwandan genocide. It has a heck of a title.
Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan
– This was one of the ‘it’ books for a little while, five stories about children, set in various countries within Africa. Its cover has always drawn my eye. I’ve read the first two stories so far.
On Agate Hill by Lee Smith
This story covers about fifty years in the life of Molly Petree, a young woman from North Carolina whose parents are killed in the Civil War. This will be the third book I have read by Lee Smith – I love Smith’s storytelling style, and her knack for telling stories that take place over many years.
Istanbul by Orhan Pamuk
– I really love the sounds of this one. From the jacket: “Blending reminiscence with history; family photographs with portraits of poets and pashas; art criticism, metaphysical musing, and now and again, a fanciful tale, Orhan Pamuk invents an ingenious form to evoke his lifelong home, the city that forged his imagination.”
The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice
– This was one of my favorite summer reads a few years ago and I decided to treat myself to it again.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
– One of those books that is a well-known entity, but I haven’t got around to reading it myself. Soon I will.
On the Prowl by Patricia Briggs, Eileen Wilks, Karen Chance and Sunny
This is a collection of four urban fantasy stories. I’m checking it out mainly for Briggs’ story “Alpha and Omega” which is the story that started off her Alpha and Omega werewolf series, a sort of spinoff series for Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series.
Bury the Chains: Prophets and Rebels in the Fight to Free an Empire’s Slaves by Adam Hochschild
– This non-fiction book chronicles the anti-slavery movement as it occurred in Great Britain. I will probably rewatch the film Amazing Grace after reading this.
Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet by Bill McKibben
– I’ve read two of McKibben’s books, but I haven’t read this recent book of his.
Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt
– This is a short memoir about the author’s experience helping to raise his grandchildren after his daughter – their mother – dies unexpectedly.
Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris
– A comic novel about the workplace.
A Good Stopping Point 
Such a nice mix of books.
I’ll be interested in what you think of On Agate Hill.
I read On The Prowl. Good mix of supernatural/urban fantasy stories.
So many wonderful picks! I loved Making Toast when I read it in March and The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets is one of my favourite summer reads (I eventually bought my own copy when I moved to a city where the library didn’t have it). I was just looking at Istanbul at my library branch yesterday and it does look wonderful. Enjoy your loot!
I’ve read a lot of Krakauer but like Into Thin Air the best. Enjoy.
I only checked out On the Prowl so I could read “Alpha and Omega”. I think I like that series better than the Mercy Thompson books.
I haven’t read any of your loot, but it looks like some good reading. Enjoy!
Mystica – I’m very pleased with the range, as I like to sample all sorts of subjects and styles.
Linda – I read the story “Alpha and Omega” this past weekend and liked it. The others weren’t quite my thing – I seem to be mostly a Briggs fan when it comes to urban fantasy.
Claire – I’m definitely thinking if I enjoy Eva Rice’s book as much this time, that I will also get my own copy.
pagesofjulia – Haven’t read any Krakauer, which is kind of amazing to me.
Bookish Hobbit – I thought the first book was ok, but with the second book, that series started growing on me. Now that I’ve read this initial story about Charles and Anna, I kind of want to re-read their series.
Alison – Thanks for stopping by!