Library Loot: the Eclectic

Posted on | February 20, 2010 | 19 Comments

I returned a number of books to the library unread this week; I am struggling with the time and inclination. I am far preferring to read on a whim and the library pile was becoming overwhelming. I intend to read some of them at another time, a time where I feel more relaxed about it. As it is I did have a few other book requests to collect so I swapped them, in the hope that these ones appeal to me more.

The top two books are requests I made towards the end of last year; both were on loan at the time of my requesting them and I have waited several months for them to come in.

Kitchen Confidential/A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain: a double-header of U.S. celebrity chef Bourdain’s non-fiction; the first is an exposé of the culinary underworld and is a travel and epicurean account of Bourdain’s experiences during his first TV show. I love reading and I love food so the combination seems like a sure recipe for success. Moreover, I’ve heard great things about Bourdain’s witty writing style and I am a fan of the man himself. Chef Bourdain, how I love thee? Let me count the ways…

In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami: I’ve been wanting to read this the beginning of Dolce Bellezza’s Japanese literature Challenge III and one month after the challenge concluded, a copy turns up! The “other” Murakami comes recommended and although I have another of his novels to hand I wanted to start with this one, one of his more popular and well-known titles.

My Father’s Notebook by Kader Abdolah: I have read good things about Abdolah’s The House of the Mosque and it was only upon looking into the book further that I realised that one of his earlier novels had been on my wish-list for some time; I was intrigued by this coincidence and also curious what made me add the book to my wish-list in the first place so I requested it from the library and will read that before the one currently being hyped.

The Girl With Glass Feet by Ali Shaw: this new novel has been on my radar since it was published but it is due to the Not the TV Book Group that I was compelled to read it sooner rather than later; I only managed to the library today to collect it so I won’t have read it in time to participate in the discussion but I am thankful to Simon for choosing this one and enjoying it thus far.

Blankets by Craig Thompson: this graphic novel has garnered a lot of attention on the blogosphere of late and I first took notice of it when Darren of Bart’s Bookshelf reviewed it at the close of last year. The length of this one (near 600 pages) is daunting as I have never read a graphic novel that is so long but I have been assured that it is intensely readable and accessible. I see myself curling up with this one soon as its snowy art is season-appropriate.

Have you read any of these yourself or intend to?

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg encouraging library use and its promotion.

Comments

19 Responses to “Library Loot: the Eclectic”

stujallen
February 20th, 2010 @ 11:51 pm

oh great haul , i m 140 pages into the ali shaw ,loved the bourdain books when read them ,he describes food and scenery so well , not sure of ryu murkami have looked at them before
Claire (The Captive Reader)
February 21st, 2010 @ 1:03 am

Great haul. I picked up the Ali Shaw a few weeks ago, intending to read it for the Not The TV Book Group discussion this weekend, but due to some unexpected travel this week it remains unread. Even though I won’t be involved in the discussion, I’m still very much looking forward to reading it.
Simon (Savidge Reads)
February 21st, 2010 @ 1:10 am

I want to read that Kader Abdolah so, so much its untrue! It’s one I will wait for though as am not sure he has had another translated yet and hes an author I want to savour. Enjoyed In The Miso Soup very much too.

Look forward to your thoughts on The Girl With Glass Feet, I am so nervous about hosting the NTTVBG I feel quite sick! Friendly faces much appreciated hee hee.
Becky from Page Turners
February 21st, 2010 @ 2:02 am

I haven’t read any of these or intend to any time soon, but I did just read a review of The Girl with Glass Feet on someone elses blog and they were very diappointed with it.
Eva
February 21st, 2010 @ 2:17 am

That is definitely an eclectic mix! I really want to read the Shaw; I’m just waiting for my library to process it (and then I’m a bit down on the list).

I intend to read Blankets eventually; it just doesn’t feel like the right time at the moment. But everyone seems to adore it, so as soon as I’m in the mood for a graphic novel, I’ll try to nab it from my library.
Michelle (su[shu])
February 21st, 2010 @ 4:17 am

I’ve read Blankets and absolutely loved that one. But I’m sure by now you’d have read countless rave reviews on it. So I’ll stop here.

I’m only read one book by Ryu Murakami, Almost Transparent Blue, and found it immensely disturbing. I had no intention of ever picking his books up again after that, but for some odd reason, I seem drawn to the shelf with his books whenever I’m at the library. All I’m saying is, I think you have to be in the right frame of mind to be thrown around violently, if the book I read is anything to gauge his work against.

I’m definitely interested to try out Kader Abdolah and Ali Shaw, but not right now. Being drowned by library books. Hehe..

Enjoy!
Rachel
February 21st, 2010 @ 4:38 am

Blankets is on my too read list. I am trying to decide if I should start that next or if I should attempt East of Eden.
Verity
February 21st, 2010 @ 8:37 am

An intriguing mix of titles that I hope will inspire you a bit more. None on my radar really although I’ve heard of the Ali Shaw.
Paperback Reader
February 21st, 2010 @ 11:58 am

Stu, have you finished the Shaw? I’m still in the early pages. I’m particularly looking forward to Bourdain’s descriptions of food; if his narration on No Reservations is anything to go by then it’s going to be delectable.

Claire, I’m looking forward to catching up on the discussion once I’ve finished the book and have no plans on rushing it. I’m grateful for the push to read it.

Simon, I think that this is Abdolah’s only other translated work so best to ration it for a while! I’ll do that in the opposite order, hee.

I provided you with your friendly face but I don’t think you have anything to feel sick about! Discussion looks to be going well.

Becky, was that on Karen of BookBath’s blog? I spied the review myself and the ultimate disappointment but will leave the reasoning for once I’ve read it.

Eva, I’m not in the mood for a graphic novel myself but hope to be in a week or two; Blankets sounds wonderful but I need to be in the frame of mind for the form.

Michelle, glad to know there is another Blankets fan! I’ll be checking out everyone’s review that I haven’t already seen once I’ve read it.

Rachel, that’s quite the different two choices of what to read next! As you can see though, I enjoy eclecticism in my book choices.

Verity, I’m hoping to read these and then only have one or two library books at a time from now on… we’ll see how that plan works out.
Darren @ Bart's Bookshelf
February 21st, 2010 @ 12:53 pm

You’re in for a fantastic few hours curled up reading Blankets!
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
February 21st, 2010 @ 2:57 pm

I own Blankets and have heard so many wonderful things about it. The length put me off, but apparently it only takes a few hours to read.

I’m really interested in your thoughts on Miso Soup. I want to know if it will be too violent for me or not!

Enjoy your books!
Jenny
February 21st, 2010 @ 4:32 pm

I love Blankets – hope you will too! It was one of the first graphic novels I ever read, and I remember being surprised at how friendly and accessible it was. Lovely book.
Paperback Reader
February 21st, 2010 @ 6:00 pm

Darren, I’m looking forward to curling up with a fleecy blanket of my own and reading it in one sitting!

Jackie, I have heard the same, that it is very accessible and a quick read.
I’ll be sure to share my thoughts on In the Miso Soup as I know you’ve been wanting to read Ryu Murakami.

Jenny, I’m pleased to hear another positive review of it! I haven’t read a bad one yet. I haven’t read many graphic novels and this one sounds a perfect addition to those that I have.
anothercookiecrumbles
February 22nd, 2010 @ 12:47 am

Oh, I want to read In The Miso Soup as well. Can’t wait to read how you get on with it.

Also, looking forward to your thoughts on Girl With Glass Feet. It’s kind-of on my TBR….

Good haul, that!
Paperback Reader
February 22nd, 2010 @ 11:13 am

anothercookie, my thoughts on The Girl With Glass Feet will be with you soonish as I’m mid-way through. I hope I get on well with In the Miso Soup as I’ve been curious about it for some time.
Steph
February 22nd, 2010 @ 2:21 pm

I was less impressed with Kitchen Confidential when I read it last year, but admittedly, I don’t really like Bourdain all that much. However, if you like his brashness, then you’ll probably enjoy the book, because it’s certainly his voice loud & clear on the page!

It was certainly a fun book to read, but I think it does show its age to some extent. Some of the things he talks about may have been revelatory when he first mentioned them, but in the age of cooking networks and Top Chef and the like, a lot of it will seem like old hat to anyone who’s even remotely interested in food.
Paperback Reader
February 22nd, 2010 @ 6:43 pm

Steph, I remember your review and I will be approaching this with caution as a result; however, as you mention, you are not a fan of him nor his brashness, whilst I think he’s the best thing since sliced bacon

The datedness of it is an interesting point. I am a bit of a foodie and a big fan of Top Chef but fairly ignorant of the industry so some of it may be revelatory to me.
Cath
February 23rd, 2010 @ 11:40 pm

I’ve read and enjoyed Kitchen Confidential. Even though I didn’t know that much about Bourdain I found his revelations about working in a professional kitchen absolutely rivetting. I have one more of his books, The Nasty Bits, on my tbr pile so must get to that at some stage.
Paperback Reader
February 24th, 2010 @ 11:36 am

Cath, I’m sure that I will find the style and content riveting too. Enjoy The Nasty Bits!