I am trying to limit the amount of books I can take out at the library at once. I have to admit that I am failing miserably, and that there is a large pile of books sitting on my “library shelf” at home. But because I am lazy, and because I have finished reading most of these – I have limited the books listed below to the most recent arrivals and the ones I haven’t read yet. This makes for a rather surprising assemble, or so I think.
Juliet, Naked – Nick Hornby
I was looking for a new audio book as I am planning on picking up walking before I turn to running again with my sprained ankle. I have a reread of Persuasion waiting on my iPod, and I am *still* in the middle of Brave New World (which I am not enjoying on audio, perhaps it’s better in print?), but when I saw this I simply couldn’t not take it home with me. I usually enjoy Hornby’s books, but I always feel High Fidelity is his best. When reading reviews, many have compared this one favourably to that title, saying that with Juliet, Naked Hornby brings back some of his former magic. I’m really looking forward to starting on this one.
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist – Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
I remember Ana’s review of this, and I remember wanting to read it because of that review and because it features music. And I love books about music. And I trust Ana’s opinion. So there. And also, I saw the movie, which I enjoyed. I feel like this does not cover my excitement about seeing this book on the shelves of the library at all – I honestly had never expected to find it there and I was so happy when I came across it by accident. So yay! Can’t wait to read this. Unfortunately, my library only had the Dutch version..
Daughter of the Forest – Juliet Marillier
The hold for this one finally came in. I admit I am not sure what to make of the Dutch cover (not pictured), but this came recommended by Ana for my fairy tale project, which makes me eager to dive in. I rather hope I enjoy it, because it appears my library owns at least 10 more titles by Marillier. Doesn’t it always make you feel so happy when you notice a potential treasure of an author’s books on the library shelves? Another reason I’m looking forward to this is that its description tells me it is about a daughter, instead of her brothers, destined to protect her father’s land. And it involves travel to a foreign land. And.. I don’t know, the description just promises what could be a great story.
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening – L.J. Smith
Yep, I can see you all laughing from a mile off. But given my constant annoyance at the authors of the TV series during season 3, and seeing as I always used to say that the TV series is so much better based on my sampling the first 30 or so pages of the books, I felt I had better give the books another go now that I no longer know if I truly love the TV series. And also, the show’s on hiatus and I kind of need my TVD kick. I am so pathetic. I should probably admit that this book has been in my possession for the past 2 months or so, and I can never quite get myself to read it.
The Ice Queen – Alice Hoffman
Another hold that came in at the library after Ana recommended it for my fairy tale reading project. Here comes confession number one: I have never read anything by Alice Hoffman before. Confession number two: I am a little nervous about what I’ll find inside. It’s labelled as a psychological thriller and I’m not always the best person for those. I see that bloggers are quite divided about this one. But anyway, I’ll give this a go and see whether I enjoy it or not.
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Library Loot is a weekly meme co-hosted by Claire (The Captive Reader) and Marg (The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader) that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library.
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is so much better than the movie! I watched it kind of recently, and having read the book first actually ruined it for me. Their relationship seemed so much shallower. If you enjoyed it, I think you’ll definitely enjoy the book too.
And yay for Daughter of the Forest! But I should probably tell you that although most descriptions make it sound all magical in a light sort of way, it’s actually dark and painful and has very difficult things happening to the heroine. I don’t want to spoil it for you or anything, but personally I might have been a bit shocked if I had gone in expecting something along the lines of, say, The Goose Girl.
I’m glad to hear the book is better than the movie, as I did enjoy it but didn’t think it was *that* special. Apart from the fact that I kind of like the adorably nerdy actor playing Nick.
I’ll keep your warning in mind. I have to say I didn’t expect something charming and light like The Goose Girl, but I like knowing and being prepared beforehand. Have you read the rest of the series?
No, though I’ve heard they’re good too! If I’m not mistaken, Eva and Kelly are fans. Also, I forgot to say above that I’ve very curious to hear what you think of The Ice Queen. I can see how it would divide opinions, but it’s my favourite Hoffman to date. But to be honest I’d never have thought of describing it as a psychological thriller
My library tends to label a lot of books as psychological thrillers. The Storm was labelled as such too, and it wasn’t a thriller really. I’m glad to hear you wouldn’t label it as such.
Juliet, Naked is really good! The only other book I’ve read by Hornby is High Fidelity, so I can’t say how it compares to his other work, but I really enjoyed it. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, however, didn’t do it for me. It felt a little silly and unrealistic to me, but I hope you like it
I’m sorry to hear Nick and Norah didn’t work for you. I’m starting to become really excited about Juliet, Naked, since so many are commenting that they enjoyed it.
look forward to review of the hornby and I ve seen nick and norah the film but know lot music mentioned is different in the book ,all the best stu
Oh, that’s interesting! Perhaps I should rewatch the movie so I can see how the book compares to the movie on the music covered.
Nick and Norah’s Playlist is such an awesome read! Now I want to re-read it. Happy reading!
Oh, I’m so glad you liked it! Will definitely try to enjoy it.
I have had Daughter of the Forest on my shelves for the longest time, after reading someone’s rave review of it, and I will be excited to see what you think. I need some good fantasy, and I will be eager to find out if this one hits the mark for you.
I’m excited but also a little nervous about starting it. It is also quite long (I think around 500 pages) so I really hope I’ll enjoy it.
Lots of good reading lined up for you here! Like you, I like High Fidelity best of all Nick Hornby’s books, but Juliet, Naked is also very good — and quite similar to HF in its focus on music. I also really loved Daughter of the Forest, so I hope you enjoy that one too!
I’m so glad commenters are comparing Juliet, Naked to High Fidelity favourably too. And I’m also looking forward to Daughter of the Forest.
It looks like you have a very interesting list. Don’t tell anyone but I don’t think I’ve read any of Hornby’s work (sshhhh) I hope you enjoy the Hoffman, I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts!
There’s nothing wrong with never having read a Hornby. He does have some interesting non-fiction books on reading. I once started reading him because in the mix-tape, record collecting protagonist of High Fidelity I recognised a little of my own obsession with music.
I need to make room for a Nick Hornby book, really. I’ve seen movies based on his books, never read the books! oppositely: I haven’t seen the movie of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, but I did read the book — a very quick and likeable read. Hope you enoy the books! (:
I’m hoping the book will be better than the movie in case of Nick and Norah. Did you enjoy the movies based on Nick Hornby’s novels? In that case, you might enjoy his books. I actually think his books are often better.
I’ve read so-so reviews about the film adaption of Nick & Norah — mixed opinions, but I’ll have to see it sometime.
I have enjoyed them! About A Boy is a favorite of mine, too, so I imagine that will be the Hornby book I read first.
Heh, you have library books shelf?
I tend to enjoy Hornby’s non-fiction more than his novels, they mostly make me feel impatient with the main characters and wanting them to grow up already. But I do better with dark books so maybe the Hoffmann needs to go on my tbr (I haven’t read any Hoffman either!).
It’s not really a shelf so much as a shelf of book on which the library books are double-stacked so as to keep them off the floor. But I do try to keep them on that one shelf, or I wouldn’t be able to find anything back
I miss TVD sooooo much! It’s so long until it returns! I need it to return at once. I want all sorts of shenanigans, and people being vampires, and the town being the presumable villain of the piece? And hopefully NO ORIGINALS AT ALL. That would be perfect.
Team NO ORIGINALS AT ALL all the way. I am with you on about everything you mentioned. Also, yay for Jenny comments
I thought Juliet Naked was excellent in audio, one of those cases where a story and narrator combined to great effect. Thought the music transitions between chapters conveyed the mood perfectly.
I am so glad to hear the audio edition is excellent! It can really make or break a book if the first read is in audio, I think. And I’m so happy to hear that there are music transitions between the chapters – that sounds very fitting.
Like Bina, I’m baffled that you have a library book shelf
At the moment, my library hauls (always too much, sigh) crowds our dinner table. S. is not quite happy about it. It’s been ages since I last read a Hornby, looking forward to your review of Juliet, Naked. As for TVD… I have never watched it (because there’s only one vampire show for me… Buffy!!!), but hey, who knows, I might give it a go. Although I’d love to catch up with The Walking Dead first.
Nick and Norah’s was on my TBR list….thanks for reminding me of it.
Jen C
Readinginwbl.com