Sunday, February 08, 2009

Salon Sunday...my second time around


Care to guess where I've spent a good deal of my time this past week? Yep, in our newly-completed-at-least-for-the-time-being library! Is it the library of my dreams? Well, yes and no. No, in that it isn't full of floor-to-very-high-ceiling bookcases with rolling ladders and a big work table and enough comfy-sink-right-in chairs for the whole family and a fireplace... But yes, in that we actually have a cozy little room in our very own home to sneak away to read.























































































































































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A little late with this week's Library Loot. (Many thanks to our lovely hostesses, Eva and Alessandra.) Annie and I never got to the library until yesterday. But I did pick up a new pile of goodies. Shouldn't have, but did. What I wanted more than anything was the next Sandman volume, but it was checked out. I actually knew it was before I went, because I looked it up on the library's website...but I had to look for myself, just in case. And though it wasn't there, I'm glad I moseyed over to the graphic novels section to check anyway...because I found two other fabulous goodies that I've been wanting to get my hands on!

However, in picking up both of these, I've found myself forced to confront a problem I knew was coming. It involves awarding points in The Blame Game. See, I have all these little notebooks in which I write down "I want that book" books. I also sometimes just write down these titles on scraps of paper and then later stick them into one of these notebooks. I generally write down the book's title and author, along with where I heard about the book. And here is where the problem arises...I sometimes find that I've written down the same book on more than one occasion. And when this happens, who gets the point? I have a similar, yet different problem as well...sometimes I get all excited about someone's review, write it down, but don't get around to actually picking the book up. But then someone else comes along and pushes me right over the edge and makes me immediately seek out the book. I've decided that in both these instances, I'm just going to award a point to each book-pusher involved. I just don't know how else to be fair in doling out the blame.

Okay, after that long, horribly drawn-out explanation, I shall finally get around to showing what books I picked up and who gets the blame:

The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg. I had this one written down twice. Carl's review and Dewey's review. Point for each of them.









American Born Chinese by Gene Juen Yang. Need more proof of my failing memory? I wrote this one down three separate times! So points are awarded for Alison's review, Nymeth's review, and Dewey's review!








Those are the only point winning library books (though tomorrow's Mailbox Monday will yield a few more), but I did pick up a few other books while there:

Globalization: Opposing Viewpoints edited by Louise I. Gerdes. Swim Against the Current: Even a Dead Fish Can Go with the Flow by Jim Hightower. Globalization and Its Discontents by Joseph E. Stiglitz. Just some books for homeschooling.



























Cat and Fish by Joan Grant. Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. A couple for me and the resident cat-obsessionist to enjoy together.

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So what's on my reading horizons for the week?

I hope to read both Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi and Rose by Jeff Smith and Charles Vess for the Graphic Novels Challenge (and because I need to return them to the library). I need to read "Appointment With Death" (the play) by Agatha Christie, Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe by James R. Arnold and Roberta Wiener, and chapter 7 of The Scientists by John Gribbin for homeschooling. I'd love to finish In the Land of Invisible Women by Qanta A. Amhed and Down to a Sunless Sea by Mathias B. Freese. Of course, as usual, I'm sure my goals far exceed my reality.

19 comments:

Ana S. said...

The library looks wonderful, Debi! So cosy! Makes me want to build a raft, cross the Atlantic in it, and go spend that month with you :P

And what a great library loot! I've been meaning to read The Plain Janes too. American Born Chinese is one I think you'll love. And wow, Cat and Fish has such a cool cover. Enjoy Rose! I really look forward to your thoughts on it.

Literary Feline said...

Look at all those books and beautiful shelves! A booklover's heaven right there in your house.

You've got me dreaming now . . .

Have a great week, Debi!

Ali said...

It's a beautiful library! And I love seeing the pictures of it in use.

I loved both the Plain Janes and American Born Chinese! Your post made me realize that I haven't actually written my review of American Born Chinese yet. Vacation is over--Must get back to writing book reviews!

Debi said...

Nymeth,
I'm sure you know, but let me say it anyway...that invitation stands whenever you get that raft ready! And of course, should you come across an easier mode of transportation, too! :)

Isn't that cover gorgeous?!! And you should see the inside...every page has another beautiful illustration! I'm seriously tempted to order this book to own.

Literary Feline,
There really is something soothing about sitting somewhere and being surrounded by books, isn't there? :)

Ali,
Thank you! And I'm really looking forward to reading your review...I don't think I've seen a single bad word said about that book yet. Can't wait to get to it myself!

Megan said...

What a lovely library! I'm all jealous and stuff. I've got a room filled with a bunch of books which I suppose I could call a library, but it still needs at least one super comfy chair and a decent light for reading not to mention all the random junk that *isn't* bookish to be cleared out. *considers* Maybe I could go get a chair....

Jean said...

Nice library!! I could live there, I think. I hope you get to use one of those comfy chairs that Rich and Annie are in for your own reading.

Brittanie said...

Debi
Will City of the Dead be okay for the medical condition title?
Thank you
Brittanie

Melody said...

Wow, the library looks lovely! I want more bookshelves right now! Although I can't say our studyroom is a library, but I thought it'd be nice to add in some comfy chairs for the look of it! ;P

chrisa511 said...

Debi! I'm in love with your library :D It's amazing. You did such a fantastic job. I want to come snuggle up in it and read now!! I love that the cat has made himself at home in the library too :)

I think you'll love American Born Chinese! It was such an excellent GN. Enjoy all your new books in that wonderful library :)

Thoughts of Joy said...

What a fabulous library! I have Plain Janes on my TBR list. I'm eager to read what you think of it. Now I can actually visualize when I say . . . Happy Reading! :)

Eva said...

LOVE the new library Debi! And those books look like a ton of fun. :) (Oh-and you can't be late with library loot; it's an all-week meme...I just put it up on Wednesdays because that happened to be the first post, lol.)

Debi said...

Megan,
Thanks! Oh yes, I think your search for the perfect comfy chair should begin now!

Jean,
Thanks! And I do...Rich and usually get there first, so it's generally Annie sitting on pillows on the floor. Unfortunately, there's really not room for any more chairs. Pretty small room.

Brittanie,
Yep, Annie says that will be fine! In fact, I think quite a few people are using "dead" as their medical condition.

Melody,
Thanks you! Comfy chairs are always a good thing, aren't they?

Debi said...

Chris,
Thanks! And I hope you already know, you're welcome to come curl up and read in it any time!

Lucky seems to think we put the room together just for him. You never know where you'll find him next in there...I'm pretty sure he's tried out every shelf by now. Of course, if there's a human in the room, he most often chooses him/her to sleep on. Pretty sure that's exactly what he's doing in that photo--eying Annie up to see how he can climb aboard. :)

Joy,
Thanks! I'm looking forward to The Plain Janes...and it's a short one, so hopefully I'll actually get it read before I have to return it.

Eva,
Thanks! And good to know about Library Loot...I went and linked up. I'm going to have to have Annie start playing, too. She always comes home with a pile, too...she's just much better at getting them all read before they're due back than I am.

DesLily said...

wow! now that's impressive! whew, how I wish I had just part of those shelves!!

Anonymous said...

I love your library :)

Kitten's First Full Moon was recommended to me as a book for "pagan children". I keep meaning to check it out.

gail@more than a song said...

Nice library! A great place to spend time.

Anonymous said...

WOW! all those shelves!!! very cool.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Can I come visit?? :) Your library is so lovely and cozy and I'm jealous jealous jealous.

valentina said...

oh I love your library room, it's my dream too!