At least this month, I think I should rename this monthly compilation “Blame the Internet That My Library Hold List Is So Long.” I’m on the reserve list for every one of the books below. And, with the exception of the Don DeLillo novel novella, I learned about each of them via a blog or other internet site.
There is one consequence of this — I have yet to actually buy a book this year so despite the fact my Bibliolust report card (below) isn’t great, I’m still on track for the goals I mentioned last month. It also may mean that B&N and Amazon may be hurting a bit financially so far this year. So, here’s the books on my library lust list:
Eternity Soup: Inside the Quest to End Aging, Greg Critser — Given I learned of this from a New Scientist blog, I’m hoping it doesn’t make my head hurt. But now that 50 is receding in the rear view mirror, the field of “biogerentology” is of great interest to me, even though I’d never heard of it until reading a description of the book.
Lonely: A Memoir, Emily White — A former lawyer in Canada moves to remote Newfoundland and ponders, researchs and writes about loneliness. I am intrigued as to why someone who is already lonely moves to a remote place.
Point Omega, Don DeLillo — I still haven’t made my mind up about DeLillo but since this is one of THE books of 2010, I thought I would grab it while I could.
The Virgin Warrior: The Life and Death of Joan of Arc, Larissa Juliet Taylor — I like medieval history so when I saw someone say on the interweb says that of all the biographies of Joan of Arc “this is the one you want,” I immediately check to see if the library has it.
Welcome to Your Brain: Why You Lose Your Car Keys but Never Forget How to Drive and Other Puzzles of Everyday Life, Sam Wang and Sandra Aamodt — A reference to this on another book blog and checking out the table of contents at Amazon made this work, by two neuroscientists, look intriguing. I’m hoping it’s going to be something like Brain Science for Idiots.
World Made by Hand, James Howard Kuntsler — The fact someone on the interweb described this as “soft” apocalyptic fiction enticed me enough to check and see if the local library had it, which it does.
Year-to-date Report Card:
- Total Bibliolust books: 4
- Number read: 1 (25%)
- Number for which I am still on library reserve waiting list: 2
- Number read: 1 (25%)
I went to the library in search of entertainment and discovered the world.
Pete Hamill, “D’Artagnan on Ninth Street“
I read World Made By Hand last year and it’s not bad. i had a lot of unanswered questions at the end. Our library here in Nashville only allows you to have 10 holds; i try to keep it at 8 so that if i see something i need to request from another branch i’ve got a couple open slots. I so wish they’d up it to 15!