Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Marg @ The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader and Claire @ The Captive Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they have checked out from the library.

I didn't expect to have a Library Loot post this week. After all I only called in to return the books that were due but.......you know how it is! The downward spiral of my good intentions began when the librarian handed me...

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson - on Monday it finally appeared on the 'in cataloguing' list so I immediately placed a hold but never expected I would have it so quickly. Really excited about this one.....and after that there was no holding back.

Lost Voices by Christopher Koch - Young Hugh Dixon believes he can save his father from ruin if he asks his estranged - great-uncle - a wealthy lawyer who lives alone in a Tasmanian farmhouse - for help. As he is drawn into Walter's rarefied world, Hugh discovers that both his uncle and the farmhouse are links to a notorious episode in the mid 19th century. The author is a twice time winner of the Miles Franklin Award so I'm expecting good things from this novel - and it is Australian Literature Month in April.

The Innocents by Francesca Segal - Adam and Rachel are getting married at last. Childhood sweethearts whose lives and families have been entwined for years; theirs is set to be the wedding of the year. But then Rachel's cousin Ellie returns. I had this on hold before it was longlisted for the Woman's Prize - now I have it I'm not sure I even want to read it. I knew it had links to The Age of Innocence but didn't realise it was an actual retelling which, as I don't care for any sort of spinoff, doesn't sit too well with me. 

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel - the sequel to Wolf Hall continues the story of Thomas Cromwell. Sooner or later I knew I would read this but hadn't been in any hurry. Was very surprised to see it sitting on the shelf and thought I might as well bring it home.

The Burial by Courtney Collins - It is 1921. In a mountain-locked valley , amid squalls of driving rain, Jessie is on the run. An Australian debut novel which has made the shortlist for the Stella Prize.

The Larnachs by Owen Marshall - a fictionalised account of the Larnach family who were prominent in New Zealand in the late 19th century. I really should have read this before now and was spurred into action by spotting it on the IMPAC longlist

The Prophet by Michael Koryta - It's a two second decision: wait for your little sister or leave with your girlfriend. Adam Austin chose to leave. His little sister never made it home. I've loved Michael Koryta's last three books and hope this will be as good.

What's in your loot this week?