One of the pitfalls of working at a library is the enormous temptation to place holds on every wonderful sounding book I hear about. I go holds crazy sometimes and place far too many holds than are good for me. I have to give myself a good talking to, remind myself not to be greedy and realize that there is not enough time in any of my days to ever read all of the books I put on hold. This year I’ve been trying to place holds only on items I am pretty sure I’ll read. This has significantly reduced the number of holds I have placed and has made me more anxiously excited to receive the books I am waiting for. Here is a look at some of the books I am awaiting:
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey – I am SO looking forward to reading this novel. I have heard nothing but praise for it and I especially enjoyed the reviews here and here and here. It will be released on February 1 and I can already tell you I will be incommunicado that entire evening – too busy reading!
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey – This novel is based on the story of Jane Eyre and sounds really charming. It was released today….where is my copy????
Enchantments by Kathryn Harrison – A love story set inside the Romanov circle in 1917 Russia. I find it hard to resist anything that concerns the Romanov Empire -I think the whole setting is absolutely fascinating. This novel will be released on March 6.
What do you have on hold at the library? Are you holds happy?
A Certain Fondness 
I hope you love The Snow Child as much as I did! I’m also looking forward to The Flight of Gemma Hardy after reading a review recently. Happy reading 🙂
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I can’t wait for The Snow Child! Your review has really made me excited to get it. I haven’t gotten Gemma Hardy yet – still waiting…
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Now that I can access both our local library systems (city & county) over the net, I tend to go a little hold-happy as well. Not to mention being able to place ILL requests on line.
I am first in line for The Snow Child – last time I checked I was the only one in line!
(I can’t post my blog URL for some reason.)
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I daren’t go to the county library! I would get myself in a whole heap of trouble that way.
I’m also first for The Snow Child – can’t wait!
Sorry you couldn’t post your URL – I changed a setting that should have fixed that.
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I have absolutely nothing on request at the moment, I’m being very good/sensible as I have so many of my own books to read as well as random library book choices. I love a Russian Empire setting too but I’ll be reading Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay soon – post Romanov era.
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Good for you, Katrina! I really need to read more of the books I own.
I started Russian Winter and didn’t take to it – I’ll be interested to see what you think.
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I’m looking forward to The Flight of Gemma Hardy as well! Sometimes I can get a little holds happy, largely because I double dip libraries, going to both the library in my town and the one in my hometown, where I still use my original library card that I got in kindergarten.
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I work in my hometown library, but I have no idea where my original library card is! That is so cool that you still use your childhood card. We still haven’t received Gemma Hardy – I’m hoping next week!
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I put Stormy Petrel by Mary Stewart on hold after reading your last post! I worked in a library for seven years before I had children and I remember it as a very happy time.
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Oooh, have you gotten Stormy Petrel yet? I am besotted with Stewart and am so sad that my library only carries a few of her novels.
The library is a happy place to work – I do love it most of the time!
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I love it when my holds come in to especially when they have come from a long way away like my murakami that came from us for me to read ,all the best stu
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Isn’t it so exciting when you get that notification that you have something available at the library? I’ve never received an overseas book before – very neat!
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I order up a lot of books from other branches in the county and from reserve stock. I have out of print titles by Dodie Smith and Frances Hodgson-Burnett waiting for me, and a couple of newish titles on order so I’m not tempted to spend money I shouldn’t.
You are going to have a lovely evening on 1st February.
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