Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages readers to share the goodies that they picked up at their libraries each week!

I got many treats at the library yesterday – mainly due to their recently expanded Graphic Novels section, which made me incredibly happy to discover.

From top to bottom:

Circle of Friends DVD (Starring Chris O’Donnell and Minnie Driver) – Recommended to me by a friend, a must watch in prep/excitement for my trip to Ireland.

Carnet de Voyage by Craig Thompson – a graphic Travel Journal by the author of one of my favorite graphic novels, Blankets.

Someone Will Be With You Shortly by Lisa Kogan – Impulse grab, short memoir that looks endearing and funny.

Molly Fox’s Birthday by Deirdre Madden – This is the only book that I actually planned on looking for and checking out. It’s included in Barnes and Noble’s summer Discover New Authors selection, and captured my interest.

The Beats: A Graphic History edited by Paul Buhle – A good find in newly expanded Graphic Novels section.

Pride & Prejudice (graphic novel) adapted by Nancy Butler – Another good find in the Graphic Novels section.

Ghost World by Daniel Clowes – Spotted this and realized it didn’t make sense that I haven’t read it, given how much I enjoy Graphic Novels.

Since a lot of these are graphic novels*, and the ones that aren’t are fairly short, I’m hoping to read (and watch, in the case of the DVD) all of these before they’re due – something that is rarely possible with most of the stacks I bring home from the library.

*I think this post now holds the record for the number of times I’ve mentioned graphic novels in one blog post. I’ll add it to the tags just to be sure. :)

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages readers to share the goodies that they picked up at their libraries each week!

It’s an appropriate time for me to post my first Library Loot entry, since I’ve been to the library 3 times this week and taken out way more than I can possibly read before the due dates.

I adore going to the library. It’s like shopping, but without spending any money. Granted, you don’t get to own the items you “shop” for forever, but it does Hit the Shopping Spot. You leave your apartment, you go to a place with lots of choices, and you take some of it home. Triggers the shopping high with absolutely no buyer’s remorse. Even if I don’t get around to reading every book I check out, I often read the first few pages to get an idea on whether I’d like to read the book someday. Often times I’ll buy it later, or check it out again in the future.

Here’s some of the loot I collected this week:

44 Scotland Street, Espresso Tales, and Love Over Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith
I’ve been wanting to try out an Alexander McCall Smith series, and I decided to start with the 44 Scotland Street series. My best friend and I are starting to plan a vacation later this year to Ireland and many other areas around it, and right now I’m sort of obsessed with all things United Kingdom. I picked up the first three books of this series, and I just finished 44 Scotland Street.

My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath
I’ve heard great things about this children’s novel by Newbery Honor author Polly Horvath, and its name alone is enough to perk my interest.

House of Cards by David Ellis Dickerson
I’ve wanted to give this book a try since hearing David Dickerson read at the David Sedaris signing at Strand last year. He was a hoot and his memoir about working at Hallmark writing greeting cards sounds like a fun read.

Nation by Terry Pratchett
This won the 2009 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for fiction, and I read an essay by Terry Pratchett in the Jan/Feb 2010 Horn Book Magazine. It sounds great and it feels like it’s about time that I read a book by Terry Pratchett, he’s well loved by many of my family members.

McCarthy’s Bar: A Journey of Discovery in the West of Ireland by Pete McCarthy
A travel memoir about Ireland: resistance was futile.

I Never Knew That About Ireland by Christopher Winn
This book is packed full of interesting trivia about Ireland. A reserve that came in for me this week.

The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket
My Mom spotted this book at a Barnes and Noble over Christmas, and I put a reserve on it at the library. It’s a gorgeous book with a lot of great photographs, recipes, and tips. “Brocket celebrates everything that is, and can be, wonderful about home life.” I think I’m going to need to buy this one.

Ireland by Frank Delaney
Spotting a theme here?

Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon
Couldn’t resist taking home Michael Chabon’s latest when I saw it in the new books section.

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
Pleased that the library had this waiting for me after seeing her stage show. I’ve already finished it, review is here.

American on Purpose by Craig Ferguson
I’ve heard good things about this memoir, and I do like Craig Ferguson.