My current reads are taking me to various parts of Europe and given that vacation is still many months away for us these books are at least letting me do a bit of arm chair traveling.
I am about half way through The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch. I’m not a big fan of medeival settings but this book is really working for me. Unfortunately I already know how it ends as we discussed it at my reading group last week.
I hate going to book group without finishing a book and rarely do that but I had to attend as I was meeting a friend and so I heard all about the ending. Still I plan to finish it because I want to see exactly how the mystery is solved.
My other book takes me to a more modern setting and to France. I wish Someone Were Waiting For Me by Anna Gavalda is a short story collection. I actually thought this was a novel and am glad I didn’t realize that until I had begun the book because otherwise I may have put it back on the shelf for now.
What ties these stories together is a deep sense of longing each narrator has for love and connection. There is a great sense of people feeling alone and lonely and wanting things to be different. I’ve read one of her novels before and somehow I think I already like this book better. It’s like the characters feelings are more urgent and exposed so I like that.
Finally, moving further up north to a colder climate I’m reading The Dogs of Riga by Henning Mankell. This is the second book in the popular Swedish series of Detective Kurt Wallander. I read the first book many years ago and am not sure why I didn’t follow up sooner.
“Shortly after 2 a.m. Wallander woke with terrible chest pains. He was convinced that he was about to die. The constant stress and strain of police work was having its effect. He was paying the price.”
Ah but Detective Wallander won’t have long to think about his health because two dead bodies tied up on a raft have floated up along the coast. The two were tortured and murdered and now Wallander must find out who and why.
How about you, where are your books taking you to lately?
I haven’t read The Hangman’s Daughter but really want to. Maybe that will be my first e-reader purchase, except I love that cover. Or maybe “love” is the wrong word? It’s an interesting cover.
However, I’ve read Dogs of Riga and the short story collection. I love short stories and savored this collection. I need to pick it up again to read a little at a time because I just remember loving some of the stories (and that’s about all I remember).
I hate going to my reading group too if I haven’t finished the book!
Henning Mankell is one author I hope to try soon. Many have raved about this author’s books.
I saw the Hangman’s Daughter free or very cheap as a Kindle choice as well.
I’m so glad to read that you are liking The Hangman’s Daughter! It was a book I saw a few weeks back and thought it looked so intriguing – can’t wait to read your thoughts on it!
Your books on the go sound good! My book travels took me to Germany and Mexico, ancient Greece, and now I’m in an alternate world vaguely like the UK.
The Dogs of Riga sounds good. I’ve heard of the Wallander character but never read any of the series myself.
I absolutely love I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere! So glad you found Anna Gavalda. My future daughter-in-law and I both call it a favorite.
I’m not reading much, this week. My new exercise regime has a tendency to knock me flat and combined with the horrid weather keeping me up all night . . . blah. But, I’m going to try to whip through a book called True Courage in time to review it just after its sneak-peek post, tomorrow. I’ve also read a little of the mental_floss Genius Instruction Manual (hilarious) and the intro to Till I End My Song: A Gathering of Last Poems ed. by Harold Bloom. Again, thanks to the storms, I haven’t managed to add any of these books to my sidebar. I’m typing on my iPad. The moment I managed to plug in my computer, Kiddo kicked me out of the room to use the treadmill! LOL Hope you’re having a wonderful week, Iliana!
jenn aka the Picky Girl – It is a great cover isn’t it? I had seen a very cheap e-version but missed out on buying it so I ended up buying the actual book instead. Glad to hear you loved the Anna Gavalada book. One of the stories almost made me cry. Good stuff.
vivienne – I rarely do that. I feel bad because the other group members don’t want to talk about the end but really it’s my fault for not having finished the book. I don’t expect anyone to hold back!
(Diane) BibliophilebytheSea – Have you seen any of the BBC Wallander shows? Those are really good but I’ve started noticing different things about the character vs. the tv show. I am enjoying the book a lot and so far would recommend it.
Coffee and a Book Chick – I think this is one of those books that really gets a lot of credit for the subject matter. I mean how often do we hear the point of view of the executioner!
Stefanie – Oh you’ve even got an alternate reality there. Good one! 🙂
Kathleen – Now that I’ve seen more of the tv episodes I think I want to continue with the books. I am really enjoying this one so far!
Bookfool, aka Nancy – Oh wow, I didn’t know that! Cool. I can’t wait to continue with this book. Stay safe with those storms. It’s been crazy hasn’t it? That is another thing I don’t miss about dallas – I felt like the last few years we were constantly under tornado watch/warning. Central Texas can also get bad weather but Dallas seemed worse. You’ve got some great books going on. Looking forward to another poetry review from you 🙂
Anna Gavalda is one of my favorite french author. I loved her “Ensemble c’est tout” (Hunting and Gathering”) book and I keep “I wish someone was waiting for me” in my car at the moment so it was fun seeing it on your entry. Her characters are so wonderful. Anyway you are going to be a busy bookgirl. Enjoy Iliana
Interesting about Anna Gavalda. I’ve been meaning to read her for a while, and it’s good to know she has a strong collection of stories out there.
Enjoy your reads. Now I’ll have to add that Anna Gavalda book to my wishlist. Thanks for the recommendation.
You already made me want to read The Hangman’s Daughter when you mentioned it in a previous post, it seems great! Anna Gavalda is great isn’t she? I haven’t seen this collection, will have to get it. And I have Dogs of Riga waiting for me too!
I’ve been wanting that Gavalda book, so I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say about it! I’m reading a couple of books set in the US (Maine and Southwest) and one in Paris!