There was no trip to the bookstore today after all but instead I had the chance to put my house back in order a bit after having had guests the past week. I also see a trip to Ikea in our future to get more shelves for my studio. I have a great idea as to how to set up my one of my work tables so I want to get that set up soon.
Anyway, in bookish news I’m happy to say that I’ve already got one book down for the year. I finished These Dark Things by Jan Merete Weiss last night and found it to be a quick but good mystery. This series is set in Naples and introduces Captain Natalia Monte.
I like that it presented a picture of Italy that is a lot more gritty than the Italy I’m used to reading about. I guess I’ve read too many books of ex-pats enjoying the Tuscan sun or something like that. Ha. The only thing I didn’t care for too much was the ending because it sort of left me feeling not too good about Captain Natalia but I’d definitely be willing to try the second book. I’ll try to get a full review of the book up but no promises.
Then this morning I woke up at 5:00 for some crazy reason and couldn’t go back to sleep so I started a new book, Partitions by Amit Majmudar.
From the book jacket: A stunning first novel, set during the violent 1947 partition of India, about uprooted children and their journeys to safety. As India is rent into two nations, communal violence breaks out on both sides of the new border and streaming hordes of refugees flee from blood and chaos.
Has anyone read this book?
So I think the year is off to a good start with these books.
These Dark Things sounds intriguing, especially from your comparison of it to other books set in Italy. I will have to add it to my wishlist.
I think I’ve heard about the first book, but not the second. Both sound intriguing. Of course, you say mystery and it must be put on my list. LOL
I haven’t read either one. I’ve been sick since the 23rd, but am worse today.
The upper respiratory infection is starting to bug me worse than ever.
Wow, you’ve already completed a book in 2012? That is a fantastic start to the year!
A very good start indeed! I expected to have my first 2012 book finish by now, but I came back to work, and the rest is history. lol
That’s a good start to the year! I’m hoping to read more books this year, at least as compared to the last! ;P
Partitions sounds interesting! I just finished reading a different book that has a portion set during Partition (Desai’s Clear Light of Day) and I read an incredible novel set during that time a few years ago (A Train to Pakistan). Such a sad period.
Partitions sounds really interesting… I look forward to your thoughts on it!
Literary Feline – I guess in that sense I would probably say it was a bit like the Andrea Camilleri books. Which remind me I probably should check out again!
Kay – I’m the same way, mention mystery and it’s on my list 🙂
Isabel – Oh no girl, I’m sorry to hear you’ve been sick. I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA. I owe you an email!
Kathleen – Let’s just hope I continue with that streak especially after last year!
Andi – So know what you mean!
Melody – I’m with you on that one too!
Eva – I’m going to take note of those titles you mentioned. I sort of wish I hadn’t started this book because I’m sure it’s going to be sad but I need to learn more about this.
Kailana – You got it!
I want to read the Weiss book as well–may have to read more Italian crime fic this year (summer is always a good time for that). I had it on my list last year, so maybe I’ll get to it this year finally.