I was feeling kind of blah today and it probably didn’t help that I had to listen to some of my friends and co-workers talk about vacations. I won’t be taking a vacation for a while yet so I was just feeling a tiny bit jealous. Sigh. So to get out of my blah mood I went to the library and checked out the list of new books.
Here are some of the titles I’m looking forward to:
- In the Tenth House by Laura Dietz. From Booklist: This unusual literary gothic centers on late Victorian society’s fascination with spiritualism. Dr. Ambrose Gennett takes a progressive approach to mental illness with his psychoanalytic experiments, which alarms his more tradition-bound colleagues. Oh, spiritualism and Victorian times are my kind of thing.
- Consequences by Penelope Lively. From Booklist: The historical event around which this judiciously crafted family saga revolves is the chaotic Battle of Crete, in 1941, which resulted in an Allied defeat, and, in Lively’s sensitive rendering, the death of her artist hero. I really liked The Photograph by Lively and haven’t read anything else by her so I’d like to remedy that.
- A Good and Happy Child by Justin Evans. From Booklist: Perched precariously on the precipice between horror and psychological drama, Evans’ first novel explores the notions of demons–how real they are and how real we are able to make them. I like scary stories.
- Imposture by Benjamin Markovits. From Publishers Weekly: Bookish Eliza Esmond, having forever lived in the shadow of her prettier sister, has a chance encounter with famed writer and legendary lover Lord Byron outside a London bookstore and is thrilled when their brief conversation turns, over time, into his pursuit of her. Who doesn’t love reading about bookish heroines?
These are just some of the books that I’ll be eagerly awaiting. What about you? Any books you are looking forward to this Summer?
My mood is much improved and I did check out one book. I know, I’m showing a lot of restraint aren’t I? I got Mark of the Lion by Suzanne Arruda.
24 Comments
I read a blurb on a galley in PW that I’m dying to get my hands on, Austenland. It being a galley, I guess I’ll have to wait. 🙁
I liked The Photograph too, and would also like to read more Lively — she’s quite good.
The library have just let me know that they have ‘Consequences’ waiting for me to pick up. I really know Lively as a superb children’s writer so it always amazes me when I remember that she can write for adults as well.
Your books can be your temporary vacations.
Ooooooo I haven’t heard of any of these but they all sound good! I haevn’t been to the library in months! Wonder what kind of goodies I could find there.
Don’t visit my blog; I just got back from vacation 😉
All of these sound good! I’ve always been interested in the Victorian fascination with spiritualism…so many famous people were believers. More for the wish list!
Me too with Austenland!
What else? I’m also looking forward to So Many Books, So Little Time, which I have from the library. I think that’s up next.
I’m glad you’re reading Penelope Lively.
Moon Tiger really caught me off guard when I first read it–she deserves more recognition for her wonderful stories. Until I stumbled across your comments section I had no idea that she even wrote children’s books.
Check out Moon Tiger, it’s a great follow-up…
I think I need a vacation too. Alas, not until September…
I’ve just added A Good and Happy Child to my TBR list. Thanks for the heads-up, sounds creepy.
maggie – sorry you have to wait for the book. That’s so unfair! 🙂
Dorothy W. – Yes, she’s another of those authors I keep meaning to read more from you know.
Ann – I had no idea she wrote children’s books. How interesting!
Isabel – I like that. I need to read some travel books then 🙂
Heather – Too late! I visited you yesterday and yes I’m jealous of you too. ha.
Jenclair – Me too! I keep thinking that in a past life I might have been a medium in the Victorian era 🙂
Dew – I agree, Austenland sounds good
Jason B. – I’m putting Moon Tiger on my TBR list. Thanks for the suggestion!
Matt – I hear you… My vacation isn’t until Sept. too.
Consequences had already caught my eye, and the others you’ve mentioned sound good as well. Ahhh! Too many books. I’m eager for 2 new cookbook releases this fall, Nigella Lawson’s new one, and Tessa Kiros’ Apples for Jam US release.
All of these look good. So many good books are coming out this summer. I am going to the library tonight to pay off my kids fines. And, get some new books to read. I only have one un-read and it is a mystery (I wonder what it is ;)). I need things to look forward, too.
Imposture sounds like a fun read and Good & happy Child sounds very spooky. Hopefully checking out some books lifted your spirits…
LOL Iliana, duh! I looked after I came here and saw. I’m sorry 🙁 don’t hate me because I went on vacation! Incidentally, I mooched Inamorata after seeing you mention it here. Have you read it yet?
Oh, In the Tenth House and Imposture sound good! Just what I need, more books on my list. Thanks a lot! 🙂
The Dietz, Lively and Markovits books are all on my list. I am trying hard not to go crazy checking out library books as I can never read them all. I am also trying to read some of my own books for a while. I have no vacation in sights at all this summer, so I know the feeling!!
I’ve got a TBR pile a mile long, but the ones I’m really looking forward to are SHORT CHANGE by Patricia Smiley, THE DRUMMER by Anthony Neil Smith, BURN by Sean Doolittle, RED CAT by Peter Spiegelman, and THE WOODS by Harlan Coben. And yes, there’s a crime theme.
Sorry you were feeling blah. I feel that way knowing my husband is going to leave for Australia without me, soon, even though I did get to spend a week in Michigan. What could be more of an upper than books to look forward to?
I’ve yet to read Lively – have to remedy that, soon. Imposture sounds especially fun. Can’t wait to hear about that. I guess I should pull out the paper and write them down, but then . . . better not. 🙂
Tara – I know, too many books. Well I don’t cook but I hope you’ll post pics of some of the recipes you’ll be trying out!
Nancy – I can’t wait to see what books you find at the library.
Christine – It definitely did. I love nights at the library.
Heather – You are too funny. That’s ok, at least you posted some beautiful beach pics so all is ok. I can dream 🙂 And, no, I didn’t read “Inamorata” – I have it in the stacks somewhere. ha,ha.
Anon – Just doing my part to helping booklovers add books to their TBR lists. hee.
Danielle – You and me both. I’m really trying to read more from my stacks and so far I’m doing a good job. It’s just so hard isn’t it.
Karen Olson – Oh no, now you’ve given me a whole other list of books I must look into. I love a good mystery. I haven’t heard of any of the ones you mentioned so I’ll be checking those out.
Nancy, aka Bookfool – Oh that’s not good! How long will he be gone? Hopefully you’ll have some good books to keep you company! I do recommend The Photograph by Lively in case you want to check her out.
In the Tenth House sounds great!! I’ve never read anything by Penelepe Lively, but I’ve heard good things. Does that count?? There are so many good books out there right now, I don’t even know where to start!
I have Lively’s Moon Tiger and The Book Shop (is there one called The Blue Flower? I may have that one)…but have managed to not read them. I’ll be interested in how you like her book.
I hope to finish Don Quixote in June, that’s about as far as I can see ahead right now! Plus, it soon will be Negelected Authors Month for this kitten — so I expect to unearth a few treasures.
I like Penelope Lively; hope you will enjoy that book. Now I’m going to have to look out for it too! A book that I was going to save for summer reading (but couldn’t wait and so have already read it) is Janice Kulyk Keefer’s “The Ladies Lending Library”. It’s about a group of Ukrainian Canadian women and their children spending the summer at their cottages, with husbands appearing on weekends – set in the 60’s. Quite a good match for summer reading.
Stephanie – Of course that counts 🙂 I know what you mean about not knowing where to start. It’s overhwelming but in a good way of course!
LK – Isn’t the Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald? I could be mixing up my Penelopes though. I want to hear more about Neglected Authors month. You know, I think that would be an awesome challenge actually!
Melanie – I haven’t heard of Ladies Lending Library but on the title alone it’s going on my TBR list – that sounds too cute 🙂
Iliana, try ‘The Voyage of QV66’ or ‘The Ghost of Thomas Kempe’. They are both superb. She seems to have given up now, but I would automatically read everything she wrote for children.