While I wasn’t ready to come back from my trip (yes, I’m still being bratty and wish I was in Germany), I did have something to look forward to: Books!
I’ve lucked out and received quite a few ARCs while I was away. These sound quite good to me so let me tell you what I got.
- See How Much I Love You by Luis Leante. Two teenagers meet and fall in love in 1970s Barcelona. Oh I love Barcelona so I’m already looking forward to a summer romance story set in that beautiful city.
- To Siberia by Per Petterson. I loved his story Out Stealing Horses, actually was surprised how much I enjoyed it, so needless to say I’m very excited about this book.
- Ferris Beach by Jill McCorkle. I recently mooched this book and here they are reissuing it. So maybe after I finish this story about “a place of excitement and magic” I’ll pass my extra copy to someone else. Stay tuned.
- Home by Marilynne Robinson. “What does it mean to come home?” In one way or another, every character in Home is searching for that answer. This book won the 2009 Orange Prize.
- The Puzzle King by Betsy Carter. On a gray morning in 1936, Flora Phelps stands in line at the American consulate in Stuttgart, Germany. She carries a gift for the consul, whom she will bribe in order to help her family get out of Hitler’s Germany. This sounds like it’s going to be a gripping story.
- Girl Mary by Petru Popescu. “With his empire in crisis, Augustus orders a young Roman spy to find a sign of his divinely inspired power. Concealing his real name, Pontius Pilate enters the Judean desert seeking an unknown miracle. The moment he meets the striking adolescent Mary, he senses that he is in the presence of someone magical.”
- City of God by Beverly Swerling. This is the fourth installment of a multigenerational saga of old New York. It sounds wonderful but I’m wondering if I should start with the first one.
Lots of variety here and don’t even know where to start but I’ll keep you posted on how the reading goes. Have you read any of these? Let me know if there’s one you think I should start with first.
21 Comments
I loved the first Beverly Swerling book, wasn’t so keen on the second one, and again really enjoyed the third one! I am very much looking forward to reading City of God.
I think it would help to read in order, but then again I always do.
I might try and read the Per Petterson as well. I liked Out Stealing Horses.
‘Home’ was one of the great reads of my summer (pre-Orange), although I do think you need to have read ‘Gilead’ to enjoy it to its full.
Wow, you’ve received some great books there! I wouldn’t know where to start if I were you too, LOL.
Happy reading, Iliana! 🙂
I’m quite curious about Home, and about Marilynne Robinson in general. Enjoy your new books!
I haven’t read any of my books. They all so great & are going on my to-reads list!
I meant, I haven’t read any of these books. It’s Monday. Apparently I can’t think or type properly!!
I’ve heard of a few of them but haven’t read any of them. I do really want to read both books by Per Pettersen. I have to admit, when I saw the title City of God, the first thing that came to mind was the Brazilian movie, which was excellent. Actually, I just looked it up, I have City of Dreams sitting in my stacks. Is it the first book in the saga?
You got a pile! Have fun reading. 🙂
Yummy books! I would’ve enjoyed coming home to a stack like that, too. Though, I can certainly understand your wishing you were still in Germany.
Missed you, Iliana! Hopefully I’m back on the map now.
Marg – That’s what I was thinking too, that I should probably start with the first book. Which actually, I do think I have somewhere in the stacks! And, I highly recommend Out Stealing Horses so hope you get to check that out one of these days!
Table Talk – Really? Oh wow, I really want to read it but then I am thinking maybe I should read Gilead first. Another book I think I have somewhere in the stacks!
Melody – I know, so many interesting ones and so different! I like that 🙂
Nymeth – Me too! I have heard that Gilead is a bit hard going at times but worth it. I need to see if I can find my copy!
Lisa – It’s monday 🙂 They do sound good don’t they?
tanabata – I’m not sure which book is the first one. I guess I need to check out the author’s web site or something and find out. And, you reminded me that I wanted to see that Brazilian movie! 🙂
Bookfool, aka Nancy – Now to figure out where to fit the pile in the bookcases 🙂
Andi – It usually takes me a while to get over the vacation blues but it does help to have books around 🙂 Missed your posts too girl and still so excited about your news! 🙂
I’ve heard all kinds of good about Per Patterson. And with regards to Home, people have either loved it or hated it to the point of not being able to finish it. Doesn’t seem to be any in between on that one.
I read Gilead and loved it so I’m really looking forward to Home. Can’t wait to hear what you think!!
Sounds like you have a great pile of books to welcome you home! Enjoy your reading and I look forward to the reviews.
I’m glad they are reissuing Ferris Beach! Too bad you hadn’t known you would get a copy and you could have saved your mooch points. It looks like you have a nice stack of books–which makes coming home from vacation a little bit easier. I have the Petterson to read and am working on the Leante book, which I’m really enjoying.
Welcome back 🙂 Hope you had a nice trip! Looks like you got some great ARC’s.
Sandy – I agree, it seems there is no middle ground with her books. I’m very curious about them but you know how it goes. And, you should check out Petterson. So good!
Gentle Reader – I want to read Gilead first now just to make sure I can follow along on Home!
Kathleen – I love opening the packages and wondering what goodies were waiting 🙂
Danielle – Isn’t that hilarious? I am really in the mood for a good, comfort read so I may have to start that one soon. How are you enjoying the Leante book? It looks really good!
bookworm – Thanks girl! The trip was wonderful and I keep daydreaming about it 🙂
Gosh! That is an awesome pile. i agree i have not heard of many in that list. but i hope you enjoy!
I’ve had my eye on To Siberia. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Looks like a wide variety of books…happy reading…and I can imagine not wanting vacation to end!
Well, if you have to end a vacation, this is a nice way to end it! What a great group of books (and, yes, the variety).
I read THE PUZZLE KING; it’s really a story about the entire family (not just “the puzzle king”). Based on “family legends” in the author’s own family; I really liked it (not yet reviewed 🙁 )
There’s nothing quite like coming home to new books. 🙂 I’m really curious about To Siberia. I haven’t yet read anything by Per Petterson, but To Siberia caught my eye just from the description. Enjoy your new books, Iliana!