New Acquisitions

 

I stopped by the bookstore after work last night and left with only a very few books, one of which was something that had been set aside for me.  The trick is not letting myself browse beyond the first few front tables.  Their marketing worked nonetheless as I still managed to find one bargain book and one new release.  My intention was to go straight to the cash register for my book, but you know how that goes sometimes.

First Matt wrote about it and then I noticed Cornflower is reading it, so I had to go and search for a copy of Georgina Harding's The Spy Game for myself (as they rarely steer me wrong when it comes to good books).  Luckily it's been published here in the US as well as the UK (lately I seem to be tempted by too many books not yet available here).  I'm looking forward to reading this one soon.  The New Yorker called it an "austere but atmospheric début".

I seem to recall mixed reactions to Jennifer Lee Carrell's Interred with the Bones, but as I found a copy in the bargain bin, I didn't hesitate to buy it.  It's supposedly a "literary romp" about a Shakespearean puzzle (a lost play?).  I've not forgotten about my project (and will hopefully be gearing up to read another play soon), so even though this is a novel it could be fun to read about Shakespeare as part of an adventure tale.  

And for more Shakespeare, I came across Faye Kellerman's The Quality of Mercy, which I had not heard of before.  It's a "sweeping tale of illicit desire, dangerous intrigue, and enthralling adventure".  I think my subconscious is trying to tell me something (I need a little adventure in my life?).  Set in Elizabethan England, Rebecca Lopez is the daughter of one of Queen Elizabeth's physicians.  She's also a clandestine Jew.  She gets messed up in intrigue and murder--in the company of a young actor and would-be playwright, William Shakespeare.  I'm often leery of books featuring once real people, but this just sounded like fun, so I have to give it a try.       

Now I'm off to peruse my new books.

Comments

[Pam Furry]

Maybe it's just me, but although I found 'Interred with Their Bones' to be fascinating, alot was WAY over my head Shakespeare-wise. 'The Quality of Mercy' I read years ago and it remains a 'fondly remembered read' so I think you're going to like it. Can't really remember a thing about it though!

[Dorothy W.]

Walking into a bookstore is dangerous, isn't it? It's so hard to make it to the cash register unscathed :) Your new books sound great. A book set in Elizabethan England would be fun -- I'd love to read about the time period.

[Darlene]

The Spy Game sounds really, really interesting and I love the cover art. There's a game that I play in bookshops if my husband is with me, it's all about losing him because if he can't find me - we can't leave! How sinister...

[Danielle]

Pam--Maybe I should wait to read Interred with the Bones until I've read more about and bu Shakespeare? I saw that it was written by a scholar, so it certainly sounds literary! I will start with the Kellerman in any case. I didn't realize that it was an older novel. Still, it looks like fun.
Dorothy--I did pretty well considering how much I usually browse. I could have done far worse damage I suspect! I'm in the mood for something set in Elizabethan England, so these may not sit around too long before I pick one up--somehow a 'romp' sounds really appealing.
Darlene--I'm looking forward to reading The Spy Game, and I think the cover art was what first drew me to it. It's nice when bookstores have cushy chairs for husbands to rest and relax in! A cup of coffee, maybe a danish, and he's set! Honestly though, I usually hit bookstores alone or with my mom as my husband doesn't have book patience--I really would have to lose him if I wanted to seriously browse--LOL. Very sinister indeed.

[litlove]

Lovely new books! I just picked up An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspeare, which I was pleased about. So we will both have a mystery moment! :-)

[Margaret Powling]

I don't need to be in a bookstore (bookshop in the UK) to be led astray ... I have my Visa card and Amazon/Abe online ... "My one weakness" as Dorcas Lane might've said!

We all seem to like mysteries and might I recommend those of Anthony Eglin who writes horticultural mysteries (if I've not yet mentioned him to you, Danielle?) His latest - the fourth - is called The Trail of the Wild Rose and is based on the plant hunters who risked life and limb when hunting for exotic species in the Far East. The stories are a little far-fetched, but that doesn't mean they are not well written or hugely enjoyable ... which they are!

[Tara]

I'm going to keep my eye for The Spy Game -sounds like a good one!

[Stefanie]

I read Quality of Mercy several years ago and enjoyed it very much. I think you will like it.

[Isabel]

Good Girl! Only 3 books.

When you retire, you will have so many books to read!

[Danielle]

Litlove--Lucky you to have an unread Maisie Dobbs novel to look forward to. I'm working on a PD James mystery and am looking forward to these new books as well!
Margaret--I'm easily led astray both online and in person when it comes to books! :) Actually I don't mind far fetched if the story is absorbing the characters likeable! I will have to go and check out Anthony Eglin now!
Tara--I broke down and bought in in cloth, so I hope it's good (though I used a gift card, so I guess I'm not out anything in any case). I've heard good things about it.
Stefanie--It was the one new book on their table that really grabbed me, so I'm happy to hear other you and other readers liked it!I have a feeling I'll like it, too, actually.
Isabel--I'd say for me, three shows restraint! LOL. I think I need to win the lottery soon to be able to read all the books I have (but will settle for a nice retirement someday, too). Needless to say I won't be bored.

[Jeanette]

I've heard wonderful things about The Spy Game and ordered a copy that I am hoping will show up today. I must admit to a bit of cover envy though. I think the British cover is much more appealing than the American. But I guess I should not complain too much because as you mentioned I am lucky it is available over here.

[Danielle]

Jeanette--I admit that I liked the UK cover more, too, but I thought I had better be good and just buy the US version. I've seen versions on Amazon and on other blogs, but my cover is even differen than those! It does look good!