New Books for August

 

A few new books to start the month of August.  Most are second hand or mooches, but I did indulge in a couple of new ones, too. 

Since I tend to read a lot of books set during the WWI and WWII era, I always think I should read more nonfiction and get in some good factual background reading.  Lyn Macdonald has a series of books about World War I and from what I understand she's got a fine reputation as a noted historian of the period.  I wasn't sure where to start, but 1914 covers the first months of the war so it seemed as good a place as any. 

Two of the books are historical fiction.  Since I'm enjoying Susanna Kearsley's Sophia's Secret (published under the title The Winter Sea outside the UK) so  much, I thought I'd try Mariana as well.  It's set in seventeenth century England.  And going further back I picked The Falcons of Montabard by Elizabeth Chadwick.  I've heard so many good things about Chadwick I can't wait to start this.  It's set in 1120 when a young knight goes off to the Holy Land to serve the King of Jerusalem.  

To add to my Virago collection I have Patricia Avis's Playing the Harlot.  It sounds somewhat autobiographical.  Avis was on the fringe (meaning wife/friend/lover) of some of the authors who made up the Angry Young Men movement of the 1950s.  Her novel was rejected by a distinguished publisher when it was written in 1963 in part because "it slandered his friends."  It sounds interesting.

And since it is finally August, dare I say that fall isn't too far off now?  I don't like to wish time away, but I do prefer fall over the other seasons.  So, a ghost story or two will be in order.  I lucked out and mooched a copy of Susan Hill's The Mist in the Mirror.   I'm not entirely sure what it's about, but it seems that a man has spent most of his life away from England and when he returns he finds a "mysterious little boy haunts his every step."   Sounds chilling!   

Comments

[Cath]

I've read one Chadwick, The Love Knot I think it was called. It was 'okay'. I bought a couple more of her books to read but haven't got around to them yet.

The Mist in the Mirror is an excellent read, very atmospheric. And yes, you may certainly say that autumn (fall) is on the way as I much prefer autumn to summer. Luckily we haven't had a very hot summer here in England so it almost feels like autumn is already here. And now you're making me think about ghostly reads too...

[Book Psmith]

I was just commenting that I am next to ignorant on the subject of WWI. Macdonald may be a good place for me to start. This is the second time in a week I have seen Hill's name. She is an author I had never heard of...I'm off to do some research.

[Tara]

Geesh, you are dangerous! I really want to try Susanna Kearsley - both the books you've mentioned sound so good! I cannot wait for the review.

[Danielle]

Cath--It seems like Elizabeth Chadwick has written lots of books, so perhaps some are better than others. I may even save the Hill book for my holiday vacation--a like a good ghost story at Christmas time! And we've had an unusual summer here, too. It was really hot for a week or so at the beginning and then moderate for all of July, and bang now that it's August the heat is back. Ugh. The heat drains me, so I look forward to those cool nights when I can open the windows!
Book Smith--I read lots of fiction about WWI, but it's nice to also read history, which I don't often do. I think Lyn Macdonald uses a lot of first hand accounts and diaries and such, which I think will make the history more interesting and not just dry dates and such. I've only read Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, which is an excellent ghost story (if you like them)--one of the rare occasions where the story actually scared me! She also writes a mystery series (which I've not yet read but I have the first book).
Tara--I think you might like here. It's great escapist literature and she's also a good writer!

[Table Talk]

Hill's 'horror' novels (or more often novellas) are very good indeed. Have you read 'The Woman in Black' which was turned into a play and ran in the West End for years and years? In fact I'd have to check, but it may still be running.

[litlove]

Lovely loot! The Chadwick I read was Shadows and Strongholds and I really enjoyed it. I recently bought The Champion, but she's published so many I found it very hard to choose. I have that Patricia Avis book, but haven't ever read it, so I'll be very interested to know if it's any good. And yes, fall is coming! I've just had to get my son to trap a HUGE spider that ran across the floor under an upturned glass!

[Verity]

I like the sound of Playing the harlot - another one for my VMC wishlist and to be encountered sooner rather than later in my VVV challenge!

[Lindymc]

To read one Chadwick is to become an avid fan. I've read every book she has published except one (waiting on a rewrite and re-issue). My favorites are the novels about William Marshall and his father John, but I've loved every book she has written. Re. Susanna Kearsley, I read and enjoyed Marianna and am anxiously awaiting The Winter Sea/Sophia's Secret. I look forward to your upcoming reviews.

[Marg]

You have some good reads coming up Danielle. You know I loved The Winter Sea, and I am a big Chadwick fan as well! I haven't read Hill yet, but I want to!

[Amanda A.]

I've just added Chadwick and the Susan Hill novel to my TBR mountain. Seems like August will be a most excellent reading month for you!

[Nan]

I really should read some Susan Hill and this sounds like a good one to start with. I'd like to read her nonfiction even more than her fiction, though. Oh, and I'm a fan of fall as well.

[Stefanie]

Nice new acquisitions! I love fall too though the summer here has been unusually cool and hardly humid. Still, I love the change of seasons and feeling like it is ok to stay in and read instead of go out because the weather is so fine.

[Darlene]

Oh I love Fall too! That yearning for apple pie and the smell of woodsmoke is starting to hit me but I'm willing to hold off for a little bit. Lovely stack of books, the Susan Hill sounds quite spooky. I've been holding off on my Christmas present of Everymans Library Scary Stories until October but it may have to come off of the shelf.

[Danielle]

Table Talk--That is the only Hill book that I've read. I read it one Christmas a few years back. It's one of the few scary books that actually literally gave me the chills. I hope this one is equally as good.
Litlove--Sons and husbands are good at that sort of thing and they sometimes enjoy it! I can tell its getting to be late summer when I am walking to work and walk under trees and get caught up in spider's webs--ick. I had a hard time choosing a Chadwick book, too. There are so many that look good! And the Avis sounds interesting--when I think of Angry Young Men I think of Kinglsey Amis and then of Elizabeth Jane Howard and how totally snarky Amis was to her!!
Verity--You will likely read it before me, so I look forward to hearing about it. I am a slow VMC reader and am working on Molly Keane at the moment!
Lindymc--I'm so glad to hear good things about Elizabeth Chadwick. As soon as I finish a book or two I plan on reading the one I bought. And thanks for the recommendations--I am writing them down for when I choose again later. It's interesting that she rewrites some of the stories--I've noticed that in reviews on Amazon! And the Kearsley is a good read when you get to it. I splurged and bought a UK copy!
Marg--I do have a lot of great reads on my pile right now--probably why I am not finishing anything. I keep rotating because they are all so good I can't just choose one to stick with!! Susan Hill's The Woman in Black is great if you happen across it!
Amanda--Now if I could just have a week's vacation from work to just spend reading!!
Nan--I didn't realize she had written NF, though I do see a long list of titles in her bibliography, so I'm not surprised!
Stefanie--Our summer has returned. It was so nice and cool at night and now I am once again sweating in my little computer room. At least fall really is just around the corner now, so I can't complain too much!
Darlene--Yum--apple pie (with french vanilla ice cream on top). Please don't make me hungry! :) I love fall for the food as well as the weather! I love a good ghost story and they are especially nice in the fall for some reason--just the right atmosphere outside and in the book!

[Verity]

I've finally got around to reading Playing the harlot - had completely forgotten commenting on this post!

[Danielle]

Verity--Isn't it funny to go back to posts where you leave a comment and realize how long it has taken to actually read a book you said you really wanted to read!!