New books have been chosen for my two favorite online book groups. Reading Matters has chosen Evelyn Waugh's Scoop, which is a satire of sensational journalism. I have read that this is actually somewhat based on Waugh's experiences working for the Daily Mail. I have yet to read any of his work, and I am looking forward to it. Although I think the American editions are nicely designed, I rather like the British edition as well (yes, I know shallow of me, but I can't help myself). Discussion is set for Saturday 26 August.
Next up for the Slaves of Golconda is The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, which was chosen by Stefanie. I read my first Wells novel last year--The Time Machine, which was very good. I had never really thought of reading him before, but I was pleasantly surprised by his work. I was all set to read Ann Veronica next, but it got pushed out of the way when I started Middlemarch. As we are once again offered the oppportunity to read an "extra credit" book, I may just get it read after all. I also have a copy of When the Sleeper Wakes, so I will no doubt choose one of those as my second book. By the way Penguin has been reissuing Wells's books, and I think the editions are quite nice. Posts are due August 30. Of course anyone is welcome to read along with both groups!
As I had errands to do today, I stopped by my favorite used bookstore to see if I could get a copy of either the Waugh or the Wells book, but they didn't have either. As I was already scanning the W's, I came across a few other books that I ended up buying. I know I should have read Eudora Welty by now, but I have't. To set things right, I bought her The Collected Stories and Delta Wedding. It looks like she has written quite a lot of books, and short stories. I am not sure when I will get to these, but I am glad to have them on hand. I also found two books by authors I had not heard of before--the first is Patrick White's A Fringe of Leaves. Paul Theroux is quoted as saying, "One of his best novels...he uses cruelty and savagery to write of tenderness and beauty...a complete success." Set in 1836 it looks like there is a sea voyage, a shipwreck, Aborigines, captivity--it will be interesting to see how this one plays out! And per the book description he is the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. The second is an import called Precious Bane by Mary Webb. The blurb reads "Born at the time of Waterloo in the wild country of Shropshire, Prue Sarn is a free spirit cursed with a hare lip--her 'precious bane'. The superstitious townspeople titter behind their fans, uncertain what to make of her, but Prue takes comfort in her love for the remote countryside of her birth and her passionate - if seemingly hopeless - love for Kester Woodseaves, the weaver. How Woodseaves finally discerns the true beauty of gentle Prudence is set against the tragic drama of her ambitious brother Gideon, a driven man who spurns that harmony with the natural world which his sister has always nurtured." I better go and get a few things read, so I can start one of these new books!