I should really be reading Charlotte Bronte's Shirley as I am within the last 100 pages of finishing the book, but I haven't picked it up for the last few days. It's not a book I can just whizz through and takes a little more concentration than other books I've got going. It's not one I can read at the gym while using the stationary bike (and with the radio blaring in the background) or even walking on my treadmill at home (no music, thank you). There is a generous amount of religious, literary, and historical references that I admit I don't usually get (and am not good about flipping to the back and reading those notes) as well as some French thrown in for good measure. I will get back to it, but I need to get back into the mood. It's a slow going book that I do better with when I can just sit and read without lots of outside noise.
What I have been reading is Marina Fiorato's The Glassblower of Murano, which is due to be published here in the US next May. It's one of those comfy books that you curl up with under a nice, warm blanket. Or barring that, read while using the bike at the gym. It's the sort of book that once you get reading you find yourself immersed in this shimmery Venetian world and the loud music from the radio and all other outside distractions fall away. I had planned on reading this over the Summer, but it never happened. Angela Young's blurb about the book in a post last May first put me onto this author. She made it sound so tantalizing and tantalizing it is. At first it seemed sort of cloak and daggerish, which I found surprising (not that I don't like cloak and dagger sorts of books, I do, I just didn't expect it here), but it all fits and works well. The more I read the more I get into the story and find I don't want to put it down. And I'm only a little more than a third into the story.
I was offered an advance review copy of Marina's forthcoming book, The Madonna of the Almonds and snapped it up. I think it might likely become one of my upcoming vacation reads. It is due to be published in the UK in the Spring. It's been a long time since I've read anything set in Italy and Venice is such a lovely city, reading about it makes me want to go there, or at least take Italian language classes. I love the title--it sounds so exotic. Once again the story is set in 16th century Italy, but this time in Tuscany. But I'm digressing.
I recently started reading Joanne Harris's The Lollipop Shoes, or The Girl with No Shadow here in the US. It is the sequel to Harris's Chocolat, which is one of my very favorite books. It's early days, but I like what I've read so far. I don't like to compare the two novels, since the stories are really very different even though her new one is a continuation of Chocolat. Still it has that fairy tale quality to it, which seems perfect for this time of year.
I've also been reading Margery Allingham's The Tiger in the Smoke for Cornflower's Book Group, though once again I will be finishing behind everyone else. Do click on the link and see what she has baked for this week's discussion. I wish I could move to Scotland just to sample her delicious-looking confections. Anyway, the book is nicely atmospheric and almost more of a thriller than a traditional mystery (it's set in post-WWII England). I read one of Allingham's earlier novels and met Albert Campion and am now jumping ahead in the storyline. I plan on going back and reading the mysteries in proper order. This is supposed to be one of Allingham's best novels, and though it is another book requiring concentration (I find myself rereading passages to make sure I've got things straight), I'm really enjoying it. I can certainly feel the thick as pea-soup London fogs she writes about. I guess Allingham is not much read anymore. I certainly have not been lucky in finding her books in any local stores, which is a real pity as she's an excellent mystery writer.
And yes, I am still working on Elizabeth Jane Howard's biography and novel, and yes, they are still as good as I've been saying, but I thought you might want to hear about something else for a change! Since the Christmas decorations are up and most of the shopping is done, I know what I'll be doing this weekend! And the countdown to vacation continues...
Oops, one more thing. Just a reminder about the Georgette Heyer freebie that I have. If you're interested in it, please leave your name in the comment area. I'll draw on Saturday morning and pass it along to another interested reader.