When it comes to library books I am far more willing to take chances on books or authors I know little or even nothing about--all I need is to have my curiosity piqued just a little bit. However this week every book I checked out has come with careful consideration and I really do want to read all of them (famous last words). And if I don't get a chance to read them it's likely I'll end up buying them for later. This week's finds:
Becoming Jane Eyre, Sheila Kohler - I have a few of Kohler's earlier books on my wishlist at the moment. The blurb calls it " a beautifully rendered tale of the Bronte sisters and the writing of Jane Eyre."
Havana Fever, Leonardo Padura - Yet another Bitter Lemon Press crime novel. What I can't borrow I will have to start buying as I really do like international crime fiction. This book is set in Cuba and retired police man, Mario Conde, now dabbles in antique books. What an interesting combination.
The Witch Doctor's Wife, Tamar Myers - I've never read this author before but she's already written lots of mysteries. From what I've read she's really excelled with this one, which is set in the Congo. Myers was born in raised in the Belgian Congo. I am an admittedly very Euro-centric reader, and I want to try and broaden my reading horizons. Although Myers now lives in the US, I am hoping there is an authenticity to the story's setting.
Sorry, Gail Jones- I read an earlier novel by Australian author, Jones, years ago (Sixty Lights), which I really enjoyed. This is set in the remote outback of Western Australia during WWII. I read a few reviews that praised it highly. This is the second time I am checking it out, so hopefully I will actually read it.
The Anthologist, Nicholson Baker - After reading Dorothy's very enthusiastic post on the book I had to check it out. Baker is an author I always mean to read (I've got lots of those sorts of authors on my reading lists) but never seem to actually get around to. The passages Dorothy shared were were funny and interesting, so I already knew I was going to like the 'voice' of the character. The book starts: "Hello, this is Paul Chowder, and I'm going to try and tell you everything I knew. Well, not everything I knew, because a lot of what I know, you know. But everything about poetry. All my tips and tricks and woes and worries are going to come tumbling out before you. I'm going to 'divulge' them. What a juicy word that is, 'divulge'. Truth opening its petals. Truth smells like Chinese food and sweat." Don't you just want to keep reading?
Now, the usual question. Which to start first?