Slowly my reading is moving this year, but I have at least managed to start and finish (in a reasonable amount of time) my monthly prompts. January 's book took two months, but I thoroughly enjoyed Andrew Taylor's The Ashes of London. To be honest I am not all that fond of reading about Restoration era England, but as historical fiction goes, Taylor is so talented at bringing the period to life. I believe there are already three books out in the series and I immediately acquired the second book.
February's The Mars Room, by Rachel Kushner was heartbreaking and eye opening--a train wreck, really, of a story, but I really could not look away. I have to say that anyone who can make characters who you might normally shake your head at, very sympathetic, is a talented writer/storyteller indeed. I had been so curious about the book for so long I am happy I finally gave myself an excuse to pick it up. Must read more of her work, too.
So this brings me to March and an easy (well not in the choosing anyway) prompt to inspire me to pull books from the shelves--"pick a book from an (old) new books list". I am fond of sharing books that cross my path that I am looking forward to reading or perusing once they are published. It was fun to go back over some of those lists and see which books I was prompted to eventually buy. Here are my choices--too many good ones to choose from as always.
The Muse by Jessie Burton -- "Seductive, exhilarating and suspenseful, The Muse is an unforgettable novel about aspiration and identity, love and obsession, authenticity and deception." Have not gotten around to her first book but this one is quite enticing.
Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson -- "Goodnight from London, inspired in part by the wartime experiences of the author’s own grandmother, is a captivating, heartfelt, and historically immersive story that readers are sure to embrace." I have read Robson before and enjoyed her writing--and a romantic story mixed with a bit of war era setting is most appealing.
Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor -- I love the description by author Kate Quinn, "A fragrant French bonbon of a book: love, glamour, perfume, and paparazzi all circling around the wedding of the century...". I am not always attracted to stories featuring real people, but from what I have read Grace Kelly's wedding to Prince Rainier is only a backdrop and the story inside the story is supposed to be very good.
The Storms of War by Kate Williams -- This is the first in a trilogy, and while I know I said I am tired of so many books set in the war eras, this one has long been on my list of books to read. Good Housekeeping calls it a "big juicy drama set on the eve of the First World War."
Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford -- How many times have I pulled this one of my shelves . . . "The Great War is over, and change is in the air, in this novel that brings to life the exciting days of early British radio…and one woman who finds her voice while working alongside the brilliant women and men of the BBC."
The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths -- Just one novel of suspense on my list this time, but a good one, I think. "A deviously plotted modern-day tale that's rooted in a flesh-creeping Victorian past. Elly Griffiths' clever and original murder mystery plays deliciously on the nerves and kept me guessing until the end -- Lesley Thomson, author of The Detective's Daughter series." Yum (if you can say that about a story).
It seems to be the world has gone really wonky (sadly, and I do not jest about this), so a good story to distract me from the dire news is just what I need at the moment. How are you managing to stay sane in these troubled days?