Not to muddy the "I'm weeding my books right now" process, and should be reading from my immense TBR, but I am also in line at the library for more than a couple of new releases that I am excited to get my hands on. I am trying very hard to remain patient (not easy when my library is not even actually physically open save for a slow curbside pickup option--not complaining--so happy to have it) and not break down and just order said titles. (Okay maybe I have ordered one or two). I shall just try and savor the anticipation.
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell -- I keep hearing how spectacularly good this novel is and how it should win the Women's Prize (it is on the shortlist--so annoying to have a book on the list that you can't even get your hands on!). It just came out this week and I keep resisting the urge to not order a copy and wait for the library copy, of which I am first in line. I know we are living in the middle of a pandemic and this is about the (in part anyway) Black Death, but beautiful prose beats sad circumstances. "A luminous portrait of a marriage, a shattering evocation of a family ravaged by grief and loss, and a tender and unforgettable re-imagining of a boy whose life has been all but forgotten, and whose name was given to one of the most celebrated plays of all time, Hamnet is mesmerizing, seductive, impossible to put down—a magnificent leap forward from one of our most gifted novelists."
The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams -- This was meant to be my year of big, chunky books and at least one of them is set in Russia. Alas, not much big book reading going on right now, but this (slightly less chunky) might be a suitable story to pick up in the interim. "Spanning nearly a century, from 1930s Siberia to contemporary Brighton Beach, a page turning, epic family saga centering on three generations of women in one Russian Jewish family―each striving to break free of fate and history, each yearning for love and personal fulfillment―and how the consequences of their choices ripple through time."
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue -- Double dipping? I am still in line for this, but I admit that I did order a copy (for which I am now waiting to arrive) as I had a little left on a gift card. I really try and avoid buying hardcovers, but this is another book I have heard many good things about. Yes, another book with a very timely setting--this time the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. It was even due to be published later, but with the timing and subject matter the publisher brought it out early. "In an Ireland doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city center, where expectant mothers who have come down with the terrible new Flu are quarantined together. Into Julia's regimented world step two outsiders -- Doctor Kathleen Lynn, a rumoured Rebel on the run from the police , and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney."
The Silence of the White City by Eva Garcia Saenz -- More good press for this international mystery novel. This one is chunky coming in at over 500 pages, but I think it is (at least) a paperback. "Inspector Unai López de Ayala, known as "Kraken," is charged with investigating a series of ritualistic murders. The killings are eerily similar to ones that terrorized the citizens of Vitoria twenty years earlier. But back then, police were sure they had discovered the killer, a prestigious archaeologist who is currently in jail. Now Kraken must race to determine whether the killer had an accomplice or if the wrong man has been incarcerated for two decades. This fast-paced, unrelenting thriller weaves in and out of the mythology and legends of the Basque country as it hurtles to its shocking conclusion."
The Lost Diary of Venice by Margaux DeRoux -- Set in Venice. Historical fiction. Parallel plotlines. Smattering of romance. One jack blurb reads "enchanting from the first page". Checks a lot of my personal favorite boxes in terms of storytelling. "In the wake of her father’s death, Rose Newlin finds solace in her work as a book restorer. Then, one rainy Connecticut afternoon, a struggling painter appears at her door. William Lomazzo brings with him a sixteenth-century treatise on art, which Rose quickly identifies as a palimpsest: a document written over a hidden diary that had purposely been scraped away. Yet the restoration sparks an unforeseen challenge when William—a married man—and Rose experience an instant, unspoken attraction. Five centuries earlier, Renaissance-era Venetians find themselves at the mercy of an encroaching Ottoman fleet preparing for a bloody war. Giovanni Lomazzo, a portrait artist grappling with tragedy, discovers that his vision is fading with each passing day. Facing the possibility of a completely dark world, Gio begins to document his every encounter, including what may be his final artistic feat: a commission to paint the enchanting courtesan of one of Venice’s most powerful military commanders. Soon, however, Gio finds himself enraptured by a magnificent forbidden love." I hope it is as good as it sounds.
The Two Mrs. Carlyles by Suzanne Rindell -- (Oops, kind of ordered this one too as I didn't want to get in the back of a really long library line . . .). Another author I have heard good things about (she has several books to her name but I have yet to read any of them--will start with this one!). In this case-San Francisco. More historical fiction. A smattering of romance. A character reinventing herself. Smattering of romance. Can't pass it up. "San Francisco, 1906. Violet is one of three people grateful for the destruction of the big earthquake. It leaves her and her two best friends unexpectedly wealthy--if the secret that binds them together stays buried beneath the rubble. Fearing discovery, the women strike out on their own, and orphaned, wallflower Violet reinvents herself. When a whirlwind romance with the city's most eligible widower, Harry Carlyle, lands her in a luxurious mansion as the second Mrs. Carlyle, it seems like her dreams of happiness and love have come true. But all is not right in the Carlyle home, and Violet soon finds herself trapped by the lingering specter of the first Mrs. Carlyle, and by the inescapable secrets of her own violent history."
Too many irresistible stories. And I need good (and consuming) stories right now. How about you? Is there any new releases that are piquing your curiosity?
I am halfway through "Hamnet" now and enjoying it. Of course the bubonic plague is mentioned, and whilst the symptoms are different from COVID 19, the fears are pretty recognisable.
Posted by: Ed | July 23, 2020 at 11:14 PM
Several of these sound really good and worth waiting for. I'm trying to adjust to putting in hold requests for multiple books at a time because with COVID quarantining, everything takes longer. I'm not complaining, either, I'm so very grateful to still have access to library books.
The new release piquing my curiosity right now is Sex and Vanity, by Kevin Kwan (of Crazy Rich Asians fame). I heard an interview with him on NPR and this new book sounds really good. It's inspired by A Room With a View, which I also loved. It's set partly in Capri, and since I won't be vacationing this summer, I plan to live vicariously.
Posted by: Kathy A Johnson | July 24, 2020 at 03:33 PM
"The Pull of the Stars" is intriguing, especially after I see that it is by Emma Donoghue, a writer I've been meaning to read more from ever since I read her "Room" a few years ago. She has a fairly substantial backlist already, but considering this one's plot, it seems the way to go for now.
Posted by: Sam Sattler | July 24, 2020 at 03:37 PM
I've put The Pull of the Stars on hold. There are several copies in the county that list it as 'in processing', so hopefully I'll get 1 of those soon.
When the libraries opened here in Phase 2, books can only be sent between libraries in the county. That means even though I'm on the hold list for Elly Griffith's The Lantern Men. There are 13 copies in the whole system, but because my county doesn't have it, my hold is stuck in limbo until...or if, we ever move to Phase 3 or my county buys it. Of course it's the book I really want & not just because I can't have it. lol!
Posted by: cathy | July 25, 2020 at 06:55 AM
Thank you for giving "The Nesting Dolls" a shot. Hope you enjoy it!
Posted by: Alina Adams | July 25, 2020 at 07:09 AM
Our friend-in-common (CJE) told me about you, and your recommendation of "Hamnet"... as a dedicated
Shakespeare addict ("Hamlet" is my favorite of his works), I of course immediately ordered a copy and am awaiting its arrival without a shred of patience! Just wanted to thank you (through several layers) for this heads-up!
Posted by: Marcheline | July 25, 2020 at 11:53 AM
OOOh, these sound very good, no wonder you couldn't wait!
Posted by: Smithereens | July 28, 2020 at 02:06 AM
I've been hearing a lot about Hamnet and thought it would make the Booker longlist. I think that's been a bit of a shocker. All of these sound great but of course I have to read the one with the detective who is referred to as Kraken. So many exciting new releases!
Posted by: iliana | July 29, 2020 at 04:52 PM
One thing I've missed during lockdown was simply looking at the new library books on the BestBets shelves, on my way in and out to pick up/return things. This is a superficial and silly thing to "miss", during a time of crisis, but it was a little moment of luxury and I liked being able to pick up and browse through the first few pages (and then, usually return the book to its perch).
Posted by: BuriedInPrint | July 30, 2020 at 05:08 PM
The Pull of the Stars is calling my name right now!
Posted by: Marg | August 01, 2020 at 06:22 AM
Is that good or bad?? LOL. I have Hamnet at home as well as the Emma Donoghue set in Dublin during the Spanish Flu epidemic. Reading for the times, I guess. I will pick up one of the two next--as soon as I finish a mystery I am very much into at the moment. I thought Hamnet might be on the Booker List, but apparently not....
Posted by: Danielle | August 04, 2020 at 03:42 PM
I didn't know the Kwan was inspired by A Room with a View and now you have ME Intrigued, too!! I did not read his earlier books but I did love the movie. I think this new one is not related to the previous stories? I am very happy that books take me away since I am otherwise stuck in my very much the Same Daily Routine! I had no books waiting and just checked today and saw 7(!!!) either on the hold shelf or in delivery. Yikes. Way too many at once. When I go for my curbside pickup I will have to just ask for half of them...
Posted by: Danielle | August 04, 2020 at 03:44 PM
Now that you say that, I am not sure I have even read any of Emma Donoghue's books, though I know she is supposed to be very good. I tried to read Room, but I could not get into the narrative style. However, I saw the movie and really liked that. I think I have an earlier book and now this new one. I will pick that or Hamnet up next. As usual I am grazing on a few books and making progress but really need to finish one (so I can pick up a new book!).
Posted by: Danielle | August 04, 2020 at 03:47 PM
The whole closed public library issue is very challenging, though I am not complaining. I am just happy to get new books at all. Either they are all seemingly being processed, or like now--I have SEVEN books on the holdshelf (in in delivery) and how am I supposed to manage all those? :) We have curbside pick up only, and weird due dates. I just feel guilty holding on to a book too long when others are waiting so I try and swap out books regularly rather than hoard, but when there is a book I really want to read....so tempting to keep it longer than normal! Library Limbo--I understand that well!
Posted by: Danielle | August 04, 2020 at 03:50 PM
Finally--it has come up as being on my hold shelf at the library, so I might have it in hand this weekend. So looking forward to it! :)
Posted by: Danielle | August 04, 2020 at 03:51 PM
You are quite welcome! I recently borrowed a library copy, but I am waiting to finish a book or two before picking up a new one. I hope you have since managed to get a copy and are enjoying it! And CJE is such a lovely person--he flies through mystery series so quickly--always tempting me to some new author!!
Posted by: Danielle | August 10, 2020 at 03:39 PM
My library book pile has gotten out of control, and then I have indulged in ordering a few new books, too. I am ready to pick a new New book--shall it be a library book or one I HAD to have and so bought....Such a dilemma!
Posted by: Danielle | August 10, 2020 at 03:40 PM
I miss that as well, and I know things feel so hard right now and I don't want to miss frivolous kinds of things, but those little things are what made day to day life so happy and I don't think there is anything wrong wish missing that kind of normalcy. Just watching the daily news sends me into a spin and I need something like looking at new books to calm and level me. It's a little thing, but a nice thing and we all need some nice little thing to get through the days! My public library is not likely to open this year--I am just happy they are kindly doing curbside pick ups!
Posted by: Danielle | August 10, 2020 at 03:43 PM
I have a copy.... Getting ready to pick a new book to read, should it be that one? (I Know have a small stack of 'couldn't wait--had to buy' books!).
Posted by: Danielle | August 10, 2020 at 03:44 PM