Remember my earlier post, about bringing home too many books? (sigh) I’m tempted every day, but today especially so. I got in a part of my early-May book order. In no particular order, I bought:
And of this order, I’m tempted by soooo many. I’d like to take home…
(…even though the cover looks awfully much like Clara and Mr. Tiffany, another book I want to read). The story of a developmentally disabled white woman and a deaf black man, their love story inside a state school, their subsequent escape, the delivery of their baby in the outside world, and their eventual reunion.
The story of Arthur and his difficulty relating to his con man father, and the lost Shakespeare manuscript that may or may not be legitimate.
Connors tells of the time he spent alone in a tiny tower as a wildfire lookout in New Mexico. Sounds Edward-Abbey-esque.
Ozma and her father made a promise to read together every night for 100 days; but the tradition continued long beyond that commitment. She tells their story through books.
A service dog helps a veteran live a normal life; but more important is the relationship they come to share.
Which newly-released books are YOU especially interested in?
Filed under: book reviews | Tagged: librarians, lists |
pagesofjulia 
The Story of Beautiful Girl tempts me, too!
I’m looking forward tremendously to three books I currently have pre-ordered on Amazon, and another two books I haven’t pre-ordered but only because they’re not available for even that yet:
“Stormlord’s Exile” by Glenda Larke, third in a water-shortage/environmental fantasy trilogy. Normally the word “trilogy” makes me shudder, but her worldbuilding is amazing, and when book 3 of her trilogies are done, it’s done — full closure, which is something rare in fantasy.)
“The Magician King” by Lev Grossman, second in a fantasy series. The main character is enthralled to discover that magic, and the magical world he read about as a child (a thinly disguised Narnia), are real — but the reality isn’t what he expected. Sort of Harry Potter and Narna but with sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
“Namaah’s Blessing” by Jacquline Carey, also third in a trilogy, or ninth set in the same fantasy world — alternate history fantasy erotica.
“Saints Astray” by Jacqueline Carey, second in a near-future science fiction story set in a military buffer zone located in a strip of land that used to be part of Texas.
“Renegade Magic” by Stephanie Burgis, second in an absolutely charming young adult series about a young girl who in the first book uses magic to save her sister from a bad arranged marriage. She’s spunky and funny and I love her!
Those all sound great, Amy! There is just SO much to get to. I remember you telling me about Jacqueline Carey, and I’m totally interested; also that Parasol Protectorate. Gosh only knows when I’ll get to them, though. Feel free to lend me something – I CAN return them when I’m done. 🙂
What’s the problem with trilogies, again?
The problem with trilogies is that in sci fi and fantasy, publishers are much more likely these days to purchase trilogies than standalone books, so there’s been an overabundance of plots stretched thin over three books when one book would have sufficed. Even in good trilogies, the second book often suffers from “middle book syndrome,” in which very little seems to happen.
Fortunately, a lot of writers out there actually ARE good enough to develop plots with enough meat for three books. Glenda Larke, for example — her books never seem stretched too thin. They’re packed with amazing, inventive world-building.
Actually, nowadays, it’s not just trilogies, but series that get stretched on and on with no end in sight…. This is especially true with paranormal these days.
Ah. But the others, they dilute the good trilogies. I see your concern.
[…] books. help me decide? Posted on May 26, 2011 by pagesofjulia Just like I did a few weeks ago, I’m sharing with you some new books that have just come in here at the […]