I am so happy to see so many of the things Dewey started are living on in our blogs. This is such a fun one she created. Thank you Dewey!!!
The Sparrow by Mary Donia Russell. Blame this on those guys at Books on the Nightstand. I’ve heard reviews before about how awesome this is, but Ann Kingman mentioned it in their Sci-Fi podcast from late last year/early this year (I can’t remember which podcast it was) and made it sound so good. It doesn’t seem like my typical book (I mean Jesuit priests in outer space???) but she said it wasn’t hers either and she loved it. So I thought I might give it a go.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. I have seen this on so many blogs that I was beginning to think it was over-hyped, but then Michael Kindness mentioned it in the Books on the Nightstand pod cast and made it sound so good and interesting that, well, I am adding it here.
Middlemarch by George Eliot. This is probably cheating, since I already bought it, but since I bought the Everyman’s Library hardback edition from Book Depository and it’s not HERE yet, I think I can safely say I am still coveting it. Every year I pick a big, huge, doorstop of a book and don’t finish it. I hoping this will be the year that I do finish one, and Middlemarch will be my victim. Ha, ha, ha. It is also for the Beowulf at the Beach classics challenge that Books on the Nightstand is hosting this summer. And Amanda recommended it as a good place to start with Eliot and I deeply value her opinion where such books are concerned.
Oh and in case you are wondering, past FAILS include Kristen Lavransdatter, Les Miserables (which was actually a reread, so only half FAIL), Don Quixote, and The Count of Monte Cristo (also a reread). I hope I can break this loosing streak this year. I am determined! I will persevere!!!!
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. YES!!! The amazing, amazing, AMAZING I TELL YOU, writer behind The Historian has a new book coming out. Unfortunately, it is supposedly not coming out until January 2010. I’m hoping, hoping, HOPING I get a review copy. Although…it looks like the UK will be getting it before us (blast and drat those redcoats!)…I may have to do another Book Depository order!!!
And lastly, I would love to have every single book that is being given away at BEA this weekend. Well, not really, but I saw a BUNCH on the list that sounded so good. Sigh…at least I can live vicariously through the ones who are there and will blog and Twitter about it.
The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie is gorgeous – definitely recommended.
I have both The Sparrow and The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie! I haven't read either of them yet, so I can't comment on how good they are. The problems that come along with a massive TBR pile!!
Anyway, I do just want to say that it's actually amazing how many books come out in the USA before they make it to the UK (if they ever do!!) so I think we deserve one first!
The Sparrow has been lurking on the fringes of my 'read soon' list for several months now.
I STILL haven't read The Historian. I really need to stay away from the library and read what's already on my shelves!!
Oh you MUST read The Sparrow. It's on of my all-time favorites, probably in the top 5. Very light on the sci-fi (I think the sci-fi elements are really just a vehicle for exploring larger issues) and not afraid to ask big questions. Can't wait to hear what you think about it.
They were hyping The Swan Thieves with a HUGE banner at BEA this weekend, but unfortunately didn't have any ARC's to give away (aparently the author was still revising)!
I've heard many speak of Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. I've not read up on it myself as of yet. I'll be interested to see your thoughts on it.
The Sparrow isn't my kind of book either, but I really liked it! I hope you do, too!
I'm going to get it. Someday. I will.
I know. I just hate how the UK gets some books before us. I'm still waiting on Jennifer Donnelly's last book in her Tea Rose trilogy to come out there. Her last one came out like a YEAR before we got it.
Oh I LOVED The Historian. Perfect Halloween read.
I think I'm going to go ahead and get it soon. I really want to read it and should probably strike while the desire is hot.
Oh I cannot WAIT! Miriam at Hachette has already read it and raved about it. She promised me a review copy, I just hope she remembers!
I hope I can get it soon!
Yay! Glad you liked it, reading twin
I think you know I've read The Sparrow twice now and absolutely loved it both times. You're in for a treat!!! Get to it, woman!
I've been wanting to read The Sparrow. I have a copy of it around here somewhere. I've heard such great things about it. And oh my! Elizabeth Kostova has a new book coming out? Why haven't I heard that before now? Must, must, must add that to my wishlist immediately. I'll try to be patient until it comes out.