I find new books making their way into my home despite my plans to stop spending so much money on them! Here’s what’s arrived lately:
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale – This is my book club’s April read. I’ve wanted to read it for a while as I’ve seen such positive reviews and I think it will make for a great discussion.
Frost in May by Antonia White – I recently came across this nice article about Virago books which includes a list of the author’s top 10 modern classics. Frost in May is on the list and sounds intriguing. I love to read anything set in a convent school. Kate O’Brien’s The Land of Spices is one of my favorites.
The Briefcase by Hiromi Kawakami – Stu at Winstonsdad’s Blog wrote a really lovely review of this back in January and it’s been on my mind ever since. I rarely read translated fiction and this seems like the kind of book that I will like no matter what language it was originally written in.
Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham – I’ve read a few books in the Inspector Barnaby series and really enjoyed them. These books have been famously made into the Midsomer Murders TV show, but I find the books to be more subtle and intelligent than the adaptation and I’d like to read all seven in the series.
The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund De Waal – I tried to read this about a year ago and just couldn’t get into it, but I saw a copy in our library book sale for a $1 and couldn’t pass it up. The subject is fascinating so I think I will enjoy it at the right time.
The Echoing Grove by Rosamond Lehmann – I didn’t enjoy the last Lehmann book I read (A Note in Music), but I’m willing to give her another try because I loved Invitation to the Waltz. This is also on the list mentioned above of the top 10 Virago Modern Classics.
An Academic Question by Barbara Pym – Another addition to my Barbara Pym collection. I now own nearly all of her books. I’m reading along with the Librarything VMC group as they celebrate Barbara Pym’s centenary this year. An Academic Question is the book for November.
Thanks for all of your feedback on my last post! I really appreciate your insight, kind comments and suggestions. I am going to keep Gudrun’s Tights going and just do the best I can with posting and keeping up with comments. Thank you so much for the encouragement.
Would anyone be interested in participating in a Mary Stewart reading week in August or September? Her books are so fun and I would love to see them celebrated.
Have a great weekend!
A Certain Fondness 
I’m glad you decided to keep Gundrun’s Tights going!
Add me to the list of those who loved Mr Whicher. I’ve been meaning to look for her second book – thanks for the reminder. Teresa just reviewed Frost in May over on Shelf Love, which was my introduction to Antonia White, and now I’ve got the book on my someday list. I’ll look forward to your review. Did you know there are sequels?
I still haven’t read the Mary Stewart I bought last year – maybe I need a reading week to inspire me!
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I didn’t know there were sequels to Frost in May – that makes it even more interesting to me. I will checkout Teresa’s review.
I am really excited about MS reading week – I’ve scheduled it for September and I can’t wait!
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The only one of these I’ve read is The Suspicions of Mr Whicher which I really enjoyed…well as much as you can enjoy a real life gruesome murder! I hope you like it too, it should be a great book to discuss.
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The subject is pretty gruesome and so sad that it is about the murder of a little boy. I hope the book club members aren’t too disturbed 😦
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I really enjoyed The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, the only other one I have read is An Academic Question but it isn’t one of my favourites. I’d be up for a Mary Stewart reading week, anytime. I’m avoiding Frost In May as it sounds too like the bad experiences my cousins had at a Catholic school.
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I don’t know anyone who went to Catholic school so maybe that is why I’m fascinated!
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher seems to be really well-liked so I’m glad we picked it for our next discussion.
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I’m in for the reading week. I still haven’t finished the Crystal Cave.
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I’m still working through all of her suspense novels, but I would love the to read the Crystal Cave series too.
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That’s a nice lot of books 🙂
I’ve heard good things about The Suspicions of Mr Whicher too.
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I’ve started Mr. Whicher and it is really good. Such a great job of reporting and research.
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Enjoy your new books! I loved The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, though I couldn’t get into her second book, Mrs Robinson’s Disgrace. And I’m definitely interested in the Mary Stewart reading week! I would love to see more bloggers discovering her work.
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Helen, Mary Stewart reading week is on for September!
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Lovely pile of new books! You can add me to the list of Mr Whicher fans and I also really enjoyed The Hare with Amber Eyes.
I read Mary Stewart’s books years ago and I love that she is now captivating a younger generation. I’d be happy to do some rereading.
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Yay for another Mr. Whicher fan! It sounds like my book club made a good choice this month. Glad to hear you would be willing to reread Mary Stewart -she is fabulous.
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Happy to hear you’re staying 🙂 I’ve read mixed reviews about The Hare so while I’ve not read it I’m not surprised by either your initial giving up and your wanting to try again. How many Pyms have you left to get?
August/September I reckon I could say yes to, so if you’re planning it I’ll definitely sign up. I’ve not read any of her books yet so it’d be fun.
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I only have 1 Pym left to own – Civil to Strangers. I think I’ll buy it as a birthday present to myself next month 😉
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I really enjoy watching the Midsomer TV series. My library doesn’t seem to have any Caroline Graham books in the system, but I may have to make a more determined attempt to track them down since you say they’re better than the show. I’d also be willing to join in a Mary Stewart reading week. I have a couple of hers on my TBR list that I haven’t gotten around to yet.
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My library only has a few of the Graham books, which is a shame because they are so clever. I hope you can track some down!
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I’d definitely like to track down the Mary Stewarts I haven’t read, so count me in – a great idea!
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Thanks, Vicki! I’m still formulating my ideas for the week, but I think it will be wonderful to see so many people honoring Mary Stewart.
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Frost in May is a wonderful novel. I do hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the link to that article it’s very good.
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I’m looking forward to Frost in May very much.
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Count me in for Mary Stewart two. I’ve been meaning to read the sequels to the Crystal Cave for years – and finally got an omnibus edition with the whole series in.
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Yay! So glad you will join the reading week. I look forward to seeing what everyone reads.
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