September '22 GR Update 2
Since my last update, I've added 10 books to my to-read list on GoodReads. I am back up to almost 1000 books on that list. I am ridiculous. Nevertheless, I'm here to show you what I've added.
The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird - I don't remember where I heard about this novel of what happens after a global virus wipes out men. Only the first part is about the virus; the rest of it is about three women and how the world has changed without men. I saw a post recently that asked women what they would do differently if there were no men for 24 hours. All the answers were like, "wear my headphones while I run" and "walk home at night without fear." I wonder if this book touches on that phenomenon.
Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire's Wife, and the Murder of the Century by Roseanne Montillo - You already know about my fascination with Truman Capote and his Swans. This is about a woman who was sort of on the periphery of the swans, Ann Woodward. She shot and killed her millionaire husband and Capote used it as his next big book. When I saw this was coming in November I went to NetGalley and requested an ARC copy and was immediately approved. Woohoo!
Trial By Fire: A Devastating Tragedy, 100 Lives Lost, and a 15-Year Search for Truth by Scott James - This book is about The Station nightclub that caught fire with a full house and there were many needless deaths. The band that was playing onstage that night is one of my favorites from high school. There were many mistakes made that night, including a security guard who would not lead fleeing crowdspeople exit through the backstage area because that was "reserved for the band." It was a horrible tragedy and I'm interested to see what Scott James has found.
Haven by Emma Donoghue - I'm not sure how I feel about Emma Donoghue's writing. I've tried to read a couple of her books, and I've only managed to finish 2. I'm really hoping this story about three monks who are following a dream of one of them to find a place to hide from the sinful world gives me Matrix (by Lauren Groff) vibes. They find what is now Skellig Michael off the coast of Ireland, and determine to claim the rocky outcropping for God.
The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne - This will be my last attempt at reading a fairytale retelling. I have found that I don't really care for them. I've read a few. The only one I've actually liked has been the one that I didn't realize was a retelling. This, in case it's not obvious by the cover, is a retelling of Rapunzel. Only it's told by the witch who put Rapunzel in the tower.
Five Survive by Holly Jackson - This is a YA thriller about 6 teens on a road trip for Spring Break. As might be clear from the title, only five of them come home. But who is the killer? I liked the other Holly Jackson book I've read. I got an advanced copy of this from NetGalley to read and review. It's perfect for October spooky reads!
Jane Austen: A Literary Celebrity by Peter J. Leithart - This was originally published in 2010, but is being updated and rereleased. I got a pre-release copy from Netgalley, so I'll check it out. It has less than 200 pages so there probably won't be a lot of new information, but I can read it and review it for NetGalley.
The Modiste Mishap by Erica Ridley - This is actually a novella in the middle of a romance series set in the Regency era. If I like this, I might go back and read the others since we all know I love a good Regence setting. It clocks in at less than 150 pages, so it should be pretty quick.
The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner - The September book club book was by this author. The thing I liked least in that book is not present in the new one so I am willing to give it a shot. It is set in Victorian England and follows a Medium who gets involved with a gentlemen's club, The Seance Society, to solve a murder. When I found out this was coming out, I once again headed to NetGalley to request it and was approved. It comes out next spring.
Sister Novelists: The Trailblazine Porter Sisters, Who Paved the Way for Austen and the Brontes by Devoney Looser - Mike found this on the list of books the library has added to the collection. I added it to my Goodreads list. Then I realized it doesn't come out until the end of October so I went over to NetGalley to request it and was immediately approved. I don't know how I'm pulling this off. Maybe I'm requesting books no one else cares about? Whatever. I'll take it.
Ok. That's what I've added to my list this last couple of weeks. Shout out to NetGalley for approving me for all my requests. So basically all of those books are on my Kindle now. Free books!
Happy reading!