Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson - Giveaway

The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson UK 2009

Shortlisted for the 2009 Costa Whitbread Prize

Paperback Fiction, 298 pages

Harper Collins US

Book Description:

"Set in Bristol, England in 1766, this is the story of Jenny and Timothy, brother and sister baby elephants, that arrive from India half dead. Under the care of a sensitive and astute young stable boy named Tom Page, the two elephants recover their health and spirits and eventually form a remarkable bond with each other.  But it’s not until the two creatures are sold to different owners that Tom learns the true meaning of love and loyalty.

Deeply soulful and richly imaginative, The Elephant Keeper is a mesmerizing tale you won’t soon forget.  Critics and readers are united in their glowing praise for this beautiful novel, which was short-listed for the prestigious Costa Prize in the UK (and is a perfect summer read for book clubs too)"


What a heartwarming, realistic, and powerful story of devotion this is. I loved every minute of it. Set in 1770s England with just the right pace to create a feel for the times. Elephants fascinate me and I was worried that too much of the story might be taken up with people and their doings. But The Elephant Keeper really does tell the story of the elephants themselves, and their lives with their devoted keeper. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Harper Collins has generously offered three paperback copies to readers of Fresh Ink Books.

Open worldwide until midnight Friday August 6, 2010. 


To enter:

1. Go to Reviews tab at the top of the sidebar and post a relevant comment on any review on my blog.
2. Then comment on this post indicating that you'd like to win a copy of The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson and that you are a follower or subscriber.*
3. Provide your email address.

Entries not following the rules will be not qualify.


*My giveaways are for my readers. If you become a new follower/subscriber for the duration of the giveaway I have no problem with that. I am confident that a few visits may make you want to stay.


Harper Collins

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

WWW Wednesdays



Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading.

I usually do Library Loot on Wednesdays but they've been so long lately (18 or 20 books at times).  Since almost all my reading is library books anyway I thought I'd keep it shorter for my readers by doing my first WWW Wednesday post.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

The True Deceiver**** by Tove Jansson 1982 (Finland)

Almost finished. Jansson (1914 - 2001) was a very famous award-winning children's writer who is still popular years after her death. The last nine book she wrote were adult ficition. This is one of them.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Doestoyevsky 1880 (Russia)  

For the Readalong at Fizzy Thoughts, July 10 to October 1, 2010. There's still time to sign up. We post our thoughts every three weeks. I've just started, still in the introduction. I've really liked what I've read of his so far, Crime and Punishment****+, Notes From Underground***** but The Brothers K is new to me.  

What did you recently finish reading?

The Ghost Brush***** by Katherine Govier 2010

Historical fiction in 19th century Japan based on life of the daughter of Hokusai the famous painter. For the Japanese Lit and Canadian Book Challenge 4. Brief review forthcoming, if anyone is interested? Saturday perhaps?

The Shadows in the Street**** by Susan Hill 2010

The fifth in the Simon Serailler crime mystery series in the UK. Hill spends much more time on the personal lives of the characters than most crime writers, which makes them more interesting. I have read them all and recommend them highly. The series starts with The Various Haunts of Men****. I thought the first three were her strongest but I was crying at the end of this one so it stood up well too.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish by Elise Blackwell 2007





An Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell 2010

I really enjoyed Hunger****+, set in1942 Leningrad. Cypress Parish is historical fiction about Louisiana, including mention of Carville, the leprosy colony there. Leprosy is a special interest of mine. It just happens that both of her books have arrived from the library at the same time. 

Which have you read, or do you plan to? What did you think? Leave me your links, I'd love to read them. Questions and reading recommendations of good literary fiction are always welcomed. I do not accept review copies but am happy to write brief reviews of books read if requested. Please just ask.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Canadian Book Reading Challenge 4

Hosted by John at The Book Mine Set.

July 1, 2010 - July 1, 2011

"Read (and write about) 13 Canadian books by Canadians and/or about Canadians."

Books completed are linked to reviews:

 1.Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel****+  2010
 2.Afterimage by Helen Humphreys****+  2000
 3.The Ghost Brush by Katherine Govier*****  2010 GG Award nom
 4.
 5.
 6.
 7.
 8.
 9.
10.
11.
12.
13.


Wishlist for 2010:

Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger  2009 GG Award Winner   
The Bishop's Man by Linden MacIntyre  2009 Giller Prize Winner
Ape House by Sara Gruen  2010
The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb  2010
Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb
The Day the Falls Stood Still by Catherine Buchanan  2009
Fauna by Alissa York  2010
Crime Machine by Giles Blunt  2010   
Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant  2010
Stunt by Claudia Dey
more by Helen Humphreys
more by David Adams Richards
more by Bernice Morgan
Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden
Inside by Kenneth J. Harvey



Books completed with links to reviews for Challenge 3 (2009)

No Such Creature***+ by Giles Blunt
Conceit***** by Mary Novik
The Entropy of Aaron Rosclatt*** by James Sandham
The Last Woman***+ by John Bemrose
Ticknor*** by Sheila Heti
Fall on Your Knees***** by Ann-Marie MacDonald
Random Passage***** by Bernice Morgan
Nikolski**** by Nicolas Dickner
Good To a Fault**** by Marina Endicott
The Practice of Perfection**** by Mary Frances Coady
Chef***** by Jaspreet Singh
February**** by Lisa Moore
Wild Dogs**** by Helen Humphreys
The Golden Mean***** by Annabel Lyon
The Butterfly Chair by Marion Quednau
The Carnivore***** by Mark Sinnett
Breaking Lorca***** by Giles Blunt
The Heart of Buddha***+ by Elsie Sze

Books completed with links to reviews for Challenge 2 (2008)

Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen****
Changing Heaven by Jane Urquhart****
The Fat Lady Next Door is Pregnant by Michel Tremblay***
The Disappeared by Kim Echlin****+
An Audience of Chairs by Joan Clark****
Last Night in Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel****
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway****
Mercy Among the Children by David Adams Richard*****
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson****
What We All Long For by Dionne Brand****
The Museum Guard by Howard Norman****
Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden*****
Ten Thousand Lovers by Edeet Ravel*****
Red Dog, Red Dog by Patrick Lane****
The Retreat by David Bergen****
The Outlander by Gil Adamson****
The Boys in the Trees by Mary Swan*****
The Letter Opener by Kyo Maclear***+
The Lizard Cage by Karen O'Connell*****
Alligator by Lisa Moore***+
Late Nights On Air by Elizabeth Hay****
At A Loss For Words by Diane Schoemperlen***+
Mister Sandman by Barbara Gowdy***
Twice Born by Pauline Gedge****
Quintet by Douglas Arthur Brown***+
Coventry by Helen Humphreys****+
Ex-Cottagers in Love by J. M. Kearns***+


On the shelves waiting tbr...

Yellowknife by Steve Zipp
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Too Close to the Falls by Catherine Gildiner
Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Wild Geese by Martha Ostenso
The City of Yes by Peter Oliva
The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields
Larry's Party by Carol Shields
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje
The Cure for Death by Lightning by Gail Anderson-Dargatz
Consolation by Michael Redhill
Angel Walk by Katherine Govier
The In-Between World of Vikram Lall by vassanji
April Raintree by Beatrice Culleton
The Assumption of the Rogues and Rascals by Elizabeth Smart
A Recipe for Bees by    Gail Anderson-Dargat
See the Child by David Bergen
The White Bone by Barbara Gowdy
On the Side of the Angels: The Second Volume of the Journals of Elizabeth Smart    
Eriksdottir by Joan Clark
The Widows by Suzette Mayr
The Book of Emma by Marie-Celie Agnant
An Equal Music: A Novel by Vikram Seth
Madame Zee by Pearl Luke
The Hatbox Letters by Beth Powning
Raymond and Hannah by Stephen Marche
Story House by Timothy Taylor
No Great Mischief by Alexander MacLeod
Sitting in the Club Car Drinking Rum and Karma-Kola: A Manual of Etiquette for Ladies Crossing Canada by Train by Paulette Jiles
Look for Me by Edeet Ravel
The Sudden Weight of Snow by Laisha Rosnau


Reading recommendations or links to reviews of good literary fiction (Canadian and otherwise) are always welcomed. I'd love to read them. I do not accept review copies but am happy to write brief reviews of books read if requested. Please just ask.  

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Library Loot

Hosted alternately by Eva at A Stripped Armchair  and by Marg, who has the Mr. Linky this week at The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader.

Library books completed in the last month:




45.Beatrice and Virgil****+ by Yann Martel  (Canada)

An allegory of the Holocaust involving a writer and a taxidermist. Original, if flawed and somewhat self-indulgent, therefore disliked by many professional critics. I appreciated what he was trying to do and enjoyed it and recommend it despite all that. (When in doubt, borrow from your public library first).

Marie at The Boston Bibliophile said it better than I can. "This is a book about understanding the Holocaust, not reliving it. Despite the many negative reviews I believe that in time Beatrice and Virgil will be 
appreciated for the important work that it is."



46.The Solitude of Prime Numbers****+ by Giordano Paolo  (Italy)

Two dysfunctional young people become friends and help each other get through the many difficult phases of their lives. The math is fun and interesting. I loved it. Highly recommended.

  


47.Tinkers***** by Paul Harding  (US Pulitzer Prize Winner 2010)

A dying man's thoughts and reminiscences of his life and that of his father, an itinerant tinker by trade. Wonderful story, well written. Highly recommended.

 


48.The Halfway House****+ by Guillermo Rosales (Cuba, 121 pages)

Story among mentally ill in a Miami, Florida halfway house. Insightful and very well written. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it. So does Marie at The Boston Bibliophile where I first heard of this book.







49.Our Horses in Egypt***** by Rosalind Belben (UK) James Tait Black Memorial Prize

We follow an Englishwoman's efforts to find and save horses used during World War I in North Africa and Palestine who managed to  survive. Most of course did not. Great historical fiction. I loved it. Highly recommended. Also reviewed and recommended by Lynne at dovegreyreader scribbles.

50.Man in the Dark**** by Paul Auster (US, 180 pages)

I've enjoyed ever book I've read by Auster, fiction or non fiction: City of Glass****, Ghosts****, The Locked Room****, (The New York Trilogy), The Music of Chance*****, The Invention of Solitude*****, The Art of Hunger*****, Invisible****+ 
                   


51.Silk by Alessandro Baricco**** (Italy, 132 pages)

An unusual love story set in 19th century France and Japan. A French silkworm buyer takes several trips to Japan and falls in love. Enjoyable and recommended. Some sexual content. The first cover shown is magnificent. I'd buy this book for the cover. 




Also reviewed and recommended by kimbofo at Reading Matters and Isabel at Books and other Stuff. 

The second edition (the copy I got from the library) has a cover with the movie tie-in for the upcoming film adaptation of the book, which was originally written in Italian and set in 1860s France. Typically, it does not reflect the sense of the book's characters at all. Herve and Helene are closer to middle age, even as the story begins, and "(Helene) was a tall woman, she had long black hair that she never gathered onto her head..." (page 22).






51.blueyedboy****+ by Joanne Harris (410 pages) UK 2010

A man writes online stories about his life that suggest either a deeply disturbed family or a wildly imaginative young psycopath. Tightly wound psychological suspense from tip to tail, and original. A real departure for this author. I loved it and recommend it highly.

 




52.Major Petigrew's Last Stand**** by Helen Simonson (358 pages) UK 2010

Interracial middle-aged romance in England, light reading but very enjoyable.








53.Secrets of Eden****+ by Chris Bohjalian (370 pages) US 2010

A murder-suicide in an abusive family shocks a small town in Vermont, even more so when their respected pastor suddenly leaves town, and the church, immediately afterward. Very enjoyable story and well written as Bohjalian's books always are. Highly recommended.

I loved Double Bind***** and Skeletons at the Feast****+. Before You Know Kindness*** was not a great hit with me, but I'm working on this writer's backlist. He writes about interesting topics.


54.Afterimage by Helen Humphreys (250 pages) Canada 2009

Historical fiction, female photographer, her maid, and cartographer husband in 1860s England. Wonderful sense of time and place, details of first attempts in photography and 19th century mapmaking add greatly to the story. I loved it and recommend it highly. 

My thoughts on Coventry***** and Wild Dogs****+ by this author, who has never disappointed me.




55.Homer and Langley**** by E. L. Doctorow (210 pages)

Historical fiction based on real lives on two reclusive brothers in New York City. One is blind, both are eccentric and extreme hoarders. Interesting and enjoyable. Better opening and ending than many novels, smooth enough writing. This was my first experience of reading Doctorow. I can't say I'm keen to read more but it would depend on his subject. He's too big an author not to try more of.

 


56.No One Thinks of Greenland**** by John Griesemer (310 pages) US 2001

Highly original. American soldiers who were reported missing in action in Korea are being kept secretly in Greenland. Much more here than your average suspense. Well-developed characters make it very enjoyable. A first novel, I will watch for more from this author.





57.Hotel Iris**** by Yoko Ogawa (164 pages) Japan 2010

Sexual obsession between a very lonely teenager and older man in Japan. Very well written as her books usually are, but this will not be everyone's cup of tea. Some sado-masochistic content. 

My thoughts on The Housekeeper and the Professor***** which I loved. I will read The Diving Pool next.

 

58.Dog Boy***** by Eva Hornung (304 pages) Aus 2010

About one of Russia's abandoned and homeless children who grows up among stray dogs. Fascinating both historically and psychologically. Stunning, most highly recommended. And for once, a cover that perfectly reflects the story.

 




59.The Line***** by Olga Grushin (323 pages) US/Russia 2010

Also published as The Concert Ticket.

Rumours of concert tickets have people lining up at kiosks in 1950s Stalinist Moscow. As time goes by the lives of those waiting become intertwined. Very good. Highly recommended. 










60.In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White US non-fiction memoir 2010

Personal true account of a white collar criminal finding himself in prison on the grounds on a leper colony in Carville, Louisiana in the 1990s. Most highly recommended. Opening line and comments here. Don't miss this one.

Currently reading:


61.The Ghost Brush by Katherine Govier (Canada 2010)

Wonderful historical fiction about the 19th Japanese painter Hokusai and his daughter, who actually did much of his work. I  previously read Three Views of Chrystal Water****+ about pearl divers and absolutely loved it.



62.The True Deceiver by Tove Jansson (Finland 1982)

This is an internationally know childrens' writer who also wrote a few novels for adults. My public library has those for the young ones, still very popular years since her death. I convinced them to purchase this adult fiction. Given budget restraints, restrictions about not buying books more than two years old (!), and current tastes for the latest popular books, always makes me a happy camper. 


Speaking of Libraries...

This weeks' Great Wednesday Compare by John Mutford at The Book Mine Set  is Libraries VERSUS Bookstores. "If you had to choose one or the other, bookstores or libraries, which would you pick?" Do click through and tell us what you think by July 14. John has hosted the Canadian Book Challenge for four years now and always has fun things to say about literature, Canadian and otherwise.

So, which have you read, or do you plan to? What did you think? Leave me your links, I'd love to read them. Questions and reading recommendations of good literary fiction are always welcomed.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

Thoughts on books recently completed:



45.Beatrice and Virgil****+ by Yann Martel  (Canada)

Allegory of the Holocaust involving a writer and a taxidermist. Original, if flawed and somewhat self-indulgent, therefore disliked by many professional critics. I appreciated what he was trying to do and enjoyed it and recommend it despite all that. (When in doubt, borrow from your public library first).

Marie at The Boston Bibliophile said it better than I can. "This is a book about understanding the Holocaust, not reliving it. Despite the many negative reviews I believe that in time Beatrice and Virgil will be appreciated for the important work that it is."



46.The Solitude of Prime Numbers****+ by Giordano Paolo  (Italy)

Two dysfunctional young people become friends and help each other get through the many difficult phases of their lives. The math is fun and interesting. I loved it. Highly recommended.





  47.Tinkers***** by Paul Harding  (US Pulitzer Prize Winner 2010)

A dying man's thoughts and reminiscences of his life and that of his father, an itinerant tinker by trade. Wonderful story, well written. Highly recommended.







 
48.The Halfway House****+ by Guillermo Rosales (Cuba, 121 pages)

Story among mentally ill in a Miami, Florida halfway house. Insightful and very well written. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it. So does Marie at The Boston Bibliophile where I first heard of this book.









49.Our Horses in Egypt***** by Rosalind Belben (UK) James Tait Black Memorial Prize

We follow an Englishwoman's efforts to find and save horses used during World War I in North Africa and Palestine who managed to  survive. Most of course did not. Great historical fiction. I loved it. Highly recommended. Also reviewed and recommended by Lynne at dovegreyreader.



 


50.Man in the Dark**** by Paul Auster (US, 180 pages)

I've enjoyed ever book I've read by Auster, fiction or non fiction: City of Glass****, Ghosts****, The Locked Room****, (The New York Trilogy), The Music of Chance*****, The Invention of Solitude*****, The Art of Hunger*****, Invisible****+.


51.Silk by Alessandro Baricco**** (Italy, 132 pages)


An unusual love story set in 19th century France and Japan. A French silkworm buyer takes several trips to Japan and falls in love. Enjoyable and recommended. Some sexual content. A magnificent cover. I'd buy this book for the cover. 

Also reviewed and recommended by kimbofo at Reading Matters and Isabel at Books and other Stuff. 




This edition (the copy I got from the library) has a cover with the movie tie-in for the upcoming film adaptation of the book, which was originally written in Italian and set in 1860s France. Typically, it does not reflect the sense of the book's characters at all. Herve and Helene are closer to middle age, even as the story begins, and "(Helene) was a tall woman, she had long black hair that she never gathered onto her head..." (page 22).







51.blueyedboy****+ by Joanne Harris (410 pages) UK 2010

A man writes online stories about his life that suggest either a deeply disturbed family or a wildly imaginative young psycopath. Tightly wound psychological suspense from tip to tail, and original. A real departure for this author. I loved it and recommend it highly.

 




52.Major Petigrew's Last Stand**** by Helen Simonson (358 pages) UK 2010

Interracial middle-aged romance in England, light reading but very enjoyable.








53.Secrets of Eden****+ by Chris Bohjalian (370 pages) US 2010

A murder-suicide in an abusive family shocks a small town in Vermont, even more so when their respected pastor suddenly leaves town, and the church, immediately afterward. Very enjoyable story and well written as Bohjalian's books always are. Highly recommended.

I loved Double Bind***** and Skeletons at the Feast****+. Before You Know Kindness*** was not a great hit with me, but I'm working on this writer's backlist. He writes about interesting topics.

 


54.Afterimage by Helen Humphreys (250 pages) Canada 2009

Historical fiction, female photographer, her maid, and cartographer husband in 1860s England. Wonderful sense of time and place, details of first attempts in photography and 19th century mapmaking add greatly to the story. I loved it and recommend it highly. 

My thoughts on Coventry***** and Wild Dogs****+ by this author, who has never disappointed me.

 


55.Homer and Langley**** by E. L. Doctorow (210 pages)

Historical fiction based on real lives on two reclusive brothers in New York City. One is blind, both are eccentric and extreme hoarders. Interesting and enjoyable. Better opening and ending than many novels, smooth enough writing. This was my first experience of reading Doctorow. I can't say I'm keen to read more but it would depend on his subject. He's too big an author not to try more of.

 





56.No One Thinks of Greenland**** by John Griesemer (310 pages) US 2001

Highly original. American soldiers who were reported missing in action in Korea are being kept secretly in Greenland. Much more here than your average suspense. Well-developed characters make it very enjoyable. A first novel, I will watch for more from this author.






57.Hotel Iris**** by Yoko Ogawa (164 pages) Japan 2010

Sexual obsession between a very lonely teenager and older man in Japan. Very well written as her books usually are, but this will not be everyone's cup of tea. Some sado-masochistic content. 

My thoughts on The Housekeeper and the Professor***** which I loved. I will read The Diving Pool next.

 



58.Dog Boy***** by Eva Hornung (304 pages) Aus 2010

About one of Russia's abandoned and homeless children who grows up among stray dogs. Fascinating both historically and psychologically. Stunning, most highly recommended. And for once, a cover that perfectly reflects the story.




59.The Line***** by Olga Grushin (323 pages) US/Russia 2010
Also published as The Concert Ticket.

Rumours of concert tickets have people lining up at kiosks in 1950s Stalinist Moscow. As time goes by the lives of those waiting become intertwined. Very good. Highly recommended. 








60.In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White US non-fiction memoir 2010

Personal true account of a white collar criminal finding himself in prison on the grounds on a leper colony in Carville, Louisiana in the 1990s. Most highly recommended. Don't miss this one.


Currently reading:


61.The Ghost Brush by Katherine Govier (Canada 2010)

Wonderful historical fiction about the 19th Japanese painter Hokusai and his daughter, who actually did much of his work.



62.The True Deceiver by Tove Jansson (Finland 1982)


Which have you read, or do you plan to? What did you think? Leave me your links, I'd love to read them. Questions and reading recommendations of good literary fiction are always welcomed.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Book Beginnings on Friday


Hosted by Becky at Page Turners.

Share the opening sentence of your current read, include the title and author. If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.









In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White 
US 2010 non fiction, memoir

"Daddy is going to camp. That's what I told my children... But it wasn't camp. It was prison."

Daddy is in for a shock when he discovers that the prison shares the grounds with the home of a leper colony in Carville, Louisiana, USA. This is a fascinating and informative story of one man's discovery of innocent outcasts and what is truly important in life. Such a good read, I'm not even stopping to eat. Don't miss this one.

Monday, May 3, 2010

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

 Hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

Books completed since my last It's Monday post:

35. The Golden Mean***** by Annabel Lyon  Canada
36.The Butterfly Chair**** by Marion Quednau  Canada
37.Little Face**** by Sophie Hannah  UK
38.When Will There be Good News****+ by Kate Atkinson  UK
39.The Carnivore**** by Mark Sinnett  Canada
40.Breaking Lorca***** by Giles Blunt  Canada
41.Benny and Shrimp*** by Katarina Mazetti  Sweden
42.The Heart of Buddha**** by Elsie Sze  Canada
43.Notes From an Exibition**** by Patrick Gale  US
44.Even the Dogs***** by Jon Mcgregor  UK
45.Beatrice and Virgil***** by Yann Martel  Canada
46.The Solitude of Prime Numbers**** by Giordano Paolo  Italy
47.Tinkers***** by Paul Harding  US

Loved them all. Benny and Shrimp was the only weak one in the bunch, only because romances are not my thing. I was looking for something Scandinavian to read that was not a mystery ( I love them but consider them light reading). So many peple liked this one. Glad I read it, just could have done without the goofy sex scenes.
I highly recommend all of the others. I will write brief reviews on any titles that may interest you, just ask.

Currently reading and why:

The Halfway House by Guillermo Rosales Cuba/US (121 pages)

Reviewed and recommended by Marie at The Boston Bibliophile and I love all things Cuban.

Ransom by David Malouf  Australia

Historical fiction set during the Trojan war. It's up for major awards in Australia, as his novels often are. I regularly read from all major literary awards longlists. I'm one chapter in- male, so very male. But I will stick with it.

Next up and why:
    
The Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian  US

I've read Double Bind*****, Skeletons at the Feast*****, and Before You Know Kindness****. I really enjoy this man's writing.

A Summons to Memphis by Peter Hillsman Taylor  US

Marisa Silver's (The God of War and others) answer to "What is the best book we’ve never heard of?".
    
Our Horses in Egypt by Rosalind Belben

Reviewed and recommended by Lynne at dovegreyreader scribbles.

Please leave comments or links if you've read or reviewed any of these books. I'd love to read them. I will happily write brief reviews on any titles that may interest you, please just ask.

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