Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Library Loot


Hosted by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.

This week's plunder:



Molly Fox's Birthday by Deirdre Madden (UK) 2008

Fiction 240 pages, Hardcover

Shortlisted for this year's Orange Prize.

"Exploring family, friendship, and love, Molly Fox's Birthday is above all a novel about identity, calling into question the ideas that we hold about who we are; and showing how the past informs the present in ways we might never have imagined." That's all I know but I usually read this shortlist and am rarely disappointed.

A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz (Australia) 2008

Fiction, 530 pages, Hardcover

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and longlisted for the Guardian
First Book Award. The Booker shortlist is also one I make a point of reading. I'm 200 pages in and it's very interesting. A man's recollections of his eccentric, over analysing, and paranoid father, a notoriously infamous uncle, and a mysteriously absent mother. Quite the lives these people led. There's everything in this story, including the kitchen sink.

Ben, In the World by Doris Lessing

Fiction 178 pages, Hardcover
Nobel author Sequel to The Fifth Child, in which we see how an unloved and unlovable child fairs after he leaves home in his teens. A very interesting story, especially if you've read the first book, which I compared to We Need to Talk About Kevin for some of the issues it discusses. My review of Ben, In the World will be posted as soon as you've read my review of The Fifth Child. Go ahead, I'll wait. I'm kidding, it's up.

Last week's loot enjoyed:

The Fifth Child**** by Doris Lessing

Becoming Abigail***** by Chris Abani (Nigeria) 2006

Novella 121 pages, Hardcover


A
young Nigerian girl is sent to London and forced into prostitution by relatives. A stunning story. Highly recommended. Reviewed.

Loot in hand:

And Let the Earth tremble at its Centers
by Gonzalo Celorio (Mexico) 2009


Fiction 152 pages, Trade paperback

Translated from the Spanish, a sort of "literary portrait of Mexico City."

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Have you considered reading any of them? What have you heard? Feel free to leave links if you've reviewed any. I'd love to read them.

What treasures have you found at the public library?

10 comments:

  1. I'm always intrigued by your library loot...Molly Fox's Birthday sounds really interesting. I would like to read this one for sure. Enjoy!

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  2. Love the cover for A Fraction of the Whole! And I had no idea there was a sequel to The Fifth Child! I probably won't be reading it; Ben was just too creepy.

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  3. I haven't read any of those but the Toltz book looks interesting, I have to see if my library has got that one

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  4. Great loot! I am a fan of Doris Lessing but haven't read 5th Child yet. Need to add it to my tbr list.

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  5. I keep on seeing people reading Aussie authors that I know I SHOULD read, but I just haven't managed to get to yet! Enjoy your books.

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  6. I can't wait to see your review of Ben, In the World.

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  7. They all look good. I might have to look up that A Fraction of the Whole.

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  8. I'm really looking forward to reading your review of Ben in the World. It didn't really appeal to me, so I'm interested to hear if you recommend it or not.

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  9. Another fascinating set of books. I have Molly Fox's birthday out on loan too. I haven't loved all of the Orange books, but they almost always seem to have something to commend them.

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