Friday, January 6, 2012

Friday Finds (1.6.12)

 Hosted by Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

 What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!
 
All is Song by Samantha Harvey (UK) January 5 

Interest in reading: I enjoyed her first novel The Wilderness**** 2009, about Alzheimers. Orange Prize Shortlist, Booker Prize Longlist, Guardian First Book Award Shortlist, Betty Trask Prize.

Book Description:

"Set against the backdrop of growing national unrest, tabloid frenzies and an escalating fuel crisis, "All Is Song" is a novel about filial and moral duty, and about the choice of questioning above conforming. It is a work of remarkable perception, intensity and resonance from one of Britain's most promising young writers."
 
 

The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson (US)  Jan 10

Interest in reading: Set in North Korea, that's enough for me.

Book description:

"Part breathless thriller, part story of innocence lost, part story of romantic love, The Orphan Master’s Son is also a riveting portrait of a world heretofore hidden from view: a North Korea rife with hunger, corruption, and casual cruelty but also camaraderie, stolen moments of beauty, and love. A towering literary achievement, The Orphan Master’s Son ushers Adam Johnson into the small group of today’s greatest writers."

Let's hope they're even half right.

The Angel Makers by Jessica Gregson  Dec.6 2011

Interest in Reading: Husband and his family are from Hungary. He recognized the name of the town the story is set in when I mentioned it to him. It's based on historical events and is one of a kind (one hopes).

Book Description:

"When the men of a remote Hungarian village go off to war in 1916, the women left behind realize their lives are much better without them. Suddenly, they are not being beaten; they have time for friendships; they even find romance with the injured Italian soldiers staying just outside of town.
For Sari, an intelligent girl who's always been an outcast (her fellow villagers suspect her of being a witch because of her medical knowledge), it's the first time in her life she's had friends. When the men return at war's end, the freedom Sari and the others have enjoyed is suddenly snatched from them, and they realize they need to do whatever it takes to hold onto it. Sari puts her medical knowledge to use to off her husband. Then she helps one of her friends. And another. When the word spreads, she realizes her problems are only beginning. This creeping and hugely readable first novel is based on a true story."

"In truth, between 45 and 300 people were intentionally poisoned in Nagyrév, Hungary, over 15 years during and after WWI. Gregson's version of events is horrifically plausible and psychologically astute, and Sari makes a surprisingly sympathetic narrator." --Mari Malcolm

6 comments:

  1. I may look at the Wilderness alzeimers book you mentioned. Have you read Still Alice by Lisa Genova?

    My Finds if interested http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2012/01/friday-finds-true-crime-and-1st-graphic.html

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  2. All is Song looks good to me. Happy New Year! I hope you're doing well.

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  3. nice. i hope you enjoy teh orphan master's son. I started it awhile back but lost my copy, LOL :-) let me know what you think!

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  4. My interest will be in the first book.

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  5. Oh yes, I was window shopping The Orphan Master's Son just the other day. I hope it's as good as it sounds...

    PS: Great to have you onboard the Aussie Aussie Author Challenge for another year!

    ReplyDelete

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